(Corpus Christi, Texas)-With less than eight minutes to play, the Harlingen Cardinals turned the ball over twice against San Antonio Stevens in the Class 6A Division I Area Championships at Buccaneer Stadium on December 19th after leading 21-7 in the fourth quarter. Stevens quarterback, only a sophomore, Kevin Brashears found WR Ian Riles open for a touchdown to end the Cardinals playoff run, winning 28-21 in a wild come-from-behind victory. Twenty-one points were scored by Stevens HS in the fourth quarter to win the game.
The Cardinals will return five starters from that game on offense and fans can expect the Cardinals to make it to the second round again in 2021.
After playing just seven games last season during the COVID19 pandemic, the Cardinals (6-1, 4-0)will return as the defending champions from 32-6A. The No.1 ranked team by HSSM, Cards will travel to Laredo United South on August 27th to meet the Panthers at 7:00 p.m. in a non-district contest followed by another non-district contest against HSSM’s No.2 ranked team, 31-5A defending champions, Edinburg Vela. The Cardinals will end their non-district season at home against another 30-6A opponent, Laredo United on September 10th at Boggus Stadium. Players to watch on defense will be DL Nathan Huerta (32 tackles, 2 QB sacks), Chris Luna (5.0 QB sacks), and Angel Garcia (51 tackles 2 QB sacks). Offensively, the Cards will be stack after advancing to the Texas State 7on-7 Football Championships this past summer at College Station. Junior RB Izaiah Bell returns with RB Isaiah Perales. “We will bring of experience at key positions,” says HHS head coach Gomez.