(Rio Grande City, Texas)-The 32-6A Harlingen Cardinals (8-4) watched its season come to an end as the 30-6A Laredo United South Panthers (9-3) won 24-7 in the University Interscholastic League’s Class 6A Division I Area Championships played at Joe R. Sanchez Stadium in Rio Grande City on Friday night.
With more than 3,000 fans in the stands, the Cardinals scored first to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter with 2:32 left on a scramble by Cards QB Joe Lopez but the Panthers would answer right back to tie the game on a 15-yard slant by WR Armando Garza. On the next drive, the Cards were forced to punt and the Panthers completed a 45-yard pass on third down with Garza, again, scoring to put the Panthers up for good, leading 14-7 at the half.
The Cardinals have lost back-to-back heart-breaking area championships while the Laredo United Panthers will travel to play Austin Lake Travis in the regional championships next week. “It’s heart breaking,” says Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez. “It’s tough for our seniors.”
