(Harlingen, Texas)-It was all defense as the Harlingen Cardinals (1-0) defeated rivals, Harlingen South High School 37-7 in their annual Bird Bowl XXX at Boggus Stadium on Friday night before a pack house. The Cardinals will travel to play Mercedes next Friday night at 7:30 p.m. while the Hawks will host the Weslaco Panthers in non-district action.
The Harlingen Cardinals named junior quarterback Randy Morales as the starter and he did not waste any time as he found the endzone on a 35-yard run to give the Cardinals a 7-0 lead. Morales finished the night, passing for 116 yards and rushing for another 72 yards. ”We were able to capitalize on opportunities and we’re just thankful our kids executed,” says Harlingen head coach, Manny Gomez.
Harlingen South scored right before the half on a 13-yard touchdown pass from South QB August Wilson to WR Seth Vergara to make it 14-7. Wilson finished 12-of-22 for 140 yards and one touchdown for the night.
In the second half, the Cardinals defense held the Hawks to 50-total yards on offense as the Harlingen Cardinals and Gomez hoisted the “Bird Bowl” trophy after the game.
