(Harlingen, Texas)-Harlingen HS all-state senior defensive back Albert Vasquez intercepted two passes from Mission Veterans QB Vince Abrego, returning one for a touchdown as the Cardinals won 56-0 in the Blue Diamond Realty Group Game of the Week at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen on Friday night. “Our defense played big tonight,” said Cardinals head football coach Manny Gomez.
Harlingen defensive back Vasquez picked Abrego within minutes into the first quarter giving the Cards the ball inside the Patriots five-yard line. Harlingen running back Izaiah Bell put the Cards up 7-0 at 11:12 left in the first quarter. He finished the night with three scores, rushing for 46 yards on just six carries.
Whatever happened next was unexplainable, but Patriots head football coach, Dave Gilpin said it best, ”we got our butts kicked” after being down 35-0 at the end of the first-quarter points. Gilpin added,”that’s why we are playing a tough schedule this season. We will learn from this loss.” Cards RB Kian Torres led all running backs with touchdown runs of 57 and 37 yards for 142 yards on 10 carries. Defensively, the Cardinals held the Pats to 89 yards of total offense on 48 plays.
