Harlingen High ranked No. 2 in preseason poll

HARLINGEN - The Harlingen Cardinals might not even read this story.

Ranked No. 2 by Valley Freedom Newspapers in the preseason poll, Harlingen isn't too concerned with rankings or prognostications.

As second-year Harlingen head coach Manny Gomez put it, only the Cardinals can control what the Cardinals can and can't do.

"We manage our own destiny," Gomez said. "The media might say this or that about teams but it's only preseason rankings. I usually tell the kids to not even read what the papers say. Sometimes the media can mislead the kids with their predictions."

Right now predictions indicate that the Cards will be pretty good.

With quarterback John Murphy and linemen like Tyler Clifton and Joseph Villarreal back on offense along with defenders like J.B.

Gutierrez, Mingo Rincon and Matt Torres returning, the Cards are favored to win their first district title since 2005.

But as Gomez has said many times before, those are only predictions.

"We need to stay focused and just worry about playing Cardinal football," Gomez said. "We need to be ready to play four quarters and maybe five if need be. Everything else will take care of itself."

A new offensive philosophy and new offensive coordinator Spencer Gantt are a couple of reasons expectations are high in Cardinal Country.

Gantt comes over from Los Fresnos where he served as an assistant under offensive guru Scott Ford for the past four years.

Gantt also coached with Ford and Leander and Joshua.

Now in his first year as Cards offensive coordinator, Gantt implemented a one-back, spread offense that's looked impressive through two scrimmages.

Ford and the Falcons won't face Harlingen during the season. But a postseason date might be on the horizon.

If they do meet, Ford said the Cards should be in full flight.

"They know have the offense to compliment that great defense," Ford said. "Coach Gantt has a genuine passion for what he does.

He has a great confidence in his work and the kids feed off that confidence. They're very deserving of the No. 2 spot."

Eladio Jaimez covers District 31-5A for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at eladioj@valleystar.com

No. 2 Harlingen
Coach: , second year
Last year's record: 7-4, bi-district
Top returners: Tight end turned receiver Leo Gonzalez looked very impressive during two preseason scrimmages. He only caught a handful of passes but his blocking downfield opened up the field to other ball catchers. On defense, LB Matt Torres might look undersized but he plays like a giant. Torres covers the whole field and seems to get in on every tackle.
Of Note: New OC Spencer Gantt brought an intensity to the offensive side of the ball to match Gomez's on defense. And the team seems to have responded after two scrimmages.

2008 schedule
Aug. 29 at McAllen
Sept. 5 Edcouch-Elsa
Sept. 12 at San Benito
Sept. 26 Edinburg North
Oct. 2 at Edinburg
Oct. 10 PSJA Memorial
Oct. 17 PSJA
Oct. 24 at Edinburg Economedes
Oct. 31 PSJA North
Nov. 7 Harlingen South