Harlingen fends off Southwest for rematch with Westlake

KINGSVILLE — Behind a stellar defensive effort and just enough from its offense, Harlingen High lived to play one more week as it defeated San Antonio Southwest 21-14 on a wet and muddy field Friday night at Javelina Stadium in a Class 5A Division I area game.

Harlingen (12-0) will play Austin Westlake at 4 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome in a rematch of last year’s regional contest.

“I can’t even describe what I’m feeling right now,” Card coach Manny Gomez said. “I’m just so happy and proud of these kids right now. These guys went in there at the half and told each other they weren’t going to lose.

“A lot of credit goes to these boys. They played hard.”

Harlingen scored on its first possession when Pablo Garza broke a 72-yard run to score with 10:51 left in the first quarter. After a Southwest (10-1) player fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Harlingen quarterback Mack Sanchez broke loose for a 27-yard TD run with 10:19. Less then two minutes into the game, Harlingen led 14-0 but Southwest never went away.

The quick and hard-hitting Southwest defense held Harlingen in check most of the way after the opening two minutes of the game. The weather had a lot to do with both teams’ offensive woes during the game.

Sanchez, who rushed for 84 yards and one TD, only passed for 19 yards and completed 2-of-11 passes.

The wet field conditions also served as a 12th man for the Harlingen defense. Harlingen’s defense held Southwest running back Tre’vion Johnson to 90 yards on 24 carries and two scores. Johnsons’ scores came in the second half, including one on the opening drive of the second half. Southwest went 64 yards on seven plays as the explosive Johnson scored from 5 yards out.

This is when the Cardinals’ defense stepped up. Johnson fumbled on the Dragons’ next possession and Domingo Rincon scooped it up, rumbling 25 yards the other way to give Harlingen a 21-7 lead. After the Dragons’ defense continued to hold the explosive Cards’ offense to three-and-outs, Southwest QB Felix Castillo fumbled as Rincon recovered again for Harlingen.

“I saw it in the kids’ eyes,” Gomez said. “I’m not going to lie to you, Mother Nature helped us out tonight. But that’s football.”

Johnson scored again with 3:42 left in the game from 4 yards to make it 21-14.

As Southwest was driving late in the game trying to make something happen, Harlingen defensive back Cesar Martinez picked off his second pass of the game to secure the win.

“We were sluggish but it was hard to throw the ball,” Sanchez said. “But it is what it is. The win is great. This is great. We’re 12-0 and we get our rematch with Westlake. I can’t wait.”

Harlingen only gained 232 total yards in the muck and mud. Southwest was held to 203.

Sanchez rushed for 84 yards and one TD on 18 carries and Garza rushed for 129 yards and one TD on 15 carries.

The 21 points was the fewest Harlingen has scored all season.