Harlingen High's Rincon named Defensive Player of the Year

HARLINGEN - Being called "reckless" isn't usually considered a compliment.

That is of course unless you're a defensive player for Harlingen and the compliment is coming from Cardinals head coach Manny Gomez.

Considered one of the top defensive minds in the Valley, Gomez is always going to have his defensive units ready to play year in and year out.

The 2008 season was no different.

But it's a move he made a couple of years ago that ended up paying off greatly this year.

When junior Domingo "Mingo" Rincon was a freshman, Gomez decided to move him from his linebacker position and make him a defensive end.

Rincon was on varsity but didn't get too much playing time.

As a sophomore, Rincon's first full season as a defensive end, he started turning heads with his quickness and explosiveness off the line.

This season was everything Gomez expected and more.

"In one word, the kid is reckless," Gomez said. "Being a linebacker is a little more slow-paced and he's not able to be that type of player.

"He just wants to go out there an wreck shop. And he has the ability to come off the edge quick. He's that type of athlete and we're not going to slow him down. We just put him on the field and turn him loose."

And Rincon was loose in 2008 much to the chagrin of opposing offensive coordinators.

Rincon recorded a Valley's and personal best 19 sacks this season along with 95 total tackles (50 solos), five caused fumbles and three fumbles recovered.

Rincon also earned Valley Freedom Newspapers' 2008 All-Valley Defensive Player of the Year award.

"As a junior I never expected to get this honor," Rincon said. "We just wanted to have the best defense in the Valley. But this is great. I never thought I'd have 19 sacks."

If opposing coaches didn't know about Rincon prior to the season, they soon knew to prepare for No. 90 on Friday night.

Despite getting off to a slow start at the beginning of the season, Rincon said he felt a turnaround near midseason.

Rincon recorded four sacks against PSJA Memorial and from that point, Rincon said he felt on top of his game.

"I knew I was playing at my best then," Rincon said. "I didn't think I was the best in the Valley. But I knew I was playing my best football at that point."

Rincon went on to lead a defense that finished the regular season yielding 202.3 yards per game. Only La Villa (15YPG) was better statistically, but the Harlingen defense quickly earned the reputation of the Valley's top defense in 2008.

And Rincon was at the forefront.

"It makes your job easier as a head coach and coordinator with kids like that," Gomez said. "Guys like Mingo are special and you cold have 11 or 12 of them on your team. He's a tone-setter and he's a prime example of what Cardinals football is all about."

Eladio Jaimez covers District 31-5A for Valley Freedome Newspapers.

Domingo Rincon, Harlingen
Defensive Player of the Year
Class: Junior
Height: 5-10
Weight: 225
Bio: Named District 31-5A Defensive Player of the Year...besides the newcomer (Gilbert Gonzalez), Rincon is the youngest superlative winner this season...will return for his fourth varsity season with the Harlingen Cardinals in 2009...Rincon also plays baseball for the Cardinals as a centerfielder or catcher...goes by Mingo to his friends.
Favorite athlete: Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis
One thing fans don't know about Rincon: I'm a mamma's boy. I love my mom.
When not playing football, Rincon is: hanging out with friends