Playoff notes: Learning to never count out this Harlingen South squad

I don’t know if it was the annoying drizzle or the face-numbing bitter cold at Memorial Stadium in McAllen on Saturday afternoon, but even when the Harlingen South Hawks fell behind 24-14 at the half, a win by the Green Birds seemed inevitable.

The Hawks played McAllen Rowe in Week Four and won 44-14 with no problem.

But South head coach Alan Cherry knew this Rowe team was different. The Warriors were way better than the team the Hawks faced a couple of months ago.

So they prepared for battle and were ready for just about anything the Warriors threw their way.

And in the first half, it seemed more than the Hawks could handle.

The team exchanged touchdowns in their opening drives and Rowe later took a 10-7 lead.

But after Cameron Gatling scored on a one-yard run that was initially called a fumble and awarded to South, things began leaning in Rowe’s favor.

South fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Rowe scored right away for the 24-14 halftime lead.

South fans were in awe and many jeered at the officials for their “bad” calls.

But it came as a surprise to me that these fans seemed angry and surprised.

After all these were the South Hawks.

The same ballclub that stumbled to a 10-7 halftime lead against San Benito last week in bi-district, but eventually exploded in the second half for the 30-14 win.

These were the same Hawks that let Edinburg Economedes take a 14-13 lead in the third quarter of their game earlier this month and eventually pulled away for the 42-14 win.

This was the same Hawks ball club that pulled off the Tri-City Miracle.

Remember that crazy Thursday night in Pharr?

PSJA Memorial took a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter before the Hawks unleashed a furious rally to tie the game at the end of regulation.

Running back Phillip Fruge then scored on a 23-yard pass for the 41-35 win.

Yeah these are those same Hawks.

Call them lucky, call them fortunate or call them good.

Just make sure to call them perfect because as of this week, the Harlingen South Hawks are 12-0 and one of five Valley teams still alive in the 2007 postseason.

South’s defense was simply amazing in the second half against Rowe. The Hawks’ D pitched a shutout and allowed only 69 yards in the second half.

South’s offense scored a couple of times in the second half to tie the game.

Fruge then scored on a 10-yard run in overtime to keep South’s dream season alive.

“We just never gave up,” quarterback Sean Messick said. “We go into halftime thinking we’re going to win. It’s all about faith but it’s also about coaching. Our coaches always have a positive attitude. They tell us we’re coming out here in the second half and winning and there’s no doubt in our minds that we’re going to win.”

And from here on out, there shouldn’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that South will win.

As long as the Hawks are on the field, it’s a safe bet to take the South Hawks for the win.

Messick and receiver Peter Maldonado were starters on the Hawks baseball team that reached the Class 5A state finals in the spring.

There was air of confidence about that squad and the same can be said about these guys.

Some might call it cocky or presumptuous. I call it a champion’s attitude.

And I haven’t seen too many teams or athletes with such attitude.

South plays Smithson Valley next week in a regional semifinal on Friday at 7:30 in Corpus Christi’s Buccaneer Stadium.

Odds makers will have the Rangers in this one by a lot.

But I’ve seen the Hawks play way too many times to bet against these Green Birds. I pick South to pull off the “upset.”

Yup, they’re that good.

Eladio Jaimez covers District 31-5A for the Valley Morning Star. He can be reached at 956-430-6285 or eladioj@valleystar.com