Cardinals open campaign with big win over Lopez

HARLINGEN — Happy birthday, Nathan Webb!

On Friday the Harlingen Cardinals quarterback made his 18th birthday a memorable one.

Making his first start for the Cards, Webb rushed for 120 yards and two scores, and passed for 192 yards with one TD as Harlingen ran past the Brownsville Lopez Lobos 47-7 in both teams’ season opener at Boggus stadium.

Webb received his best present once the clock read 0:00.

"All I wanted was the W," Webb said. "I didn’t get anything else. I didn’t really want anything else. I wanted the win tonight and we got it."

On the Cards’ (1-0) opening drive, Webb and the Cardinal offense faced a third-and-12. Webb called his number and dashed down the home sideline 54 yards for the initial score.

"The thing about Nathan is he’s relentless," head coach Manny Gomez said.

Webb tallied 312 of Harlingen’s 466 yards on offense.

"There was a lot of emotion," Webb said about the first score. "I guess I just wanted to show people that I can run also. It was a great night for me but it was a really great night for the team."

It was a great night for the Harlingen defense too.

Lopez (0-1) committed three turnovers on its first three plays and never gave itself a chance against Webb and Co.

Ramiro Serrato intercepted Lobos’ sophomore quarterback Gilbert Vasquez on the first play of the game.

After Harlingen scored to go up 6-0 on Webb’s run, Lopez running back Rafael Arizpe fumbled on the first play of the possession. Webb scored again to give Harlingen the 13-0 lead.

When Lopez got the ball again, Serrato picked off his second pass of the night.

Harlingen went on to score on a Brian Blake 11-yard run and Lopez (0-1) never recovered.

Blake, also making his first offensive start, rushed for 78 yards and two scores in the game.

Lopez head coach Valentin Montemayor said the first three turnovers doomed the Lobos from the start.

"You saw the first three plays," Montemayor said. "We gave them great field position and we gave them the lead. You can’t do that against a great team like Harlingen.

"It’s hard to come back. You have to change your strategy and your game plan."

Harlingen’s defense gave up 176 yards on offense to Lopez.

All 11 starters for the Cards’ defense were making their first varsity start ever.

Gomez was impressed.

"I’ve never seen or experienced that in my life," Gomez said of the three turnovers on three plays.

"We practice turnovers on Wednesdays and as coaches it’s good to see that our hard work is paying off."