Lobos set to play Cards in return to Boggus

HARLINGEN — For Valentin Montemayor and the Brownsville Lopez Lobos, it’s somewhat of a special moment. When the Lobos take the field Friday at Boggus Stadium, it won’t be their first time. Back in their 32-4A days, Lopez played here against Harlingen South.

This time Lopez takes on the Harlingen Cardinals in both team’s 2010 season opener.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

“It’s kinda like history in the making for us,” Montemayor said. “We’ve never played against Harlingen. We need to expose our kids to the best out there and that’s why I wanted to play Harlingen.”

Actually it was among the contained chaos that is the biennial UIL realignments meetings that the Lopez-Harlingen game came about.

“I needed a game and looked up on the board,” Montemayor said. “And lo and behold look Harlingen needed a game.

“We’ve played some big games against Calallen or Flour Bluff. But I knew if we want to get back to being competitive we needed to play teams like Harlingen. No one else wanted to play Harlingen. I’m happy Manny (Gomez) agreed to the game with us.”

During their 4A days, Lopez was a perennial playoff team. The Lobos even reached the postseason as in Class 5A a few years ago.

But Lopez hit a rough patch in recent years and Montemayor hopes things start turning around for the Southmost school.

“We had a good run earlier in the decade,” Montemayor said. “These guys played well in middle school then as freshmen. Last year as sophomores on varsity they got a rude awakening. But they’re a good group and I’m excited to see what we can do.”

Gomez is also excited.

About his group.

Defensively, Harlingen’s lack of inexperience has been well-documented all offseason.

Graduating 11 starters isn’t easy for any team to overcome. But Gomez feels confident in his stop troops to carry on the tradition.

“I told them that I’m their biggest fan and their biggest critic,” Gomez said. “I know they’re ready. And I’m excited to see them play.”

Offensively Harlingen could prove to be a tall order for the Lobos.

Quarterback Nathan Webb will guide an offense with enough firepower for a couple of squads.

Tailback Brian Blake has been as impressive as any this preseason. And returning varsity receivers Chris Villarreal and Ryan Moncivaiz are joined by junior Randy Bermea, who’s also been turning heads this August.

“We told them, dream it tonight and live it tomorrow,” Gomez said. “We’ve been waiting for this game ever sine out last game against Westlake. We’re excited and ready for tonight.”