Strong Finish: Explosive fourth quarter carries Harlingen past Weslaco

AUG 30 2024

HARLINGEN — Harlingen High juniors Aiden Flores and Noah Huerta scored on back-to-back drives during the fourth quarter as the Cardinals soared past the Weslaco High Panthers 42-28 during their 2024 season opener Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.

The victory marked Harlingen High’s seventh straight Week 1 victory, last losing a season opener during the 2017 season. The loss snaps a 10-game regular season winning streak by the Panthers.

“We started off strong,” Harlingen High running back Noah Huerta said. “First play I got a touchdown. Then Hassan got his touchdown. It felt good starting off so strong. We had a little sluggish part, but we talked about it at halftime and got right back into it.”

Harlingen High wasted no time pouncing on the Panthers during their season opener, taking a 21-3 lead midway through the second quarter thanks to touchdown runs by Huerta (61 yards) and freshman quarterback Hassan Woolery (61 yards) and a touchdown reception by junior receiver Aiden Flores (39 yards)

The Panthers didn’t fold, however, cutting their deficit to four before the half on touchdown passes from Franky Trevino to Joseph Leal (66 yards) and Chris Luna (33 yards).

A 25-yard field goal by Weslaco High kicker Gustavo Rodriguez during the third quarter brought the Panthers within one point, but the Cardinals quickly responded, retaking a one possession lead on an 8-yard touchdown run by Flores to make it 28-20 with 2:19 left in the third.

Once again, the Panthers came right back, tying the game at 28 following a 3-yard touchdown run by running back David Garcia and a successful catch for a two-point conversion by receiver Joseph Leal.

That would be the last time the Panthers scored, however, with Flores regiving the Cardinals the lead on a 27-yard touchdown reception, followed by a 26-yard touchdown run by Huerta for the final dagger.

“I had a chip on my shoulder from last year losing barely to these guys,” Huerta said. “We should have won, I feel. I got to give props to my O-line though. They do all the work and don’t get enough props.”

Huerta finished the day with 13 carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while Flores added 104 total yards and three scores.

Quarterback Franky Trevino paced the Panthers offense, going 9-of-14 for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 12 carries for 52 yards.

The Cardinals (1-0) turn their attention to the Bird Bowl next week, taking on Harlingen South (1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.

The Panthers (0-1) will bounce back on the road against McAllen Memorial (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium in McAllen.