GAME AUDIO
Archived game audio
2009 ARCHIVED VIDEO CONTENT
Video of Harlingen High-SA Southwest
Video of Edinburg High-Brownsville Hanna
Video of Edinburg High-Edinburg North
Video of Mission Veterans' Raul Becerril
Video of Rio Hondo's Maverick Hunter
Video highlights of McAllen Memorial-Sharyland
Video of Los Fresnos' Estephan Wilson
Video highlights of Mercedes-Weslaco East
SAN ANTONIO — There was a soothing sense of calm after PSJA North fell behind, 35-14, to Eagle Pass in last week's area clash.
And it didn't come from the Raiders veteran head coach Bruce Bush.
It came from three-year starting quarterback Noe Garcia.
One of the most underrated QBs in the Valley the last couple of years, Garcia rallied his troops as the silver and black came back and won a wild one 56-42.
It’s that time of year.
The Thanksgiving holiday brings a lot more than just giving thanks in high school football.
It also ushers in the phenomenon known as “Valley Week,” normally the third round of the state playoffs that pits a 5A team from the RGV against a San Antonio or Austin-area Region IV team.
Based on the records over the last 19 seasons, it’s no wonder teams and fans in the Alamo City have some extra pep in their step during the week in November/December against their neighbors to the south.
HARLINGEN — Cardinals offensive coordinator Robert Fraga has football down to a science.
Literally.
The AP physics teacher at Harlingen High School is in his 15th year coaching football and first as OC for his alma mater, the Cardinals.
Fraga was raised on one philosophy: hard work pays off.
From his parents to his coaches at Harlingen, Fraga's used his upbringing to get ahead in life.
And whether it's teaching in the classroom or the practice field, Fraga instills the same work ethic and values to his students and athletes.
Ask PSJA head coach Mel Rios and he'll tell you just how tough District 31-5A really is.
Rios' Bears came in fifth place in 31-5A this season losing to the second through fourth place teams by a combined score of five points.
PSJA High lost to Edinburg North by three points, 31-28 in a nailbiter from the start.
The following week, the Bears lost to the Edinburg High Bobcats 33-32 in overtime.
Then in Week 10 with the Bears officially out of the postseason, PSJA High went for the win late in the game but came up short on the two-point play for the 21-20 loss.
Editor's Note: Keep checking back to this file on RGVSports.com throughout the weekend as playoff pairings, along with the time, date and place of the games, become finalized.
Thursday Nov. 12
BI-DISTRICT
CLASS 4A Division I
Flour Bluff 55, Mission Veterans Memorial 35
Friday Nov. 13
BI-DISTRICT
CLASS 5A Division I
Harlingen High 41, San Benito 21
Edinburg High 18, Brownsville Hanna 14
San Antonio Southwest 58, Rio Grande City 28
GAME AUDIO
Upcoming and archived game audio
AREA ROUND GAME STORIES
Harlingen fends off Southwest for Westlake rematch
PSJA North recovers from 21 down to beat Eagle Pass
Mission High comes up short against Gregory-Portland
Cougars' defense denies Rattlers in red zone for upset
Bobcats' playoff run falls short against Rams
This time, late heroics fall short for Tigers against Sandcrabs
AREA ROUND FEATURES
All you need to know to get ready for this week's playoff games:
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AREA ROUND GAME DAY PREP MATERIAL
HARLINGEN — A couple of years ago, Tyler Armstrong was the skinny kid playing football.
Armstrong was a sophomore defensive end on Harlingen's J.V. squad. He didn't have the size but he was fast.
A move to varsity as a junior led to change in position.
Armstrong became a safety for the Cardinals. And now in his second season at that position, Armstrong is one of the hardest hitting safeties around.
"It's been really fun this season," Armstrong said. "I enjoy laying out receivers."
He's not the only one.
HARLINGEN — It was unfamiliar territory to say the least.
Harlingen led 14-7 at halftime against San Benito last week. But it was as close a half as any the Cardinals had played all season.
In its district opener against Edinburg North, Harlingen led 21-10 at the half after rallying from a first-quarter deficit.
In what turned out to be the district title game against PSJA North last month, the Cards led 20-7 at the half.
Other than those games, Harlingen's held very comfortable leads heading into intermission.
