Printer-friendly versionSend to friendPDF version

HARLINGEN — Size can be a state of mind.

Standing at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, Harlingen linebacker Dallas Zamora might not seem too intimidating.

But in his mind, Zamora is a beast. And on the field, he plays like one too.

Zamora anchors a linebacking crew that doesn’t feature too much size.

Moses Molina isn't much bigger. But the senior hits like a freight train.

The same for juniors Aaron Martinez and Jose Campos.

Harlingen's linebackers aren't big. But they're smart and they love to hit.

"They're definitely over achievers," Cards head coach Manny Gomez said. "They're little, but they play like (Brian) Urlacher. And they're students of the game. They listen to everything we say and they absorb it, especially Dallas.

"He remember everything and takes it all in. He had some big shoes to fill after Matt (Torres) left. And he's not as athletic but he's a lot more aggressive."

The Harlingen plugger plays like every play's his last.

Even on special teams, the No. 44 jersey always ends up near the tackle. Most times, he makes the tackle.

Zamora leads the Cardinals with 79 tackles. He's also notched five sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and he even returned a fumble 75 yards for a touchdown against PSJA Memorial earlier in the season.

At the run's end, Zamora was breathing hard but he was ready to get back in right away.

"He's got a motor that doesn't stop," Gomez said of Zamora. "His grandpa trained him to run for distance. So he never really gets tired. We have to make sure to take him out at times. And if we don't, he'll sneak back in there. And he hits like an 18-wheeler."

One might say that Zamora is kind of crazy after watching him play.

But to him, it's his responsibility as a Cardinal linebacker to play hard every time.

"I worked hard during the offseason to follow in the shoes of all the great Cardinal linebackers," Zamora said. "If you're going to be a linebacker, this is the place to be…Harlingen High School. Coach Gomez knows everything about being a linebacker and coach (Scott) Swinnea played college football too so he knows a lot about it too."

Zamora and the rest of the linebackers have helped Harlingen establish the best defense in the Valley this season.

And while the defensive line has received a lot of the accolades for the Cardinals' success, the linebackers deserve just as much credit for yielding a Valley's best 185 yards per game.

"I've always said that the linebackers are the example of Cardinal football," Gomez said.

Eladio Jaimez covers District 31-5A for Valley Freedom Newspapers.