The Valley and Laredo … as one.

The town of Harlingen resides approximately 180 miles away from Laredo. But last week, it was as if the two entities were one.
Both the Cardinals and Laredo, specifically Alexander and United, produced outstanding high school football postseason runs. Harlingen was the fourth Valley school to go four rounds deep into the playoffs. The Bulldogs and Longhorns provided the first time two Laredo programs went three rounds deep in the same year.
Speaking for Laredo, it’s gotten to the point where playing in the vaunted Alamodome is no longer considered special. That’s why Alexander chose to host Cibolo Steele this year instead of playing at one of the more elite palaces in Texas high school football.
Once a novelty, now it’s “been there, done that.” In short, Laredo football is – and has been for the last couple of years now – on a significant high.
Unfortunately, Laredo’s teams were ousted in the regional semis. But for most – players and fans alike – the season did not stop there.
Since last Saturday, all eyes turned to Harlingen. Undefeated and considered by respected people to be a legitimate threat to contend for the state title game, the Cardinals all of a sudden represented not only the Valley, but Laredo as well.
While Valley and Laredo schools are rivals, when one is no longer in the picture they tend to side with the other. In this case, Harlingen all of a sudden had Laredoans rooting for it.
After all, south Texas supports each other. It’s no secret teams from San Antonio, Houston and Austin or further north look down upon Laredo and the Valley. It’s why Laredo and the Valley have hail-sized chips on their respective shoulders.
When no one gives you a chance, let alone looks your way, your pride tends to hit another peak.
So when the Cardinals played San Antonio Madison – which ended United’s season by nine points a week earlier – in the regional finals in Kingsville on Friday, it drew attention from all over south Texas, Harlingen and Laredo alike.
All. Over. And while the Cardinals fell short – like Alexander, their only loss of the season came in their final game of the season – by 15 to Madison, it affected everyone south of the Alamo City.
My Facebook was flooded with status updates from Laredo players, following Harlingen’s every move. Twitter as well. Constantly I was asked for updates.
If I didn’t know better, it was like a Laredo team was playing.
The game was followed online. Some players even secured tickets – the game sold out 48 hours prior to kick-off, meaning it was given the green light to be televised in the Valley – and cheered on “Big Red.”
Bulldogs, Toros, Wolves, Tigers, Mustangs, Longhorns, Panthers, Cardinals. They were all of the same flock, even if it was just for seven days.
This wasn’t just Harlingen’s game. It was all of south Texas’. One of these years, Laredo and/or a Valley team will break through. Laredo’s got to reach that fourth round first, which will be sooner than later, but when it happens, you can bet good money the Valley will support, especially if the opponent never has to go through a checkpoint.
And vice versa. If there’s one thing that makes high school sports the big dog in Texas, it’s how it pulls communities together. It’s entirely possible for rivals to become friends.
San Antonio doesn’t pull for Dallas schools. Houston couldn’t care less about Austin. But the Valley, in essence, will always be behind Laredo, and likewise.
There is a unique, if not breathtaking, brotherhood between the Valley and Laredo … when they’re not playing each other, that is. Last week was another example of that.
One of these years, it will all come together. This year, the Valley and Laredo fell short. But they’re comin’.
They’re comin’.