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’.

UIL’s vote creates furor

On Monday, Oct. 17, a bit of Texas high school football’s heart was lost when the UIL voted to cut into two-a-day practices during the preseason.

The vote is still seeking final approval and expects to go into effect in 2012. It bans two-a-days the first four days of camp and on consecutive days. The break period between two-a-day sessions was also changed from one hour to two.

The UIL’s motive is clear: protect the kids. We just got through a heartbreaking August that saw four student-athletes across the nation and an assistant coach in Texas succumb to the unrelenting Texas heat. And it’s my opinion that it’s especially essential in Laredo, where August temperatures are consistently above 110 degrees.

While I have no doubt Laredo coaches and athletic trainers go above and beyond to ensure the kids’ health, it was crucial that the UIL mandated something, anything. It was an issue that had to be addressed.

However, reaction to the news last week was not favorable. Not one former or current Laredo high school athlete was in agreement with the UIL’s decision. Popular consensus shows that two-a-days is a rite of passage in the state’s most popular sport. It’s an accepted necessary evil that builds team chemistry and is a part of the grit and grind that separates the men from the boys.

Coaches were also not too pleased. The most common opinion was that conditioning would severely be lacking. That’s a pretty significant concern within a sport that is hellacious on the body. We’ve also likely seen the last of a program that chooses not to participate in spring ball in exchange for that extra week in the fall. What’s the point, now, if you can’t get your kids in shape those first few days, which trainers say are absolutely necessary and critical?

Those not directly involved with the sport enthusiastically applauded the UIL’s decision. And that’s what is likely to be expected; this news is a sigh of relief for parents, fans and your average Laredoan.

But for the players and coaches, it’s another hindrance. Another hurdle to climb. A part of the sport is now gone; a part that made teams what they were and pushed players to limits they never quite thought were possible.

Still, it’s hard to argue against the UIL’s ruling. Whenever death is involved, you have to take desperate measures to prevent such devastation. One death is too many. Five, even if four were outside the state, is just disturbing.

Is this vote the be-all, end-all? No, of course not. But this is a step forward.

Even if it comes at the expense of one of the game’s most treasured rites.

Weekly AP high school football state polls

Again, no Laredo or area teams in this week’s Associated Press state high school football polls:

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 The Associated Press high school poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records, points based on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, and the team’s ranking in last week’s poll:

Class 5A

Rank, School	Rec	Pts	Pvs
-1. Allen (19)	3-0	243	1
-2. Katy (2)	2-0	218	2
-3.EulessTrinity (2)	3-0	194	3
-4. DeSoto (2)	3-0	185	5
-5. Steele</bold<bold>Steele</bold>b>	3-0	138	6
-6. Coppell	3-0	115	7
-7. Southlake Carroll	3-0	89	9
-8. Converse Judson	3-0	61	10
-9.ArlingtonMartin	3-0	42	NR
10.Lufkin	3-0	27	NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Pearland 16. 12,Longview14. 13, Klein Collins 13. 14,DallasSkyline 10. 15, Cedar Hill 5. 16, Round Rock Westwood 3. 17,GalenaParkNorthShore1. 17,Port ArthurMemorial 1.

Class 4A

Rank, School	Rec	Pts	Pvs
-1.LakeTravis(24)	3-0	249	1
-2.DentonRyan (1)	3-0	221	2
-3. Brenham	3-0	183	3
-4. Stephenville	3-0	178	4
-5.SmithsonValley	3-0	138	5
-6. Dallas Highland Park	3-0	134	6
-7. Port Lavaca Calhoun	3-0	86	10
-8.CedarPark	2-1	37	NR
-9.KerrvilleTivy	2-1	31	9
10. Manvel	3-0	28	NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Aledo 21. 12, Pearland Dawson 18. 13,La Marque17. 14,Montgomery9. 15, Angleton 6. 16,RosenbergTerry 5. 17, Hewitt Midway 3. 17, FW Arlington Heights 3. 17, Hutto 3. 20,Corsicana2. 21, NB Canyon 1. 21,MesquitePoteet 1. 21, Wolfforth Frenship 1.

Class 3A

Rank, School	Rec	Pts	Pvs
-1. Tyler Chapel Hill (14)	3-0	235	1
-2. Wimberley (5)	3-0	216	2
-3.Henderson(5)	3-0	206	3
-4. Argyle	3-0	178	4
-5. Coldspring-Oakhurst (1)	3-0	151	5
-6. Gilmer	3-0	126	6
-7. Celina	3-0	102	7
-8. Alvarado	3-0	51	9
-9. Lindale	3-0	50	10
10.West Columbia	3-0	33	NR

Others receiving votes: 11,Carthage9. 12, Sam Houston 6. 13, Ingleside 3. 13, Giddings 3. 15,Brownwood2. 16, Devine 1. 16,LubbockEstacado 1. 16, Monahans 1. 16, Van 1.

Class 2A

Rank, School	Rec	Pts	Pvs
-1. Refugio (19)	3-0	240	2
-2. Godley (4)	3-0	208	4
-3. Schulenburg	3-0	200	3
-4. Idalou	2-1	140	5
-5. Daingerfield	2-1	125	6
-6.Hempstead(1)	2-0	100	9
-7. Tatum (1)	2-1	90	8
-8. NewBoston	2-1	84	1
-9.Newton	2-0	33	NR
T10.Arp	2-1	29	NR
T10.Rogers	3-0	29	NR
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Others receiving votes: 12, Melissa 22. 13, Crockett 21. 14, Wall 17. 15, McGregor 7. 16,Sonora6. 16,Mineola6. 16,CorsicanaMildred 6. 19,Franklin5. 20, Bushland 2. 21, Buna 1. 21, Edna 1. 21,OmahaPewitt 1. 21, Poth 1. 21, Lago Vista 1.

Class A

Rank, School	Rec	Pts	Pvs
-1. Ganado (19)	3-0	242	1
-2. Mart (4)	3-0	220	2
-3. Mason (1)	3-0	179	3
-4. Tenaha (1)	3-0	172	5
-5. Garrison	3-0	138	4
-6. Muenster	3-0	103	7
-7.Clarksville	3-0	80	NR
-8. Goldthwaite	2-1	69	8
-9.Albany	3-0	56	10
10. Windthorst	2-1	54	9

Others receiving votes: 11,Burton21. 12, Canadian 19. 13,Stamford11. 14,Wellington5. 15, Sunray 2. 15, Ben Bolt 2. 17, Honey Grove 1. 17, Sundown 1.