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’.

Weekly AP Texas HS football polls released

The Associated Press released its weekly Texas high school football polls on Monday.

Of course, the interesting note and how it relates to Laredo: United travels to San Antonio on Thursday to play Smithson Valley, ranked No. 5 in 4A and coming off a 40-27 win over Odessa Permian in Odessa.

No Laredo or area teams were voted in, nor earned any votes toward the top 10 of their respective classes.

Here are the polls.

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Here is 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 the preseason poll:

Class 5A
School Record Total Points Prv
1. Allen (16) (1-0) 237 1
2. Katy (5) (1-0) 218 2
3. Euless Trinity (3) (1-0) 193 3
4. Pearland (1-0) 174 4
5. DeSoto (1) (1-0) 158 5
6. Cibolo Steele (1-0) 107 6
7. Coppell (1-0) 92 8
8. Longview (1-0) 60 10
9. Southlake Carroll (1-0) 37 NR
10. Round Rock Stony Point (1-0) 34 9

Others receiving votes: 11, Converse Judson 24. 12, Arlington Martin 11. 13, Lufkin 9. 13, Klein Collins 9. 15, Abilene 5. 15, Denton Guyer 5. 17, Galena Park North Shore 1. 17, Round Rock Westwood 1.

Class 4A
School Record Total Points Prv
1. Lake Travis (19) (1-0) 244 3
2. Denton Ryan (6) (1-0) 226 2
3. Brenham (1-0) 175 6
4. Stephenville (1-0) 149 NR
5. Smithson Valley (1-0) 131 7
6. Dallas Highland Park (1-0) 125 8
7. Aledo (0-1) 104 1
8. Hewitt Midway (1-0) 85 10
9. Kerrville Tivy (1-0) 44 NR
10. Port Lavaca Calhoun (1-0) 33 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Cedar Park 14. 12, Tyler 13. 13, La Marque 10. 14, Rosenberg Terry 5. 15, Humble 4. 16, Manvel 3. 16, Pearland Dawson 3. 16, Angleton 3. 19, Port Neches-Groves 2. 19, WF Rider 2.

Class 3A
School Record Total Points Prv
1. Tyler Chapel Hill (14) (1-0) 237 1
2. Henderson (4) (1-0) 206 2
3. Wimberley (5) (1-0) 204 3
4. Argyle (1-0) 170 4
5. Carthage (1) (1-0) 154 5
6. Coldspring-Oakhurst (1) (1-0) 127 6
7. Celina (1-0) 92 7
8. Gilmer (1-0) 90 8
9. Monahans (1-0) 20 NR
10. Alvarado (1-0) 19 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, West Columbia 17. 12, Brownwood 13. 13, Lindale 11. 14, West Orange-Stark 7. 15, Abilene Wylie 2. 15, Giddings 2. 17, Lorena 1. 17, Sealy 1. 17, Graham 1. 17, Kennedale 1.

Class 2A
School Total Points Prv
1. Daingerfield (13) (1-0) 223 1
2. Tatum (5) (1-0) 210 2
3. New Boston (4) (1-0) 198 3
4. Refugio (2) (1-0) 171 4
5. Littlefield (1) (1-0) 138 6
6. Schulenburg (1-0) 122 8
7. Godley (1-0) 106 NR
8. Omaha Pewitt (0-1) 50 5
9. Crockett (0-0) 28 NR
10. Idalou (0-1) 24 7

Others receiving votes: 11, Hempstead 21. 12, Holliday 13. 13, Lago Vista 10. 13, Bushland 10. 15, Arp 9. 16, Gunter 8. 17, Edna 4. 17, Cameron Yoe 4. 17, McGregor 4. 17, Muleshoe 4. 21, Mineola 3. 21, Rogers 3. 23, Newton 2. 23, Melissa 2. 23, East Bernard 2. 26, Centerville 1. 26, Cooper 1. 26, Corsicana Mildred 1. 26, Kermit 1. 26, Merkel 1. 26, San Saba 1.

Class 1A
School Total Points Prv
1. Canadian (14) (1-0) 231 1
2. Ganado (7) (1-0) 216 2
3. Mart (2) (1-0) 179 5
4. Goldthwaite (1) (1-0) 178 4
5. Garrison (1-0) 130 6
6. Mason (1) (1-0) 125 9
7. Tenaha (1-0) 122 8
8. Muenster (1-0) 47 NR
9. Windthorst (0-1) 46 3
10. Albany (1-0) 38 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Burton 20. 12, Clarksville 11. 13, Alto 10. 14, Stamford 6. 15, Wellington 5. 15, Big Sandy 5. 17, Falls City 3. 18, Iraan 2. 19, Ben Bolt 1.

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