Harlingen wasted little time putting its stamp on Friday night’s Bird Bowl rivalry, turning in a dominant performance on both sides of the ball to cruise past Harlingen South, 49-3, at Harlingen South High School. The Cardinals controlled the game from the outset, piling up 49 points while holding the Hawks to just three. The victory moved Harlingen to 2-0 on the season, while Harlingen South dropped to 0-2. Quarterback, Hassan Woolery led the way for the Cardinals, completing 12 of 17 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown while adding 105 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. His ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground kept the Harlingen offense moving throughout the night. Wide receiver, Dayton Mireles also played a key role, recording three catches for 66 yards. As a team, Harlingen finished with 208 passing yards and 242 rushing yards, producing a balanced offensive attack that proved too much for the Hawks to contain. Harlingen South had some individual bright spots despite the difficult night. Kamron Love ran for 110 yards on 19 carries, while quarterback Miguel Arizmendi completed 10 of 18 passes for 101 yards. Luke Ramirez added three receptions for 49 yards. The loss was a particularly tough result for the Hawks after they had defeated Harlingen 17-0 in last year’s meeting, ending a long stretch of frustration in the rivalry. Friday’s result swung the momentum emphatically back toward the Cardinals, who now lead the all-time series 27-6. For Harlingen, the victory continues an impressive start to the 2026 season. The Cardinals opened the year with a 42-13 win over Rowe before putting together another convincing performance against their crosstown rival. Harlingen South, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly. The Hawks return to action Friday, Sept. 11, against King, while Harlingen will face Eagle Pass on Thursday. For one night, though, the Bird Bowl belonged decisively to the Cardinals. Harlingen’s combination of explosive offense, defensive control and strong quarterback play turned a highly anticipated rivalry game into a 49-3 statement victory.

MVP

Hassan Woolery #1
Harlingen

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Joaquin Zuniga

Harlingen South

Joaquin is a hard worker, who is very tough, and a true example of what it means to represent Harlingen South. On the field, he is an offensive leader, while off the field he is a leader in the classroom where he boasts a 4.67 GPA. Joaquin is also a member of the baseball team, as well as a 2-year member of the National Honor Society. After high school, he is currently undecided between The University of Houston and The University of Texas but plans to continue his academic career in the Lonestar state.
Aidan Cervantes

Harlingen

Aidan is a true example of what it means to be a student athlete and representative of Harlingen. The 1st team all-district WR is not only a force for the Cardinals offense, but an exemplary student in the classroom as he holds a 4.38 GPA. Outside of Football, Aidan was selected for the 2nd team all-district basketball team while also becoming a member of the National Honor Society. After high school, Aiden will be pursuing further education from the University of Texas.

GAME SUMMARY