The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Bears (8-2) varsity football team from San Juan, TX, will face the Harlingen Cardinals (5-5) in a neutral playoff game on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at PSJA High School. This matchup is part of the “2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – Football Conference 6A Division 2” tournament.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Texas High School Football Playoffs
Who: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo vs Harlingen
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 UIL Texas Football State Championships – 2024 Football Conference 6A D2
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Game preview: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo vs Harlingen

The Harlingen Cardinals and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) Bears enter the final stretch of the 2024 football season with contrasting records and ambitions. While PSJA boasts a strong campaign and seeks to make a deep playoff run, Harlingen has faced a season full of mixed results.

Rankings & Records Overview

Harlingen currently holds a 5-5 overall record, including a 1-3 mark in district play, placing them lower in their respective standings. Their home record stands at 3-2, but they’ve struggled on the road with a 2-3 tally. Harlingen’s offense has posted 192 points for the season, while their defense has given up 227, resulting in a .500 win percentage and a district win rate of just .250.

In stark contrast, PSJA sits at 8-2 overall, a perfect 5-0 in district matchups. Their team has consistently dominated on both ends, with 325 points scored and just 116 allowed. Their impressive .800 overall win percentage, combined with a flawless district performance, speaks to their competitive strength, especially when playing away from home.

Scoring Averages and Offense Comparison

Harlingen’s offense averages 19.2 points per game, struggling to put up consistent numbers in the second half. The Cardinals score 2.8 points in the first quarter, peak in the second with 5.8, and drop sharply to 2.5 and 1.0 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. Meanwhile, PSJA is a high-scoring powerhouse, averaging 32.5 points per game. The Bears start strong with 9.6 points in the first quarter, maintain momentum through the game, and finish strong with 9.1 points in the fourth quarter.

Yardage and Defensive Stats

Harlingen has an edge in the rushing department, averaging 174.2 rushing yards per game compared to PSJA’s 122.2. Noah Huerta has been Harlingen’s standout performer, averaging 113.2 rushing yards per game. However, PSJA dominates in the passing game, with quarterback Myles Lopez leading the way at 283.0 passing yards per game, supported by Ryan Vallejo’s 102.5 receiving yards per game. In total yardage, PSJA generates 419.7 yards per game, significantly higher than Harlingen’s 248.7.

Defensively, PSJA’s tackles per game far exceed Harlingen’s, with Cody Longoria averaging 12.4 tackles compared to Sterling Tomlin’s 8.8 for Harlingen. Additionally, PSJA’s defense has been slightly more effective in getting to the quarterback, averaging 2.2 sacks per game compared to Harlingen’s 1.9.

Key Players to Watch

• Harlingen: Running back Noah Huerta is the backbone of the Cardinals’ offense, contributing 113.2 rushing yards per game and averaging 7.8 points. Quarterback Jonas Serna provides 83.8 passing yards per game, while Aiden Flores leads the receiving corps with 34.0 yards per game.
• PSJA: Quarterback Myles Lopez is the offensive engine, with 283.0 passing yards per game. His primary target, Ryan Vallejo, averages 102.5 receiving yards and 6.6 points per game. On defense, Cody Longoria is a force, averaging 12.4 tackles.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced four common opponents: Weslaco, Mission Veterans Memorial, Veterans Memorial, and Los Fresnos. Harlingen is 2-2 in these matchups, while PSJA holds a stronger 3-1 record. Notably, Harlingen secured a 42-28 victory over Weslaco, whereas PSJA defeated them 24-16. The Bears have shown better results overall, with their only blemish being a 35-23 loss to Veterans Memorial, a team that also handed Harlingen a 40-9 defeat.

Playoff Implications

For PSJA, a near-flawless season positions them as serious playoff contenders, looking to capitalize on their district success. Harlingen, on the other hand, needs to build consistency if they hope to make a postseason impact.

Final Thoughts

This matchup highlights the clash between a resilient Harlingen rushing attack and a dominant PSJA passing game. Harlingen’s chances hinge on controlling the ground game and containing PSJA’s explosive aerial offense. PSJA will aim to continue their high-scoring trend and maintain defensive pressure to secure another crucial victory. As the season wraps up, both teams have much at stake in what promises to be a thrilling contest.