| Harlingen High School | |
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Cardinal Spirit Never Dies
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| Location | |
| Harlingen, Texas United States |
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| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1913 |
| School district | Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District |
| Principal | Imelda Munivez |
| Grades | 9 - 12 |
| Enrollment | 2,600 |
| Campus type | Closed Campus |
| Color(s) | Red & White & Black (unofficial) |
| Athletics conference | District 31-5A |
| Mascot | Cardinal |
| Mascot Nickname | Big Red and Lady Red |
| Website | http://www.hcisd.org |
Harlingen High School is a high school located on 1201 E. Marshall Avenue in Harlingen, Texas and is part of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. HHS is the first of 2 public high schools in Harlingen. HHS was the sole high school from its establishment in 1913 to 1993 when the school split and Harlingen High School South was formed.
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With 576 victories, the Harlingen Cardinals is the most successful high school football program in the Rio Grande Valley's 100 year high school football history with Harlingen participating in all but the first three of the 100 years. Harlingen also possesses a Valley record 32 Texas state football playoff appearances as well as the most district championships in the valley. In 1976 the Cardinals completed their first 10-0 season in school history. Arguably the Cardinal's best season to date has come in 1989 under the leadership of legendary coach Jesse Longhofer. After losing the season opener, the Cardinals rallied to an eight game win streak to finish the season 8-1 (one game was canceled). In the playoffs, Harlingen became the first team in Valley football history to win 3 playoff games and reach the 4th round where they lost at home to Converse Judson. Currently Harlingen is coached by Manny Gomez, a defensive star from that 1989 playoff team, and is currently riding a nine year active playoff appearance streak and are poised to extend that streak to ten consecutive years. The Cardinals have been named the number 1 football team all time in Valley Freedom Newspaper's Gridiron Gold series countdown of the top 14 schools in the Valley's 100 year football history.[1]
One of the most anticipated high school football games is the Battle of the Arroyo between the Harlingen Cardinals and hated rivals, San Benito High School Greyhounds. San Benito is Harlingen's neighboring community. The game between each school has been played 81 times with bragging rights and many times (prior to the recent district realignment) playoff spots on the line. 2010 marked the 81st "Battle" with Harlingen winning 45-21. HHS leads the series 57-19-5 and 2-0 in playoffs.
In 1993 Harlingen High School split up into 2 schools, HHS and Harlingen High School South. Because HHSS selected the hawk as their mascot, the rivalry was dubbed the "Bird Bowl". Although the rivalry is only 18 years old, the game is every bit as intense as the Battle of the Arroyo, more so now that the city of Harlingen is no longer in the same athletic district as San Benito. Early on, the Cardinals dominated the Hawks year in and year out, but now in recent years, the Hawks have turned into a tough competitor and are capable of providing Harlingen fans with a great game. The Cardinals lead the series 14-4 and because both schools share J. Lewis Boggus Stadium, the "home" team designation is alternated every season. The Cardinals won Bird Bowl XVIII with a score of 75-21.
In Harlingen's 97 year history, the Cardinals have had 6 players go on to play professional ball including CFL and NFL players and 1 Super Bowl champion.