Harlingen High School

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.

Traditions

HHS Alma Mater

There's a feeling good and true, And it's from our hearts to you, As we give a toast to thee, May you ever happy be. And though far from here we roam, We will always call you home. It's a place we love the best Dear ole HHS! go cards

HHS Fight Song

C-A-R-D-S, Red and white's our team, Cardinal fight will never die, Our victory flag will ever wave on high F-I-G-H-T H-H-S you'll see, Watch them go, you'll surely know, That's victory's our cry. C-A-R-D-S, Fight Team Fight!

Homecoming

Homecoming week is full of tradition at HHS. The week is designated spirit week with each day allowing the students to dress in a certain fashion not normally acceptable by rule (i.e. Sunglasses day, Hat day, etc.). Thursday night prior to the game on Friday is rich in tradition. The evening starts with a parade circling the school featuring a "float" on which representatives from each club ride on. The parade is followed by a special homecoming pep rally. The night concludes with the traditional Burning of the "H". A large wooden "H" is wrapped in cloth set up in a practice field on campus, or sometimes a nearby field off campus, and set on fire. In 2004, the school canceled the Burning of the "H" due to on campus construction that left the on campus field inaccessible and hazardous. However, a small group of students took matters into their own hands and constructed and burned their own "H" for the school to enjoy, thus preserving the tradition that would have otherwise been broken. HHS resumed the official burning ceremony in 2005, moving the location from HHS campus to a nearby field where it was held until 2008 when it was moved back to the HHS practice fields. The Burning of the "H" is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions at HHS

Football

With 576 victores, the Harlingen Cardinals are the winningest 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].

Battle of the Arroyo

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 80 times with bragging rights and many times (prior to the recent district realignment) playoff spots on the line. 2009 marked the 80th "Battle" with Harlingen winning 35-6. HHS leads the series 56-19-5.

Bird Bowl

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 17 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 13-4 and because both schools share J. Lewis Boggus Stadium, the "home" team designation is alternated every season. The cardinals won Bird Bowl XVII with a score of 66-7.

Professional players

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.

• Johnnie Jackson (won Super Bowl XXIV as a corner for the San Francisco 49ers)
• Sammy Garza
• Leo Araguz
• Jimmy Lawrence
• Nate Morton
• Harry Holt (graduated from Sunnyside High in Arizona)

School Organizations

HHS offers a wide variety of extra curricular student activities, many of which have an elective class to go along with.

Notable alumni

• Thomas Haden Church (Class of 1979)
• Johnnie Jackson (Super Bowl winning cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers)

References

1. ^ Jaimez, Eladio (2009-08-22), Gridiron Gold No. 1: Cards' dominance makes them No. 1, Valley Freedom Newspapers, http://www.rgvsports.com/articles/harlingen-4818-cardinals-season.html?referrer=facebook, retrieved 2009-08-23

External links

• Official Homepage
• Administration Page

Categories: Educational institutions established in 1913 | Harlingen, Texas | High schools in Cameron County, Texas