CARD KILLERS: Receivers share place in Greyhound lore for game-winning plays against Harlingen

(Courtesy photo) San Benito Greyhounds junior wideout Armando Medrano (left) is pictured with Greyhound alumnus Jason Montemayor. Medrano and Montemayor are both credited for catching the winning touchdown (Medrano this year and Montemayor in 1995) at the annual Battle of the Arroyo that lifted the ’Hounds over the Harlingen Cardinals in comeback victories.

(Courtesy photo)
San Benito Greyhounds junior wideout Armando Medrano (left) is pictured with Greyhound alumnus Jason Montemayor. Medrano and Montemayor are both credited for catching the winning touchdown (Medrano this year and Montemayor in 1995) at the annual Battle of the Arroyo that lifted the ’Hounds over the Harlingen Cardinals in comeback victories.

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

Dub these guys the Card Killers.

Armando Medrano, 16, and Jason Montemayor, 36, who are both credited with catching game-winning touchdowns as wide receivers for the San Benito Greyhounds in the Battle of the Arroyo, met on Thursday for a memorable photo opportunity.

In the 1995 “Battle,” Jason hauled in a 44-yard fourth quarter TD strike from then-QB Eddie Benavidez on a hitch-and-go – a play made famous by Tommy Roberts, who at that time helmed the ’Hounds as head coach. The reception helped the ’Hounds defeat the Cards 15-6 in San Benito’s first victory over Harlingen in nearly 30 years.

“The stadium went nuts,” Jason recalled. “You have to understand that we hadn’t beaten them (Cards) in 28 years, so for us to get that game-winning touchdown…it was just nuts. The town didn’t even sleep that night because we ended 28 years of frustration.”

Jason also remembered how the party in San Benito continued the next morning.

“We as the players threw our own little celebration after the game, but we had to practice the next morning,” Jason said. “I had a vehicle at the time, so I went to pick up my quarterback for practice. When we got to practice, the fans were there to congratulate us. They hadn’t slept. That was crazy. It was a neat experience.”

Then came Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, when Armando capped off what might go down as the biggest come-from-behind victory in the annual rivalry game’s 85-year history. Specifically, Armando caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior playcaller Cristian Sierra with just 34 seconds left in the game – this after San Benito overcame a 21-3 deficit to score 22 unanswered points in the last 8 minutes of the game in a 25-21 victory.

As previously mentioned in the San Benito News, Armando’s reception on Friday was shades of Jason’s streak-busting catch against Harlingen those 19 years ago.

“I came down with the ball and I didn’t even bother looking at the time,” Armando said after pulling in the TD toss that will also go down in Greyhound history as the stuff from which legends are made. “I saw everybody rushing at me, and I was excited. It was pretty exciting.”

Armando said he ran a post and caught Cristian’s attention after the junior receiver created some separation from the Cards’ defensive backs.

“It came together at the last minute,” Armando said of the play. “I saw Christian when running my route, and once he saw me wide open…all it took was a nice throw.”

The nerves of the game was admittedly on Armando’s mind, especially when considering that the annual grudge match is even recognized state-wide as one of the more bitter rivalries in Texas.

“Just don’t drop it, I need to catch this ball,” Jason said when asked what was going through his mind when he saw the ball launched in his direction. And the rest is history.

But perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of Armando’s and Jason’s game-winning grabs is that they happen to share another connection.

Armando’s father is an umpire who officiates youth league softball games, many of which are played by teams that Jason coaches.

“The cool thing about Armando is that I know his dad, who’s been umpiring my daughter’s softball games the last six years,” Jason said. “I’m a coach, so we’ve built a relationship the past six years. We talk a lot, and he (Armando’s father) told me that his son played football. So I’ve been watching Armando and noticed he has a lot of talent. I’m proud of him, and knowing the family makes it even more special. It couldn’t happen to a better guy.”

On joining Jason’s ranks in San Benito football lore, Armando said, “It means a lot, because I did the same thing he did, and to meet him…I felt honored.”

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/10/17/card-killers-receivers-share-place-in-greyhound-lore-for-game-winning-plays-against-harlingen/

3 comments

    • Como es Juan on October 20, 2014 at 3:01 pm
    • Reply

    The game happened in 1995, and the score was 15-9, NOT 15-6. Before that game we had not beaten Harlingen in 28 years from ’67-’94. So it WAS nearly 30 years that we had not beaten Harlingen.

    • Triple P on October 20, 2014 at 12:00 pm
    • Reply

    If I read the statement correctly, the statement was made in reference to the game back in 1995 (meaning they hadn’t won in nearly 30 years prior to 1995) not the game in 2014.

    That put aside, you are correct in suggesting that the Hounds beat the Cardinals in the late 90’s.

    A list of scores/results is available below:

    Battle Of The Arroyo

    • GH on October 19, 2014 at 2:17 am
    • Reply

    I don’t know why you keep saying that it’s been “nearly 30 years” since the Greyhounds defeated the Cardinals. I remember living in the valley in the late 1990’s (closer to 2000) and attending a game when the Greyhounds won the Cardinals. Can you check into this?

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