By PETE BANDA
Special to the NEWS
The Battle of the Arroyo is one of the biggest high school sporting events in the entire state of Texas. For over 100 years, the cities of San Benito and Harlingen have channeled their rivalry into the annual football game with one side claiming supreme bragging rights for a year.
Regardless of records, every matchup is sure to sell out with upwards of 10,000 people at each game and as both teams have established themselves as Valley football powerhouses, the rivalry has started to gain national attention.
Backed by the “Great American Rivalry Series” since 2019, the Battle of the Arroyo is the biggest game in the Valley every season, but this year was one of the most hyped games in recent memory as both teams entered the game with 7-0 records and their sights set on a district title. While San Benito ended up suffering their first loss of the season, their rabid fans could be heard yelling encouraging words till the final whistle.
One of those fans, San Benito native Chris Hernandez, has been a diehard Greyhound fan for nearly half a century. Despite the recent losing streak for the ’Hounds in the BOA, Hernandez’ loyalty to the purple and gold has never waivered.
“I’ve been a Greyhound super fan since November 25, 1975, which is the day I was born,” Hernandez proudly said. “And this rivalry has been burning deep in the two communities since way before then. The smack talking between the two sides and the bragging rights the winning city gets for a year are extremely important for the two neighboring communities… There is not a more important game.”
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