BY GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
When Weslaco East coach Mike Burget looks at PSJA North, he sees a very different team than he saw last year. Those Raiders finished 0-10, including a 47-10 loss to the Wildcats.
But entering Week 9 of 2014, PSJA North is atop the crowded District 31-6A standings with a 3-1 record. Weslaco East sits at 2-1 and looks to overtake North when the teams meet at 7:30 tonight at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
“I think they have a lot more confidence in what they’re doing,” Burget said. “You can see that on film. The kids are playing together.”
Under first-year coach Jorge Peña’s spread offense and three-stack defense, the Raiders have been a force in district play. The potent duo of quarterback George Olivarez and running back Rene Ramirez have PSJA North ranked second in the district in rushing with 248.3 yards per game.
North will often deploy four wideouts to keep opposing defenses from stacking the box.
“They try to take advantage of the numbers game, so we know it’s going to be a big challenge for us,” Burget said. “We know our defense is young, and they’re growing up this year. … We think our defense is getting better every week.”
That young defense has also dealt with injury. Although the unit ranks second from last in the district with 362.1 yards per game allowed, Burget said the defense has been key to the Wildcats’ 6-1 start. And, coming off a bye week, Burget said his team is “99 percent healthy.”
“We’re 6-1 not because we have the No. 1 offense in the district, but because our defense has put is in the opportunity to be successful offensively,” Burget said. “I know we aren’t ranked very high defensively, but I still like our defense.”
East’s offense has indeed been a force, racking up a district-best 381.7 yards per game this season. More than 90 percent of that production has come on the ground, as running back Lupe Moron leads the district with 1,261 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. When Moron isn’t working the perimeter, quarterback Darren Rivas will often keep up the middle, picking up 539 yards and 12 scores so far this year.
“I don’t think it’s a big secret what they’re going to do,” Peña said. “Obviously, we have to stop the run. In order to do that, we have to play very aggressive and very disciplined football.”
If any team is fit to slow East it figures to be North, which ranks second in the district with just 247.3 yards per game allowed. The Raiders are coming off what Peña called a “lights out” performance in a win against Edinburg Economedes. The defensive front of Joziah Treviño, Dylan Montemayor and Matt Garza will be critical, as will strong safety Nico Jaime and the rest of the supporting cast.
“Without question, I see all 11 defensive players executing their roles to the best of their abilities being the key to slowing these guys down,” Peña said.