GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
Although Weslaco High stumbled to a 1-4 start while battling offensive line injuries and a challenging non-district schedule, coach Tony Villarreal believes his team is finally coming together.
The Panthers showed signs of substantial progress on Thursday against Edinburg High, routing the Bobcats 46-0.
That sort of outburst was a significant change for a Weslaco offense that ranked next to last in District 31-6A and had averaged just 15 points per game over the season’s first five weeks. The Panthers had to learn how to overcome the loss of offensive linemen Joe Margo, Jacob Rodriguez and Josue Espinoza.
“We lost three horses, so we had to rebuild the offensive line and play a tough non-conference schedule,” Villarreal said. “We’ve had to overcome all of that. And the offensive line is now coming together, and it’s clicking. The last three weeks, it has played a little bit better.”
Margo, a returning all-district honorable mention who Villarreal said was good enough to play college football, never recovered from a meniscus injury.
Rodriguez suffered a hairline fracture in his back during one of the team’s early scrimmages, costing Villarreal “one of the better centers that I’ve ever had.”
Espinoza has since returned to the lineup, but he missed the first few games due to a torn hamstring.
Down the only three linemen with varsity experience, the Panthers needed time to come together.
“It took a little longer than I expected, but I think it’s because of the tough competition,” Villarreal said. “I really like that our varsity line is now clicking and doing well. … They’ve had to grow up quickly.”
With the offensive line a work in progress, Weslaco has leaned heavily on its defense, which ranked as the best in the district even before Thursday’s shutout.
“We’ve hung our hat on those guys,” Villarreal said. “If we have any kind of an edge on anybody in district, it is the fact that we do have a very good defense.”
Undrae Galindo and Kris Marroquin have provided answers in a secondary that was a question mark coming into the year, and Rene Perez has continued to be a dominant force on the defensive line.
Returning first-team all-district linebacker Brandon Torres is the Panthers’ leading tackler. He has contributed on special teams and even as a fullback, when needed.
“He’s the centerpiece for our defense, and he’s stepped it up,” Villarreal said. “He’s very dynamic.”
STRUGGLING OFFENSE
With Mission High’s offense continuing to struggle, the bye week gives coach Mario Peña a chance to make some changes.
Mission suffered a 14-7 defeat to La Joya Palmview on Friday, the fourth time this season the Eagles have been held to seven points or fewer.
“I am looking at doing some things, actually,” Peña said. “We have to continue to see if we can find something that can trigger the offense to be a little more productive. I’m still tinkering with some changes.”
The struggles have mostly stemmed from the quarterback position. Starter Jesus Cuellar, a senior who was entering his first season of football since junior high, went down with a strained ACL during the first half of Week 1.
Backup William Arias was ineffective in relief, and converted running back David Flores has also had difficulty moving the ball.
Mission has averaged less than 200 yards per game this season.
“We’re struggling on that side of the ball,” Peña said. “Offensively, we’re just not producing the points.”
Peña is hopeful a shuffle in personnel can help him find some playmakers to complement a defense that entered the week ranked second in district.
Peña said the defense created five fumbles with “hard-nosed hits” on Friday. Linebacker Eddie Garcia and safety Allan Martinez have been the standouts.
“We’re playing good defense,” Peña said. “Enough to be in every game, with the exception of one (a 48-7 loss to McAllen High). We’re just going to keep fighting.”