By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
PHARR — Jonathon Martinez heard one of the more inspiring speeches Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal has delivered all year on Thursday. But amid all the emotion from winning their third consecutive game, the Panthers running back froze.
“I can’t remember what he said,” Martinez said. “I’m just excited right now. We have a spot.”
That would be a playoff spot. And while nothing’s set in stone yet, Weslaco can feel pretty good about its odds after beating PSJA Memorial 35-17 at PSJA Stadium.
The Panthers (4-4 overall, 3-1 district) can do no worse than 3-3 in District 31-6A — a feat all the more impressive considering their 1-4 start. For now, Weslaco sits in a two-way tie for first place with PSJA North (5-3, 3-1).
“I think we’ve put the pieces to the puzzle together,” Panthers running back Eric Gonzalez said. “I know we’ve always had the talent, I know we’ve always had the desire to win. But coming into district, we’ve put the pieces to the puzzle together and that’s what’s gotten us over the hump.”
Martinez (116 yards) and Gonzalez (193 yards) ran for two touchdowns apiece Thursday, fueling a Weslaco offense that churned out 576 yards. Teammate Brian Guerra rushed for 125 yards on six plays, scoring once. And Aaron Sanchez picked up 141 yards on eight attempts.
“I’ve never had (four backs rush for more than 100 yards apiece) since I’ve been coaching,” Villarreal said. “And I’ve been around a long time.”
Through three games, the Panthers have outscored their opponents 143-27. They needed every bit of that push to break through from a seesaw battle going into the third quarter. That’s when Gonzalez scored on consecutive drives — first on a 23-yard run, then on a 75-yard pickup for a 28-17 lead.
Martinez’s 20-yard score with 6:14 to play iced the game, marking a 21-0 second-half push and capping a three-play, 75-yard sequence.
“I know in the first half we made a couple mistakes. But when we came out in the second half, we knew that we needed to win this game,” Gonzalez said. “That was a big focus.”
GLASS HALF-FULL
PSJA Memorial (4-5, 2-3) lost the battle Thursday but it can take solace in knowing it didn’t lose any more players on the field.
The Wolverines had eight players out due to injuries, including five on the defensive side. Three were hurt going into Week 9.
“The good thing is tonight we didn’t lose anybody else. That’s the main thing,” said Memorial coach Guz Cavazos, who expects two to three of those players back next week. “I just think that our kids played real strong. They didn’t give up mentally when they could have done that very easily because of the tough situation that we’re in.
“I think they played good, solid football. We just ran out of gas. They gave it everything they had. It’s just one of those years.”
INJURED
Weslaco High quarterback Desi Rodriguez checked out of the game with 36.2 seconds left in the third quarter after Gonzalez scored the second of his two TDs. Rodriguez was hurt blocking for Gonzalez during his 75-yard sprint to the end zone that gave the Panthers a 28-17 lead.
The junior signal caller, who came up empty on four passing attempts, laid on his back while grabbing his left shoulder. He went off to the side and did not return. He was replaced by senior Paul Rodriguez, who finished out the fourth quarter under center.
UP NEXT
Weslaco can inch closer toward its goal of clinching a playoff berth when it takes on Edinburg Economedes (2-5, 0-3) in Week 10. It closes out the season against Weslaco East (6-1, 2-1).
PSJA Memorial winds down with Edinburg North (4-4, 2-2) next week before a bye in Week 11.