GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Weslaco East entered Thursday’s game expecting to be a more dangerous offensive team because of the players they were bringing back.
Returning running back Alexis Cervantes proved why with a 50-yard touchdown on the Wildcats’ second play from scrimmage, and East never looked back in a 42-14 win against San Benito at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but we were a little banged up,” Weslaco East coach Mike Burget said. “I sat people out, and people panicked a little bit. ‘Why is he sitting starters out?’ I think people can see why. … When they’re all in there fighting together, we’re going to be a good team.”
Weslaco East dominated the game on the ground, racking up 427 rushing yards. Darren Rivas, Lupe Moron, Angel Flores and Cervantes all ran for at least 77 yards.
For the season, East has run for 830 yards without gaining a single yard through the air.
“That’s just East football,” Rivas said. “That’s what we do. Smash-mouth football and run the ball down hill.”
Cervantes finished with 91 yards on seven carries in his first game back after suffering a knee injury in East’s first scrimmage.
He made the most of his first carry, breaking through a hole on the right side of the line and sprinting 50 yards for the score.
“It feels good scoring for the first time coming back from a long break,” Cervantes said.
Cervantes’ effort complimented another huge game from La Villa transfer Moron. After racking up 260 yards and four touchdowns in his Class 6A debut against Brownsville Rivera last week, Moron ran for 157 and a score on 23 carries. Moron showed great speed and a devastating stiff arm that made him a threat to take it the distance on every run.
“That kid is excited, he fits in well with East,” Burget said. “He’s starting to be a great team player. If he stays healthy, he’s going to have a great year. He is a great specimen.”
Rivas, who didn’t attempt a rush while nursing injury last week, proved he was back to 100 percent on Thursday.
He didn’t throw a pass — he didn’t need to — but he ran for 77 yards on eight carries, including touchdown runs of 31 and 4 yards to put the game out of reach in the second half.
“I felt pretty good,” Rivas said. “I think I’m back.”
Even wide receiver/defensive back JR Villarreal looked back to full strength after playing through a groin injury in Week 1.
Villarreal gave up a touchdown pass against Brownsville Rivera, but on Thursday he pulled down an interception in the end zone and recovered a fumble at the 1-yard line, killing two San Benito scoring chances.
“That was a great momentum changer,” Villarreal said. “We felt like they were going to put more points up, and our backs were against the wall, and we tried to fight them back.”
SAN BENITO STANDOUTS
Greyhounds quarterback Cristian Sierra completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards and an interception. He also ran the ball 17 times for 119 yards and two scores.
Running back Gabriel Vasquez racked up 100 yards on 18 carries.
FRESHMAN TOUCHDOWN
Freshman free safety J.C. Vargas scored East’s second touchdown on a fumble return. Sierra fumbled as he was going down on a run, and the ball popped into Vargas’ hands at the 25-yard line. He ran mostly uncontested for the score to put East ahead 14-0.
“The guy is averaging over 10 tackles per game. He comes up and just nails people,” Burget said. “I’m excited about that young man.”
ICING ON THE CAKE
With the game already out of reach, East’s Angel Flores scored a 78-yard touchdown with 2:14 remaining. The play was the second long touchdown of the season for Flores, who ran for a 76-yard score in Week 1.