GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
With six starters returning on offense and coach Tony Villarreal entering his 10th year under the same system, Weslaco High’s slot-T should run smoothly from kickoff.
At least, Villarreal is cautiously optimistic.
“I want to think experience would help us, but it’s so early in the year that we’re just trying to find the right combinations,” Villarreal said. “It’s a process.”
On the other end of the spectrum is Harlingen South, the team Weslaco will host in its season opener at 7:30 Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
The Hawks return just four starters — and only two on defense — to a team that has never faced a slot-T during coach Lanny Wilson’s tenure.
“Our players haven’t seen that in the two years I’ve been here, and they’re going to be a challenge for us,” Wilson said.
Wilson has tried to get his team prepared, watching film of the slot-T and running it with his scout team in practice.
That alone isn’t likely to ready South for returning all-district slot back Eric Gonzalez, who racked up 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Also returning is halfback Aaron Sanchez, who Villarreal says is the team’s fastest back.
“Any time you see an offense that’s completely different from the one that you’ve been running, it’s going to be a challenge just to get your scout players out there to simulate it and make it look like your opponent,” Wilson said. “But I think we did a pretty good job of it.”
Villarreal doesn’t expect his offense to have an easy time. From what he’s seen in scouting and watching tape of South’s scrimmage, the Hawks boast a lot of speed on defense.
“They fly to the football,” Villarreal said. “We’re going to have our hands full in regards to just trying to execute and trying to hold on to those guys.”
South’s youth will also be tested on offense, where a line with three new pieces is set to face what figures to be one of the Valley’s best defensive fronts. Defensive end Rene Perez is the standout, but Weslaco’s front four is big, disruptive and deep across the board.
Wilson expects quarterback Jimmy Morton to be a little rusty after missing last season due to a broken leg, and Weslaco won’t make his return any easier.
“There are a lot of people starting for us that this will be their first time suiting up for the varsity, so I expect some mistakes,” Wilson said. “Whether we win or lose, I know we’re going to have a lot of things we need to correct Saturday morning.”