BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
The history between Weslaco East and Weslaco High is short. The teams have played each other just three times since East opened in 2000.
But the rivalry’s scant track record does not equate to lack of intensity. After last season’s game, wherein the Panthers beat the Wildcats 28-21 to claim the outright District 31-6A title, the teams did not shake hands at midfield for unspecified reasons.
This year’s game looks to be just as emotional. Each program enters Friday’s game at Bobby Lackey Stadium with an unblemished district record. The winner is awarded the 31-6A crown while the loser leaves with a bad taste in its mouth on the eve of the postseason.
The WIldcats (7-1, 5-0) return just two full-time offensive starters from a season ago. Despite the turnover, East’s offense is just as productive as last year. The Wildcats average 385 offensive yards per game, only 10 yards less than they did in 2014.
The spark plugs for East’s scoring attack are senior running back Emilio Tamez and multi-positional athlete Ciro Rojas. The pair have combined to score more than 25 touchdowns on the season, with Rojas scoring as a rusher, receiver and returner.
Weslaco High (7-2, 5-0) has cruised through district play on both sides of the ball. The Panthers have defeated district opponents by a combined score of 231-37, winning games by an average margin of 39 points.
The Panthers offense is led by four running backs: Brian Guerra, Jonathan Martinez, Usiel Gonzalez and Major Free. Through eight games, they accounted for more than 80 percent of Weslaco’s total rushing yards (2,833). Defensively, the Panthers are led in tackles by defensive back Diego Rodriguez (85) and linebacker Jordan Nichols (81).
Weslaco High leads the all-time series 2-1. A victory would give the Panthers their third consecutive win over the Wildcats. East’s lone win against its crosstown rival came in 2012 when they won 24-0.