BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — To witness the Weslaco High Panthers is to experience a smorgasbord of Valley-football talent. During their 42-10 win over Edinburg North on Friday at Cats Stadium, the Panthers got whatever they wanted en route to solidifying their status as the team to beat in District 31-6A.
Weslaco’s first play from scrimmage said it all. After North kicker Aziel DeLeon pushed a 33-yard field goal wide left early in the first quarter, the Panthers took over on their own 18-yard line. From there, senior fullback Usiel Gonzalez ran 82 yards into the end zone unscathed.
“I didn’t even expect that play to happen like that,” Gonzalez said. “I just came out of the gate, and it just happened that way. Just to set the tempo, I tried my best, and that’s what I got done.”
It was a 7-0 Weslaco lead, but that was just the beginning. The Panthers scored on five of their next six drives, tearing off first downs at will and familiarizing themselves with the blue-painted turf of the end zone.
Touchdown number two came midway through the first quarter when quarterback Desi Rodriguez connected with Major Free in stride on a 47-yard pass over the middle. Rodriguez, who is rarely given the chance to the throw in Weslaco’s run-first offense, nabbed two touchdown passes on the night, including a 14-yard sweep to running back Brian Guerra.
“He’s been averaging two passing touchdowns per district game,” Weslaco coach Tony Villarreal said. “I’m very pleased with that. The thing with us is that we’re healthy. Nobody is hurt and we get two kids back next week, so we should be 100 percent.”
Rodriguez finished with 77 yards passing, completing 3-of-4 attempts.
More impressive than the Panthers’ ability to score was the depth they demonstrated at running back. Of Weslaco’s six touchdowns, five different athletes punched their way onto the scoreboard.
“It allows everyone to stay fresh throughout the game,” Villarreal said. “And when the kids are fresh, they all hit the hole really hard. We’ve got so many kids who want a chance, that when they get the ball they want to make the most of it and run with intensity.”
Matt Ortiz put the Panthers up 21-0 after snaking his way down field on a 13-yard score. Jonathan Martinez pounded his way to a 3-yard touchdown before the half and Guerra exploded for a 39-yard score early in the third quarter.
As a team, Weslaco ran the ball 33 times for 411 yards.
The Panthers (5-2, 3-0) have won three straight by a combined score of 149-23. With three games left on the regular season schedule, however, Villarreal isn’t taking any of Weslaco’s remaining contests lightly.
“We’ve got some tough games left,” he said. “(Economedes) is always a physical game. (PSJA) Memorial has some big kids, and Weslaco East is always a tough game. So we’re not celebrating anything yet.”
IMPRESSIVE RESUME
Junior linebacker Jordan Nichols has been the lynchpin of the Panthers’ defense all season. He averages 10 tackles per game, and has grabbed two interceptions on the year in addition to returning a fumble for a touchdown during their Week 2 win over Donna High.
Nichols added to his resume Friday with a punt block early in the first quarter to give the Panthers the ball on North’s 42-yard line.
“It’s all with the help of my teammates,” Nichols said. “They help me and I help them out there. Everyone is just playing at a different level right now.”
A BRIGHT SPOT
Though the Cougars (2-6, 0-3) played another game fraught with the same ills — dropped passes and a defense that was once more gashed by its opponent — safety John Mendoza was a silver lining for his team. During the third quarter, Mendoza collected his team-leading eighth interception of the season.
“He’s been a leader for us on that side of the ball,” North coach Rene Saenz said. “He has to be a leader. He’s just found ways to be in the right place at the right time for us.”
UP NEXT
Weslaco hosts PSJA Memorial (2-4, 0-3) on Friday, Oct. 23 at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.
Edinburg North has a Week 9 bye, and won’t see the field again until it faces PSJA Memorial on Oct. 30 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.