WESLACO — Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman described the PSJA North’s opening touchdown drive like a punch in the face.
“We were stunned,” Stroman said after the game.
PSJA North’s Seven Sanchez took the opening kickoff to nearly midfield to start the game for Raiders.
It only took three plays for, quarterback Trey Elizondo to led the Raiders into scoring position with a run and pass play.
Next, Isaac Gonzalez charged into the end zone for the six.
It was their only score of the game as Wesalco went on to win 24-7.
“We are taking this loss to heart,” Sanchez said. “We are just going to feed off it.”
He said the team lost focus in the end and they intend to adjust moving forward.
The Raiders came into the contest undefeated at 2-0. The Panthers started the season even at 1-1.
It took the Panthers most of the night to get their offense going.
Both teams were penalized multiple times, causing a shake in both team’s momentum.
But the biggest change for the Raiders came into the game when starting quarterback Iziaah Rangel was not listed on the starting lineup.
It was not reported why Rangel was sidelined.
Senior quarterback Trey Elizondo was quickly called into the game to take over under center.
“It was exciting to get the opportunity to go out and play with my team,” Elizondo said. “We gave it our best shot.”
PSJA North has a bye next week before taking on La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 at home.
“We just have clean up our game, and we got to get cohesive again,” Elizondo said. “We’re going to be good this year.”
Weslaco gambled twice on fourth down near the goal line in the first and second quarter when opted not to go for field goals. Both times they would not convert.
The Panthers went into halftime tailing 7-0.
Senior running back Peyton Knaub went on to score four times in the second half to lead the team.
“I’m just doing what I can for this team,” Knaub said. “It was a good fight between both sides of the ball.”
The Panthers play at Harlingen South at 7:30 p.m. next Friday.