WESLACO — Harlingen South’s Dylan Anaya found the end zone from 8 yards out with 5:07 left in the fourth quarter, leading the Hawks to a 7-3 District 16-5A DI victory over the Weslaco East Wildcats on Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
“First off, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ for allowing us to play a game that we are so passionate about and to get to mold young men,” Harlingen South head coach Israel Gonzalez III said. “I know Coach Burget and his staff at Weslaco East, they do a tremendous job, and Coach Evans, their defensive coordinator, had a tremendous game plan.”
It was a battle of two very strong defenses all game long, Gonzalez said.
“Fortunately, we had enough and we are able to put stuff together at the end to get that score and get the victory,” he added.
Anaya’s touchdown came after the Hawks’ defense forced the Wildcats to punt. The snap for the punt sailed over the Wildcats’ punter and gave Harlingen South good field position at the Weslaco East 30-yard line.
The call for Anaya to run the ball came on fourth down. Needing only 2 yards for the first down, Anaya ran behind his offensive line up the middle for the touchdown.
On the drive prior, a personal foul call against the Hawks fired up the sideline.
“There was a penalty called over here that we thought should have gone the other way,” Gonzalez said. “I think that motivated our kids, and we got a fire lit under us after that.”
Weslaco East’s defense came to play Friday night. Silver Rangel delivered crushing hits at times and Joe Lugo made plays throughout the game, including an early sack.
The Wildcats took their first possession deep inside Hawks territory. Weslaco East worked the ball down the field on the ground with Devin Cantu and Jay Vasquez. Cantu received the bulk of the work.
The South defense tightened up in the red zone, forcing Weslaco East to settle for a field goal attempt before the end of the first quarter.
Weslaco East’s Pedro Espinoza was money from 31 yards to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead.
While most teams around the Valley will be on a bye next week, the Hawks and Wildcats will be in action.
Harlingen South takes on Brownsville Pace at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Boggus Stadium. Weslaco East faces Brownsville Lopez at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Brownsville.