BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | THE MONITOR
Edinburg High has its man for Week 1 after an intense quarterback competition that has raged on all preseason.
Junior Matt Cruz will be the man under center for the Bobcats’ matchup against McAllen Rowe at 7 p.m. Thursday at Richard Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“He had a good scrimmage,” Bobcats’ coach J.J. Leija said. “Talking with our offensive staff, it looks like that’s the man we are going to go with for this game.”
Leija was quick to point out that the decision isn’t a permanent one.
“It’s probably going to be week-to-week until we are sure about it,” Leija said. “It’s (Cruz’s) right now to take, and he will have every opportunity right now.”
The other contender, senior Danny Shawnee, will still get some work on Thursday. Leija said Shawnee will play a role in the offense, just as Cruz would if Shawnee was starting at quarterback.
While Leija is waiting to make a season-long decision, he doesn’t want the competition to drag on too late into the year.
“I’d like to have one quarterback by the time we get to district,” Leija said. “But it’s going to be whatever is best for the team. … It is good to have two qualified options there at the QB position.”