WESLACO — Edinburg Vela scored 50 or more points for the third straight game to start the 2022 season after taking down Weslaco East 54-7 on Thursday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.
“It’s not just the offense — we’re proud of the performance we’ve had offensively but we still feel there’s room for improvement. In all these situations, there’s been some special teams play, some turnovers that we’ve created that led to short fields and in this game a score,” Vela head coach John Campbell said. “A lot of times, it’s a combined effort and that’s something we pride ourselves on. The points aren’t just a reflection of the offense, the points a lot of times are also a reflection of how we’re playing defense and how we’re playing in the kicking phases.”
Edinburg Vela (3-0) let its rushing attack run wild early then picked its spots later through the air. Carlos Tamez was on the receiving end of three touchdown passes, two from Myles Lopez and one from Bobby Garcia. Garcia also added a rushing touchdown on the ground.
“It’s coaching, man. Our coaching over here is outstanding, so I think them getting us prepared day-in, day-out, every week, it’s just like that,” Tamez said.
Junior running back Jamal Polley made the most of his 10 touches and finished as the game’s leading rusher with 155 yards and one touchdown. Fellow running back Dimas De Leon also punched in one rushing touchdown as Vela amassed 342 yards of offense.
“We’re just sticking to the game plan, running the ball and letting the O-line get us right. I’m grateful for my O-line, grateful for my coaches for believing in me, and grateful for Dimas — it’s great,” Polley said.
Edinburg Vela defensive back Jorge Vasquez got in on the scoring fun with a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown during the first half.
The Wildcats (1-2) capitalized off an Edinburg Vela special teams miscue to score their lone touchdown of the game on 2-yard plunge by Ashton Guajardo. East finished with 133 yards of total offense.
The SaberCats are slated to kickoff District 15-5A DI competition by hosting McAllen Memorial (1-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“We’re still not playing our best football, which obviously it’s non-district right now, but Friday morning, we’re 0-0 heading into district play against a very, very tough opponent. We’ve got a lot of work to do and it’s definitely building in process.,” Campbell said.
Weslaco East will look to bounce back in a non-district contest against Edinburg High (1-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.