WESLACO — When the game is on the line, or it’s fourth-and-long, Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman will not hesitate to give his quarterback the green light to gun a pass down field to score using their triple threat receiving core.
The Panthers (4-1 overall, 1-0 in district) have three wide outs with more than 100 yards receiving and multiple touchdowns going into Week 6.
One of those receivers is Weslaco High senior Jaden Cavazos. He has picked up 255 yards receiving and scored 11 touchdowns in five games.
“Cavazos is a unanimous all district receiver,” Stroman said. “There is that trust factor from Jacob to Jaden.”
He said Weslaco quarterback Jacob Cavazos knows Jaden will find a way to get open.
Cavazos said it takes a lot of discipline and paying attention to details to be a wide receiver.
“We just take advantage of the defense,” Cavazos said. “We’ll attack them if we feel there are certain windows open on the field.”
Cavazos said it’s worked out well for him being on the receiving team since moving from running back his sophomore year.
“I caught a 50-yard bomb Jacob threw in overtime against Harlingen South,” Cavazos said of what he regarded as his biggest play of the season, so far. “He threw a good ball and I just went and got it.”
With only two games under his belt this season, senior Kay-J Jones has caught five passes for a total of 114 yards and two touchdowns.
He pulled a muscle in his left leg during their loss against McAllen Rowe at the start of the season. In that game, Jones pulled down a 71-yard touchdown pass.
In most recent game against Edinburg Economedes, Jones scored on 62-yard touchdown pass with two defenders on him.
“It felt good coming back,” Jones said. “Jacob already knew I was running the post. I just had to go up and get it.”
Weslaco wide receiver Rodney Garza, a junior, said his work on the gridiron boils down to practice.
Garza not only plays receiver, he also takes snaps at quarterback and plays safety.
“He’s our utility guy,” Stroman said. “When Kay-J was not there Rodney filled in for him.”
He said he has great hands and made some big plays against Harlingen South and scored two touchdowns.
Garza has complied 200 yards on nine receptions and scored two touchdowns.
“It’s a special thing to be a go-to guy,” Garza said. “Not a lot of guys hold that title.”
Stroman said the trio is huge for the Panthers offense and the success that they’ve had this year.
“This is by far one of the best offenses, if not the best offense since I’ve been here,” Stroman said. “They are scoring over 40 points a game and they are explosive.”
The Panthers are on a bye this week. Their next game will be on the road against Edinburg Vela at 7:30 p.m. on Oct.10. at Richard Flores Stadium.
“They are a good team,” Garza said about Edinburg Vela. “It’s going to be a battle of whoever wants it more.”