By MARK MOLINA
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — After Harlingen South went into Bobby Lackey Stadium and took down the Weslaco Panthers 28-18, both teams went in different directions.
The Panthers went to the area round of the postseason, while the Hawks finished 3-7.
A year later, their matchup tonight at Boggus Stadium is a much-anticipated one. Both teams start the year with more experience and similar philosophies.
“I think coach (Lanny) Wilson is a great coach, with old school mentality. I’m an old school guy and he’s an old school guy.” Weslaco head football coach Tony Villarreal said. “I’m going to do what I’m going to do and he’s going to do the same. Both teams are more experienced, so it’ll be interesting.”
Tonight’s game is shaping up to look like an old-school matchup, especially when it comes to the Weslaco offense going up against a physical South defense.
Little mistakes can make the difference according South head coach Lanny Wilson.
“We’ve watched (Weslaco) and they’re really good out of their ace set offense. That’s something you have to really play your technique and gaps. If you don’t and some one messes up, it’s going to be a touchdown,” Wilson said. “Weslaco is a playoff team from last year and it’s going to be a challenge.”
Defensively, the Hawks will boast a solid bunch which is led by now-linebacker Adey Awah and Manny Leal on the line. They also have up-and-coming sophomore Brandon Bennett who can make an impact.
As a whole, the unit looks to get the rush on, making for an interesting match up in the trenches.
“Coach Villarreal is telling his guys they have to win the line of scrimmage and we’re telling our guys the same,” Wilson said. “We’ll find go out there and see what happens on Friday.”
Weslaco’s offense, led by quarterback Desi Rodriguez and running back Brian Guerra, will work behind what Villarreal refers to as a “salty offensive line” led by center Roy Cantu.
Even with his physical offensive line, Villarreal is not going to sleep on the Hawks’ rush.
“South’s defensive line are probably the best athletes they have, along with their middle linebacker,” Villarreal said. “We’ll have our hands full with them.”
On the other hand, South will put the ball in the hands of returning running back Stephen Rodriguez and playmakers like Darren Perez and Alec Garza.
They should have some success going against a Weslaco defensive line boasting just one returning starter.
Beyond that, however, the Panther defense should be as tough as last season with 31-6A All-District standouts Jordan Nichols (LB) and cornerback Ethan De Luna leading behind the young line.
“We’re expecting big things from the defense, but they just haven’t had a lot of big-game experience,” Villarreal said.
Quarterback Brandon Villarreal was the starter for the Hawks, but sustained an injury. Troy Jensan will likely get the start for South under center now, but looked good last week after tossing a pair of touchdowns in scrimmage action against McAllen Memorial.