BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Weslaco East was uncharacteristically out of sync during last week’s 47-23 loss at San Benito. The Wildcats committed turnovers, and their defense struggled to get stops in short-yardage situations. But coach Mike Burget has no use for dwelling on the past.
“We can’t go back in time and change what happened,” Burget said. “We can only move forward and do our best to prepare and get ready to go up against a good, well coached Harlingen South team.”
East (1-1) is wrestling with injuries — Burget said six starters who did not see the field last week are working their way back before the beginning of district competition. Absent players coupled with heavy roster turnover means the Wildcats are still searching for the proper starting unit.
“We’re just trying to find out the kids who will step up and make plays,” Burget said. “We’re looking for the ones that will play with good technique and make good blocks, get tackles or create lanes for our running back or quarterbacks. We’re just trying to find an overall 11 that will click together.”
Two pieces that have already clicked are Emilio Tamez and Ciro Rojas. Tamez, a senior, has gained 309 yards on the ground, the best among District 31-6A backs, along with four touchdowns. Rojas, who splits time between quarterback, running back and defensive back, has demonstrated his versatility as well, collecting touchdowns on the ground, as a receiver and on a 95-yard kickoff return.
“Those guys are seniors,” Burget said of Tamez and Rojas. “They know what it means to be a part of Weslaco East football. I’m not worried about them. I’m counting on them to continue doing good things for us throughout the season.”
FAMILIAR FOE
PSJA Memorial coach Mike Uribe will face off against one of his former teams Friday at PSJA Stadium when the Wolverines take on McAllen Rowe. Uribe was the Warriors defensive coordinator last season following a nine-year stint as head coach at Mercedes.
Though Uribe is familiar with the Warriors’ roster and their coaching staff, he says they’re not quite the same team from a year ago.
“They’ve made some changes this year, especially on defense,” Uribe said. “The aggressiveness is there and they’re playing with a lot of maturity. The football IQ for them is a lot higher, and I say that meaning they’re making plays that they weren’t making a year ago.”
Rowe (1-1) is coming off a 26-20 double overtime win against Mercedes. On the year, the Warriors allow 350 yards per game — second worst among District 30-6A teams. The Wolverines (2-0) have given up an average of 197 yards per game in contests against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln and PSJA High.
But while Memorial’s defense has held firm in the early part of the season, their offense has been the key to their success. Senior quarterback Mike Gonzalez has gained 368 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air, completing 70 percent of his attempts. Gonzalez’s preferred target has been Jay Bocanegra, who has benefited from his transition into a slot receiver. He leads the Valley in receiving yards with 212 on 21 receptions.
LOOKING TO SCORE
As they ready for Saturday’s game at against Brownsville Veterans Memorial, the Edinburg High Bobcats find themselves in undesirable territory. Through two weeks, they are the only Valley team to not score a point. The Bobcats (0-2) have been outscored 73-0 in games against San Benito and McAllen High.