GREG LUCA | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Weslaco East offensive tackle Sergio Moralez could barely finish a 100-yard sprint during his first year in the program. Coach Mike Burget said Moralez was almost always last, if he made it at all.
Then, Moralez was 6 feet tall and about 400 pounds. Now, after years of conditioning and strength training, Moralez is the best offensive linemen on one of the best units in the Valley.
“When I got here, I was just big,” Moralez said. “These coaches got me into the summer program, powerlifting and all of that stuff. I changed my body.”
By doing so, he’s transformed into the starting right tackle for the Valley’s top rushing attack. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Moralez is yet to allow a sack this year and notched 62 pancake blocks during the regular season. His coaches graded his performance 98 percent.
“If you watch our game film, what he does to defensive ends or defensive tackles, is brutal,” Burget said. “He’s one of the best linemen that I’ve seen play since I’ve been down here.”
That level of production would have been difficult to predict during Moralez’s freshman season. He described himself as “slow,” and admits he had a lot of work to do to develop the proper technique and footwork.
Burget said the coaching staff needed an entire year just to get him into playing shape. Moralez said he worked out with his teammates Monday through Thursday every week during the summer.
“He earned everything that’s coming to him,” Burget said. “He worked hard in the weight room. He worked hard outside by himself running laps. The kid worked hard to become an athlete.”
Much of the shift came as a result of East’s powerlifting program, something Burget has put an emphasis on throughout his coaching tenure.
Burget said Moralez entered East “just big,” rather than strong. Four years later, Moralez benches more than 400 pounds and can deadlift about 675. Burget thinks Moralez has a shot to break the state’s high school deadlift record of 730 pounds.
“He’s a monster, and I mean a monster, in the weight room,” Burget said.
Moralez was shy when he started at East, but Burget has watched him grow into a vocal leader.
Center Jerry Decanini, an all-district caliber player in his own right, has seen the same change. He and Moralez have known each other since they played tee ball in grade school.
“Sergio is the one that pushes us the best,” Decanini said. “We all listen to Sergio’s voice.”
Moralez provides the words of encouragement on the field or in practice. This week, he’s been the player telling his teammates that state-ranked Cibolo Steele — East’s next opponent — is just another team.
Even on the weekends, Moralez texts his teammates to keep them focused.
“I just send them, ‘Let’s get ready for next week,’” Moralez said. “‘We did a pretty good job this week. Let’s try to do a better job next week.’ Just trying to keep them going.”
A test that probably would have seemed daunting to Moralez as a freshman is now an exciting opportunity to show that East’s line can hang with a bigger, stronger Steele team.
With Steele defensive end Mark Jackson rated a four-star prospect by ESPN, Moralez may get a chance to prove he can compete at the next level. He hopes to get a shot to play at UTSA next season. After watching Moralez transform from an out-of-shape freshman to a dominant force, Burget has no doubts Moralez can succeed at that level.
“Even though hes 330 pounds, that kid works hard,” Burget said. “He’s a kid that I’m going to miss next year. Those offensive linemen don’t come every day. I can tell you that kid is an outstanding football player.”