BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS | STAFF WRITER
EDINBURG — After last year’s disappointment, Weslaco East wanted to leave no doubt in Week 3 this year.
Weslaco East dominated Edinburg Economedes for a 56-14 win on Friday at Richard Flores Stadium.
Last year, East was 2-0 heading into a Week 3 matchup with Economedes, but the Jaguars pulled off an upset and shocked the Wildcats 23-16.
“We hated the way we lost last year,” senior quarterback Richard LeFevre said. “It felt like we lost the third round of the playoffs. We knew we made so many mistakes in that game. It was very painful.”
This year, the Wildcats were ready for Week 3.
“That’s a good ball club, they were 2-0,” Weslaco East coach Mike Burget said. “I know Gabe (Peña, Economedes’ coach). He will have his team in the playoffs.”
After forcing the Jaguars to go three-and-out on the opening possession, the Wildcats went on an 11-play, 45-yard drive. East capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior running back Roy Pedraza.
“He was running hard,” LeFevre said. “It’s his birthday, so I guess he decided to unleash it tonight. He came out and did a heck of a job running the ball.”
The Wildcats went on to score three more touchdowns in the next quarter and a half to extend the lead to 28-0.
In all, the Wildcats ran for 301 yards and passed for 214. Their total of 515 yards is the team’s highest output this year.
“They call themselves the strong side, we call ourselves the strong side,” Pedraza, who carried the ball 24 times for 170 yards and three scores, said. “Last year, we didn’t prove it. This year, we did.”
Not only did the Wildcats want revenge from last year, they had a bad taste in their mouth after last week. East lost to McAllen Memorial 28-14 in Week 2 after committing six turnovers.
“We were a little bit embarrassed after what happened last week,” Burget said. “A lot of our fans were questioning JC Vargas. I don’t think they are going to question him anymore. The guy is a football player. He had a bad game last week. It bugged him for the whole week. He came out to play today.”
Last week, Vargas had 11 carries for 63 yards and didn’t catch a pass. This week, he caught 7 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown.
LeFevre, who got him the ball, finished the night 15-of-21 passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns.
Combine that deadly duo with Pedraza, and you have what many Wildcats fans have affectionately termed “The Big Three.” But, you probably shouldn’t say that to them.
“There is no ‘Big Three,’” LeFevre said. “We are a team. Everybody came together and played. It starts with the O-line. Everyone plays a part.”
Economedes was feeling decent after the first quarter. The score was just 7-0, and the defense had given the Wildcats some issues on the scoring drive. It’s not often the Wildcats need three tries from the 1-yard line to score.
Another promising aspect of the game for the Jaguars was the passing of junior quarterback Albert Guerra.
“We have been throwing the ball well the last three weeks,” Peña said. “We can build on that. He’s getting more confidence.”
Guerra was responsible for both Economedes touchdowns, passing for one and running for the other.
Even the Jaguars had last year’s upset on their minds.
“Did it play a factor? It may have,” Peña said. “But we are both different teams from last year to this year, and they were the victors tonight.”
There was no repeat to be had. Weslaco East once again proved why it is one of the most dominant teams in the Valley.
“They are a very good football team,” Peña said. “We needed to see a team like East. To see where we are at.”