Weslaco East is back in the area round of the postseason for the second straight year after the Wildcats narrowly edged out Victoria East 26-23 in a Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff matchup Friday night at Bobby Lackey Stadium.
Wildcats’ quarterback/running back Avery Bowen scored three rushing touchdowns on the night, as he led the Weslaco East rushing attack with more than 100 yards on the ground.
First-half touchdown runs by Bowen and senior running back Gio Guerra sent the Wildcats into the locker room up one score, but two missed Weslaco East extra points kept Victoria East in striking distance with the scoreboard reading 12-7 at the break.
East then pulled ahead at the start of the third quarter as Latavian Johnson threw an 8-yard TD pass to Jadon Williams, followed by a successful two-point try which put the Titans in front 15-12.
The Wildcats offense then responded with back-to-back lengthy touchdown drives which were capped off by Bowen’s second and third rushing scores of the night, both from 4 yards out.
After Victoria East cut into the lead with an Alan Jimenez touchdown early during the fourth quarter made the score 26-23, the Weslaco East defense buckled down and didn’t allow the Titans to score again as the Wildcats pulled out the first round playoff win.
Guerra also finished with over 100 yards rushing for the Wildcats.
Weslaco East, the District 16-5A Division I co-champions, are now 5-0 overall this season.
The Wildcats will face San Antonio Southwest (5-6, 1-1) in the area round.
The Southwest Dragons advanced to the second round by beating San Antonio Brackenridge 31-7 on Thursday night. Time, date and place of the matchup are to be determined.