EDINBURG — The Weslaco High Panthers leaned heavily on their run game during the fourth quarter and in overtime, running the ball 12 times and throwing it just four.
In overtime, Weslaco High opened their offensive possession with four straight runs, leading to a 3rd and five from the 8-yard line. That’s when Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Peña dialed up a play action pass, looking for the first down and possibly more.
The play call resulted in a game-winning 8-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Andres Sepulveda to senior wideout Gabriel Renteria-Garcia, as the Panthers defeated the Edinburg High Bobcats 16-13 during a Class 6A DII bi-district matchup on Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“It was a rollout play designed for Andres (Sepulveda) to roll out to the right and if the pass was there, it was there,” Renteria-Garcia said. “If not, we were ready to run it in for a touchdown. I was very blessed for the ball to come my way and to be able to score the touchdown. There were no nerves at all. We do this everyday at practice. As a team, we rely on each other to make those kinds of big plays. I was just the one to do it in this situation.”
The touchdown pass marked the second of the night for Sepulveda, hooking up with senior Roy Stroman Jr. for a 27-yard score in the second. He finished 12-of-22 for 163 yards and two touchdowns, adding 14 carries for 72 yards.
The offense struggled to find its grove early on, turning it over four times, including a pair of failed fourth down attempts during the first half and a pair of lost fumbles.
Still, the Panthers racked up the yardage and scored when it mattered in overtime. Weslaco High finished with 396 total yards, including 233 on the ground. Senior running back Jeremy Perez led all rushers with 32 carries for 152 yards. Stroman Jr. hauled in five catches for a game-high 63 yards and a score, while Renteria-Garcia added two receptions for 17 yards and the go-ahead score.
“You put all the records aside in the playoffs,” Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman said. “Everybody is 0-0 and trying to stay alive. That is what it is about. Coach (Rene) Guzman and his staff did a tremendous job of preparing their guys for this game. They gave us everything they could. This game could have gone either way. I’m proud of our guys because they didn’t quit. Our offense, they did what they had to do when it counted the most.”
The Panthers’ defense stifled the Bobcats during the second half, allowing just 37 yards of offense behind big plays from defensive end Jeremiah Vega and Gavin Silva.
Vega came up with huge plays during the second half, sacking Edinburg High quarterback Ryen Abrego during the third to force a punt, while also coming up with a fumble recovery late in the fourth to end a Bobcats’ drive. Silva forced the fumble on the play.
“Jeremiah, he’s the anchor of that defense,” Stroman said. “He’s playing with all heart. He came up to me after a timeout and said he’s moving to their sideline because they were running more to that side. He saw that. It is like having another coach on the field. I’m proud of that young man. He’s come a long way and he is our leader.”
Edinburg High finished with 199 total yards, led by running back Jacob Gonzales, who finished with eight carries for 58 yards. Jae Santa Maria added 10 carries for 57 yards and a score.
The Panthers punch their ticket to the second round of the postseason for the first time since 2019 with the win. They await their 6A DII area round opponent, taking on the winner of Saturday’s contest between San Antonio Harlan and Del Rio.
The Bobcats end the season with a 6-5 overall record, including a 4-1 district record to finish second in District 31-6A.
