Week Six of Valley football is here and most eyes will be keeping tabs on San Benito versus Weslaco East. The two powers will meet tonight at Bobby Lackey Stadium in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week
DEFENSIVE KEYS: Both defenses enter tonight’s contest with similar styles as they play hard, fast and physical. Weslaco East is allowing just 12 points per game and is led by their defensive line. Gerald Garza leads the pass rush with 25 tackles and a team-high six sacks. Garza is teamed up with hard hitting linebacker Freddy Cardenas, who is the team leader in tackles with 40.
One key matchup will be San Benito’s wide receiver Isaiah Trevino vs. East‘s Jaime Banuelos.
San Benito is led by defensive end Ryan Reza, who currently has 32 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Linebacker Pedro Gomez will look to continue his strong start to the season with his team-high 46 tackles.
“We have continued to practice physical and fast,” said Reza. “Weslaco East is a very good football team and we know that it will be a battle. We respect the way they play football and we’re excited for the challenge.”
WHO WILL CARRY THE LOAD FOR EAST: The Wildcats lost their top running back, Roy Pedraza, to a season-ending injury earlier this week. The Wildcats also lost backup running back Freddy Gonzalez to injury. It will be a tall order for the Cats to establish a run game without their two best rushers against a stout Greyhound defense.
JC Vargas is the ultimate utility man for the Wildcats so expect to see his role in the offense increase.
AIR IT OUT LeFEVRE?: East senior quarterback Richard LeFevre will guide his offense into Friday night’s matchup. He is a three-year starter and has command of the offense. If East is looking to open up their passing attack, keep tabs on both Vargas and Hector Saenz, who has good size and could provide LeFevre as a go-to target.
LeFevre currently has 625 yards on 63 attempts this season to go along with 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
RETTA AND CO. LOOKING TO STAY HOT: San Benito’s up tempo offense will look to continue racking up the yards. Running back Tyrone Harper continues to punish opposing defenses with 600 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 carries. QB Erick Retta continues to orchestrate the offense with 503 yards through the air with six touchdowns to just one interception.
War Dog’s offense is averaging 35 points per game this season and has scored 30 or more points in three of their four games this season.
