WESLACO — The San Benito Greyhounds just keep winning.
Against Weslaco East on Friday, the Hounds, led by running back Tyrone Harper, imposed their will with a 44-21 win at Bobby Lackey Stadium in the Valley Morning Star’s Game of the Week.
“We have an experienced football team,” said San Benito offensive coordinator Gilbert Leal. “The kids know each week is a battle and tonight was the next battle on our schedule. Every team in this district is a monster and we come in every Monday ready to work. Weslaco East is a tough team, they’re well coached and that’s what you get in this district.”
San Benito remains the clear-cut No. 1 team in the Valley and now bump its record to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in District 32-6A. Weslaco East, meanwhile, fell to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play. The Wildcats will meet Los Fresnos next while San Benito has a date with Brownsville Rivera.
The Hounds set the tone on their opening drive. On third down, Erick Retta went play action and hit a wide-open Ryan Reza for the score. On the next drive, Harper sliced up the Wildcats’ defense with his power running style. Harper capped off the strong drive by giving the Hounds a 15-0 lead on a 25-yard touchdown run with 3:55 left in the opening quarter.
Friday night marked East’s first game minus star running back Roy Pedraza. The Wildcats missed their big playmaker on the ground as the Hounds held East to seven first-half points.
If the momentum was not already in San Benito’s favor, the Hounds’ defense came up with a stop on fourth down at midfield. Already leading 15-0, Harper carried the load and put a stamp on the drive with a 19-yard score making it 22-0 Hounds with 3:53 left in the second quarter.
Harper finished the night with 19 carries for 132 yards and three scores. As the game wore on, Harper got stronger and scored on a 19-yard, 25-yard and a 1-yard runs.
In the second half, senior quarterback Erick Retta added to the lead with a 1-yard touchdown making it 29-7 midway through the third quarter to put the game out of reach.
San Benito’s pass rush constantly put pressure on Wildcats quarterback Richard LeFevre. Reza and Pedro Gomez provided the pass rush with Reza, who plays defensive, ending the night with a sack and a touchdown.
“They (Weslaco East) have a very experienced defense,” Leal said. “Tonight we tried to come in with a balanced attack, our offensive plan was working tonight and that helped us open some things up. With them throwing the ball a little more, it gave us a few extra possessions we normally have and it worked out for us.”
