Post by TEAM FALCON on Nov 20, 2012 1:01:44 GMT 3
www.themonitor.com/sports/high_school/prepsports/football/article_e419bfec-19d3-5c33-b354-85359fbc56dc.html
Over the course of the week, Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal brought out blocking sleds and instructed his offensive line to undergo additional tackling drills.
Initially, it may not have appeared that would be what would decide the bi-district round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs, but Villarreal warmed up to the idea after his Panthers came away with a 28-24 win over Los Fresnos.
That's because his offensive line, which has not garnered the same level of praise as the defense, paved the way for the running backs to go anywhere they chose Friday night at Leo Aguilar Stadium.
Weslaco High's seven ball carriers accumulated 376 rushing yards, though none came up bigger than Jose Diaz, who scored three touchdowns on his way to tallying 198 yards.
"After the game, I told the players, 'I guess we're going to hit the sled a little bit more next week,'" Villarreal said, laughing.
"I think that's where the game was won. Our offensive line played lights out. We really needed a good blocking effort from them, and we just drove the sled."
Seven lead changes occurred throughout the course of the night, with neither team getting too comfortable until the waning seconds of the game.
With 2:55 to play, Los Fresnos took possession at its 19-yard line. They used five plays to move to the 45, and then Jonmichael Rosales heaved a 43-yard pass to Akeem Simien that would have brought the Falcons to within 12 yards of the end zone.
Instead, a 15-yard penalty was issued. Los Fresnos was pushed back to first-and-25 from its 30 with one minute left and never moved closer.
"It's one of those calls that decides the ball game," Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said of the penalty. "I thought we were in the process of doing what we needed to do to win it. And unfortunately it didn't happen. It didn't happen."
Rosales completed 15 of 28 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown. William Cox (21 yards, seven carries) and Omar Puente (27 yards, seven carries) each scored.
With its running game surging, Weslaco High didn't need much from its quarterback. Clay Jones completed 2 of 4 passes for 15 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception on his final attempt.
It was picked off by the Falcons' Akeem Simien with 5:47 to play, but Los Fresnos' Jaime Mata fumbled three plays later on a 3-yard run.
Carrying the rushing load, too, were AJ De La Rosa (35 yards, nine carries), Eric Gonzalez (88 yards, seven carries), Chip Cruz (35 yards, seven carries) and Andrew Cavazos (20 yards, five carries).
Diaz, who led the team in rushing, also had scoring runs of 69 and 67 yards. And Randall Martinez caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jones.
"I think we had more than enough (offense) tonight," Villarreal said. "I think the big key was our offensive line. We just did a good job. Great job of ball control. It's a tremendous ride for our kids."
The Panthers will face the winner of the Laredo Alexander, which beat Donna 35-24 on Friday night, in the area round next week.
Over the course of the week, Weslaco High coach Tony Villarreal brought out blocking sleds and instructed his offensive line to undergo additional tackling drills.
Initially, it may not have appeared that would be what would decide the bi-district round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs, but Villarreal warmed up to the idea after his Panthers came away with a 28-24 win over Los Fresnos.
That's because his offensive line, which has not garnered the same level of praise as the defense, paved the way for the running backs to go anywhere they chose Friday night at Leo Aguilar Stadium.
Weslaco High's seven ball carriers accumulated 376 rushing yards, though none came up bigger than Jose Diaz, who scored three touchdowns on his way to tallying 198 yards.
"After the game, I told the players, 'I guess we're going to hit the sled a little bit more next week,'" Villarreal said, laughing.
"I think that's where the game was won. Our offensive line played lights out. We really needed a good blocking effort from them, and we just drove the sled."
Seven lead changes occurred throughout the course of the night, with neither team getting too comfortable until the waning seconds of the game.
With 2:55 to play, Los Fresnos took possession at its 19-yard line. They used five plays to move to the 45, and then Jonmichael Rosales heaved a 43-yard pass to Akeem Simien that would have brought the Falcons to within 12 yards of the end zone.
Instead, a 15-yard penalty was issued. Los Fresnos was pushed back to first-and-25 from its 30 with one minute left and never moved closer.
"It's one of those calls that decides the ball game," Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley said of the penalty. "I thought we were in the process of doing what we needed to do to win it. And unfortunately it didn't happen. It didn't happen."
Rosales completed 15 of 28 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown. William Cox (21 yards, seven carries) and Omar Puente (27 yards, seven carries) each scored.
With its running game surging, Weslaco High didn't need much from its quarterback. Clay Jones completed 2 of 4 passes for 15 yards and one touchdown. He also threw an interception on his final attempt.
It was picked off by the Falcons' Akeem Simien with 5:47 to play, but Los Fresnos' Jaime Mata fumbled three plays later on a 3-yard run.
Carrying the rushing load, too, were AJ De La Rosa (35 yards, nine carries), Eric Gonzalez (88 yards, seven carries), Chip Cruz (35 yards, seven carries) and Andrew Cavazos (20 yards, five carries).
Diaz, who led the team in rushing, also had scoring runs of 69 and 67 yards. And Randall Martinez caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Jones.
"I think we had more than enough (offense) tonight," Villarreal said. "I think the big key was our offensive line. We just did a good job. Great job of ball control. It's a tremendous ride for our kids."
The Panthers will face the winner of the Laredo Alexander, which beat Donna 35-24 on Friday night, in the area round next week.