Moya’s continued breakout powers Panthers to first district win
EDINBURG - Weslaco High senior Seth Moya hadn’t played a lot of running back prior to the team’s game against PSJA North.
That hasn’t stopped him from dominating on offense, continuing his breakout offensive campaign with over 170 yards and two touchdowns on the ground during the Panthers 64-21 win over Edinburg Economedes on Thursday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Edinburg.
“He’s worked so hard, especially in the summer,” Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman said. “We knew he was special. We’re just trying to squeeze as much as we can out of these seniors and he’s one of them. He’s one of our leaders on the offensive side and the defensive side. He’s just a great kid and he’s playing exceptionally well.”
Fresh off a 100-yard performance during his team’s loss to Edinburg Vela in Week 7, Moya picked up right where he left off against the Jaguars, rumbling into the end zone from 70-yards on his first carry to put the Panthers on top 7-0.
His touchdown sparked a string of three straight scoring drives ending in rushing touchdowns, with Derrick Castillo and Andres Mandujano each finding the end zone during that span to make it 21-0.
“Last week we came in with our head high and we did good and played our best,” Moya said. “It was a big game for both teams, but it sucked we couldn’t come out on top. This week we came back with our heads high really ready to bring it to them.”
The Jaguars ending Weslaco High’s scoring run late in the second, chewing up over 11-minutes of the clock during a 23-play, 92-yard scoring drive ending in a touchdown by Jaime Eguia from one yard out.
The Panthers responded with Moya’s second long touchdown of the night, this time from 75 yards to put Weslaco High up 29-7 heading into the half.
Weslaco High wasn’t done yet, outscoring Economedes 35-14 during the second half en route to a 64-21 win over the Jaguars.
The Panthers exploded for over 650 total yards of offense and nine total touchdowns, with seven different players getting in on the scoring.
Defensively, the unit allowed just over 300 yards while holding the Jaguars to just three scores, two which came with the game well out of reach.
“That’s our motto, to play fast and physical,” Stroman said. “I thought that’s what we did. We knew we’d have to win the battle in the trenches and our defensive line did tonight. A lot of kids played. We limited the big plays on that side. I was happy with our defense.”
The Jaguars drop to 2-5 overall and 1-1 in District 31-6A play with the loss, turning their attention to a clash with Edinburg Vela at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at Richard R. Flores Stadium in Weslaco.
Meanwhile, Moya and the Panthers (4-3, 1-1) will look to carry the momentum from their win as they take on Edinburg North (0-6, 0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Weslaco.
“They set the bar today,” Stroman said. “That’s what the expectation is. That’s the standard from now on, to play Panther football. That was Panther football tonight. At the end of the day, we always have to challenge these kids and give them goals, but I’m happy with how they played tonight.”
