Weslaco High’s defense rises to the occasion against cross-town rivals

WESLACO — Coming into the 2026 season, Weslaco High has one of the best defenses in the Rio Grande Valley and they showed why people are rating that unit that high on Friday night against cross-town rivals Weslaco East in the Tinaco Bowl.  

The Panthers hardly let the Wildcats sniff the end zone let alone the red zone in a 30-0 win at a packed Bobby Lackey Stadium for the first Friday night of the high school football season. 

“Defense,” Weslaco High head coach Roy Stroman said when asked about what he thought of the game. “Our defense was solid tonight. Coach Ramirez had a great game plan and our kids executed.” 

The shutout usually tells the story. Weslaco East had some solid chunk plays, but missed a chance at some points on the final play of the first half when they missed a field goal. It was always going to be a tough task against one of the best defenses in the Valley. 

Weslaco High’s defense was flying to the ball. Senior defensive back Seth Moya is hard to miss on the field with his long hair. He is one of the best players on the Panthers’ defense that returned a lot in the secondary and along the defensive line which gave them plenty of respect coming into the season. 

“We came in knowing we are one of the best defenses in the Valley,” Moya said. “We were hoping to keep them at a zero and we did. I am really proud of my defense for communicating. We have been playing together since freshman year.” 

Moya said he was blessed to have his teammates and that he is ready to lock in and make some plays against tough competition this season. 

The Panthers had plenty of chances to pick off Weslaco East quarterback Noah Mesa and would get it late in the fourth quarter when senior Enrique Rodriguez pounced on an overthrown ball. 

Weslaco High’s defense performed as expected and the offense did what they were supposed to do against a tough Weslaco East defense that bent at times, but did not break. 

Weslaco High junior running back Malachi Rodriguez would score three touchdowns. He punched his first touchdown of the season from a yard out in the first quarter and then scored twice in the third quarter on a 21-yard run and a 7-yard run. 

Weslaco High senior quarterback Lupe Granados is the full-time signal caller for the Panthers in 2026. He made nice throws and plays with his feet all night and set up Rodriguez’s third touchdown with a 57-yard run. Granados would get his touchdown when found sophomore Christian Zamora from 22 yards out after the Panthers recovered a fumble on the previous kickoff. 

The Panthers will look to stay hot against a really good McAllen Memorial team and the Wildcats will hope to bounce back against Edinburg High next week.