Post by Midvalleyftball79 on Aug 21, 2008 2:06:25 GMT -6
Weslaco, Deleon Begin New Era
By Louie Vera, RGVSPORTS.com
The post-Mishak Rivas era has begun for the No.7 ranked Weslaco Panthers and the limelight is now centered on senior Dylan DeLeon.
With 54 touchdown passes and plenty of big game experience under DeLeon's belt Panthers coach Tony Villarreal is looking for-ward to see what his team leader will do this season.
"We've got a great, experienced quarterback who is a tremendous play caller," Villarreal said. "With a play caller like that the possibilities are endless, he's a great reader of the defense and probably the best QB I've coached."
Typically coaches can circle a few dates before the season starts knowing without a doubt it's a big game but it seemed as though week in and week out the Panthers were in one in 2007.
Whether it was non-district, district or the playoffs Villarreal's squad gained invaluable experience that he is hoping will translate into another successful year for the Panther football program.
"Overall as a team they are a lot more talented and savvy group," Villarreal said. "This senior class has big game experience against Los Fresnos, San Benito, Donna, we had like eight or nine of those games and it's going to pay dividends. I'm expecting a lot from these kids."
San Benito coach Mario Pena said even with the graduation of Rivas the Panthers are always a team in the mix, especially with DeLeon behind center.
"Every time you go against a team coached by Tony its going to be well coached," Pena said. "Even with Mishak gone the team is bringing back a strong nucleus and it's a team we are going to have to contend with."
DeLeon leads a strong Weslaco senior class that includes lineman Steve and Gilbert Perez who paved the road for Mishak's rec-ord breaking 3,300-yard season last year.
Defensively, the Panthers bring back safeties Melchor Valdez and Jacob Ponce who coach Villarreal said is one of the best safety duos's he's had since coaching.
With the Panthers participating in spring ball Villarreal hasn't seen his team in pads for long but said the enthusiasm for this year's campaign is evident.
"I like the kids we have," he said. "It takes a special kid to play football now-a-days and it's been hot, rainy, muddy, humid and these kids don't want to go home."
By Louie Vera, RGVSPORTS.com
The post-Mishak Rivas era has begun for the No.7 ranked Weslaco Panthers and the limelight is now centered on senior Dylan DeLeon.
With 54 touchdown passes and plenty of big game experience under DeLeon's belt Panthers coach Tony Villarreal is looking for-ward to see what his team leader will do this season.
"We've got a great, experienced quarterback who is a tremendous play caller," Villarreal said. "With a play caller like that the possibilities are endless, he's a great reader of the defense and probably the best QB I've coached."
Typically coaches can circle a few dates before the season starts knowing without a doubt it's a big game but it seemed as though week in and week out the Panthers were in one in 2007.
Whether it was non-district, district or the playoffs Villarreal's squad gained invaluable experience that he is hoping will translate into another successful year for the Panther football program.
"Overall as a team they are a lot more talented and savvy group," Villarreal said. "This senior class has big game experience against Los Fresnos, San Benito, Donna, we had like eight or nine of those games and it's going to pay dividends. I'm expecting a lot from these kids."
San Benito coach Mario Pena said even with the graduation of Rivas the Panthers are always a team in the mix, especially with DeLeon behind center.
"Every time you go against a team coached by Tony its going to be well coached," Pena said. "Even with Mishak gone the team is bringing back a strong nucleus and it's a team we are going to have to contend with."
DeLeon leads a strong Weslaco senior class that includes lineman Steve and Gilbert Perez who paved the road for Mishak's rec-ord breaking 3,300-yard season last year.
Defensively, the Panthers bring back safeties Melchor Valdez and Jacob Ponce who coach Villarreal said is one of the best safety duos's he's had since coaching.
With the Panthers participating in spring ball Villarreal hasn't seen his team in pads for long but said the enthusiasm for this year's campaign is evident.
"I like the kids we have," he said. "It takes a special kid to play football now-a-days and it's been hot, rainy, muddy, humid and these kids don't want to go home."
MERCEDES TIGERS 
