WESLACO – Fortune has not been on Weslaco East’s side this year.  A handful of starters went down with injuries, including star running back Roy Pedraza, who ran for 2,000 yards last season. The loss of all-around athlete J.C. Vargas also has hampered the team.

“It’s been tough plugging in some sophomores and juniors,” said Weslaco East head coach Michael Burget. “What’s good about that is next year they’ll have some experience. A lot of people counted us out. A lot of people told me we understand. That’s not good enough.”

One of the young standouts is sophomore Ramsey Vasquez, who has scored on offense and special teams. Aside from that, he’s also collected six interceptions as a defensive back.

“They’re just guiding me and telling me, keep doing me and just focus and stay on track and play football,” said Vasquez. “It’s a great feeling every Friday night going out and playing.”

East started district play 1-2, but they’ve rattled off two-straight wins to get back in the playoff hunt. That includes a close victory over Harlingen.

“It started in the second half of Los Fresnos, our momentum,” said senior quarterback Richard LeFevre. “We didn’t come up with the win against Los Fresnos, but we realized late we could still play. We still got a ball club. Against Harlingen, we carried the momentum over.”

“Hopes did go down a bit but we all worked hard in the offseason and I knew it wasn’t a one-man team,” said junior linebacker Freddy Cardenas. “I know we can still make the playoffs. I knew it since the beginning and I still believe it now.”

Weslaco is one of three teams in 32-6A with a 3-2 district record. The Wildcats’ next game is Friday against Harlingen South.