The Rivalry
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter @reynaldolealjr
Robert Guzman was playing in the biggest game of his life. Records and rankings had gone out the door for the Donna Redskin running back as he stared down the barrel of the Weslaco defense.
Purple and white flashed around the solid and still maroon line. He had been waiting for this his whole life. He knew the impact and importance of the rivalry and he was ready.
The ball was snapped on the 22-yard line, the sound of pads and helmets clashing propelled him forward towards the ball and the line of scrimmage. He ran through a seem that opened right down the middle of the formation, took a cutback to his right and then picked up speed towards his sideline as the field widened in front of him.
He was alone, out in the open field, and the only thing he could hear was the crowd going crazy.
Touchdown. He had broken one loose for 78 yards against his most hated rival.
Guzman, who is now a freshman football coach at his Alma matter, ran for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the Sept. 14, 2007, game. It would be his crowning high school football achievement and the last time the Redskins would square off against the Panthers in six years.
“It was awesome, especially since we had lost the year before to them,” Guzman said. “That game made me feel like I went out with a bang. It was text book. What everyone dreams about when they’re kids.”
Now, as the young coach and local legend teaches the freshman how to play the game, the upperclassmen are preparing to renew the bitter rivalry once again in the adjacent stadium.
“You can feel the rivalry as soon as the week starts,” he said. “It’s inside you. You just know.”
The new kids
Head coach Manny Moreno is busy fine-tuning his offense during Tuesday’s practice. He watches as his coaching staff pushes his players to perfection, barking and jawing at even a hint of laziness or mediocrity. Only when it’s necessary does he interject.
Moreno’s mantra that “every game is a big game because we’re playing in it,” seems honest and sincere. But for a man who is well versed in the Weslaco/Donna rivalry this week’s game does hold a level of significance.
“They were always special games,” the former Redskin offensive lineman (83-84) said of the matchups. “It’s something that is good for both communities.”
Fresh off a 21-point victory against the Raiders of PSJA North, Moreno is looking for another win before moving into district play. His preparation is specific, but his goals are broad.
“We obviously have to slow down their offense by controlling the ball and maintaining possession,” he said. “They’ve got some good kids on defense; I watched them play against Edcouch and was impressed. We just have to be aggressive and make plays.”
One of the players that will be called on to stop the Panther offense is senior free safety Joey Reyes. The defensive captain was in seventh grade the last time his city knocked heads with Weslaco, but he understood quickly what the game meant for the community.
“The excitement is there,” he said. “Everyone is looking forward to it. I’ve even had teachers ask me if we’re going to win.”
The weight of his city’s expectations is finding its way to the shoulders of young men, once again.
Wide receiver Darien Hernandez, however, doesn’t buy the hype. He considers Weslaco as just another opponent that he will face during his senior year.
“It’s a big game to everyone,” the slender senior said, “but I’m not going to play them any different than any other team. They have a good defense that’s fast and strong. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
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The Rivalry
By Reynaldo Leal
Twitter @reynaldolealjr
Robert Guzman was playing in the biggest game of his life. Records and rankings had gone out the door for the Donna Redskin running back as he stared down the barrel of the Weslaco defense.
Purple and white flashed around the solid and still maroon line. He had been waiting for this his whole life. He knew the impact and importance of the rivalry and he was ready.
The ball was snapped on the 22-yard line, the sound of pads and helmets clashing propelled him forward towards the ball and the line of scrimmage. He ran through a seem that opened right down the middle of the formation, took a cutback to his right and then picked up speed towards his sideline as the field widened in front of him.
He was alone, out in the open field, and the only thing he could hear was the crowd going crazy.
Touchdown. He had broken one loose for 78 yards against his most hated rival.
Guzman, who is now a freshman football coach at his Alma matter, ran for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the Sept. 14, 2007, game. It would be his crowning high school football achievement and the last time the Redskins would square off against the Panthers in six years.
“It was awesome, especially since we had lost the year before to them,” Guzman said. “That game made me feel like I went out with a bang. It was text book. What everyone dreams about when they’re kids.”
Now, as the young coach and local legend teaches the freshman how to play the game, the upperclassmen are preparing to renew the bitter rivalry once again in the adjacent stadium.
“You can feel the rivalry as soon as the week starts,” he said. “It’s inside you. You just know.”
The new kids
Head coach Manny Moreno is busy fine-tuning his offense during Tuesday’s practice. He watches as his coaching staff pushes his players to perfection, barking and jawing at even a hint of laziness or mediocrity. Only when it’s necessary does he interject.
Moreno’s mantra that “every game is a big game because we’re playing in it,” seems honest and sincere. But for a man who is well versed in the Weslaco/Donna rivalry this week’s game does hold a level of significance.
“They were always special games,” the former Redskin offensive lineman (83-84) said of the matchups. “It’s something that is good for both communities.”
Fresh off a 21-point victory against the Raiders of PSJA North, Moreno is looking for another win before moving into district play. His preparation is specific, but his goals are broad.
“We obviously have to slow down their offense by controlling the ball and maintaining possession,” he said. “They’ve got some good kids on defense; I watched them play against Edcouch and was impressed. We just have to be aggressive and make plays.”
One of the players that will be called on to stop the Panther offense is senior free safety Joey Reyes. The defensive captain was in seventh grade the last time his city knocked heads with Weslaco, but he understood quickly what the game meant for the community.
“The excitement is there,” he said. “Everyone is looking forward to it. I’ve even had teachers ask me if we’re going to win.”
The weight of his city’s expectations is finding its way to the shoulders of young men, once again.
Wide receiver Darien Hernandez, however, doesn’t buy the hype. He considers Weslaco as just another opponent that he will face during his senior year.
“It’s a big game to everyone,” the slender senior said, “but I’m not going to play them any different than any other team. They have a good defense that’s fast and strong. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”
