(Weslaco, Tx)- “Not, yet,” says Weslaco East High School head coach Michael Burget. “People keep asking me if I’m going to retire anytime soon. I’m not ready, I have some great teams coming up.”
Since 2019, the Wildcats have won three district titles, including a share of the title last season in District 16-5A Division I.
In 2022, the Wildcats got off to a slow start with early non-conference losses to Los Fresnos (28-7), Edinburg Vela (54-7), Edinburg (21-17), and then fell to Harlingen South (7-3) in its district opener to stand at 1-4 after five games. “We got off to a slow start,” says Burget. The Wildcats closed out the season with five straight wins to claim a share of the district title. In the playoffs, the East Wildcats would face Edinburg Vela again, losing 49-3 in the University Interscholastic League State 5A Divison I Bi-District finals.
The Wildcats will start senior quarterback Alex Martinez, a 6’2 180lb gunslinger and power runner. Last year, he passed for 445 yards and rushed for another 268 yards. “He’s going to be a good,” says Burget. With the Wildcats returning 26 lettermen, six players will return on offense.
Players to watch are OL Aaron Estevanes, OL Kelvin Flores, TE Julian Garcia, and OL Mario Manzano. On defense, the Wildcats will see LB Ryan Escamilla (52 tackles 25 solos), LB Derek Ramirez, DL Isaiah Loa, DB Greg Granados, and DB Jianni Ortiz (69 tackles).
The Wildcats will travel to meet Los Fresnos on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Leo Aguilar Stadium followed by a home game against the PSJA Bears on September 1st before traveling to play Edinburg Vela on September 7th at 7:00 p.m. and ending non-district at Edinburg. (Pictured is Weslaco East HS senior Daniel Garcia/HSSMImages/Ruiz)