ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Panthers kickoff 2008 season

WESLACO — Tony Villarreal is ready to run down the sidelines once again.

The intense Rio Grande Valley head coach opens his fourth-season with Weslaco High and hopes to make it four-for-four in playoff appearances with the Panthers. Weslaco opens its non-district schedule against Harlingen South at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Bobby Lackey Stadium.

It marks the first official game without tailback Mishak Rivas, who's moved on to life at Texas State University. Many figured the Panthers won't be as explosive in 2008 with Rivas gone, but Villarreal hasn't necessarily ruled that out. In the two scrimmages against Sharyland and PSJA Memorial respectively, Weslaco's offense managed to move the ball just like they had been doing since Villarreal arrived. As a matter of fact, Villarreal said in both scrimmages, the Panthers produced at or near 500 yards. Although Rivas was responsible for over 3,700 yards of offense last year, other players such as quarterback Dylan DeLeon excelled in big games.

"I kept saying that last year," Villarreal said. "Shak was the star, his personality dominated the media circus, but last year we had 500 yards a game too."

"I kept telling people Shak is going to do what he's going to do, but we still had 300 yards with other people. We're more diversified."

Even though Rivas has departed, Weslaco still has versatility in DeLeon, a solid offensive line and a veteran group back on defense.

DeLeon has produced back-to-back 1,000 yards passing under Villarreal's offense, which has never been done by any other signal caller for the veteran coach. Last year, DeLeon also rushed for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

"In general, we're ready to have a good game and execute," Villarreal said.

Last week, the Hawks had their opportunity to get the rustiness out of the way. South hung tough against a much more experienced Mission Veterans ballclub, but lost 20-14 at Boggus Stadium. Running backs Phillip Fruge and Steven Mata are the lone starters back on offense from last year's District 31-5A championship team and both were responsible for the Hawks' touchdown scores.

"We know we have young group, we lost a lot of seniors," Cherry said. "The seniors this year are working and playing hard."

Even though South managed only one first down in the first half, the Hawks were still in position to go 1-0. A key penalty against South's defense on a long pass was called, which Cherry disagreed with and in his opinion changed the reflection of the turnout. The second-year Hawk coach believes it was a tough break against his new young squad.

"Our DB did a good job of knocking (the ball) down, but it was called for a penalty," Cherry said. "We might have won the game. A lot of our kids made mistakes because of the youth, but we gained experience."