Mustangs Outlast Panthers in High-Scoring Showdown

MCALLEN—The McAllen Memorial Mustangs edged out the Weslaco Panthers 45-38 in a high-stakes matchup at McAllen Memorial Stadium, pushing their record to 2-0 while Weslaco fell to 0-2. The game saw strong offensive performances from both teams, with Memorial quarterback Kane Coy playing a key role in the victory, scoring a total of five touchdowns, one on the ground and four passing.

The Mustangs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with running back Braxton Speights scoring on the opening drive. Speights, the youngest in a line of standout brothers, found his way into the end zone after juking through the Weslaco defense. “Our message was to compete and finish the fight,” said McAllen Memorial Head Coach Moses Patterson. “Weslaco is a perennial playoff team, and we knew it was going to be tough.”

Memorial leaned on its typically large offensive line, allowing Coy to mix up the offensive attack. Though the Mustangs are traditionally known for their running game, Coy aired it out effectively, connecting with wide receiver Michael Alaniz for an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter to make the score 14-0. Alaniz would go on to score three more touchdowns, finishing with four on the night. “The run wasn’t really working, so we decided to air it out and let Mikey do his thing,” Coy said after the game.

Weslaco responded with determination. Quarterback Francisco Trevino led a drive that culminated in a rushing touchdown, narrowing the gap to 14-7. Trevino showed versatility in both his passing and rushing efforts. He finished the game with three rushing touchdowns, keeping the Panthers within striking distance throughout.

Despite the Panthers' strong showing, Memorial’s offense proved too difficult to contain. Coy was responsible for five touchdowns — four passing and one rushing — showcasing his leadership and composure under pressure. “It feels great,” Coy said. “I’m extremely blessed to be in this position, and I give all the credit to my O-line and defense for giving us opportunities to score.”

Late in the fourth quarter, the score was tied 38-38 after a field goal from Weslaco. But Coy remained unfazed. “I told all my guys, we’re going to go out there and make some history and we're going to end this game right here,” Coy recounted. On the ensuing drive, he connected once again with Alanis, who hauled in his fourth touchdown of the night, giving Memorial the final lead of 45-38.

For Coach Patterson, the victory was a testament to the team’s preparation and ability to adjust. “We took advantage of some mismatches on the outside,” Patterson said. “We’re traditionally a run-first team, but if teams are going to give us the opportunity to throw, we’ll take it.”

As the game wound down, Weslaco’s last-chance effort to tie the game was intercepted by Memorial’s linebacker Keller, sealing the victory for the Mustangs. Patterson expressed pride in his team's ability to stay focused under pressure: "The kids rose to the challenge at the very end, and we were able to pull off the win."

With this win behind them, McAllen Memorial will now prepare for a challenging matchup against San Antonio Johnson, another perennial playoff contender. Coy, reflecting on the upcoming game, said, “We’re a run-first team, but if we need to open up the playbook like we did tonight, we’ll be ready.”

Despite the loss, Weslaco showed resilience throughout, and Trevino’s leadership kept them in the game. Coach Patterson praised Weslaco’s program: “Coach Stroman does a great job over there. They’re always athletic, and tonight was no exception.”

The Mustangs remain undefeated going into week 3.