The Weslaco Panthers are less than two weeks away from their season opener and still working to fill the gaps left by 38 graduating seniors, including the starting quarterback spot.

Two players are competing for the QB position: senior Lupe Granados and junior Malachi Rodriguez.

"It's going to be a challenging year for us like every single year. It's a big puzzle. Losing 38 seniors and trying to figure out those holes. But a lot of these kids are stepping up and it's the next man up mentality here at Weslaco again," Weslaco head football coach Roy Stroman said.

No decision has been made yet on who starts under center.

"There's no edge. We'll decide right before August 28th when we host Weslaco East," Stroman said.

The team's biggest strength heading into the season is up front. Most of their experienced linemen are returning on both sides of the ball.

"I think we can do it again. I think we have all the tools to do it. The physical ability and mental ability to do it," offensive lineman Casey Parker said.

"Whatever team you put in front of us we're going to give them pretty good competition," senior defensive end Jacob Hinojosa said.

One game already has the team's attention: the Tinaco Bowl, their rivalry matchup against Weslaco East. The two teams haven't faced each other since 2019.

"It's something that this community wants and we'll worry about that one when the time comes," Stroman said.

Granados said he is looking forward to the rivalry game.

"I'm super excited cause last time they played I was in the stands watching them," Granados said.

Hinojosa shared a similar feeling about the matchup.

"Last time when we played against them I was in 5 grade and I was up in the stands watching them and it was a great memory. Now to be on the field playing against them it's a great game to be playing," Hinojosa said.

After the opener against Weslaco East, the Panthers face McAllen Memorial in Week 2, a matchup that was one of the top games in the RGV last season. Week 3 brings Mission Veterans, followed by PSJA North in Week 4 and PSJA in Week 5 before a bye.

District play opens against Edinburg Vela, then Economedes in a rematch of last year's district title game. The Panthers then face Edinburg North in Week 9, La Joya in Week 10 and close out the regular season against the Edinburg Bobcats.