Hidalgo, Weslaco East meet on blue turf tonight

HIDALGO — Armando Cuellar knows for the most part what he’s getting from his Weslaco East team.

On the other hand, new Hidalgo coach Robin Kirk is installing a new system with a young ballclub.

While the Wildcats have aspirations for a monster season, the Pirates start from scratch beginning at 7:30 tonight at the blue turf of Pirate Stadium. Kirk comes from Houston St. Pius where he led the team to three state titles as a TAPPS school. Despite inheriting an inexperienced team that missed the playoffs in 2008, Kirk already is talking championship — state championship.

"That should be everybody’s goal," Kirk said. "Everybody should strive for that goal.

"If you don’t strive for it, you sure as heck will never get there."

Kirk also knows before any seed could be planted into any players’ head such as junior quarterback Kevin Treviño or senior wideout Tre Jones, they must also work for it. Kirk loves the fact the Pirates faces a program like Weslaco East, which has turned into a powerhouse in recent years. The Wildcats enter 2009 coming off back-to-back playoff appearances. While the roster is pretty much set, the biggest hole East hopes to fill during the next few weeks is finding a replacement for 2,000 rusher Andrew Alvarado.

Cuellar said a number of backs have seen action in scrimmages, but Addison Einhorn will be the team’s starter. The junior gained more than 100 yards and scored a touchdown against Raymondville in the Wildcats’ final scrimmage last week.

"All the backs are in the rotation. We’re still going to continue to look," Cuellar said. "It’s working out well."