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WESLACO — Hyped games are nothing to new for Mercedes and Weslaco East. The Tigers already have faced Port Lavaca Calhoun, Los Fresnos, Mission High and Edcouch-Elsa. The Wildcats also have some experience of their own in big games, having already won at E-E to end the ‘Jackets’ 39-game district winning streak.

So, when the teams meet tonight, what should be an excited and virtually-filled Bobby Lackey Stadium shouldn’t faze either.

“We’ve had some ups and downs with big games already, and I think we’ve been able to handle the pressure of this type of game,” Mercedes coach Michael Uribe said. “Obviously, this is going to be the biggest game to date just because I’m anticipating a sold out Bobby Lackey Stadium.

“The hype is extremely big especially with them fighting for the first district championship in school history over there and the bragging rights.”

Those bragging rights, Uribe said, are called the “barbecue bragging rights” because there are plenty of fans of one team in the neighboring communities that might know fans of the other. Then there’s the implications of the game. With a win, Weslaco East would get to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in district play, keeping itself on track for a 32-4A title. Mercedes, meanwhile, could pull into a three-way tie for the district lead with a victory and a Mission High loss to Roma.

Knowing about the hype, and knowing what a win would mean for each team, one would think that controlling the players’ emotions would be a challenge.

Both Uribe and Weslaco East coach Armando Cuellar, however, said they aren’t worried about their players losing focus during the game.

“It’s real easy to motivate these kids to stay focused, to put in the hard work,” Uribe said. “Because, the discussions at the dinner tables, the discussions at the malls, the discussions at the restaurants… right now, this is the game in the Mid-Valley.”

This might also be the game that matches two completely different offensive schems. In Uribe’s first season, the Tigers have adopted a spread, no-huddle offense that tries to keep defenses on their toes. Quarterback Albert Chavez has a chance to finish among the district leaders in both passing and rushing.

Weslaco East’s offense is a bit more direct, as the Wildcats have one of the area’s best running games. Their offense is led by district-leader Bobby Gonzalez (1,076 yards, seven TDs), who is one of three potent rushers for the Wildcats.

“We know it’s going to be an exciting ballgame,” Cuellar said. “Both teams are aware of what’s at stake. They’re going to do what they have to do and we’re going to do what we have to do. Expectations are high on both sides.”

Uribe feels the same way.

“I’ve been comparing this to a heavyweight fight,” Uribe said. “We’re going to be trading punches and the last man standing obviously is going to be the happy one.”

Brian Sandalow covers District 32-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.