No. 5: Mercedes
2016 record: 7-5, 6-1 in 32-5A; area qualifiers
Of note: Coach Roger Adame Jr. returns a veteran Tigers team, and he projects about 16 of the 22 starters will be seniors. The unquestioned leader of the defense is Adame Jr.’s son: linebacker Roger Adame III, who piled up 21 sacks in 2016. Quarterback Marc Ledesma will get his shot at leading the Mercedes offense in his senior year after spending time as the backup (six touchdowns, seven interceptions in 2016) and top receiver (29 receptions, 551 yards, three touchdowns) last year.
5. MERCEDES
6. LOS FRESNOS
7. EDINBURG VELA
8. SHARYLAND PIONEER
9. MISSION VETERANS
10. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS
RGVSports.com will reveal its preseason Top 10, one team per day, leading up to the start of the 2017 football season on Aug. 31.