No. 9: Mission Veterans
2016 record: 8-5, 5-3 in 31-5A; regional semifinal qualifiers
Of note: Despite qualifying for the fourth and final playoff spot in District 31-5A, Mission Veterans advanced further in the playoffs than any other team in the district.
Key returners include junior quarterback Landry Gilpin, who spent last season as a wide receiver and racked up 851 yards and 13 touchdowns, and senior wideout Buda Gonzalez. Anchoring the defense will be junior linebackers Jazz Vallejo and Joey Garcia, who combined for 231 tackles and 42 tackles for loss in 2016.
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.