Author: bryan ramos

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The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Football Teams

Below are The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Football Teams and Superlatives featuring the top high school football players from Hidalgo and Starr Counties.

The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Football selections were voted on by sports staff at The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor and Valley Morning Star.

The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Football Teams can be found here. The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star’s All-Area Teams are made up of players from Cameron and Willacy County.

The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Superlatives

Player of the Year: Eli Rodriguez, Weslaco High

Co-Offensive Players of the Year: Braden Luedeker, Mission Veterans; Jamal Polley, Edinburg Vela

Defensive Player of the Year: Danny Garcia, PSJA North

Sub-5A Player of the Year: Brandon Felix, La Villa

Lineman of the Year: Joe Derek Vecchio, PSJA North

Utility Player of the Year: Leroy Palacios, PSJA North

Newcomer of the Year: Dylan Tijerina, Sharyland Pioneer

Coach of the Year: Roy Stroman, Weslaco High

The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area First Team

Quarterback: Jaime Lopez, PSJA High

Running Back: Ethan Guerra, PSJA North; Ulysses Melendez, Edinburg North

Fullback: Isaac Lozano, Roma

Wide Receiver: Leo Espinoza, Sharyland Pioneer; Xavier Rodriguez, Donna High; Ryan Vallejo, PSJA High

Tight End: Julius Arredondo, PSJA North

Offensive Line: Jordan Brewster, PSJA North; Julian Lopez, PSJA Memorial; Adaen Sanchez, PSJA North; Mario Villafranca, Weslaco East; Diego Zavala, Weslaco High

Defensive Line: Dante Garcia, PSJA North; Matthew Garza, Weslaco High; Juan Oviedo, Weslaco East; Jorge Rios, PSJA High

Linebacker: Steven Garza, PSJA North; Michael Gonzales, PSJA North; Cody Longoria, PSJA High;  Aiden Uribe, Mission Veterans

Defensive Back: Luis Garcia, Edinburg Vela; Nick Gonzalez, Edinburg High; Greg Granados, Weslaco East; Andrew Rivera, Sharyland Pioneer

Athlete: Alex Martinez, Weslaco East

Kicker: Omar Garcia, PSJA Memorial

Punter: Marcelo Peña, Valley View

The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Second Team

Quarterback: Julian Valdez, Sharyland Pioneer

Running Back: Emiliano Colunga, PSJA Memorial; Ryen Abrego, Edinburg High

Fullback: Jason Montez, PSJA North

Wide Receiver: Jayreed Amaya, Edcouch-Elsa; Obed Marin, Mission Veterans; Jude Vega, Edinburg High

Tight End: Nick Karam, McAllen High

Offensive Line: Christian Ayala, Monte Alto; Artemio Belmontes, Roma; Marcos Caballero, Edinburg Vela; Josh Lang, McAllen Memorial; Carlos Rodriguez, McAllen Memorial

Defensive Line: Abram Garcia, La Joya Palmview; Daryn Hanks, Weslaco High; Marcus Hernandez, PSJA Memorial; Brayan Hinojosa, Roma

Linebacker: Matthew Cano, Edcouch-Elsa; Ryan Escamilla, Weslaco East; Humberto Leal, Donna High; Jesse Montez, PSJA North

Defensive Back: Gabriel Horta, Weslaco East; Pablo Lopez, Mission Veterans; Chris Luna, McAllen Memorial; Nathan Rocha, McAllen High

Athlete: Rey Perez, La Villa

Kicker: Julian Betancourt, Weslaco High

Punter: Jorge Rios, PSJA High

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The RGVSports.com 2023 All-Valley Football Team

Below is the RGVSports.com 2023 All-Valley Football Team featuring the top high school football players from across the Rio Grande Valley from the 2023 season.

The RGVSports.com All-Valley Football selections were voted on by sports staff at The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor and Valley Morning Star.

The Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Football Teams can be found here. The Monitor’s All-Area Teams are made up of players from Hidalgo and Starr County.

The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star 2023 All-Area Football Teams can be found here. The Brownsville Herald and Valley Morning Star’s All-Area Teams are made up of players from Cameron and Willacy County.

The RGVSports.com 2023 All-Valley Football Team

Quarterback: Braden Luedeker, Mission Veterans

Running Back: Fabian Garcia, San Benito; Eli Rodriguez, Weslaco High

Fullback: Isaac Lozano, Roma

Wide Receiver: Leo Espinoza, Sharyland Pioneer; Xavier Rodriguez, Donna High; Ryan Vallejo, PSJA High

Tight End: Julius Arredondo, PSJA North

Offensive Line: Diego De La Cruz, Brownsville St. Joseph; Matthew Pinion, Brownsville Veterans; Adaen Sanchez, PSJA North; Joe Derek Vecchio, PSJA North; Diego Zavala, Weslaco High

Defensive Line: Danny Garcia, PSJA North; Matthew Garza, Weslaco High; Gilbert Lerma, Harlingen South; Devon Robinson, San Benito

Linebacker: Michael Gonzales, PSJA North; Jaime Martinez, Brownsville Veterans; Sterling Tomlin, Harlingen High; Aiden Uribe, Mission Veterans

Defensive Back: Brandon Hernandez, San Benito; Nick Gonzalez, Edinburg High; Leroy Palacios, PSJA North; Andrew Rivera, Sharyland Pioneer

Athlete: Keyan Lopez, Rio Hondo; Gilbert Trillo, Brownsville Veterans

Kicker: Omar Garcia, PSJA Memorial

Punter: Miguel Ortiz, Los Fresnos

Returner: Jayreed Amaya, Edcouch-Elsa

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Sharyland Pioneer’s Tijerina named The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year

Sharyland Pioneer running back Dylan Tijerina made an instant impact for the Diamondbacks as the sophomore totaled 101 yards on 16 touches with one touchdown in his varsity debut, a 28-21 non-district victory over McAllen Rowe in the 2023 opener.

That was just a sign of things to come for Pioneer’s powerful runner as Tijerina is The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year for the 2023 season.

Sharyland Pioneer running back Dylan Tijerina (24) carries the ball through the McAllen Rowe defense in a non-district game at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Tijerina finished his first year of varsity football with 1,388 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns on 175 carries, also adding five receptions for 77 yards.

He got stronger as the season went on, too, with five consecutive 100-plus-yard games late in the year. That five-game run included rushing for 197 yards against crosstown rival Sharyland High, 209 against PSJA Memorial and 220 during the bi-district round of the playoffs against Edcouch-Elsa.

Tijerina also hit paydirt in 10 of 12 games, helping Pioneer finish the season 10-2 overall and 4-1 in district for a share of the District 16-5A DII championship.

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by bryan ramos

Sharyland Pioneer’s Tijerina named The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year

Sharyland Pioneer running back Dylan Tijerina made an instant impact for the Diamondbacks as the sophomore totaled 101 yards on 16 touches with one touchdown in his varsity debut, a 28-21 non-district victory over McAllen Rowe in the 2023 opener.

That was just a sign of things to come for Pioneer’s powerful runner as Tijerina is The Monitor’s All-Area Newcomer of the Year for the 2023 season.

Sharyland Pioneer running back Dylan Tijerina (24) carries the ball through the McAllen Rowe defense in a non-district game at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2023, in McAllen. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])

Tijerina finished his first year of varsity football with 1,388 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns on 175 carries, also adding five receptions for 77 yards.

He got stronger as the season went on, too, with five consecutive 100-plus-yard games late in the year. That five-game run included rushing for 197 yards against crosstown rival Sharyland High, 209 against PSJA Memorial and 220 during the bi-district round of the playoffs against Edcouch-Elsa.

Tijerina also hit paydirt in 10 of 12 games, helping Pioneer finish the season 10-2 overall and 4-1 in district for a share of the District 16-5A DII championship.

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PSJA North’s Palacios named All-Area Utility Player of the Year

PSJA North senior Leroy Palacios primarily played safety during his senior season, but that didn’t stop him from leaving his imprint on the game in all three phases as a consistent contributor on both offense and special teams, too.

Palacios, The Monitor’s All-Area Utility Player of the Year, tallied 52 tackles, three for a loss and was a ballhawk in the Raiders’ secondary. He finished with five interceptions, two passes deflected and two fumble recoveries. He also added 370 all-purpose yards with 107 total yards and one touchdown on seven touches on offense, 101 punt return yards, 57 kickoff return yards and 105 yards on interception returns.

PSJA North’s Leroy Palacios, left, runs past Edinburg Vela’s defender Ethan Delgado, right, during a game at Richard R. Flores Stadium Friday, September 22, 2023 in Edinburg. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])

Palacios, a four-year letterman, even lined up at punter during PSJA North’s biggest regular season game of the year against Edinburg Vela.

“I’ve been doing this for four years, I know the atmosphere, so I just went out there and played ball,” Palacios said.

He finished his career with 11 interceptions and played a key role in PSJA North capturing back-to-back district championships in 2022 and 2023, and winning eight playoff games during his four years suiting up for the “Blackshirt Defense.”

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PSJA North’s Vecchio tabbed as The Monitor’s All-Area Lineman of the Year

PSJA North’s offensive success relied on the line to set the tone of the game with a fast, ferocious and physical style of play that allowed the Raiders’ playmakers to run wild.

Senior center Joe Derek Vecchio, The Monitor’s 2023 Football All-Area Lineman of the Year, was right in the middle of it as the leader on the offensive line for the Raiders.

“I’m just really grateful for it. I remember being a little kid watching the Raiders. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it and play for this community,” he said.

Vecchio ranked second on the team with 81 pancake blocks and utilized quick feet and strong hands to demolish opposing defenders in the trenches or reach linebackers on the second level of the defense. He started all four years for the Raiders and totaled 65 pancake blocks as a junior in 2022.

PSJA North recorded 4,397 rushing yards in 13 games with Vecchio and company paving the way to a 12-1 overall record and second consecutive District 15-5A DI championship.

Vecchio, who signed to play college football at UTRGV earlier this week, was also voted District 15-5A DI’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.

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La Villa’s Felix picks up The Monitor’s All-Area Sub-5A Player of the Year award

La Villa playmaker Brandon Felix led the Cardinals to three consecutive District 16-2A DI championship and now closes his career as a three-time all-area honoree.

Felix was named newcomer of the year following the 2021 season and has gone back-to-back as The Monitor’s All-Area Sub-5A Player of the Year following another season of doing it all for La Villa.

Felix started at quarterback, in the secondary and played on special teams, leading La Villa to a 9-3 overall record and 5-0 mark in district play. He threw for 1,587 yards and 23 touchdowns and also ran for 984 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

La Villa Cardinal quarterback Brandon Felix ( 6) prepares to pass the ball Friday night against Santa Maria Cougars at La Villa Football Stadium. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

Whenever the Cardinals needed to make something happen, Felix delivered. In the District 16-2A DI title game during the final week of the regular season, Felix torched rival Freer for 242 yards and three passing touchdowns, and another 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He went 7-for-9 passing and also led the Cardinals’ defense with 10 total tackles to bring La Villa a third straight district championship.

Felix finishes his Cardinals’ career with 3,236 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 3,008 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns.

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La Villa’s Felix picks up The Monitor’s All-Area Sub-5A Player of the Year award

La Villa playmaker Brandon Felix led the Cardinals to three consecutive District 16-2A DI championship and now closes his career as a three-time all-area honoree.

Felix was named newcomer of the year following the 2021 season and has gone back-to-back as The Monitor’s All-Area Sub-5A Player of the Year following another season of doing it all for La Villa.

Felix started at quarterback, in the secondary and played on special teams, leading La Villa to a 9-3 overall record and 5-0 mark in district play. He threw for 1,587 yards and 23 touchdowns and also ran for 984 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

La Villa Cardinal quarterback Brandon Felix ( 6) prepares to pass the ball Friday night against Santa Maria Cougars at La Villa Football Stadium. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

Whenever the Cardinals needed to make something happen, Felix delivered. In the District 16-2A DI title game during the final week of the regular season, Felix torched rival Freer for 242 yards and three passing touchdowns, and another 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He went 7-for-9 passing and also led the Cardinals’ defense with 10 total tackles to bring La Villa a third straight district championship.

Felix finishes his Cardinals’ career with 3,236 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 3,008 rushing yards and 40 rushing touchdowns.

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UTRGV athletics unveils Vaqueros Golf Center

McALLEN — A Division I college football program isn’t the only thing UTRGV athletics has been building.

UTRGV vice president and director of athletics Chasse Conque announced an investment to upgrade existing athletic facilities in April 2022. Two of those projects had their grand opening this month as UTRGV athletics unveiled the Vaqueros Golf Center at Champion Lakes Golf Course on Wednesday in McAllen, and new buildings and enhancements at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex last week in Edinburg.

UTRGV Athletics Grand Opening of Vaqueros Golf Center facility at Champion Lakes Wednesday, Jan. 24 2024 in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez| [email protected])

The new Vaqueros Golf Center, located at Champion Lakes Golf Course in McAllen, cost nearly $3 million, while the new buildings and enhancements at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus cost $10 million.

The UTRGV men’s and women’s soccer teams at the grand opening of the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex team facilities Jan. 17 in Edinburg. Courtesy Photo – UTRGV Athletics.

The construction is part of more than $85 million in projects being completed by UTRGV athletics to its athletic facilities during the next two and a half years. The projects are funded by revenue generated by the athletics department through ticket sales, sponsorships and fundraising, as state law forbids UTRGV to use tuition revenue to build or renovate athletic facilities.

“We’re excited for this day to officially open a state-of-the-art and first-class facility in the Vaqueros Golf Center,” Conque said Wednesday. “There are several people I want to thank, starting with D. Wilson, PBK Sports, UTRGV president Guy Bailey and our leadership team, the city of McAllen and Champion Lakes Golf Course director of golf Carlos Espinosa, our coaches, and last but not least, senior associate athletic director for facilities and operations John Evans. We’re in the midst of over $85 million in construction, and the proud thing for all of us is that it’s touching every one of our student-athletes and all of our programs, so it makes today even more special knowing that we’re celebrating golf and we can continue to celebrate all of our student-athletes as we give them the tools, the facilities and the resources they need to compete for championships in the very near future.”

The Vaqueros Golf Center spans more than 4,200 square feet with space for locker rooms for the men’s and women’s golf programs, two hitting bays, a study lounge, nutrition station and viewing area, and coaches’ offices. Click here to view a photo gallery of the Vaqueros Golf Center.

Inside the UTRGV men’s golf locker room at the new facility at Champion Lakes Wednesday, Jan. 24 2024 in McAllen. (Delcia Lopez| [email protected])

The new buildings at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex include more than 13,500 square feet of space for locker rooms for the men’s and women’s soccer and track & field programs, athletic training rooms, meeting rooms and coaches’ offices. Click here to view a photo gallery of the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

“When we look back on this day, we’ll see how important it was on the history of both our programs,” UTRGV women’s soccer head coach Mark Foster said last Wednesday during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “It’s breathtaking and very exciting to have the honor to coach out of a facility like this. I want to thank Chasse Conque, because if we didn’t have an athletic director that wanted all sports to have a chance to be successful and push for all sports to have facilities and what they need, it wouldn’t happen. I’m extremely grateful that, at a time when we’re trying to grow, he’s fighting for women’s and men’s soccer to have these facilities.”

A look inside the men’s locker room at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex in Edinburg. Photo via UTRGV Athletics.

Additional enhancements to the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex include a new goalkeeper and skills training area, as well as the Hinojosa Family Press Box and an upgraded sound system, which kicked off the upgrades in the fall of 2022.

“I think we have one of the best facilities, not only in the Western Athletic Conferencebut across the country,” UTRGV men’s soccer head coach Bryheem Hancock said. “Three years ago, when I took the job, I came out here on a golf cart and it was just a dream of what would be built. I’ve been a lot of places where I’ve been told certain things and you don’t see that happen. To see how quickly it happened here, to see the facility and how great it looks, I’m very appreciative and thankful for that.”

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