The 2024 high school football season is officially underway, with several programs starting practice this past Monday and the rest set to join in a few days.

With Week 1 of the regular season looming, the RGVSports.com staff compiled a list of the top 30 returning RGV football players for the 2024 season.

We kick off our list with a hard-nosed linebacker from PSJA High, a dual-threat gunslinger from Brownsville St. Joseph, a do-it-all playmaker from Santa Rosa and more.

Be sure to check back every Wednesday and Saturday as we announce more players from the list leading up to the reveal of the top five players in the 2024 RGVSports.com Football Tab on Aug. 28.

No. 26: LB Cody Longoria, sr., PSJA High

2023 Stats: 150 total tackles, 16 TFL, four QB hurries, two sacks, FF

Notes: A three-year starter, Longoria is the heartbeat of PSJA High’s defense. The senior middle linebacker has a nose for the football, racking up 239 total tackles during the past two years. Once again, Longoria should hear his name called often on Friday nights this upcoming season.

No. 27: QB Gavin Cisneros, jr., Brownsville St. Joseph

2023 Stats: 144/226, 2001 yds, 17 TDs, five INTs; 113 carries, 825 yds, five TDs

Notes: Cisneros established himself as one of the RGV’s top dual-threat quarterbacks last season, slicing up defenses with his arm and legs. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound gunslinger possesses the elusiveness to extend plays and the arm to blow the top off defenses. A bigger year could be in store as Cisneros gets even more comfortable with the Bloodhounds’ offense.

No. 28: ATH JJ Anaya, sr., Santa Rosa

2023 Stats: 158 car, 784 yds, 11 TDs; 82 total tackles, four TFL, two sacks, three FR, FF

Notes: Anaya made a huge jump from Year 2 to 3 last season, evolving from a contributor on the Warriors to the team’s top player on both sides of the ball. The do-it-all athlete will be tasked with leading the offense and defense again, slated to start at RB and MLB for Santa Rosa in 2024.

No. 29: QB Ryan Reyna, sr., PSJA Memorial

2023 Stats: 525 passing yds, 888 rushing yds, 25 total TDs

Notes: Reyna continued to grow in Coach Littleton’s offense during his second year at the helm last season, leading the Wolverines to their first playoff appearance since 2011. The dual-threat QB could be in for an MVP-caliber campaign during his third and final year at the helm, with a 1K passing and rushing season not out of the question.

No. 30: WR Gabriel Rios, sr., Brownsville Lopez

2023 Stats: 55 rec, 915 yds, five TDs

Notes: Rios isn’t the biggest on the field, measuring in at just 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds. Don’t let his small frame fool you, however, with the wideout establishing him as one of the top players in the area last season. With blazing 4.6 speed at his disposal, Rios is a threat to break free for a touchdown any time he touches the ball.

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Rumors swirled across the coaching landscape about the possible change in the postseason over the past few months, with many expecting it to come prior to the start of this season.

The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council took the next step towards making the change a reality, passing an amendment for split divisions in the postseason for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball during a meeting Tuesday.

The change to the playoff structure follows a format currently used by the UIL in 6A football. The format advances the top four finishers in each district to the postseason, with the two qualifying schools with the highest enrollment competing in the Division I bracket and the two schools with smaller enrollment going to the Division II bracket.

The change will apply to Class 2A-6A in baseball, softball and volleyball, 4A-6A in soccer and 1-6A in basketball.

No changes in districts are expected to be made, with each team still set to compete in the assigned conferences from this year’s realignment.

The amendment is set to take effect on Aug. 1 if approved by the Commission of Education.

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MISSION — With the 2023-24 UIL academic calendar in the books, 7-on-7 football is set to take center stage across the RGV.

Three state qualifying tournaments are set to take place across the Valley over the next three weeks, with the Snake Pit Classic kicking things off today.

Three spots were on the line during this year’s Snake Pit Classic, with games being played at Mission Veterans, Sharyland High and Sharyland Pioneer.

The winner from each location secured a spot at the Texas Football 7-on-7 tournament set for June 27-29 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station.

Here’s a look at how the qualifying action played out at each location.

BRACKET A

PSJA High senior quarterback Myles Lopez hit senior wideout Ryan Vallejo in the back of the end zone as time expired for the go-ahead score as the Bears downed the Mission Veterans Patriots 28-25 during the state qualifying game at Mission Veterans High School.

The win advances PSJA High to College Station for the second straight year, while also marking their second overall appearance.

PSJA High flexed its muscle throughout the day, picking up wins over Edcouch-Elsa (28-12), Weslaco High (12-6) and Mission High (20-18) en route to a 3-0 mark during pool play.

In the state qualifying game, Lopez and Vallejo demonstrated their budding chemistry, with Lopez rolling out before placing the ball where only Vallejo could get it for the win.

The Bears are now set to compete in the Division I bracket at the state tournament in two weeks.

BRACKET B

The day belonged to the Laredo United Longhorns during qualifying play at Sharyland Pioneer High School, going 4-0 against the competition en route to a state tournament berth.

The Longhorns high octane offense was on full display during the day, pouring on 20 or more points against three of their four opponents.

Lockdown defense also played a part during the Longhorns win, not allowing more than one score during each of their games.

Laredo United went perfect during pool play with wins over Weslaco East (14-6), Edinburg North (28-7) and Edinburg Vela (25-6), before earning their state berth with a win over McAllen Rowe (26-6) in the qualifying round.

BRACKET C

PSJA North picked off Harlingen High two times, including a pick-6 en route to a 20-6 win over the Cardinals during the state qualifying game at Sharyland High.

The win advances the Raiders to the state tournament for a third straight year, also marking their third overall trip to College Station.

Despite a new face under center after the graduation of UTRGV signee Ale Aparicio, the Raiders thrived during pool play, going 3-0 with wins over Laredo United South (25-21), La Joya Palmview (26-12) and Mercedes (32-21).

In the championship game, the Raiders vaunted Black Shirt Defense took centerstage, locking down the Cardinals during the win.

Like the Bears, the Raiders will compete in the Division I bracket at the state tournament in three weeks.

See full results from today’s Snake Pit Classic below.

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RGV 7-ON-7 SQT SCORES

Sharyland Snake Pit Classic

Saturday, June 8

Bracket A

At Mission Veterans High School

Pool 1

Mission Veterans 20, Harlingen South 12

San Benito 26, Laredo Alexander 20

Harlingen South 26, Laredo Alexader 20,

Mission Veterans 26, San Benito 21

Harlingen South 15, San Benito 14

Laredo Alexander 22, Mission Veterans 20

Pool 2

At Mission Veterans Annex Field

PSJA High 28, Edcouch-Elsa 12

Mission High 18, Weslaco High 13

Mission High 27, Edcouch-Elsa 13

PSJA High 12, Weslaco High 6

Weslaco High 26, Edcouch-Elsa 13

PSJA High 20, Mission High 18

Bracket A Qualifying Game

PSJA High 28, Mission Veterans 25

 

Bracket B

At Sharyland Pioneer High School

Pool 1

Sharyland Pioneer 33, Brownsville Lopez 6

McAllen Rowe 20, Laredo LBJ 7

Laredo LBJ 25, Brownsville Lopez 6

McAllen Rowe 19, Sharyland Pioneer 7

McAllen Rowe 13, Brownsville Lopez 12

Laredo LBJ 19, Sharyland Pioneer 6

Pool 2

At Sharyland Pioneer Annex Field

Edinburg Vela 13, Edinburg North 6

Laredo United 14, Weslaco East 6

Laredo United 28, Edinburg North 7

Edinburg Vela 14, Weslaco East 13

Weslaco East 14, Edinburg North 0

Laredo United 25, Edinburg Vela 6

Bracket B Qualifying Game

Laredo United 26, McAllen Rowe 6

 

Bracket C

At Sharyland High School

Pool 1

Sharyland High 20, Harlingen High 20

Laredo Nixon 14, McAllen Memorial 13

Harlingen High 20, Laredo Nixon 6

McAllen Memorial 12, Sharyland High 12

Harlingen High 25, McAllen Memorial 0

Laredo Nixon 14, Sharyland High 12

Pool 2

At Sharyland High Annex Field

PSJA North 25, Laredo United South 21

Mercedes 26, La Joya Palmview 0

Laredo United South 27, Mercedes 20

PSJA North 26, La Joya Palmview 12

Laredo United South 25, La Joya Palmview 12

PSJA North 32, Mercedes 21

Bracket C Qualifying Game

PSJA North 20, Harlingen High 6

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LOS FRESNOS — Playing football wasn’t always in the cards for Los Fresnos’ J.J. Contreras. Prior to his sophomore year, Contreras lived and breathed soccer, training in the sport since he was 4.

Things changed during his second year of high school. After contemplating going out for the football team as a freshman, Contreras finally gave it a go as a sophomore.

The rest is history.

Contreras became the Falcons’ starting kicker by year’s end that same season and never looked back, evolving into one of the RGV’s top special teams weapons during the next three years.

Now his football journey is set to continue, signing his National Letter of Intent to play the same position at the next level for UTRGV during a ceremony Monday at Los Fresnos High School.

UTRGV is an NCAA Division I program set to compete in the Southland Conference beginning in 2025.

“I never pictured myself playing DI as a football player,” Contreras said. “It is hard letting soccer go. I know deep down my dad wanted me to play soccer, but I think this is best for me. Football is worldwide, but soccer is harder to go to the next level. Football just felt right. The United States owns football. Then we’re in the state of Texas, where so many people play. It just felt good. It was a hard decision knowing I played soccer my whole life, but I kind of fell out of love with the sport in high school and football just grew on me. I love the atmosphere, the confidence it gave me, the coaches, my teammates. It is just something different.”

Contreras wasted no time establishing himself as one of the RGV’s top special teams weapons during his first season, going 25-of-27 on extra points and converting all seven of his field goal attempts, including a long of 42 yards.

He followed his debut campaign with a 42-point season, going 33-of-33 on PATs and 3-of-6 on field goal attempts.

Contreras capped his high school career with a career-high 66 points this past season, going perfect on PATs once again (44-of-44) and converting 7-of-11 field goals.

“I feel like soccer definitely helped me in knowing how to keep my foot position in certain parts of the ball,” Contreras said. “Just knowing where to put your foot on the ball is important. You might not have the biggest leg, but if you have the technique it’ll help. Power does play a role in it, but that technique is the biggest difference. I feel like soccer played a big factor in that for me.”

Despite only three years competing as a kicker, Contreras joins the Vaqueros battle-tested, attempting more than 100 PATs in his career. More impressively, he leaves Los Fresnos with a staggering 98.1% conversion rate on those kicks.

He also finished with 17 converted field goals on 24 career attempts during the past three years, including a long of 46 yards as a senior.

Contreras isn’t done yet, however, hoping to continue to grow his game to another level at UTRGV.

“Obviously everyone has a dream of making it pro, but you have to go step by step,” Contreras said. “I’m going to have competition coming in from other places, but my coaches believe in me and I believe in me. I just have to keep working. Specialists aren’t really given scholarships, so you have to work your way in and earn that No. 1 spot. I feel like I can outperform people. That’s something I look forward to. I’m not going to let anything get in my way.”

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