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.”

[email protected]

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley football team will host walk-on tryouts for full-time UTRGV students on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. on the UTRGV football practice fields currently being constructed north of UTRGV Baseball Stadium in Edinburg.

Those who are interested in trying out for the UTRGV football team must meet the following requirements:

>> Full-time UTRGV student enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours for the fall semester.

>> NCAA ID number from the NCAA eligibility center.

>> Must have played high school football within the last two years.

>> Completed and submitted physical form.

>> Completed and submitted tryout form.

>> Completed and submitted participation waiver form.

>> Completed and submitted tryout questionnaire.

>> Submit proof of insurance by sending pictures of front and back of insurance card.

All necessary forms and proof of insurance are due to UTRGV director of football operations & administration John Simmons via email at [email protected] before 5 p.m. on Aug. 21. If any of the necessary information is not received by the deadline, interested participants will not be able to tryout. Those sending forms and above information are asked to put “Walk-On Tryout” in the subject line.

Participants will receive confirmation of clearance to participate from Simmons prior to the tryout. Participants will have to wear their own workout gear and cleats.

Prospective participants with questions regarding the tryout are asked to reach out to Simmons at [email protected].

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EDINBURG — A pair of Edinburg Vela SaberCats are teaming up at the next level as senior running back Jamal Polley and senior athlete Jaxson Shupe signed National Letters of Intent in recent weeks to play college football at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

“We’re going to do great things there. I’m proud of both of us accomplishing these things since we started playing together around 4 years old,” Polley said about heading to UTRGV alongside Shupe.

“It’s a great opportunity to open up a brand new program right here in our back yard and it’s Division I, so it’s high-level football,” Shupe said. “Me and Jamal have been on the same team since we were 4 years old, and now we’re finally going to put it all together in college. It’s a great opportunity.”

Polley put pen to paper Friday to make it official in front of family, friends, coaches and teammates at Edinburg Vela High School.

Polley was named The Monitor’s 2023 all-area football co-offensive player of the year and District 15-5A DI’s co-most valuable player following a standout senior season.

“This is a dream come true. I just want to thank everyone that’s supported me through my journey — my mom, my parents, my family, the coaches, the team and, of course, the O-line,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here without them.”

He led the SaberCats with 1,964 rushing yards on 210 carries and 31 rushing touchdowns in 12 games. He averaged 9.4 yards per carry and also caught seven passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. He ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021 before exploding for 1,402 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior.

“The first signing class to play here and make history, it’s a great feeling and I know we’re going to have a great time here,” Polley said. “We have a great coaching staff with Coach (Travis) Bush and my position coach (Marco) Regalado. I just can’t wait.”

The senior Shupe signed his National Letter of Intent on March 28 at Edinburg Vela High School and will join the UTRGV football program as an athlete. He’s a four-year letterman who finished his career with the SaberCats with 51 receptions for 936 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“I definitely thank my parents — my mom driving me everywhere, my dad was my coach, so that was always hard. He was always hard on me but worth it in the end because the payoff was really good, and all my other coaches who have guided me and trained me,” Shupe said.

The speedy 6-foot-2 pass catcher was used as a versatile offensive weapon at in-line tight end or at slot or wide receiver while suiting up for the SaberCats. He earned District 15-5A DI first-team honors as an inside receiver during his senior season.

He caught 27 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, and also added 12 tackles and one interception at safety. He brought in 18 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.

“This became a goal seeing all these former SaberCats — the Daniel Enriquezes, the AJ Sotelos — seeing them get to the next level in their respective sports. I gave myself the same goal to get to the college level,” he said. “It’s very special and very close to my heart because Jamal and I are from the Valley. We’ll be representing the Valley as a team and get to bring the guys down, show them what the Valley’s all about and really represent.”

[email protected]

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WESLACO — Eli Rodriguez always saw wrestling as his ticket to a free education.

The Weslaco High senior began competing in grappling sports at just 4, showing promise even then while competing against kids nearly two years older.

Then his senior year happened.

After not seeing much playing time his first three years on the gridiron for Weslaco High, Rodriguez was handed the keys to the backfield during his final high school season and ran with them, emerging as one of the top backs in South Texas.

The breakout senior campaign made him once again fall in love with the game of football, the sport he once named his future career during a career day in elementary.

With a reignited love for the game, Rodriguez is now ready to take on the next level of competition, signing to continue his football career at Texas Lutheran during a ceremony Wednesday at Weslaco High School.

Texas Lutheran is an NCAA Division III university located in Seguin that competes in the American Southwest Conference.

“The initial goal for me was to have my wrestling career take me to college,” Rodriguez said. “After this football season, it lit a fire in me that gave me a love for the game again. It made it into something I wanted to pursue. It just feels amazing. This is truly a dream come true. My hard work has paid off. It is just a fever dream.”

Rodriguez’s breakout season came as no surprise to those who have known the running back for the past four years.

The senior bell cow honed his craft in silence while waiting for his moment, building up his strength and elusiveness through wrestling and developing his speed on the track.

All that came together this past season, with Rodriguez using a combination of power and speed to rumble his way to 1,936 total yards and 26 total touchdowns.

His dominant performance helped earn Weslaco High’s first district title since 2015 and also garnering him The Monitor’s All-Area Football Player of the Year honors.

“Those years in wrestling and track, it developed me into the person I am now,” Rodriguez said. “The wins and losses, it showed me how to treat things and how I can come back from things. It just developed my game. I got better every rep on the mat and on the track.”

More impressive than Rodriguez’s big numbers was his ability to make big plays during the games’ biggest moments.

During Weslaco High’s district-opening victory over Harlingen High, Rodriguez caught the go-ahead score during the final seconds to secure the 35-32 victory.

Against Los Fresnos, he exploded for more than 250 rushing yards and four scores during the second half to lead his team past the Falcons 42-23 on the road.

During Weslaco High’s regular-season finale against San Benito, Rodriguez came up big again, taking a pass from Andres Sepulveda 62 yards to give the Panthers their first lead of the game. They went on to win in double overtime and secure the 32-6A crown.

“Truly the mindset in those moments are my teammates,” Rodriguez said. “They’ve been there for me my whole career. Some of these guys I played with my whole life. If I can do anything to help us out and get a win, I’m going to do it. I just try to go out there and give it my all every play.”

With his high school career in the books, Rodriguez is now set to join a team that fielded seven RGV athletes last season, including San Benito standout defensive back DeAnthony Mireles and Edinburg Vela athlete Justin Navarro.

Whether he sees the field from Day 1 or not, Rodriguez is prepared to wait for his moment once again, knowing when it arrives, he’ll be more than ready to shoulder the load.

“Right now, I can honestly say that I am nowhere near my peak,” Rodriguez said. “I think Texas Lutheran can bring my peak out.”

[email protected]

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Former Rio Hondo standout wide receiver Erik Pizarro is set to take part in the Big XII Conference’s Pro Day starting today March 27th along with 137 football players from around the conference. 

Pizarro, a wide receiver at Kansas State the last two seasons operated mainly on special teams for the NCAA Division I program, but was able to tally a reception for the Wildcats in 2023.

Pizarro, an all-state receiver his senior season at Rio Hondo, played three years at Lamar University before transferring to K-State. Pizarro caught 61 passes for 691 yards and three touchdowns while at Lamar.

Rio Hondo’s Pizarro headed to Lamar University

NFL teams have honed in on the use of special teams players in recent years making it more than financially viable to be on a roster with kick coverage in mind.

Pizarro is scheduled to participate Wednesday morning, but the first-ever Big 12 Pro Day will not be live, but televised on NFL Network.

The Pro Day will last until March 31st and the athletes have the opportunity to not only speak to NFL scouts, but representatives from the CFL and UFL as well.

Pizarro graduated from Rio Hondo in 2018, finishing with 1,660 receiving yards on 89 catches and 20 touchdowns his senior season as a Bobcat – doubling his stats as junior where he had 784 receiving yards on 43 catches and 10 touchdowns.

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Thursday that the UTRGV football team will visit Texas State on Sept. 11, 2027, and Sept. 14, 2030.

This marks the first announcement of games in program history, as the football team is set to play its first-ever game on Aug. 30, 2025.

“This is another milestone moment for our program, department, university and community as we take the next step toward starting a Division I football program and begin building our future schedules,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “This is the first of what will be many announcements as we get closer to kickoff, providing our fans exciting updates about future opponents for both home and away competitions. Playing games on the road against an NCAA Division I FBS Sun Belt Conference opponent like Texas State gives us an opportunity to gain exposure for UTRGV and the Rio Grande Valley while engaging our central Texas alumni.”

Texas State Ties

UTRGV head coach Travis Bush coached at Texas State from 2004-09. He was the wide receivers coach for his first three seasons, helping the Bobcats to the NCAA Division I FCS Semifinals in 2005 after winning the Southland Conference Championship with an 11-3 record.

Bush was promoted to associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the 2007-09 seasons, leading the team to the No. 25 ranking in the nation in 2009. Bush implemented a multiple spread offense, and the 2009 team ranked eighth in the nation in pass offense and 12^th in total offense while quarterback Bradley George earned Southland Conference Player of the Year honors. The 2008 team won the Southland Conference Championship en route to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs while ranking fourth in the nation in scoring offense and fifth in total offense. George was sixth in the nation in pass efficiency. The 2007 team ranked 19^th in the nation in total offense.

Bush also played at Texas State as a wide receiver from 1995-99, serving as the special teams captain in 1999.

$25 for ’25

Fans can reserve season tickets with a $25 deposit for the inaugural season of UTRGV football in 2025 at GoUTRGV.com/Tickets. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable and will be applied toward season ticket purchases.

UTRGV Athletics is still finalizing details regarding ticket prices, but the plan is to offer a variety of price points with season tickets as low as $99 to ensure there is something for everyone. Seat locations will be determined closer to the start of the inaugural season.

UTRGV Athletics is giving priority for choosing seats to current V Club members, season ticket holders of any sport, and corporate partners. More information on this system will be available in the coming months.

Fans with question can contact the UTRGV Athletics Ticket Office team of Eddie Galvan (956-665-3415) and Ryela Rodriguez (956-665-3747) over the phone or through email at [email protected].

UTRGV is committed to playing games in both the upper and lower Valley as in addition to UTRGV Stadium, the Vaqueros also will play a home game each season in Brownsville at Sams Memorial Stadium.

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EDINBURG — UTRGV football finally has a place to call home.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley held a news conference Wednesday announcing its acquisition of H-E-B Park in Edinburg, which is now named UTRGV Stadium and will serve as the primary home field of UTRGV football.

The Vaqueros will also play one home game each season at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.

UTRGV Vice President and Athletic Director Chasse Conque, UTRGV President Guy Bailey, Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and UTRGV head football coach Travis Bush made it official right outside the main entrance of what is now UTRGV Stadium, the site where the Vaqueros will kick off Division I football in the Rio Grande Valley on Aug. 30, 2025.

“Today is a huge piece of the puzzle for our football program. It’s been a multi-million dollar question of where we’re going to play,” Conque said. “We know we are going to play one game a year at Sams Stadium in Brownsville, and we know that this beautiful stadium here is going to be our primary home for home games in the Upper Valley. We’re blessed, we’re grateful, and certainly very excited.”

UTRGV Stadium has a capacity of nearly 9,800. The UTRGV Stadium complex also features 20 acres of festival grounds, a 43-foot-by 24-foot LED video board, an amphitheater with seating for up to 2,500 people, 30 luxury suites and eight patio suites.

“UTRGV Stadium gives both our community and football program immediate access to a premier facility, while also providing additional possibilities for our university,” Bailey said. “Its location off Expressway 281 also ensures convenient access for our fans, as well as visitors who make their way into the Valley for games.”

Formerly known as H-E-B Park, the stadium originally opened in March 2017 and was the home of the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the United Soccer League Championship until December 2023, when the organization ceased operations.

“Now, with the acquisition of the stadium, it’s going to have over a $100 million economic impact for the city. It’s really a game-changer for us,” Garza said. “It’s going to help us bring possibly new development opportunities, but more importantly for us, it will help improve the quality of life here for our city.”

UTRGV used H-E-B Park as the site of Coach Bush’s introductory news conference in December 2022, but the path to UTRGV officially acquiring the stadium has been in the works since then. Bush said he’s excited to let the Vaqueros’ 2024-25 signees know they’ll make history at UTRGV Stadium.

“Since December of ‘22 in our first press conference in this stadium, we’ve visualized gameday thousands of times by now and it’s a beautiful sight,” Bush said. “It’s truly the perfect environment for college football, not just here in the Rio Grande Valley, but anywhere in the nation, and we wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. I know who the most excited people are going to be are those 75 dudes that are going to be making history here Aug. 30. … We talked about this a little bit, but we never told them this was going to be our final home, but for us, it’s the final piece.”

UTRGV has already collected more than 2,800 season ticket deposits for the 2025 season. Season ticket deposits for UTRGV football’s inaugural season are currently being accepted for $25 per ticket at GoUTRGV.com/Tickets.

“This has been the goal since day one, and it’s the final piece of the puzzle for UTRGV football,” Bush said. “This stadium adds to our facilities that are under construction as being the best in our conference and on top of FCS football, which will only help us continue to recruit top talent to UTRGV. It will be the perfect college football environment for the Rio Grande Valley, and we can’t wait to see it packed with fans wearing orange.”

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SAN BENITO — For three years San Benito running back Fabian Garcia terrorized opposing defenses across the RGV.

From running rampant against bitter rival Harlingen High to pounding his way through the always tough Weslaco High Panthers, Garcia almost always left his stamp on a contest during his three-year career with the Greyhounds.

The 5-foot-8 running back won’t be causing headaches for high school defenses in the RGV next fall anymore, with graduation just around the corner.

RGV football fans will still be able to see the dominant running back over the next four years, however, with Garcia signing his National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at UTRGV during a ceremony Thursday at the San Benito Gymnasium.

“I’m feeling great,” Garcia said. “The main reason I chose UTRGV is because the coaches are really looking out and reaching out. Every game they’d reach out to us. It’s a brand-new program so I don’t know much about it, but when I went to visit, I just felt at home. I know the Valley is already home but this is just 45 minutes away, so it felt good.”

Finding highlight plays from Garcia’s three-year varsity career isn’t hard, with the future Vaquero breaking onto the scene as a sophomore with a 1,204-rushing yard, 11 touchdown campaign.

His debut season was just the tip of the iceberg for Garcia, following it up with 2,230 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior en route to the Herald/Star offensive player of the year award.

Garcia’s senior year presented new challenges, with defenses formulating game plans to stop the Greyhounds superstar.

None of that mattered, however, with Garcia still putting together an MVP-like season, racking up 1,761 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns along with 332 receiving yards and five scores on 15 catches.

(Video Courtesy of Fabian Garcia's Hudl Profile)

Garcia finished his career as a three-time all-area superlative award winner, earning the Valley Morning Star newcomer of the year award as a sophomore and adding back-to-back Herald/Star offensive player of the year honors as a junior and senior.

He also leaves San Benito as the program’s all-time leading rusher, averaging 8.7 yards per carry en route to 5,193 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns. He also added 22 catches for 455 yards and six scores.

“My older brother played varsity here for about three years I believe,” Garcia said. “I always looked up to him. I wanted to be a Greyhound football player like him. When I was little, I always wanted to set my mark somewhere. I’m realizing now, high school is already pretty much done, but I left my mark here. My biggest memories are always going to be being on the practice field and playing games with my brothers here.”

Garcia joins a UTRGV signing class that features eight other RGV athletes. He’s set to suit up alongside PSJA North’s Alejandro Aparicio, Danny Garcia, Dante Garcia and Joe Derek Vecchio; Edinburg Vela’s Jamal Polley and Jaxson Shupe; Brownsville Veterans’ Nick Tovar and Harlingen Marine Military Academy’s Mehki Blue in the future.

[email protected]

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SAN BENITO — For three years San Benito running back Fabian Garcia terrorized opposing defenses across the RGV.

From running rampant against bitter rival Harlingen High to pounding his way through the always tough Weslaco High Panthers, Garcia almost always left his stamp on a contest during his three-year career with the Greyhounds.

The 5-foot-8 running back won’t be causing headaches for high school defenses in the RGV next fall anymore, with graduation just around the corner.

RGV football fans will still be able to see the dominant running back over the next four years, however, with Garcia signing his National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at UTRGV during a ceremony Thursday at the San Benito Gymnasium.

“I’m feeling great,” Garcia said. “The main reason I chose UTRGV is because the coaches are really looking out and reaching out. Every game they’d reach out to us. It’s a brand-new program so I don’t know much about it, but when I went to visit, I just felt at home. I know the Valley is already home but this is just 45 minutes away, so it felt good.”

Finding highlight plays from Garcia’s three-year varsity career isn’t hard, with the future Vaquero breaking onto the scene as a sophomore with a 1,204-rushing yard, 11 touchdown campaign.

His debut season was just the tip of the iceberg for Garcia, following it up with 2,230 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior en route to the Herald/Star offensive player of the year award.

Garcia’s senior year presented new challenges, with defenses formulating game plans to stop the Greyhounds superstar.

None of that mattered, however, with Garcia still putting together an MVP-like season, racking up 1,761 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns along with 332 receiving yards and five scores on 15 catches.

(Video Courtesy of Fabian Garcia's Hudl Profile)

Garcia finished his career as a three-time all-area superlative award winner, earning the Valley Morning Star newcomer of the year award as a sophomore and adding back-to-back Herald/Star offensive player of the year honors as a junior and senior.

He also leaves San Benito as the program’s all-time leading rusher, averaging 8.7 yards per carry en route to 5,193 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns. He also added 22 catches for 455 yards and six scores.

“My older brother played varsity here for about three years I believe,” Garcia said. “I always looked up to him. I wanted to be a Greyhound football player like him. When I was little, I always wanted to set my mark somewhere. I’m realizing now, high school is already pretty much done, but I left my mark here. My biggest memories are always going to be being on the practice field and playing games with my brothers here.”

Garcia joins a UTRGV signing class that features eight other RGV athletes. He’s set to suit up alongside PSJA North’s Alejandro Aparicio, Danny Garcia, Dante Garcia and Joe Derek Vecchio; Edinburg Vela’s Jamal Polley and Jaxson Shupe; Brownsville Veterans’ Nick Tovar and Harlingen Marine Military Academy’s Mehki Blue in the future.

[email protected]

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EDITOR’S NOTE: STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE CLASS 6A PLAYERS ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY.

A number of Rio Grande Valley high school football standouts earned statewide recognition for their work on the gridiron Thursday by landing on the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) All-State Football Teams.

A total of 18 RGV football players received all-state honors in Class 5A, four in Class 4A, two in Class 3A and one in Class 2A.

Seven athletes earned all-state honors at the Class 6A level which was announced Friday, bringing the RGV’s total count to 25.

Roma senior fullback Isaac Lozano is the lone player from the RGV to earn first team all-state honors among all classes after leading the Gladiators to their first district championship in program history.

CLASS 6A

Third Team All-State: RB Fabian Garcia, San Benito – 203 carries, 1,761 yards, 8.6 YPC, 21 TDs; 15 receptions, 352 yards, 5 TDs;  621 career carries, 5,301 career yards, 63 career TDs; 22 career receptions, 455 career yards, 5 career TDs; 32-6A MVP, Off. MVP last year and Co-Off. MVP as soph; Valley Morning Star Off. POY as junior and senior.

Honorable Mention: RB Ulysses Melendez, Sr., Edinburg North – 203 carries, 1,417 yards, 7.0 YPC, 18 TDs; 6 receptions, 128 yards, 21.3 YPC, 4 TDs; 2x 31-6A Off. MVP.

DL Karmyne Castilleja, San Benito – 71 tackles, 11 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 3 FF; 32-6A Def. Lineman OTY.

LB Isaiah Rico, Sr., Edinburg North – 65 tackles (35 solos), 11 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 int, 1 TD; 31-6A Co-Def. POY.

LB Devon Robinson, Jr., San Benito – 90 tackles, 21 TFL, 11 sacks, 2 blocked punt, 1 FF; 160 career tackles, 20 career sacks, 1 career INT, 1 career FF, 2 career blocked punts.

DB Nicholas Gonzalez, Sr., Edinburg High – 79 tackles (48 solos), 6 INT, 4 PBU, 1 FF, 3 blocked FGs.

DB Brandon Hernandez, Sr., San Benito – 60 tackles, 7 INT, 2 FR, 6 PBU; 92 career tackles, 1 career sack, 8 career INT, 2 career FR, 12 career PBU.

CLASS 5A

First Team All-State: FB Isaac Lozano, Sr., Roma – 236 carries, 1,822 yards, 28 TDs; District 16-5A DII Co-MVP.

Second Team All-State: RB Jamal Polley, Sr., Edinburg Vela – 210 carries, 1,964 yards, 31 TDs; seven receptions, 107 yards, one TD; District 15-5A DI Co-MVP.

C Joe Derek Vecchio, Sr., PSJA North – 81 pancake blocks, 4,397 team rushing yards.

LB Jaime Martinez, Sr., Brownsville Veterans – 171 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception.

DB Gilbert Trillo, Sr., Brownsville Veterans – 82 tackles, six interceptions, six pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, District 16-5A DI MVP.

Third Team All-State: FB Alvin Trevillion, Jr., Brownsville Veterans – 221 carries, 1497 yards, 10 TDs.

G Gus De La Cerda, Sr., Donna – 92% blocking grade, 64 pancake blocks.

Honorable Mention: QB Braden Luedeker, Sr., Mission Veterans – 210-of-370 for 3,491 yards, 36 TDs; 111 carries, 1,345 yards, 15 TD;  District 16-5A DII Co-MVP.

RB Ethan Guerra, So., PSJA North – 153 carries, 1,572 yards, 21 TDs; 13 receptions, 374 yards, 3 TDs.

WR Leo Espinoza, Sr., Sharyland Pioneer – 64 receptions, 1,259 yards, 19 TDs.

TE Julius Arredondo, Sr., PSJA North – 18 receptions, 297 yards, four TDs; 29 carries, 126 yards, six TDs; 41-for-63 passing, 686 yards, seven TDs.

T Jordan Brewster, Jr., PSJA North – 91 pancake blocks, 4,397 team rushing yards.

ATH Gilbert Trillo, Sr., Brownsville Veterans – 97 carries, 869 yards, 15 TDs; 15 receptions, 365 yards, nine TDs; District 16-5A DI MVP.

DL Gaven Rodriguez, Jr., Edcouch-Elsa – 103 tackles (48 solos), 10 sacks, two interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 20 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback pressures.

LB Michael Gonzales, Sr., PSJA North – 106 tackles (56 solos), 17 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 12 QB pressures, one interception, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery.

LB Aiden Uribe, Jr., Mission Veterans – 165 tackles (58 solos), 17 tackles for loss, three sacks, four QB pressures, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumbles recoveries.

DB Steven Garza, Jr., PSJA North – 94 tackles (45 solos), 10 tackles for loss, one sack, seven quarterback pressures, 15 pass breakups, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries.

DB Andrew Rivera, Jr., Sharyland Pioneer – 76 tackles, six interceptions, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.

CLASS 4A

Third Team All-State: FB Tristan Garcia, Sr., Port Isabel – 126 carries, 728 yards, 12 TD; 1/1, 27 yards; five receptions, 24 yards; District 16-4A DII MVP.

DL Chris Gonzalez, Jr., Port Isabel – 91 tackles (31 solos), 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 26 QB pressures, two forced fumbles.

Honorable Mention: C Angel De La Cruz, Sr., Raymondville – 25 pancake blocks.

G Steven Martinez, Jr., Port Isabel – 80% snap played or higher every game, 12 pancake blocks, eight TD blocks.

LB Tristan Garcia, Sr., Port Isabel – 81 tackles (16 solos), five tackles for loss, four sacks, six QB pressures, two pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles; 16-4A DII MVP.

DB Slevin Gutierrrez, Jr., Raymondville – 47 tackles (21 solos).

CLASS 3A

Honorable Mention: G Gerardo Rios, Sr., Santa Rosa – 92% blocking grade, 25 pancakes 

LB Diego Cruz, Santa Rosa – 75 tackles (35 solos), eight tackles for loss, two interceptions.

CLASS 2A

Honorable Mention: QB Brandon Felix, Sr., La Villa – 80-of-144, 1,587 passing yards, 23 TD, 6 INT; 146 carries, 984 yards, 14 TD; Two-time 16-2A MVP; 3,236 career passing yards, 41 career passing TD; 3,008 career rushing yards, 40 career rushing TD.

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