HIDALGO — Hidalgo ISD named Jason Wheeler as its next athletic director and head football coach during a school board meeting Thursday evening.

Wheeler was Mission High’s defensive coordinator in 2023 and previously served as the head football coach at Sharyland Pioneer from 2014-2017. He has also been an assistant coach at programs including Los Fresnos, Port Isabel, San Benito and Hidalgo, where he now takes over.

Hidalgo’s athletic director and head football coach positions opened in mid-January after former athletic director and head football coach Steve Marroquin was reassigned after just one season in which the Pirates finished 0-10.

Wheeler was Sharyland Pioneer’s first head football coach in program history and coached the Diamondbacks to their first playoff appearance and district title in school history in 2016. He finished with a 23-19 record in four seasons at Pioneer.

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EDINBURG — The Edinburg CISD School Board announced the hiring of Ernie Alonzo as Edinburg Vela’s next head football coach and athletic coordinator during a school board meeting Tuesday night.

Alonzo has been the defensive coordinator at McAllen High since 2019 and previously served as an assistant coach at Weslaco High and Edinburg Vela.

The position opened in January after former Edinburg Vela head football coach and athletic coordinator John Campbell announced his retirement after seven seasons at the helm.

The SaberCats are coming off a 10-2 season and an area round playoff appearance in 2023.

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Below are Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 All-Area Football Teams and Superlatives featuring the top high school football players from Cameron and Willacy Counties.

The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 All-Area 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 featuring the players from Hidalgo and Starr Counties can be found here.

The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 All-Area Superlatives

Player of the Year: Gilbert Trillo, Brownsville Veterans

Offensive Player of the Year: Fabian Garcia, San Benito

Defensive Player of the Year: Jaime Martinez, Brownsville Veterans

Sub-5A Player of the Year: Aiden Olivas-Romo, Lyford

Lineman of the Year: Matthew Pinion, Brownsville Veterans

Co-Utility Players of the Year: Tristan Garcia, Port Isabel; Keyan Lopez, Rio Hondo

Tri-Newcomers of the Year: Noah Huerta, Harlingen High; Patrell Reddick, San Benito; Alvin Trevillion, Brownsville Veterans

Coach of the Year: JC Ramirez, Brownsville Veterans

The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 All-Area First Team

Quarterback: Robert Pineda, Los Fresnos

Running Back: Eddie Slovak, Brownsville Lopez; Adrian Sauceda, Brownsville Pace

Fullback: David Sanchez, Harlingen South

Wide Receiver: Adrian Chavez, Lyford; Gerry Gomez, Brownsville Veterans; Claudio Torres, Brownsville St. Joseph

Tight End: Nick Tovar, Brownsville Veterans

Offensive Line: Mehkhi Blue, Harlingen Marine Military Academy; Diego De La Cruz, Brownsville St. Joseph; Steven Martinez, Port Isabel; Isaac Ramirez, San Benito; Israel Yanez, Brownsville Veterans

Defensive Line: Karmyne Castilleja, San Benito; Christopher Gonzalez, Port Isabel; Gilbert Lerma, Harlingen South; Devon Robinson, San Benito

Linebacker: Max Fernandez, Brownsville Veterans; Christian Garza, San Benito; Edward Garza, Port Isabel; Sterling Tomlin, Harlingen High

Defensive Back: Lucas Cristiano, Brownsville St. Joseph; Andres Deur, Harlingen High; Brandon Hernandez, San Benito; Eroz Pineda, Brownsville Veterans

Athlete: Esiah Garcia, Santa Maria

Kicker: Leo Quezada, Rio Hondo

Punter: Miguel Ortiz, Los Fresnos

The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star’s 2023 All-Area Second Team

Quarterback: Storm Montoya, Brownsville Veterans

Running Back: Zion Dickerson, La Feria; Gael Palestina, Los Fresnos

Fullback: Miguel Ortiz, Los Fresnos

Wide Receiver: Isaias Gonzalez, Lyford; Julius Olmedo, Santa Rosa; Gabriel Rios, Brownsville Lopez

Tight End: Adam Cortez, San Benito

Offensive Line: Beau Burns, Lyford; Ezra Echaverria, Harlingen South; Anthony Johnson, Harlingen High; Aiden Rubalcaba, Lyford; Carlos Vasquez, San Benito

Defensive Line: Shea Garza, Harlingen High; Jacob Ortiz, Harlingen High; Leroy Perez, Rio Hondo; Tyson Tatum, Harlingen South

Linebacker: JJ Anaya, Santa Rosa; Christian Garcia, Brownsville Hanna; Matthew Jimenez, Raymondville; Derek Yanez, San Benito

Defensive Back: Felix Oxford, Harlingen High; Gael Perez, Brownsville Pace; Mickey Rodriguez, Brownsville Veterans; Joaquin Romero, Harlingen South

Athlete: Randy Morales, Harlingen High

Kicker: JJ Contreras, Los Fresnos

Punter: Uriel Gutierrez, Brownsville Rivera

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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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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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Narrowing the newcomer of the year candidates was no easy task in 2023, with several players putting together breakout campaigns.

In the end, three names stood a head above the rest.

Brownsville Veterans’ Alvin Trevillion, Harlingen High’s Noah Huerta and San Benito’s Patrell Reddick are The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star Tri-Newcomers of the Year.

Trevillion played a key role in helping the Chargers secure the outright District 16-5A DI title, rushing for 924 yards and eight touchdowns on 128 carries in 10 gamesf played.

He ramped up his play during the postseason, toting the rock 93 times for 572 yards and two scores in five contests. Among those were three straight 100-plus-yard rushing performances to start the playoffs, including a 25-carry, 154-yard performance against Corpus Christi Veterans in the 5A DI area round.

Trevillion finished the year with 221 carries for 1,497 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping the Chargers reach a Class 5A DI state semifinal for the first time in program history.

Huerta didn’t expect to see as big a role as he did during his sophomore campaign, but an injury to starting running back Samuel Montejano quickly changed that.

The sophomore running back quickly found his groove, however, exploding for 139 yards and six touchdowns during just his third career varsity game. He continued to display flashes of his potential throughout the year, surpassing the 100-yard mark during four of his six regular-season appearances.

In the postseason, Huerta demonstrated that he isn’t afraid of the big moment, rushing for 166 yards and three touchdowns during a 42-0 bi-district win over Edinburg High.

Huerta finished the season with 143 carries for 942 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games played.

Reddick stepped into one of the Valley’s most dominant defenses almost seamlessly as a sophomore, quickly earning a spot on San Benito’s starting defensive line.

The 6-foot-1, 219-pound defensive end looked like anything but a first-year starter this season, terrorizing opponents’ backfields all year long.

Reddick finished the year with 51 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks during his inaugural varsity season.

The sophomore defensive lineman also helped the Greyhounds continue their tradition of dominant defenses, allowing just 210.7 yards and 11.7 points per game during the regular season.

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Narrowing the newcomer of the year candidates was no easy task in 2023, with several players putting together breakout campaigns.

In the end, three names stood a head above the rest.

Brownsville Veterans’ Alvin Trevillion, Harlingen High’s Noah Huerta and San Benito’s Patrell Reddick are The Brownsville Herald/Valley Morning Star Tri-Newcomers of the Year.

Trevillion played a key role in helping the Chargers secure the outright District 16-5A DI title, rushing for 924 yards and eight touchdowns on 128 carries in 10 gamesf played.

He ramped up his play during the postseason, toting the rock 93 times for 572 yards and two scores in five contests. Among those were three straight 100-plus-yard rushing performances to start the playoffs, including a 25-carry, 154-yard performance against Corpus Christi Veterans in the 5A DI area round.

Trevillion finished the year with 221 carries for 1,497 yards and 10 touchdowns, helping the Chargers reach a Class 5A DI state semifinal for the first time in program history.

Huerta didn’t expect to see as big a role as he did during his sophomore campaign, but an injury to starting running back Samuel Montejano quickly changed that.

The sophomore running back quickly found his groove, however, exploding for 139 yards and six touchdowns during just his third career varsity game. He continued to display flashes of his potential throughout the year, surpassing the 100-yard mark during four of his six regular-season appearances.

In the postseason, Huerta demonstrated that he isn’t afraid of the big moment, rushing for 166 yards and three touchdowns during a 42-0 bi-district win over Edinburg High.

Huerta finished the season with 143 carries for 942 yards and 18 touchdowns in 12 games played.

Reddick stepped into one of the Valley’s most dominant defenses almost seamlessly as a sophomore, quickly earning a spot on San Benito’s starting defensive line.

The 6-foot-1, 219-pound defensive end looked like anything but a first-year starter this season, terrorizing opponents’ backfields all year long.

Reddick finished the year with 51 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and nine sacks during his inaugural varsity season.

The sophomore defensive lineman also helped the Greyhounds continue their tradition of dominant defenses, allowing just 210.7 yards and 11.7 points per game during the regular season.

[email protected]

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Very few people outside of the Weslaco High locker room expected the Panthers to sit atop the District 32-6A standings this past season. In a district that features powerhouses like Harlingen High and San Benito, as well as constant contender Los Fresnos, the Panthers were picked by many to finish fourth in the standings.

Led by fifth-year head coach Roy Stroman, however, the Panthers proved the doubters wrong and overcame every obstacle, putting together a 10-0 regular season en route to the district crown.

After leading the Panthers to their first district title since 2015 and their first unbeaten regular season since 1991, Stroman is The Monitor’s All-Area Coach of the Year.

Prior to the start of the season, Stroman was dealt a heavy blow, losing his mom, Lupita,  just weeks before the start of play.

The team rallied around their head coach, dedicating the 2023 season to Stroman’s mother.

The motivated Panthers came out of the gate hot, outscoring their non-district opponents 154-37 en route to a 5-0 start.

That momentum carried into district play, opening it with a thrilling 35-32 victory over Harlingen High at Bobby Lackey Stadium. They put the exclamation point on their unbeaten regular season with a 27-21 double-overtime victory over San Benito to secure the District 32-6A crown, the icing on a season dedicated to their leader’s mom.

After a bi-district win over Mission High (35-6) the Panthers’ 2023 campaign came to an end in the Class 6A DII area round, falling to San Antonio Jay 27-14.

The Panthers finished the year with an 11-1 overall mark, their most wins since current Texas A& M Kingsville head coach Mike Salinas led the Panthers to an 11-2 mark and a regional semifinal appearance.

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Very few people outside of the Weslaco High locker room expected the Panthers to sit atop the District 32-6A standings this past season. In a district that features powerhouses like Harlingen High and San Benito, as well as constant contender Los Fresnos, the Panthers were picked by many to finish fourth in the standings.

Led by fifth-year head coach Roy Stroman, however, the Panthers proved the doubters wrong and overcame every obstacle, putting together a 10-0 regular season en route to the district crown.

After leading the Panthers to their first district title since 2015 and their first unbeaten regular season since 1991, Stroman is The Monitor’s All-Area Coach of the Year.

Prior to the start of the season, Stroman was dealt a heavy blow, losing his mom, Lupita,  just weeks before the start of play.

The team rallied around their head coach, dedicating the 2023 season to Stroman’s mother.

The motivated Panthers came out of the gate hot, outscoring their non-district opponents 154-37 en route to a 5-0 start.

That momentum carried into district play, opening it with a thrilling 35-32 victory over Harlingen High at Bobby Lackey Stadium. They put the exclamation point on their unbeaten regular season with a 27-21 double-overtime victory over San Benito to secure the District 32-6A crown, the icing on a season dedicated to their leader’s mom.

After a bi-district win over Mission High (35-6) the Panthers’ 2023 campaign came to an end in the Class 6A DII area round, falling to San Antonio Jay 27-14.

The Panthers finished the year with an 11-1 overall mark, their most wins since current Texas A& M Kingsville head coach Mike Salinas led the Panthers to an 11-2 mark and a regional semifinal appearance.

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Coach of the Year: JC Ramirez, Brownsville Veterans

It was a crazy first season as a head coach for Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s JC Ramirez, and an extremely memorable one.

Even though it was his first year, he made it look like it was his 10th as he guided Brownsville Veterans to a 12-3 season in which the Chargers captured a district, area and regional titles in Class 5A DI.

Like his players, Ramirez was extremely humble during the run and about the team’s success, always thankful for his staff and the Brownsville community that helped power the Chargers to Rio Grande Valley history.

Ramirez made sure the school’s newly developed brand of physical football continued when he was hired.

It did, and with a defense that flew to the ball and an offense that wore down opponents to win 12 games.

“My job was to take that and use that to my advantage, being a first-year head coach,” Ramirez said. “I wasn’t going to come and change a lot of stuff. I think I was the perfect hire because I was already here, so we hit the ground running.”

Ramirez expected that his team would do well with key players returning.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the work (of) our kids and staff, as well as the results we were able to get,” Ramirez said.

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