Here is the RGVSports.com’s Preseason high school football Top 10 rankings
The list is voted upon via a points system by sports reporters at AIM Media’s three newspapers, The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and the Brownsville Herald.
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No. 1: McAllen Memorial
District: 30-6A
2014 Record: 9-2, bi-district qualifier
Top returners: RB Trevor Speights, QB Jonathan Sanchez, WR DJ Johnson, DE Paul Zuniga, LB Sam Hinojosa, DB Joey Delgado, DB Ozzy Salazar, DT Ricky Minor
Of note: With two-time defending All-Valley Player of the Year Trevor Speights back at running back for his senior season, McAllen Memorial figures to once again boast a high-powered offense. The defense was a question mark last season, but with key pieces back in the fold, that unit could be a strength in 2015. The defensive line, especially, should create some havoc.
No. 2: Edinburg Vela
District: 31-5A
2014 Record: 11-2, DI regional semifinalist
Top returners: WR Michael Arguelles, RB Robert Guerra, WR Elijah Reyna, WR Eddie Luna, CB Johnny Davila, LB John Trevino, FS Eric Morales, DT Stephen Ramos
Of note: Even by graduating 24 seniors, the SaberCats have enough in place with 11 returning starters to build on last year’s breakout season. Sharyland High, arguably its bigger threat to the district title, has weakened following the split with Pioneer. So that should makes things easier for Vela to leapfrog it in Year 4.
No. 3: Sharyland High
District: 31-5A
2014 Record: 11-2, 31-5A district champions, DII regional semifinalist
Top returners: QB Seth Carter; WR Manny Campos; LB Beto Ruiz; OG Gilbert Trevino; LB Edgar Gomez
Of note: Following the Sharyland ISD split, the Rattlers’ program shrunk by 30. The numbers are still there, but the starting experience isn’t, with only two players on each side back. Sharyland should once again be competitive with 44 returning lettermen. But it isn’t the favorite to win the district title outright, as it was the past three seasons, with Edinburg Vela closing the gap.with several key players back.
No. 4: Los Fresnos
District: 32-6A
2014 record: 9-4, Co-district chams, 6A regional quarter finalists
Top Returners: Fabian Rodriguez, FS; Pete Perez, WR; Bruce Waters, OL; Brandon Loera, DL
Of Note: Los Fresnos finished 5-2 in district play and earned a piece of the 32-6A title with Rivera, Harlingen High, and San Benito. The Falcons had one of the top offenses and defense in the district and allowed the district low 17 points per game. Los Fresnos and coach Clint Finley advanced to the third round of the playoffs last season and should continue their recent success this season.
No. 5: Harlingen
District: 32-6A
2014 record: 6-5, 6A DI bi-district finalists
Top Returners: OL Davis Ericksmoen, DT Travis Barnes, DE Edwin Gasca, RB Leo Tienda, DB Robert Castillo
Of Note: Despite the injury bug biting them big in 2014, the Cardinals still rode their defense and running game to a share of the District 32-6A title. The Cards fell in bi-district, but with seven defensive starters returning along with leading rusher Leo Tienda, coach Manny Gomez should roll out one of the Valley’s stingiest defenses and be a favorite to take home another district crown.
No. 6: Donna High
District: 32-5A
2014 Record: 6-4, bi-district qualifiers
Top returners: QB Edward Dougherty; ATH Amonte Bowen; OL Troy Billman; DE Jorge Ibarra; RB Paul Guerra; OL Juan Vallejos
Of note: With Dougherty, Billman, Guerra and Bowen (back from injury), Donna High is big, strong and athletic on offense. Bowen’s versatility allows the Redskins to be more creative offensively, and defensively up front they are solid. Donna High hasn’t won a district title since 2007, but that could change this season.
No. 7: McAllen High
District: 30-6A
2014 Record: 8-4, area qualifiers
Top returners: QB Caleb Youngblood, OG Elijah Dames, OG Isaiah Leanos, WR Dylan Cardenas, TE Pat Barredo, LB Cody Rodriguez, DB Ruben Gutierrez
Of note: McAllen High has to replace two of the most prolific offensive players in program history in RB Ricky Rodriguez and QB Fred Hover, but the pieces are in place with QB Caleb Youngblood and transfer RB Joshua McGowen. The Bulldogs have a lot of turnover on defense, but should be strong enough to reach the postseason once again.
No. 8: Weslaco High
District: 31-6A
Top returners: RB Brian Guerra, FB Jonathan Martinez, LB Jordan Nichols, CB Diego Rodriguez
Of note: The Panthers have made the playoffs nine of the last ten seasons, and will continue that trend should the team stay healthy. Weslaco lost much of its defensive depth, but still has enough offensive talent to win another district title.
No. 9: La Joya Palmview
District: 30-6A
2014 record: 7-4-1, area qualifiers
Top Returners: RB Abel Torres, WR Damian Quintanilla, S Fabian Perez, LB Luis Sanchez, OG Arturo Gutierrez, OG Michael Rodriguez, OT Mario Hinojosa
Of Note: Even with eight offensive starters back, Palmview could be moving away from its ground-and-pound style. The Lobos return only three starters on defense, but coach Margarito Requenez expects the smaller unit to be faster and stronger than last year’s.
No. 10: Weslaco East
District: 31-6A
2014 Record: 10-3, regional quarterfinal qualifiers
Top Returners: OL Jonathan Banda, RB Emilio Tamez, QB Crio Rojas, LB, Adrian Duran, OL, Gavin Gaytan, RB Fabian Castro
Of note: Banda is the lone returning offensive starter from last year’s team which advanced to the third round of the playoffs. The Wildcats won’t win as many games as they did in 2014, but coach Mike Burget should have his squad in postseason contention once more. If last year’s middling defensive unit takes a leap, all the better.