Putting our patients first Young Guns Always! www.advanceddentalassoc.com HARLINGEN (956) 425-7474 WESLACO (956) 969-2960 2017 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW Gilpin, Treviño, Guajardo, and Nixon out to prove underclassmen can lead teams
2 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 3 ON THE COVER Table of contents Upperclassmen often get the spotlight on Friday nights. This year, a crop of young quarterbacks is making waves. Mission Veterans junior Landry Gilpin, Edcouch-Elsa junior Albert Treviño, PSJA High junior Trey Guajardo and McAllen High sophomore Aaron Nixon are changing the way the Rio Grande Valley thinks about underclassmen. THE STAFF Sports Editor Greg Luca 10 players to watch... 4 Rebuilding a foundation La Joya... 6 District 30-6A preview... 9 31-6A preview... 14 PSJA High s Trey Guajardo... 18 District 32-6A preview... 20 District 31-5A preview... 27 Mission Veterans Landry Gilpin... 30 preview... 33 Sub-Class 5A teams preview... 37 10 games to watch... 42 Edcouch-Elsa s Albert Treviño... 48 Valley schedule... 52 McAllen High s Aaron Nixon... 54 Sports Writers Saul Berrios-Thomas, Nate Kotisso, Nathaniel Mata Design Staff Saul Berrios-Thomas Greg Luca Photo Editor Nathan Lambrecht Photo Staff Nathan Lambrecht, Delcia Lopez, Joel Martinez Follows us on Twitter @RGVSports Like our RGVSports.com Facebook page. Follows us on Periscope @RGVSports Subscribe to our podcast on itunes. 956.994.8983 956.994.8967 fax
4 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 5 10 Players to Watch Names to keep an eye on in 2017 defense, he was a threat, picking off five passes and making 34 tackles. Sanders. The lightning quick senior is ready for a full season with the Bulldogs. He showed his wheels during the track season, winning the 300-meter hurdles district championship last spring. He ll look to pitch in all over the offense. Landry Gilpin, QB, Mission eterans The son of Mission Veterans oach David Gilpin returns under enter after an outstanding stint s a wide receiver (851 yards, 13 ouchdowns in 2016). Gilpin is opeful his arm strength will be as ethal as his playmaking ability with is feet. Jacob Rosales, QB, Sharyland Pioneer The junior still feels he has a lot to prove following a 23-touchdown, four-interception season in 2016. Roy Pedraza, RB, Weslaco East Pedraza rushed for 1,922 yards last season and will be expected to run wild again for preseason No. 2 Weslaco East. His offense returns five players, and he ll be his usually durable self out of the backfield. Look for another MVPtype performance as the senior tries to take the WIldcats deep in the playoffs. Campbell Speights, RB, McAllen Memorial His name carries a lot of weight in the Valley, but his legs can carry an offense. Even though he s only a sophomore, he ll be in the conversation of the best backs in the RGV. Coach Bill Littleton has shown he s not afraid to strictly run the ball, and it s no wonder why. Speights rushed for 1,320 yards while platooning at the position. It s his show now, and the next three years will be bright for the standout. Steven De Leon, RB/LB, Mission High De Leon s all-district honors at linebacker and running back tell you a lot of what you need to know about this all-around athlete. He brings his lunch box to the field and outworks his counterparts many nights. Coming out of the backfield, he led Mission in rushing with nearly 1,000 yards and 16 TDs last season. Nathan Garcia, QB, Edinburg Vela Garcia, a senior, got a lot of action last year, and the offense is going to flow through him even more this year. Garcia also has a solid line in front of him to help him succeed. Roger Adame III, LB, Mercedes The senior returns to one-up a 1-sack season that resulted in im taking home The Monitor s Allrea Defensive Player of the Year onors. J.C. Vargas, ATH, Weslaco East Vargas plays wherever coach Mike Burget needs him, and he spends most nights filling the stat sheet. He rushed for six TDs, caught a pair and even threw three TD passes in 2016. It wasn t always planned for him to wear that many hats, but he answered the call every time. On Gunnar Henderson, WR/CB, McAllen High He s earned an offer to play football at Ivy League Yale. He s received compliments and motivation from NFL great Deion Trey Guajardo, QB, PSJA High Guajardo joins forces with one of the top quarterback coaches in the Valley, Lupe Rodriguez. Guajardo has the raw talent to shine with the weapons around him. Add Rodriguez s expertise, and he will be tough to stop.
THE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 7 Rebuilding the foundation In the decade prior to the La Joya ISD split that led to La Joya Palmview and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln fielding varsity teams in 2008, the La Joya High Coyotes reigned supreme on the field, capturing three district titles. After the creation of Juarez-Lincoln and Palmview, all three schools endured numerous rough seasons, including 0-10 campaigns for the Lobos in 2010 and the Huskies in 2014. Now in the 10th varsity season since the split, not all programs are in the same place. The two newer campuses are building tradition with playoff streaks, while the mothership is trying to return to former glory that feels so long ago. La Joya High In 10 seasons before the split: Six playoff trips, three district titles, 72-41 overall record (playoff seasons in red) 1998: 10-1 1999: 5-5 2000: 3-7 2001: 9-3 2002: 8-2 2003: 6-4 2004: 10-3 2005: 9-3 2006: 6-6 2007: 6-7 Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com La Joya Palmview s Sebastian Reynoso (7) collides with La Joya High s Reynol Rios (24) while carrying the ball during a game Nov. 4, 2016, at La Joya ISD Stadium in La Joya. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln In nine seasons after the split: 28-64 overall record and no district titles, but playoff trips the past two years. 2008: 3-7 2009: 4-6 2010: 2-8 2011: 2-8 2012: 5-5 2013: 4-6 2014: 0-10 2015: 4-7 2016: 4-7 La Joya High In nine seasons after the split: one playoff trip, zero district titles, 20-71 overall record. 2008: 2-8 2009: 1-9 2010: 2-8 2011: 2-8 2012: 2-8 2013: 1-9 2014: 4-7 2015: 3-7 2016: 3-7 La Joya Palmview In nine seasons after the split: 33-60-1 overall record, no district titles, but playoff trips the past three seasons. 2008: 0-10 2009: 3-7 2010: 5-5 2011: 4-6 2012 4-6 2013: 1-9 2014: 7-4-1 2015: 4-7 2016: 5-6
8 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 9 U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez District 30-6A preview BY NATHANIEL MATA THE MONITOR We Support All Valley High Schools & Education For more information about the services offered to constituents of the 15th District of Texas, please call (956) 682-5545. U.S. Congressman Vicente Gonzalez has offices in Edinburg, San Diego, Benavides, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Edinburg 2864 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, Texas 78539 (956) 682-5545 Open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday Washington 113 Cannon Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-2531 Open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday www.gonzalez.house.gov 1 McAllen Memorial Coach: Bill Littleton, 15th year 2016 record: 8-3, 6-0, bi-district qualifiers Returning starters (O/D): 6/6 Returning lettermen: 18 Key players: RB Campbell Speights; SS Kelechi Nwachuku; QB Angel Almaguer; OL Aaron Ramirez; LB Frank Opazo; WR Ethan Bazan; C Marcus Robles; LB Nathan Sanchez. 2017 Outlook: Perfect district seasons are becoming routine for the jewel of 30-6A, but you wouldn t be able to tell at a Bill Littleton practice. Campbell Speights will be one of the most exciting athletes to watch, and for all the right reasons. Last year, he rushed for 1,320 yards while splitting the workload. Now, he s stronger and quicker than last year thanks to summer camps. The sophomore will do all he can to help his quarterback, Angel Almaguer. The team in Columbia blue looks to not just run the table in district, but also take that success to the playoffs. Under Littleton, the Mustangs have gone three rounds deep three times, but not since 2011. Memorial players and fans are hungry for another team to remember for its playoff wins as much as its district campaigns. Memorial will benefit from having one of the toughest schedules in the Valley, as well. The team will want to flip the script in its early battles with Weslaco East and San Benito to leave no doubt the Mustangs are the best Valley team. 2 Coach: Bobby Flores, 2nd year 2016: 7-4, 3-3, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 5/4 Returning lettermen: 11 Key players: RB Raudel Garcia; QB Jesus Sanchez; WR Adrian Bernal; WR Hector Ramirez; DL Robby Leal; DE Issac Mata; TE Jonas Ortiz. 2017 Outlook: Rowe has plenty of potential and a roster laden with seniors hungry to win a playoff game. The Warriors passing game torched the district for more than 2,000 yards last season. Look for more of the same through the air. QB Jesus Sanchez is back from injury, and some of his favorite targets, like Adrian Bernal (686 yards) and Hector Ramirez, are reprising starting roles from last year. Rowe had an exciting 7-on-7 run during the summer, and the participants will have some jump in their step. The Warriors offense will be a handful for any defense that lacks the personnel to keep tabs on their cast of quick playmakers. Flores will also have the benefit of an experienced defensive line that s the exception for a young defense. 3 McAllen Rowe La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Coach: Tommy Garcia, 6th year 2016 record: 4-7, 2-4, bi-district qualifier Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com McAllen Rowe quarterback Jesus Sanchez hands off the ball during practice Sept. 7, 2016, at McAllen Rowe High School in McAllen. Returning starters (O/D): 5/5 Returning lettermen: 24 Key players: RB/DB Elias Gutierrez; QB Efren Martinez; RB Adonis Barillas; LB Joseph Valdez; DL Norberto Lomeli; WR Albert Martinez. 2017 Outlook: The Huskies have one of the best groups of returners in the district. The McAllen schools should beat each other up trying to claim supremacy, but look out for the Huskies. Their running game should be strong with Adonis Barillas, Elias Gutierrez and Efren Martinez all figuring to get rushes. The running game has been stressed in practice as the Huskies try to ease their young QB into a starting role with a strong ground attack. On defense, they have a lot of hard hitters returning, including Joseph Valdez and the versatile Gutierrez as a ballhawk. Garcia had a lot of confidence when talking about his club and its chances to really make noise in district, even against perennial playoff qualifiers. The tradition of making the playoffs is exciting, but the upperclassmen know that a playoff win would top it. 4 McAllen High Coach: Kevin Brewer, 5th year 2016 record: 3-7, 2-4 Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 3/3 Returning lettermen: 25 Key players: RB Roy Gutierrez; QB Aaron Nixon/J.R. Cortez; WR/CB Gunnar Henderson; C Arturo Ochoa; DE Alan Martinez ; LB Wilbert Murillo; DT Moses Mendez; DT Isaac Cantu. 2017 Outlook: With weapons like Roy Gutierrez and Gunnar Henderson back for their senior seasons, the Bulldogs will be better than they were in 2016. SEE 30-6A ON PAGE 10
10 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 11 istrict 30-6A continued ROM PAGE 9 Gutierrez is the typical breed of strong, bruising back that usually excels in 30-6A. Henderson will have a full season with the Bulldogs after opening last year at Brownsville St. Joseph and returning to McHi for the team s district opener. The biggest improvement for McAllen High should come at quarterback. Whether J.R. Cortez or Aaron Nixon is under center, the Bulldogs should have more stability than last season. The pressure is on for McHi to get back into the postseason, and that should elevate their play to get them into the top four. Their meeting with Rowe on Oct. 27 will go a long way in settling the dust near the top of the district, as the three McAllen teams could take gold through bronze. work with former NFL QB Koy Detmer should only help him improve. As a freshman, Gomez was thrust into the role due to injuries. This year, he worked with the offense as the No. 1 guy, which should be a positive for the group. Steven De Leon will lead a stout defense that finished at the top of the district in 2016. The Eagles hope to get a boost when they are finally able to play in front of their home fans at Tom Landry Stadium, which could be ready in September following offseason renovations. Mission High Coach: Koy Detmer, 2nd year 2016 record: 3-7, 2-4 Last playoff appearance: 2012 Returning starters (O/D): 6/5 Returning lettermen: 20 Key players: RB/LB Steven De Leon; B Damian Gomez; OL Julian Vega; OL avi Gaitan; OL Michael Brasher. 2017 outlook: Mission can be better team than in 2016, but he Eagles will need to keep up in district in which every team plans o improve. The Eagles district ecord was 2-4 last year, which was ood enough to put a team into the ostseason, so to say they were not n the hunt is false. Questions remain f they have enough to be the hunters nd not the hunted. Sophomore QB amian Gomez has upside, and his 6 La Joya High Coach: Reuben Farias, 2nd year 2016 record: 3-7, 2-4 Last playoff appearance: 2014 Returning Starters (O/D): 6/5 Returning lettermen: 20 Key players: RB Eddie Villarreal; QB Irving Garcia; WR Marino Resendez; OL Damian Tanguma; DE Daniel Villarreal; LB Jonathan Gomez; DB Irvin Garcia. 2017 Outlook: Unless something changes, the Coyotes won t fix enough to have their names mentioned as contenders in their district. Irving Garcia is back for his senior season at quarterback after the Coyotes last year finished one game away from their first playoff trip since 2014. Now, they ll need to pick themselves up from the bottom of many categories. Defensive pressure on opposing quarterbacks and tailbacks would go a long way, but it s also a lot to ask from a defense that allowed more than 300 yards per game. The Coyotes will be able to compete in their games against their sister schools, and those evenings should be exciting. When it comes to the McAllen schools that look to have more talent, La Joya High will face an uphill battle. Farias has the chance to Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com Mission High linebacker Steven De Leon runs through a play during practice Aug. 15, 2016, at Mission High School in Mission. win some signature games to have the program feel positive about its future, but success this season will take some help. 7 La Joya Palmview Coach: Margarito Requenez, 4th year 2016 record: 5-6, 4-2, bi-district qualifier Returning Starters (O/D): 3/4 Returning lettermen: 26 Key players: LB Mike De Hoyos; S Jesse Herrera; RB Jose Avalos; QB Oscar Mendoza; OL Moises Morales; DE Rolando Andrade; DT Juan Rivas. 2017 Outlook: Last season, Palmview had one of its most memorable and successful seasons in the nine-year history of the program. The Lobos will have a big target on their back as last season s district runners-up. Coach Margarito Requenez will be challenged to find any offensive player who can put a stamp on games the way Palmview s district MVP running back Joel Pina and his 1,100 yards did in 2016. The Lobos defense will take a step back but still be key in the run-heavy 30-6A. If Palmview can find a quarterback and running back to take charge of ballgames, an experienced offensive line can make the Lobos a tough group to stop. The line is in place, but the skill players will need to step up. Juarez-Lincoln and La Joya High will give Palmview fits after the Lobos swept the rivalry games last season.
12 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 13 We re Proud To Support The RGCCISD Photo by TNT Photographic 746-1019 Good Luck! We wish the best of luck to the athletes of the Rio Grand Valley this 2017-2018 season. Remember to stay hydrated and cool. watermillexpress.com www.gflawofficesmcallen.com 3700 N. 10th St. Suite 309 McAllen, Tx 78501 956.800.4340
14 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 15 District 31-6A preview MISSION EAGLES Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com PSJA North quarterback Randy Reyna (14) passes the ball against Edinburg North during a game Oct. 6, 2016, at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS THE MONITOR Edinburg Vela Coach: John Campbell, 1st year 2016 record: 9-2, 7-0, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 5/6 Returning lettermen: 30 Key players: QB Nathan Garcia; RB Harvey Soliz; WR Brandon Guzman; TE Nico Rodriguez; DL Sergio Carrizales; DL Timothy Ellington; DB Nick Enriquez; LB Luis Gutierrez. 2017 Outlook: Vela brings in a high-powered offense and a new coach with a pedigree for winning quickly at new programs. Quarterback Nathan Garcia will be able to air it out, and with a strong line of returners in front of him and a skilled group of receivers, he should shine. The defense looks to take its game to the next level. Last year, the unit wasn t always needed. But new defensive coordinator John Matt, who comes over from Converse Judson, is bringing a new intensity to that group. The unit has changed from a 4-2-5 system to a 3-4. Running back may be the biggest question mark, with three players taking snaps there during the preseason. If the SaberCats can hone in on one back, they will just need him to run enough to keep defenses honest. 2 Coach: Rene Saenz, 4th year 2016 record: 4-7, 4-3, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 6/1 Returning lettermen: 27 Key players: RB Cristian Flores; QB Francisco Zuniga; WR Izaiah Rangel; WR Ricky Alaniz; RB Ethan Vela; LB Joseph Munoz. 2017 Outlook: Edinburg North looks to have an explosive offense. Last year, Cristian Flores ran for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games for Edinburg Vela. He transferred to North after the football season and has quickly picked up the offense. Quarterback Francisco Zuniga has the benefit of having gotten some reps last year as a sophomore. He will need to be good right away to help spark the offense, but he has a lot of talent at receiver to make his job easier. The defense returns just one player in Joseph Munoz. The Cougars do, however, bring in a new coach, as former Roma head coach Max Habecker joins the staff as the linebackers coach. He should help the young defesne. 3 Edinburg North PSJA North Coach: Marcus Kaufmann, 2nd year 2016 record: 7-3, 4-3 Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 2/1 Returning lettermen: 25 Key players: QB Randy Reyna; RB Juan Elizondo; RB Vonzell Griffin; DB Brandon Gonzalez; ATH Arturo Beltran; FB Eli Lugo; C Carlos Arcibar; DL/LB Servando Marroquin. 2017 Outlook: PSJA North is young, but the team has a lot of skill. Quarterback Randy Reyna and wide receiver Arturo Beltran are two of the best athletes in the district, and they will be a potent combination on offense. Combine that with a loaded backfield, and it becomes apparent that the Raiders will be hard to slow on offense. The Raiders defense is young, returning only one starter. But that starter, Brandon Gonzalez, is a leader in the secondary, and defensive coordinator Will Littleton has been working to ensure the defense is the team s strength, not a fatal flaw. Beltran s athletic ability will show in every facet of the game. He will be a game-breaker at wide receiver and running back on offense. He will play at defensive back. And on special teams, he is a difference-maker as a returner, and he may even end up handling punting duties. 4 PSJA High Coach: Lupe Rodriguez, 1st year 2016 record: 3-7, 1-6 Last playoff appearance: 2014 Returning starters (O/D): 5/5 Returning lettermen: 17 Key players: QB Trey Guajardo; WR Joachim Almaguer; WR Nate Miranda; WR Nate Sanchez; DB Nate Liszt; DE Orlando Huerta; LB Jacob Sanchez; S/LB Marcos Pedraza; DB Gabriel Espinoza. SEE 31-6A ON PAGE 16 We Will Beat Anyone s Proposal! Trailer Repairs General Welding Ranch Work Steel Fabrications Deer Feeders Deer Blinds Ranch Gates and much more Photo by Trevino's Photography 781-5274 FOR SALES CALL 956.533.0746
16 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 17 istrict 31-6A continued PSJA BEARS ROM PAGE 14 2017 Outlook: Quarterback guru Lupe Rodriguez comes in as the new head coach at PSJA High. Junior Trey Guajardo will be back as the starter for the third year in a row. Guajardo has learned a lot from Rodriguez already, and that is bound to continue. Guajardo is surrounded by a variety of weapons to help him excel. That includes a strong offensive line that is working well as a group during the preseason. The defense has a lot of experience and strong leadership. What has often been the Bears Achilles heel may now become a source of strength. Orlando Huerta anchors the defensive line. Jacob Sanchez is the leader in the middle at linebacker. The secondary has a lot of experience to help the younger players learn quickly. Nathan Lambrecht nlambrecht@themonitor.com PSJA Memorial quarterback Orlando Munoz rushes the ball during practice Aug. 18, 2016, at PSJA Memorial High School in Alamo. Zamora; LB Raymond Quintanilla; S Manny Solis; WR Angel Salinas; WR Antoine Woodard. 2017 Outlook: Edinburg High has a quarterback battle between Danny Shawnee and Matt Cruz. Shawnee transferred in from Edinburg North, while Cruz is a junior. Whoever wins the job will have a good group of receivers to pass to, and both may end up playing a part in the Bobcats season. The Bobcats are looking to junior Hearlin Benavides to be one of their leading rushers. Losing a 1,000- yard back and their next leading rusher to graduation will be a big hurdle to overcome. The defense should be the Bobcats calling card again this year. The team returns a lot of veterans at key positions and has an explosive group of linebackers. Edinburg Economedes Coach: Gabe Pena, 7th year 2016 record: 7-4, 4-3, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 5/4 Returning lettermen: 23 Key players: WR Pete Segura; QB Albert Guerra; S Rolando Alviso; RB Gabriel Ornelas; LB Nick Villanueva; DL Ernie Tijerina; OL AJ Garza; CB Marco de la Paz. 2017 Outlook: The Economedes offense should be fun. The Jaguars have one of the only offenses in the district that does a whole lot of power running and a whole lot of shotgun passing. Quarterback Albert Guerra got a lot of work last year and earned the job outright during the spring. Roger Barrientos, who was the other candidate at quarterback, will get to use his athleticism at running back and wide receiver this season. Both running backs, Gabriel Ornelas and Sonny Castillo, were slated to be key contributors a year ago before injuries ended their seasons. The defense is young. There are a few differencemakers who will have to have big years to help the younger players adjust. Nick Villanueva is a good athlete at linebacker, and Ernie Tijerina is a powerful force along the defensive line. 6 PSJA Memorial Coach: Michael Uribe, 3rd year 2016 record: 0-10, 0-7 Last playoff appearance: 2011 Returning starters (O/D): 6/6 Returning lettermen: 26 Key players: QB Orlando Munoz; RB Joaquin Sanchez; WR Matt Morquecho; LB Anthony Escalante; LB Frank Estrada; RT Jordan Muller; C Guadalupe Abrego. 2017 Outlook: Now in his third year as coach at PSJA Memorial, Michael Uribe has been working closely with this year s junior class. That group makes up the bulk of the roster, and they have only ever known Uribe s system. Key players in that group include quarterback Orlando Munoz and running back Joaquin Sanchez. The backfield duo will determine a lot of Memorial s success, and the Wolverines are determined to show that they are better than last year s winless season would indicate. The skill players have the benefit of working behind a strong offensive line that is hitting its peak at the right time. The defense is young in a lot of areas but has veteran leadership at an important position. Frank Estrada and Anthony Escalante return at linebacker and are going to be vital to leading the defense. 7 Edinburg High Coach: J.J. Leija, 2nd year 2016 record: 7-4, 6-1, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 5/5 Returning lettermen: 23 Key players: QB Danny Shawnee; QB Matt Cruz; LB Athen Villanueva; LB Jaime 8 PSJA Southwest Coach: Michael Evans, 1st year 2016 record: 4-6, 2-5 Last playoff appearance: None Returning starters (O/D): 4/4 Returning lettermen: 19 Key players: QB Greg Bostic; RB/LB Jose Zamora; WR/CB Hugo Pena; WR Andrew Becerra; LB Joaquin Perez Jr.; DE Jerry Guillen. 2017 Outlook: Evans inherits a young team that has never been to the playoffs. He will face an uphill battle during his first year at the school, but the route to a future postseason trip is becoming clearer. Quarterback Greg Bostic, a transfer from McAllen High, brings familiarity with the spread, and he has several weapons to work with on offense. Linebacker Joaquin Perez and lineman Jerry Guillen have emerged as leaders on the defense. The duo has been helpful to the younger players and looks to motivate the varsity newcomers. Numbers have consistently been low for the Javelinas. That may start to change with the excitement that Evans brings to the team. His fast-paced offense may be the recipe to getting more support from the student body. Looking for a new vehicle? MISSION - McALLEN WWW.BERTOGDEN.COM Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 EDINBURG - HARLINGEN
18 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 19 T R EY G Class of 2019 TREY GUAJARDO PSJA High s Guajardo representing family name U AJ A R D O SEE GUAJARDO ON PAGE 19 PSJA High s Trey Guajardo holds his helmet Aug. 19 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS THE MONITOR PSJA High junior Trey Guajardo has a special appreciation for things like legacy and tradition. That s why he wears No. 18. It s the same number his father, Ruben, wore when he was a fullback at PSJA High. It doesn t end there, though. Trey s uncle, Marco, was also on the Bears. He was a wideout, and his son, also Marco, is following in those footsteps. With us being together on the football team, a quarterback-wide receiver duo, we are excited for that, Trey said. He s learned a lot, and he s barely a sophomore. I m trying to teach him everything he needs to know, and we are ready for the season. The name Guajardo is becoming even more synonymous with PSJA every year. Trey said his dad has been a huge help to him, teaching him a lot about the game. When Trey was a freshman, then-coach Steve Marroquin called Ruben after a scrimmage to ask if it would be OK to name Trey the varsity starting quarterback. To be honest, at first I was like, Man, how can I do that? Trey said. I ve never seen a freshman quarterback at the varsity level. A conversation with Ruben helped Trey believe he could do it. He excelled right away, completing 21 of 41 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown and running for two more in six games. What makes Guajardo s ascent to starting quarterback even more impressive is he didn t play the position early on. He started playing football at 6 or 7, but he was always a running back. Guajardo didn t move to quarterback until seventh grade, when his middle school team didn t have a quarterback. He stepped up to fill that void. He said it came naturally, but he still had some doubts heading into the varsity game. I have never been the biggest guy, Guajardo said. Going into high school, I was thinking to myself, I m not that big of a guy. Maybe I can t even throw the ball as hard as these guys. Guajardo credits the long hours he put in with Sharyland Pioneer quarterback Jacob Rosales for helping him gain arm strength and, more importantly, confidence. Despite those improvements, entering PSJA High wasn t a walk in the park. I learned the hard way, Guajardo said. If you go into a game and you are not prepared, it will be tough. So after that, I learned watching film every day. It helps a lot, knowing that you can learn a lot, like what defense they are going to run. Now, with new coach Lupe Rodriguez, Guajardo is one of the biggest film junkies on the team, according to Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a coach known for his work with quarterbacks, has already made a big impact on Guajardo. When (Rodriguez) first got here, he was looking at film and what I did, Guajardo said. Something I learned that I didn t do last year was protecting myself. I took unnecessary hits. He taught me right away that I have to avoid those and be smart with the ball. Take the yards or throw it out. He really helped me with the little things like that. Last year, as a sophomore, Guajardo completed 93 of 178 passes for 1,323 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,009 yards and another 10 TDs. Guajardo believes that with Rodriguez behind him, this year can be even better. This season, Ruben will again be in the stands for every game to watch Trey, just like he has since Trey was a freshman. Trey remembers seeing his dad after he was first named quarterback. He did have the butterflies. He was a little nervous, and so was my mom, Trey said. But looking back at it, they are glad they didn t hold me back from doing it, because I probably wouldn t be where I am at today if we wouldn t have made that decision. He s glad they did, too, because he has two more years to show what he can do. My family is just full of tradition at PSJA High, Trey said. I have a big role here, so I want to live up to my family s name. Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com
20 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR istrict 32-6A preview PSJA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 21 BY NATHANIEL MATA THE MONITOR San Benito Coach: Dan Gomez, 4th year 2016 record: 10-2, 6-1, area finalist Returning Starters (O/D): 5/5 Key players: QB Erick Retta; WR Isaiah Trevino, RB Tyrone Harper; DE Ryan Reza; DE Avelino Garcia; DB Payne Guajardo; OL Christopher Vargas; OL Hector De Jesus. 2017 Outlook: The Greyhounds were one of the top teams in the RGV and have lots of skill players back to continue the high-octane attack. QB Erick Retta tossed for 34 TDs last year and will have his top target, Isaiah Trevino, who caught 13 TD passes last year, back lining up out wide. The offensive line is a question mark early, but once it jells, the group should be business as usual. Tyrone Harper will be a huge factor in the backfield, as well, after he ran for 1,500 yards and 15 TDs. The defense will be no joke, with dangerous pass rushers on both ends in Ryan Reza and Avelino Garcia. Weslaco East Coach: Mike Burget, 5th year 2016 record: 8-5, 4-3, regional semifinalist Returning starters (O/D): 5/8 Returning lettermen: 26 Key players: RB Roy Pedraza; ATH J.C. Vargas; QB Richard LeFevre; DE Gerald Garza; DL Johnathan Banda; LB Freddy Cardenas; OL Mario Trevino; WR/DB Alvaro Medrano. 2017 Outlook: The Wildcats were a pleasant surprise last season, finishing in fourth place but making a strong playoff run. Their defense returns eight players, including 2016 district newcomer of the year Freddy Cardenas and All-Area All- Purpose Player of the Year J.C. Vargas. At safety, Vargas intercepted five passes and made 34 tackles, and he also caught and ran the ball and even played quarterback when starter Richard LeFevre went down with injury. But again, the machine that will make East Side strong will be Pedraza, who ran for 1,922 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. 3 Harlingen High Coach: Manny Gomez, 11th year 2016 record: 9-3, 7-0, area finalist Last Playoff Appearance: 2016 Returning Starters (O/D): 6/3 Returning lettermen: 16 Key players: RB Abel Castaneda; QB Daniel Ramirez; WR Riley Sauceda; OT Grant Drabek. 2017 Outlook: Grant Drabek is a force on the offensive line and will be a leader this season regardless of whether returning backup QB Daniel Ramirez or sophomore Jamie Galvan wins the job out of camp. Abel Castaneda tallied six rushing TDs as a backup last season, and those numbers are expected to climb. He s projected as the starter in the backfield for veteran coach Manny Gomez. The defense returns a worrisome three starters, but Gomez is convinced that the turnover won t be a bump the passengers will feel. The Cardinals finished last season 7-0, but it feels like the losses could catch up to them while teams like Weslaco East return a majority of their roster. Harlingen has a strong non-district schedule with Mission Veterans and San Antonio Reagan, which should help them prepare for their brutal district. 4 Coach: Patrick Brown, 2nd year 2016 record: 8-5, 4-3, regional semifinalists Returning starters (O/D): 2/4 Returning lettermen: 12 Key players: WR Robert Ramirez; LB Sebastian Gonzales; CB J.J. Sanchez; DB Oscar Oviedo; DL Roy De La Garza; RB Albert Banuelos; DE Matt Ortiz. 2017 Outlook: All of the question marks are on offense, but most of the answers are on defense. Even though Los Fresnos has a young squad, coach Patrick Brown sees his defense holding strong while the offense meshes into another formidable unit. J.J. Sanchez and Sebastian Gonzales will be notable returning seniors asked to guide a juniorheavy lineup. Tailback Albert Banuelos will be tasked with rushing often, while Charles Chapa will replace graduated senior Mark Mata under center. 5 Los Fresnos Weslaco High Coach: Michael Salinas, 1st year 2016 record: 5-5, 3-4 Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 2/5 Returning lettermen: 18 Key players: QB Marco Leal; RB Matt De Santiago; WR/RB Peyton Knaub; OL Richard Carmona; DL Tony Estavanes; WR/DB Andrew Olguin; WR/DB Roy Trevino; OL Matthew Lopez; LB Marco Noriega. 2017 Outlook: The Panthers will have a new coach at the helm, and he s a good one. Michael Salinas joins from Edinburg Vela and will lead a team that is trying to get back into the playoffs in the Valley s strongest district. The motivation for Weslaco High is easy to see, as sister school Weslaco East has been enjoying lots of recent success. The Panthers will need to win big road matches against Mercedes and San Benito but will have the benefit of playing Harlingen and Los Fresnos at home. Senior QB Marco Leal will be handed the keys to the ride, while running backs Matt De Santiago and sophomore Peyton Knaub will handle the ground attack. Look out for Knaub also coming out of the backfield to catch passes and give defenses something new to think about. Richard Carmona is almost impossible to move at right tackle with his 6-foot-5-inch frame. 6 Harlingen South Coach: Brian Ricci, 2nd year 2016 record: 5-5, 2-5 Last playoff appearance: 2013 Returning starters (O/D): 5/5 Returning lettermen: 16 Key players: DE Brandon Bennett; DT Sky Tatum; RB Jorge Alicea; LB Cole Cooley; RB Cristian Cortez; OL Brandon Olivarez; SS Isaac Moreno. 2017 Outlook: Coach Brian Ricci created a lot of excitement last year when he joined the program and won three games right off the bat. But the SEE 32-6A ON PAGE 24 Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 GO! FIGHT! WIN! Supporting all valley teams 900 N. Sugar Road, Pharr, TX 956.686.0555 WWW. www.clarkknapphonda.com
22 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR Luis Delgado, Jr., M.D., PA Helping You Live a Healthy Life! Open after the Weslaco Football games! Pizza special from 10pm-12midnight $10.99 Up to 3 toppings HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 23 JUAREZ LINCOLN HUSKIES Ramiro DeLeon, FNP-BC Rene Torres, PA-C Luis Delgado, Jr. M.D. Michael Gonazlez, PA-C Mary J. Rios, PA-C Jessica Leal-Porras. PA-C Tuesday - Saturday 5-10 pm Sunday 5-9 pm Closed Mondays Now Catering We Support all Valley teams! Look for Daily High School Sports news in Offering the Highest Quality of Primary Healthcare Since 1990 to the Families of Elsa, Edinburg, McAllen, and Surrounding Communities. SPECIALIZING: Annual Physical Exams Sports Physicals Acute and Chronic Disease Management X-Rays Drug Screenings Worker s Compensation Immunizations Most Insurances Accepted NORTHSIDE FAMILY MEDICAL CENTER 5128 N 10th St. McAllen, Texas (956) 631-3831 ELSA FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC 119 Retama, Suite D Elsa, Texas (956) 262-9940 A ARE YOU SUFFERING WITH HAND PAIN OR NUMBNESS? This may be the result of CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME. KHAIM PANDAY, MD ORTHOPEDIC HAND SURGEON offers the BROWN ENDOSCOPIC CARPAL TUNNEL PROCEDURE. This is an outpatient procedure proven to result in less pain and a faster recovery than the open procedure. We have been performing the Brown Procedure for over fifteen years with excellent results. Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Decompression THE HAND AND UPPER EXTREMITY INSTITUTE (956) 686-4600 Open Carpal Tunnel Decompression 2017 FORD F-150 SUPER CREW GOOD LUCK VALLEY TEAMS! Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 COME IN TODAY FOR BEST SELECTION 956-585-1601 WWW.SPIKESFORD.COM ON EXP. 83 IN MISSION AT CONWAY EXIT
jonhrt-jonhrt-23208-01 Jon Hart Design Sign Decal F.indd 1 10/22/15 12:37 PM 24 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR 32-6A FROM PAGE 20 Hawks were only able to win two district games. Their defense will be a strong point while they figure out their offensive situation. Brandon Bennett and Sky Tatum should give backfields fits as they get behind lines to wreak havoc. The Hawks will have a hard time sneaking into a playoff spot, but they won t be pushovers. 7 Brownsville Hanna Coach: Mark Guess, 2nd year 2016 record: 3-7, 2-5 Last playoff appearance: 2009 Returning starters (O/D): 6/6 Returning lettermen: 24 Key players: QB Joe Cavazos; RB Cesar Mancias; DB Matthew Garcia; DL Sebastian Diaz; TE Travis Rivera. 2017 Outlook: The Golden Eagles will have two new men coordinating the offense and defense. The personnel change could be coming at the right time, as the team tries to reinvigorate the program. Joe Cavazos will be under center to help weather those changes for his team. Look for Cavazos to target running back Cesar Mancias and tight end Travis Rivera in the passing game. On defense, Sebastian Diaz will have a big impact along the line. 8 Brownsville Rivera Coach: Tom Chavez, 6th year 2016 record: 1-9, 0-7 Last playoff appearance: 22 Returning Starters (O/D): 9/5 Returning lettermen: 22 Key players: QB Nicholas Blanco; CB David Pena; RB/LB Marco Garcia; RB Quintae Smith; WR Oscar Lazoya; OL Jason Rodriguez; DL Kenneth Lopez. 2017 Outlook: Nico Blano has a lot on his shoulders, and he feels ready to handle the uphill battle Rivera faces in the district. Veteran coach Tom Chavez will call a lot of runs to quick back Quintae Smith. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 25 Single, Double, Triple Mums, and Garters for all Homecoming RGV High Schools 610 N 10th St, McAllen, Texas 78501 Phone: (956) 686-4830
26 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 27 LA JOYA COYOTES District 31-5A preview BY NATE KOTISSO THE MONITOR Sharyland High in rushing and finishing second in receiving yards last season. Junior middle linebacker Javier Lopez will have more responsibility to carry on defense this season. The Rattlers leading returning tackler (113) knows he has to set the tone. 956.800.6279 Call for ISD Special 956.800.6279 Dr. Leo Thatcher Jr., D.C. NO APPOINTMENTS CONVENIENT HOURS LICENSED CHIROPRACTOR ONLY adjustment* Proudly Supports LA JOYA COYOTES 1 Sharyland Pioneer Coach: Jason Wheeler, 4th year 2016 record: 8-3, 7-1, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 6/4 Returning lettermen: 25 Key players: RB Logan Harris; RB Michael Benavides; QB Jacob Rosales; WR Will Proctor; WR Enrique Hurtado; OL Cameron Gould; LB Angel Chapa; DB Tyler Bulthuis; DB Josh Olivarez; DT Obed Hernandez. 2017 Outlook: Junior quarterback Jacob Rosales returns to lead a balanced attack after accounting for 32 touchdowns and only five total turnovers during the 2016 season. A familiar face makes a comeback to Pioneer s running attack: senior Logan Harris. Harris steps in for Christian Rivera, who has since transferred to PSJA High. Junior tailback Michael Benavides (589 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2016) will supplement Harris in the ground game. The Diamondbacks bring back two defensive anchors in the form of linebacker Angel Chapa and free safety Tyler Bulthuis. Chapa led Pioneer in tackles last season (132) and was named as an AP allstate honorable mention on defense. Bulthuis ranked fourth on the team in tackles (75) and was tied for the second-most interceptions last season (three). The Diamondbacks have a legitimate chance to repeat as district champions. Nathan Lambrecht nlambrecht@themonitor.com Sharyland High s Blake Klein scores a touchdown against Sharyland Pioneer during the second quarter of a game Oct. 14, 2016, at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission. 2 Sharyland High Coach: Ron Adame, 6th year 2016 record: 7-4, 6-2, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 5/3 Returning lettermen: 24 Key players: RB Blake Klein; QB Edgar Longoria; WR Gabriel Tamez; WR Sebastian Hinojosa; OL Joshua Williams; OL Gabriel Martinez; OL Xavier Luna; LB Javier Lopez. 2017 Outlook: Junior Edgar Longoria will take over the reins as the starting quarterback in 2017 after a brief stint as a backup last season. Longoria s four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown catapulted the Rattlers to an important win over Mission Veterans that wound up being the difference between a third- or a fourth-place finish in District 31-5A. Longoria will have plenty of protection in front of him including junior offensive tackle Joshua Williams (16 pancake blocks), junior offensive guard Gabriel Martinez (27 pancake blocks) and senior offensive guard Xavier Luna (30 pancake blocks). Klein is expected to see a lot of looks at the running back and wide receiver positions after leading 3 Rio Grande City Coach: Aaron Garcia, 2nd year 2016 record: 6-4, 4-4 Last playoff appearance: 2013 Returning starters (O/D): 6/8 Returning lettermen: 22 Key players: QB Jason Perez; WR Elias Cobos; OL Luis Salinas; OL Fernando Robles; OL Brando Jimenez; OL Mario Pena; LB Jeremy Gorena; LB Daniel Garcia; LB Luis Ortega; LB Matthew Soto; DB Izrael Lambert; DB Abraham Benavides; DB Mariano Reyes; DB Nicolas Cantu; DL Ivan Reyes. 2017 Outlook: Rio Grande City will have an embarrassment of riches at its disposal on the defensive side of the football. Among the eight returners to a defense that allowed opponents an average of 19.4 points per game last season are cornerback Abraham Benavides and safety Izrael Lambert. The two combined for nine interceptions in 2016, while Lambert doubled as the Rattlers fourthleading tackler. The combination of senior quarterback Jason Perez and senior linemen Luis Salinas, Fernando Robles, Brando Jimenez and Mario Pena should make for plenty of opportunities for Perez to challenge his team-leading 900 rushing yards from 2016. Despite a 6-4 record and 4-4 mark in district competition last season, returning 14 of 22 starters should give the Rattlers a golden opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013. SEE 31-5A ON PAGE 28
28 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 29 District 31-5A continued FROM PAGE 28 Mission Veterans Memorial Coach: David Gilpin, 9th year 2016 record: 8-5, 5-3, regional semifinal qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 4/4 Returning lettermen: 25 Key players: QB Landry Gilpin; WR Buda Gonzalez; WR Mikey Garcia; OL Nick Riley; OL Alex DeLeon; LB Joey Garcia; LB Jazz Vallejo; DB Giovanni Grimaldo; DB Aaron Fernandez; DL Sergio Garcia; DL Abram Martinez. 2017 Outlook: The Patriots reached the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs last season for the first time since Mission Veterans opened its doors in 2002. In the aftermath of their historic playoff run, the Patriots experienced a mass exodus of pieces instrumental to their success. Quarterback Diego Hernandez, who won The Monitor s All-Area Player of the Year honors after throwing for 4,175 yards and 45 touchdowns, graduated. Wide receivers Jacob Guerrero and Roman de Leon, who combined for 2,319 receiving yards and 25 touchdown catches, graduated along with Hernandez. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Lupe Rodriguez left to become PSJA High s head coach. The offense won t change much, as new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jeff Espino will work with Coach David Gilpin s son, Landry, to replace Hernandez at QB. Last season, Landry served as a wide receiver. Despite allowing more points than any other team in District 31-5A last season (31.5), the Patriots allowed 23.5 points on average in the five games leading up to their season-ending loss to Dripping Springs. A playoff spot could be on the horizon, especially if the team s defense is as much improved as it appears to be. 5 Coach: Antonio Villalon, 1st year 2016 record: 10-2, 7-1, area qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 4/6 Returning lettermen: 18 Key players: RB Emil Oliva; RB Esteban Guerra; QB J.C. Ayala; TE Fernando Hernandez; OL Marco Munoz; LB Felipe Vasquez; DB R.J. Guerrero; DL Chris Casas; DL Heriberto Garcia. 2017 Outlook: Antonio Villalon steps into the head coaching job vacated by Tommy Ramirez at Laredo Nixon. Ramirez was named the new Assistant Athletic Director of Laredo ISD in June. The run-first attack will have to overcome the loss of key offensive linemen. 6 Laredo Nixon Laredo Martin Coach: David Charles, 7th year 2016 record: 3-7, 3-5 Last playoff appearance: 2013 Returning starters (O/D): 7/6 Returning lettermen: 17 Key players: RB Federcio Mendez; QB Mathew Duron; WR Mathew Carreon; OL Anthony Alcorta; LB Joseph Liendo; LB Gerardo Maciel; DB Angel Davila. 2017 Outlook: Laredo Martin returns a familiar quarterback and wide receiver combination featuring QB Mathew Duron and WR Mathew Carreon. Carreon accounted for four of Duron s six touchdown passes as a sophomore. 7 Roma Coach: Frank Villanueva, 1st year 2016 record: 5-5, 3-5 Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 3/5 Returning lettermen: 14 Key players: RB Felix Gomez; QB Jesus Villarreal; OL Jose M. Garcia; OL Akileo Guerra; LB David Rios; LB Max Puente; DB Frankie Villanueva; DL Elder Manuel; DL Andres Trevino; DL Joel Barrera. 2017 Outlook: Frank Villanueva was named the new head coach at Roma on July 3, replacing Roma alum Max Habecker Jr., who left to become Edinburg North s new linebackers coach. Habecker spent 10 years at Roma, with Villanueva serving as his top assistant and defensive coordinator for seven of those years. Villanueva coached the best defensive unit in District 31-5A three times in seven years. As expected, a physical defense will be the calling card for the Gladiators in 2017. Senior defensive lineman Elder Manuel was a first-team all-district selection as a linebacker last season, while fellow senior Francisco Frankie Villanueva, son of the head coach, was a second-team all-district performer as a safety. The Gladiators will have a new signal caller at quarterback in 2017 with senior Jesus Villarreal, who has gotten most of the snaps with the first-team offense throughout August practice. 8 Valley View Coach: Eli Esquivel, 2nd year 2016 record: 2-8, 1-7 Last playoff appearance: None Returning starters (O/D): 5/5 Returning lettermen: 16 Key players: RB Jesus Acosta; QB Simon Fernandez; WR Ricardo Sanchez; WR Kevin Munoz; WR Alfredo Ruiz; OL Ernesto Preciado; LB Leo Cuellar; DB Armando Ayala; DL David Torres; DL Albino Mendez. 2017 Outlook: The Tigers made strides in 2016 by winning two games for the first time since 2013. Their offense should shoulder most of the load for the program. Senior Jesus Acosta will likely wear different hats again this season. Acosta is the team s top returning rusher (414 yards, two touchdowns) and kicker (12 for 12 on PATs, 4 for 5 on field goal attempts). Senior Ricardo Sanchez returns as the top wideout from last season (21 receptions, 371 yards, three touchdowns) and No. 1 return specialist (six kickoff returns, 145 yards; three punt returns, 16 yards). Fellow senior wide receiver Alfredo Ruiz (eight catches, 74 yards in 2016) will be another player to look out for. Junior Simon Fernandez, who played tight end and linebacker before his high school years, will be the new starting quarterback for Valley View this season. Fernandez led Valley View s junior varsity team to a 7-3 mark as its starting quarterback in 2016. 9 Laredo Cigarroa Coach: Carlo Hein, 2nd year 2016 record: 1-9, 0-8 Last playoff appearance: 2009 Returning starters (O/D): 4/4 Returning lettermen: 14 Key players: RB Isaac Solis; QB Freddy Sepulveda; WR Alex Guzman; OL Marco Pardo; LB Adtom Solis; LB Danny Diaz; LB Victor Gonzalez; DB Rolando Gonzalez; DL Albert Johnson. 2017 Outlook: Senior Isaac Solis (571 yards, 4.9 yards per carry, three touchdowns) will be the main offensive threat. Rolando Gonzalez and Danny Diaz combined for 242 tackles last season for the Toros, who head into year two of the Carlo Hein era.
30 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 31 L A N D G RY IL Class of 2019 Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 We support all P I N RGV Football Teams! CITY OF ALTON 509 South Alton Blvd. - Alton, Texas 956-432-0760 www.alton-tx.gov SEE GILPIN ON PAGE 33 Mission Veterans Landry Gilpin holds his helmet Aug. 19 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com We Support all Valley teams! Look for Daily High School Sports news in MA-30056689 Raymond R. Longoria Two Locations To Serve You! 2025 N. Conway Mission,TX 78572 956-581-1034 AUTO HOME LIFE FLOOD COMMERCIAL www.1800insure.com 303 W. Nolana McAllen Tx 78504 (956) 682-9560 GOOD LUCK MISSION TEAMS!!
32 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 33 preview LANDRY GILPIN BY NATE KOTISSO THE MONITOR Gilpin a familiar face at QB for Mission Veterans BY NATE KOTISSO THE MONITOR This was the plan all along. Some of it, anyway. Two years ago, Landry Gilpin won the starting quarterback job at Mission Veterans as a freshman. Gilpin made some youthful mistakes but was by no means a liability. Whatever inconsistency he may have had throwing the football (56.2 completion percentage), Gilpin offset with his legs, running for 895 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015. The Patriots won eight games and reached the area round of the playoffs with a freshman quarterback. The future was bright, for a moment. Before last season, Landry s dad, Mission Veterans coach David Gilpin, had the tough task of telling his son that the team would be going in a different direction under center. David decided to give the job to thensenior Diego Hernandez, moving Landry to wide receiver. Hernandez ran with it, Landry caught 13 touchdown passes, and the Patriots had their best season in school history. Hernandez is now playing Division I ball at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, and Landry is back under center. The plan is back on. The junior has already taken on a bigger responsibility with team communication. My freshman year was my first year with the team, Landry said. I was trying to get comfortable with the guys, staying quiet and letting everyone tell me where I needed to be. This year, I m more of a vocal leader. I learned everybody s positions on offense, so I know what everyone is supposed to be doing. Just having more of a voice is where I m different between two years ago and now. Coach Gilpin has seen improvement in his son, as well. He s had as good of a summer as you can have, David said. We had six weeks of summer conditioning, and he didn t miss a day. Four weeks of 7-on-7, and he didn t miss a game. Now, let s not act like he has a choice. He s the coach s son. But when you are here every day, you re going to get better. After spending a year at a different position, Landry needed to familiarize himself with quarterback again. The first thing I did after I got the job was ask my coaches what I needed to learn in terms of the playbook what kind of plays and coverages I needed to look at, Landry said. The next thing I did was call some of the receivers and ask them to come over and practice throwing to them, so I could get my timing down again. The offense will look a bit different because of who will call plays this season. Longtime offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Lupe Rodriguez left Mission Veterans to take his first head coaching job at PSJA High. Replacing Rodriguez will be Jeff Espino, another longtime Mission Veterans assistant. Coach Rodriguez left a legacy at this school, and I think the next best coach for his position would have been Coach Espino, Landry said. He s going to do the best job of helping us get better on and off the field. Landry doesn t anticipate many changes in terms of play-calling. We re definitely going to have a little more of a balance to it, Landry said. Definitely not a complete balance, because we re a passing team. We ll have some new running plays that ll help us find new ways of getting out on the edge. 1 Mercedes Coach: Roger Adame Jr., 4th year 2016 record: 7-5, 6-1, area qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 7/6 Returning lettermen: 27 Key players: RB Fabian Ledesma; QB Marc Ledesma; WR Matt Ledesma; OL Danny Melendez; OL J.J. Ortega; LB Bryan Smith; LB Eric Hinojosa; LB Roger Adame III; DB Ivan Vela; DL Jose Villareal. 2017 Outlook: Roger Adame Jr. returns a veteran Tigers team and projects about 16 of his 22 starters will be seniors. The unquestionable leader of the defense is Adame Jr. s son: linebacker Roger Adame III. Adame III won The Monitor s All-Area Defensive Player of the Year after piling up 21 sacks last season, but he is hardly the only strong part of the defense. Senior linebacker Bryan Smith led his team in tackles (152) and ranked third on the team in tackles for loss (17.0), while fellow senior linebacker Eric Hinojosa tacked on 138 tackles and 15 tackles for loss of his own. Quarterback Marc Ledesma will get his shot at leading the Mercedes offense in his senior year after spending time as the backup (six touchdowns, seven interceptions in 2016) and top receiver (29 receptions, 551 yards, three touchdowns). Fabian Ledesma will bring some stability to the Tigers backfield (486 yards, eight touchdowns on the ground last season). Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com Mercedes running back Fabian Ledesma (22) stiff arms an Edcouch-Elsa player during a game Oct. 14, 2016, in Mercedes. 2 Brownsville Veterans Memorial Coach: David Cantu, 6th year 2016 record: 8-3, 6-1, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 2/4 Returning lettermen: 17 Key players: RB Abel Martinez; QB Gustavo Vasquez; WR Gilbert Garcia; OL Sebastian Sosa; DB Aaron Recio; DB Sammy Chapa; DL Manny Yanez; DL Tommy Martinez. 2017 Outlook: David Cantu will have his work cut out for him. The Chargers coach lost nearly 40 seniors to graduation and has only six out of a possible 22 starters returning to the team this year. Among the players who are coming back are quarterback Gustavo Vasquez (1,328 yards rushing, 19 rushing touchdowns) and running back Abel Martinez (1,146 yards and 13 touchdowns on 10 yards per carry). 3 Brownsville Lopez Coach: Jason Starkey, 5th year 2016 record: 7-4, 5-2, bi-district qualifier Returning starters (O/D): N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Key players: WR Leo Alaniz; WR Jose Echavarria; WR Johnny Ibarra; OL Eduardo Rodriguez; OL Alexis Galvan; DL Pedro Garcia; DL Josue Lucio; DL Juan Rodriguez. 2017 Outlook: The dropdown from Class 6A to 5A that took effect last season benefitted Lopez greatly, as the Lobos finished 7-4 and qualified for the bi-district round of the state playoffs. It was the program s first playoff appearance in a decade. Coach Jason Starkey hopes that is something to build toward for the future of the program. 4 Edcouch-Elsa Coach: Joe Marichalar, 5th year 2016 record: 9-4, 5-2, regional semifinal qualifier Returning starters (O/D): 4/3 SEE 31-5A ON PAGE 34
34 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 35 continued continues under second-year coach Matthew Rokovich. Donna North won two games last season for the first time since the Chiefs began playing Returning lettermen: 19 Key players: RB Jorge Gomez; TE Mac a full schedule of games in 2014. Defense is where they will shine, Lara; OL Ricky Estimbo; OL Justin Ortiz; LB Adam Walle; DB John M. Gonzalez; DL Rokovich says, and they will be led in that regard by senior linebacker Aaron Vasquez. Gus Escalante. Escalante was a 2017 Outlook: Coach Joe Marichalar will certainly miss some important pieces second-team all-district performer in 2016. There was a battle for Donna from last year s team that made it to North s starting quarterback between the third round of the Class 5A playoffs. senior Gus Alvarez and junior C.J. Quarterback Marco Aguinaga, who Castillo in the preseason, but it threw 30 touchdowns and only three appears Castillo is the man for the interceptions in 2016, has graduated and will be replaced by rising junior Albert job. The 6-foot Castillo is making the switch to quarterback after Trevino. According to Marichalar, Trevino previously spending time between is the fastest player on the team, and the cornerback and safety positions. offensive coordinator Gene Garza will Among Donna North s six returning shape the offense around the talents starters on offense are senior running of his new quarterback. Trevino looked back Tony Gomez and senior receiver comfortable in E-E s scrimmage earlier Kory Harrison. Gomez led the team in this month, tossing two touchdown rushing a season ago, while Harrison passes against Rio Hondo. Running was named to the second-team allback Jorge Gomez returns for his senior district list for his efforts. year after posting 937 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and could see his offensive load expand in 2017. Tight end Mac Lara makes his long-awaited comeback to the varsity team after missing all of last season with a broken right tibia suffered during the Yellow Jackets scrimmage in 2016. FROM PAGE 28 5 Coach: Matthew Rokovich, 2nd year 2016 record: 2-8, 1-6 Last playoff appearance: None Returning starters (O/D): 6/8 Returning lettermen: 16 Key players: RB Tony Gomez; QB C.J. Castillo; WR Kory Harrison; WR Sergio Canales; OL Chris Mireles; OL Israel Martinez; LB Gus Escalante; LB Arath Martinez; DB Oscar Salas; DL Jesus Lagunes. 2017 Outlook: The slow build toward a consistent program Fellow inside linebacker J.P. Sandoval, a junior, is back after leading Donna in tackles (111) and garnering second-team all-district honors as a sophomore. 7 Donna High Coach: Ramiro Leal, 5th year 2016 record: 3-7, 2-5 Brownsville Pace Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 3/4 Returning lettermen: 23 Coach: Daniel Pardo, 1st year Key players: RB E.J. Alvarado; QB 2016 record: 3-7, 3-4 Hector Guerrero; WR Eddie Villarreal; WR Last playoff appearance: 2011 Daniel Nino; LB J.P. Sandoval; LB David Returning starters (O/D): 7/6 Galvan; LB Eric Rangel; DL Akin Ramirez. Returning lettermen: 21 2017 Outlook: Injuries ravaged the Key players: QB Randy Aguilar; OL Donna roster in 2016, so coach Ramiro Julio Hernandez; OL Austin Sulewski; LB Leal was forced to play players on both Robert Bermudez. sides of the football for the first time in 2017 Outlook: A new era begins four years as Donna High head coach. at Brownsville Pace. Bill Deen, Pace s Leal says he will likely have to use players coach since 2012, left the school to both ways again this year. Running back become the new offensive coordinator at was one of the spots where injuries Brownsville Porter back in April. Deen was depleted Donna. Leal named senior E.J. replaced by Daniel Pardo, who served Alvarado, who ran for 233 yards and a as Brownsville Pace s linebackers coach touchdown last season, as the starting under Deen. There is potential for a good tailback, but that won t be the only offense with seven returning starters on position he will play. Alvarado will also that side of the ball, but an inexperienced continue as a starter at inside linebacker defense, notably in the secondary, could for Donna High after recording 89 tackles be a hindrance. last season to rank second on the team. 6 Donna North Nathan Lambrecht nlambrecht@themonitor.com Donna North quarterback C.J. Castillo hands the ball off to running back Tony Gomez during practice Aug. 9 at Donna North High School in Donna. CLARK CHEVROLET 956-686-5441 801 Business 83 McAllen www.clarkchevrolet.com 8 Brownsville Porter Coach: Carlos Uresti, 1st year 2016 record: 0-10, 0-7 Last playoff appearance: 2015 Returning starters (O/D): 7/7 Returning lettermen: 20 Key players: QB Benjamin Eckersley; WR Jose Villalon; OL Diego Rivera; OL Adam Gonzalez; LB Christian Villa; LB Manny Sandoval. 2017 Outlook: The Cowboys hit rock bottom last season, failing to win a regular season game and prompting the resignation of head coach Tom Campos. Carlos Uresti, who served as Porter s offensive coordinator for the past four seasons, is now the head coach. With 14 returning starters, the Cowboys should be able to clear the relatively low bar of winning one game in 2017. Supporting all Valley Teams
36 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 37 Sub-Class 5A preview BY SAUL BERRIOS-THOMAS THE MONITOR Grulla MA-30056298 Coach: Abel Gonzalez III, 8th year 2016 record: 7-5, 4-0, area qualifier Last playoff appearance: 2016 Returning starters (O/D): 7/5 Returning lettermen: 16 Key players: QB Dillen Salinas; WR Miguel Flores; DT Derek Solis; CB/ WR Jay Solis; OL Jaime Rios; OL David Carillo; LB Luis Cabello. 2017 Outlook: Dillen Salinas takes over at quarterback for the Gators. Salinas has speed to burn and an accurate arm. He will bring a different dynamic from last year s All-District MVP Fabian Anzaldua, but he may be able to come close to the same level of production. Salinas will be helped by a strong group of skill players, led by receiver Miguel Flores. Salinas also benefits from having an experienced offensive line. Menacing defensive tackle Derek Solis leads the defense. The unit also lost some key seniors but looks to replace that productivity with a talented group of linebackers. In 2013, Grulla won the school s first bi-district title. Last year, Grulla won the first district title in school history. This year, the Gators could continue that growth by making it to the third round for the first time in program history. Delcia Lopez dlopez@themonitor.com Grulla wide receiver Miguel Flores runs through a drill duirng practice Aug. 4, 2016, at Grulla High School in Grulla. Progreso Coach: Frank Martinez, 1st year 2016 record: 2-8, 1-5 Last playoff appearance: 1990 Returning starters (O/D): 6/7 Returning lettermen: 11 Key players: QB Josh San Roman; S/RB Jose Medrano; LB Isaiah Valdez; WR Aldo Martinez; LB Mac Alvarez. 2017 Outlook: First-year coach Frank Martinez brings a lot of excitement to the program. He inherits some talented sophomores on offense. Josh San Roman at quarterback and Jose Medrano at running back are the best athletes on the team. With most starters playing both ways, the defense will need to get stops so that the Red Ants can find rest for their players. In a smaller district full of tough teams, the Red Ants face a difficult path to the playoffs part of the reason they haven t reached the postseason since 1990. They were one win away last season, and if they can find a way to break through, the team could make history this year. SEE SUB-5A ON PAGE 41
38 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR PSJA Wolverines HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 39 Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 Providing you with PROFESSIONAL and CARING SERVICES. 322 N Bicentennial Blvd Suite D McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 800-5355 926 W Nolana Loop, Ste A, Pharr, Texas Number: (956) 783-8500
40 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 41 Sub-Class 5A continued Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 FROM PAGE 37 Monte Alto Coach: Amos Salas, 1st year 2016 record: 2-7, 0-5 Last playoff appearance: None Returning starters (O/D): 4/3 Returning lettermen: 20 Key players: QB Joseph Cano; WR Matthew Baxter; DT/TE Eddie Sarrion; OL/DL Isaiah Reyna; WR Manolo Flores; WR Leo Salazar. 2017 Outlook: Sophomore Joseph Cano takes the reins at quarterback for the Blue Devils. Cano is wise beyond his years and has earned the trust of coach Amos Salas. Cano has the ability to audible at the line because of his knowledge of the offense. This will be Salas first year as a head coach, but he was the offensive coordinator at the school last season, so he has familiarity and trust with Cano. Salas has his players working in all three phases of the game, so his focus has been on conditioning. Salas is hopeful that more kids will join the team when the school year begins, giving the Blue Devils more depth and flexibility. qualifier Returning starters (O/D): N/A Returning lettermen: N/A Key players: QB Rey Felix; RB/LB Alexis Gonzalez; WR Damien Felix; WR Manuel Solis; WR/S Ramiro Ortiz; OL/ DL Manny Prieto; OL/DL Jose Rangel; OL/DL Donald Grant. 2017 Outlook: Rey Felix will be the quarterback for the Cardinals this season. Last year, he threw for 985 yards and nine touchdowns, but he also had 10 interceptions something coach Daniel Perez is trying to limit. Perez coached at La Villa before. During his previous stint with the Cardinals, from 2007-2012, Perez was the defensive coordinator for five years and the head coach for a year. Perez has only ever worked for two schools in his 23 years of coaching. He coached at his alma matter of Edcouch-Elsa for 12 years, then was at La Villa for six before spending that last four years back at E-E. Felix will be working with a talented offensive line and a good group of skill players around him. The defensive line is a strong point for the team, as well. With many players playing on both sides of the ball, the lines have a lot of crossover. La Villa also boasts an athletic secondary. In a district that typically requires only one win to qualify for the postseason, making the playoffs is no longer the goal. After an early playoff exit at the hands of eventual state champions Refugio in 2016, La Villa is eager to try to make some noise in the postseason. Nathan Lambrecht nlambrecht@themonitor.com Hidalgo coach Monty Stumbaugh talks with his players at the end of practice on Aug. 7 at Bill Pate Stadium in Hidalgo. Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 La Villa Coach: Daniel Perez, 1st year 2016 record: 1-10, 1-3, bi-district Hidalgo Coach: Monty Stumbaugh, 1st year 2016 record: 1-9, 0-4 Last playoff appearance: 2013 Returning starters (O/D): 6/4 Returning lettermen: 14 Key players: QB Marco Bella; RB Victor Alanis; RB/S Bryan Aleman; WR/ CB Ernie Solis; S Andrew Busby; DL/OL Daniel Maya; TE/DL Jose Armendariz; CB Angel Lopez. 2017 Outlook: New coach Monty Stumbaugh brings a pedigree of success to a Pirates team that is desperate to right the ship. Stumbaugh coached at Port Isabel for the last 16 years and only missed the playoffs twice in that span. He brings his power running offense to Hidalgo and has some talented backs to use in the system. Marco Bella takes over at quarterback, and he represents a true dualthreat option. He is one of the best athletes on the team, but his hard work in 7-on-7 and during the preseason have helped him finetune his passing game. The defense is also looking much improved from a year ago. Several players have stepped into new roles well, and the group is working as a unit. The new 4-3 defense is well suited to the personnel Hidalgo has in place.
42 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 43 10 games to Watch Can t miss matchups around the Valley in 2017 ictoria East at Edinburg Vela Friday, Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m. The last two meetings, both ela wins, included a 42-33 playff thriller in 2015 and a 63-62 vertime game for the ages in 016, so it s easy to see why the ematch will be a must-watch. ela is under new leadership, nd Victoria East is hungry for engeance. This time, the game ill be in Edinburg, and that may e a factor as the SaberCats look o make it three in a row. haryland High at Weslaco East Friday, Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m. Last year, the Wildcats only preailed by a touchdown. Now, the attlers will try to steal the showown on the road. It ll be a strong eek 1 test for both programs as hey prepare to try to live up to heir preseason hype. Sharyland ill have its work cut out, but the ame will be a learning experince regardless of the outcome s the Rattlers gear up for their arathon district schedule. Last eason, Sharyland went on to win ix of eight district games, while ast went three rounds deep in he playoffs. Perhaps the early ame benefited both. Both teams till want this one bad. callen Memorial at Weslaco ast Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. In battle of RGVSports.com reseason top 10 teams, the No. Mustangs will look for revenge rom last year s 37-29 home loss o the No. 2 Wildcats. East s J.C. argas was the best player on he field during last year s game, ith 165 all-purpose yards. Both eams will look to establish their ominant running back. Will it e East s Roy Pedraza or Memorial s Speights with the upper hand in the early season tilt? San Benito at McAllen Memorial Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. This game can go one of two ways: Valley No. 1 San Benito rolls to a victory and no one blinks an eye, or the Mustangs prove that they aren t only elite in comparison to their district. The Greyhounds thoroughly impressed last season, and even though Memorial finished district undefeated, their first-round playoff exit left a sour taste. This early bout is a good chance for the Mustangs to solidify their powerhouse reputation. Expect a packed house in McAllen. Weslaco High at Mercedes Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco is still in rebuilding mode and will need to be on high alert against a high-octane Mercedes squad. The Tigers went 6-1 in last year. This season, they ll look to take one more step: knocking off some 6A giants. And what better opportunity than beating their mid-valley neighbors? Edinburg Vela at Edinburg North Thursday, Sept. 28, 7 p.m. City rivalry, district rivalry. There s a lot to like in this District 31-6A opener. Vela has a lot to prove with a new coach. North s Cristian Flores, who was a standout running back for Vela last year, will be facing his old team, looking to show them what they are missing. Weslaco East at Weslaco High Friday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m. This rivalry has implications beyond just two high schools that don t care very much for each other. Last year, one game separated the last team in and the first team out of the playoff race in District 32-6A. Surprise, surprise, it was Weslaco High out first and East with the fourth playoff spot. The Panthers will be looking for payback, but more importantly a trip back to the postseason. Nathan Lambrecht nlambrecht@themonitor.com Mercedes Matthew Gracia is tackled by Weslaco High s Jacob Gracia during a game Sept. 9, 2016, at Bobby Lackey Stadium in Wesalco. Below, Sharyland High s Noe Guzman (25) and Javi Lopez (50) stop Weslaco East running back Roy Pedraza (5) during a game on Aug. 26, 2016, at Sharyland High School in Mission. Weslaco East at San Benito Friday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. Last season, the Wildcats were the No. 4 seed that shocked their playoff opponents. This year, it ll be impossible for Weslaco East to fly under the radar after their third-round playoff appearance. The spotlight is not a foreign land for either team, but both will need to show up under the bright lights to stay near the top of the district and in the playoff hunt. Brownsville Veterans at Mercedes Friday, Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. One of the Lower Valley s most exciting teams in Brownsville Vets will have its work cut out in this October clash. The winner of this game should win the district, and it could very well decide the best sub-6a team in the entire Valley. Grulla at Hidalgo Friday, Nov. 3, 7:30 p.m. Both teams bring new quarterbacks to the District 16-4A Division I rivalry game. These games always carry huge baggage because of the teams Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com four-game district seasons that don t get started until late in the year. Last year, Grulla routed Hidalgo, 46-0. This year, Hidalgo and new coach Monty Stumbaugh look to return the favor. MA-30057090 POST SECONDARY DISTRICT OF CHAMPIONS Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274
44 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 45 We re Proud To Support Donna ISD Good Luck Teams! The time is here to better your career Teleperformance Edinburg, Texas NOW HIRING!!!!! Apply online at: www.teleperformance.com An exciting career begins at Teleperformance Complete you online application Pass Testing/Interview/Background /Drug Screen Bring 2 forms of ID such as a driver s license and SS card. Come with 2-3 hours to spare. Please join us for open interviews being held here at our Teleperformance Location 1071 S Closner Blvd Edinburg, TX PH: 956-388-8500 Open Monday - Friday From: 8:00am to 4:30pm Real Estate Law 3700 N. 10th Street Suite 309 McAllen, Texas 78501 956-800-4340 www.gflawoffcesmcallen.com
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48 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE XF MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 49 A L B E R T Class of 2019 T REV Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 I Ñ O POST SECONDARY SEE TREVIÑO ON PAGE 51 Edcouch-Elsa s Albert Treviño holds his helmet Aug. 19 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com MA-30057089 DISTRICT OF CHAMPIONS
50 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 51 We Support Valley Teams WESLACO 956-969-3291 909 W. Bus. Hwy. 83 2014 Allstate Insurance Co. Myriam Guerra Serving The Rio Grande Valley! Here to help protect you! MCALLEN 956-664-2511 1309 E. Pecan Blvd. GOOD LUCK! BY NATE KOTISSO THE MONITOR Edcouch-Elsa junior Albert Trevino doesn t feel much has changed, even if the circumstances around him have. In 2016, Trevino served as a backup quarterback to senior Marco Aguinaga, whose 30 touchdown passes to just three interceptions were a big reason the Yellow Jackets won nine games and qualified for the regional semifinal round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Aguinaga and his top three targets at wide receiver have moved on, and Trevino will be leading the offense this season. I haven t done anything different. I ve ALBERT TREVIÑO E-E s Treviño emerges out of the shadows as QB done the same things I ve always done in the summer, Trevino said. Going to quarterback camps in South Texas and UTSA and working out with the guys here. Attending summer camps taught Trevino a lot about himself. I need to work even harder, Trevino said. I need to be a captain, a leader for my offense and my whole team. Coming into practice every day last year, Marco would always tell me that I had to step into his shoes. I m trying to do the same thing as him, but a little bit better. Not trying to be better than him, but taking the leadership role and making it mine. Trevino had a brief audition at quarterback, if it could be called that, as a sophomore. With a playoff spot already secured, Edcouch-Elsa coach Joe Marichalar subbed out Aguinaga for Trevino during the team s regularseason finale against Brownsville Porter. Trevino threw the ball twice, completing both attempts, including one for a touchdown, in E-E s 42-point win. Despite his potential as a thrower, Marichalar is more bullish on Trevino s scrambling ability. (Albert) is probably the fastest guy on the team, Marichalar said. He s more of a quick guy, a speedster, a breakaway guy. But, if he needs to throw, he can throw. We are going to see how Albert does, and we are going to rally around him. I like the running the option a little bit more, Trevino said. I can throw it if I have to, but my best weapon is running the ball. In Edcouch-Elsa s Aug. 18 scrimmage against Rio Hondo, Trevino looked like he might have the goods passing the ball, throwing for two touchdowns. For Trevino, this season will repay the commitment the coaching staff made to him years ago. Coming into ninth grade, the coaches told me I would be projected to be the quarterback after Marco left, Trevino said. I kept those words in mind and have been working hard since. I always knew I had this in me. As long as you re willing to work for it, you can get whatever you want.
52 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR 2017 Valley football schedule Week 1 Thursday, Aug. 31 Non-District arlingen High vs. Mission Veterans at McAllen Veterans emorial Stadium, 7 p.m. a Joya Juarez-Lincoln at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m. callen Rowe at Edinburg High, 7 p.m. io Grande City at La Joya High, 7 p.m. rownsville Porter vs. Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1 Non-District onna High at Valley View, 7:30 p.m. dinburg Economedes at Brownsville Hanna, :30 p.m. rulla at Brownsville St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m. arlingen South at McAllen High, 7:30 p.m. idalgo at Santa Rosa, 7:30 p.m. a Feria at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m. a Villa at Riviera-Kaufer, 7:30 p.m. os Fresnos at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m. yford at Progreso, 7:30 p.m. callen Memorial at Sharyland Pioneer, 7:30 p.m. ercedes at Corpus Christi Calallen, 7:30 p.m. ission High at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m. SJA High at Donna North, 7:30 p.m. harr Oratory at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. oma at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m. haryland High at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m. ictoria East at Edinburg Vela, 7:30 p.m. aredo United at San Benito, 7:30 p.m. inton at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m. rownsville Lopez at Port Isabel, 7:30 p.m. MA at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 Non-District Brownsville Veterans at Edinburg North, 6 p.m. Weslaco High at Richmond George Ranch, 6 p.m. Zapata at Laredo Cigarroa, 6 p.m. PSJA Southwest at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m. Week 2 Thursday, Sept. 7 Non-District dinburg High at Brownsville Lopez, 7 p.m. dcouch-elsa at Edinburg Vela, 7 p.m. arlingen High at Laredo United South, 7 p.m. arlingen South at PSJA High, 7 p.m. SJA Memorial at McAllen High, 7 p.m. oma at La Joya High, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 Non-District Donna High at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m. Donna North at Laredo Martin, 7:30 p.m. Edinburg North at Sharyland High, 7:30 p.m. Falfurrias at La Feria, 7:30 p.m. McAllen Memorial at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m. Mercedes at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m. Mission High at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m. La Joya Palmview at Edinburg Economedes, 7:30 p.m. La Villa at Santa Rosa, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Southwest at CC Veterans, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at Grulla, 7:30 p.m. Rio Grande City at Zapata, 7:30 p.m. Rio Hondo at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. Santa Maria at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. Valley View at Hidalgo, 7:30 p.m. San Benito at San Antonio East Central, 7:30 p.m. Lyford at Brownsville St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m. Benavides at MMA, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Hanna at Brownsville Porter, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9 Non-District Sharyland Pioneer at Brownsville Pace, 11 a.m. San Antonio Marshall at Weslaco High, 2 p.m. Brownsville Rivera at Brownsville Veterans, 7 p.m. Week 3 Thursday, Sept. 14 Non-District Brownsville Porter at McAllen Rowe, 7 p.m. Edinburg North at Harlingen South, 7 p.m. Grulla at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m. La Joya Palmview at Edinburg High, 7 p.m. PSJA High at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 District 31-5A Laredo Cigarroa at Sharyland Pioneer, 7 p.m. Laredo Martin at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m. Roma at Laredo Nixon, 7:30 p.m. Valley View at Rio Grande City, 7:30 p.m. Non-District Brownsville Lopez at PSJA Memorial, 7:30 p.m. Donna North at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. Edinburg Vela at Brownsville Veterans, 7:30 p.m. La Joya High at Donna High, 7:30 p.m. McAllen High at Los Fresnos, 7:30 p.m. Port Isabel at Hidalgo, 7:30 p.m. Riviera-Kaufer at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. San Benito at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m. Santa Gertrudis Academy at La Villa, 7:30 p.m. Santa Rosa at Progreso, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco East at Edinburg Economedes, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco High at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m. San Antonio Reagan at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m. Rio Hondo at Brownsville St. Joseph, 7:30 p.m. Corpus Christi Veterans at La Feria, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at Lyford, 7:30 p.m. Corpus Christi London at MMA, 7:30 p.m. Corpus Christi John Paul at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. Agua Dulce at Pharr Oratory, 7:30 p.m. Crystal City at Zapata, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 Non-District Mission High at Brownsville Hanna, 7 p.m. Week 4 Thursday, Sept. 21 District 31-5A Rio Grande City at Laredo Martin, 7 p.m. Non-District Los Fresnos at McAllen Memorial, 7 p.m. Friday Sept. 22 District 31-5A Mission Veterans at Roma, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland High at Valley View, 7:30 p.m. Non-District Bishop at La Villa, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Pace at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m. Eagle Pass Winn at Mission High, 7:30 p.m. Hidalgo at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m. La Feria at Port Isabel, 7:30 p.m. La Joya High at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m. Lyford at Grulla, 7:30 p.m. Monte Alto at CC John Paul II, 7:30 p.m. Progreso at Hebbronville, 7:30 p.m. Victoria East at McAllen High, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville St. Joseph at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m. Santa Rosa at Aransas Pass, 7:30 p.m. Pettus at MMA, 7:30 p.m. Santa Maria at Benavides, 7:30 p.m. Carrizo Springs at Zapata, 7:30 p.m. Week 5 Thursday Sept. 28 District 31-6A Edinburg Vela at Edinburg North, 7 p.m. PSJA North at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m. District 32-6A Brownsville Hanna vs. Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m. District 31-5A Laredo Cigarroa at Mission Veterans, 7 p.m. Roma at Rio Grande City, 7 p.m. Edcouch-Elsa at Donna North, 7 p.m. Brownsville Lopez vs. Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 District 30-6A La Joya High at Mission High, 7:30 p.m. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m. McAllen Memorial at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg Economedes at Edinburg High, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Southwest at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Weslaco East at Weslaco High, 7:30 p.m. Los Fresnos at San Benito, 7:30 p.m. Harlingen South vs. Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Laredo Martin at Sharyland High, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland Pioneer at Laredo Nixon, 7:30 p.m. Mercedes at Donna High, 7:30 p.m. Non-District Benavides at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. Hidalgo at Rockport-Fulton, 7:30 p.m. La Villa at Lyford, 7:30 p.m. Progreso at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. Rio Hondo at Grulla, 7:30 p.m. Santa Rosa at La Feria, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville St. Joseph at Port Isabel, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at Kingsville King, 7:30 p.m. Pharr Oratory at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. Riviera at MMA, 7:30 p.m. Zapata at Falfurrias, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 Brownsville Pace vs. Brownsville Veterans, 7 p.m. Week 6 Thursday, Oct. 5 District 30-6A McAllen High at La Joya High, 7 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg North at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m. PSJA Memorial at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m. District 31-5A Valley View at Laredo Martin, 7 p.m. Donna North at Brownsville Lopez, 7 p.m. Non-District Grulla at McAllen Rowe, 7 p.m. MMA at Port Isabel JV, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 District 30-6A La Joya Palmview at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m. Mission High at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg High at Edinburg Vela, 7:30 p.m. PSJA High at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A San Benito at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco High at Brownsville Hanna, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Rivera at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m. Harlingen South at Los Fresnos, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Mission Veterans at Sharyland Pioneer, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland High at Roma, 7:30 p.m. Rio Grande City at Laredo Cigarroa, 7:30 p.m. Donna High at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Veterans at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m. Non-District Benavides at La Villa, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville St. Joseph at Hidalgo, 7:30 p.m. Progreso at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 Brownsville Porter vs. Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m. Week 7 Thursday, Oct. 12 District 30-6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at Mission High, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg High at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m. PSJA North at Edinburg North, 7 p.m. Brownsville Lopez at Donna High, 7 p.m. Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Veterans, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13 District 30-6A McAllen Memorial at McAllen High, 7:30 p.m. McAllen Rowe at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A PSJA Southwest at Edinburg Vela, 7:30 p.m. Edinburg Economedes at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Harlingen High at Weslaco High, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco East at Los Fresnos, 7:30 p.m. San Benito at Brownsville Rivera, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Hanna at Harlingen South, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Laredo Nixon at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m. Roma at Valley View, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland Pioneer at Rio Grande City, 7:30 p.m. Laredo Cigarroa at Sharyland High, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Porter at Donna North, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DI Kingsville King at Hidalgo, 7:30 p.m. Zapata at La Feria, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DII Progreso at Orange Grove, 7:30 p.m. Port Isabel at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at West Oso, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DI Falfurrias at Lyford, 7:30 p.m. San Diego at Santa Rosa, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DII Monte Alto at CC London, 7:30 p.m. District 16-2A DI Ben Bolt at La Villa, 7:30 p.m. Three Rivers at Freer, 7:30 p.m. Non-district MMA at Premont, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 Mercedes at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m. Week 8 Thursday, Oct. 19 District 30-6A Mission High at McAllen Rowe, 7 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg Vela at PSJA Memorial, 7 p.m. PSJA High at Edinburg High, 7 p.m. District 31-5A Valley View at Laredo Cigarroa, 7 p.m. Donna High at Brownsville Porter, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 District 30-6A La Joya High at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m. McAllen High at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg North at Edinburg Economedes, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Southwest at PSJA North, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Brownsville Rivera at Weslaco High, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco East at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m. Los Fresnos at Brownsville Hanna, 7:30 p.m. Harlingen South at San Benito, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Laredo Martin at Roma, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland High at Sharyland Pioneer, 7:30 p.m. Rio Grande City at Laredo Nixon, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Pace at Donna North, 7:30 p.m. Mercedes at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DI Grulla at Zapata, 7:30 p.m. La Feria at Kingsville King, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DII Progreso at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m. Orange Grove at Port Isabel, 7:30 p.m. Rio Hondo at West Oso, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DI Lyford at Bishop, 7:30 p.m. Santa Gertrudis at Santa Rosa, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DII Monte Alto at Hebbronville, 7:30 p.m. District 16-2A DI Freer at Ben Bolt, 7:30 p.m. Santa Maria at Three Rivers, 7:30 p.m. Non-district Brownsville St. Joseph at MMA, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 Brownsville Veterans vs. Brownsville Lopez, 7 p.m. Week 9 Thursday, Oct. 26 District 31-6A Edinburg Economedes at PSJA Southwest, 7 p.m. PSJA North at Edinburg Vela, 7 p.m. Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m. District 16-4A DI Kingsville King at Grulla, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 District 30-6A La Joya Juarez-Lincoln at La Joya High, 7:30 p.m. La Joya Palmview at Mission High, 7:30 p.m. McAllen Rowe at McAllen High, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg High at Edinburg North, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Memorial at PSJA High, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Brownsville Rivera at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco High at Harlingen South, 7:30 p.m. Harlingen High at Los Fresnos, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Mission Veterans at Rio Grande City, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland Pioneer at Valley View, 7:30 p.m. Laredo Nixon at Sharyland High, 7:30 p.m. Donna North at Donna High, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Lopez at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Porter at Brownsville Veterans, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DI Hidalgo at La Feria, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DII Port Isabel at Progreso, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DI Santa Rosa at Lyford, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DII Odem at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. District 16-2A DI Ben Bolt at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. La Villa at Freer, 7:30 p.m. TAPPS San Aantonio Central Catholic at Brownsville St. Joseph, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 District 32-6A San Benito at Brownsville Hanna, 7 p.m. Week 10 Thursday, Nov. 2 District 30-6A McAllen Memorial at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 7 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg Vela at PSJA High, 7 p.m. PSJA North at Edinburg Economedes, 7 p.m. District 31-5A Valley View at Laredo Nixon, 7 p.m. Brownsville Veterans at Donna North, 7 p m. Edcouch-Elsa at Brownsville Lopez, 7 p.m. District 16-3A DI Lyford at Santa Gertrudis, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 District 30-6A La Joya High at McAllen Rowe, 7:30 p.m. McAllen High at La Joya Palmview, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg North at PSJA Memorial, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Southwest at Edinburg High, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Harlingen South at Weslaco East, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco High at San Benito, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Hanna at Harlingen High, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Laredo Martin at Sharyland Pioneer, 7:30 p.m. Roma at Laredo Cigarroa, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland High at Mission Veterans, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Pace at Donna High, 7:30 p.m. Mercedes at Brownsville Porter, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DI Grulla at Hidalgo, 7:30 p.m. Zapata at Kingsville King, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DII Progreso at West Oso, 7:30 p.m. Port Isabel at Raymondville, 7:30 p.m. Orange Grove at Rio Hondo, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DI Falfurrias at Santa Rosa, 7:30 p.m. Lyford at Santa Gertrudis Academy, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DII Monte Alto at Banquete, 7:30 p.m. District 16-2A DI Santa Maria at La Villa, 7:30 p.m. Three Rivers at Ben Bolt, 7:30 p.m. Non-district MMA at Pharr Oratory, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 District 32-6A Los Fresnos at Brownsville Rivera, 7 p.m. Non-district Brownsville St. Joseph at Fort Worth All Saints, 2 p.m. Week 11 Thursday, Nov. 9 District 30-6A Mission High at McAllen High, 7 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg High at PSJA North, 7 p.m. PSJA High at Edinburg North, 7 p.m. Brownsville Lopez at Brownsville Pace, 7 p.m. District 16-3A DII Skidmore-Tynan at Monte Alto, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 District 30-6A La Joya Palmview at La Joya High, 7:30 p.m. McAllen Rowe at McAllen Memorial, 7:30 p.m. District 31-6A Edinburg Economedes at Edinburg Vela, 7:30 p.m. PSJA Memorial at PSJA Southwest, 7:30 p.m. District 32-6A Los Fresnos at Weslaco High, 7:30 p.m. Weslaco East at Brownsville Hanna, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Rivera at Harlingen South, 7:30 p.m. Harlingen High at San Benito, 7:30 p.m. District 31-5A Mission Veterans at Valley View, 7:30 p.m. Sharyland Pioneer at Roma, 7:30 p.m. Rio Grande City at Sharyland High, 7:30 p.m. Donna North at Mercedes, 7:30 p.m. Brownsville Porter at Edcouch-Elsa, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DI Hidalgo at Zapata, 7:30 p.m. La Feria at Grulla, 7:30 p.m. District 16-4A DII Rio Hondo at Progreso, 7:30 p.m. West Oso at Port Isabel, 7:30 p.m. Raymondville at Orange Grove, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DI San Diego at Lyford, 7:30 p.m. Santa Rosa at Bishop, 7:30 p.m. District 16-3A DII Skidmore-Tynan at Monte Alto, 7:30 p.m. District 16-2A DI Freer at Santa Maria, 7:30 p.m. La Villa at Three Rivers, 7:30 p.m. TAPPS Brownsville St. Joseph at San Antonio Antonian, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11 Donna High at Brownsville Veterans, 2 p.m. A non-profit housing initiative Since 1976 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 53 GET BLIMPIE D MCALLEN Weslaco The path to owning a home just got a whole lot easier! 1420 Erie Ave, McAllen, Texas 78501 NMLS# 346848 956.687.6263 www.ahsti.org Subdivisions in: Alamo Donna Edinburg McAllen Mercedes Pharr San Juan San Benito Weslaco Online ordering available at www.eon5togo.us 120 West Fifth St. Weslaco, Texas (956) 351-5212 2825 Pecan Blvd. McAllen, Texas (956) 627-3329
54 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 55 A A R O N Class of 2020 N IX McALLEN HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS O N Photo by Trevino's Photography 781-5274 POST SECONDARY SEE NIXON ON PAGE 56 DISTRICT OF CHAMPIONS McAllen High s Aaron Nixon holds his helmet Aug. 19 at PSJA Stadium in Pharr. Joel Martinez jmartinez@themonitor.com
56 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 57 AARON NIXON McHi s Nixon brings his show to Friday nights BY NATHANIEL MATA THE MONITOR McAllen High sophomore quarterback Aaron Nixon has been a part of plenty of big games before. Most of the time, he s wearing baseball pants and equipped with a glove. His skills on the diamond are well documented. The sophomore was a verbal commit to the University of Texas before he ever walked the halls of McAllen High School. But his prestige on the baseball field and ability to locate his fastball will only take him so far when the Friday night lights turn on. Even when I was up in Georgia (at the Perfect Game showcase), I was throwing the football around with some of the guys that play, Nixon said. I threw a lot of 7-on-7 and just worked out a lot with the guys, wide receivers. The weapons are evident for his team. The field general is the piece that could push McHi back into a playoff position. We ve just got to be fast on the ball, Nixon said. We have all the tools. We just need to execute. Nixon isn t being handed the keys to the Bulldogs offense because of what he did on the baseball field. He spent all of fall camp competing and growing at the quarterback position with Bulldogs returner J.R. Cortez. Coach Kevin Brewer s response to who would be the starter told a lot about his philosophy. All the decision-making will come from what he sees in front of him, regardless of the past. J.R. had a great spring and a great offseason. Aaron had a great run with baseball playoffs and did a great job, Brewer said. Yeah, it s an open battle, and those two are competing. The cream will rise to the top, and it s a win-win for us. Whoever winds up being that guy, we re going to have a great No. 2 behind him. Something Bulldogs fans won t have to worry about is a lack of focus from Nixon. He might play two sports at a high level, but he plays them one at a time. No showcases or time away from the pads. During football season, I m full football. Come baseball season, I m full baseball, Nixon said. That s good news for everyone involved, because his work ethic is hard to knock. Brewer said the same, with no doubt Nixon will be dialed in. Not at all. Aaron s a very intelligent young man, Brewer said. Obviously, he s very physically gifted, and there s nothing holding him back. He s got a lot of confidence. J.R. has a lot of confidence. It s going to be a great battle. In baseball, Nixon pitches and plays shortstop, two positions that demand accuracy and decision-making. But when asked if throwing in the 90 mph range off the mound and having such a cannon in the field helps him at QB, Nixon admitted it s a different art altogether. It s kind of totally opposite, he said. I m still throwing the ball, it s just different. He hopes to help his team rise above, just the same as he did in his other pair of cleats. I humbly ask that you join me as we move Edinburg Forward Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274 Political ad paid by Richard Molina Honoring Existing Prepaid Funeral Supporting All Valley Teams!! Plans from funeral home Cremations Traditionmal Burials Ship-outs In-House Flower Shop Large Chapels with HD screens Live internet streaming Monthly Payment Plans Reception Room Lee Castro Funeral Director /LegacyChapelsRGV www.legacychapelsrgv.com 4610 S. Jackson Rd. (956) 619-5900
58 XF HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW THE MONITORTHE MONITOR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 59 Memorial Cremation Center 208 E. Canton, Edinburg, TX 78539 956-720-4449 WE ARE PROUD TO BE FAMILY OWNED DEDICATED TO THE CARE OF THOSE WE SERVE Direct Cremation $795 Immediate Need GO SABERCATS!! Photo by Trevino s Digital 783-5274