No. 1 Brownsville St. Joseph
The Bloodhounds lead off the RGVSports.com Sub-5A Preseason Poll at No. 1 with several key pieces returning in important positions for the 2024 campaign. Junior quarterback Gavin Cisneros accounted for over 2,800 total yards and 24 touchdowns last season and has two dangerous weapons to get the ball to in Claudio Torres (61 receptions, 793 yards, five touchdowns) and Andre Cristiano (42 receptions, 519 yards, four touchdowns). Senior offensive/defensive lineman Diego De la Cruz, who recently committed to play college football at the University of Texas at El Paso, moves bodies on the front line to set the tone on both sides of the ball. Emile Gonzalez also anchors the D-line to lead the Bloodhounds’ front seven while Torres (58 tackles, seven tackles for loss) goes both ways to star in the St. Joseph secondary.
No. 2 Port Isabel
The Port Isabel Tarpons begin the year in pursuit of a third straight District 16-4A DII title, and with an experienced group that brings back 14 starters, a three-peat is a real possibility. Fifth-year head coach Tony Villarreal and the Tarpons finished with a 9-3 overall record last season and advanced to the area round.
This season, Port Isabel looks to ride its Slot-T offense to another district title and hopefully past the area round.
The Tarpons are led by a pair of seniors in the trenches with defensive end Christopher Gonzalez anchoring the P.I. defense, while guard Steven Martinez leads the offensive line. Gonzalez was named 16-4A DII’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and earned Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A Third Team All-State honors with 62 total tackles, 28 hurries, 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He’ll also see action at tight end to aid the offense.
Look for running back Luis Ramos to lead the Tarpons backfield after posting 780 yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 85 carries last season with sophomore Bryan Martinez set for his second year starting at quarterback. Defensively, linebackers Edward Garza and Daniel Galvan both earned all-district honors and are expected to take another step forward.
No. 3 Rio Hondo
Rio Hondo is loaded with 13 returning starters and playmakers on both sides of the ball entering the 2024 season. The Bobcats have one of the Valley’s top quarterback-receiver connections in the form of seniors Ruben Atkinson and Keyan Lopez. Atkinson threw for 2,423 yards and 20 scores last season while Lopez caught 47 passes for 829 yards and 13 touchdowns. Lopez doubles as a linebacker after tallying 151 total tackles, four sacks and two interceptions in 2023, all team-highs. Seniors Nate Sosa and Gavin Perez also provide solid targets at receiver for Atkinson. The Bobcats will be a threat in 16-3A DI with their playmakers leading the way.
No. 4 Lyford
The Bulldogs round out the RGVSports.com Sub-5A top teams after finishing as runners-up in District 16-3A DI in 2023.
The Lyford offense will have a new starter at quarterback for the third consecutive season but that hasn’t stopped the Bulldogs from putting up big numbers. Senior Adrian Chavez is set to take over quarterback duties after a standout junior season spent at receiver and safety. He posted 860 receiving yards, 188 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. He’ll team with running back and linebacker Pedro Rosas, who rushed for 600 yards and five scores last season, to keep the chains moving. The Bulldogs also have some beef on the offensive line and front seven with two-way players Gael Silva, Aiden Rubalcaba and Alex Castro. Lyford has the tools to compete for another district title in a competitive 16-3A DI.
