Post by CC_Varmints on May 17, 2013 11:32:10 GMT -6
From DCTF:
Texas is a football-crazy state - heck, you're reading TexasFootball.com right now, so we would know. And knowing that, I think I can say with some authority that there may be no more rabid group of high school football fans in the state than those in the Rio Grande Valley.
Folks along the Rio Grande love their high school football, and are fiercely passionate for their teams and their region. This is despite the fact that the RGV hasn't brought home a state title in more than 50 years - Donna's 1961 squad was the last win a championship. But that doesn't stop them from heading out every Friday night to their local stadium and cheering, loudly and without fail.
And like every team in the state, hope springs anew in the Rio Grande Valley in 2013. It's another chance not just to watch their teams, but perhaps for one of the teams to break through and challenge on a statewide level.
There are a lot of teams in the Rio Grande Valley - take a look at a map sometime and see just how many huge cities and little towns make up the beautiful border - but we here at DCTF have our eyes on a few of them heading into 2013. Which Valley teams look poised to make some noise in 2013? Here's an admittedly incomplete list of teams we're excited to see take the field.
5A: Mission Sharyland
The first year under coach Ron Adame was a good one for the Rattlers, going 12-1 in the process, and the 2013 version could be even better. Even without all-everything athlete Tres Barrera, there is a lot to like about this squad: LB Joey Esquivel (an honorable mention All-State player), OL Richard Cervantes (a monstrously strong tackle entering his third season) and WR Christian Martinez (hauled in 39 catches for 582 yards and 8 TDs last year). If they can find a quarterback - a task that will likely fall to junior Lance Madden - the Rattlers could be in business.
3A: Port Isabel
You know what I like about the Tarpons this season? They've got great players in the 'dirty work' positions. Like DE Jacques Guillot, a monster who recorded 80 tackles (15 TFL) and 8 sacks a year ago, and OL Mark Benavides, a mammoth 330-pounder who can dominate the line of scrimmage. Skill position players are still at a bit of a premium, as you should expect guys like RBs Jacob Losoya, Jaime Gonzalez and Juan Aguitera to do the bulk of the running in the multiple-I offense, but if you like hard-nosed, tough football, Port Isabel's your team.
2A: San Diego
It was a great year that ended miserably for San Diego, as their unbeaten season came to a screeching halt with a loss in their first playoff game. But coach Bo Ochoa is going to rev up that Slot-T offense again, and there's plenty of reason to think it'll be better than ever. Big OL J.D. Lopez leads the way for RBs Matt Valdez and Johnathan Gonzalez, and the defense, anchored by DB John Herrera, should take a step forward. It's been a while since we've had a real contender in 2A from the Valley; maybe the Vaqueros change that this season.
1A: La Villa
Looking for a deep, deep sleeper in 1A? The Cardinals may be your team. Coach Daniel Perez is entering his second year as head coach, and the first year was a pretty darn good one, going 9-2. And QB Robert Serna is back after racking up 1,000 yards passing and almost 1,000 yards rushing. Combine that with an experienced defense anchored by LB Arturo Garza and DT Ramon Serna, and you've got a recipe for a winner. Keep an eye on the Cardinals; I know we will.
Texas is a football-crazy state - heck, you're reading TexasFootball.com right now, so we would know. And knowing that, I think I can say with some authority that there may be no more rabid group of high school football fans in the state than those in the Rio Grande Valley.
Folks along the Rio Grande love their high school football, and are fiercely passionate for their teams and their region. This is despite the fact that the RGV hasn't brought home a state title in more than 50 years - Donna's 1961 squad was the last win a championship. But that doesn't stop them from heading out every Friday night to their local stadium and cheering, loudly and without fail.
And like every team in the state, hope springs anew in the Rio Grande Valley in 2013. It's another chance not just to watch their teams, but perhaps for one of the teams to break through and challenge on a statewide level.
There are a lot of teams in the Rio Grande Valley - take a look at a map sometime and see just how many huge cities and little towns make up the beautiful border - but we here at DCTF have our eyes on a few of them heading into 2013. Which Valley teams look poised to make some noise in 2013? Here's an admittedly incomplete list of teams we're excited to see take the field.
5A: Mission Sharyland
The first year under coach Ron Adame was a good one for the Rattlers, going 12-1 in the process, and the 2013 version could be even better. Even without all-everything athlete Tres Barrera, there is a lot to like about this squad: LB Joey Esquivel (an honorable mention All-State player), OL Richard Cervantes (a monstrously strong tackle entering his third season) and WR Christian Martinez (hauled in 39 catches for 582 yards and 8 TDs last year). If they can find a quarterback - a task that will likely fall to junior Lance Madden - the Rattlers could be in business.
3A: Port Isabel
You know what I like about the Tarpons this season? They've got great players in the 'dirty work' positions. Like DE Jacques Guillot, a monster who recorded 80 tackles (15 TFL) and 8 sacks a year ago, and OL Mark Benavides, a mammoth 330-pounder who can dominate the line of scrimmage. Skill position players are still at a bit of a premium, as you should expect guys like RBs Jacob Losoya, Jaime Gonzalez and Juan Aguitera to do the bulk of the running in the multiple-I offense, but if you like hard-nosed, tough football, Port Isabel's your team.
2A: San Diego
It was a great year that ended miserably for San Diego, as their unbeaten season came to a screeching halt with a loss in their first playoff game. But coach Bo Ochoa is going to rev up that Slot-T offense again, and there's plenty of reason to think it'll be better than ever. Big OL J.D. Lopez leads the way for RBs Matt Valdez and Johnathan Gonzalez, and the defense, anchored by DB John Herrera, should take a step forward. It's been a while since we've had a real contender in 2A from the Valley; maybe the Vaqueros change that this season.
1A: La Villa
Looking for a deep, deep sleeper in 1A? The Cardinals may be your team. Coach Daniel Perez is entering his second year as head coach, and the first year was a pretty darn good one, going 9-2. And QB Robert Serna is back after racking up 1,000 yards passing and almost 1,000 yards rushing. Combine that with an experienced defense anchored by LB Arturo Garza and DT Ramon Serna, and you've got a recipe for a winner. Keep an eye on the Cardinals; I know we will.
