No one made it through District 30-6A unscathed last year. District champion Laredo United finished just 5-1 with Medina Valley and Laredo Alexander right behind them at 4-2.
Laredo United will be strong again this year with 14 returning starters, but as last year proved, the final standings could be decided by fine margins.
Here’s what to watch for in District 30-6A.
Castroville Medina Valley Panthers
Head Coach: Andrew Britt (3rd season; 10-12 record)
Last Season: 5-6; 4-2 in district (Lost to Canyon in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 29 (8 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)
Medina Valley Key Players and Storylines
One of Medina Valley’s main goals each year is to “win the line of scrimmage.” It’s safe to say the Panthers have a great opportunity to do that this season.
Center Beau Wiemers, guards Lane Solis and Bryan Baker, and right tackle Dawson Smith all return. Three of those four will be three-year starters this season.
That’ll provide a great foundation for Medina Valley’s option-based offense. Quarterback Xavier Gonzalez is a four-year letterman, who is “athletic and wants the ball in his hands.” He has fullbacks Dezerin Wright (748 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) and Jason Zendejas (502 rushing yards) behind him who should keep the offense chugging with their ability to “get down hill in a hurry.”
The defense was senior heavy a year ago, so the Panthers have eight to nine guys to replace. There are no such holes at safety. Connor Crisp was the “best secondary player in the district last year,” according to head coach Andrew Britt. The Panthers also get a big boost with three-year letterman safety Cristian Maldonado back healthy. He missed all of last year due to injury.
Jr Szn Stats
107 Tckls
2 TDs
2 Ints
Two Sacks
10 PBU’s
2 QB pressuresDistrict 30-6A Most outstanding DB,First-team All District ST Specialist, Acad All District @MVHSpanthersFB @MV_FB_Recruits @ab02ss
Check out my highlight – https://t.co/4JiZF6LLx9
— Connor Crisp (@ConnorCrisp07) November 25, 2024
Defensive tackle Izaia Martinez is another three-year letterman. He “played sparingly last season,” but his number will be called a lot this year especially when it comes to stopping the run.
Running a triple option offense, the Panthers always want to try and control the time of possession. They certainly have the weapons to do that.
If the defense can come together, they’ll seek to contend for a district title after their two district losses in 2024 came by just a combined eight points.
Del Rio Rams
Head Coach: Fiacro Ramirez (3rd season; 5-15 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-4 in district
Returning Lettermen: 27 (5 returning starters on offense
Del Rio Key Players and Storylines
Del Rio is another team that employs an option-based offense in District 30-6A.
It should be able to keep defenses on their toes again this year. The Rams have two of their primary carriers back from last season with quarterback Jayden Mendoza (377 rushing yards and three touchdowns) and running back Fermin Rodriguez (703 rushing yards and eight touchdowns).
However, they will have to find some new starters in the trenches after they graduated four first team or second team all-district offensive linemen from last year’s team.
Defensively, the Rams have their leaders back as well with linebackers Matthew Abrego (88 tackles, 6.5 TFLs) and Juan Hernandez (55 tackles). They were Del Rio’s top two tacklers last season. Safety Jacob Ortiz (49 tackles) was a second team all-district selection in 2024.
Last year, the Rams finished just one game outside of the postseason. Head coach Fiacro Ramirez believes his team will be able to use that experience to their advantage as they look to improve from 2024’s 3-7 campaign.
Eagle Pass Eagles
Head Coach: Roger Olivas (2nd season; 4-5 record)
Last Season: 4-5; 2-4 record
Returning Lettermen: 30 (8 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Eagle Pass Key Players and Storylines
Roger Olivas’ first season at Eagle Pass didn’t go to plan as the Eagles missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Olivas and company expect that to be an anomaly with 14 total starters back this season.
The offense averaged just 20 points per game last year, but it should be improved this year. Quarterback Xavier Barrera (1,177 passing yards and ten touchdowns) and Luis Flores (767 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) are back to lead the charge in the backfield.
Wide receiver Sebastian Velasquez (420 receiving yards and three touchdowns) was the number two guy last year, but he is expected to be the Eagles go-to target in the passing game this season.
Defensively, safety Rodrigo Garcia (110 tackles, three INTs, two forced fumbles) is Eagle Pass’ do-it-all star in the secondary.
They also can pack a punch in the front seven with linebacker Rick Martinez (73 tackles, four TFLs) and pass-rushing threat defensive end Anthony Paniagua (62 tackles, six sacks). All three of those players were first team all-district selections in 2024.
2024-2025 junior season highlights
(9 games) 1st team all- district
Solo tackles- 20
Assistant tackles-42
Sacks-6
TFL-6
Forced fumbles-1
Fumble recovery-1
Pass breakup-1 pic.twitter.com/DSlyKKAArO— Anthony Paniagua (@Paniagua941) April 1, 2025
Olivas said the Eagles have had a really “positive offseason” and have been hard at work “building a better culture.” He believes that should result in a much better finish in District 30-6A this season.
Laredo Alexander Bulldogs
Head Coach: Edwin Garcia (4th season; 16-17 record)
Last Season: 6-5; 4-2 in district (Lost to Cibolo Steele in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 21 (5 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)
Laredo Alexander Key Players and Storylines
Laredo Alexander has the skill talent to cause problems this year. The only problem the Bulldogs have to solve is every single one of their starters on the offensive line from last year graduated.
Quarterback Karlo Tenorio (1,002 passing yards and seven touchdowns) battled through injuries last year, but he’s set for a strong junior season with his athleticism and “tremendous IQ.” Running back Gael Rubio (365 rushing yards and four touchdowns) is “explosive” and ready to take the next step in Alexander’s run-heavy offense.
In the passing game, head coach Edwin Garcia believes receiver Jayden Gonzalez (318 receiving yards and three touchdowns) can be the “leading receiver in the district” with his ability to stretch the field.
Charlie Uribe (50 tackles, eight TFLs) will play some tight end, but he’s a bigger threat at defensive end with his get-off in the trenches.
Safety Hector Benavides is the “heart and soul of the defense.” He was an all-state selection last season. Linebacker Jay Alvarado (44 tackles) is another player who’s “always around the football.”
Class of 2026
105 Total Tackles
– – 61 Solo Tackles
– – 6 Tackles for a Loss
3 Interceptions
3 Forced Fumbles
2 Fumble Recoveries
4 Pass Breakups
1 Kickoff Return for a TD#RecruitTheDawgPound@CoachEdGarcia @CoachMikeVigil https://t.co/nloIgKSKLg— RecruitTheDawgPound (@RecruitThePound) November 16, 2024
The past two seasons, the Bulldogs have finished as runners-up in their district. With over half of their starters returning from 2024, Garcia believes their ready to take the “next step up the ladder” this fall.
Laredo Johnson Wolves
Head Coach: Leo Mireles (5th season; 15-25 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 1-5 in district
Returning Lettermen: 22 (6 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Johnson Key Players and Storylines
The Wolves haven’t made the playoffs since 2014, but last year, four of their five district losses were by eight points or less.
That will give them confidence they can compete again this season. Quarterback Vicente Robles (1,231 passing yards and five touchdowns) is ready to lead the pack again this season. Head coach Leo Mireles said wide receiver Ivan Gonzalez (508 receiving yards and four touchdowns) is becoming the “go-to guy of the team.” He believes Robles and Gonzalez can be one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems in the district.
Offensive tackle Leo Perez will anchor the Wolves in the trenches. He’s heading into his third year as a starter.
Defensively, the Wolves have two great leaders on the back end. Safety Leo Mireles IV was the team’s second leading tackler last season, and “knows all the coverages.” Fellow safety William Rodriguez is another playmaker, who led the Wolves in turnovers last season.
Diego Estevis will be Johnson’s primary pass-rushing threat.
After a number of close calls last year in district play, Mireles believes his team is ready to get over that playoff hurdle this season. The Wolves are determined to earn just their second playoff berth in school history in 2025.
Laredo United Longhorns
Head Coach: David Sanchez (23rd season; 165-91 record)
Last Season: 7-4; 5-1 in district (Lost to Buda Johnson in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 30 (8 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Laredo United Key Players and Storylines
The Longhorns have won the district title in each of the past two seasons, and head coach David Sanchez believes they could be even stronger this fall.
This year’s team will be driven by a loaded senior class with plenty of skill options. Receiver Colt Lozano (1,180 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) was the City Player of the Year in 2024, and he’s got Rolando San Miguel (526 receiving yards and five touchdowns) and Jesus Garcia-Perez (406 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) joining him to create a three-headed monster in the receivers room.
Thanks to reelg.editz for the clips. Camp szn going hard 💪#offseason#football pic.twitter.com/H0svyWKxtG
— Colt Lozano #82 (@LozanoColt1) December 25, 2024
The backfield is stacked as well. Quarterback Jorge Luna is a gunslinger, who threw for 2,256 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024. Senior running backs Juan Lopez (327 rushing yards) and Victor Reyes (225 rushing yards) are also back after earning district honorable mentions last fall.
Defensively, Ethan Estrada (94 tackles) will lead the herd. He was a first team all-district selection last season. In the front seven, defensive lineman Andrew Farmer (32 tackles) is a promising sophomore, who already made an impact last season, while defensive end Jorge Robles (22 tackles, two sacks) will be a pass-rushing threat.
The Longhorns won’t be the biggest team, but their talent is undeniable. They’ll expect to go three-for-three for district titles this season and put up a fight in the playoffs.
Laredo United South Panthers
Head Coach: Carlos Gonzalez (2nd season; 4-7 record)
Last Season: 4-7; 3-3 in district (Lost to San Antonio East Central in bi-district)
Returning Starters: 2 on offense; 3 on defense
Laredo United South Key Players and Storylines
The development Laredo United South’s sub varsity programs provide are going to get their test this year. Just five starters return from last season, so a number of players who played key roles on JV last year will have to step in this season.
The good news for the Panthers is one of their two offensive returning starters is quarterback Rolando Gonzalez (1,939 passing yards and 21 touchdowns). He’s heading into his third year behind center for the Panthers. He’ll rely on senior guard Cedric Scott, the lone returning starter on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Panthers do have some experience back in the secondary. Defensive back Ryan Garcia (40 tackles) has great pursuit, while Yandel Lopez “can defend the pass and come down to help with the run.”
Up front, junior defensive end Hector Hinojosa (three sacks, nine pressures) has “good size and strength” and will lead the Panthers’ pass rush.
Head coach Carlos Gonzalez noted the Panthers have the least returners out of anyone in the district. However, they’re taking that as a challenge as they look to make the playoffs for the third-straight year.
