District 31-6A has one change from the previous alignment, and it’s a big one. With Mission dropping to 5A, Weslaco makes the move into this district after winning the District 32-6A title last year.
That should set up quite the race for the top spot as PSJA looks to defend its undefeated district title from 2023.
Can anyone else challenges the Bears and the Panthers? Here’s what to watch for in District 31-6A.
Edinburg Bobcats
Head Coach: Rene Guzman (4th season; 15-18 record)
Last Season: 4-7; 4-1 in district (Lost to Harlingen in bi-district)
Edinburg Key Players and Storylines
Edinburg has finished as runner-up in district the past two seasons. The Bobcats have several key playmakers back this year as they look to push for their first playoff win since 2010.
Quarterback JT Santa Maria should keep defenses on their toes with his dual threat ability (779 passing yards, 545 rushing yards, and 12 touchdowns). Receiver Jude Vega (642 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) was his go-to target a year ago. Fellow junior Ethan Calderon (179 receiving yards) will also play a big role in that passing attack.
Up front, guard Ryan Garza was a first team all-district selection last season.
Defensively, the Bobcats have plenty of promise in the middle of the field with linebackers Albert Gamez (88 tackles), RJ Ramirez (61 tackles, five TFLs), and Orly Martinez (50 tackles) all returning. Defensive end Seth Hernandez will be a threat in the pass rush. He was a first team all-district selection a year ago.
With the Bobcats’ returning experience, there should be no drop-off as they take the field. They’ll expect to get back to the playoffs for the fourth-straight year in 2024.
Edinburg Economedes Jaguars
Head Coach: Raul Salas (3rd season; 2-18 record)
Last Season: 1-9; 1-4 in district
Economedes Key Players and Storylines
Economedes head coach Raul Salas believes the tide is turning for the Jaguars. He said his players are growing in confidence and the culture has completely changed for this program. They expect to win in 2024.
The return of seven starters on each side of the ball will help them reach that expectation.
Junior quarterback Johan Nunez has “the ability to make plays happen.”
But it won’t all fall on Nunez. The Jaguars won’t shy away from imposing their run game on opponents. Fullback Carlos Garcia is a reliable blocker, while running back David Gonzalez has great speed.
Defensively, the Jaguars have a strong linebacking core. Sophomore Jaime Eguia has “a natural ability to find the ball” while Josiah Villarreal has great “strength and speed.” Cornerback Henry Zuniga will bring experience to the Jaguar secondary.
The Jaguars are still young, but they are much more comfortable with another year of their offensive and defensive systems under their belt. With the momentum building in this program, Salas and company are aiming for Economedes’ first playoff berth since 2016.
Edinburg North Cougars
Head Coach: Damian Gonzalez (7th season; 25-35 record)
Last Season: 5-6; 3-2 in district (Lost to San Benito in bi-district)
Edinburg North Key Players and Storylines
The Cougars couldn’t defend their 2022 district title last year. But with seven starters back on offense and nine starters returning on defense, they believe they can re-claim it this season.
Quarterback Jose Ramirez is extremely elusive. He is a three-year varsity starter and has previously served as a receiver and return man for the Cougars. When he turns to the air, he’ll have a reliable target in slot receiver Aaron Campos (152 receiving yards and two touchdowns).
Just a few clips from spring ball. (SB/TE-FB) pic.twitter.com/fzTdiIOhVb
— Aaron Campos (@aaroncampos88) July 17, 2024
North returns a good amount of experience on its offensive line including tackle Dylan Escobar. “He has great feet,” and will be an excellent leader for the Cougars in the trenches.
On the other side of the ball, Aydin Torres will need to be North’s leader on the defensive line. He is “extremely strong,” and is heading into his third year as a starter. Behind him, linebacker Jaden Rodriguez has a great football IQ and will be one of the vocal leaders of the Cougar defense.
Head coach Damian Gonzalez likes the talent he has in the secondary starting with cornerback Horacio Lopez, who is a three-year starter and can play a number of positions. However, the Cougars don’t have great depth behind him, so they’ll need to stay healthy this year on the back end.
Everywhere you look, the Cougars have good experience and leadership. That bodes well for their 2024 campaign as they hunt for their third-straight playoff berth and first postseason victory since 2013.
La Joya Coyotes
Head Coach: Reuben Farias (9th season; 25-47 record)
Last Season: 0-10; 0-5 in district
La Joya Key Players and Storylines
The Coyotes are ready to put 2023 behind them after a winless campaign. They have five starters back on each side of the ball, and head coach Reuben Farias expects his squad to be improved this season.
The Coyotes have several players back at the skill positions. Running back Mauricio Mendoza will set the tone for the Coyote offense with his tough running. Slot receiver Erasmo Rodriguez is a three-year letterman and has shown great commitment to this Coyote program.
At quarterback, Owen Benoit has been putting in the work this offseason to continue his growth after starting for the Cougars as a freshman last fall.
Defensively, linebacker Aaron Urrutia and safety Darian Bocanegra always find their way to the football. Both were all-district honorable mentions in 2023.
The Coyotes lost all five of their district contests last fall by 14 points or more. That has left a sour taste in their mouths that they’re eager to get rid of this fall. Farias has set the bar for his players at getting back to the playoffs, a feat they achieved as recently as 2022.
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Bears
Head Coach: Lupe Rodriguez (8th season; 39-32 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 5-0 in district (Lost to San Antonio Brennan in area round)
PSJA Key Players and Storylines
The Bears won their first outright district title since 2018 a year ago. They’ll look to run it back this season with five starters back on each side of the ball.
They do have to replace prolific quarterback Jaime Lopez, but there’s a wealth of skill talent for senior Myles Lopez, who will step into the starting role this season.
Jorge Alanis (1,021 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) is a bell cow running back, while Emiliano Fraga (792 receiving yards and nine touchdowns) and Ryan Vallejo (1,204 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns) both had prolific seasons in 2023. Opposing defensive coordinators will have their hands full trying to slow down the Bears’ attack.
The Bears add another. This time it is @Jaimelopezz10 finding Ryan Vallejo for the 16 yard TD. PSJA High leads 14-0 with 4:24 left in the first. #RGVFootball #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/3t2Nz0iTfz
— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) October 20, 2023
On the other side of the ball, opposing offensive coordinators will have to figure out how to contain defensive end Jayden James (66 tackles, 15 TFLs) and defensive tackle JD Castillo (73 tackles, 12.5 TFLs). Both were first team all-district selections last season.
And if their havoc up front isn’t enough, linebacker Cody Longoria (150 tackles, 16 TFLs) is a tackling machine. He was the district’s co-Defensive MVP in 2023.
Head coach Lupe Rodriguez noted his team doesn’t have great depth, so health and eligibility will be vital for the Bears this season.
However, with the playmakers they have on both sides of the ball, not only are they eyeing another district title but an undefeated regular season as well.
Weslaco Panthers
Head Coach: Roy Stroman (6th season; 37-14 record)
Last Season: 11-1; 5-0 in district (Lost to San Antonio Jay in area round)
Weslaco Key Players and Storylines
Weslaco slides over to 31-6A after winning the 32-6A district title last season. The Panthers also notched their first undefeated regular season since 1991 last fall.
So there’s plenty of momentum for a squad that returns five starters on both sides of the ball,
Frankie Trevino will make the move from receiver to quarterback this season. He’ll give the Panther backfield a dynamic look. Receiver Ryan Gonzalez will be more of an offensive weapon this season. He was a second team all-district corner last year and is also a threat as a return man with his speed.
Up front, center Julian Longoria and tackle Diego Salazar were both second team all-district selections last season. With their leadership, head coach Roy Stroman believes the offensive line will be one of the Panthers’ biggest strengths this season.
Defensively, the Panther coaching staff is expecting great things from linebacker Mateo Gomez with his experience. Defensive end Will Cannon has great speed off the edge, while safety Beau Cuellar reads the game really well on the back end.
Weslaco has had a winning record in all five seasons under Stroman. He’s expecting more of the same this season as they look to contend for a district title and make a playoff run come November.
