This district has some of the premier programs in the Valley. It also has one of the biggest rivalries in the state in the Battle of the Arroyo between Harlingen and San Benito.
That ended up being the de facto district title game last season, but Los Fresnos and Weslaco are always a threat and the Brownsville schools are determined to improve and get back to the playoffs this season.
Here’s what to watch for in District 32-6A this season.
Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mark Guess (8th Season)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-4 in district
Hanna Key Players and Storylines
Brownsville Hanna hasn’t been able to build off the two district titles it earned in 2018 and 2020 as it has hoped. The Golden Eagles have won just five games the past two seasons.
However, they came agonizingly close to the playoffs a year ago. A 24-21 defeat to Los Fresnos is all that stood between Hanna and a trip to the postseason.
It’s a defeat that has provided plenty of motivation for the Golden Eagles.
“We have been talking about that [2-8 season] all offseason,” head coach Mark Guess said. “We have to take advantage of opportunities, finish games, and make plays when the opportunity presents itself.”
Four starters are back on offense, while six return on defense this year.
Unfortunately, graduation gutted Hanna’s backfield from last season. Junior quarterback/running back Christian Espinoza will be expected to rise to the occasion this season.
Helping out Espinoza will be the return of slot receiver Joseph Ruiz (287 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and junior center Gustavo Rojas.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles are going to be stout up front. Just one player graduated from the front six. Guess expects juniors defensive lineman Ethan Cumpian (27 tackles, eight TFLs) and linebacker Pedro Ochoa (25 tackles, six TFLs) to lead the Golden Eagles in the box.
Behind them, safety Jordan Almeida (28 tackles) is back in a secondary that will be younger this season.
The Golden Eagles won’t have as much depth this season, but Guess is hopeful that his team can turn the lessons they learned last season into a playoff berth in 2023.
Brownsville Rivera Raiders
Head Coach: Alberto Leal (5th Season)
Last Season: 2-8; 0-5 in district
Rivera Key Players and Storylines
Alberto Leal continues his rebuild of the Raiders football program. Rivera hasn’t won more than two games in a single season since their last playoff appearance in 2014.
This year, the Raiders will be relying on some younger players with just four starters back on offense and five on defense.
However, the Rivera coaching staff is excited by the hunger its players have shown so far this offseason.
Dual threat quarterback Jesus Hinojosa (516 passing yards and three TDs; 119 rushing yards and two TDs) will have all-district receiver Roman Vera (390 receiving yards and three touchdowns) back at his disposal this season. The Raiders will rely on tackle Jacob Lopez to anchor the offensive line.
On the other side of the ball, opposing quarterbacks are going to have to be careful when attacking the Rivera secondary.
Safeties Miguel Govea (38 tackles) and Jose Medellin (35 tackles, two sacks) and cornerback Humberto Ramos (29 tackles) all return in the back end of the Raider defense. Govea was a second team all-district selection last season.
Rivera has faced a lot of roster turnover this offseason with several key senior leaders from last year’s squad graduating. And as the Raiders take the field this fall eager to continue their development, the message from their coaching staff has been clear: “Improve on all aspects of the game.”
Harlingen Cardinals
Head Coach: Manny Gomez (17th Season)
Last Season: 12-1; 5-0 in district (Lost to Dripping Springs in regional semifinals)
Harlingen Key Players and Storylines
Harlingen is always a team to watch coming out of the Valley. The Cardinals have made the playoffs 22 out of the last 23 seasons.
The Cardinals made it to the third round of playoffs a year ago. It was their first regional semifinal appearance since 2015.
Harlingen returns just four starters on offense and five on defense, but don’t expect the Cardinals to lower the bar at all this season.
Dynamic quarterback Randy Morales is back to lead the offense this season. Although there are question marks on who will start at running back, it appears junior receiver Adam Sanchez is ready to step up as one of Morales’ primary targets this fall.
The Texas State Technical College – Technical Play of the Week for Week 7
Harlingen QB Randy Morales’ 27-yard touchdown run puts the Cardinals ahead for good against Weslaco.@Texan_Live | @TSTCstrong | #dctf #txhsfb #TSTC #TSTC2022 @hcfb_official
📹 @ByIvanPalacios pic.twitter.com/5D5H1bBkie
— Dave Campbell’s Texas Football — TexasFootball.com (@dctf) October 10, 2022
Morales will also have an offensive line anchored by first team all-district guard Anthony Johnson protecting him.
On the other side of the ball, the Cardinals expect to be strong at linebacker with both Sterling Tomlin and Adrian Lizcano returning. Tomlin was the district’s co-Newcomer of the Year last year as a sophomore.
Defensive tackle Jacob Ortiz is another Cardinal who starred as a sophomore last year. After some key graduations, he will be the man for Harlingen in the trenches this season.
Harlingen’s coaches know what it’s like to be in their players’ shoes. 12 coaches on the Cardinal staff graduated from Harlingen.
With that, they’re telling the players that the standard at Harlingen will remain the same. They expect another playoff appearance with the hopes of breaking through and playing into December.
Los Fresnos Falcons
Head Coach: David Cantu (3rd Season)
Last Season: 7-5; 2-3 in district (Lost to Brennan in area round)
Los Fresnos Key Players and Storylines
Could this be a breakout year for the Falcons? Last year, they won their second-straight playoff game.
This year, they have their sights set on their first district title since 2015.
If they’re to soar this year, it will be off the back of an explosive offense that returns eight starters this season.
Dual threat quarterback Robert Pineda (1,338 passing yards and 15 TDs; 908 rushing yards and 10 TDs) was the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year last season. As a freshman! Expect more growth out of him this season.
Touchdown Falcons! @RobertJet2 finds @Josh_Lime03 in the back of the endzone for the 8 yard score. Los Fresnos on top 14-0 with 1:02 left in the half. #RGVFootball #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/9ZYcyZrRpf
— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) November 12, 2022
But that’s not all. Running back Gael Palestina (880 rushing yards), receiver Josh Limon (495 receiving yards), and tight end Miguel Ortiz are all set to be key weapons this fall. The Falcons also have “athletic” returning starters in center Kayvin De La Rosa, tackle Genaro Galvan, and guard Daniel Rincon.
There’s less experience on defense where just four starers are back. Juniors linebacker/safety Cade Stumbaugh (37 tackles, two TFLs) and safety Adrian Ortiz (25 tackles) will be two crucial players for the Falcons as they settle in some inexperienced cornerbacks.
Head coach David Cantu is also excited about the potential of defensive end Erik Burgberg, who he described as a late blossomer that broke onto the scene during the Falcons two playoff games last season.
The Falcons aren’t the biggest in the trenches, but the potential of their offense can’t be denied.
Cantu loves how his players have put the team over their individual interests. He thinks that could be a key as the Falcons go in search of that first district title in eight years.
San Benito Greyhounds
Head Coach: Dan Gomez (10th Season)
Last Season: 11-2; 4-1 in district (Lost to Westlake in regional semifinals)
San Benito Key Players and Storylines
San Benito hasn’t missed the playoffs since head coach Dan Gomez took the program over in 2014. Last year, the Greyhounds made the third round of playoffs for the fourth time in the past nine seasons.
The Greyhounds will expect to add to that playoff streak this season, but it will be a mostly new crop of players leading the way. Just four starters are back on each side of the ball.
San Benito will likely go as far as its backfield duo takes it this season. Quarterback Aaron Corona (799 passing yards and 11 touchdowns) returns as does bell cow running back Fabian Garcia (2,230 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns). Garcia was the district’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Just like THAT. San Benito leads, 21-17. Fabian Garcia!!! pic.twitter.com/nEqoo8xvlz
— Ishmael Johnson (@IshmaelRJohnson) October 22, 2022
And when it’s not Garcia, Gomez expects Atticus Deleon (291 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) to see plenty of touches in the Greyhound offense this season.
Defensively, Gomez believes juniors linebacker Devon Robinson (71 tackles, 12 TFLs) and cornerback Peter Jackson (42 tackles) are ready to lead the way this season.
Sophomore defensive end Patrell Reddick is another Greyhound with plenty of potential.
San Benito may have a lot of new starters this fall, but Gomez has been pleased with the way the team’s leaders have stepped up this offseason. With a backfield duo like Corona and Garcia, expect San Benito to be in the mix for the district title again this season.
Weslaco Panthers
Head Coach: Roy Stroman (5th Season)
Last Season: 8-4; 3-2 in district (Lost to San Antonio Harlan in area round)
Weslaco Key Players and Storylines
Weslaco made it back to the playoffs last season after a one-year absence. The Panthers also notched their first playoff win in three years.
Their offensive leader is back in dual threat quarterback Andres Sepulveda. However, it remains to be seen who will step up at the skill positions. Weslaco’s starting running back and top three receivers all graduated.
Weslaco High strikes first! Andres Sepulveda connects with Dohnny Lincoln for the 16 yard score. Panthers on top 7-0 with 2:12 left in the first. #RGVFootball #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/etZE9wwo9w
— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) October 15, 2022
Defensively, the Panthers lose all four players who earned first team all-district honors, but the cupboard isn’t bare.
The Weslaco defense will still boast senior defensive tackle Daryn Hanks, defensive end Matt Garza, and cornerback Noah Cazares. All three were second team all-district honorees last season.
The Panthers were hit pretty hard by graduation. Still, the return of Sepulveda will be vital as Weslaco aims for another playoff berth and victory this season.
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