District 32-6A will have a new champion after Weslaco was realigned to District 31-6A. However, Brownsville Veterans Memorial makes the jump up from 5A and will expect to be in the district title race right away after a state semifinal run last season.
With just five teams in this district, it’s the smallest in 6A and should be highly competitive.
Here’s what to watch in District 32-6A.
Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mark Guess (9th season; 34-44 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-4 in district
Hanna Key Players and Storylines
The Golden Eagles have now gone three seasons without a playoff berth, coming up one game short each of the past two years. With half of their starters (five on offense/six on defense) back from a year ago, they’ll be hoping to end that drought.
Offensively, it will all start in the backfield. Quarterback Ramiro Ruiz (95 passing yards and four touchdowns) started all 10 games last year as a sophomore. Head coach Mark Guess is excited to see what he can do with a year of experience under his belt. Alongside him, Christian Espinosa (240 rushing yards) will be stepping into the lead back role. He has good speed and has added some physicality to his game heading into this fall.
When the Golden Eagles look to soar through the air, receiver Joseph Ruiz (622 receiving yards) is the player to watch. Guess said he’ll be “huge for the offense this season.”
Opposing offenses will have to be weary of linebacker Peter Ochoa. The anchor of Hanna’s front seven, he’s not afraid to lower the boom on opponents. Talking about big hits, safety Matthew Villegas (58 tackles, seven TFLs) is another Golden Eagle that likes to let opponents know he’s there. He has a “nose for the ball.”
Up front, defensive end Ethan Cumpian is a four-year letterman with good quickness off the edge.
Hanna has won two district titles during Guess’ tenure, so he knows the heights this program can reach. He expects them to push back up the district standings this season as they look to get back to the postseason.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers
Head Coach: J.C. Ramirez (2nd season; 12-3 record)
Last Season: 12-3; 6-0 in district (Lost to Smithson Valley in state semifinals)
Veterans Memorial Key Players and Storylines
The Chargers had a run to remember in 2023, becoming the first team from The Valley to make the state semifinals since 2003.
This season, they’ll play 6A football for the first time since 2015. But despite the move, head coach J.C. Ramirez isn’t expecting any sort of drop off. The Chargers return five starters on offense and six on defense.
Offensively, the Chargers will look to keep opposing defenses guessing with their triple option attack. Quarterback Storm Montoya (1,106 passing yards and 16 touchdowns) is an “amazing operator of the offense” while fullback Alvin Trevillion (1,497 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns) is a “reliable rusher” up the gut.
1st year playing varsity football/5 rounds deep/final four pic.twitter.com/nYiJCZLlxI
— Alvin Trevillion (@alvinntrev22) January 27, 2024
The biggest question is on the offensive line where the Chargers have some holes to fill. Senior offensive tackle Rafael Lara will be that unit’s leader.
Flipping sides of the ball, Ramirez said the defensive line will be one of the strengths of the team. Junior Andrew Quintero spearheads that group after an impressive season in 2023 with 56 tackles and five sacks, which earned him unanimous first team honors.
Behind him, linebacker Max Fernandez (109 tackles, four TFLs) is “a force to be reckoned with” while safety Mickey Rodriguez (78 tackles) is a consistent threat to force a turnover. He had four interceptions in 2023 and also forced a fumble that won the regional championship.
Ramirez said he’s impressed with his team’s unity and resiliency. That will be key as they look to hit the ground running in 6A. And after last season, the Chargers expect to not only make the playoffs but to win games in November.
Harlingen Cardinals
Head Coach: Manny Gomez (18th season; 150-49 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 3-2 in district (Lost to San Antonio Harlan in area round)
Harlingen Key Players and Storylines
The Cardinals finished third in district a year ago but still won a playoff game for the fourth year running.
This season, they have playmakers returning on both sides of the ball with seven starters back on offense and six on defense.
The Cardinals will need to settle on a new option at quarterback, but there will be weapons all around him. Running back Noah Huerta (1,100 total yards and 18 touchdowns) split carries with Randy Morales last season. But after Morales graduated, he’s set to carry an even bigger load out of the backfield.
Noah Huerta, 13 yard rushing TOUCHDOWN, xp is good!!
Cards 42
Pats 14
3Q 2:09#csnd #mtxe #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/dk4LJpqShv— HCFB Official (@hcfb_official) September 9, 2023
At receiver, Adam Sanchez led the Cardinals last season with 550 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver/tight end Aiden Flores should be another go-to option this year with his “long frame that is great in the open field.”
The trenches will be a strong point on both sides of the ball. Steve Lopez and Anthony DeLeon will be the leaders on the offensive line while defensive lineman Jacob Ortiz (62 tackles) is a three-year starter who can play any position up front.
Linebacker Sterling Tomlin (139 tackles) is the quarterback of the defense. He made plays all over the field last year, leading Harlingen in tackles. On the back end, the Cardinals will lean on Julisses Garza in the secondary.
This is a team full of Cardinal pride. 12 coaches on the Harlingen staff played for the Cardinals. With that unity from top to bottom and the talent to go with it, the Cardinals are eyeing their second district title in the past three seasons this fall.
Los Fresnos Falcons
Head Coach: David Cantu (4th season; 20-14 record)
Last Season: 6-5; 2-3 in bi-district (Lost to PSJA in bi-district)
Los Fresnos Key Players and Storylines
The Falcons are ready to reach new heights after a “fantastic offseason and quality spring ball.” They return just under half of their starters from last season with five starters back on each side of the ball.
Junior quarterback Robert Pineda is a dual threat, who can keep defenses off balance with his elusiveness.
Robert Pineda [QB] Sophomore Varsity Highlights‼️
Season Stats: 2575 Total Yards
1916 passing yards/ 20 TD’s
659 rushing yards/6 TD’s
26 Total TD’s
32-6A Unanimous 1st Team QB@LosFresnosFB @coachgpena @Coach_JoeVela @QBHitList @CoachRivas81 https://t.co/dAxPtGDKiq— Robert Pineda (@RobertJet2) December 12, 2023
He’ll have guard Alejandro Herrera anchoring his protection up front. Herrera will need to be a big leader for that unit will some unproven bigs surrounding him on the line.
There are no such questions at the skill positions. Head coach David Cantu is excited about the playmakers he has on both sides of the ball. Receiver Josh Limon (325 receiving yards and five touchdowns) has plenty of experience and brings big play ability to the offense.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Juan Sanchez (82 tackles) has “great anticipation,” while safety Cade Stumbaugh (61 tackles) is a reliable tackler. Up front, defensive end Zachary Segovia (31 tackles, six TFLs) has a “great motor on the defensive line.”
The Falcons expect to be highly competitive with their District 32-6A bunkmates. With a squad high on confidence following the offseason, they want to try and push past the area round of playoffs for the first time since 2017.
San Benito Greyhounds
Head Coach: Dan Gomez (11th season; 85-30 record)
Last Season: 10-2; 4-1 in district (Lost to Laredo United in area round)
San Benito Key Players and Storylines
The Greyhounds have now made the playoffs for ten straight seasons. But this year, with just four starters back on offense and two on defense, San Benito will be leaning on a lot of youth.
Guard Ethan Ruiz, a three-year starter, is one of a few players with plenty of experience. He’ll team up with tackles Zaylen Graham and Luis Balli on the Greyhound offensive line.
They did get a big boost over the offseason when junior quarterback Tyler Ruiz transferred in from Edinburg North. He threw for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Among his weapons to aim for this year are tight end Adam Cortez and receiver Gabriel Covarrubias.
Sophomore Season Highlights
Tyler Ruiz | 2026 QB
Season Stats:
1449 Total Yards | 1224 Passing Yds, 15 TDs/ 5 INTs | 225 Rushing Yds, 2TDsFull Tape: https://t.co/kZ3fHSjzWv@QBCoachGomez @CoogAthletics @coachruiz240 pic.twitter.com/uKBfoLEwOT
— Tyler Ruiz (@TylerRuiz_11) November 15, 2023
Defensively, head coach Dan Gomez likes the talent he has in the secondary with the speed and length of Kian Jones and Peter Jackson and the experience of Jason Morin. Linebackers Armando Garcia and Victor Rodriguez are both quick, physical playmakers. Up front, Evan Gonzalez has a “high motor” on the defensive line.
Gomez is ready to send his group through a baptism by fire this season. Five of their first six opponents won their district titles last season. He believes that will get them ready for District 32-6A play as they prepare to go trophy hunting this season.
