District 32-6A is the only five team 6A district in the state. With four playoff spots available, no one wants to be the odd man left out. Hanna will be out for revenge this year, especially after a couple of close calls down the stretch.
At the top, Los Fresnos won its first district title in ten years in 2024.
Here’s what to watch for in District 32-6A.
Brownsville Hanna Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Mark Guess (10th season; 35-53 record)
Last Season: 1-9; 0-4 in district
Returning Lettermen: 20 (6 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Hanna Key Players and Storylines
The Golden Eagles were the odd man out of the playoffs last year in District 32-6A. However, two of their district losses were by six points or less, so there’s reason to believe a first playoff berth in five years is within reach.
They have a good foundation to build on in the trenches with guard Frank Coronado. He’s heading into his third year starting on the offensive line.
Behind him, running back Esteban Rodriguez (417 rushing yards and three touchdowns) is back after missing half of last season due to injury. Junior quarterback Albert Chavez is set to step into the starting role. He’s got “a very good arm and reads the secondary well.” He “will be the key to a championship run,” according to head coach Mark Guess.
On the other side of the ball, safety Dominic Moya (84 tackles, eight TFLs) has only gotten stronger and faster after leading the Golden Eagles in tackles in 2024. Junior linebacker Joaquin Vasquez (62 tackles, four TFLs) “has a nose for the football,” while nose guard Alik Garza (42 tackles) “can be a bull in the middle.” If he’s at his best, other teams will struggle to run the ball.
There’s a good core of seniors coming back with talented juniors coming up to join them. Guess said that combination has built some confidence within this year’s group. They expect to be back in the playoffs and to make a push up the district standings.
Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers
Head Coach: Jose Ramirez (3rd season; 20-7 record)
Last Season: 8-4; 3-1 in district (Lost to Canyon in area round)
Returning Lettermen: 40 (5 returning starters; 9 on defense)
Veterans Memorial Key Players and Storylines
Veterans Memorial’s first 6A season in nine years had plenty of moments of success, finishing with eight wins. The Chargers came up just short of a third round playoff appearance, falling to Canyon 38-35 in the area round.
This year, they’ve got to replace a two year starter at quarterback, but a lot of the other pieces are in place for a strong fall.
In all triple option attack, it all starts with the backfield, and the Chargers have plenty of options to lead the charge. Everything will “roll through” fullback Cesar Belmontes (996 rushing yards and ten touchdowns). Running backs Maddox Bond (315 rushing yards and one touchdown) and Calvin Trevillion (541 rushing yards and five touchdowns) are ready to be a one-two punch this year. Both can be tough to catch in the open field.
The Chargers add another TD on their opening drive of the 3Q. Fullback Cesar Belmontes takes it in from 7 yards for his second TD of the night. Brownsville Vets leads 20-7 with 9:30 left in the 3Q. #RGVFootball #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/VJCDQlx4Sk
— Ivan Palacios (@ByIvanPalacios) October 11, 2024
Up front, junior guard MJ Salazar is a returning starter, who will lead the offensive line.
Along with the backfield, the defensive front will be the Chargers’ other big strength this year. Defensive end Damien Rodriguez (56 tackles) and nose tackle Andrew Quintero (53 tackles, seven TFLs) were both first team all-district selections in 2024. Defensive end Daniel Selvera (66 tackles, five TFLs) is another “strong edge rusher.”
At linebacker, Jake Saenz (73 tackles, five TFLs) is good in coverage and a reliable tackler. He was last year’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in the district.
The Chargers have high standards with at least seven wins the past four seasons. The bar will be just as high this year as they look to build off of a strong return to 6A football.
Harlingen Cardinals
Head Coach: Manny Gomez (19th season; 155-55 record)
Last Season: 5-6; 1-3 in district (Lost to PSJA in bi-district)
Returning Starters: 6 on offense; 5 on defense
Harlingen Key Players and Storylines
Harlingen’s five wins last year were the least for the Cardinals in a single season since 2018.
Sure, they made the playoffs for the seventh-straight year, but this is a program that aspires to be competing for district titles.
Their backfield is their strength with a three-year starter at running back in Noah Huerta (1,203 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns). Sophomore quarterback Hassan Woolery looks to be in line to step behind center. He started two games at quarterback a year ago before eventually suffering a torn ACL.
HIGHLIGHTS: Harlingen makes it three straight wins in the Bird Bowl series. The Cardinals beat Harlingen South, 29-24, behind a 3 TD performance from running back Noah Huerta. @cbs4rgv @kveotv23 #rgv pic.twitter.com/mlbPajZumG
— Blake Holland (@BlakeHollandTV) September 7, 2024
Wide receiver Aiden Flores (170 receiving yards and three touchdowns) also missed time last year due to a knee injury, but he’s got plenty of experience and explosiveness as a three-year letterman.
The heart of the Harlingen defense is in their linebacking corps. Davian Renteria (63 tackles, 13 TFLs) had a stellar sophomore season, while outside linebacker Saul Cedar (69 tackles, 19 TFLs) is “a huge piece to the Cardinal defense” as he comes off the edge.
Another edge rusher will be Jerry Sanchez. He’s shifting to defensive end after “playing well” as a defensive tackle last season.
A 1-3 district record won’t sit well with the Cardinals. After last year, they are “locked in and ready to get back on track” in 2025.
Los Fresnos Falcons
Head Coach: David Cantu (5th season; 30-16 record)
Last Season: 10-2; 4-0 in district (Lost to Buda Johnson in area round)
Returning Lettermen: 31 (7 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
Los Fresnos Key Players and Storylines
The Falcons earned their first outright district title in ten years last season.
Their offense should be able to soar again this fall as long as they can replace the three starting offensive lineman they lost to graduation.
Quarterback Robert Pineda (1,720 passing yards, 1,388 rushing yards, and 44 total TDs) is a dual threat, who is heading into his fourth year as a starter. He’s got a great speed back alongside him with junior Diego Torres (608 rushing yards and seven touchdowns), who was last year’s district newcomer of the year.
Pineda also has a solid group of receivers, including three who are returning starters. Ricky Salazar will be the headliner after leading the Falcons with six touchdowns last season.
13 plays. 81 yards. And a 14 yd DIME from @RobertJet2 to Salazar (who had an outstanding game) for the first score of the game for @LosFresnosFB
As a JR, the amount of trust from the coaches and the decision makings by @RobertJet2 was impressive.@Texan_Live @LosFresnosCISD pic.twitter.com/qKNZnKhdGa
— AJ Arevalo (@aj_arevalo1) November 24, 2024
On the other side of the ball, nose guard Fernando Garcia (58 tackles, 11 TFLs) “creates problems for offensive lines with his quickness and agility.” Linebacker Juan Sanchez (92 tackles, six TFLs) will be another four-year starter. He is Los Fresnos’ leading returning tackler.
Safety Ryan Prepejchal (58 tackles) had quite the debut in 2024, earning first team all-district as a sophomore.
The Falcons have great speed across the board and experience at the skill positions on both sides of the ball. That bodes well for 2025 as they look to not only win a district title but advance to the third round of playoffs as well.
San Benito Greyhounds
Head Coach: Dan Gomez (12th season; 87-40 record)
Last Season: 2-9; 2-2 in district (Lost to Weslaco in bi-district)
San Benito Key Players and Storylines
2024 was a rare down year for the Greyhounds. Their two wins were the fewest the program has had in a single season since 2002.
They have to replace their starting quarterback after he transferred, although junior Albert Gonzalez saw some playing time a year ago. He’ll have some help in the rushing attack from senior back Tyler Ramirez (257 rushing yards) and junior Carter Green (251 rushing yards).
Those backs should have some room to work with too. Guard Alex Munoz and tackle Luis Balli are both back to lead the offensive line.
Defensively, four of San Benito’s top five tackles graduated. Defensive end/linebacker Victor Rodriguez (63 tackles, 10 TFLs) is the lone returner from that group. Defensive tackle Eduardo Cuevas (37 tackles) is a force in the trenches. He was a unanimous first team all-district selection last year too.
Cornerback Kian Jones (35 tackles) and safety Henry Quiroz provide some good experience in the secondary.
The Greyhounds were young a year ago. They’ll hope the experience they gained from last season will see them take a step forward in 2025 as they look to get back to competing for trophies.
