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| District 32-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Los Fresnos Falcons should accept no subsitutes as far as the district race is concerned. With the talent and depth the Falcons have back, anything less than a district title would be a disappointment. But getting back in the playoffs will become their number one priority. As for the rest of the district, the battle for second and third should come between San Benito and Weslaco. The Rivera Raiders and Pace Vikings will likely be the duo locking horns for the final playoff spot.
Los Fresnos has perhaps one of the best defensive players in Valley back. LB Justin Springer, who compiled 130+ tackles in 2005, will lead the Falcon defense. Taking over as the quarterback for the departing Brandon Kretz will be Jeremy Springer, who was one of Kretz's favorite targets last season. To take the pressure off Springer at the quarterback position, Luis Campos will take hold of the ground game as Mario Benavides provides the protection up front.
The San Benito Greyhounds have enjoyed plenty of success over the last few years and should find the 2006 season to be no different. With a very experienced defense returning, the Greyhounds will be looking to shake off the late season blues that led to a first round playoff exit in 2005. To help the Greyhounds with that task will be DE Joey Nunez and DB Victor Barrientos. With both returning, the defense should be a very tough defense to play against. On the offensive side of the ball, look for Raymond De Los Santos and Abel Aguirre to pick up the bulk of the production and hope for good things ahead. Replacing the line in San Benito may be an obstacle in the beginning of the season, but expect the boys up front to make a smooth transition.
Weslaco moves into the Brownsville district after a stay with the boys in PSJA and Edinburg. With that move, the Panthers hope a playoff appearance is in order for them in 2006. The return of Mishak Rivas and 1,234 yards of dirt should help the chances for the Panthers. Rivas, who is a very quick rusher, will be entering his junior season and should have a very big year ahead of him. Edgar Lopez, one of the Panthers top defensive players, will be back for his senior season and if his production is anything close to what was resulted in 2005, the Panthers just might be a team that will contend for a district title.
The Rivera Raiders will be looking to continue its reign as the Brownsville city champion and making a run for a playoff spot in the process. Quarterback Luis Villarreal will have some solid targets to fire at. LeeRoy Valdez and John Valdez will be the go-to wide receivers. Depth on the offensive line is average but with plenty of size up front, the Riders should be very tough to compete with on the offensive side of the ball. On defense David Trevino and Jose Sanchez will be the keys to Rivera repeating as city champs and getting in the playoffs.
Pace should be in the mix for a playoff spot if the Vikings can replace the void on the line. But all is not lost. The Vikings have Andres Martinez back. Martinez is one of the best two-way players in the Valley as he will take his place at wide receiver and safety.
Brownsville Lopez could be the wild card in the district playoff chase. Although the Lobos will be moving up in classification, the Lobos still expect to be in the middle of the race and play at least a spoiler role at the bare minimum. Luis and Juan Munoz should be able to give the Lobos a smooth transition on the offensive side of the ball. If the defense, led by LB Juan Barrientes, can show improvement, they could be a solid sleeper. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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2907 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Eli Garcia |
5'9 |
165 |
4.9 |
Sr |
RB |
Trent Mibi |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Mike Perez |
5'10 |
160 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DE |
Fabio Valledares |
6'2 |
240 |
5.3 |
Sr |
LB |
Eddie Eduardo |
5'9 |
180 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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2390 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Frank Cerda |
6'2 |
210 |
-- |
Sr |
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2385 |
7-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR/DB |
Andres Martinez |
5'11 |
165 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB |
Alex Garza |
5'5 |
155 |
4.7 |
Sr |
WR |
Mario Rios |
5'11 |
150 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Jerry Alegria |
6'1 |
250 |
5.5 |
Sr |
OL |
John Gaona |
5'11 |
225 |
5.2 |
Sr |
FB |
Freddie Garcia |
5'6 |
190 |
5.1 |
Sr |
DB |
Rolando Rosales |
5'10 |
180 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DE |
David Reyna |
5'11 |
200 |
4.9 |
Sr |
K |
Jesus Hinojosa |
5'5 |
140 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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2307 |
9-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB |
Justin Springer |
6'4 |
212 |
4.8 |
Sr |
QB |
Jeremy Springer |
6'4 |
185 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Mario Benavides |
6'4 |
260 |
5.0 |
Jr |
RB |
Luis Campos |
5'9 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB/QB |
Danny Silva |
5'11 |
210 |
5.0 |
So |
WR |
Esia Rivera |
5'8 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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2198 |
7-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Mishak Rivas |
5'8 |
165 |
4.4 |
Jr |
DE |
Nick Garza |
6'0 |
235 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Edgar Lopez |
6'0 |
230 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
Ben De La Rosa |
6'2 |
210 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Albert Rojas |
6'2 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Josh Cantu |
5'9 |
175 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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2182 |
5-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Luis Munoz |
5'10 |
180 |
4.8 |
Sr |
RB |
Juan Munoz |
5'7 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Rico Benavidez |
5'10 |
165 |
4.9 |
Sr |
OL |
Jorge Garza |
6'3 |
220 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Juan Barrientes |
5'9 |
215 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Ronnie Slovak |
5'7 |
175 |
4.8 |
Jr |
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2177.2 |
6-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DE |
Joey Nunez |
6'1 |
215 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Greg Castillo |
5'11 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB |
Abel Aguirre |
5'10 |
160 |
4.9 |
Jr |
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2133 |
6-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Luis Villarreal |
6'2 |
205 |
5.0 |
Sr |
WR |
John Culver |
6'3 |
210 |
4.9 |
Sr |
WR |
LeeRoy Valdez |
5'10 |
160 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Marco Tejada |
6'2 |
230 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Abel Garza |
6'1 |
225 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Manny Garza |
5'11 |
330 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Jose Sanchez |
6'1 |
210 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
David Trevino |
5'9 |
190 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
Alfredo Uriegas |
5'10 |
185 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Gil Gonzalez |
6'2 |
160 |
4.7 |
Jr |
DB |
Joe Cisneros |
5'10 |
175 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Los Fresnos |
2 |
San Benito |
3 |
Weslaco |
4 |
Brownsville Rivera |
5 |
Brownsville Pace |
6 |
Brownsville Lopez |
7 |
Brownsville Porter |
8 |
Brownsville Hanna |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Brownsville Rivera |
District MVP |
Andres Martinez
Brownsville Pace |
Offensive MVP |
Mishak Rivas
Weslaco |
Defensive MVP |
Justin Springer
Los Fresnos |
Diamond In The Rough |
Luis Munoz
Brownsville Lopez |
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| 2005 Records |
| Brwnsvlle Hanna |
2-8 |
| Brwnsvlle Porter |
3-7 |
| Brwnsvlle Pace |
7-3 |
| Los Fresnos |
9-3 |
| Weslaco |
7-3 |
| Brwnsvlle Lopez |
5-6 |
| San Benito |
6-5 |
| Brwnsvlle Rivera |
6-4 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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