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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The more things change, the more things stay the same in the Rio Grande Valley's premiere small class district. With plenty of promise and tradition, the teams in this district have plenty to hang their hats on when it comes to being a threat in the regional playoff picture. Usually out of this district, there are teams that most in the region would rather not face down the line. So what is different about the district in 2007 than that of the 2006 season? Gone is Rio Hondo's star quarterback and La Feria has a brand new coach in Elifonso Esquivel.
The most intertaining thought of the district is the fact that you should see a more competitive season from all five teams in the district, plus a very experienced group of student-athletes that are hungry for a deep run at the playoffs. The one team the remaining four teams will be aiming to take down in the process is the Tarpons of Port Isabel. The Tarpons have history and tradition on their side in this district. Plus, they have a coach that is a very disciplined coach and makes them believe in themselves. They expect to win. Despite losing Gustavo Alvarez on the defensive sde, most of the key skill players on this team are back in the boat. Most notably quarterback David Alaniz and running back Nolan Nunez. On the defensive side, Osiel Perales, who is probably the top defensive player in the district, returns after a superb junior season. If the Tarpons can shore up the holes up from left by the graduation of Zack Tamayo, Fustino Camacho, Jesus Alaniz and Raul Villarreal, then this team could be a potential sleeper in the regional playoff picture.
Stepping into the quarterback role for the Rio Hondo Bobcats is last year's newcomer of the year Joseph Vela. And despite losing Mesa and Gantt, the Bobcats are still more experienced and could pose a legitimate threat to the Tarpons stay atop the district. Last season, Bobcat senior Shane Eizember had a solid season at three positions (WR. DB and P) and was named to TexasHSFootball.com's All-Region Teams at each of those positions. If Eizember has a season like he had last season and the Bobcats can replace both Aaron Garza and Mesa on offense without missing a beat, this team will be a team that nobody will want to touch late in the season. Expect the Bobcats to be a team that challenges the Tarpons fiercely for the top spot in the district and makes a another deep run the playoffs.
Even with a brand new coach, the La Feria Lions are expected to be in the middle of the playoff picture and in the playoffs when all is said and done. Outside of the quarterback position, where Eleazar Esquivel returns from an 1,100 yard passing season, the Lions are relatively young in the offensive skill positions. The experienced lines will be the key towards the younger skill positions having time to develope early the season and getting the rest of the team up to speed into new hed coach Elifonso Esquivel's system and style. On the defensive side, look for Eloy Almanza to have a solid season.
Despite getting hit heavy with graduations, the Hidalgo Pirates could end up becoming a true sleeper in the district playoff picture and playing a big spoiler role in the outcome of the district race. If head coach Jorge Peña can give this team enough confidence and the ability to believe that they can beat anyone on any given night, this Pirate team could have something special over the next couple years. Some key players to be on the look out for in Hidalgo is up front with Luis Peraza and Alex Trevino. |
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828 |
8-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/P |
Eleazar Esquivel |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Eloy Almanza |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Leroy Leal |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Luciano Rodriguez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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819 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
TE |
Martin Carrasco |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Luis Peraza |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Alex Trevino |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
QB |
Oscar Perez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jaime Contreras |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Roy Santana |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
TE |
Aron Carrasco |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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701 |
9-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Nolan Nunez |
5'9 |
165 |
4.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Osiel Perales |
6'0 |
185 |
4.7 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
James Delgado |
6'1 |
175 |
4.7 |
Sr |
QB/P |
David Alaniz |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Nick LeBlanc |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Luis Galicia |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Diego Garcia |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
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643 |
10-2 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Joseph Vela |
6'0 |
175 |
4.6 |
Jr |
WR/DB |
Shane Eizember |
6'2 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OG |
Josue Vasquez |
5'10 |
245 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Adrian Jaime |
6'0 |
215 |
4.8 |
Sr |
RB |
Joshua Rodriguez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Jacob Martinez |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OL |
Brian Zapata |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
DE |
Alonzo Garza |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Jeremy Hinjosa |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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485 |
2-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Armando Garcia |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jesus Garcia |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Juan Vega |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
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| Hidalgo Pirates |
Pirate Stadium
910 E. Pirate Dr.
Hidalgo, TX 78557 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| La Feria Lions |
Lion Stadium
Canal St. & Hwy 83
La Feria, TX 78559 |
Surface: Gess
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Port Isabel Tarpons |
Tarpon Stadium
101 Port Road
Port Isabel, TX 78578 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Progreso Red Ants |
Red Ant Stadium
FM Rd. 1015 & Shelby Ave.
Progreso, TX 78579 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Rio Hondo Bobcats |
Bobcat Stadium
Sam Houston & General Grant
Rio Hondo, TX 78583 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 10,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Port Isabel |
2 |
Rio Hondo |
3 |
La Feria |
4 |
Hidalgo |
5 |
Progreso |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Hidalgo |
District MVP |
Shane Eizember
Rio Hondo |
Offensive MVP |
Eleazar Esquivel
La Feria |
Defensive MVP
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Osiel Perales
Port Isabel |
Diamond In The Rough |
Nolan Nunez
Port Isabel |
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| 2006 Records |
| La Feria |
8-3 |
| Hidalgo |
5-5 |
| Port Isabel |
9-3 |
| Rio Hondo |
10-2 |
| Progreso |
2-7 |
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| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
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| Preview Sponsor |
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