Top 25 South Texas high school football rankings: Top 10 matchups galore (10/30/2023)
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Each week, the SBLive Texas Power 25 update drops, taking a look at the top 25 teams in the Lone Star State across all classifications.
Then, we zero in on the best teams in South Texas.
It's Week 11 of the Texas high school football season and SBLive is taking an updated look at the top teams in South Texas, spanning each corner of the region and schools all shapes and sizes.
The order reflects all results as of Tuesday, October 31. Take a look at the most recent rankings below, as compiled by South Texas correspondent Ivan Palacios.
SOUTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS
1. Corpus Christi Miller (9-0, 6-0)
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Victoria West, 52-45
Corpus Christi Miller junior running back Broderick Taylor exploded for 293 rushing yards and three touchdowns to lead the Buccaneers to their ninth straight win. The victory secured at least a share of the District 14-5A DI title for Miller, while also making head coach Justen Evans the program’s winningest coach. The Buccaneers can clinch the outright title and secure their second undefeated season under Evans with a win against Carroll on Friday.
2. PSJA North (9-0, 6-0)
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 57-0
PSJA North looked like its dominant self once again against the Huskies, scoring touchdowns in all three phases of the game en route to their 19th straight regular season win. A total of seven different Raiders found the endzone during the win, including a kick return touchdown by Steven Garza and a pick-6 by Nicholas Torres. The Raiders can secure their second straight District 15-5A DI title with a win against Rio Grande City on Friday.
3. Refugio (8-1, 5-0)
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Kenedy, 54-0
Refugio reeled off it’s eighth straight victory in dominating fashion, cruising past Kenedy 54-0 to improve to 8-1 overall and 5-0 in district play. The Bobcats are in prime position to win their seventh straight district title and 28th in the past 31 years. To do so they’ll have to get past a tough Ganado squad riding a six-game winning streak of their own.
Up next: At No. 20 Ganado, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
4. Gregory-Portland (8-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Valley View, 58-0
Gregory-Portland has been perfect since their lone loss to Boerne in Week 4, reeling off five straight wins, including four during district play. The Wildcats are averaging 44.6 points per game during their streak, while allowing just 6.8. The Wildcats face their toughest district challenge to close out the regular season, hitting the road to take on No. 8 Flour Bluff. The Wildcats will look to avenge last year’s loss to the Hornets. Like last season, the winner of the contest earns the District 15-5A DII title and the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs.
Up next: At No. 8 Flour Bluff, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. San Benito (9-0, 4-0)
Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. No. 24 Los Fresnos, 38-14
San Benito flipped the script on its usual run-heavy attack and let it fly against Los Fresnos, gaining more yards through the air than on the ground for the first time this year. Senior quarterback Aaron Corona displayed his ability to lead the Greyhounds aerial assault, throwing for nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns during the win. San Benito’s ability to win games with either a run game or through the air, combined with a stout defense, makes them a threat for a deep playoff run in Class 6A.
6. Weslaco High (9-0, 4-0)
Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Brownsville Hanna 44-6
Weslaco High had no trouble getting past Brownsville Hanna last week, improving to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in District 32-6A play. The victory puts the Panthers in position to claim their first district title since 2015 and first under fifth-year head coach Roy Stroman. They’ll need to take down No. 5 San Benito in order to accomplish that feat, however, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2013.
Up next: At No. 5 San Benito, Friday, 7 p.m.
7. Laredo United (7-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Laredo LBJ, 28-9
Laredo United picked up its seventh win and fifth straight with a convincing 28-9 victory over intracity rival Laredo LBJ. Senior quarterback and UTRGV commit Atzel Chavez accounted for all four of the Longhorns touchdowns during the win, throwing a pair, while rushing for another two. Chavez has Laredo United in the driver’s seat for their first outright district title since 2018.
8. Flour Bluff (6-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. Brownsville Porter, 57-0
Flour Bluff pitched its second straight shutout to improve to 4-0 in district play and set up a District 15-5A DII title-deciding contest against No. 4 Gregory-Portland. The two squads squared off last year, with the Hornets coming away with a 36-34 victory and their first district crown since 2014.
9. Ingleside (9-0, 3-0)
Previous rank: 11
Last week: Def. Orange Grove, 44-32
Ingleside breaks into the top 10 behind another video game-like performance from quarterback Aidan Jakobsohn and wideout Jaydon Smith. The duo hooked up 12 times for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to their ninth straight win. Jakobsohn also added a pair of interceptions while lining up on defense. The duo has the Mustangs on the verge of their first district title since 2013, needing only a win against No. 10 Sinton to claim the crown.
Up next: At No. 10 Sinton, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
10. Sinton (6-2, 3-0)
Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. West Oso, 49-3
Senior running back Derek Garcia rushed for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead Sinton to its fifth straight win. The Pirates are rolling after a 1-2 start to the season, sitting at 6-2 overall and 3-0 in district play. A win against No. 9 Ingleside to close out the regular season can lock up Sinton’s third straight district title.
11. Edinburg Vela (8-1, 5-1)
Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. La Joya Palmview, 35-2
The Sabercats have landed on their feet since their Week 5 loss to No. 2 PSJA North, reeling off five straight wins by at least three scores. Edinburg Vela is led by senior running back Jamal Polley, who has racked up 1,444 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns through nine games. They’ll look to lock up the district’s No. 2 seed against McAllen Rowe on Friday.
12. Alice (7-1, 5-0)
Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Zapata, 56-14
The Coyotes earned at least a share of the district title for the first time in 15 years with a 56-14 victory over Zapata, their sixth straight win. Alice sophomore quarterback Lucian Cruz continues to grow during his first year as a starter, completing 13-of-16 passes for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns during the win. A win over Kingsville King this week clinches the No. 1 seed heading into the postseason.
Up next: At Kingsville King, Friday, 7 p.m.
13. Corpus Christi Veterans (6-3, 4-2)
Previous rank: 7
Last week: Lost to Victoria East, 14-10
Corpus Christi Veterans seemed to be feeling the effects of their loss to No. 1 Corpus Christi Miller two weeks ago, dropping their second straight game and falling out of the top 10. The Eagles came within two yards of putting Victoria East away, getting stuffed on fourth down to set up the Titans’ game-winning 98-yard touchdown drive. The Eagles are still legit contenders in Region IV-5A DI but will need to get out of their funk with the postseason just two weeks away.
14. Calallen (6-3, 4-1)
Previous rank: 15
Last week: Bye
Calallen should be well rested heading into the postseason in two weeks, coming off a late season bye last week. The Wildcats currently sit second in their district and can secure the No. 2 seed with a win against winless Hidalgo (0-9, 0-5) during their regular season finale.
Up next: At Hidalgo, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
15. PSJA High (6-3, 4-0)
Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. Mission High, 55-14
PSJA High is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, picking up their sixth straight win after an 0-3 start to the season. The Bears offense is clicking on all cylinders during the win streak, averaging 499.0 total yards and 44.5 points per game over the past six contests. The Bears can put the exclamation point on their regular season run during their final game, with a win over Edinburg High securing the team’s first district title since 2019.
16. Brownsville Veterans (7-2, 5-0)
Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. No. 25 Harlingen South, 42-0
Here come the Chargers. Brownsville Veterans rolled to its fifth straight win, crushing No. 25 Harlingen South 42-0 to take sole possession of first in District 16-5A DI. A regional semifinalist last year, the Chargers are gaining steam at the right time, looking the part of a contender over the past five weeks. Junior fullback Alvin Trevillion has been pivotal the Chargers resurgence, rushing for over 135 yards and at least two scores during back-to-back contests.
17. Roma (9-0, 4-0)
Previous rank: 20
Last week: Def. PSJA Southwest, 62-0
Senior running back Isaac Lozano has been among the best running backs in South Texas this year and has the Gladiators on a historic run. Roma’s nine wins already rank first all-time in program history, with a share of the district title also clinched for the first time. Lozano has fueled the Gladiator’s 2023 campaign, rushing for 1,715 yards and 28 touchdowns with one game remaining. A win over Mission Veterans on Friday gives the Gladiators their first undefeated regular season in program history, while also securing the outright district title.
Up next: At Mission Veterans, Friday, 7 p.m.
18. Beeville Jones (7-2, 3-1)
Previous rank: 8
Last week: Lost to La Vernia, 49-0
Beeville Jones takes a major tumble down the rankings after a crushing 49-0 loss to La Vernia last week. The Trojans couldn’t muster anything on offense against the Bears, tallying just 176 total yards during the loss. The defense also struggled, allowing 403 total yards, including 264 on the ground. The Trojans can still earn a share of the district title with a win during their regular season finale, but questions have arisen as the playoffs loom.
Up next: At Pleasanton, Friday, 7 p.m.
19. Sharyland Pioneer (8-1, 3-1)
Previous rank: 21
Last week: Def. Sharyland High, 42-7
Sharyland Pioneer turned to their running game last week, rushing for 314 yards and four touchdowns during a 42-7 victory over Sharyland High. Running back Dylan Tijerina led the way with 24 carries for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns, while quarterback Julian Valdez added 18 carries for 104 yards and 2 scores. The victory keeps Pioneer’s slim district title hopes alive, needing a win over PSJA Memorial and a loss by Roma to finish as co-champions.
20. Ganado (8-1, 5-0)
Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Skidmore-Tynan, 62-0
Junior quarterback Bryce Ullman threw for 325 yards and 6 touchdowns to lead Ganado to its sixth straight win and eighth overall win of the year. The Indians enter the final week of the regular season tied with Class 2A powerhouse Refugio for the No. 1 seed in District 15-5A DI. The two teams will face off Friday, the Indians looking to end the Wildcats six-year reign as district champs.
Up next: Against Refugio, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
21. Laredo Alexander (6-3, 4-0)
Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. Del Rio, 28-7
Laredo Alexander has looked like a completely different team since district play started, going undefeated during its four district contests. The Bulldogs improved to 6-3 overall and 4-0 in district play with a 28-7 win over Del Rio. Only one team stands in the way of Alexander’s first district title, needing a win over No. 7 Laredo United (7-2, 3-0).
22. San Diego (7-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: 25
Last week: Def. Rio Hondo, 39-14
San Diego continued rolling through district play, dismantling Rio Hondo 39-14 for their fourth straight win and seventh overall. The Vaqueros are in sole possession of first in District 16-3A DI with the win and can secure the outright title with a win over Falfurrias on Friday.
Up next: At Falfurrias, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
23. McAllen High (7-2, 4-2)
Previous rank: 24
Last week: Def. Rowe, 9-6
It wasn’t pretty, but McAllen High managed to secure its seventh win of the year thanks to a safety by Hudson Hood and a 10-yard touchdown run by Jayden Herrera. The Bulldogs have a big contest up next against intracity rival McAllen Memorial. The winner secures the No. 3 seed in the tough District 15-5A DI, while the loser could potentially miss the postseason.
24. Los Fresnos (6-3, 2-2)
Previous rank: 16
Last week: Lost to No. 5 San Benito, 38-14
The Falcons struggled on both sides of the ball against No. 5 San Benito, allowing well over 400 total yards, while tallying just 237 total yards on offense. Los Fresnos has had an up-and-down season, at times looking like a powerhouse in South Texas, while other times struggling to get in sync. The Falcons are still a dangerous team with the postseason approaching, last year knocking out District 31-6A champion Edinburg North during the opening round of the playoffs.
Up next: At Harlingen High, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
25. Freer (7-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Riveria-Kaufer, 58-6
Freer made easy work of Riviera-Kaufer for their fourth straight win, improving to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in district play. The Buckaroos have come close to a district title several times over the past few years, with La Villa claiming the crown the past two years. They’ll have a chance to dethroning the reigning back-to-back champs during their regular season finale, with both teams entering the contest unbeaten in district play.
Up next: At La Villa, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
-- Ivan Palacios | ivanpalacios25@gmail.com | @sblivetx
Lead photo by Tommy Hays
