South Texas high school football player of the year candidates in 2023

From Gregory-Portland LB Gabriel Juarez to Laredo Johnson's Abraham Huerta, here are the 18 best players through the first half of the season

Author:
Ivan Palacios
Publish date:
Oct 10, 2023 6:42 PM EDT

With more than half of the 2023 Texas high school football season in the books, SBLive is taking a look at the players who have made the biggest impacts.

We started with Central Texas and are moving focus to South Texas before finishing with North Texas, West Texas, East Texas and Southeast Texas.

If the season ended today, who would be the South Texas Player of the Year?

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Throughout the regular season, we're examining the top players in the state at each position, starting with the 20 best quarterbacks, 20 running backs and 20 wide receivers.

Now, we're taking an up-to-date look at 18 players who have stood tall above the pack, spanning all position and schools of all shapes and sizes.

Scroll down and read up on 18 standouts and stay tuned for a reader poll to pick the winner:

SOUTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST

Abraham Huerta, athlete, junior

High school: Laredo Johnson

Laredo LBJ sits at 5-0 at the midway point of the season and do-it-all athlete Abraham Huerta is at the center of it all. Primarily a running back, the 5-foot-5 athlete has taken more of a Swiss Army Knife role for the Wolves this season. Huerta has spent some time at quarterback this year, completing 29-of-43 passes for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns. He’s also added 67 carries for 328 yards and two scores from his running back position, while hauling in 10 receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown as a receiver. Huerta’s play has the Wolves in the hunt for their first playoff appearance since 2014.

Atzel Chavez, quarterback, sr.

High school: Laredo United

Laredo United’s 6-foot-1 signal called came into the 2023 campaign with high expectations after verbally committing to play at the DI level next fall. The UTRGV commit has delivered on those expectations through the first five weeks, leading the Longhorns to a 3-2 mark at the season’s midway point. Chavez has completed 119-fo-209 passes for 1,540 yards and 14 touchdowns in five appearances this year, adding 160 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. More impressively, Chavez has thrown just two interceptions so far. The senior gunslinger has the Longhorns heading towards their fifth straight playoff appearance, with a second straight District 30-6A title also possibly in the cards.

Billy White III, quarterback, soph.

High school: Corpus Christi Veterans

White stepped into some big shoes when he took over the Eagles starting quarterback position this year, replacing two-year starter Elijah Durrette. The now-graduated QB led Corpus Christi Veterans to back-to-back Region IV-5A championship games and one state semifinal appearance. White has transitioned into the starting role almost seamlessly, throwing for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first five starts. The sophomore’s emergence has the Eagles right in the mix for another regional title game berth, sitting at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in district with five game remaining.

Christian Sabsook, wide receiver, sr.

High school: Corpus Christi Veterans

A new face under center can lead to a decrease in production for any receiver. Sabsook, however, seems to have taken his game to another level. The senior wideout is just 165 yards away from surpassing his receiving yards from last year, currently sitting at 611 yards and 7 touchdowns on 19 receptions. Sabsook’s play has helped ease the transition for sophomore QB Billy White III, who took over the job after the graduation of two-year starter Elijah Durrette. Sabsook’s big-play ability, evident by his 32.2 yards per catch, has the Eagles (4-1, 2-0) primed for another run at the state title.

Danny Garcia, defensive line, sr.

High school: PSJA North

PSJA North’s defense has been among the stingiest in the state this season, allowing just 116.4 yards and 3.4 points per game. Garcia has been the glue to the defense, making plays left and right. The senior DT has wreaked havoc on opposing offenses this year, racking up 44 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks through five games. Garcia has also added one forced fumble. PSJA North’s quest for a state title will come down to it’s defense, with Garcia leading the charge.

Eli Rodriguez, running back, sr.

High school: Weslaco High

Rodriguez took over Weslaco High’s lead back role this season and hasn’t looked back, emerging as one of the top backs in South Texas. The 5-foot-10 running back has carried the ball 86 times for 714 yards and 12 touchdowns in five games, both marks ranking in the top 5 in the RGV. Rodriguez demonstrated his ability to take over games during the Panthers first contest, rushing for over 150 yards and 4 scores during his first start. Since then, Weslaco High’s bell-cow has scored at least twice in all but one game, while eclipsing the 150-yard mark twice more. Rodriguez’s breakout has the Panthers’ roaring heading into district play, emerging from non-district action with a 5-0 mark.

Fabian Garcia, running back, sr.

High school: San Benito

Garcia has been one of South Texas’ most productive running backs since his sophomore year, rushing for 3,434 yards and 18 touchdowns during his first two seasons. He’s picked up right where he left off this season, averaging 147.8 yards and 2.8 touchdowns per game in five appearances. Garcia’s 739 rushing yards are good for nearly half of the Greyhounds offensive yardage this year, while also being responsible for 14 of San Benito’s 32 offensive touchdowns. The Greyhounds cruised through their non-district play behind Garcia’s dominant play, outscoring opponents 230-66 en route to a 5-0 start.

Gabriel Juarez, running back/middle line backer, sr.

High school: Gregory-Portland

Juarez was a two-time all-state linebacker heading into this season. This year, the 6-foot-1 athlete has split time on both sides of the ball, lining up at running back and linebacker for Gregory-Portland. The hard-nosed senior doesn’t just play both ways, he dominates. Juarez leads the team in rushing through five games, carrying the ball 86 times for 591 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also leading the team in total tackles (47) and tackles for loss (12). The Wildcats two-way star is a big reason for Gregory-Portland’s 4-1 start to the season.

Isaac Lozano, running back, sr.

High school: Roma

It is no secret the Gladiators want to run the ball on offense, throwing just five passes versus 229 rushes this year. That knowledge hasn’t helped opposing defenses slow down Lozano. The senior running back has rushed for over 150 yards and more than two scores in four of his five appearances this year, including a pair of four-touchdown outings. Lozano racked up 791 yards and 13 touchdowns on 107 carries during the Gladiators’ five non-district games, each resulting in a win.

Jamal Polley, running back, sr.

High school: Edinburg Vela

Polley has been as explosive as they come in South Texas this year, averaging a whooping 11.5 yards per carry this season. The 5-foot-8, 170 pound running back’s combination of size and speed make him a threat to score on any carry, able to bulldoze through the defense or turn the corner in the blink of an eye. Polley’s 855 yards rank No. 1 in the Rio Grande Valley at the season’s midway point, reaching the mark on just 76 carries. The senior’s offensive brilliance has the SaberCats sitting at 4-1.

Jaydon Smith, wide receiver/defensive back, sr.

High school: Ingleside

No team has had an answer for Smith through Ingleside’s first six games. The senior wideout has put up otherworldly numbers to lead the Mustangs to a 6-0 start, hauling in 32 catches for 1,034 yards and 21 touchdowns. The North Texas commit has yet to be held under 140 yards this season, while also scoring at least three times during each of his outings. Smith’s impact doesn’t end on the offensive side, also lining up at DB for Ingleside. His 32 total tackles rank third on the team, also adding a team-high-tying two interceptions. The Mustangs is on pace for a memorable year with his 172.3 yards and 3.5 touchdowns per game putting him on trajectory for 1,723 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns this year.

Jorge Alvarado, defensive end, sr.

High school: Laredo Alexander

Alvarado has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Bulldogs this season, terrorizing opposing offenses night after night. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound edge rusher has lived in opponents’ backfields, tallying 34 quarterback hurries, 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in five games. His 40 total tackles rank third on the team, adding a pair of forced fumbles as well. Alvarado’s game-breaking ability makes him a terror to line up against on Friday nights.

Julian Valdez, quarterback, sr.

High school: Sharyland Pioneer

The Diamondbacks have been perfect to start the 2023 campaign and the play of their senior quarterback is the main reason why. Valdez has been dynamic under center for Pioneer, averaging 370.4 total yards and 5 total touchdowns per game. His pinpoint accuracy has the Diamondbacks aerial assault humming, completing 71.9% of his passes en route to 1,517 yards and 19 touchdowns with no interceptions. Valdez has also been a threat in the run game, carrying the ball 75 times for 335 yards and seven scores. He made his case for player of the year candidacy during the Diamondbacks last game, throwing for 344 yards and six touchdowns and adding 100 yards and a score on the ground during a 46-40 overtime victory over Laredo Alexander.

Keyan Lopez, tight end/outside linebacker, jr.

High school: Rio Hondo

A player like Lopez is hard to keep off the field. With the way he’s been playing why would you want to. The 5-foot-11 two-way player has been a one-man wrecking crew for Rio Hondo this season, leading the team in receiving yards and tackles. Lopez has been a gamebreaker at tight end, averaging 21.3 yards per reception en route to 597 yards and eight touchdowns through five games. He’s lived around the ball on the defensive side, amassing 73 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. The Bobcats are 3-2 at the midway point thanks to Lopez, with their two losses coming against Port Isabel (3-2) and Ingleside (5-0).

Logan Rodriguez, quarterback, jr.

High school: Orange Grove

Rodriguez is thriving during his first year as the Bulldogs starting quarterback, commanding the offense to a whooping 40.0 points and 412.7 yards per game. Rodriguez has been a dual threat behind center for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,894 total yards through the first six games. He’s completed 87-of-171 passes for 1,151 yards and 21 touchdowns, adding 379 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The 6-foot-2 signal caller’s breakout has the Bulldogs sitting at 4-2 heading into their bye week, including three straight wins to close out non-district play.

Luke Medina, running back, sr.

High school: Calallen

Medina has been Calallen’s offense this season, accounting for 47.7% of the team’s offensive yardage and 11 of their 18 touchdowns. The 5-foot-8 running back leads the team in both rushing and receiving yards this season. Medina has carried the ball 84 times for 608 yards and 9 touchdowns, adding 5 receptions for 144 yards and 2 scores. Medina’s offensive production has helped the Wildcats to a 4-1 start to the season, including a 2-0 mark in district play. The talented bell cow is the key in Calallen’s quest for a deep playoff run.

Robert Pineda, quarterback, soph.

High school: Los Fresnos

Stepping into the starting quarterback role as a freshman is no easy task, especially at the Class 6A level. Pineda made it look easy last year, however, leading the Falcons to a bi-district playoff win during his first year. The sophomore QB has only gotten better during his second season, leading Los Fresnos to a 4-1 overall record at the season’s midway point. Pineda’s dual-threat ability makes it hard to defend against him, ranking among the top in both passing and rushing in the RGV. He’s completed 69-of-111 passes for 941 yards and 11 touchdowns through five games, while also carrying the ball 53 times for 451 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Trevor Long, quarterback, jr.

High school: Corpus Christi Miller

Long split duties at QB for the Buccaneers last season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. The junior signal caller has taken sole possession of the QB1 spot this season and has Miller’s offense rolling. Long has been the catalyst behind the Buccaneers’ explosive attack, which is averaging 586.0 yards and 59.0 points per game through five games. Miller’s gunslinger has completed 71.9% of his passes, going 82-of-114 for 1,532 yards and 25 touchdowns and just one interception. With Long at the helm, SBLive’s South Texas No. 2 team is a legit contender for the Region IV-5A championship and a spot at state.