Top 25 South Texas high school football rankings: Corpus Christi Miller new No. 1 (10/26/2023)
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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.
>> Top 25 Texas high school football rankings (10/17/2023)
Week 10 of the Texas high school football season is underway 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 Wednesday, October 25. 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 (8-0, 5-0)
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. No. 7 Corpus Christi Veterans 59-40
Corpus Christi Miller vaults PSJA North for the No. 1 spot after passing their biggest test of the season with flying colors, taking down No. 7 Corpus Christi Veterans 59-40 for their eighth straight win. Junior running back Broderick Taylor erupted for six touchdowns during Miller’s first win over the Eagles since 2019. Miller’s explosive offense, which is averaging 59.1 points and 540.1 total yards per game, has the Buccaneers looking like the team to beat in South Texas.
Up next: At Victoria West, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
2. PSJA North (8-0, 5-0)
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. McAllen Memorial, 27-7
PSJA North relinquishes the No. 1 spot for the first time all season after an uncharacteristic day on the gridiron against McAllen Memorial. The Raiders still controlled the contest, outgaining the Mustangs 442-230, but penalties and untimely mistakes kept the game closer than any they’ve played this year. PSJA North is still one of the top teams in South Texas, but they can’t afford an off day like Friday’s during the postseason with both No. 1 Corpus Christi Miller and No. 7 Corpus Christi Veterans in their region.
Up next: Against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Thursday, 7 p.m.
3. Refugio (7-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Shiner, 26-7
Last year’s Class 2A DI state runner-up is rolling on all cylinders with only two regular season games remaining, picking up their seventh straight win with a 26-7 defeat of Shiner last week. Refugio is now 7-1 overall on the year after opening the season with a loss. The Bobcats are clicking at the right time, with only Kenedy and Refugio standing in their way of their eighth straight district championship.
Up next: Against Kenedy, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
4. Gregory-Portland (7-1, 3-0)
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Mercedes, 56-7
The Wildcats have had no issues taking care of business against their RGV competition during district play, improving to 3-0 with a dominant win against Mercedes. Do-it-all athlete Gabriel Juarez put together another strong showing against Mercedes, rushing 11 times for 91 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 blocked kick. The Wildcats have one last RGV opponent left on their district slate before clashing with No. 11 Flour Bluff for the District 15-5A DII title.
Up next: Against Valley View, Friday, 7 p.m.
5. San Benito (8-0, 3-0)
Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Harlingen High, 21-10
San Benito picked up its first win over Harlingen High since 2018 behind a dominant showing from superstar running back Fabian Garcia. The senior posted season highs in carries (32) and rushing yards (274), adding a pair of second-half touchdowns to spark the comeback victory. Garcia is the kind of player that can carry a team to a deep playoff run and he seems primed to do so after his performance last week.
Up next: At No. 16 Los Fresnos, Friday, 7 p.m.
6. Weslaco High (8-0, 3-0)
Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. Brownsville Rivera, 35-7
Weslaco High made light work of Brownsville Rivera last week, jumping out to a 21-0 first-quarter lead and not looking back. The Panthers didn’t ask a lot of their starters during the win, with star running back Eli Rodriguez toting the rock just 10 times during the win. They’ll need Rodriguez and the rest of the team’s starters fresh as all signs are pointing towards a Week 11 clash with No. 5 San Benito for the District 32-6A crown.
Up next: Against Brownsville Hanna, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
7. Corpus Christi Veterans (6-2, 4-1)
Previous rank: 5
Last week: Lost to Corpus Christi Miller, 59-40
Corpus Christi Veterans traded punches with No. 1 Corpus Christi Miller for almost four quarters before three straight Buccaneers’ touchdowns put the game out of reach. The loss all but eliminates the Eagles district title hopes, but that doesn’t take away from their postseason potential. Last year’s Region IV-5A champions are still contenders to come out of the region once again, with a potential rematch against the Buccaneers possibly in the cards along the way.
Up next: Against Victoria East, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
8. Beeville Jones (7-1, 3-0)
Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Port Lavaca Calhoun, 28-21
A fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jacob Villegas to Dayvn Perez kept the Trojans perfect in district play, escaping with a 28-21 victory over Port Lavaca Calhoun. The win moves them within one game of clinching at least a share of the district title for the first time since 2019. They’ll need to take down last year’s District 15-4A DI champion this week in order to do so.
Up next: Against La Vernia, Friday, 7 p.m.
9. Laredo United (6-2, 3-0)
Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. Del Rio, 45-14
Laredo United had to share last year’s District 30-6A title with Eagle Pass, both finishing 4-1 in league play. The Longhorns are on a mission to claim the outright district title for the first time since 2018, sitting at 3-0 in district play with two games remaining. A tilt with winless Laredo LBJ is up next before wrapping up the season against intracity rival No. 24 Laredo Alexander in what can possibly be the district title deciding contest.
Up next: Against Laredo LBJ, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
10. Flour Bluff (6-2, 3-0)
Previous rank: 11
Last week: Def. Valley View, 50-0
Flour Bluff is cruising through district play, outscoring their three opponents 147-17. Quarterback Jayden Paluseo has the Hornets’ offense buzzing, throwing for 905 yards and 12 touchdowns during the three-game span. A win over winless Brownsville Porter (0-8, 0-3) could set up for another district-title deciding finale against Gregory-Portland in two weeks.
Up next: Against Brownsville Porter, Thursday, 7 p.m.
11. Ingleside (8-0, 2-0)
Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Robstown, 58-35
Ingleside picked right back up after it’s bye week, eclipsing the 50-point mark for the third straight game and sixth time this season during a 58-35 win over Robstown. The Mustangs duo of quarterback Aiden Jakohbsohn and wideout Jaydon Smith hooked up for three scores during the win, bringing their season total to 26, while senior running back Nathan Ambrose added over 200 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Mustangs look primed to end a 10-year district title route, sitting tied for first with just two games remaining.
Up next: Against Orange Grove, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
12. Sinton (5-2, 2-0)
Previous rank: 9
Last week: Bye
Sinton drops a couple of spots during their bye week solely due to the performance of the three teams above them. That doesn’t mean the Pirates aren’t serious contenders in Region IV-4A DII, riding a four-game winning streak since their Week 3 loss to Port Lavaca Calhoun. Sinton is in search of their fourth straight district title, but will need to get past Ingleside during their regular season finale to do so.
Up next: At West Oso, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
13. Edinburg Vela (7-1, 4-1)
Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 77-0
The Sabercats are heating up since their loss to No. 2 PSJA North three weeks ago, putting up over 40 points in three straight contests, including a pair for games with over 70 points. Edinburg Vela is peaking at the right time, with just two weeks remaining before the postseason begins. Senior Jamal Polley has been key to the Sabercats surge, rushing for 406 yard and 10 touchdowns over their past three games.
Up next: At La Joya Palmview, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
14. Alice (6-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Hidalgo, 70-0
Alice hasn’t won a district title since 2008. The Coyotes are in the driver’s set to snap the 15-year cold spell under the leadership of first-year head coach JR Castellano. Alice’s 70-0 thrashing of Hidalgo marked their fourth straight win of the year and moved them to 4-0 in district play. A win over Zapata this week secures at least a share of the district title, with the chance to clinch it outright during their season-finale against Kingsville King.
Up next: Against Zapata, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
15. Calallen (6-3, 4-1)
Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. No. 25 Tuloso-Midway, 17-0
Calallen bounced back from its loss to No. 14 Alice with a 17-0 victory over No. 25 Tuloso-Midway, ending the Trojans’ district title hopes while keeping their own alive. The Wildcats will need some help down the stretch if they hope to capture their ninth straight district title, sitting one game back from the Coyotes in the standings.
Up next: Bye
16. Los Fresnos (6-2, 2-1)
Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. Brownsville Hanna, 31-0
Los Fresnos dominated Brownsville Hanna after dropping their first district contest to No. 6 Weslaco High two weeks ago, outgaining the Raiders 387-222 during the win. The victory keeps the Falcons within one game of San Benito (8-0, 3-0) and Weslaco High (8-0, 3-0) in the district title race. A win against the No. 5 Greyhounds on Friday can cause chaos in District 32-6A’ standings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Up next: Against No. 5 San Benito, Friday, 7 p.m.
17. PSJA High (5-3, 3-0)
Previous rank: 18
Last week: Def. Edinburg North, 41-12
PSJA High’s offense erupted for 35 first-half points against reigning District 31-6A champion Edinburg North and didn’t look back, rolling to their fifth straight win. The Bears’ passing attack looked on point as it has, but it was junior running back Jorge Alanis stealing the show, rushing for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns, while adding two catches for 33 yards and 1 score. If Alanis can continue to be a weapon out of the backfield, the Bears could be a dangerous team come playoff time.
Up next: At Mission High, Friday, 7 p.m.
18. Harlingen South (6-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 20
Last week: Def. Brownsville Lopez, 64-7
Harlingen South didn’t skip a beat despite an injury to their starting quarterback, putting up over 50 points for a third straight week while extending their winning streak to six. The Hawks can lock up at least a share of the district title for a third straight season with a win over No. 19 Brownsville Veterans (6-2, 4-0) this week.
Up next: Against No. 19 Brownsville Veterans, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
19. Brownsville Veterans (6-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 21
Last week: Def. Donna North, 64-7
Like the Hawks, Brownsville Veterans has been scorching hot recently, winning four straight since the start of district play. Their 64-7 victory over Donna North marked back-to-back 60-point games for the Chargers. Brownsville Veterans’ rushing attack has paved the way during the Chargers’ win-streak, averaging 341.5 yards per game during that span.
Up next: At No. 18 Harlingen South, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
20. Roma (8-0, 3-0)
Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. PSJA Memorial, 48-40 (2OT)
Roma matched its program-best win total with their 48-40 double-overtime win against previously unbeaten PSJA Memorial. The Gladiators can enter uncharted waters with a win against PSJA Southwest on Friday, clinching the program’s first ever district title in its 33 years of existence. The Gladiators are led by senior Isaac Lozano and junior Ediel Garcia, with the duo combining for 2,338 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns through eight games.
Up next: Against PSJA Southwest, Friday, 7 p.m.
21. Sharyland Pioneer (7-1, 2-1)
Previous rank: 24
Last week: Def. PSJA Southwest, 44-21
The Diamondbacks got back in the win column after dropping their first game of the season two weeks ago. Leading the charge was sophomore running back Dylan Tijerina, who rushed for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns on 14 carries. The Diamondbacks district title remain alive with the win, but will need to snap a two-game losing streak to city rival Sharyland High this week to keep it that way.
Up next: At Sharyland High, Friday, 7 p.m.
22. Ganado (7-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Three Rivers, 27-26
The Indians storm into the top 25 after their fifth straight win, debuting at No. 22. Ganado used a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat Three Rivers 27-26 last week, keeping them tied with No. 2 Refugio for first in District 15-2A DI. The Indians are on a collision course with Wildcats, with the district title likely to be decided during the season finale between the two teams.
Up next: At Skidmore-Tynan, Friday, 7:15 p.m.
23. Laredo Alexander (5-3, 3-0)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Laredo United South, 21-7
Here come the Bulldogs. After losing three of their last four non-district contests, Laredo Alexander dropped out of the top 25. Since then, the Bulldogs have reeled off three straight wins and sit tied for first in District 30-6A with No. 9 Laredo United. Senior running back Gael Rodriguez has led a revitalized Alexander offense during the win streak, averaging 189.7 rushing yards and 2.3 touchdowns per game. Meanwhile, SBLive South Texas midseason MVP Jorge Alvarado has been a one-man wrecking crew on defense, racking up 10 tackles for loss and three sacks during the three-game span.
Up next: At Del Rio, Friday, 7 p.m.
24. McAllen High (6-2, 3-2)
Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. La Joya Palmview, 26-0
McAllen High finds itself in a similar position at this point of the season as they did last year – fighting for one of the final two playoff spots in District 15-5A DI. Last year, McHi ended third in the standings before marching all the way to the Region IV-5A semifinals. A win over La Joya Palmview last week put them in position to secure the No. 3 seed once again, with a win over their intracity rival McAllen Rowe all but locking it up.
Up next: At McAllen Rowe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
25. San Diego (6-1, 3-0)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Progreso, 55-0
San Diego makes its debut in the top 25 poll after reeling off their third straight win, improving to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in district play. The Vaqueros have looked impressive since district play started, toppling previously unbeaten Lyford two weeks ago, followed by a dominating 55-0 performance against Progreso last week. They can secure a share of the district title for a second straight year with a win over Rio Hondo this week.
Up next: Against Rio Hondo, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
-- Ivan Palacios | ivanpalacios25@gmail.com | @sblivetx
Lead photo by Blake Purcell
