Top 25 South Texas high school football rankings: Weslaco, Flour Bluff, Sinton rise (11/7/2023)
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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 a step further on the best teams across South Texas.
The Texas high school regular season is over 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, November 7. 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 (10-0, 7-0)
Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi Carroll, 76-24
Junior quarterback Trevor Long threw for 7 touchdown passes to help Corpus Christ Miller secure the outright district title and only its second undefeated regular season since 1955. The Buccaneers offense is one of the most dominant in the entire state heading into the postseason, averaging 60.1 points and 556.4 total yards per game.
Up next: Against Laredo Martin, Thursday, 7 p.m.
2. PSJA North (10-0, 7-0)
Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Rio Grande City, 57-14
PSJA North completed its second straight undefeated season with a dominating effort against Rio Grande City last week, marking 20 straight regular season wins for the Raiders. PSJA North, the reigning back-to-back District 15-5A DI champs, head into the postseason with one of South Texas’ most stout defenses, allowing under 200 yards and just 3.8 points per contest.
3. Refugio (9-1, 6-0)
Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Ganado, 30-7
Refugio is red hot heading into the postseason, reeling off its ninth straight win to close out the regular season 9-1 overall and 6-0 in district play. The victory secured the Wildcats eighth straight district title and 19th in the last 20 years. Refugio is a tough draw for any team during the postseason, with the Wildcats favorites to make a state title run in Class 2A this season.
4. Weslaco High (10-0, 5-0)
Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. No. 8 San Benito, 27-21 (2OT)
Weslaco High embraced the underdog role this season after being picked by many media outlets to finish fourth in District 32-6A. The Panthers silenced the doubters with a thrilling double-overtime win over previously unbeaten San Benito on Friday to capture their first district title since 2015. The victory also secured Weslaco High’s first unbeaten campaign since 1991. A balanced offensive attack and a stout defense makes the Panthers a difficult team to face heading into the playoffs.
5. Flour Bluff (7-2, 5-0)
Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. No. 9 Gregory-Portland, 56-21
For a second straight season Flour Bluff defeated Gregory-Portland in their regular season finale to win the District 15-5A DII title. This year wasn’t nearly as close as last season’s contest, with the Hornets dominating the Wildcats from start to finish en route to their second straight district crown. Flour Bluff has now won six straight contests heading into the playoffs.
6. Laredo United (8-2, 5-0)
Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. Laredo Alexander, 35-15
Laredo United quarterback and UTRGV commit Atzel Chavez put on a show during possibly his last home game of his career, accounting for 351 total yards and four total touchdowns during the Longhorns victory. Chavez’s performance helped Laredo United close out the regular season with its sixth straight win, securing the District 30-6A title as well.
Up next: At San Antonio Taft, Friday, 7 p.m.
7. Sinton (7-2, 4-0)
Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. No. 12 Ingleside, 42-14
Sinton flexed its muscle against previously undefeated Ingleside to close out the regular season, dismantling the Mustangs 42-14 at home. The Pirates stifled a Mustangs offense that came in averaging 482.1 total yards and 54.7 points per game, holding Ingleside to just 193 total yards and 14 points, both season lows. Sinton is now riding a six-game winning streak heading into the postseason.
Up next: Against Bishop, Thursday, 7 p.m. at Cabaniss Multipurpose Facility
8. San Benito (9-1, 4-1)
Previous rank: 5
Last week: Lost to No. 4 Weslaco High, 27-21 (2OT)
San Benito’s perfect season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion, falling in a double-overtime thriller to No. 4 Weslaco High. The loss marks back-to-back years the Greyhounds finish as the runner-up in District 32-6A, both times losing just one game. San Benito should bounce back during their postseason opener, with one of South Texas’ top running back and a dominant defense leading the way.
9. Gregory-Portland (8-2, 4-1)
Previous rank: 4
Last week: Lost to No. 5 Flour Bluff, 56-21
Gregory-Portland closed the regular season with a loss to Flour Bluff for the second straight season, finishing as the runner-up in the district once again. The loss marked their first since a Week 4 loss to Boerne, snapping their five-game winning streak. The Wildcats get a home contest to open the postseason as they try to get back on track for a deep playoff run.
Up next: Against Roma, Friday, 7 p.m.
10. Edinburg Vela (9-1, 6-1)
Previous rank: 11
Last week: Def. McAllen Rowe, 56-12
Edinburg Vela rolls into the postseason with five consecutive victories, securing the No. 2 seed in District 15-5A DI with a dominant showing against McAllen Rowe. The Sabercats have looked like a different team since their Week 5 loss to No. 2 PSJA North, averaging 426.2 total yards and 56.6 points over their last five games. Edinburg Vela is outscoring its opponents 283-36 during it’s winning streak.
11. Alice (8-1, 6-0)
Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Kingsville King, 32-0
Year 1 under head coach JR Castellano has been filled with success for Alice. The Coyotes defeated rival Calallen for the first time since 2012 earlier this season, while also earning a share of the district title. They secured their first outright district title since 2008 with their win over Kingsville King on Friday, putting the exclamation point on an already impressive first year for Castellano. Alice will put its seven-game winning streak on the line against Rockport-Fulton on Friday, searching for playoff win No. 1 for Castellano.
Up next: Against Rockport-Fulton, Friday, 7 p.m. at Buccaneer Stadium
12. Ingleside (9-1, 3-1)
Previous rank: 9
Last week: Lost to No. 7 Sinton, 42-14
It was an uncharacteristic day for Ingleside during their regular season finale, with their usually explosive offense unable to get things going against a tough Sinton squad. The Mustangs were held to season lows in total yards (193) and points (14). The Mustangs will need quarterback Aidan Jakobsohn and Jaydon Smith to get back to form with the postseason set to begin this week.
Up next: Against Grulla, Thursday, 7 p.m. at Hebbronville High School
13. Corpus Christi Veterans (7-3, 5-2)
Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi King, 65-7
Corpus Christi Veterans snapped a mini two-game losing streak by steamrolling past Corpus Christi King 65-7 in their regular season finale. Sophomore quarterback Billy White III led the charge during the win, throwing 237 yards and 3 touchdown passes. The victory gives the Eagles much-needed momentum heading into the playoffs. They’ll need to get a win on the road to start the postseason if they hope to make another deep run this year.
14. Calallen (7-2, 5-1)
Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Hidalgo, 61-12
Calallen made easy work of Hidalgo during their regular season finale, with five different players finding the endzone during the 49-point win. The Wildcats have bounced back nicely since its Week 9 loss to No. 11 Alice, ending the regular season with back-to-back wins. Calallen hasn’t lost in the opening round of the playoffs in over two decades and will look to keep that streak going against Beeville Jones on Friday.
15. PSJA High (7-3, 5-0)
Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. Edinburg High, 37-13
PSJA High claimed its first outright district title since 2018 with a 24-point victory over Edinburg High, snapping the Bobcats four-game winning streak as well. The Bears have now won seven straight since starting the season 0-3. Up next for the Bears is a rematch against the last team to beat them, the Los Fresnos Falcons. PSJA High will look to avenge their one-point loss to Los Fresnos from Week 3.
Up next: Against Los Fresnos, Friday, 7 p.m.
16. Brownsville Veterans (8-2, 6-0)
Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. Brownsville Lopez, 71-21
Brownsville Veterans completed its undefeated run through district play with a 71-point performance, locking up the outright district title. The victory marked the sixth straight for the Chargers, outscoring their district opponents 311-58 during that run. The Chargers are a dangerous team heading into the postseason, led by a stifling defense and a ground-and-pound offensive attack. The Chargers are looking to make a repeat run of last year, which culminated in their first regional semifinal appearance in school history.
17. Sharyland Pioneer (9-1, 4-1)
Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. PSJA Memorial, 49-21
Sharyland Pioneer earned a share of the District 16-5A DII title with a win over PSJA Memorial, their third straight to end the year. The Diamondbacks finished as tri-district champions with Roma and Mission Veterans, after the Patriots defeated the Gladiators to close out the season. Sharyland Pioneer lost in the opening round of the playoffs after back-to-back third round appearances the previous two season. They’ll look to get back to their winning ways as they host Edcouch-Elsa in this years postseason opener.
Up next: Against Edcouch-Elsa, Friday, 7 p.m.
18. San Diego (8-1, 5-0)
Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Falfurrias, 34-19
San Diego had to share the district title with Rio Hondo last season, both finishing 4-1 in district play. The Vaqueros don’t have to share this year’s title, finishing 5-0 in district play. The Vaqueros now turn their attention to a rematch against the same team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season, hosting Corpus Christi London in the bi-district round Thursday. The Pirates ended the Vaqueros season 28-7 during the same round last year.
19. Roma (9-1, 4-0)
Previous rank: 17
Last week: Lost to Mission Veterans, 38-35
Roma’s season didn’t get the storybook ending it hoped for, dropping their first game of the year in heartbreaking fashion to Mission Veterans. The Gladiators still managed to secure a share of the district title for the first time in program history, finishing the regular season 9-1 overall. They draw a tough matchup during the opening round of the playoffs against No. 9 Gregory-Portland, with the loss dropping them from the No. 1 seed to No. 3.
Up next: At No. 9 Gregory-Portland, Friday, 7 p.m.
20. Lyford (9-1, 4-1)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Rio Hondo, 27-14
Lyford closed the regular season with its third straight win, taking care of business on the road against Rio Hondo to secure the No. 2 seed in the district. The Bulldogs have been arguably the top sub-5A team in the Rio Grande Valley this year, with their lone regular season loss coming against No. 18 San Diego. Lyford’s season has ended in the opening round of the playoffs the last two years, but look primed to end that streak this season.
Up next: Against Industrial, Friday, 7 p.m. at Tuloso-Midway HS
21. La Villa (8-2, 5-0)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Freer, 38-20
La Villa makes its debut in the top 25 poll following a 38-20 victory over previous No. 25 Freer. The Cardinals victory over the Buckaroos secured their third straight district title. La Villa has reeled off seven straight wins since suffering back-to-back losses to No. 20 Lyford and Santa Rosa, ending the year 8-2 overall.
Up next: Against Three Rivers, Thursday, 7 p.m. at Premont High School
22. Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (8-2, 4-2)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Zapata, 36-24
Back-to-back losses dropped Tuloso-Midway out of the top 25 poll two weeks ago. They make their return after closing out the year with back-to-back wins to secure the No. 3 seed in a tough district which features No. 11 Alice and No. 14 Calallen. The Warriors shouldn’t be taken lightly heading into the playoffs, with their only two losses coming against those same two ranked teams.
Up next: At La Verina, Friday, 7 p.m.
23. Harlingen High (7-3, 3-2)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Los Fresnos 21-17
Like the Tuloso-Midway, Harlingen High makes its return to the top 25 poll after closing out the year with back-to-back wins. The Cardinals have righted the ship since their Week 9 loss to No. 8 San Benito, turning solely to senior quarterback Drew Kornegay after having him split reps with fellow senior Randy Morales. Kornegay has thrown for 518 yards and 5 touchdowns over the final two weeks of the regular season, adding 120 yards and one score on the ground. The new-look Cardinals look primed to make a deep postseason run one year after advancing to the Region IV-6A semifinals.
Up next: At Edinburg High, Thursday, 7 p.m.
24. McAllen Memorial (7-3)
Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. McAllen High 22-0
McAllen Memorial saw its streak of 12 straight postseason appearances snapped last season after finishing 3-7 and sixth in their district. The Mustangs are back in the big dance, earning the No. 3 seed in District 15-5A DI with a 5-2 mark in league play. McAllen Memorial finished the year 7-3 overall with all three of their losses coming against team’s ranked in the SBLive South Texas Top 25 rankings.
25. Laredo Alexander (6-4, 4-1)
Previous rank: 21
Last week: Lost to Laredo United, 35-15
Laredo Alexander will have to wait another year to try and take down Laredo United, dropping their sixth straight contest to their city rival during their regular season finale. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak by the Bulldogs, while dropping them to second place in the district standings. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs secured their first winning season since 2019 and are primed for their second straight postseason appearance.
-- Ivan Palacios | @sblivetx
Lead photo by Blake Purcell
