Friday night lights shine again
The wait is finally over. Big 7 football is back. After nine painfully long months, the 24-25 football season is here. The heartache, splendor of victory and thrill of competition that come with football’s return is here as well. Our Big 7 teams have been clamoring to take the field and exact revenge, redeem mistakes, and solidify their reputations. Now, the time has arrived. The only thing left to do is play ball.
Here is a brief preview of each team
Mission Eagles
Head Coach: Danny Longoria
23-24 Season Record: (4-7, 2-3)
23-24 Season Result: Bi-District Finalists
Notable Returners: QB Diego Salinas, RB Thomas Aparicio, WR Shelby Sital, WR Christopher Kirk, C Matthew Ramirez, DL Johnathon Kader
Progress Times Photo by Joe Vela
Last year was a lean one for the Mission Eagles, who finished three games below .500. Despite their record, the Eagles touted one of the most explosive offenses in the RGV and still managed to secure District 31-6A’s final playoff spot. The Eagles return much of their offensive production from last year, including all-world, dual-threat quarterback Diego Salinas and bruising bell-cow back Thomas Aparicio. The Eagles should be fine scoring points behind their athletic offensive line and dynamic skill position players. But the most critical question remains: Can they come up with timely defensive stops?
As they transition into their new district home, the Eagles must contend with a brutal mix of power and spread offenses. Where do the Eagles fit in with McAllen High, Robert Vela High, and Mission Veterans as the favorites for the district’s top three playoff spots?
The Eagle’s quest begins tonight in Mission, Texas, against their crosstown rival, the Veterans Memorial Patriots, in The Battle of Conway.
Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots
Head Coach: David Gilpin
23-24 Season Record: (7-5, 4-1)
23-24 Season Result: District 16-5A Co-Champions, Bi-District Champions
Notable Returners: LB Aiden Uribe, RB Edward Martinez, LB Chris Garza, DL Kevin Casiano
The Mission Veterans Memorial Patriots are the talk of Mission, and rightfully so. Last year, the Patriots rattled off five consecutive wins after a blowout loss to Sharyland Pioneer. They ended up securing a share of the 16-5A District Championship while they wrestled away the top seed from the Diamondbacks and Roma Gladiators by a tie-breaker.
The Patriots lost most of their offensive production after losing senior quarterback Braden Luedeker and the bulk of their stellar receiving corps to graduation. However, replacing that position has never been a problem with head coach David Gilpin at the helm. The Patriots Blue Dawg defense will likely be the team’s strength this year. Only a few teams can boast the size and athleticism they possess in their front seven. And with Aiden Uribe and Chris Garza returning, the Patriots will wreak havoc in opposing backfields all year.
The Patriots will start their journey for a consecutive district championship tonight at Tom Landry Stadium in Mission, Texas, against the Mission Eagles in the highly anticipated Battle of Conway.
Sharyland Rattlers
Head Coach: Craig Krell
23-24 Season Record: (3-7, 0-5)
Notable Returners: RB/LB Santiago Longoria, WR Eduardo Mendoza, LB/RB Diego Guerrero, LB Diego Mendoza
Last year, the Rattlers missed the playoffs after posting their worst full-season win total since the 06-07 season; coincidentally, the last year they missed the playoffs. The Rattlers struggled to get off the field on defense and, at times, looked abysmal on offense. To make matters worse, the Rattlers dealt with a litany of injuries to key players that they could ill afford to lose. When you combine that with the emergence of PSJA Memorial and the Roma Gladiators, the Rattler’s disappointing 23-24 season makes sense.
This year, the Rattlers reclassified into a smaller district, but the other four teams in their district all won at least one playoff game a year ago. That’s a challenging task, especially for a team that lost all its district games a season ago and went winless vs 75% of their current district.
But there is reason to remain optimistic. The Rattlers have historically fielded playoff-caliber football teams for nearly 20 years, and one bad season won’t change that history. The Rattlers will look to follow the leadership of hard-nosed defender and running back Santiago Longoria and trusted returner, now new quarterback, Calvin Harris. If the Rattlers can sustain any consistency on either side of the ball, most of their games should be competitive. At that point, anything can happen.
The Rattlers will kick off their 24-25 season on the road tonight against the formidable Weslaco East Wildcats, a team notorious for playing smash-mouth football. The task may be daunting, but it’s the perfect opportunity for the Rattlers to show the entire Valley that things are back to normal in Sharyland.
Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks
Head Coach: Eddie Galindo
23-24 Season Record: (10-2, 4-1)
23-24 Season Result: District 16-5A Co-Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Finalists
Notable Returners: LB Marcos Rauda, S Andrew Rivera, RB Dylan Tijerina, WR Matthew Maldonado
The Pioneer Diamondbacks 23-24 season was one to remember. They increased their win total from 7 to 10, won a share of the 16-5A District Championship, and won a playoff game for the first time since 2020. The offense was humming behind a fast and physical offensive line, vicious running back Dylan Tijerina, and superstar Quarterback Julian Valdez. Meanwhile, the Diamondback defense bullied opponents into submission, forcing 22 turnovers on the season.
This year, the Diamondbacks return all-district performers Marcus Rauda, Andrew Rivera, and Dylan Tijerina, among others. Their collective talent and experience should be enough to help the Diamondbacks navigate their new five-team district.
Although their non-conference schedule is deadly, their district games should be manageable. And if history is any indication, they should be shoe-ins for the playoffs. The only pressing issue is replacing Valdez’s production. It’s hard to imagine they’ll falter with their decision. Their last two quarterbacks were Valdez and Eddie Lee Marburger.
Tonight, the Diamondbacks will face one of their toughest tests at home against the PSJA Bears, who had one of the most potent offenses in South Texas last year.
La Joya Coyotes:
Head Coach: Reuben Farias
23-24 Season Record: (0-9, 0-5)
Notable Returners: QB Owen Benoit, RB Mauricio Mendoza, LB Joshua Flores, OL Cesar Alaniz, OL Ruben Conde
Ezekiel Hernandez #10 (DB), picks up an onside kick, giving Coyotes the ball in late 4th quarter.
The La Joya Coyotes were winless in 23-24. They struggled on both sides of the ball and rarely competed with their opponents. This season is an opportunity for atonement. Outside of PSJA and Weslaco, the district is ripe for the Coyotes to emerge from its shadows.
As always, the Coyotes’ strength will once again be their offensive line and running game. They return an experienced offensive line and have an infuriating scheme to game plan against. The Coyotes can eat clock or generate explosive plays, but can they do it consistently enough to stay competitive and string wins together?
The Coyotes opened their 24-25 season last night against the Brownsville Rivera Raiders in what was the first of their four consecutive road games. They will also play six of their first seven games on the road. Opening their season with so many road games might seem like a tall task, but the only way to go for the Coyotes is up.
La Joya Palmview Lobos:
Head Coach: Margarito “Mage” Requenez
23-24 Season Record: (3-7, 1-6)
Notable Returners: QB Mateo Garcia, FB Kyle Bazan, LB Leonidas Chapa, S David Flores, QB/CB Joseph Martinez
After surprising the entire valley in 22-23, all signs pointed to a Lobos renaissance—or, at the very least, continued improvement and success. But 23-24 was a challenging year for the Lobos faithful. They only managed one district win and three wins overall. After starting the year 2-1, the Lobos faltered and lost six straight.
All hope isn’t lost. Palmview boys have performed in soccer, baseball, and basketball. Football is the only team sport left for the Lobos to conquer. Their district schedule won’t pay them any favors, but it’s not unmanageable. Their defense can generate stops, but their offense struggled to sustain drives and limit mistakes. They can secure a playoff spot if they get on the same page.
Tonight, their redemption tour begins on the road in Pharr, Texas, against the PSJA Southwest Javelinas. They’ll start their district campaign against the Rio Grande City Rattlers on September 27th.
La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Huskies:
Head Coach: Danny Cortez
23-24 Season Record:
23-24 Season Result: 0-10, 0-7
Notable Returners: QB John Menchaca, WR Sebastian Lopez
The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies struggled mightily in 23-24. They went winless and struggled to mount any resistance against their competition. The Huskies fought valiantly but were outclassed in most of their games. A calendar and coaching change could be the prescription the doctor ordered.
New head coach Danny Cortez’s efforts to evaluate talent and play the best athletes regardless of position fit could be what pushes the Huskies from doormat to contender. But who will emerge? The Huskies are a resilient, capable group needing a star or at least a solid role player. Cortez’s new leadership style and fresh eyes might be what’s required in order to unearth that talent.
The Huskies’ season begins with three winnable games, including tonight’s home game against the Brownsville Lopez Lobos, before their daunting district schedule opens with the three McAllen teams and the Edinburg Vela Sabercats. It may be early, but we’ll know what kind of team the Huskies are by October.