(Pharr, Texas)-PSJA Southwest barely had twenty-six players on the playing field when they traveled to play Sharyland High School on Saturday, December 5th in their District 16-5A DII finale. A win would put either the Rattlers or Javelinas in the State 5A DII playoffs. The Javelinas pulled off their biggest upset in school history by defeating Sharyland 21-7 to clinch their first playoff berth under head coach Mike Evans. The win was worth the drench. The Javelinas would lose to San Antonio Alamo Heights in the first round of the University Interscholastic League 5A Division II playoffs. The Javelinas enters the 2021 season ranked No.25 while the No.1 Harlingen Cardinals will be the team to watch as head coach Manny Gomez leads his team for the 13th season. The Cards lost a heartbreaker in 2020 against San Antonio Stevens 28-21 in the 6A Division I Area Championships at Buccaneer Stadium. Gomez won his 10th District 32-6A title last season and will open their season on the road with two games against 30-6A Laredo United South Panthers on August 27th and then, at Richard R. Flores Stadium, to face the defending champions, No.2 Edinburg Vela Sabercats from 31-6A on September 3rd.
Under sixth-year head coach John Campbell, the Sabercats have won district titles in 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The Sabercats have also been to the third round of the playoffs three times with Campbell. The Sabercats will rely on senior Chase Campbell, a six-foot two-inch quarterback along with offensive lineman, Mark Gomez (6’3 285lbs), running back PJ Rivera (5’8 175lbs), and WR Justin Vega.
At No.3, the Mercedes Tigers advanced to the Texas State 7-on-7 Championships this past summer with senior quarterback Michael Cisneros (5’11 175lbs) calling the plays. The Tigers will be talented. They will feature RB Miguel Jimenez (539 yards), WR Tyrell Trevino (391 yards), and Joseph Rocha (170 yards). Head coach Roger Adame likes his District 16-5A DII title chances in 2021. The Tigers defeated Floresville in the 5A DII Bi-District playoffs 41-34.
Closing in at No.4 are the Weslaco East Wildcats with head coach Michael Burget. The Wildcats won the District 16-5A DI title in 2020 and they also clinched the UIL 5A Division I Bi-district title with a win over Victoria West 26-23. Burget will lead a very disciplined team in 2021 as they compete in a ten-team district. The Wildcats open their district season against Donna at Bobby Lackey Stadium on September 3rd. Players to watch are WR Omari Bowen (6’1 185lbs), DE Alden Zavala (6’1 190lbs), and DE Ray Garcia (6’0 225lbs).
Rounding out the Top Five are the San Benito Greyhounds. Head coach Dan Gomez will lead his Hounds with plenty of talent after losing in the first round of the State 6A Division I playoffs to Mission 27-18. Players to watch are WR/RB Jermaine Corbin (6’2 195lbs), WR/TE Chris Thrailkill (6’4 185lbs), WR Nic Gonzalez (6’4 190lbs), OT Nathaniel Garcia (6’3 265lbs), OT Lupe Muniz.
HSSM’s Top 25 Pre-Season Football Rankings
- Harlingen 2. Edinburg Vela 3. Mercedes 4. Weslaco East 5. San Benito 6. Raymondville 7. PSJA North 8. Brownsville Hanna 9. Brownsville Pace 10. Edcouch-Elsa 11. Mission Veterans 12. Edinburg North 13. Weslaco HS 14. Pioneer HS 15. Harlingen South 16. McAllen Memorial 17. La Joya HS 18. McAllen Rowe 19. Hidalgo 20. La Feria 21. Sharyland 22. Lyford 23. RGC 24. Mission 25. Edinburg 25. PSJA SW
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