Projected Playoff Teams:
United, Alexander, Cigarroa, Martin

Vitals:

    
     United remain the favorites to win this district thanks to six returning all-district players.  The Longhorns, led by coach David Sanchez, won 29-5A rather easily last season.  Their closest game was a 22-2 win over Alexander.  In fact, that was the only game in district they failed to score at least 40 points.  On offense, United’s best players are on the offensive line.  Seniors Esteban Lopez and Andrew Navarro form the base for a very experienced and proven line.  Senior linebacker Ramon Sandoval anchors the defense.  Sandoval is one of the defensive MVP favorites in this district after a very good junior season.  Fellow linebacker and senior, Emilio Ortega, adds more experience.  The Longhorns are an easy pick as the favorite.

    After United, there isn’t a team that stands out from the remaining pack.  Alexander, led by former successful Nixon coach Joel Lopez, are one of the teams who could claim that second spot and possibly push United a little.  As noted above, Alexander did give United its toughest game last season in district.  The best returning player on offense for the Bulldogs is senior WR Carlos Laurel.  Senior DE Carlos San Miguel and senior LB George Gallegos lead the defense. 

    Cigarroa returns a solid nucleus of talent, and look good for a return trip to the post-season.  Cigarroa has the top young talent in the district in junior QB Carlos Cruz.  Cruz earned first team all-district honors as a sophomore a year ago.  Defensively, senior DB Michael Robles is a returning first team all-district selection.  So, the Toros have proven talent on both sides of the ball to build the 2007 team around. 

    Martin, Nixon and United South should also be in the hunt for playoff spots.  Martin has a talented offensive lineman back in junior guard Jorge Flores as well as senior Julio Ruiz.   Senior DT Miguel Trevino is one of the top defenders in the district.  Nixon had a rough 5-5 season in 2006, by their standards, and look to return to the post-season.  Senior DB Joel Zavala is one of the experienced hands who will aim to help Nixon meet that goal.  United South finished just one game out of the playoffs last year, and surprised quite a few after struggling to even win a single game for a while.  The Panthers have the experience back to make a run at it if they build on what they did a year ago.  Senior QB Julio Sanchez gives them experience at a key position.  Senior DB Sean Evans and DE Joaquin Medina are the two most experienced back on defense. 

    Eagle Pass, Winn and Johnson aim to fight their way out of the 29-5A cellar.  That’s never easy, but big turnarounds can happen.  They need to look no further than what United South did in 2006.  United is a definite favorite, but the rest of the district is less defined.  Alexander, Cigarroa and Martin are the pre-season favorites to grab the other three playoff spots.