Projected Playoff Teams:
PSJA North, Harlingen South, Harlingen, PSJA

Vitals:

    
    There is a clear pre-season top three in this district, and it is the same group that finished the 2006 season 1-2-3.  PSJA North, Harlingen South and Harlingen all return more key parts than the rest of the district and that made it easy to hold the top three from last season intact.

    PSJA North had the best defense in 31-5A last year, and they return the players to keep hold of that label again in 2007.  Senior defensive end Michael Giles anchors the unit up front, and is an all-district player.  Senior LB Jesse Diaz Sandoval is one of the best linebackers in the district.  Also, senior corner Danny Reyes and senior safety Alex Serna add even more experience to what should be a strong defense.  The offense will rely on leadership from senior fullback Jacob Jimenez.  The Raiders won this district with strong defense last season, and they’ve got the pieces in place to do that again in 2007.

    Harlingen South had one of its best seasons in school history last fall, and return six all-district players to try and build on that effort in 2007.  QB Sean Messick is one of the top QBs in South Texas.  One of his top targets, senior WR Peter Maldonado, is also back.  Senior OT Daniel Cardenas is one of the top OL in 31-5A.  The defense can build around seniors Randy Garza (DT) and Israel Neeley (LB).  Also, the kicking game looks set with senior punter Rolando Salinas. 

    Traditional south Texas power Harlingen also looks good on paper.  The Cardinals suffered from inconsistency last season, and can contend for this district title with more steady week to week performances.  Their effort is helped by the return of two of the district’s top players.  Senior RB Ted Gnavely and senior safety Chad Reininger are two early frontrunners for district and regional awards.  Junior QB John Murphy is the top underclassman in the district.  Senior John Koite is also there at QB.  Koite was injured for much of last year, so the Cards have two QBs.  Senior OLB Danny Carmona and senior corner Eric Ortiz add more experience.  The Cardinals’ key games are the backyard battle with South and a home date with PSJA North later in district. 

    Fourth place appears up for grabs between PSJA High and the Edinburg schools.  Economedes and PSJA look like the strongest candidates to win that last playoff spot.  Economedes was very competitive in district last season.  After PSJA North, they put up the best defensive numbers in the district.  PSJA’s best returning player is senior RB RJ Maldonado.  Economedes has senior DT Ryan Reyna.  Despite what their 0-7 record would indicate, PSJA Memorial was very competitive in the early part of district but seemed to fall apart as the season progressed.  Memorial could scare a few teams in this district if they find a way to generate a positive result early and build on that momentum.  PJSA North, Harlingen South and Harlingen are a definite top three.  Look for PSJA and Economedes to battle for the fourth playoff spot, but that could really open up.