Projected Playoff Teams:
Los Fresnos, Weslaco, San Benito, Brownsville Lopez

Vitals:

    
      Los Fresnos fielded one of the strongest teams in South Texas last season, and showed well for themselves in the Regional Semi-Final loss to Westlake.  Los Fresnos has one of the best offensive linemen in the state in senior Mario Benavides.  Benavides is committed to Ole Miss, and earned first team All-State recognition as a junior.  In all, the Falcons returns 23 lettermen from a 12-1 team a year ago.  Senior Jorge Mata is a top returning player at WR. Junior Danny Silva looks set to take over at QB in the Falcons’ spread offense.  Junior DB Ruben Rodriguez lettered as a sophomore last year.

   Weslaco has one of the best players in the Valley this season in senior tailback Mishak Rivas.  Rivas ran for 2,008 yards last season, and is an obvious favorite to take the 32-5A Offensive MVP award in 2007 given he took the award last year.  He is also the favorite for the overall MVP award. Weslaco lost district in a shootout with Los Fresnos last season (42-39).

    San Benito also looks good for a return trip to the post-season.  The Greyhounds finished right up top with Los Fresnos and Weslaco last season.  They also played Los Fresnos in a very close game.

    Lopez made the playoffs in their first 5A season after moving up from 4A last year, and are looking to finish higher in 2007.  However, they must replace most of their firepower on offense.  The Lobos had one of the top offenses in 32-5A last season.  Senior David Resendez will take over for Luis Esparza at quarterback.  Senior WR Marcos Andrade is the most experienced returning player on offense.  Andrade’s been on varsity since his sophomore season.  Senior OL Mike Sanchez is a Division 1 prospect.  Most of the Lobos’ experience returns on defense.  Lopez surprised by beating out their city rivals for a playoff spot last year, and should be considered favorites to make the post-season again in 2007.

    Overall, the same three teams should be in the mix for the title again this season.  All three were far and away better than the Brownsville schools last season, so there is a lot of ground between those schools.  Lopez could be the darkhorse of the bunch, but it would take a monumental effort to crack the top two.  Los Fresnos, Weslaco and San Benito finished last season pretty even with one another and that’s where they will start this season.