South Texas Top 25 high school football rankings: Sharyland Pioneer biggest riser (10/9/2023)

Weslaco outlasts Harlingen as several ranked opponents clash

Each Monday, the SBLive Texas Power 25 update drops, taking a look at the top 25 teams in the Lone Star State across all classifications.

>> Top 25 Texas high school football rankings (10/9/2023)

Now, we're zeroing in to take a closer look at the best teams in South Texas.

Week 7 of the Texas high school football season is in the books and SBLive is taking an updated look at the top teams in South Texas, spanning each corner of the region and schools all shapes and sizes.

The order reflects all results from the previous week. Take a look at the most recent rankings. These rankings are compiled by South Texas correspondent Ivan Palacios.

SOUTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS

1. PSJA North (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 1
Last week: Def. La Joya Palmview, 55-0

Another week, another shutout for PSJA North’s defense. The Raiders continue to prove why they’re the top team in South Texas blanking their fifth opponent in six tries this year, outscoring their opponents 271-17. PSJA North has now reeled off 16 straight regular season wins dating back to last season and are showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Up next: at McAllen Rowe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

2. Corpus Christi Miller (6-0, 3-0)

Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi King, 70-13

Like the Raiders, Corpus Christi Miller is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon, eclipsing the 50-point mark for the fifth time in six games this year. The Buccaneers’ offense has been as explosive as they come this year, averaging 60.8 points per game. They’ll need to keep rolling with a matchup against No. 5 Corpus Christi Veterans just two weeks away.

Up next: at Corpus Christi Moody, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

3. Refugio (6-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Skidmore-Tynan, 62-7

Last year’s Class 2A-DI state runner-up looks primed for another run at the state title, reeling off their sixth straight win before the bye week. The Bobcats are rolling heading into their break, with Friday’s 62-7 victory marking their third straight by at least 45 points. They’ll use next week to rest up for the final stretch of the regular season before the start of the postseason.

Up next: Bye

4. Gregory-Portland (5-1, 1-0)

Previous rank: 4
Last week: Def. Brownsville Porter, 45-0

The Wildcats have bounced back nicely since a Week 4 loss to Boerne, picking up back-to-back wins, including a dominant 45-0 during their district opener last week. Do-it-all Gabriel Juarezathlete delivered another big game during the win, rushing for 59 yards and 1 touchdown on six carries, adding 13 tackles and 5 tackles for loss.

Up next: vs. Edcouch-Elsa, Friday, 7 p.m.

5. Corpus Christi Veterans (5-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Def. Victoria West, 34-19

The Eagles are soaring three games into district season, picking up a trio of wins to start league play 3-0. Corpus Christi Vets are averaging 46.3 points per game, while allowing just 9.0 during that span. A matchup against No. 2 Corpus Christi Miller is on the horizon, but first they’ll need to take care of business against a tough Corpus Christi Carroll (4-2, 2-1) squad.

Up next: vs. Corpus Christi Carroll, Thursday, 7 p.m.

6. San Benito (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Brownsville Hanna, 53-0

San Benito’s offense gained steam as non-district play wound down, scoring 45-plus points in three of their last four contests. They continued rolling to start District 32-6A play, hanging 53 on Brownsville Hanna. San Benito showed it isn’t a one-trick pony during the win, with superstar running back Fabian Garcia only scoring once during the win. Instead, it was senior Aaron Garza stealing the show with a 3-touchdown outing. The Greyhounds need to keep that momentum rolling with games against three top-25 teams to close out the regular season after a bout with Brownsville Rivera.

Up next: at Brownsville Rivera, Thursday, 7 p.m.

7. Calallen (5-1, 3-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Def. La Feria, 63-0

Sheer dominance from the Wildcats during their Week 7 victory over La Feria, racking up 525 total yards of offense, while allowing just 121. Junior Carlos Rosales delivered a stellar performance during the win, rushing for 217 yards and 5 touchdowns on 14 carries. Up next is a marquee matchup against No. 18 Alice, with the winner putting themselves in the driver’s seat for the District 16-4A DI title.

Up next: at No. 18 Alice, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

8. Weslaco High (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Def. No. 11 Harlingen, 35-32

The Panthers are trending up after a thrilling Week 7 win over then-No. 11 Harlingen High. Senior running back Eli Rodriguez put together another dominant outing, rushing for over 200 yards and two score, while also adding the game-winning touchdown reception. Weslaco High will need to move past their Week 7 victory quickly as they prepare to hit the road for another top 10 matchup against Los Fresnos.

Up next: at No. 10 Los Fresnos, Friday, 7 p.m.

9. Beeville Jones (5-1, 1-0)

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Floresville, 45-14

The Trojans are back on track after a Week 5 loss to Cuero before their bye week, picking up a convincing victory to open District 15-4A DI play. Five different players found the end zone for Beeville Jones during the win, highlighted by a 5 carry, 102-yard, 2 touchdown performance from senior running back Darion Perez.

Up next: vs. Rockport-Fulton, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. Los Fresnos (5-1, 1-0)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Def. Brownsville Rivera, 49-10

Los Fresnos offense is rolling as of late, averaging 505.0 yards and 47.5 points per game en route to four straight wins. Sophomore quarterback Robert Pineda’s continued growth is a big reason for the Falcons dominance, throwing for 283 yards and 4 touchdowns during the Falcons’ last victory. Pineda and the Falcons need to keep the ball rolling, with a tilt against No. 8 Weslaco High and its stout defense up next.

Up next: vs. No. 8 Weslaco High, Friday, 7 p.m.

11. Sinton (4-2, 1-0)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Robstown, 46-7

The Pirates have ripped off three straight wins, including a dominating 46-7 showing against Robstown during their district opener. Junior Derek Garcia has come alive during the Pirates’ three-game streak, rushing for over 100 yards and at least one score during each of those games. Sinton faces a tough task next week against No. 24 Orange Grove, with the Bulldogs also riding a three-game winning streak.

Up next: at No. 24 Orange Grove, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

12. Laredo United (4-2, 1-0)

Previous rank: 13
Last week: Def. Laredo United South, 35-7

Despite a rough outing from UTRGV commit Atzel Chavez, who threw four interceptions, the Longhorns found a way to win and do it comfortably. Senior running back Santiago Salce is finding his groove alongside Chavez in the backfield, rushing for over 100 yards and two scores for a second straight game. Salce’s emergence makes United’s offense even more difficult to defend, with team’s unable to key in on Chavez and the passing game.

Up next: vs. Eagle Pass, Saturday, 7 p.m.

13. Flour Bluff (4-2, 1-0)

Previous rank: 14
Last week: Def. Edcouch-Elsa, 42-3

Here come the Hornets. After back-to-back losses, Flour Bluff has now reeled off three straight wins to move to 4-2 on the year. The Hornets are surging at the right time, with district play officially getting underway last week. Quarterback Jayden Paluseo put together another solid showing during the team’s 42-3 win over Edcouch-Elsa, throwing for 462 yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. Flour Bluff’s toughest test comes at the end of the regular season, with a clash against No. 4 Gregory-Portland for the District 15-5A DII title inevitable.

Up next: vs. Mercedes, Friday, 7 p.m.

14. Ingleside (7-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi West Oso, 61-13

Ingleside’s superstar wideout Jaydon Smith was held under 100 yards for the first time all season last week, only recording 98 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 catches. Despite an “off” day by Smith, the Mustangs did not skip a beat, still putting up over 60 points and winning by more than six scores. Ingleside gets a well-deserved bye week before returning to action against Robstown in two week.

Up next: Bye

15. Edinburg Vela (5-1, 2-1)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Def. Rio Grande City, 73-14

The SaberCats entered the bye week with things to figure out after being held scoreless for the first time all season and dropping their first game of the year. Edinburg Vela bounced back in dominant fashion, pouring on 73 points on the Rattlers. The SaberCats had two players rush for three touchdown during the win, while three different receivers caught a touchdown pass. A tough contest against No. 17 McAllen High is up next for the SaberCats.

Up next: vs. No. 17. McAllen High, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

16. Harlingen High (4-2, 0-1)

Previous rank: 11
Last week: Lost to No. 8 Weslaco High, 35-32

The Cardinals dropped a heartbreaker against No. 8 Weslaco High last week, with the Panthers stealing the win during the final 15 seconds of regulation. The loss marked back-to-back losses for Harlingen High on walk-off touchdowns and the first time the Cardinals have lost consecutive contests since 2018. Don’t count Harlingen High out of anything yet, with the historic program not known for rolling over. They’re just a win or two away from climbing right back into the district title race.

Up next: vs. Brownsville Hanna, Friday, 7 p.m.

17. McAllen High (5-1, 2-1)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Def. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 62-13

The Bulldogs put the hammer down on the Huskies, with seven different players finding the endzone during the 62-13 victory. Running back Jayden Herrera continued to put together a stellar senior campaign, rushing for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns during the win. The 100-yard rushing game marked his fifth in six tries this year. A district title might be out of the question with PSJA North well in control at the top, but a win against No. 15 Edinburg Vela next week could be huge in playoff seeding down the stretch.

Up next: at No. 15 Edinburg Vela, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

18. Alice (4-2, 2-0)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. No. 21 Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway, 40-14

Alice had little trouble with No. 21 Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway, putting up 40 points and holding the Trojans’ explosive offense, which came in averaging 36.2 points per game, to just 14. The victory moved the Coyotes to 2-0 in district play, while handing the Trojans their first loss of the year. The Coyotes get two weeks to prepare for a crucial district tilt against No. 7 Calallen.

Up next: Bye

19. Sharyland Pioneer (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 22
Last week: Def. Mission Veterans, 56-36

Senior quarterback Julian Valdez had another big day for the Diamondbacks, throwing for 261 yards and four touchdowns, while adding 89 yards and a score on the ground during Pioneer’s sixth straight win. With Valdez under center, the Diamondbacks aren’t out of any game, giving Pioneer a dual-threat weapon in the backfield. A huge contest against undefeated Roma is up next, with the winner controlling their path to the district title.

Up next: at Roma, Friday, 7 p.m.

20. PSJA High (3-3, 1-0)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Def. Edinburg Economedes, 49-0

The Bears are out of hibernation after three straight losses to start the season, picking up their third consecutive victory with a 49-0 rout of Edinburg Economedes. Four-year starter Jaime Lopez has been electric over the past three contests, averaging 361.7 passing yards and 4.0 passing touchdowns per game. With the offense humming, Lopez and the Bears look like title contenders in District 31-6A.

Up next: vs. La Joya High, Thursday, 7 p.m.

21. Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (6-1, 2-1)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Lost to No. 18 Alice, 40-14

It was a tough outing for the Trojans in Week 7, dropping their first game of the regular season to No. 18 Alice. Tuloso-Midway’s offense struggled mightily during the loss, only amassing 190 total yards and 14 points, well below their season averages. The Trojans will need to bounce back quickly with another tough test up next against No. 7 Calallen.

Up next: at No. 7 Calallen, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

22. Harlingen South (5-2, 3-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Def. Donna North, 64-0

The Hawks are one of the hottest teams in South Texas right now, reeling off five straight wins since dropping their first two contests. Harlingen South’s defense has been as stout as they come during their five-game winning streak, holding three of their five opponents scoreless. The Hawks running game has also played a big role in their rise, averaging 288.2 rushing yards and 4.0 rushing touchdowns per game during their winning streak.

Up next: Bye

23. Orange Grove (4-2, 0-0)

Previous rank: 24
Last week: Bye

The Bulldogs closed out non-district play with three straight wins before heading into a bye last week. Keeping their three-game winning streak going won’t be an easy task as they open District 15-4A DII play against No. 11 Sinton on Friday.

Up next: at No. 11 Sinton, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

24. Lyford (6-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 25
Last week:Def. Falfurrias, 42-21

The Bulldogs have been the undisputed sub-5A team in the RGV and one of the best in South Texas, reeling off six straight wins to start the year. Senior quarterback Aiden Olivas-Romo had another big day for the Bulldogs during their 42-21 win over Falfurrias, throwing for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns and adding 87 yards and a score on the ground.

Up next: at San Diego, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

25. Brownsville Veterans (4-2, 2-0)

Previous rank: 21
Last week: Def. Weslaco East, 25-20

A last-second touchdown by Alvin Trevillion lifted the Chargers past Weslaco East and moved Brownsville Veterans to 2-0 in district play. The 2023 campaign has been an up-and-down season for the Chargers, at times looking dominant, while other nights struggling to escape with a win. They’ll need to be more consistent down the stretch if they hope to continue to build off their back-to-back wins.

Up next: at Brownsville Pace, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

 -- Ivan Palacios | ivanpalacios25@gmail.com | @sblivetx

Lead photo by Blake Purcell