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STAFF REPORT
Less than one week remains before the start of the 2026 Texas high school football regular season, with games officially set for Aug. 27.
As the first kickoff of the year draws closer, we continue our countdown with our annual preseason Top 30 players list, featuring players from Brownsville to Roma as voted on by our staff.
We continue with No. 21-25, including a pair of two-way playmakers from the sub-5A level and an electric quarterback from Edinburg.
Check out the other athletes on our list below:
No. 21: QB John Carreon, senior, Edinburg Economedes
2025 Stats: 51/75, 672 yds, 5 TD, 2 INT; 72 car, 910 yds, 15 TD
Notes: Carreon broke out as a sophomore for the Jaguars in 2024, establishing himself as the clear-cut QB1 for the program. Last season, however, cemented Carreon as one of the Valley’s top quarterbacks, leading Economedes to a program-best nine wins and its second straight postseason berth. Much of that success came from his ability to make plays in multiple ways, as the dual-threat quarterback gave the Jaguars a steady presence through the air and on the ground. While Carreon’s passing numbers may not jump off the page, he was efficient when called upon in Economedes’ run-heavy offense, completing 51-of-75 passes for 672 yards and five touchdowns. His legs added another dimension, as he rushed for 910 yards and a team-high 15 scores. Carreon will once again be the engine of the Jaguars’ offense as Economedes looks to build on its recent success in 2026.
No. 22: LB Riley Ousley, senior, McAllen High
2025 Stats: 86 total tckls, 6 TFL, 2 INT, 1 sack
Notes: While listed as a safety, Ousley played more of a hybrid role last season, hovering around the box and making plays against the run. The safety-linebacker hybrid played downhill as a junior, flying to the ball and serving as another run-stopper for the Bulldogs. Ousley finished with 86 total tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack, showcasing his physicality near the line of scrimmage. He was also effective against the pass, dropping into coverage and making plays when called upon, as evidenced by his two interceptions. That versatility makes Ousley a valuable piece of the Bulldogs’ defense heading into his senior season, giving them a playmaker who can impact the game against both the run and the pass.
No. 23: FB Ruben Garcia, junior, Roma
2025 Stats: 216 car, 1562 yds, 18 TD
Notes: Experience is one of the most important attributes for high school football and Roma’s Ruben Garcia Jr. has plenty of that. The fullback has 382 career carries after starting the past two seasons at fullback for the Gladiators. The fullback is just as important as the other backs in the slot-t offense. The strong-side fullback dives set the tone for the misdirection offense and when your fullback is rushing for 1,562 yards and scoring 18 times, that means you are running it right. Garcia Jr. does have the speed to run the halfback position in the offense and maybe even tailback. The Gladiators return Rafael Ruiz a 600-yard back, so expect another dynamic Roma backfield led by its fullback.
No. 24: ATH Andrew Gonzalez, senior, La Villa
2025 Stats: 139 car, 1405 yds, 27 TD; 5 rec, 102 yds; 29 tckls, 1 INT
Notes: La Villa has been the Valley’s best really small school, below 3A, this decade and it is because they have had some dynamic playmakers. The second-round has been a challenge, but players like junior running back Andrew Gonzalez give the Cardinals hope that they can win an area title. Gonzalez is a typical small-school never leave the field player that makes plays. He rushed for 1,405 yards on only 139 carries. He scored 27 total touchdowns. He punched some of those in as a fullback in heavy formations and as the lone back in shotgun formations.
No. 25: ATH Sebastian Gonzalez, junior, Rio Hondo
2025 Stats: 41 rec, 728 yds, 6 TD; 30 total tckls, 1 TFL
Notes: Gonzalez is the first of two Rio Hondo wideouts on this list, with the now-junior earning his spot after a breakout sophomore campaign. The Bobcats’ two-way star wasted no time making an impact during his first varsity season, erupting for four catches for 109 yards in his debut game. That performance was a sign of things to come, with Gonzalez finishing his inaugural season with 41 receptions for 728 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot wide receiver lined up all over the field in Rio Hondo’s spread offense last year, showcasing his ability to play both inside and outside receiver. Gonzalez’s combination of size and speed allowed him to blow past defenders in the open field or fight through contact for extra yardage when needed. Gonzalez enters 2026 as one of the Valley’s top young receiving threats after a breakout debut season.
X: @rgvsports
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