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IVAN PALACIOS | STAFF WRITER
Teams across the Rio Grande Valley hit the field Monday for the official start of the 2026 football season, with sub-5A teams and 5A/6A squads that did not participate in spring ball holding their first practices of the year.
With Week 1 of the regular season just over three weeks away, the RGVSports.com staff is breaking down each district featuring Valley teams leading up to the release of our annual football preview on Aug. 26.
We begin with District 31-6A. The six-team district looks much the same as last season, with the biggest change coming from the departure of PSJA High to District 32-6A and the arrival of perennial powerhouse Edinburg Vela from Class 5A Division I.
The Sabercats join a district headlined by defending champion Weslaco High, along with a rising Edinburg Economedes squad and an Edinburg High team coming off a groundbreaking 2025 campaign.
Here’s a look at how each team stacks up entering the 2026 season.
DISTRICT PREDICTION:
1. Weslaco High
2. Edinburg Vela
3. Edinburg Economedes
4. Edinburg High
5. Edinburg North
6. La Joya High
PRESEASON AWARDS:
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ATH Malachi Rodriguez, junior, Weslaco High
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: LB Jaime Eguia, senior, Edinburg Economedes
EDINBURG ECONOMEDES
Coach: Raul Salas, 5th year
2025 Record: 9-2 overall, 4-1 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2025
Returning Starters: 6 Offense/6 Defense
Key Players: QB John Carreon; LB Jaime Eguia; RB Reyes Luna; DB Mark Chavira; OL Andrew Ramirez; LB Dario Ceballos
2026 Outlook: The Jaguars are coming off the best season in program history, racking up nine wins and securing their second straight playoff berth. Economedes looks primed to build on that success with a strong returning class leading both sides of the ball. QB Carreon established himself as one of the RGV’s most electric playmakers under center, throwing for 672 yards and five touchdowns in the Jaguars’ run-heavy offense while ranking second on the team in rushing with 910 yards and 15 scores. RB Luna (77 carries, 633 yards, 9 TDs) adds another dimension to an offense that averaged 346.5 rushing yards per game in 2025, with the senior set to step into the starting role this season. Defensively, LB Eguia is among the best in the RGV after recording 108 tackles, eight TFLs, four sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in just nine games. Sophomore DB Chavira adds another dynamic playmaker in the secondary and on special teams after picking off four passes, forcing four fumbles and returning a pair of scores on special teams as a freshman. With several key pieces back, the Jaguars look ready to compete for a district title again in 2026.
EDINBURG HIGH
Coach: Joe Pena, 2nd Year
2025 Record: 7-5 overall, 3-2 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2025
Returning Starters: 5 Offense/3 Defense
Key Players: QB Aidden Sanchez; ATH Tyler Galvan; DB David De La Garza; WR Nate Pena; DE Uziel Flores; ATH Marcelino Quintanilla
2026 Outlook: The Bobcats found success during Year 1 under HC Pena, finishing the regular season 6-4 and earning their first playoff win since 2010. They will look to build on that foundation despite returning just eight starters. QB Sanchez provides stability behind center entering his third season as the Bobcats’ signal caller. The senior is coming off his best season, throwing for 1,697 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games. He’ll rely on new faces at wide receiver after four of the team’s top five pass catchers graduated. WR Pena is next in line after totaling 23 catches for 228 yards and one touchdown in a limited role. ATH Tyler Galvan remains one of the Bobcats’ top playmakers. He led the team with 483 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 85 carries while adding 44 tackles and six TFLs on defense. The defense faces the biggest challenge, with only three starters returning from last year’s unit, which was among the RGV’s stingiest. DB De La Garza (45 tackles, 1 INT) and DE Flores (36 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) are expected to lead the group as the Bobcats look to remain among the Valley’s top programs.
EDINBURG NORTH
Coach: Rigo Morales, 2nd Year
2025 Record: 1-9 overall, 0-5 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2023
Returning Starters: 6 Offense/8 Defense
Key Players: QB Jorge Trevino; TE Vincent Cano; OL Anthony Guzman; DB Ryan Perez; ATH Noe Anaya; DL Matthew Velasquez
2026 Outlook: The Cougars struggled during Year 1 under HC Morales, picking up just one win during his inaugural season. Still, Edinburg North enters 2026 with several reasons for optimism, including 14 returning starters. Arguably the biggest is senior QB Trevino, who is coming off a breakout junior campaign. The second-year starter threw for 2,021 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, the fourth-highest total in the Valley last season. He’ll have to find a new No. 1 receiver, however, with his top target and the Valley’s leading receiver in 2025 gone to graduation. Big-bodied TE Cano will look to fill that role. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound target is hoping for a breakout season after totaling 12 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns last year. The defense returns nearly all of its starters, losing just three players to graduation. DB Ryan Perez and DL Matthew Velasquez anchor the unit, while DB Evan Fuentes and DL Max Gomez provide depth up front and in the secondary. With a year of experience under their belts, expect the Cougars to take a step forward in Year 2 under Morales.
EDINBURG VELA
Coach: Sean Landez, 1st Year
2025 Record: 8-3 overall, 6-1 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2025
Returning Starters: 7 Offense/3 Defense
Key Players: WR George Fauls; ATH Caidyn Hoover; RB Christopher Caballero; LB Samuel Luna; WR Tony Villalobos; DL Trey Rodriguez
2026 Outlook: Edinburg Vela returns to Class 6A this season after opting up during the latest realignment. The Sabercats should remain among the RGV’s best despite the move, coming off their 12th straight playoff appearance in 2025. Vela features big-time playmakers on both sides of the ball, led by arguably the RGV’s top wide receiver in senior Fauls. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound receiver hauled in 45 catches for 838 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Senior WR Villalobos adds another weapon after posting 24 catches for 234 yards. The biggest question is who will be throwing them the ball. ATH Hoover is a potential candidate after lining up behind center during 7-on-7 play. Regardless of where he lines up, expect Hoover to make an impact after totaling 697 all-purpose yards, 50 tackles and 10 interceptions last season. The defense returns just three starters, but LB Luna (47 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack), DL Rodriguez (28 tackles, 6 TFL, 5 sacks) and DL Augie Perez (24 tackles, 1 TFL) provide experience to lean on. Despite moving back to Class 6A, expect the Sabercats to remain in the mix for another playoff run.
LA JOYA HIGH
Coach: Reuben Farias, 11th Year
2025 Record: 5-6 overall, 2-3 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2025
Returning Starters: 5 Offense/5 Defense
Key Players: QB Owen Benoit; WR Dante Perez; WR Luis Aronja; DB Leo Maldonado; DE Max Rivas; OL Abraham Sepulveda
2026 Outlook: The Coyotes returned to the playoffs in 2025 after a two-year hiatus behind an explosive offense. They’ll have some holes to fill if they hope to make it back-to-back postseason appearances, returning just 10 starters. The biggest loss comes at running back following the graduation of Mauricio Mendoza, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. With Mendoza gone, La Joya High could lean more on the passing game behind fourth-year starting QB Benoit. The senior is coming off a season with 1,377 passing yards and 16 touchdowns and brings valuable experience after running the offense for four seasons. Benoit should benefit from the return of his top two targets in senior Perez and junior Aronja. Perez led the team with 41 catches for 599 yards and eight touchdowns, while Aronja added 23 receptions for 394 yards and five scores. The defense will look to improve after giving up plenty of points last season. DB Maldonado (36 tackles, 2 INT) and DE Rivas (36 tackles, 7 TFL) return to lead the unit. If the defense takes a step forward, the Coyotes have the firepower to make another playoff push.
WESLACO HIGH
Coach: Roy Stroman, 8th Year
2025 Record: 9-3 overall, 5-0 in district
Last Playoff Appearance: 2025
Returning Starters: 6 Offense/5 Defense
Key Players: ATH Malchi Rodriguez; TE Ethan Hoskins; DB Seth Moya; DE Jacob Hinojosa; ATH Saul Ramirez; DB Enrique Rodriguez; QB Guadalupe Granados
2026 Outlook: The Panthers continued to be among the RGV’s top programs in 2025, making their fourth straight playoff appearance under HC Stroman while also winning their second district championship in three years. Expect no drop-off in 2026, with Weslaco High retooled and ready to make another run at a district title. A new QB is set to take over for a third straight year, with several options competing for the job. Senior Granados led the unit during 7-on-7, guiding the team to a state appearance. He should compete with junior Rodriguez, a versatile athlete who can play multiple positions. Rodriguez was a force at RB in 2025, ranking second on the team with 635 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Whoever wins the job will have weapons, including 6-foot-2 TE Hoskins and speedy WR Ramirez. Both made big plays during 7-on-7, helping the Panthers punch their ticket to College Station. The defense loses six starters but returns key pieces. DB Moya is coming off a breakout season (54 tackles, 4 INT, 1 TFL) that earned The Monitor’s 2025 All-Area Football Co-Newcomer of the Year honors, while DL Hinojosa anchors the trenches after posting 33 tackles, six TFL and four sacks. With a strong culture under Stroman, expect the Panthers to remain among the Valley’s best in 2026.
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