South Texas Top 25 high school football rankings: Veterans enters top-5 (10/2/2023)

Orange Grove, Lyford debut in bye-happy Week 6 of high school football in Lone Star State

Each week, SBLive is taking a look at the top teams in South Texas, spanning each corner of the region and schools all shapes and sizes.

On Mondays, 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 (10/2/2023)

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

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 TOP 25 POWER RANKINGS (10/2/2023)

1. PSJA North (5-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 1
Last week: Bye

No movement at the top this week, with PSJA North on a bye last week. The Raiders dominated the first half of their regular season, holding four of their five opponents scoreless. They could be even more dangerous after a week off to rest up before the back half of the season.

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

2. Corpus Christi Miller (5-0, 2-0)

Previous rank: 2
Last week: Def. Victoria East, 66-42

Corpus Christi Miller’s explosive offense was on full display once again last week, eclipsing the 60-point mark for a second straight week and for a third time this season. The offensive outburst marked the fourth time this season Miller has surpassed the 50-point mark. The Buccaneers are averaging 59.0 points per game midway point of their season.

Up next: vs. Corpus Christi King, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

3. Refugio (5-1, 2-0)

Previous rank: 3
Last week: Def. Three Rivers, 59-14

The Bobcats snapped Three Rivers four game-winning streak while extending their own streak to five with a dominating 59-14 victory over the Bulldogs. Refugio is red-hot heading into the backend of its district schedule, outscoring their opponents 217-65 during their win streak.

Up next: vs. Skidmore-Tynan, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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

Previous rank: 4
Last week: BYE

The Wildcats closed out non-district play with a 21-14 victory over Port Lavaca Calhoun before their bye week. A rested Gregory-Portland squad now turns its attention to their five-game district slate beginning with winless Brownsville Porter. The Wildcats coasted through their four RGV opponents on their non-district slate last year before falling 36-34 to Flour Bluff in their regular season finale to finish as 15-5A DII runners-up. All roads lead to a rematch with Flour Bluff for the district title to close out the year once again.

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

5. Corpus Christi Veterans (4-1, 2-0)

Previous rank: 6
Last week: Def. Corpus Christi Ray, 63-8

The reigning Region IV-5A DI champions are rolling to start district play, picking up back-to-back blow out wins to start 2-0. Since their one-touchdown loss to El Campo in Week 3, the Eagles have outscored their last two opponents 105-8. Corpus Christi Veterans will look to keep the ball rolling, with just two games left before their clash with No. 2 Corpus Christi Miller on Nov. 19.

Up next: at Victoria West, Friday, 7 p.m.

6. San Benito (5-0, 0-0)

Previous rank: 5
Last week: Bye

San Benito drops one spot due to the Eagles recent surge, but that doesn’t detract from the Greyhounds start to the season. San Benito cruised through non-district play, outscoring their opponents 230-66. If they can keep up that level of play when district starts this week, the Greyhounds could hoist their first district championship trophy since 2017.

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

7. Calallen (4-1, 2-0)

Previous rank: 8
Last week: Def. Kingsville King, 22-7

The Wildcats took care of business against Kingsville King, with three different players finding the end zone for rushing touchdowns during the 22-7 win. Running back Luke Medina has the offense rolling as district play heats up, with the senior averaging 150.4 total yards and 2.2 total touchdowns per game.

Up next: vs. La Feria, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

8. Beeville Jones (4-1, 0-0)

Previous rank: 7
Last week: Bye

The Trojans had a week off to regroup after their first loss of the season, a 49-21 loss to perennial Texas power Cuero. Beeville Jones will look to get back to it’s winning ways as district play kicks off this week. The Trojans will look to snap a mini three-game district losing streak dating back to last season when they take on the Floresville Tigers on Friday.

Up next: vs. Floresville, Friday, 7 p.m.

9. Weslaco High (5-0, 0-0)

Previous rank: 9
Last week: Bye

Weslaco High is the second of four District 32-6A teams to crack the SBLive South Texas Top 25 rankings. The Panthers fielded the district’s top offense through the first five weeks, while deploying a balanced offensive attack averaging 336.8 yards per game. They’ll face their toughest test yet when No. 11 Harlingen High comes to town Friday.

Up next: vs. No. 11 Harlingen High, Friday, 7 p.m.

10. Los Fresnos (4-1, 0-0)

Previous rank: 10
Last week: Bye

The Falcons offense hit its stride before their bye last week, racking up over 500 total yards in each of their final three non-district contests. Each game resulted in a victory for Los Fresnos, giving them momentum heading into district play. The Falcons have been near perfect this season, with their lone loss coming to No. 1 PSJA North in Week 2.

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

11. Harlingen High (4-1, 0-0)

Previous rank: 11
Last week: Bye

Harlingen High hasn’t lost after their bye week since 2019 when Weslaco East defeated the Cardinals 7-0. They’ll look to keep that streak going when they travel to Bobby Lackey Stadium to take on No. 9 Weslaco High. They’ll need big games from senior quarterback Randy Morales and sophomore running back Noah Huerta if they hope to knock off the unbeaten Panthers.

Up next: at No. 9 Weslaco High, Friday, 7 p.m.

12. Sinton (3-2, 0-0)

Previous rank: 12
Last week: Def. Raymondville, 38-0

Junior running back Derek Garcia eclipsed the 100-yard mark for a second straight game to help the Pirates pick up their second consecutive victory and improve to 3-2 on the year. Garcia, who rushed for 139 yards and 3 touchdowns Friday, has been a key contributor during each of Sinton’s victories, going for over 100-yards and at least one score during each of those contests. The Pirates are riding high after moving over .500 for the first time this season, with their sights set on a third straight win when they hit the road against Robstown.

Up next: at Robstown, Thursday, 7 p.m.

13. Laredo United (3-2, 0-0)

Previous rank: 13
Last week: BYE

A Week 5 victory over No. 11 Harlingen High should have the Longhorns coming in motivated into their district opener against intracity rival Laredo United South. The Longhorns dominated the series from 2004-2015, picking up 14 straight wins over their rival. The series has been near even since, with United South holding a 4-3 series advantage. The Longhorns will look to get their streak going once again and make it two straight over the Panthers after a 35-25 victory last year.

Up next: at Laredo United South, Friday, 7 p.m.

14. Flour Bluff (3-2, 0-0)

Previous rank: N/A
Last week: Bye

The Hornets righted the ship before their bye last week with back-to-back wins over Alice (21-7) and Rockport-Fulton (46-7) moving them over. 500 after a 1-2 start. Junior quarterback Jayden Paluseo has been pivotal in Flour Bluff’s turnaround, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games.

Up next: at Edcouch-Elsa, 7 p.m.

15. Ingleside (5-0, 0-0)

Previous rank: 15
Last week: Def. Carrizo Springs, 69-28

The Mustangs offense continued rolling in Week 6, recording their sixth straight contest over 40 points to improve to 6-0 on the year. Senior quarterback Aidan Jakobsohn and senior wideout Jaydon Smith’s connection doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon, with the duo hooking up 5 times for 209 yards and five touchdowns during the win. Ingleside’s attention turns to district play now, beginning with a home contest against Corpus Christi West Oso.

Up next: vs Corpus Christi West Oso, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

16. Edinburg Vela (4-1, 1-1)

Previous rank: 16
Last week: Bye

Edinburg Vela’s bye week couldn’t have come at a better time, with the SaberCats getting a week off to regroup following a 30-0 loss to No. 1 PSJA North. The off week could be what the SaberCats need to get back on track, allowing for lead back Jamal Polley to rest up for the final stretch of the regular season. The senior running back leads the RGV in rushing this year, racking up 855 yards and 10 touchdowns on 76 carries.

Up next: at Rio Grande City, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

17. McAllen High (4-1, 1-1)

Previous rank: 17
Last week: Bye

The Bulldogs picked up their first district win prior to the bye week, escaping with a 22-13 victory over Rio Grande City despite committing two turnovers. McHi will look to fix its mistakes as it continues district play against La Joya Juarez-Lincoln. The game should serve as a tune up for the Bulldogs matchup against No. 16 Edinburg Vela the following week.

Up next: at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

18. Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway (5-0, 1-0)

Previous rank: 19
Last week: Def. La Feria, 47-7

The Warriors returned back to form against La Feria, winning by more than four scores for the fifth time in six games. Sophomore running back Damian Figueroa led Tuloso-Midway’s offensive onslaught, rushing for 117 yards and three scores on 11 carries. The Warriors face their toughest test yet this week, hosting No. 19 Alice in a pivotal district matchup.

Up next: vs. No. 19 Alice, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

19. Alice (3-2, 1-0)

Previous rank: 18
Last week: Bye

The Coyotes drop one spot in the rankings during their bye week following another impressive victory by Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway. They’ll have a shot to climb back up in the standings when they hit the road for a contest against the same team that overtook them. The game pits a pair of explosive offenses head-to-head, with both averaging roughly 35 points per game.

Up next: at No. 18 Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway, Friday, 7:30 p.m,

20. PSJA High (2-3, 0-0)

Previous rank: 20
Last week: Bye

The Bears looked the part of district title contenders over their last two district games, picking up wins over Brownsville Hanna (35-12) and No. 21 Brownsville Veterans (31-21). Now the real test begins for PSJA High, with district play set to kick off this week. A win over Edinburg Economedes could set the tone for the Bears quest for their first district title since 2019.

Up next: at Edinburg Economedes, Thursday, 7 p.m.

21. Brownsville Veterans (3-2, 1-0)

Previous rank: 21
Last week: Def. Donna High, 49-10

The Chargers bounced back from a Week 5 loss against No. 20 PSJA High in dominant fashion, with seven different players finding the end zone during a 49-10 route over Donna High (4-2, 1-1). Running back/defensive back Alvin Trevillion paced the Chargers rushing attack during the win, rushing for 161 of Brownsville Veterans’ 357 yards.

Up next: vs. Weslaco East, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

22. Sharyland Pioneer (5-0, 0-0)

Previous rank: 23
Last week: Bye

Sharyland Pioneer’s offense was rolling heading into their bye last week, scoring 40-plus points in four straight contests. They’ll need every bit of offense when they kick off district play against the Mission Veterans Patriots on Friday. The game could be a classic shootout with both teams averaging over 450 total yards and 34-plus points per game.

Up next: vs. Mission Veterans, Friday, 7 p.m.23

23. Harlingen South (4-2, 2-0)

Previous rank: 25
Last week: Def. Brownsville Pace 54-0

After falling to 0-2 to start the season, the Hawks are soaring high over the past four weeks, reeling off four straight victories. Among those wins are back-to-back victories to start district play, putting them in sole possession of first early on. A stout defense has been key to Harlingen South’s resurgence, allowing just 7.3 points per game during their winning streak. The Hawks are allowing just 196.4 yards per game through five games, the top mark in District 16-5A DI.

Up next: vs. Donna North, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Grulla 41-27

The Bulldogs are surging at the right time, winning three straight to close out non-district play before their bye. Seniors Seth Barnes and Jaden Hubble have been a nightmare for opposing offenses this season, combining for 86 total tackles and eight tackles for loss thus far. Junior quarterback Logan Rodriguez’s breakout has the offense humming heading into the break, averaging 411.6 total yards and 40 points per game.

Up next: Bye

25. Lyford (5-0, 0-0)

Previous rank: NR
Last week: Def. Bishop, 27-7

There were many questions about Lyford’s offense heading into this season, with the team’s top passer and top two rushers gone to graduation. The Bulldogs seem to have answered those questions through the first half of the season, sitting at 5-0 heading into the start of district play. Senior dual-threat quarterback Aiden Olivas-Romo has stepped in almost seamlessly into the starting role this season, leading the team in passing (1,463, 11 touchdowns) and rushing (509 yards, 4 touchdowns) through five games. With non-district play in the books, the Bulldogs are locked and loaded to chase their first outright district title in six years.

Up next: vs. Falfurrias, Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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

Lead photo by Blake Purcell.