Valley athletes battle during Day 2 of state meet
The Rio Grande Valley’s top 2A and 5A athletes took centerstage during Day 2 of the UIL state track and field championships, with more than half of the Valley’s 2024 qualifiers competing.
Day 2 of the state meet offered plenty of action, with some athletes making their state debut, to others competing for the last time in their high school careers.
Here’s a look at how some of the RGV’s competitors performed…
Crowned: RGV athletes shine during Region IV-5A/6A track and field championships
Crowned: RGV athletes shine during Region IV-5A/6A track and feld championships.
The RGV’s best 5A and 6A track and eld athletes took their talents to Heroes Stadium in San Antonio this past weekend, each with the same goal in mind – punching their ticket to state.
By the meet’s end, the RGV’s competitors had captured 11 individual titles and one team championship, while seven other athletes secured state bids with top 2 nishes in their respective events.
McHi, Harlingen High girls dominate Area Meet
HARLINGEN — Shades of purple and red filled the podium after nearly every event during Wednesday and Thursday’s Area 31/32-5A and 6A track and field championships, with McAllen High and Harlingen High’s girls track teams dominating the two-day event.
The Bulldogs and Cardinals combined for 42 total medals during the competition, each finishing as team champions in their respective classes.
Valley All Star Basketball Players Meet at Bert Ogden Arena
La Joya’s Leo Villarreal scored a team-high 12 points and was solid under the boards as the West cruised to a 116-96 win over the East during the All-Valley high school All-star game at Bert Ogden Arena.
Hidalgo’s Lizabeth Luna scored 16 points to pace the West to a 113-71 win in the girls contest.
Mustangs too strong for Victoria West
During this past week, the McAllen Memorial girls soccer team practiced on a grass field to prepare for Friday’s Area Round playoff soccer match against Victoria West. The weren’t sure about how tall the grass would be or if it would be patch field.
It didn’t matter if it was a goat ranch.
After the game was over, it was clear that if Memorial played in a pool filled with sharks or on the side of a steep icy mountain, the outcome would still be the same.
Edinburg Vela SaberCats' season ends in Elite 8
SAN ANTONIO — The Edinburg Vela SaberCats went toe-to-toe against a pair of state-ranked powers at the Region IV-5A tournament in San Antonio this weekend and proved they belong.
The No. 24-ranked SaberCats (36-6) first took care of business 57-46 against the No. 21 San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds (24-12) on Friday night at Littleton Gym in the Region IV-5A semifinals, riding a strong fourth quarter to victory and clinching a spot in Saturday’s Elite 8.
RGV Volleyball All-Stars
Volleyball fans have seen it hundreds of times over the course of the pass four years – it doesn’t get old.
Hernandez to Torres to Garcia. Point McAllen Memorial. Sometimes, it would be Garcia to Torres to Sosa.
Point Mustangs.
A majority of the points during the past four years at McAllen Memorial had something combination of the group that was labeled the Fab Foursome since their freshmen year.
Those in attendance were treated to seeing play together one more time on the court as part of the Class 5A West team during the 21st RGV Volleyball Tip of Texas Chapter All Star Game on Sunday at McAllen High School.
Eighty-eight players, all seniors, from 65 schools across the Rio Grande Valley competed in the three matches – Sub 5A, 5A and 6A and, while the West captured all three matches, there were individual displays of terrific talent and some eye-opening surprises…
Chargers Join Elite Company, One Win Away from State Title Game
The buzz in the RGV heading into the 2023 high school football season was all about PSJA North. Fans across the area all expected the Raiders to be the last team standing in the Valley and make a historic run to the elusive fifth round.
An RGV football team is on a historic run this postseason, but it isn’t the Raiders.
The Brownsville Veterans Chargers joined elite company last week, defeating Corpus Christi Miller to become just the 16th RGV football team to advance to the state semifinals and the first since the 2003 Port Isabel Tarpons.
Now the Chargers are just one win away from becoming the fourth Valley team to reach to state title game, looking to join the 1961 Donna High Redskins and the 1962 and 1963 PSJA High Bears…
Still Dancing: Chargers Complete Comeback, Upset Miller to Punch Ticket to State Semifinals
BROWNSVILLE — History made.
For the first time in two decades an RGV high school football team is headed to the state semifinals, with the Brownsville Veterans Chargers punching their ticket with a thrilling 35-28 victory over the Corpus Christi Buccaneers on Friday at Sams Memorial Stadium in Brownsville.
The victory sends the Chargers to the Class 5A DI state semifinals for the first time in program history, while also becoming the first team since the 2003 Port Isabel Tarpons to make it to the elusive round.
They’ll take on Smithson Valley in the fifth round at 7 p.m. Friday at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi…
Chargers Head into Regional Championship as RGV’s Last Team
A total of 31 RGV football teams qualified for the Texas high school football playoffs this year. After three grueling weeks of competition, only one remains.
The Brownsville Veterans Chargers are the Valley’s last team standing in this year’s playoffs, advancing to Round 4 of the postseason with a dominating victory over previously state ranked PSJA North.
The Chargers are now looking to go where only a handful of RGV teams have gone now – the state semifinals…
Charged Up: Brownsville Veterans shocks RGV, down state ranked PSJA North in Round 3
PHARR — The Brownsville Veterans Chargers stunned the RGV on Friday, steamrolling the No. 7 state ranked PSJA North Raiders 45-28 during a Region IV-5A semifinal contest at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
The victory punches the Chargers ticket to the fourth round for the first time in program history. They’ll take on Corpus Christi Miller in the Region IV-5A championship at a date, time and location to be determined.
“We’re from Brownsville and a lot of people don’t think much about us,” Brownsville Veterans quarterback Storm Montoya said. “We proved something tonight. We made history for Brownsville. It means a lot, especially with our fans here with us. This victory touched my heart.”
Brownsville Veterans set the tone from their opening drive, taking advantage of a short field and turning it into a quick six points on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Montoya to Gerry Gomez less than two minutes into the contest.
A 70-yard touchdown run by PSJA North sophomore Ethan Guerra tied the game with 7:52 left in the first.
Then, Gilbert Trillo happened…
Chargers, Raiders Set to Face-Off in Round 3 Rematch
A RGV team is guaranteed a spot in the fourth round of the Texas high school football playoffs for a second straight year, with the Brownsville Veterans Chargers and PSJA North Raiders clashing in Round 3 with a spot in the Region IV-5A championship game on the line.
The meeting is a rematch from last year’s regional semifinal contest, which the Raiders won 35-15. Kickoff for Friday’s Region IV-5A semifinal contest is set for 4 p.m. at PSJA Stadium in Pharr.
The game features two of the hottest teams in the Valley, with the Chargers entering the game riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Raiders coming into the contest 12-0...
San Antonio Brennan Bears Triumph Over PSJA High School Bears in Area Matchup, 36-14
PHARR, TEXAS - PSJA High School Bears and the San Antonio Brennan Bears met Friday night under the wet skies, in the battle of the Bears. The first quarter was marked by a seesaw of touchdowns, with both teams locked in a 7-7 tie. As the game progressed into the second quarter, the San Antonio Brennan Bears seized control, amassing 14 more points and heading into halftime with a commanding 21-7 lead…
Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers Secure Area-Round Victory over CC Veterans
In a gritty battle at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers emerged triumphant, defeating Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial 17-7 and clinching a second consecutive area-round win. The victory holds special significance for the Chargers as they had previously not secured a win against the defending Region IV-5A champs, making this a historic night for the team…
PSJA North Dominates Victoria East 42-7, Advances to Region IV-5A DI Semifinals
In a victory that left no questions, the PSJA North Raiders asserted their dominance over Victoria East with a resounding 42-7 victory in the Region IV-5A DI area-round playoff game at Phil Danaher Stadium in Corpus Christi. Opting to defer and unleash their formidable defense, the Raiders set the tone early, securing their ticket to the regional semifinals for the third consecutive season…
Harlingen South Hawks claim gritty 10-7 win over McAllen Memorial Mustangs
The Harlingen South Hawks clinched a hard-fought 10-7 victory against the McAllen Memorial Mustangs in a Region IV-5A Division I bi-district contest at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen. This win, the first playoff victory for the Hawks since 2013, marked a significant achievement under third-year head coach Israel Gonzalez. With the victory, Harlingen South improved to an 8-3 overall record and advanced to the area round, where they will face Victoria West…
PSJA High Bears secure victory over Los Fresnos, bi district
Under the rainy November sky, the PSJA High Bears claimed a 35-7 victory over the Los Fresnos Falcons during the Class 6A DI bi-district round at PSJA Stadium. Quarterback Jaime Lopez played a pivotal role, contributing five touchdowns, while the Bears' defense forced five turnovers. This victory not only marks the Bears' first playoff win since 2008 but also stands as the first playoff win in head coach Lupe Rodriguez's career…
Sharyland Pioneer Dominates Edcouch-Elsa in Bi-District Playoff Showdown
In a bi-district playoff clash at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission, Sharyland Pioneer's explosive offense showcased its prowess, securing a convincing 48-29 victory over the Edcouch-Elsa Yellow Jackets. The Diamondbacks were led by a stellar performance from quarterback Julian Valdez, who orchestrated an impressive five-touchdown spectacle, complemented by two touchdowns from running back Dylan Tijerina…
Harlingen High Cardinals Dominate Bi-District Round, Advance
The Harlingen High Cardinals showcased their football prowess in a commanding 42-0 victory over Edinburg High during the Class 6A DII bi-district round. The win secures their spot in the Class 6A DII area round for the fourth consecutive year, setting the stage for a potential deep playoff run. The Cardinals' triumph was not only a testament to individual standout performances but also highlighted the team's collective strength and strategic ability…
Vela crushes Rowe in final week of regular season
In their District 15-5A DI finale, the Edinburg Vela SaberCats showcased their dominance, securing a commanding 56-12 victory over the McAllen Rowe Warriors at Richard R. Flores Stadium. With this win, the Sabercats solidify their position as the No. 2 seed in District 15-5A DI, setting the stage for a bi-district round matchup against the No. 3 seed from District 16-5A DI. Meanwhile, McAllen Rowe concludes its season in fifth place in the district standings…