Top to bottom 13-5A Division I is among the best districts in the state, the defending state champion Smithson Valley lives here, yet the Rangers didn’t even win their district as Pieper took home the crown in the regular season. Smithson Valley’s defense with eight starters back is loaded and if the young offense matures, they’ll be a favorite. Pieper took some hits at the skill spots but should still be stout on defense and the offensive line. New Braunfels still has 6A numbers at the higher levels and if they can identify a QB, the Unicorns will be a force. Seguin, Champion, Victoria East and Wagner will all be factors in the playoff race.

After an amazing 2024 campaign in which Southwest ran the table, the Dragons face a bit of a rebuild after losing 39 seniors. Does that open the door for South San who brings back fifteen starters from a team that posted an 8-3 mark. Jay is a lot like Southwest going into 2025 as the Mustangs return just five total starters. Southside is the surprise pick for fourth over Southwest Legacy and Laredo Nixon.

A year ago, PSJA North, Corpus Christi Vets and Flour Bluff split the district title, this year with the strength of 39 returning lettermen and seventeen starters, PSJA North gets the pick as the favorite and potential sleeper for the regional title out of the RGV. Vets takes the role as the second team, with Flour Bluff’s young offense being the concern and reason they get picked third. Harlingen South and Weslaco East will be again locked in a death struggle for the final playoff spot.

Edinburg Vela has been one of two dominant RGV 5A programs over the past six or so years and the Sabercats again look to be at the top of the heap in 16-5A Division I, but McAllen Memorial’s nine returning offensive starters will make them a tough out. The race for the final two playoff spots will be an exciting race between Mission, McAllen and McAllen Rowe who all appear even on paper.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-5A Division I

1. Smithson Valley
2. San Antonio Pieper
3. New Braunfels
4. Seguin
5. Boerne Champion
6. Victoria East
7. San Antonio Wagner
8. San Antonio MacArthur

District 14-5A Division I

1. South San Antonio
2. San Antonio Southwest
3. San Antonio Jay
4. San Antonio Southside
5. San Antonio Southwest Legacy
6. Laredo Nixon
7. Laredo Martin
8. Eagle Pass Winn
9. Laredo Cigarroa

District 15-5A Division I

1. PSJA North
2. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial
3. Corpus Christi Flour Bluff
4. Harlingen South
5. Weslaco East
6. PSJA Memorial
7. Donna
8. Brownsville Rivera
9. Donna North

District 16-5A Division I

1. Edinburg Vela
2. McAllen Memorial
3. Mission
4. McAllen
5. McAllen Rowe
6. La Joya Palmview
7. Rio Grande City
8. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Smithson Valley vs F14 San Antonio Southside

R16 McAllen Memorial vs T15 Corpus Christi Flour Bluff

W14 South San Antonio vs F13 New Braunfels

R15 Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial vs T16 Mission

W15 PSJA North vs F16 McAllen

R14 San Antonio Southwest vs T13 Seguin

W16 Edinburg Vela vs F15 Harlingen South

R13 San Antonio Pieper vs T14 San Antonio Jay

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Smithson Valley over San Antonio Pieper