(Staff photo/Alexandrea Bailey)
By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
RGV FOOTBALL PREVIEW
District 16-4A Division II has once again been transformed by the recent 2024-2026 UIL realignment which had Raymondville and Bishop dropping down to the 3A classification. They have been replaced by former Division 1 schools, La Feria and Kingsville King to form a new 4-team district with Port Isabel and La Grulla.
After winning the district championship the last two seasons, the Port Isabel Tarpons are favorites to repeat. The Tarpons are bringing back 32 lettermen including nine defensive starters and five offensive starters from a team that finished 9-3 overall and 3-0 in the district.
The Tarpons, who depend heavily on the running game, will feature a solid group of running backs including speedster, Luis Ramos (780 yards, 9 TDs), RB/LB Edward Garza, RB/DE Brian Cienfuegos and LB/RB Dylan Green. Returning junior Bryan Martinez is a capable quarterback that can the deliver the ball when called upon to do so.
The Tarpons defense will be a formidable unit for any opposing offenses as it is loaded with talent at all levels. Defensive players to watch out for include, DE Steven Martinez, LB Garza (114 tackles, 5 TFL), DE Christopher Gonzalez (62 tackles, 15 TFL, 7 sacks), and safety ballhawk, Anothony “Tony” Garcia.
The Kingsville King Brahmas finished last season with a 3-7 overall and 1-5 district record. Although the Brahmas haven’t had a winning season in the last five years, this could be the year they do so. The team will bring back 32 lettermen including seven offensive and nine defensive starters.
The Brahmas’ defense kept their opponents to just 20 points per game on average with four of the team’s losses within a score. Kingsville’s strongest defensive unit is their secondary, which features standouts, DB/WR John Cason (102 tackles), DB/WR Jasiah Rivera (42 tackles, 3 INTs) and DB/WR Christian Flowers (3 INTs). Other def. playmakers to watch out for are LB/FB Cayden Pena (67 tackles) and DE Kenneth Reeder (70 tackles).
Offensively, dual-threat quarterback, Dylon Everett (1838 yards, 8 TDs passing; 697 yards, 5TDs rushing) will return to lead the Brahmas and once again be a handful for opposing defenses.
Saying the La Feria Lions struggled last season would be an understatement considering they only managed to score 15 points per game while giving up 34 points per game. The Lions finished with a 3-7 overall, 1-4 district record.
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