Los Fresnos opens at No. 7 in RGVSports.com 5A/6A preseason poll

LOS FRESNOS — The Los Fresnos Falcons are no strangers to the postseason. Since the arrival of head coach David Cantu in 2021, the Falcons have qualified for the playoffs three straight times, earning two postseason games during that span, as well.

One thing missing, however, is a district title.

With a star-studded group of returners, this season could be the year Los Fresnos breaks through and captures the gold ball. The Falcons are the No. 7 team in the RGVSports.com 5A/6A preseason poll.

“We, for sure, have pressure this season,” Los Fresnos quarterback Robert Pineda said. “We know what we did all offseason though and spring ball. We’re all competitive. We all have the same ambition. We’re chasing that gold ball. Every day we come in with that mindset. We want it really bad not just for us, but for the community.”

The Falcons return a solid core on both sides of the ball, bringing back a total of 11 starters from last year’s bi-district finalist squad.

One of the biggest returning pieces is Pineda, the third year starting signal caller. The junior has started 23 games since stepping onto the field in 2021, leading the Falcons to back-to-back playoff appearances and one postseason win.

Pineda has established himself as one of the RGV’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks since his freshman year, throwing for 3,254 yards and 35 touchdowns and rushing for 1,567 yards and 16 scores in two years.

Year 3 could bring even more success for the quarterback, with Pineda’s experience allowing coaches to open the playbook even more on offense.

Los Fresnos quarterback Robert Pineda rolls out to pass during a District 32-6A contest against Weslaco High on Oct. 13, 2023 at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos. (Andrew Cordero | Special to RGVSports)

“I feel really comfortable in this offense going into this year,” Pineda said. “I feel like my offensive line trusts me. My receivers and coaches trust me. I just feel really good going into this one.”

The Falcons also bring back a pair of playmakers at wideout in junior Lucky Perales and senior Josh Limon. The receiver duo earned their quarterback’s trust last season, combining for 737 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Los Fresnos wideout Lucky Perales (1) breaks free for an 87-yard touchdown against San Benito on Oct. 27, 2023 at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium in Los Fresnos. (Miguel Roberts | Brownsville Herald)

A new face will start alongside Pineda in the backfield in 2024, with junior running back JC Fuentes stepping into the starting role. Fuentes showed flashes of his potential despite a limited role last year, averaging 9.4 yards per carry en route to 347 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Junior middle linebacker Juan Sanchez returns to command the offense, racking up 82 tackles and three tackles for loss as a sophomore, while versatile safety Cade Stumbaugh (61 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception) gives the Falcons another weapon against the pass and run.

Junior defensive back Abraham Elizondo’s return from injury should help solidify the Falcons secondary, displaying his lockdown potential last year after racking up 30 tackles, 10 passes deflected and one interception in nine games played.

“We’re feeling great going into this year,” Pineda said. “We’ve had a good spring ball. Everyone on our team is competitive. We’re all looking forward to having a good season this year.”

The road to a district championship won’t be as long as years past, with realignment knocking 32-6A down from six teams to five in 2024.

That won’t make it any easier, however, with the already loaded district, which features RGV powerhouses Harlingen High and San Benito, adding Brownsville Veterans into the mix.

“It is going to take a lot of hard work to come out on top of this district,” Pineda said. “We’re ready though. We are going to take on anyone. We’re excited for the challenge.”

Los Fresnos opens the season with non-district games against a pair of McAllen ISD schools in McHi and Rowe. A home tilt against Laredo United South follows in Week 3, followed by back-to-back road games against PSJA High and Edinburg High before closing out their non-district slate at home against Sharyland High.

The Falcons won’t waste any time taking on the top dawgs in their district, kicking off 32-6A play against San Benito on Oct. 18, followed by tilts against Brownsville Veterans and Harlingen High before closing out the year against Brownsville Hanna.

ivan@themonitor.com

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