No. 6 PSJA Memorial looks to take another step forward in 2024

4 weeks ago 41

ALAMO — PSJA Memorial, the No. 6 team in the RGVSports.com 5A/6A Preseason Top 10 Poll, took a large step forward in 2023, the third season under head coach William Littleton.

After finishing winless in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Wolverines went 1-9 in 2021, followed by a 4-6 mark in 2022.

Last year, PSJA Memorial made a leap and went 7-4 to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2011 and tied the program’s best start in program history at 7-0. The winning record was the program’s first since 2010.

Now, the Wolverines return 16 starters from last year’s playoff qualifying squad, determined to prove PSJA Memorial can play with the best South Texas has to offer.

“It’s a great group of kids. Our seniors that we have coming back have been a part of this since they were sophomores, and they’ve understood that from year to year it’s a process and understood that we had to get better,” Littleton said. “Going into last year, we had to improve to be able to get a winning record, and they’re understanding going into this year that we’re going into a completely different district. It’s a whole different grind, a whole different level of football, so they understood that they had to continue to improve and continue to rely on that process to get our program to where it’s respectful to now take our program to the next level.”

PSJA Memorial will have to fight in one of South Texas’ toughest districts in 15-5A DI, which features seven playoff teams from 2023, including the Wolverines. With a loaded district and only four postseason spots up for grabs, PSJA Memorial will have to fight every step of the way to put itself in contention.

PSJA Memorial brings back nine of its 11 starters on offense, a unit that proved it can pound the rock and take advantage of opportunities through the air. Senior quarterback Ryan Reyna is a three-year starter who threw for 525 yards and ran for 888 more last season with 25 total touchdowns. He has size and strength at the position to move piles in the short-yardage game.

“It’s been special the way Littleton has been able to work with us since our freshman year. Our class, we want to do something special to keep up this culture,” Reyna said. “Teams don’t see us as a homecoming team. We put in work, we bought in, and now we’re putting in that extra effort to keep it up.”

Senior running back Emi Colunga is a big play waiting to happen in the Wolverines’ backfield after rushing for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in 10 games. Senior lineman Jose Vigil and fullback Viktor Rodriguez will help make room for Colunga and PSJA Memorial’s rushing attack.

The Wolverines’ defense features playmakers in its secondary with seniors Thomas Lopez and Exzayveon Banks and junior Nolan Ramirez. Senior linebacker Diego Villegas led Memorial in tackles last season and returns as the quarterback of the defense.

The Wolverines start the season against Brownsville Veterans on Aug. 29 at home and visit McAllen High on Sept. 5 in non-district play. PSJA Memorial then opens District 15-5A DI competition against Weslaco East in Week 4 and closes against Donna High in Week 11.