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32-5A is riddled with questions this year.  With all the head coaching changes in the district, San Benito coaching staff remains intact with head coach Spencer Gantt leading the way.  Under Gantt the Greyhounds put up big numbers last year as they implemented the spread offense, and returned to the playoffs after not making it the year before.

The loss of Brandon Marquez will mean that San Benito will look to quarterback David Rodriguez to set the tone behind center.  Helping Rodriguez is running back Tommy Herrera.

The defense will also have to set up this year., last year the defense gave up 326 yards per game.  With a new quarterback, the defense may need to set the tone early in the season.

Head Coach: Raymond Bohn, 13th season
Assistant Coaches: Roy Rodriguez, Oscar Cortez, Mario Flores
2009 Record: 12-16, District: 4-10
Career Record: 170-159
Schoolʼs District Titles: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2001
Bi-District Champions: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005

The Pace Vikings are slowly working their way back into playoff contention after not making the playoffs in the last two years fi nishing 7th in the district.

“We now have varsity experience on our team and this should help us this season,” said Coach Raymond Bohn in his 13th season at Pace as head coach. “We must improve our pitching and clutch hitting this year,” added Coach Bohn.

Sal Villapando (sr.) P/3B will count on him from the mound, plate, and fi eld this season. Villapando was an honorable mention all-district selection last season hitting .323 with 15 RBI and has shown steady improvement during his high school years. In his sophomore season he hit .230. Villapando was also 3-6 with an ERA of 2.53 in 2009 after going 5-5 with an 2.52 ERA in 2008.

Marty Reyes (jr.), DH, has plenty of punch in his bat. Reyes hit .388 with 5 doubles, 2 HR, and 16 RBI last year. Reyes was also named as a 1st Team All-District Player last season. Hernan Sandoval (jr.) was another player that hit the ball well for the Vikings last season. As an honorable mention all-district pick, Sandoval hit .307 with 8 2B, 1 HR, 26 Runs, and 12 RBI last year. Hilario Salas (jr.), P/C, was also an honorable mention selection last year. Salas hit .319 with 13 RBI in 2009 after hitting .250 in 2008 and was 2-2 on the mound with an ERA of 6.83.

Two other players who will be counted on by the Vikings this season are: Frank Marroquin (sr.), 1B, who hit .271 with 14 RBI; and Ramon Salinas, P, was 1-0 with an ERA of 4.20 last year.

With district 32-5A being so even, the fi ght for one of the four playoff spots will be a diffi cult one. The Vikings look like a team on the rise and they seek to get back to the Viking glory days. The last playoff year was in 2006.

Head Coach: Tony Leal, 5th season
Assistant Coaches: Jesse Landeros, Rolando Ruiz, Albert Martinez
2009 Record: 9-17, District: 7-7
Career Record: 181-127
Schoolʼs District Titles: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2006, 2007
Bi-District Titles: 1994, 1996, 2003, 2006, 2007
Area Titles: 2003, 2006, 2007
Regional Quarter Final Title: 2007
Regional Semi-Final Title: 2007
Regional Champions: 2007
State Finals: 2007

Harlingen South squeezed into the playoffs just ahead of PSJA North in the 4th spot before losing to Brownsville Hanna in Bi District action. South now seeks to get back to the playoffs behind several returning lettermen. Adrian Amaya (sr.), P/1B, 1st team all district player returns after hitting .325 in district action. Amaya really improved on the mound as the season moved into district play. First team all-district selection Jacob Anderson (sr.), P/DH, hit .405 during district which led the team last season. Anderson is a left-handed pitcher like Amaya. These two lefties will give the Hawks a chance to compete. Taylor Buie (jr.), C, has made steady improvement since starting his freshman season. Buie hit .378 last season during district play. Buie will also see time on the mound this season. Hernan Arreola (jr.), OF, hit .302 in district during his sophomore season. The left-handed Arreola will see some time on the hill. Art Villarreal (jr.), INF/C/P, is very versatile and will be used in several positions this season. Villarreal hit .281 during district last year. Bobby Reyna (sr.), P/OF, returns after getting some experience on the mound last season. Zach Flores (soph.), INF, who hit .321 during his freshman season in district action, also returns to round out the returning starters for the Hawks in 2010.

The Hawk program still has several players playing college baseball. Julio Torres (06) Mercer University; Javier Torres (07) Seton Hall University; Ben Alaniz (05) Hutson-Tillotson University; Peter Maldonado (07), UTB; Danny Gidora (07) UTB and J.J. Perez (09) UTB.

“We must keep trying to improve as the season wears on,” said Coach Tony Leal. “We have several pitchers that we believe will keep us in the ball games. All our players must be willing to accept their roles on the team. We hope to use our scrimmages and pre district games to piece together a competitive team,” added Coach Leal.

Other players who will be battling for playing time are Caleb Perkins (soph.), P/OF, Barney Eliserio (sr.), INF/P, who was injured last season; Daniel Garcia (jr.), P/1B/OF/DH; Nick Cantu (sr.), OF; Jarrod Kohl (sr.), INF; Lance Butler (sr.); Rolando Zamarripa (sr.), INF; A.J. Wallace (sr.),C; Carter Perkins (soph.) 1B/OF; Mangin Chacon (jr.), P/INF; Mike Trevino (sr.), DH; Parker Cordes (sr.), 1B; Kevin Rodriguez (soph.) C/INF; Elijah Hirschmann (soph.) INF/P; Oscar Garcia (fresh.) INF; and Javier Gonzales (fresh.), P/INF.

The Hawks will have their hands full in district with so much parity behind the district favorite PSJA Bears.