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2023 Caller-Times All-South Texas Football Team: The Offense

quinton martinez, corpus christi caller times
·6 min read

The 2023 high school football season in the Coastal Bend is in the rear-view mirror, which means the Caller-Times will take its annual look at some of the best players in the area.

Here is a look at the 2023 All-South Texas offense.

2023 All-South Texas Football Team: Offense

FIRST TEAM

QB — Jayden Paluseo, jr., Flour Bluff

Paluseo started his season leading an upset of state-ranked Boerne, broke his own school record with 47 passing touchdowns, totaling 3,494 yards passing, 393 yards rushing with a 68% completion percentage, earning District 15-5A Division II MVP honors.

Flour Bluff's Jayden Paluseo looks to pass during the game at Phil Danaher Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Flour Bluff's Jayden Paluseo looks to pass during the game at Phil Danaher Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

RB — Rene Martinez, sr., Falfurrias 

Even as the focal point of the Jerseys attack, Martinez still put up eye-popping numbers. The senior back tallied 1,971 yards and 17 TDs adding 52 tackles and a sack on defense.

RB — Derek Garcia, jr., Sinton

Garcia took a huge step as a junior earning co-district MVP honors after amassing 1,839 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing in 12 games, including five 200-yard outings for the Pirates on their way to the state quarterfinals.

Sinton’s Derek Garcia runs the ball during the Region IV-4A Division II final at San Antonio’s Southwest Legacy Stadium on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Von Ormy, Texas.
Sinton’s Derek Garcia runs the ball during the Region IV-4A Division II final at San Antonio’s Southwest Legacy Stadium on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, in Von Ormy, Texas.

FB — Jordan King, jr., Refugio

King was the most consistent force on offense the the Bobcats, that spent all season ranked No. 2 in Class 2A. A load in the backfield, King finished with 1,518 yards and 32 touchdowns on 140 carries.

WR — Christian Sabsook, sr., Veterans Memorial 

Sabsook may have earned his stripes in the defensive backfield, but he quickly became a dynamic go-to receiver in 2023. The senior finished with 45 catches for 900 yards and 11 touchdowns, including key work in the Eagles' return game.

Veterans Memorial's Christian Sabsook attempts to catch a pass during the game on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Veterans Memorial's Christian Sabsook attempts to catch a pass during the game on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

WR — Justin Arellano, sr., Alice 

It's hard to understate Arellano's value to the Coyotes. The dynamic playmaker tallied 36 catches for 659 yards and nine TDs, while also running for a score, earning MVP honors in District 16-4A Division I for the district champs.

2023 All-South Texas Football Team: The Superlatives

Alice's Justin Arellano runs the ball during a game on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Alice's Justin Arellano runs the ball during a game on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

WR — Cameran Dickson, jr., Flour Bluff

Dickson did damage whenever he was on the field for the Hornets, which was a lot. Dickson finished with 69 catches for 1,141 yards and 16 total touchdowns, including three return scores and five interceptions on defense.

Flour Bluff's Cameran Dickson is tackled by Calallen's Elias Timbs during the game at Phil Danaher Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Flour Bluff's Cameran Dickson is tackled by Calallen's Elias Timbs during the game at Phil Danaher Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

WR — Enrique Rodriguez, sr., Taft

One of the fastest players in the Coastal Bend, Rodriguez was again a game-breaker for the Greyhounds, earning MVP honors for District 16-3A Division II. Rodriguez finished with 1,236 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving and also impacted the run game and special teams.

Taft's Enrique Rodriguez catches a pass during the game on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Taft, Texas.
Taft's Enrique Rodriguez catches a pass during the game on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, in Taft, Texas.

OL  — Devin Cage, jr., Miller

Cage was tabbed Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year for District 14-5A Division I after yielding no sacks in 14 games and tallying 71 pancakes for the Bucs.

Miller's Devin Cage (7) smiles during in a high school football game against Victoria East at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas on Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022.
Miller's Devin Cage (7) smiles during in a high school football game against Victoria East at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas on Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022.

OL  — Diego Trevino, sr., Alice

Trevino paved the way for the potent Alice offensive attack and was named Co-Most Valuable Offensive Lineman for District 16-4A Division I. Trevino had a 96% grade with 63 pancakes and no sacks surrendered.

OL  — Brady Buchanan, jr., Calallen

Buchanan was named Co-Most Valuable Offensive Lineman for District 16-4A Division I helping lead the way for the Calallen offensive attack.

2023 Caller-Times All-South Texas Football Team: The Defense

OL — Jaden Dement, sr., Gregory-Portland

Dement was the anchor of the G-P line helping pave the way with 26 pancakes and 31 knockdowns, while allowing zero sacks in 12 games.

OL — Pablo Vega, sr., San Diego 

A unanimous pick as District 16-3A Division I Offensive Lineman of the Year, Vega graded out at 96% this season and did not yield a sack. He had 68 pancakes and was a key part of the Vaqueros district title run.

ATH — Ernest Campbell, sr., Refugio

The Texas A&M-bound speedster made an impact on offense, defense and special teams. Campbell tallied 812 yards and seven touchdowns receiving, five interceptions, and three return touchdowns.

Refugio's Ernest Campbell is tackled while attempting to vault over Ganado during the Region IV-2A Division I finals at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Victoria, Texas.
Refugio's Ernest Campbell is tackled while attempting to vault over Ganado during the Region IV-2A Division I finals at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Victoria, Texas.

ATH — Corey Holmes, jr., Miller 

Holmes made the transition from running back to receiver this year and didn't skip a beat, excelling in both positions. Holmes finished with 1,025 yards and 21 touchdowns receiving, 684 yards and eight touchdowns rushing and two kick return scores for the district champs.

Miller’s Corey Holmes completes a pass during the Region IV-5A Division I semifinals against Victoria West on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Miller’s Corey Holmes completes a pass during the Region IV-5A Division I semifinals against Victoria West on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Buccaneer Stadium in Corpus Christi, Texas.

ATH — Darion Perez, sr., Beeville

This jack-of-all-trades earned District 15-4A Division I MVP honors after helping Beeville return to the postseason. Perez finished with 509 yards rushing, 594 yards receiving, 95 tackles, three sacks, an interception and was also a stellar return man for the Trojans.

K — Ryan Carmona, so., Veterans Memorial 

Carmona was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Year for District 14-5A Division I and connected on 54 of 55 PATs with 40 touchbacks in 61 kickoffs.

P — Luke DeLeon, jr., Carroll

DeLeon earned first team honors for District 14-5A Division I averaging 32.8 yards per punt, including five inside the 20.

Carroll's Luke DeLeon punts during the game at Buccaneer Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Carroll's Luke DeLeon punts during the game at Buccaneer Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

High School Football Looking back: Top moments of the 2023 high school football season

SECOND TEAM

QB — Trevor Long, jr., Miller

QB — Triston Handson, jr., Sinton

RB — Nathan Ambrose, sr., Ingleside

RB — Damian Figueroa, so., Tuloso-Midway

RB — Bryan King, so., Agua Dulce

FB — Kolton Lopez, jr., Skidmore-Tynan

WR — Eathan Vela, jr., Miller

WR — Derek Lancaster, sr., Three Rivers

WR — Jacoby James, jr., Sinton

WR — Jayden Johnson, sr., Flour Fluff

WR — Jack Atkinson, sr., Orange Grove

TE — Brodie Mitchell, sr., Gregory-Portland

OL  — Joaquin Montez, jr., Veterans Memorial

OL  — Justin Flores, jr., Beeville

OL  — Keishaun Lewis, sr., Miller

OL —  Clay Mitchell, so., Sinton

OL — Will Klatt, sr., Orange Grove

OL — Dougie Farrell, sr., Refugio

ATH — Caden Soliz, sr., Three Rivers

ATH — JJ Acosta, sr., Taft

ATH — Landon Rodriguez, sr., Alice

P — Hunter Lopez, sr., Beeville

K — Brandon Hernandez, sr., Ingleside

K — Landen Longoria, sr., Sinton

High School Football 2023 Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend high school football all-district team lists

THIRD TEAM

QB — Billy White III, so., Veterans Memorial

QB — Alexander Manning, so., London

QB — Logan Rodriguez, jr., Orange Grove

RB — Devin Godines, sr., Ben Bolt

RB — Robert Muhammad, sr., Carroll

RB — Diego Garza, sr., Orange Grove

RB — Adrian Luna, so., Moody

RB — Julian Ortiz, sr., Premont

FB — Alfredo Gomez, sr., Taft

FB — Brenner Kurtz, sr., Woodsboro

WR — Jaedyn Brown, sr., Miller

WR — Joe Luna, sr., Robstown

WR — Andre Mimms, jr., Flour Bluff

WR — Aidan Salinas, fr., London

TE — Tyler Saenz, jr., San Diego

TE — Kyle Wuenschel, jr., Odem

OL  — Daniel Diaz, sr., Three Rivers

OL  — Alex Botelo, sr., Alice

OL  — James Bahn, so., Orange Grove

OL — Osvaldo Garcia, sr., Aransas Pass

OL —  AJ Gonzales, so., Odem

K — Aden Guidry, sr., Taft

K — Brayden Schroeder, sr., Bishop

ATH — Terrell Jackson, sr., Kingsville

ATH — Josh Chavira, sr., Odem

ATH — Kaiyden Thomas, sr., Three Rivers

ATH — Shane Ryan, jr., Benavides

HONORABLE MENTION

QB — Lane Ranly, so., Agua Dulce; Braycen Beazell, jr., Tuloso-Midway; James Mailes, sr., King; Derek Silva, sr., Robstown

WR — Michael Saenz, sr., Orange Grove; Donovan Bencze, sr., Kingsville; Andrew Martinez, jr., Taft; Blake Garcia, sr., Rockport-Fulton; Benny Espinoza, sr., Agua Dulce; Tim Sanchez, so., Robstown;

TE — Joshua Garcia, sr., Benavides

RB — Luke Medina, sr., Calallen; Amarian Zambezi, so., Woodsboro; Aiden Lozano, sr., Odem; Eden Perez, sr., Hebbronville

Ath — Connor McCullion, sr., John Paul II

OL — Jose Garcia, jr., Moody; Kyhren Green, sr., Sinton

K — Hunter Ford, sr., Odem

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Meet the offense for the 2023 All-South Texas Football Team