The Harlingen South Hawks have been a staple in the high school football playoffs over the last half decade. However, a playoff win has eluded their teams in recent years. They're hoping to change that this fall.

Senior running back Kaden Edwards is back after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last fall. He's expected to play a big role in the offense again this year.

"Great job by Kaden last year. He comes from a great family of running backs. His brother Alvin had graduated a couple of years ago. We're really excited for him. He hit the 1,000-yard mark last year and we're hoping for bigger numbers this year," Harlingen South Head Football Coach Isreal Gonzalez said.

Edwards said his focus is on the team, but he does have one personal benchmark in mind.

"I don't really have personal, I really just have team goals. But if I would have to say from my own personal, I'd like to have at least more than 1,000 yards again," Edwards said.

The Hawks will also have a new quarterback this season. Gavin Cisneros is among those competing for the starting job, replacing last year's starter Austen Shroyer.

Teammates and coaches say they've been impressed with what they've seen from Cisneros so far.

"It's an eye opener on how big his work ethic is, you know. Never slacking, always motivating everybody else to just lock in, put in the work and I'm very excited to have him in our offense," Edwards said.

"He pushes people. He hates laziness. He always wants to go out and throw the ball. I'm always ready for it, so that's what I like about him. Definitely his discipline," Harlingen South safety and receiver Camilo Montoya said.

Cisneros also earned the praise of Coach Gonzalez in addition to that of his teammates.

"He's a very competitive kid. He does a great job of rallying his teammates around him. He's immersed himself in our culture, in our playbook, so he's done the homework that he needs to do to be successful," Gonzalez said.

The Hawks open the season against Raymondville before hosting Harlingen in the Bird Bowl in Week 2. Week 3 brings Kingsville King, followed by San Benito in Week 4 before a bye week.

District play begins in Week 6 against Brownsville Hanna. The Hawks then face Weslaco East in Week 7, CC Carroll in Week 8, Flour Bluff in Week 9, Brownsville Rivera in Week 10 and Corpus Christi Veterans in Week 11.