The Rio Grande City Rattlers are back this season with more than half their starters returning on both offense and defense and they have one clear goal: end a seven-year playoff drought.

The team last made the playoffs in 2019. Now, they say the program is heading in the right direction.

"Expectations this year we want to get ourselves to the postseason and get over that hump. We've been close. Our record hasn't shown that, but I think our program is moving in the right direction. I think this year we take the next step," Rio Grande City head coach Abel Gonzalez said.

Players share that confidence. A junior wide receiver said the team is ready to prove people wrong.

"We want to prove everybody wrong this season. We're excited, we want to start off strong and just keep stacking up wins every single week," the player said. "We have great teams in our district, I think it's just gonna take hard work, dedication and just taking it one game at a time."

The Rattlers say their defense is one of their biggest strengths heading into the season.

"Defense is actually looking pretty good. Everybody's putting in that work. Our strength is probably our linebackers, our corners and safeties. Everybody's really good they communicate a lot and that's all we need honestly," senior wide receiver and cornerback DJ Reyna said.

Gonzalez said team speed will also be a key factor on both sides of the ball.

"I think our overall team speed is something that we're gonna lean on. The type of offense that we run and the type of defense that we run," Gonzalez said.

The Rattlers will start the season in Week 1 against the Roma Gladiators in the Battle of Starr County. A short non-district season wraps up with games against La Feria and Donna.

The district season starts against Donna North on September 18th. The Rattlers end the year with a matchup on the road against Palmview.