Valley Ball

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: April 6, 2025

"Valley Ball" Book Coming Soon from Chris Doelle and Gabe Rivera

Football in Texas is legendary, and when you think of the state's gridiron passion, names like Dallas, Houston, and Austin often come to mind. But there's a vibrant and deeply rooted football culture thriving in South Texas, specifically in the Rio Grande Valley. Soon, the stories, the passion, and the history of this unique region's football legacy will be brought to life in a new book titled "Valley Ball" by Chris Doelle and Gabe Rivera.

Based on extensive historical research and numerous interviews conducted over the past several months, "Valley Ball" aims to be the definitive history of football in the Rio Grande Valley, spanning from the first games all the way to the present day. The complete history of all the Valley high school teams will be covered.

One of the central motivations for "Valley Ball" is to shine a light on the rich football tradition and the passionate community within the Valley. Through conversations with numerous coaches and players, including figures like Coach Alex Leal, Eddie Lee Marburger, Coach Bruce Bush, Coach Buck, Lupe Rodriguez, Richard Avila from the 1961 Donna State Championship team, Kenny Reininger, Ty Detmer, Koy Detmer, Lance Marburger, Paul Alsbury, Tony Villarreal, Dominga Vela, the wife of the late legendary Coach Robert Vela, and many more, the book promises to delve deep into the heart and soul of Valley football.

Gabe Rivera, an author and experienced journalist, with numerous publications under his belt, has a personal connection to the area. He has expressed a strong desire to bring a positive narrative to the Valley and highlight the incredible dedication and talent that often goes unnoticed by those outside the region. Interviewees like Frank Hernandez have echoed this sentiment, commending the effort to bring a more positive spotlight to the area.

Chris Doelle, a Texas high school football historian, journalist and author was excited to cover this underrepresented area of Texas high school football. A lifelong storyteller, Doelle loves nothing more than sports stories and the RGV if overflowing with those great stories.

"Valley Ball" promises a fresh perspective and a comprehensive look at the history and enduring spirit of football in the Rio Grande Valley.

Keep an eye out for "Valley Ball", which is expected to be released later this year. This book is set to be a must-read for anyone interested in Texas football and the captivating story of the Rio Grande Valley's contribution to the sport. Get ready to experience the passion and pride of "Valley Ball"!

For a limited time, you can preorder the book at a substantial discount.