News

Sam Rayburn Texans 2026 Season Preview

by
Adam Ogburn
July 30

Pasadena Sam Rayburn Texans

Head Coach: Sergio Gonzalez (11-29 record; 5th season)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 33 (6 returning starters on offense; 11 on defense)

Sam Rayburn Key Players and Storylines

This is the year for Sam Rayburn. Head coach Sergio Gonzalez said the Texans have had 2026 circled for a couple of seasons. With 17 returning starters, including every single starter back on defense, he believes they have a shot at snapping their now 28-year playoff drought.

The trenches will be one of the strengths of this Texan team and that is certainly the case offensively with “massive” 6’4”, 300-pound tackle Darrell Randall and 6’1”, 280-pound center Rudolfo Hernandez. They’ll help open holes for “elusive” junior running back Jamyron Hernandez and the rest of Rayburn’s slot-T rushing attack.

On the other side of the ball, the front seven is where the magic can happen. Playmaking defensive end Juelz Byrd-Acuna and linebacker Coen Holliday are both pass rushing threats. Fellow linebacker Raymond Sabala (75 tackles, 10 TFLs) is coming off a breakout sophomore season and is a “turnover machine” in the heart of that Texans defense.

First season on varsity as sophomore. End the season second team all district linebacker. Looking forward next year. @gonz5307 @ExplosiveHTX @TheRyanRagone @CoachNikNelson @1camgreene @SirScoutsALot @CoachSDugan @CoachBBlackmon @Marchen44 @CoachRegalado @TXTopTalent pic.twitter.com/bSMTo38PXX

— Ray Sabala (@raysabala22) January 9, 2026

Experience goes a long way, and Gonzalez is banking on that being the case this year. He expects his guys to “be competitive in every game they play this year” and to give themselves a shot at making Rayburn history with that long-awaited playoff appearance.