Buda Hays Hawks

Head Coach: Mark Torres (3rd season; 9-11 record)

Last Season: 5-5; 3-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 23 (8 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)

Hays Key Players and Storylines

Buda Hays makes a return to 6A for the first time since 2021, and the Hawks will hope it’s a good omen. They haven’t made the postseason since a regional final run back in 2020.

They have the experience to make a splash in District 26-6A with eight returning starters on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, Hawks may fly, but this group will like to keep it on the ground. Gabriel Peach (617 rushing yards, 317 receiving yards, and ten total touchdowns) is their explosive option that will stretch the defense, while junior running back Eyan Stigall (537 rushing yards and seven touchdowns) is the more physical option, who is “hard to bring down by yourself.”

The Hawks did graduate two of their three quarterbacks that saw playing time last year, so the presence of three-year starter receiver Jayden Gingrow (423 receiving yards and four touchdowns) will be big in the passing attack.

Defensively, Kru Allen (104 tackles) is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker, while Stigall (82 tackles) is also a playmaker at safety. Junior cornerback Tre Ellis (20 tackles) is comfortable in both press coverage and zone as he goes against other teams’ top receivers. Up front, expect 6’3”, 265-pound defensive tackle Kiefer Patterson (49 tackles, six TFLs) to be a staple in the trenches for the Hawks.

Regular season highlights ✅@BudaHays_FB 🦅 |3.5 GPA| 📈📈

101 tackles
59 solo
5 tfls
1 sack
1 ffhttps://t.co/VTo6RaQncP#AGTG #RISE🟥🟦 #TXHSFB #D1bound@coachmarktorres @RecruitBudaHays @TXTopTalent @TXRecruits @PrepRedzoneTX @NP_Recruiting @GridironFootbal @dctf… pic.twitter.com/JTCiSQWlMl

— Kru Allen (@Kru_Allen) November 22, 2025

There are plenty of major contributors on the Hawks’ roster this season. These players may not have playoff experience yet, but Torres believes the ingredients are there to snap that five-year drought this fall.

Buda Hays Hawks 2026 Football Schedule

*Denotes District 26-6A Contest

• 8/28 @ San Marcos
• 9/4 vs. Seguin
• 9/11 @ Harker Heights
• *9/17 vs. Leander
• *9/25 vs. Buda Johnson
• *10/2 vs. Austin
• *10/9 @ Austin Bowie
• *10/23 vs. Dripping Springs
• *10/30 @ Del Valle
• *11/6 vs. Austin Akins