La Joya Coyotes
Head Coach: Reuben Farias (10th season; 31-62 record)
Last Season: 5-6; 2-3 in district (Lost to Harlingen in bi-district)
Returning Lettermen: 15 (5 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
La Joya Key PLayres and Storylines
In the three seasons from 2022 to 2024, La Joya won four total games. Last year was a different story. The Coyotes broke through with their first playoff berth in three years, finishing 5-6. It was their most wins in a season since 2018.
Now, Reuben Farias and his Coyotes are eager to get back on the field this fall with a “great nucleus of players” returning on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Coyotes have to find a way to replace a 2,000-yard rusher, but their passing attack is still mostly intact. Quarterback Owen Benoit heads into his third season as the starter. He’s got a pair of shifty weapons at receiver in senior Dante Perez (599 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) and junior Luis Arjona (395 receiving yards and five touchdowns).
Defensively, the Coyotes will be strong in the secondary with the return of leading tackler junior cornerback Angel Guevara (37 tackles and one INT) and safety Leo Maldonado (36 tackles and two INTs). They’ve also got a menace in the trenches in senior defensive end Max Rivas (36 tackles, five sacks).
With only 15 returning lettermen, the Coyotes do lack some depth in key positions. However, last year’s turnaround has given this group confidence as they aim to not only secure a playoff berth but also bring home their first playoff win since 2007.
La Joya Coyotes 2026 Football Schedule
*-Denotes District 31-6A Contest
- Friday August 28 vs. Zapata 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday September 10 vs. Brownsville Pace 7:00 p.m.
- Friday September 18 @ Sharyland 7:00 p.m.
- Friday September 25 @ Brownsville Veterans Memorial 7:00 p.m.
- *Friday October 9 vs. Edinburg North 7:30 p.m.
- *Friday October 16 vs. Edinburg Vela 7:30 p.m.
- *Thursday October 22 @ Edinburg 7:00 p.m.
- *Friday October 30 vs. Weslaco 7:30 p.m.
- *Thursday November 5 @ Econemedes 7:00 p.m.
