Arlington Sam Houston Texans
Head Coach: Bobby Watkins III (1st season)
Last Season: 1-9; 0-7 in district
Returning Lettermen: 35 (7 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)
Sam Houston Key Players and Storylines
Bobby Watkins III has gotten a firsthand view of success as the defensive coordinator at West Mesquite the past two seasons. Both years, the Wranglers won 11 games.
Now, Watkins takes over a Sam Houston program that has won just 12 total games across the past seven seasons.
He is determined to restore the Eastside Texan pride in the building. Seven returning starters on each side of the ball will help with that mission.
Receiver Chaunce Price (378 receiving yards and five touchdowns), a four-year starter, will be the leader of the pack and should pair well with dual threat quarterback Carmello Stokes (1,579 passing yards, 589 rushing yards). Up front, 6’1”, 250-pound guard Julian Pena is a “dominant presence on the offensive line.”
Defensively, opposing tackles beware. Watkins is thrilled about the “tremendous upside” of outside linebacker Alex Opare (54 tackles, 12 TFLs), while edge rusher Dalvin Clark is also back. In the middle of the field, relentless linebacker Christopher Bailey will be another playmaker for this unit.
Alex Opare (@AlexanderOparee) 28’ OLB/DE is a FOOTBALL PLAYER! He is also runs 10.7 in the 100! This dude shows up everyday and is dedicated to the work and the process! Holds offers from G5 schools and that’s just the beginning! Breakout Season COMING! #RecruitTheEastside pic.twitter.com/3vKEev2y7F
— Bobby Watkins III (@Bobby_QUE7) February 4, 2026
Watkins has gone right to work instilling toughness and a strong work ethic for this group. He and his guys are excited to put on a show this fall as they look to start a new chapter of Sam Houston Texan football.
Sam Houston 2026 Schedule
*- Denotes District 3-6A Contest
Week 1 | 8/28 | vs. North Mesquite 7:00 p.m.
Week 2 | 9/4 | @ Everman 7:00 p.m.
Week 3 | 9/11 | @ Cleburne 7:00 p.m.
*Week 4 | 9/18 | vs. Arlington 7:00 p.m.
*Week 5 | 9/25 | @ Weatherford 7:00 p.m.
Week 6 | 10/2 | Bye
*Week 7 | 10/8 | vs. Arlington Martin 7:00 p.m.
*Week 8 | 10/16 | vs. Arlington Lamar 7:00 p.m.
*Week 9 | 10/23 | @ Granbury 7:00 p.m.
*Week 10 | 10/30 | vs. Aledo 7:00 p.m.
*Week 11 | 11/5 | @ Bowie 7:00 p.m.
