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District 28-6A 2025 Season Preview

Austin Roof Inspection


The youngest football programs in District 28-6A are making some noise. Last year, Sotomayor made the playoffs for the first time ever, while Harlan advanced to the regional final for the first time.

Both those programs and everyone else will be chasing Brennan, who has won district titles four of the past five years.

Here’s what to watch for in District 28-6A.

Northside Brennan Bears

Head Coach: Stephen Basore (16th season; 140-46 record)

Last Season: 10-2; 8-0 in district (Lost to Westlake in area round)

Returning Lettermen: 22 (5 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Brennan Key Players and Storylines

The Bears have won district titles in four of the past five seasons. This year’s group should be in contention again with a number of three-year starters.

Head coach Stephen Basore believes both quarterback Cayden Glass (1,390 passing yards and 14 touchdowns) and running back Micai Thompson (702 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) are due for their biggest seasons yet. Both are heading into their third year as starters as is receiver Donivin Lard (339 receiving yards and four touchdowns). Lard was Brennan’s second-leading receiver last year and is “dependable in every aspect of the game.”


Linebacker Tim Cummings (35 tackles, five TFLs) is yet another three-year starter, and he’s poised to be one of the leaders of the Bear defense. Senior defensive lineman Isaiah Tolefree (25 tackles) has great quickness off the edge.

Basore is also expecting great things from defensive back Aiden Martin, who had a “solid sophomore season” last year in his first year as a starter.

Brennan has made the playoffs in 14 out of its 15 years as a varsity program. Extending that streak appears to be the bare minimum for this group this year.

“We have a very high standard for our players, program and team annually,” Basore said. “This year is no different with the added excitement of having several returning starters, including multiple kids on both sides of the ball, who have been starting since their sophomore year.”

Northside Harlan Hawks

Head Coach: Eddie Salas (8th season; 65-21 record)

Last Season: 12-2; 7-1 in district (Lost to Vandegrift in regional final)

Returning Lettermen: 22 (6 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)

Harlan Key Players and Storylines

Harlan is fresh off its furthest playoff run in school history, and the Hawks could be even more dangerous this year with more of that big-game experience now under their belts.

They’ve got some options at quarterback. Aiden Pitchford started the year before getting hurt. “Dynamic athlete” Aldric Trotter (2,446 passing yards and 22 touchdowns) then took over behind center and led the Hawks on the playoff run.

Whoever gets the nod will have TCU commit running back G’Ivori Graham alongside them. He’s the total package and the Harlan staff said he “will be the top running back in San Antonio.” Wide receiver Jordan Grady (288 receiving yards and two touchdowns) will help keep the offense balanced. He’s a three-year starter, who has made “big catches in multiple big games over the past couple seasons.”

For all the experience they have back, the Hawks will be relying on some new faces on the offensive line and in the secondary.

However, the cupboard isn’t bare on the back end. Defensive back Taveion Ford (28 tackles, two INTs) is a “big play guy” who can play just about anywhere in the secondary, while safety Addon Palmer (51 tackles) is a rising star after starting ten games as a sophomore.

There are no question marks about the Harlan front seven. Senior Mujitaba Bhatti (22 tackles, three TFLs), sophomore Jayson Contreras (27 tackles, two TFLs), and junior Conner Stevens all are returning starters on the defensive line.

Behind them, linebacker Maddox Berantuo (39 tackles, seven sacks) led the Hawks in sacks and tackles for loss in 2024 despite missing time due to injury. Fellow linebacker Robert Gonzales (55 tackles, six TFLs) is like a coach on the field, who will be “the core of a much tougher run defense.”

Harlan has now had a full offseason with its two quarterbacks that played last year and its defensive scheme which it just installed last season. That’s bad news for the rest of District 28-6A as the Hawks look to “hunt the district championship and build upon last year’s postseason success.”

Northside Holmes Huskies

Head Coach: Pete Padilla (4th season; 2-28 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 0-8 in district

Holmes Key Players and Storylines

Holmes continues to hunt for its first district win since 2021 as it heads into year four under head coach Pete Padilla.

The goal for the Husky offense will be simple. Get the ball in Jayden Hopkins‘ (1,046 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns) hands as much as possible. He was both their leading rusher and pass-catcher (282 receiving yards and three touchdowns) last season. Senior quarterback Zachary Torrez (621 passing yards and five touchdowns) should benefit from a year of starting experience.


Sophomore receiver Michael Coleman (101 receiving yards) is one to watch after he showed flashes as a freshman a year ago.

Defensively, the Huskies will lean on the linebacking trio of Edward Valle (55 tackles), Joshua Quijano, and Jayson Galvan.

Holmes has struggled to find success in football this century. As Padilla tries to get the Huskies moving in the right direction, he will want to see his guys give their all week in and week out this season.

Northside Marshall Rams

Head Coach: Tim Williams (13th season; 34-86 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 24 (6 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Marshall Key Players and Storylines

The Rams took a step forward in 2024 with a four-win campaign. This season, they’ll be looking to get after it on the ground.

Marshall’s coaching staff believes running back Sidney Lewis is more than ready to carry the load this fall. He’s an “all-around player that can do it all.”

The Rams will have a new quarterback this year, but he’ll have some options at receiver with senior Daryus Ortiz, and junior Braylon Glover, a home run threat who operates out of the slot.

Safety Brayln Bailey will be the “leader of the defense.” In front of him, linebacker Sam Rountree and nose tackle Nate Perez will be key in stopping the run. Marshall’s coaching staff is expecting Perez to really emerge in the trenches this season.

The Rams don’t have the biggest team this year, but they’re ready to push for a playoff berth. They’ve got “young and tenacious players that will play all four quarters and be a tough matchup for every opponent.”

Northside O’Connor Panthers

Head Coach: David Malesky (16th season; 106-64 record)

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

Returning Lettermen: 27 (3 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)

O’Connor Key Players and Storylines

The Panther coaching staff has had a busy offseason figuring out where the pieces to the puzzle go for their 2025 team. Just three starters are back on each side of the ball.

They do have quarterback Jake Garza (712 passing yards and seven touchdowns) back to man the helm offensively. He started eight games last season, and has been a “great leader” for the Panther program this offseason.

Wide receiver/running back Riley Eason (364 receiving yards and five touchdowns) is explosive both offensively and on special teams. Fellow senior receiver Kam Freeman should take on a bigger role this year in the passing attack too.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have some might in the trenches. Nicolas Tristan is their “big body” at nose guard, while defensive end Ethan Davila “got a lot better as the year went on” in 2024 after starting all ten games as a sophomore.

Defensive back Ethan Soto will be the Panthers’ leader on that side of the ball. He’s their leading returning tackler.

There’s a lot of unknowns about this year’s O’Connor team with their lack of game night experience. However, head coach David Malesky likes the work ethic and desire he’s seen this offseason as the Panthers look to keep making strides in 2025.

 Northside Sotomayor Wildcats

Head Coach: Juan Morales (4th season; 12-20 record)

Last Season: 7-5; 6-2 in district (Lost to Vandegrift in area round)

Sotomayor Key Players and Storylines

Sotomayor made the playoffs and won a playoff game for the first time in program history a year ago.

The bad news for its opponents? Its backfield was led by sophomores last season.

Bruising running back Cam Grady (1,435 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) leads the way along with speedy running back/receiver Xavier Victor (304 rushing yards). Quarterback Chauncey Moon (696 passing yards and 869 rushing yards) is a dual threat who can make plays with his legs just as much as his arm.

There’s even more youth at linebacker where sophomore Manny Gutierrez (65 tackles, 11 TFLs) and junior Ayden Williams (64 tackles, five TFLs) were two of Sotomayor’s leading tacklers last season. On the back end, senior safety Aaron Adejobi (91 tackles, seven TFLs) is a hard-hitter who can come down hill and make any tackle.

The Wildcats were led by several underclassmen last season. That will have them optimistic about continuing to push up the district standings as the program heads into year number four.

Northside Stevens Falcons

Head Coach: Anthony Boykin (6th season; 15-37 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 50 (4 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Stevens Key Players and Storylines

If Stevens is to move up the district standings in 2025, it will be because of its offense. Head coach Anthony Boykin feels good about the triple option based system his Falcons employ.

A big reason is the return of quarterback Isaiah Farris (421 passing yards, 579 rushing yards, 13 total TDs) as the offense’s shot-caller. He was a second team all-district selection last season. Fullback Joel Zertuche (246 rushing yards and three touchdowns) will play more of a central role this season after serving as a backup last season.

Senior slot receiver Josiah Turner (239 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards) is heading into his fourth year on varsity and will get the ball in a variety of ways.

Now, the Falcons won’t be big on either line, but they do have defensive tackle Kaleb Ned, who has proven himself to be a playmaker in the trenches. He already has an offer from UTSA.

Stevens will be strongest on the back end defensively. Safety Aiden Rodriguez is the team’s leading returning tackler, while senior cornerback Jordan Ortega is heading into his third year as a starter.

The past four seasons have been frustrating ones for the Falcons as they’ve won just eight total games. They’ll look to turn the page on those struggles this year as they push for their first playoff berth since 2020.

Northside Taft Raiders

Head Coach: Ricky Stade (8th season; 43-35 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 5-3 in district (Lost to San Antonio Johnson in bi-district)

Taft Key Players and Storylines

The Raiders have made the playoffs for five consecutive years for the first time in school history. It’s a testament to Ricky Stade and his staff. When they took over in 2018, the Raiders hadn’t made the playoffs since 2007.

Now, it’s an expectation.

Another expectation? A big year from senior quarterback Tucker Vogel. He’s a dual threat, who put up ridiculous numbers for the Raiders last season (1,708 passing yards, 1,509 rushing yards, and 35 total touchdowns).

Taft does have to replace an 1,100-yard rusher, but it still has some proven producers in the receiving corps with seniors David Aguirre (406 receiving yards and five touchdowns) and Isiah Delgado (251 receiving yards), who can also play some running back.

Right guard Matthew McDougall is a returning second team all-district selection.

Defensively, the Raiders have a pair of seniors to lean on at linebacker in Elijah Dehoyos-Garcia and Tristan Clark.

Vogel burst onto the scene a year ago, and he’s the type of playmaker who can keep Taft in any game. Expect him to have another big year leading the Raiders as they seek their sixth-straight playoff appearance.

Northside Warren Warriors

Head Coach: Matthew Arrufat (2nd season; 1-9 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-7 in district

Warren Key Players and Storylines

A 1-9 record won’t sit well at Warren. The only other one-win season in Warren history was all the way back in its debut season in 2002.

The Warriors will have a new face at quarterback, but they do have some senior leadership at the skill positions with running back Lorenzo Ramirez and receiver Jamare Jones. Jones will be joined by junior Jathan Manglona, so the Warriors new quarterback will have some options.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Ernesto James (66 tackles, 18 TFLs) is a major pass rushing threat. Safety Jeremiah Casas (66 tackles, two INTs) has the versatility to make plays in coverage while also getting downhill to make tackles.

Warren’s 1-9 record from 2024 looks worse on paper than it could’ve been. Four of its losses were by one score. With the Warriors now heading into Matthew Arrufat’s second year, they will hope a full offseason under his leadership will pay dividends this fall.


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