District 29-6A is going to be one to watch this season. There are three programs who are ready to take a jump under second-year head coaches, a team on a 21-game losing streak that’s ready to push for the playoffs this year, and a four-time defending district champion that is going to try to repeat with just eight returning starters.
Here are all those storylines and more for District 29-6A.
Buda Johnson Jaguars
Head Coach: Sam Carlin (2nd season; 8-5 record)
Last Season: 8-5; 3-3 in district (Lost to Westlake in regional semifinals)
Returning Lettermen: 30 (5 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)
Johnson Key Players and Storylines
It was a pretty easy decision for the Buda Johnson to remove the interim tag from Sam Carlin’s job title this offseason. Not only did Carlin lead the Jaguars to their first-ever 6A playoff appearance, they went on to make a run all the way to the third round.
Now, the offense is going to look very different this year after Johnson graduated a 1,700-yard rusher and its two quarterbacks that played last year. However, there is a sturdy foundation up front with experienced senior offensive linemen Jovan Martinez and Eathan Maynes.
Wide receiver Keane McGettrick will be the offense’s go-to playmaker. He’s a big, physical target at 6’0″ and 180 pounds.
Defensively, linebacker Dre Giello (89 tackles; 10 TFLs) is the “heartbeat of the team.” He and Stylz Ogden (53 tackles) are both reliable tacklers. Safety Jett Hickson (55 tackles) should also join them towards the top of the stat sheet. He has the quickness to make plays all over the field.
Junior season highlights, thank you to all my coaches. @BudaJagsFB @CoachCarlin @CoachKAkina @CoachAntoine @coacharmatta @CoachAvilaTTU @CoachGatz @CoachSPIG @acyager @IronBuda @RecruitsCenTex @EmpowerRecruits @var_austin @varsity_news @RecruitTexasFB pic.twitter.com/6VdfLvEvR8
— Dre Giello (@DreGiello) December 4, 2024
While there are some big changes coming offensively, Carlin said his players “are good kids and coachable.” With everyone moving in the same direction, he believes the Jaguars could be even stronger in 2025.
Cibolo Steele Knights
Head Coach: David Saenz (9th season; 80-22 record)
Last Season: 11-2; 6-0 in district (Lost to Vandegrift in regional semifinals)
Returning Lettermen: 34 (3 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
Cibolo Steele Key Players and Storylines
The Knights will have some new faces leading them into battle this year with just eight starters returning from 2024.
Running back Jonathan Hatton Jr. (1,147 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns), a Texas A&M commit, is one of those players who is back, and the Knights are glad to have him. He’ll need to be the engine of an offense which lost a lot of explosiveness at the skill positions from last season.
First play of the second half and 2026 RB @Jonathan6Hatton breaks a 92 yard touchdown run! @Football_Steele @STX7v7 #ATW #satxhsfb pic.twitter.com/ExDe7e31EZ
— Along The Wire (@BDammone) September 8, 2024
6’3″, 315-pound guard Pryce McClanahan, a UTEP commit, will open holes for Hatton in the trenches.
Defensively, those trenches will be a strong suit for Cibolo Steele. Defensive end Julian Hugo (83 tackles, 21 TFLs) is an “explosive player off the edge.” He was the district’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. Senior linebacker Pearce Kempe (91 tackles, seven TFLs) is the team’s leading returning tackler.
On the back end, safety Eli Johnson (68 tackles, two interceptions) makes plays all over the field and doesn’t shy away from a big hit.
The Knight coaching staff said this year’s team has a lot of speed across the roster. Steele will be ready to get after it this fall as it looks for its fifth-straight district title and another playoff run.
Comal Canyon Cougars
Head Coach: Sean McAuliffe (2nd season; 8-5 record)
Last Season: 8-5; 4-2 in district (Lost to Harlan in regional semifinals)
Returning Lettermen: 24 (6 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)
Canyon Key Players and Storylines
The Cougars made some noise in the 6A playoffs last year, advancing to the third round for just the second time in 19 seasons.
They’ve got playmakers back on both sides of the ball as they try to repeat the feat. Now, they will have a new quarterback, but that’s the main hole in the puzzle offensively.
Running back Jackson Regan (1,860 rushing yards and 24 TDs) “is one of the top backs in the region,” while Donavon Craycraft has proven himself to be a “playmaking wide receiver.” Tackle Joseph Coronado will lead the protection for Canyon’s new quarterback.
🚨 JUNIOR SZN
– 2,072 yards 28 TDs in Texas 6A
– 29-6A 1st Team All District RB
– 11 100+ yard games@CoachMac_Canyon https://t.co/jENTiVPHZR pic.twitter.com/Z6ihfu3lqq— Jackson Regan 2026 (@jacksonregann) December 3, 2024
Defensively, Canyon’s strength will be its linebacking corps with senior Elijah Delgado (51 tackles, six TFLs) and juniors Devin Lagunas (50 tackles, two TFLs), Quincy Jones, and Logan Andrews (65 tackles, 10 TFLs) all returning. They all played key roles last season.
Cornerback Luke Bell (37 tackles), a Texas Tech commit, is who Canyon will lean on in the secondary, while defensive lineman Casen Tippit was an all-district selection last fall.
Last year, Canyon nearly advanced to the fourth round for the first time since 2005 before falling to Harlan 39-36 in the regional semifinal. The Cougar coaching staff expects this year’s group to be in the mix again with the potential to “shock some folks” come November.
Converse Judson Rockets
Head Coach: Mark Soto (4th season; 13-21 record)
Last Season: 4-6; 3-3 in district
Converse Judson Key Players and Storylines
The Rockets missed the playoffs by the smallest of margins last season. A 38-36 loss to Buda Johnson is all that kept them sitting at home in November. It was just the second time since 2007 that this program was not in the postseason
This year, Judson should feature some old fashion ground-and-pound football with junior running back Kayden Graham spearheading those efforts. He has some pretty impressive size in front of him staring with 6’8″, 340-pound sophomore tackle Jai’storm Knight. Alongside him, 6’3″ and 290-pound guard Nathaniel Boudy started all ten games for the Rockets last season.
2028 Converse Judson OL Jai’Storm Knight @JaistormK99 | @coachsotopop pic.twitter.com/y5IsgVTLkI
— Cade Draughon (@Cade_Draughon) June 10, 2025
Judson’s will be just as solid on the back end of its defense with safeties Marcel Smith (104 tackles, nine TFLs) and Ayden Ramirez (54 tackles). Linebacker EJ Ricks (36 tackles) is looking to build off a promising sophomore season, while fellow linebacker senior Asa Duhart (43 tackles) is also back.
This is a team that’s ready to get a bad taste out of its mouth from last year. Expect the Rockets to bring plenty of physicality and toughness as they look to move back up the District 29-6A standings.
San Antonio East Central Hornets
Head Coach: Joe Hubbard (10th season; 35-6o record)
Last Season: 9-4; 4-2 in district (Lost to Lake Travis in regional semifinals)
East Central Key Players and Storylines
The Hornets have a ton of momentum coming into 2025. Last year, they made the third round of playoffs for the first time since 1985.
That backfield was senior-led, so head coach Joe Hubbard and staff will be settling in some new faces there. Jay Crosby has been playing some quarterback over the summer. He was an impact receiver last season (359 receiving yards and three touchdowns), so he will be a dynamic threat.
There’s no question who his main targets will be. The dangerous senior duo of Joseph Kelley (775 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns) and Derionn Smith-Cline (749 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) have the talent to give opposing secondaries headaches.
pic.twitter.com/Htu7ESkOAb
1 hand td from @Isaiah_Mackey_ @BDammone @CoachDouglasIII @Coach_Leftwich @CoachPlungasRMU— Joseph Kelley (@joseph_kelley14) September 7, 2024
Defensively, middle linebacker Braylon Blair (87 tackles, 13 TFLs) will be the Hornets’ leader on defense. Junior outside linebacker Gabriel Chavarria (50 tackles, 11 TFLs) will be a threat off the edge.
East Central’s offense will have plenty of speed this season. The defense has some holes to fill after graduating five of its seven leading tacklers, but the Hornets will be eager to get another crack at things after their success a year ago.
San Marcos Rattlers
Head Coach: John Walsh (6th season; 11-40 record)
Last Season: 0-10; 0-6 in district
San Marcos Key Players and Storylines
This is a season San Marcos has had circled for a couple of years now. In 2022, the UIL ruled 11 San Marcos players ineligible due to transfer violations. Now, those players are finally able to play for the Rattlers after three years of waiting.
Quarterback Buck Steyn and three-star receiver Henry Harris are going to look to form quite the duo this season. Stein should be well-protected too with 6’7″, 285-pound tackle Nick Henry and 6’4″, 275-pound guard Shavien Anderson.
🏈SAN MARCOS RELOADED: GO GET IT #SANMO #TXHSFB @MarkCarrillo @RattlUp pic.twitter.com/G4BM4qlHAY
— VAR (@var_austin) May 16, 2025
On the other side of the ball, the Rattlers have quite the linebacking corps with SMU commit Izayah Young and Texas State commit Darius Davis. Up front, defensive tackle Laz Pavia is an “explosive” player, while defensive end Trey Walker is a threat off the edge.
San Marcos hasn’t made the playoffs since 2022 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2015. This group will have aspirations of snapping both those droughts with talent on both sides of the ball.
Schertz Clemens Buffaloes
Head Coach: Alan Hill (2nd season; 2-8 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-5 in district
Returning Lettermen: 28 (7 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
Clemens Key Players and Storylines
Clemens took some lumps last year, but the Buffaloes should be improved this season.
6’5″ quarterback Callan Kiolbassa returns, and he is spoiled when it comes to target. The receiving corps is the group to watch with “playmaker” Christian Dupree, a UTSA commit, “down field threat” Derrick Williams, and promising junior Trey Burton.
had a explosive game last night on a good team win now we will get ready for a big game next week! @CruitClemens @ClemensBuffsFB @CoachTimYoder @UTSAFTBL pic.twitter.com/uaX3A73pe6
— Christian Dupree (@0fficialchris9) October 5, 2024
Running back Gavin Townsend has plenty of experience as a three-year letterman and will keep the offense balanced.
The secondary doesn’t have a ton of experience, so the Buffalos will need senior safety Aszir Cumby (71 tackles, seven TFLs) to take on a leadership role.
In the front seven, defensive end Kam Hoosier is the “best athlete on the team” and will be a disruptor in the trenches. Linebacker Cylean Whitley has plenty of speed in the middle of the field.
As Clemens heads into its second season under Hill, the Buffalos are “bought in.” They “fully expect to be one of the four playoff teams” in 2025.
