Garland Owls
Head Coach: Danny Russell (10th season; 41-49 record)
Last Season: 5-5; 4-4 in district
Returning Lettermen: 10 (3 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)
Garland Key Players and Storylines
It’s sink or swim for Garland’s young Owls this fall. With just ten returning lettermen, Danny Russell and his staff are going to have a lot of newcomers seeing significant playing time early in the season.
Despite all the graduations, the Owls do return six starters. A couple returning lettermen will also play both ways. That includes multi-purpose athlete Taj Traore who can play running back, receiver, or defensive back. Expect to see 6’1” junior Kayden Satchell serve as a big target on offense at receiver and a sure tackler on defense at linebacker.
Elsewhere offensively, physical running back Sam Marshall (650 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) will be the bell cow out of the backfield, while returning all-district center Caleb Riba-Riba provides some much-needed stability up front.
Sam Marshall CO’27| RB| 5’10| 190|
2025-2026 varsity highlightshttps://t.co/Rqo9R6Wc10 pic.twitter.com/kZEMIfTOMj— Sam Marshall (@samooo33) March 30, 2026
On the other side of the ball, linebacker John Nolan (32 tackles) will lead the way after an impressive sophomore campaign, while 6’1”, 270-pound defensive tackle Taylon McNeal (23 tackles) will be relentless in the trenches.
For all of Garland’s youthfulness, the Owls do have plenty of raw speed. Still, the odds are stacked against them when it comes to the playoff race, so it will be an impressive accomplishment if the Owls can fight their way into the top four of District 9-6A in 2026.
2026 Schedule
*Denotes District 9-6A schedule
8/28 Friday vs Frisco Emerson at Williams 7:00
9/4 Friday @ W.T. White at Loos 7:00
9/11 Friday @ Marshall at Maverick Stadium 7:00
*9/18 Friday vs. Lakeview at Williams 7:00
*9/25 Friday @ Wylie East at Wylie Stadium 7:00
*10/9 Friday vs. North Garland at Williams 7:00
*10/15 Thursday vs. Wylie at Williams 5:30
*10/23 Friday @ Rowlett at HBJ 7:00
*10/29 Thursday vs. South Garland at Williams 7:00
*11/5 Thursday @ Sachse at HBJ 7:45
