PSJA Bears

Head Coach: Horacio Garza (1st season)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-4 in district

Returning Lettermen: 30 (6 returning starters on offense; 8 on defense)

PSJA Key Players and Storylines

The bottom dropped out for PSJA a year ago. After a 9-3 finish and a district title in 2024, the Bears finished 1-9.

They’ll turn to PSJA alum Horacio Garza to get things back on track after Lupe Rodriguez was reassigned over the offseason. Garza had most recently been the offensive coordinator at PSJA North.

He has a ton of experience and leadership at his disposal with 14 starters returning.

Isaiah Garza (736 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) follows his dad, Horacio, over from PSJA North and can play both receiver and running back, while JD Sauceda (697 receiving yards and four touchdowns) also returns after leading the Bears in receiving yards last year. In the backfield, the Bears expect to lean more on speedy junior running back Grayson Cabrera (122 rushing yards, 117 receiving yards). Up front, tackle Nick Lopez is a smart player who will need to use his experience to lead the offensive line.

Defensively, Garza (42 tackles) will make his presence felt at safety too alongside promising junior defensive back Max Gamboa (33 tackles). Linebacker Jordan Palomin is the unquestioned leader of the unit after finishing with 120 tackles in 2025. Up front, defensive lineman Sal Herrera has the toughness needed to succeed in the trenches.

There will be a learning curve as Garza and his staff introduce new systems, but the Bears should be much stronger in 2026. The buy-in has been strong as the Bears aim to make an instant return to the district title conversation.

PSJA Bears 2026 Football Schedule

*Denotes District 32-6A Contest

• August 27 (Thursday) — vs. Mercedes — 7:00 PM
• September 4 (Friday) — @ Sharyland Pioneer — 7:00 PM
• September 10 (Thursday) — vs. McAllen — 7:00 PM
• September 18 (Friday) — @ Donna — 7:30 PM
• September 25 (Friday) — vs. Weslaco — 7:30 PM
• October 2 — BYE
• *October 9 (Friday) — @ Harlingen — 7:30 PM
• *October 16 (Friday) — @ Brownsville Veterans Memorial — 7:00 PM
• *October 23 (Friday) — vs. Los Fresnos — 7:30 PM
• *October 30 (Friday) — @ PSJA North — 7:30 PM
• *November 5 (Thursday) — vs. San Benito — 7:30 PM