The Caller-Times will be previewing area high school football teams in the month of August as part of the Two-A-Days series.
Ray Texans
District: 15-5A Division II
2025 Record: 5-6
Head coach: Brian Herman, first season
Top returners
QB Tripp Thompson, RB Brian McCullum, DL Jaycen Elmore, DB Jason Gutierrez, DB Cuatro Kennedy, LB Jayden Alston
What to know for 2026
Ray begins the Brian Herman era with a strong core returning on both sides of the ball. QB Tripp Thompson is back for his third year as a starter after throwing for 2,245 yards and running for 675. Brian McCullum joins him in the backfield after showcasing his gamebreaking ability as a sophomore and the Texans have dynamic players in the secondary in Jason Gutierrez (six INTs) and Cuatro Kennedy. Ray and Gregory-Portland are the lone
Class 5A Division II teams left in the Coastal Bend after UIL realignment and will face a district centered in the Rio Grande Valley, but enter the fray among the favorites.
Ray head coach Brian Herman on the 2026 season
"I was most encouraged by our defense (after the Rockport-Fulton scrimmage). They had a great week of practice. They were super intense and flying around; nobody was watching the game. Everybody was moving at the snap until the whistle. I was encouraged and they had a great week of preparation. We have some guys at all levels of the defense that can make some outstanding plays. One of the exciting things I found when I got here was their willingness to work. Not just Brian, but a lot of kids put in a lot of extra time in the weight room, Jason Gutierrez, Cuatro (Kennedy) and Tripp have all gotten bigger.
"I'd like to see us compete for a district championship. In our classification the top two teams host a playoff game. If we are competing for a district title that would give us a chance to host a playoff game, which in turn helps us have a chance to win a playoff game and pursue a deeper run in the playoffs."
Ray quarterback Tripp Thompson on the 2026 season.
"We have a ton of weapons — two big guys on the outside, a shifty tight end and running back. We are going to keep building and get better. I think we are going to have a great offense. Brian (McCullum) is going to have to have an explosive season. He looks way bigger and way faster than he did last year and you saw it (in the scrimmage). I love the energy we brought — especially the defense. We want to have a winning season and winning seven, eight, nine games and making it multiple rounds in the playoffs."
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Two-a-days: Veteran Ray team aiming to compete for district title
