The temperature may say otherwise, but pumpkins starting to make their appearance means the 2026 Texas high school football season is at its midpoint.
A five-game sample either confirms preseason beliefs or shatters them, and teams in the Coastal Bend have staked their claim as ones to watch heading into the last month of the regular season.
In addition to that, several players have pushed themselves not just into All-South Texas consideration, but even MVP and superlative discussion after their impressive starts of the season.
Here are some trends we've seen as the calendar shifts to October.
Surprise, surprise
There are teams including Gregory-Portland, Sinton and Calallen that are just as good as most thought they would be going into the season. All three, along
with George West, sit in the Week 7 Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football state rankings in their respective divisions.
But there are other squads that have surpassed preseason expectations and have put themselves in play for a potential playoff berth or even a district championship.
Hebbronville Longhorns
The Longhorns had a 12-year playoff streak snapped last season, going 4-6.
RJ Montalvo's team is back with a vengeance in 2026. Predicted to finish out of the playoff race, the Longhorns are 5-0 and are the fourth-highest scoring team in all of 11-man football in Texas, averaging more than 61 points a game.
Alexavier Gutierrez (438 yards, 9 TDs) has led a balanced offense while Luke Cadena (4 INT, 2 TDs) spearheads a salty defense.
Hebbronville moves into District 16-3A DII play as one of three teams (George West, Cotulla) all unbeaten in a five-week sprint that will be a battle.
San Diego Vaqueros
San Diego (5-1) has reinvented itself this season behind quarterback Franky Villagran and dynamic senior Ronnie White.
Long known as a hard-nosed defensive team with a stout rushing attack, Villagran (1,724 yards passing) and White (982 yards receiving) lead the entire Coastal Bend — in all classifications — in both categories.
In their second year under Matthew Garcia, the Vaqueros are looking to challenge Raymondville and Rio Hondo for District 16-3A DI supremacy.
Taft Greyhounds
The Greyhounds (5-0) are one of the last remaining undefeated teams in the Coastal Bend.
Riding a stingy defense led by do-it-all senior JJ Ozuna, Taft has held all five opponents to 18 points or fewer and is the No. 7 scoring defense in Class 2A DI, yielding less than 12 points a game.
In their first season in Class 2A, Joe Riojas' team is looking to make a splash in District 16-2A DI, a district that has been dominated by heavyweight Refugio.
Ingleside Mustangs
After a three-year stretch with 27 combined wins, the Mustangs had slipped to 7-14 over the past two seasons, missing the playoffs for the first time in five years.
But a sophomore-led group that had seen some growing pains is starting to see some of that pay off as juniors in 2026 as Ingleside is out to a 4-1, 1-1 start in the massive eight-team district 16-4A DII.
Dynamic juniors Jayden Techur and Julius Sierra, along with quarterback Landon Younk, have been integral in an offense that has scored at least 42 points in four of five games this season as the Mustangs try to get back into the playoff conversation.
Alice Coyotes
The Coyotes' brand new Memorial Stadium has seemingly reinvigorated the entire program.
After missing the postseason in 2025, Alice is 5-0 as district play is set to begin, winning games by an average of 26 points.
The Coyotes offensive overhaul has three players (Landon Guerra, Ryder Salaiz, Roel Gonzalez III) with better than 400 yards rushing at the midpoint of the season.
MVP watch
Numerous players are having standout seasons, leading their teams to success, and some are on the short list — so far — for the 2026 All-South Texas MVP.
Here are some names to keep an eye on as the regular season winds down with important district games.
Carter Dominguez, sr., QB, Gregory-Portland
The lightning quick signal caller has thrown for 1,084 yards and 12 TDs and run for 513 yards and 11 more scores for the undefeated Wildcats.
Ronnie White, sr., WR, San Diego
White has been virtually unstoppable through six games, putting up video game-like numbers (54 catches, 982 yards, 14 TDs).
Quincy Bess, jr., QB, Sinton
Bess isn't asked to throw it often, but he is efficient and effective when he does (728 yards, 7 TDs passing) and is also dynamic on the ground (511 yards, 7 TDs rushing).
Paxton Soliz, jr., QB, Three Rivers
Another dual-threat standout, Soliz has thrown for 1,102 yards and 11 TDs with another 591 yards and 7 TDS on the ground, leading the Bulldogs to a 4-1 start.
JJ Ozuna, sr., Taft
Ozuna doubles as a defensive player of the year candidate, while also making a splash wherever he lines up on offense, with 217 yards rushing, 402 yards receiving, 5 TDs, 63 tackles and two interceptions for the Greyhounds.
Five key games
Veterans Memorial vs. Carroll, Oct. 9
The Tigers have already checked off one box with a win against Flour Bluff. The winner of this one will have the inside track on the District 15-5A DI championship.
Calallen at Port Lavaca Calhoun, Oct. 9
These two have had their share of memorable matchups through the years and realignment put them back together. The winner will be the district favorite going into the final four weeks of the season.
Sinton at Goliad, Oct. 16
Orange Grove will have a say in who wins District 15-3A DI, but when Sinton dropped to Class 3A, this matchup jumped off the page as one to watch.
George West at Hebbronville, Oct. 16
If the Longhorns can get by Cotulla in Week 7, this game could be for the district title, pitting the team that was expected to be in the district title hunt with the one that is out to prove they are back.
Gregory-Portland at Ray, Nov. 6
There is a strong possibility the Coastal Bend will have the rare 9-0 vs. 9-0 matchup for a district title in the final week of the regular season.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Coastal Bend football teams, players that are making noise at midseason
