Editor's Note: The El Paso Times continues its 2026 high school football countdown with No. 23 Clint. Practice began Aug. 3 for teams that did not have spring practice and begins on Aug. 10 for teams that did have spring practice. The opening weekend for games is Aug. 27-28.
Outlook for 2026 season
Clint will be a serious title challenger in District 1-4A, Division 2
. The Lions are tough minded, strong on both lines and have speed on offense.Rosuel Martinez has made Clint a consistent playoff team, but the Lions missed in 2025, so the motivation is there,
A look back at 2025
The Lions went 3-7 overall and 3-5 in district. The Lions had wins vs. Bowie, San Elizario, and Mountain View, but two losses to Fabens and Irvin by a combined six points kept them out of the playoffs.
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How the offense shapes up
The Lions are typically run heavy and will be led this season by running backs Xavier Ortega, Jaime Navarrete and Jordan Rivera along with quarterback Isaiah Mizcles.
The offensive line will be led in part by Edgar Regalado.
How the defense shapes up
The Lions should be solid at defensive back with Ortega, Navarrete and Ruben Colorado. Rivera will anchor the linebacking core and expect Regalado to contribute on the defensive line.
What Clint coach Rosuel Martinez says
"We have explosiveness with our speed on offense," Martinez said. "If we can stay healthy this season, I believe we can do good things. Our kids play hard and our district is tough and has lots of good players."
What Clint players Isaiah Mizcles, Edgar Regalado and Xavier Ortega said
"I like our team this year and we are motivated to do great things," Mizcles said. "We have lots of playmakers and we have experience. We have to continue to grow and be consistent."
Added Ortega: "We feel we this will be special. We are more of a team. We have bought into what need to get done as a team. We are gritty and we will play hard every game."
Added Regalado: "We have got to be got to be hungry. It's all about the team and our commitment."
Clint's 2026 schedule
- 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at Andrews
- 7 p.m. Sept. 4 vs. El Paso High
- 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at San Elizario
- 7 p.m. Sept. 18 vs. Cathedral
- 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Austin
- 7 p.m. Oct. 2 vs. Riverside
- 7 p.m. Oct. 9 vs. Fabens
- 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Bowie
- 7 p.m. Oct. 30 vs. Irvin
- 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Mountain View
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: No. 23 Clint Lions target district title after missing 2025 playoffs
