Miami, Texas (KFDA) – Head coach Paul Hale enters the 2026 season with a Miami Warriors roster that looks dramatically different from the group that went 12-1 last fall, with just three seniors and a core made up largely of freshmen.
Hale said the program is embracing the change with a clean slate.
“It’s a clean start. Last year we had a tremendously successful season. But most of those guys are gone,” Hale said. “We’ve got a fresh batch of kids that are hungry and eager to learn. Unfortunately, they’re getting thrown into the fire sooner than what we would hope for. But if they stick together, we can accomplish a lot over the course of their career.”
Building on a legacy
Hale said the outgoing senior class left a standard for the younger players to chase.
“We’re pretty young. We’re mostly freshmen — about 75% of the team are going to be freshmen,” Hale said. “They left a legacy for these kids. Hopefully going from being managers or being in the stands, they saw what those seniors put forth and they’re trying to continue that tradition.”
The future is now
Hale said the team’s motto this season reflects the reality of the roster.
“The thing that we landed on was the future is now. There’s nobody to bail us out. It’s going to have to be this group of younger classmen,” Hale said. “Last year our thing was no excuses. Well, that has not gone away. Even though we are young, you don’t need other people to give you reasons why you can’t succeed.”
Building confidence through reps
Hale said the early schedule will be tough but will help the team grow.
“Because we are starting at the bottom, our confidence can do nothing but go up,” Hale said. “The more reps they get, especially against other teams, they can do nothing but build their confidence.”
Message to fans
Hale said the community’s support will be critical for a young group finding its footing.
“These kids need that love coming from the stands,” Hale said. “We still want to uphold the standard, but that is competing. We want to represent the town and put something out there that we can be proud of.”
2026 Miami football Schedule
*denotes district games
OpponentDateTime@ BookerAug. 287 p.m.vs. ClaudeSept. 47:30 p.m.@ White DeerSept. 187:30 p.m.vs. ValleySept. 257:30 p.m.vs. Boys RanchOct. 27:30 p.m.@ McLean *Oct. 97 p.m.vs. Follett *Oct. 237:30 p.m.@ Lefors *Oct. 307:30 p.m.vs. Groom *Nov. 67:30 p.m.
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