The 2026 Shiner Comanches football team will need to replace a couple of lineman and will return a majority of their running backs.
The Comanches are coming off a 15-1 2025 that saw them reach the state final for the second straight season.
2026 will be a little different as Shiner was moved up from 2ADII to 2ADI and looks to have a competitive district with Ganado, Kenedy, Flatonia, Weimar, Danbury and Bloomington.
On the offensive line, Shiner has about three holes to fill.
"We have to replace two interior linemen, a tight end and some starters," Comanches head coach Daniel Boedeker said. "We have some guys that got playing time last year, on sub varsity or were backups on varsity, that we are looking at to fill those roles.
During the first week, we gave all the linemen looks and hopefully after the first couple of scrimmages, we will have a better idea of who could fill those important pieces."
The Comanches lost just two or three running backs to graduation. Quincy Jones, Clayton Fric, Caleb Cowan, Tyler Harvey and Triston Vesely had a majority of the Shiner rushing yards from last year.
"Definitely, that is the most depth we have had on the team for running back. Those guys are picking up from where they left off last year," Boedeker said. "We are fortunate to have that many guys that can fit in at any time and do some good things."
The Comanches will be looking for a new starting signal caller this year. Levi Werner and Harvey are the two players that got reps with the first-team offense during the first practices.
2026 Shiner Comanches Varsity Football Team:
Kneeling from left are Luke Dierlam, Anthony Hernandez, Jayden Malina, Hunter Hopkins, Levi Werner, Brayden Garner and Colby Nichols. Middle row from left are Jordan Rehak, Connor Stefka, Jason Keller, Ismael Zamora, Keegan Eaton, Brody Popp, Brycen Rosales, Kaden Neskora, Triston Vesely, Suly Lopez, KaDarius Scott, Ace Gardner, Jacob Gutierrez, Patrick Walker, Ty Boedeker and Jeff Akin. Top row from left is Daniel Boedeker (head coach), Caleb Cowan, Elijah Mesa, Grant Baros, Gavyn Lopez, Stephon Bradley, Kaleb Matula, Landen Christensen, Carson Brown, Joseph Moore, Bode Werner, Quincy Jones, Marquise Upshaw, Clayton Fric, Clay Spann and John Peterson.Shiner Gazette Special Edition photo by Mark Lube
[ click any photo to enlarge ]
"We'll see how they do during the scrimmages and there is a chance we could use both of them," Boedeker said. "They both have a good skill set and both can do different things for us, and Tyler is also part of our running backs group."
At tight end will be returning starter Landen Christensen and backup Kaden Neskora with Brycen Rosales and Carson Brown joining the mix as well.
"Kaden was a backup but got a lot of playing time and we know we will get good things out of him," Boedeker said. "We have some options there and hopefully those guys will be able to contribute."
Stephon Bradley and Anthony Hernandez will play wide receiver, and the running backs could also line up in receiver spots as well.
"We have a lot of options at receiver that we feel like we can use with some different packages," Boedeker said. Options at center are Luke Dierlam, Grant Baros and Hunter Hopkins. Working for spots at the guard and tackle positions are Elijah Mesa, Baros and Dierlam.
"Mixing and matching with the guard and tackle spots on the offensive line right now," Boedeker said. Baros, Hopkins and Mesa will also play on the defensive line as will Suly Lopez, Jayden Malina, Gavyn Lopez, Ismael Zamora and Neskora.
"We've been rotating all of them among the four spots on the defensive line, depending on the situation such as needing to be big or needing speed," Boedeker said.
At linebacker is Brody Popp (middle), Fric (outside) and Vesely; Dierlam was moved from the defensive line and Baros got some experience from last year. Shiner also has Mesa, Colby Nichols and Brayden Garner available for the position.
For the secondary, there are some positions to replace. Jones and Harvey return with Cowan playing a backup role last year. Werner and Bradley are getting reps as safety.
Shiner has Hernandez, Christensen and Neskora all working at the punter spot while Bode Werner, who is back from injury, is slated to handle the place kicking duties.
Shiner 2026 Football Coaches from left are Patrick Walker, Connor Stefka, Jordan Rehak, Jacob Gutierrez, Jeff Akin, John Peterson, Daniel Boedeker (head coach), Ty Boedeker and Jason Keller.
The Comanches' senior class for this school year has 14 members.
"They starting developing their leadership role during the offseason and it carried over during the summer," Boedeker said. "Some of them are good vocal leaders, others lead by example. We are happy with what we have seen from the seniors' leadership."
Shiner plays Industrial, Orange Grove, Poth and Boling in non district. The Cobrasand Pirates have played Shiner for the last few years.
"We have had battles with Industrial. Orange Grove had a very successful 2025; Poth will always play physical. We have not played Boling in a while but they are a similar team to us," Boedeker said. Those four games will get us ready for district."
Boedeker and Shiner expect a challenging but exciting district campaign.
"It will be one of the toughest district we have been in for a while," he said. "It will be a challenge but fun for the kids and the fans. Flatonia and Weimar games always draw good crowds because of their proximity to us. We are familiar with Ganado (2024 2A-DI state champs) because of playing them in district or scrimmages in recent seasons.
"Kenedy went several rounds deep in 2025. Our open date is the last week of district which is little odd and that gives us 10 straight games. We are going to have to manage the players and keep them healthy through those first 10 games."
2026 Shiner Comanche Football Opponents
Here's a brief peek into the 2026 regular-season opponents for the Shiner Comanche football team:
🏈 SHINER VS INDUSTRIAL
AUG 28th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: SHINER 27, INDUSTRIAL 21 (OVERTIME)
Players to watch: WR-DB Bryce Sykes, OL-DL Archer Burnett, K-LB Mason Hunt, QB-DB Cooper Francis, RB-LB Easton Larew, WR-DB Mason Galbraith, RB-DB Wyatt Kurtz, WR-DB Joey Smith, ATH Ashton Mendoza, WR-DB John Franz.
The Comanches kick off the 2026 campaign at home to Vanderbilt Industrial. The Cobras were 3-8 (3-3) and made the playoffs in 2025. They return 24 lettermen, six offensive and five defensive starters. Industrial is hoping experienced lines led by Burnett and a productive season from Sykes (22-213 receiving yards; one interception) as well as a good season from Francis (313 passing yards). Hunt (68 tackles) will lead the defense and handle the kicking duties.
The Cobras are picked to place third in District 14-3ADII, behind favorites Tidehaven and East Bernard, and ahead of Wallis Brazos. Last season, the Comanches escaped Industrial with a 27-21 win in overtime.
🏈 SHINER AT ORANGE GROVE
SEP 4th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: RB-LB Daniel Bohn, OL-DL Landon Del Alamo, LB Damian Bennett, WR-DB Daniel Martinez, QB Hughes Klatt, RB Ander Schimdt, DL Jordan Martinez, OL Isreal Solis, DL Carson Frnka, DB Orlando Carrilo.
The Comanches start a two-game road trip at Orange Grove. The Bulldogs finished 9-3 (5-2) and advanced to the area round, and 24 players, seven offensive and six defensive starters return for 2026.
Orange Groves will be bolstered by the return of Bahn who ran for 1,243 yards and 19 touchdowns despite having part of his season cut short because of injury. Schimdt will contribute to the offense as well; Del Alamo and Solis will lead the lines; Bennett (88 tackles) and Jordan Martinez (five sacks) will be key for the defense.
The 'Dogs are predicted to place third in District 15-3ADI which also includes Sinto, Goliad, Corpus Christi West Oso, Mathis and Aransas Pass.
🏈 SHINER AT POTH
SEP 11th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: SHINER 41, POTH 19
Players to watch: QB Payton Helford, WR-DB Ethan Kopecki, TE-LB Walker Stevens, OL-DL Jaden Stewart, OL-DL Adam Cano, LB-RB Bradley Lathan, DL-OL Urijah Gonzales, RB-DB Aidan Pena, OL-Wyatt Blandford, OL-TE Colton Garza.
Shiner wraps up the road trip at Poth. The Pirates went 10-2 (7-0) and reached the area round in 2025. They have 20 players back along with five offensive and three defensive starters.
The biggest concern for Poth will be replacing all-state quarterback Major Luna and Helford has the potential to fill those cleats.
Poth will hold residence in District 15-3ADII with Blanco, Stockdale, Comfort, Nixon-Smiley, Karnes City and San Antonio YMLA for the next two seasons. Poth is picked to finish in second behind favorites Blanco.
Shiner routed Poth 41-19 in 2025, halting a two-game win streak by the Pirates.
🏈 SHINER VS BOLING
SEP 18th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: RB-LB Jerren Salinas, RB-LB Trenton Ross, OL-DL Tyler Arriaga, LB Morgan Mahalitc, OL-DL Oscar Gonzalez, OL-DL Brayden Macek, QB-DB Jace Urbanek, TE-DL Da'mon Heard.
The Comanches host Boling Bulldogs for 2026 Homecoming and the first game of a two-game home stand. Boling was 2-8 (2-4) in 2025 and return 17 lettermen from that team as well as five offensive and seven defensive starters.
The play of Urbanek (600 passing yards, five touchdowns) will be crucial to Boling's chance at making the playoffs. They will also count on offensive linemen Arriaga, Gonzalez and Macek. Mahalitc (76 tackles) will head up the 'Dog defensive effort.
Boling is predicted to place fifth in District 14-3ADII which also includes, Tidehaven, East Bernard, Industrial, Brazos, Rice Consolidated and Van Vleck.
🏈 SHINER VS DANBURY *
SEP 25th @ 7:00
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY
Players to watch: WR-DB Ruben Guzman, QB-DB Cash Lamb, OL-DL Mark Tomlinson, QB-LB Cameron Price, WR-DB Andrew Palacios.
The Comanches close out the home stand with the 15-2ADI opener against Danbury. The Panthers went 3-7 (0-6) last year but return 16 lettermen, and five starters on each side of the ball.
Danbury will look to Lamb, a four-year starter, to help them halt a 10-game district losing streak. Wideouts Guzman and Palacios will provide offensive spark; Tomlinson will anchor both lines.
Danbury is picked to place seventh in District 15-2ADI.
🏈 SHINER AT WEIMAR *
OCT 2nd @ 7:00
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: FB-LB Mikael Shifatu, QB-FS Collin Morrison, RB-LB Ace Mesa, RB-LB Ty Chmelik, OL-DL Cullen Schimcek, OL-DL Brady Montgomery.
The Comanches play at Weimar in their second district game.
The Wildcats went 8-3 (4-2) and were bi-district finalists, and return 11 lettermen, six offensive and five defensive starters. Weimar has experience at offensive skill positions with Morrison, Shifatu, Mesa and Chmelik all returning. Weimar will construct the lines around Schimcek and Montgomery.
The 'Cats are slated to grab the final playoff spot in the district. Shiner has not played Weimar since 2021.
🏈 SHINER VS BLOOMINGTON *
OCT 9th @ 7:00
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: RB-LB Don Reyes, RBDB Kenny Flood, OL-DL Jordan Longoria, OL-DL Raymond Baladez, OL-DL Henry Rodriguez, RB-DB Ayden Gardner, OL-DL Kameron Wyatt, OL-DL Savier Milian, TEDL Tre McKinney, RB-LB Gabriel De Los Santos.
Shiner hosts Bloomington on Oct. 9. The Bobcats went 4-6 (1-5) last year but return 22 lettermen, eight offensive and seven defensive starters. Bloomington has not made the playoffs since 1998 and not had a winning season since 1999. Longoria, Baladez, Rodriguez, Wyatt and Milian will lead both lines while Reyes and Flood will provide experience in the backfield.
The 'Cats are predicted to place sixth in the district. The Comanches last faced Bloomington in the 2023 season.
🏈 SHINER AT GANADO *
OCT 16th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY
Players to watch: RB-LB Logan Bures, QB-LB Landyn Arriaga,WR-DB Sean Willis, WR-DB Cade Nixon, WR-DB Zaeden Dilworth, DL Kole Bures, OL-DL Tyler Henderson, OL-DL Michael Tristan, OL-DL Connor Toddish, WR-LB Beau Bures.
The Indians were in rebuilding mode last year but made the regional semifinals, going 11-2 (6-0). They return 20 lettermen and nine starters on each side of the football.
Arriaga (2,183 passing yards, 34 touchdowns) played five games as a freshman during the state championship season and was the starter last year. Logan Bures battled injuries last year but still ran for 1,413 yards and 14 touchdowns; Henderson was the leading defender in 2025 (84 tackles).
The Indians are predicted to win the district. Shiner's last game against Ganado was in 2023.
🏈 SHINER VS FLATONIA *
OCT 23rd @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: OL-DL Kevin Ramirez, OL-DL Gabe Aguillon, RB-LB Zayden Perez, LB-RB Carmine Valdez, OL-DL Alex Castro, WR-DB Freddy Manzano, QB-DB Jaylon Andersen, RB-DB Nate Aguillon, RB-DB Adrian Anderson, K/WR/DB Josemaria Garcia.
Shiner plays Flatonia in the 'Senior Night' game on Oct. 23.
The Bulldogs return 16 lettermen, seven offensive and nine defensive starters from a team that went 5-5 (2-4) last year. Flatonia will hope an improved defense can help get it to the playoffs as they gave up just under 20 points a game in 2025, compared to 40 points a game in 2024. Ramirez (50 tackles, one sack), Gabe Aguillon (70 tackles, two sacks) and Castro (92 tackles) will lead that effort.
The 'Dogs are picked to place fifth in district. Shiner's last game against their rivals to the north came in 2021.
🏈 SHINER AT KENEDY *
OCT 30th @ 7:30
LAST YEAR'S RESULT: DID NOT PLAY.
Players to watch: WR-DB Dylan Russell, QB Jericho Jackson, DB-RB Dehlay Salas, TE-LB Isiah Morin, OL-DL David Cantu, LB Joel Garcia, DB Logan White, TE-DE Dennis Lopez, RB-LB Ruben Solis, RB-LB Izaiah Maldonado.
Shiner closes out the regular season at Kenedy Oct. 30 before having a bye on Nov. 6. The Lions were 10-3 (4-2) and regional semifinalists in the second year of head coach Mike Jackson, who has coached Shiner St. Paul on two occasions during his coaching career. Jackson welcomes back 17 lettermen and seven starters on both sides of the ball.
Jericho Jackson (2,224 passing yards, 36 touchdowns) was district newcomer last year and will look to have a better sophomore year. His play will be complemented by all-state Russell (63-805, 14 receiving touchdowns). Morin (90 tackles), Garcia (five sacks) and Salas (five interceptions) will anchor the Lion defense.
Kenedy is slated to place third in the district. Shiner and Kenedy last faced off on the field in 2023.
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Mark Lube is the sports editor for the Shiner Gazette.
Contact him at 361-594-3346 or mark.lube@lavacacountytoday.com |
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