Countdown to No. 1
Editor’s Note: The Express-News is publishing a daily countdown to its No. 1 preseason team, which will be revealed on Aug. 23. See the updated list below.
Here’s a look at the No. 19 team in our preseason Top 20 countdown: Southwest.
2025 recap: The Dragons finished 8-3 overall and tied for second in District 14-5A-I with Laredo Nixon at 6-2. Southwest’s season ended against Boerne Champion 41-16 in the first round of the playoffs.
Key returnees: DB Ty’Shawn Holder, OL Caden Taylor, RB Dre Voss
2026 outlook: The Dragons move back to Class 6A after competing in 5A for the last eight seasons. Southwest aligned in District 30-6A along with Southwest Legacy, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo Alexander, Laredo LBJ, Laredo United and Laredo United South. The Dragons will rely on their experienced offense with 10 returning starters. Voss is expected to be Southwest’s lead back after playing linebacker a year ago. He fits in with the punishing running game the Dragons love. The Dragons want to control the clock in order to get their relatively young defense (five returning starters) time to develop.
Boerne football beings practice aiming to build on back-to-back state semifinals
About the Dragons
Southwest has qualified for the playoffs each of the last 20 years, which includes six district championships. Alex Franco enters his seventh season with the Dragons. Two years ago, he led them to the third round of the postseason. The Dragons last competed in Class 6A in 2017 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Southwest’s new 6A district is nearly identical to its previous one from 2017 with the lone difference being the addition of Southwest Legacy, which began UIL competition in 2018.
Key game
Laredo United at Southwest, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25: Although the Fire & Armor Bowl against rival Southwest Legacy is a huge game for the community, the Dragons’ home district contest against United should serve as a good early test for their young defense. United coach David Sanchez loves to air out the ball, and the Longhorns want to build on last season’s run to the third round.
Top 20 countdown
No. 20: Sam Houston
No. 19: Southwest
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This article originally published at Countdown to No. 1: No. 19 Southwest ready for challenge in move back to Class 6A.
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