(Santa Maria, Texas)-Head coach Israel Gracia enters his fifth season with the Santa Maria Cougars and he is excited about kicking off in 2023. “We have plenty of returning lettermen back with starters. I’m ready for this season,” says Israel Gracia, Santa Maria Head Coach.”
Gracia has led his Cougars to the University Interscholastic League State 2A Division I playoffs in back-to-back seasons and would love to win a first round playoff game. “It’s tough to win a first round game when we are playing teams that advance four or five rounds deep,” adds Gracia. In both playoff seasons, the Santa Maria Cougars have lost to Shiner (54-14) in 2022 and Refugio (70-6) in 2021 in the first rounds.
The 16-2A DI Cougars will open its season with Falfurrias on August 25th at Cougars Stadium followed by an away game with the Monte Alto Blue Devils on September 1st, both in non-conference action.
This could be the last season with the upcoming UIL realignments, that the Cougars will play Freer, Kaufer, La Villa, Ben Bolt, and Premont in District 16-2A Division I.
With 27 lettermen back from a student enrollment of just 169, 20% of this campus, located along the Rio Grande Valley river, loves to play football.
Players to watch this season are returning RB/WR Esiah Gracia,(961 yards rushing 11 TDs 548 yards rec 6 TDs including 92-yard return), WR Ruben Hernandez, QB Miguel Alaniz, OG Arath Morales, OT Jonathan Cardenas, and OT Omar DE La Rosa. On Defense, LB Matias Saldivar, DL Angel Lara, LB Leo Mata all return. The Santa Maria Cougars will be looking for its third straight playoff appearance in 2023 and a first round playoff win. “That’s the goal,” says Gracia. “We are looking to stay healthy and play some football this season.”