2026 Preseason Preview: Forestburg Longhorns

FORESTBURG, Texas (KAUZ) - The Forestburg Longhorns are looking to move forward after a 1-9 season in 2025.

With former head coach Greg Roller no longer leading the program, first-year head coach Cori Hayes is focused on establishing a new culture built on resilience, accountability and a faster style of play.

Hayes said last season’s challenges helped lay the foundation for the team’s mindset entering this fall.

“Toughness and just putting their head down and grit. It wasn’t always fun to go out there and play last year. They had a lot of injuries. They had some people that they thought were going to get to play and then they got rolled ineligible. And so just fighting through that, getting a little bit of adversity and then only losing 2 seniors did help. And so just that ability to come out and know who you’re playing with and know what they got.”

Hayes is also implementing changes on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he wants the Longhorns to play at a faster tempo, while defensively the team will simplify its scheme by relying more on zone coverage.

“This year we’ll have a lot more speed, hopefully, is how we’re going to play it. And then just style of play. We’ll be a little bit more up-tempo, go, go, go. And then defense, we’ll be mostly like a zone coverage instead of a man coverage.”

After missing the playoffs last season, the Longhorns believe a stronger commitment has already changed the atmosphere around the program. Senior quarterback John Carranza said the team’s work ethic and enthusiasm have noticeably improved.

“Definitely a lot better, a lot better work ethic, a lot more like showing up and wanting to be here. Because in the past, it was just people didn’t want to be here and people didn’t want to be out here. But I think we’re having a lot more fun out here. So I think people want to come out here more.”

With an experienced roster returning and a new direction under Hayes, Forestburg hopes its renewed energy translates into more wins and a return to playoff contention this season.