SAN ANGELO, TX — The Mason Punchers and Ozona Lions are each receiving some well-deserved preseason hype heading into the 2026 football season.
Mason is ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 2A Division I, while Ozona will begin the season at No. 16 in Texas Football's rankings.
Mason was expected to be among the state’s top-ranked teams after returning nearly everyone from last year’s 10-4 team.
The Punchers were within one point of No. 1-ranked Refugio heading into the fourth quarter of the state quarterfinals before falling 27-13.
Mason brings back nine starters on offense and eight on defense, including running back Slade Buell, who rushed for 1,328 yards last year, and wide receiver Kingston Garza, a bronze medalist in the 400 at the state track meet who had 37 catches for 698 yards.
Quarterback Ryder Balmos also returns after being named the district’s Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore.
Defensive lineman Cass Dutton is also back after racking up 117 tackles, including 29 tackles for loss.
The top four teams in the state rankings are No. 1 Ganado, No. 2 Shiner, No. 3 Joaquin and No. 4 Cisco. Only Cisco is in Region I with Mason, so that’s a potential regional final.
Also in Region I is Ozona, which had a breakout 10-1 season last year. It was the Lions’ first undefeated regular season since 2002.
Ozona returns eight starters on offense and six on defense, but the most glaring loss is, of course, running back Christian Villarreal, who ran wild last year with 3,667 yards.
Andon Glosson is the top candidate to try and replace Villarreal.
Ozona also graduated quarterback Michael Preddy, but the Lions bring back four offensive linemen, including the district’s Offensive Lineman of the Year, Charles Harger.
Ozona's offensive line was ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 2A by Texas Football.
Ozona’s defense will be anchored by edge rusher Nolan Martinez and defensive backs Kaleb Ramon and Leo Blanco.
On the fringe of our coverage area is San Saba, which is ranked No. 21 in the state and returns seven starters on each side of the ball from a 6-5 team.
The Armadillos bring back one of the area’s better quarterbacks in Luke Tharp, last year’s Offensive MVP in district with 1,581 rushing yards.
Other key returners for San Saba include running back/linebacker Jason Everett, who rushed for 1,075 yards and recorded 95 tackles, and defensive lineman Kaylub Roberts, who wrecked plays with 20 tackles for loss.
Sab Saba is picked to finish second in its district behind Mason.
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