The start of the Texas high school football season is less than a month away.
As the calendar turns to the 2026 season, the Caller-Times is kicking off its annual Players to Watch series, beginning with quarterbacks.
Even after the Coastal Bend graduated several standout signal callers, another talented group returns under center in 2025.
Here are seven quarterbacks to keep an eye on around the Coastal Bend.
Carter Dominguez, sr., Gregory-Portland
Coming off a breakout junior season, Dominguez helped lead Gregory-Portland to a district title for the second time in five seasons. Dominguez completed 126 of 201 passes for 1,761 yards and 20 touchdowns. The dual-threat also rushed for 912 yards and 25 touchdowns to earn District 14-5A Division II MVP honors.
Tripp Thompson, sr., Ray
Thompson played a vital role in leading Ray back to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Thompson established himself as one of the area’s most efficient passers after throwing for 2,245 yards and 24 touchdowns. On the ground, he added 675 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns to finish with 2,920 total yards of offense.
Quincy Bess, jr., Sinton
Bess emerged as a key piece in Sinton’s run to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals after throwing for 1,501 yards and 18 touchdowns. Bess also had 382 rushing yards and two scores for 1,883 total yards and 20 total touchdowns. Bess earned first-team all-district honors after helping lead the Pirates to their first state semifinal appearance since 2014.
Paxton Soliz, jr., Three Rivers
Soliz helped Three Rivers remain one of the area’s top Class 2A programs during his sophomore season. The District 31-2A offensive MVP passed for 2,159 yards and 27 touchdowns, plus 645 rushing yards and 10 scores to account for 37 total touchdowns.
Trevin Crowley, sr., Robstown
Crowley returns after a productive junior campaign in which he threw for 1,654 yards and 20 touchdowns to complete 62% of his passes. Crowley also rushed for 180 yards in the Pickers’ run to the third round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.
Braxten Montalvo, sr., Bishop
Montalvo put together another productive season for the Badgers after throwing for 1,978 yards and 18 touchdowns. The senior signal caller returns with multiple years of experience and will be counted on to lead Bishop’s new era.
Connor Klostermann, sr., Calallen
Klostermann showcased his versatility during his junior season after accounting for 31 total touchdowns in the Wildcats’ run to the regional semifinals. Klostermann threw for 1,363 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 697 yards and 17 scores in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Seven Coastal Bend high school football quarterbacks to watch in 2026
Reporting by Rey Castillo, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rey Castillo, Corpus Christi Caller Times | USA TODAY Network
