The Edinburg Bobcats begin the 2025 high school football season with former Weslaco offensive coordinator Joe Pena as their new head coach.

The team has four straight playoff appearances since 2021, but they have yet to advance past the bi-district round during that span. Coach Pena is confident he has the right group of players to reach the area round this fall.

"So the culture has been set; they had a great foundation before I got here," Pena said. "We're just trying to build on that, get them more confidence is what they're doing. If we get all 3 phases going, we'll be pretty good, pretty competitive, that's all we can ask for."

"He brings an intensity that my players and teammates love to have," senior running back Woodrow Villarreal added. "He brings a lot of passion to the team and I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to offer this season at Edinburg High."

The Bobcats have a tough district but with a heavy veteran team returning.

"We have a lot of experience coming back and a lot of leadership with our guys so if we could just build on that and expand on what they've gotten or where they've gone, what they've done, keep them positive, keep them working hard, {then} we'll be pretty good," Coach Pena said.

Edinburg opens up the regular season at home against Mercedes. The Bobcats begin district play facing PSJA, who was last year's 31-6A district champion. Finally, the team finishes the season against city rival Edinburg North.