The Brownsville Pace Vikings are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, but 2026 brings some big changes.

The team has a new starting quarterback this season. Senior Juan Hernandez steps into the role for the first time after serving as the backup last year.

"I think I'm mentally ready, I have a lot of coaches behind me. My teammates are all backing me up," Hernandez said. "We've all played with each other for a long time, so we all have that connection. I'm not really too nervous but I like to think of myself as a leader. I like to lead by example."

His teammates are confident in what he brings to the field.

"He's a very good player. I think he's gonna lead us to a lot of wins this year. He's a rushing quarterback, he's gonna get those yards for us," Jose Lozano said.

The district is also getting a makeover this year. PSJA Southwest and Edcouch Elsa are out. Donna, Corpus Christi Ray and Gregory Portland are coming in.

Brownsville Pace head football coach Daniel Pardo said the team welcomes the new competition.

"It's a good thing... Ray we've played in the playoffs, the players need to see what they're up against, but we've been in those tough districts with the East and South that kind of got us ready for it," Pardo said.

The Vikings open with four weeks of non-district play, starting with Rio Hondo, followed by PSJA Memorial, La Joya and Valley View.

District play kicks off against Corpus Christi Ray before a Brownsville city rivalry matchup against Lopez. The Vikings then face Porter in Week 7 and the reigning district champions at Mercedes in Week 8.

Donna comes in Week 9 and Gregory Portland in Week 10. The regular season wraps up with a Week 11 bye.

If the Vikings can lock up a playoff spot before that final week, they get an extra week to prepare heading into the postseason.