The Hidalgo Pirates are looking to turn things around with a new head coach and a new district after winning just three games over the past three seasons.

Miguel Gonzalez, a former Hidalgo Pirate himself, is now leading the program. More than half of his coaching staff are also alumni.

"It's awesome having this opportunity to come back home and be given the opportunity to lead the program where we once played here," Hidalgo head football coach Miguel Gonzalez said. "Over half of our staff is alumni. So, that feeling that bringing back that Friday night feeling, trying to pack the stands, trying to change the culture to what Friday night lights used to be, we're very excited and grateful for the opportunity."

The players are already buying in and junior running back Jairo Castro had plenty of praise for his new head coach.

"Coach Gonzalez has been a great part of that," Castro said. "He's always telling us, everyone do your job, everyone do this, do that and everyone really follows him."

The Pirates open the season against Cigarroa in Week 1. They then face Brownsville Lopez, La Feria, PSJA Southwest, St. Joseph Academy and La Villa to close out the non-district schedule in Week 6.

District play begins in Week 7 against Edcouch-Elsa. The Pirates then face Alice in Week 8, Zapata in Week 9 and Valley View in the season finale before a bye week in Week 11 closes out the regular season.