Two-a-Day Tour 2026: Harlingen MMA Leathernecks
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The Harlingen MMA Leathernecks are coming off a state championship season and have their sights set on another title.
The team won the Texas Christian Athletic League's state championship last year. This year, they return five players on both offense and defense.
Senior quarterback Najon Burke is one of the key pieces of this year's squad. He played slot receiver last season but is now taking over under center.
"The transition has been good. I went to a camp over the summer to get familiar with how a quarterback moves because like you said I did play receiver," Burke said. "We've been looking good at practice, I've been getting my reps in just learning new plays and just figuring out what I can do and where I can improve."
Leathernecks head coach Israel Gracia said he has high expectations for Burke in the new role.
"It's a totally different role that he's in. Also, he's a whole year older. So he's kind of growing up into the role," Gracia said. "It looks like he's accepting it. He's got a lot on his shoulders and I'm expecting good things from him."
Senior offensive lineman Aaron Davis said the team is building something together.
"I think he's doing great. I think he's working on it and he's trying to build something and we're trying to work together enough to build this team up," Davis said.
The team is confident heading into the 2026 season and feels they are set up for another strong performance this fall.
"I definitely feel really strong about this year. We basically learned everything that we did throughout the whole season last year just in this week and a half alone," Himes said. "So, I definitely think we've got it pretty good this year."
Burke said the goal is clear heading into the season.
"We wanna go for another state championship," he said. "Everyone wants a state championship but before a state championship, you gotta work for it so we're just hoping to get out here and work our butts off every game and hopefully make it there again."
The Leathernecks open their season against Progreso in Week 1, followed by Banquette in Week 2 and Skidmore Tynan in Week 3.
They then face Ben Bolt and La Villa before four October games against Aqua Dulce, Incarnate Word Academy and Sommerset Academy. The regular season wraps up against St. Mary's Hall from San Antonio before the playoffs begin.
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