2026 Prep Football Team Previews: Brawley Wildcats

BRAWLEY, Calif. (KYMA) - It's a new chapter for the Brawley wildcats as first-year head coach Rick Stewart takes over after coming to Brawley from Calipatria.

His first mission: turning the wildcats back into a winning program.

The fit was perfect for the duo.

A coach with a rich background and the Wildcats storied program was a match made in heaven.

"What attracted me to the job in the first place first of all is the support of the admin. We have the best superintendent in the county. We also have the best A.D. in the state. So that really attracted me here. But also, I always tell my friends, this is like a Texas job in California," Stewart said.

When it comes to setting a new vision, coach Stewart hopes to bring the community together while keeping old traditions at Brawley.

"With passion comes lots of opinions. So I'm always running this balancing act of what do I bring new versus honoring past additions and so I think the boys all got a common vision. Now, my goal is to get the community to have a common vision," Stewart said.

The Wildcats had their first losing season since 2008. For senior Landon Alaniz, he wants to finish his last year on a high note.

"I'm excited for this season. I think our offense is going to be great. It's a very fast pace, I love it. I think we're going to do good. My goal is to have a winning record and get the bell back," Alaniz said.

A new coach also brings new expectations, especially for the seniors.

Jared Lopez, another senior guard says coach Stewart wants the seniors to be an example for the younger players.

"He's been really on seniors for us to get on the young kids like the juniors and the sophomores. He's been really pushing us in everything and that's what I like about him and it's really fast paced," Lopez said.

While the team is pushing one another on the field, Lopez explains the importance of getting closer off it too.

"We got really closer I think since the big big bear trip. we did a lot of stuff to work on teamwork and everything and it's been really good. We actually got a lot closer since last year," Lopez said. "We were a big mess and didn't have good team's chemistry or teamwork or anything. Everybody always got mad at each other last year. This year it's different. We all stick together and we don't get mad at each other like that."

This is Brawley's fifth head coach in the last five years. With coach Stewart's background, the Wildcats look to dominate the valley once again.