2026 Prep Football Summer Series: Brawley Wildcats

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - After enduring its first losing season in decades, the Brawley Wildcats are embracing a new era under first-year head coach Rick Stewart.

Brawley finished 2-9 during the 2025 season as injuries derailed what has long been one of the Imperial Valley's premier football programs.

Now, after leading Calipatria for the past several seasons, Stewart has taken over with one goal in mind: returning the Wildcats to prominence.

"Our saying this year is 'Return to Glory,'" Stewart said. "The boys know we want to return to glory and get back that Brawley tradition."

Stewart inherits a program rich in history but one that has also dealt with significant turnover. The Wildcats' current senior class is playing under its fourth head coach in four years, making continuity one of the program's biggest offseason priorities.

"It takes time," Stewart said. "There were a lot of growing pains at first because it's a new offense, and those seniors have played for four head coaches in four years."

Despite those early challenges, Stewart has already seen progress.

After a difficult start to summer 7-on-7 competition, the Wildcats have steadily improved, including a strong showing against Yuma Catholic and a successful tournament trip to San Diego, where Brawley's only loss came against the eventual tournament champion.

For Stewart, however, wins in June are secondary to building the relationships that will determine the outcome of games in the fall.

"We talk about three levels of trust," Stewart said. "Players trusting coaches, coaches trusting players and, most important, players trusting each other."

He believes that foundation is just as important as any play installed during practice.

"That play call that I'm going to make in the Bell Game on Oct. 30...the success of that play call is happening now," Stewart said. "And it's not just how much we bench press and squat. It's the off-the-field bonding and the barbecue."

Stewart, who has coached in multiple programs and worked camps and clinics around the country, said one of his biggest challenges has been balancing new ideas with Brawley's long-standing football tradition.

"I bring a lot of experience to the table," Stewart said. "The challenge has been figuring out what new things to bring in while still recognizing the deep traditions and passion that the Brawley community has."

That tradition includes one of the region's most anticipated annual matchups: the Bell Game against Central.

Stewart now finds himself on the opposite sideline from Central coach Rookie Pena. He knows the rivalry carries significant meaning throughout the Imperial Valley.

"It's always exciting," Stewart said. "Coach Pena has a great program. They have the bell, so we want it back."

As a veteran coach, Stewart said part of his responsibility is preparing his players not only for the X's and O's but also for the pressure that comes with playing on one of the area's biggest stages.

Ultimately, though, Stewart measures success by something much simpler than wins and losses.

"Our goals are always the same," Stewart said. "Be happy with the man in the mirror. When you get up Saturday morning, can you be proud of the person you see?"

Stewart believes that if the Wildcats continue to invest in each other throughout the offseason, the results will eventually follow.

"The work's going into it," Stewart said. "John Wooden said, 'Winning becomes a byproduct of that.'"