(Seguin) — The TLU Bulldogs are one Saturday away from the 2026 season opener.
After nine team workouts with tons of personnel, Head Coach Neal LaHue has been pleased.
“Our kids have worked extremely hard,” LaHue said. “[We] feel [really] good about our progress. We just had a 110-play scrimmage last Friday, so [over 150] guys all got in and got a lot of reps with some young guys and a few reps with the older guys. I thought they all moved around pretty good. We still got a long way to go.”
So many puzzle pieces and so little time. However, LaHue understands this is all part of the plan he’s developed over the years he’s been in charge.
“We just try to identify good football players in our recruiting. We’re not a portal team. At this level, we’re trying to build everything through the high schools.”
Over his long career in Texas, LaHue has developed a long list of contacts that he trusts to help him find the next TLU stars.
“We [have] great relationships with the Texas High School Coaches’ Association and all the Texas high school coaches in our areas that we recruit,” LaHue said. “That’s the first thing we go to is trying to create that relationship with that coach, and they give us good advice.”
Clearly the bonds have been built well. One of the new players, wideout Jaiden Riley, came from nearby Marion High School after ending his career as Head Joel Call’s first 1,000-yard pass catcher.
In a state where talent runs deeper than the Grand Canyon, staying sharp on recruiting Texas high schoolers is never a bad strategy. All but four players on TLU’s listed roster are from the Lone Star State.
Still, veterans are always valuable to a team with championship pedigree. Lucky for TLU, they have a key veteran with QB Caden Bosanko coming along during fall camp.
“We’re bringing [Caden] along [slowly]. He got one series in the scrimmage and led [them] on a 60-yard drive,” LaHue said. “He’s done a great job just running the offense and in all of our situational stuff during practices.”
As for the running backs, the vets and newbies have provided great support behind an O-Line focused on strong run blocking.
“I know [the running back group] is a big concern for everybody, but Javin Logan is a [returning] senior [who has] done a great job in fall camp. [Johnathan] Pompey has done [well]. Andrew Christian (listed as DB) is another senior that we’ve moved there [who] has shown some bright spots.”
LaHue went on to list a few other guys who have him confident in the team’s ability to keep defenses stressed by TLU’s RPO-style running attack that finished last fall 22nd nationally carrying the pigskin.
While time will tell us more down the line, TLU remains right on schedule for their coach’s championship expectations to stay steady.
TLU begins the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5th, at #14 Trinity down in San Antonio. Kickoff for the two-time reigning SCAC regular season champs is 7pm with a 6:30 pregame on KWED and streaming worldwide at SeguinToday.com. Reily Chestnut will call the action.