Season Preview-Alamo Heights

<ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Seguin</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Churchill</li>   <li>New Braunfels Canyon</li>   <li>@ Schertz Clemens</li>   <li>@ Boerne *</li>   <li>San Antonio Harlandale *</li>   <li>@ Victoria West *</li>   <li>San Antonio Veterans Memorial *</li>   <li>@ San Antonio McCollum *</li>   <li>Kerrville Tivy *</li> </ul>    DK Garza brings a dynamic, multifaceted presence to Alamo Heights at 5′10″ and approximately 185 lbs. A four‑sport standout—football, basketball, lacrosse, and track—Garza has become a major offensive catalyst for the Mules. As a senior, he holds top‑30 Region IV and top‑12 District 5A‑2 rankings in key rush categories, and has amassed an impressive 24 total touchdowns and over 1,300 rushing yards on the season.   On the field, Garza plays with both power and finesse. He currently averages a staggering 12.2 yards per carry, nearly double the national average, and has multiple 100‑yard games—highlighted by a 136‑yard, 13.6 YPC effort against Ray in the playoffs. In a 54–7 Area Final blowout over Mercedes, he found the end zone multiple times and forced the Mules' dominant rushing attack scheme. Whether he's finishing tough runs or hitting second gear, Garza consistently controls games from the backfield.   What truly sets DK apart is his complete skill set and competitive DNA. A first‑team All‑District back, Academic All‑District student, and honorable‑mention All‑State selection, he blends elite athleticism with a high football IQ and coachability. Coach Ron Rittiman even said, “if his team had 22 DK Garzas, Alamo Heights would win every game” . With his mix of size, speed, production, and leadership, DK Garza is poised to be one of South Texas's most dominant running backs and a prime candidate for collegiate success.   Bottom line: DK Garza is a powerhouse rusher with elite efficiency, versatility, and character—a three‑down back to watch as he caps his senior season.     Gannon Lasswell stands at 5′10″ and approximately 180 lbs, anchoring Alamo Heights' special teams unit with a strong, consistent leg. As the team's primary kicker this season, he connected on all field goal attempts, including a long of 38 yards, and was a perfect 57-for-57 on PATs across 11 games—totaling 66 points and averaging 6.0 points per game. Beyond football, Lasswell also contributes as a two-way player, lining up at wide receiver and defensive back, showcasing his versatility and athleticism .   On the camp circuit, Lasswell has also excelled. At the 2024 Kohl's Texas Ranking Event, he earned a 4-star rating—scoring 6 points on field goals and logging kickoffs averaging 59 yards with 3.41 seconds of hang time. That performance reflected strong fundamentals, including consistent ball placement, follow-through, and kickoff power—attributes that set him apart in a specialized recruiting class.   What truly makes Lasswell stand out is his blend of reliability, range, and athletic balance. His flawless in-game performance speaks to his mental toughness, while his camp results prove he can boom touchbacks and handle pressure situations. Combined with positional versatility across offense and defense, Gannon Lasswell is emerging as one of the most dependable and dynamic kickers in the South Texas Class of 2026—a profile sure to draw serious collegiate interest in the months ahead.   Bottom line: Gannon mixes consistency, leg strength, and athleticism—carving out a strong special teams identity and positioning himself for potential recruitment as a high school specialist poised for the next level.     Landon Balldin brings a dynamic, high-upside presence to Alamo Heights' offense at 5′9″ and roughly 170 pounds. A junior standout listed at receiver and cornerback, he capitalizes on his explosiveness and crisp route-running to create consistent separation. With strong showings in varsity play dating back to last season, Balldin has demonstrated the polish and physicality needed to thrive at the high school level.   On the field, Balldin makes plays in key moments. In a big District 13‑5A‑II win over Boerne, he contributed 131 yards on just six receptions (21.8 YPC), showing off his big-play ability. He added a 35-yard reception against Victoria West earlier in the season, further confirming his knack for creating chunk plays downfield. Whether lining up in the slot or out wide, he demonstrates flash-cut agility, soft hands, and the acceleration to turn short routes into touchdowns.   What sets Balldin apart is his multi-talented mindset and coachability. Also contributing on defense, he has a thorough understanding of opposing schemes—insight aided by his experience at cornerback and basketball background, which enhances his spatial awareness and vertical leaping ability . His steady improvement, versatile role, and production in big games make him a player to monitor as he grows into a focal point of Alamo Heights' passing attack and possibly draws collegiate attention.   Bottom line: Landon Balldin blends explosive playmaking, route precision, and two-way smarts—establishing himself as one of South Texas's rising Class of 2027 wide receivers.     Daegan Davila plays with a confident swagger at 5′10″ and 160 lbs, anchoring the Mules' secondary with precision and physicality. Listed as a full-time free safety in the 2025 roster, he brings ideal size and athleticism for the next level. Off the field, he's equally disciplined—reportedly balancing his sport with academics and basketball, embodying the complete student-athlete mold .   On the field, Davila is a playmaker with range and reliability. Though still early in the varsity rotation, he's already logged several key solo stops against top competition, including performances versus Canyon and Clemens, where his hustle and ball-tight coverage were foundational to the win. Coaches praise his fluid backpedal, quick transitions in coverage, and ability to rally from deep zones to neutralize downfield threats. His film reveals a cerebral defender capable of reading the QB and making decisive break‑on‑ball plays.   What truly separates Davila is his preparation and impact beyond the stat sheet. He's a vocal communicator in the secondary—responsible for alignment adjustments and coverage calls—and a player coaches trust in critical moments. His reliability in the film room, combined with emerging production—roughly 2.3 tackles per game—and athletic background in multiple sports, positions him as one of Alamo Heights' most promising 2026 defensive back talents .   Bottom line: Compact but dynamic, Daegan Davila blends technique, instincts, and leadership—emerging as a dependable force in the secondary and a player with real upside in the Class of 2026.     Jaydee Rodriguez stands as a formidable anchor on the Mules' offensive line, measuring 5′11″ and 270 lbs with a powerful, compact frame built for leverage and drive. A two‑sport standout who also shines in powerlifting, his off‑season gains have translated to stronger play up front. On film this season, he's become the cornerstone of Alamo Heights' dominant running game—clearing out defenders and opening sizable holes in contests against Canyon and Clemens.   On the field, Rodriguez displays textbook lineman techniques reinforced by natural strength and discipline. He gets under the pads of defenders, maintaining low pad level and leveraging his hips to control point-of-attack battles. He consistently sustains blocks downfield, expertly using hand placement to drive defenders away from the play. His feet are surprisingly athletic, allowing him to pull on outside zone runs and seal perimeter edges, showcasing a rare combination of power and agility at his size.   What truly sets Jaydee apart is his football IQ, tenacity, and leadership in the trenches. A vocal presence in the huddle and a film-room leader, he's known for studying defensive alignments and communicating protections to younger teammates. Coaches commend his relentless motor—he competes tough through the whistle every snap—and his accountability as a run-game catalyst. With his blend of brute strength, technique, versatility, and mental sharpness, Jaydee Rodriguez not only elevates Alamo Heights' offensive identity but is quickly emerging as one of the region's most dependable linemen in the Class of 2026.   Bottom line: Jaydee is a plug-and-play interior force—compact, powerful, technically sound, and mentally sharp—a lineman who consistently asserts control and opens lanes for his offense.     Alex Cross stands a notable 6′4″, 195 lbs with ideal wide‑out size and haven't seen many matchups like him on South Texas fields. A lockdown athlete who excels with crisp routes, strong hands, and polished catch mechanics, he's already garnered seven Division I offers from schools such as Georgetown, Kentucky, New Mexico State, Arkansas, and Ole Miss, cementing him as one of the region's most coveted 2026 prospects.   On the field, Cross shows why he's turning heads. With long stride length and fluid movement, he consistently separates off the line and wins at the catch point—stretching defenses vertically and providing a high‑target threat in the red zone. His height and athleticism give him an edge against press coverage, while his field awareness allows him to find soft zones as a chain-mover on intermediate routes. Though still building stats, his physical ceiling and film compel teams to pay attention whenever he's on the field.   What truly sets Cross apart is a combination of size, technical polish, and off-field character. His seven offers reflect not just his athletic upside, but also his reputation as a coachable, high‑IQ player with reliable work ethic. At camps and showcases, evaluators note his impressive catch radius, smooth footwork, and strong matchup potential at the next level. With refined mechanics, natural length, and growing college interest, Alex Cross is shaping up as a star receiver in the region and a national-level prospect to watch in the 2026 cycle.   Bottom line: The IMG transfer combines elite size, refined route-running, and growing D‑I interest—a receiver poised to emerge as one of South Texas's premier pass-catchers.     Watson Lasswell brings a poised presence to Alamo Heights' offensive huddle at 6′0″ and 160 lbs. Penciled as the starting QB (#10) this season, Lasswell has emerged as a steady field commander, guiding the Mules to victories over Churchill and Canyon early in the year. His calm, accurate pocket presence has become the cornerstone of the offense, helping keep drives alive and enabling Alamo Heights to operate efficiently on third down.   What truly separates Lasswell is his cerebral approach and arm talent. Film review shows sharp footwork, rhythm drops, and a knack for hitting receivers in stride—even when under pressure. In Week 3's Game of the Week matchup against Canyon, he consistently delivered tight passes on breaking routes and kept composure in the pocket, showcasing maturity beyond his underclassman status. His ability to balance pre‑snap reads with in‑play adjustments makes him a challenging matchup for opposing defenses.   Off the field, Lasswell's leadership and toughness shine through. Coaches highlight his relentless preparation and his role in organizing coverage checks and adjustments. Balancing multiple sports alongside his academic responsibilities, Watson brings a coachable mindset and consistent execution—even in high-leverage spots. His blend of poise, accuracy, and intangibles positions him as one of the most promising quarterbacks in San Antonio's Class of 2026—and a player to watch as the season unfolds.   Bottom line: Watson Lasswell isn't the flashiest name in the district, but his calm pocket execution, field leadership, and consistent performance are proving to be invaluable assets for Alamo Heights this season.     [player_tooltip player_id='946484' first='Easton' last='Stone'] stands at a poised 5′10″ and 185 lbs, a junior quarterback for Alamo Heights, he combines pocket presence with mobility—a rare blend that's already drawing attention in San Antonio's 2027 QB cohort. His Hudl profile and QB Hit List note his excellent platform, strong field vision, and early command of the offense.   On the field, Stone demonstrates both timing and athletic flexibility. Film highlights show him executing rhythm drops, compressing throws into tight windows, and extending plays with subtly effective scrambles when pressure breaks down. His ability to process defensive coverages pre-snap and shift protections at the line reflects maturity uncommon in underclassmen—with a game IQ built on natural instincts and diligent preparation.   What sets Stone apart is his competitive resilience and multi-sport athleticism. Off-field, he's a standout student taking honor classes and balancing duties as a baseball player—an indication of his athletic makeup and mental discipline. Despite not being the tallest QB, he makes up for it with leadership, accuracy, and a competitive toughness that keeps drives alive. [player_tooltip player_id='946484' first='Easton' last='Stone'] is positioning himself as one of Alamo Heights' promising signal-callers, and a rising quarterback headlining the 2027 class in South Texas.   Bottom line: [player_tooltip player_id='946484' first='Easton' last='Stone'] blends dual-threat athleticism, processing power, and leadership—emerging as a polished young QB ready to shape Alamo Heights' offense in the years to come.     Gianni Tovar packs an imposing frame into Alamo Heights' defensive front at 6′0″ and 265 lbs, combining brute strength with surprising agility. Though primarily lining up at defensive tackle, he routinely contests double teams, holds the point of attack, and often clears paths for teammates—demonstrating his selfless, power-driven style. Added to this is his status on the track & field roster, where he contributes in shot put and demonstrates explosive lower-body strength—an uncommon athleticism for a high school interior lineman.   On the field, Tovar consistently disrupts offensive rhythm. In six varsity appearances this season, he's recorded 10 total tackles, including a solo tackle and one fumble recovery against Victoria West, plus multiple tackles in wins over Harlandale and Boerne. While statistics only capture part of his impact, coaches and film reflect his snap burst, gap control, and anchor strength against double teams—pivotal traits that undermine both run and pass schemes before they develop.   What truly makes Tovar exceptional is his balance of play strength and football intelligence. Beyond anchoring the defensive line, he's praised for his communication, diagnosing blocking schemes, and adjusting alignments on the fly—skills often seen in upperclassmen and college prospects. His stout motor and disciplined technique, combined with emerging leadership on the front, mark him as one of the top interior disruptors in the 2027 class in South Texas and a player with significant upside heading into his junior year.   Bottom line: Gianni Tovar blends size, explosiveness, technical strength, and smarts—making him a cornerstone of Alamo