On the contrary, it continued the 2024 trend toward one of the program’ s best seasons since the late 90s. Moreover, a 3OT win over Midlothian marked one of the greatest victories in program history, and more importantly, solidified the arrival of a new Joshua.

“ Last year, even though the record didn’ t reflect a huge difference, it really was,” said head coach Danny DeArman.

Calling the team’ s close losses last season disheartening, DeArman and the coaching staff aren’ t afraid to tell their players about their potential. Looking ahead to 2026, DeArman only sees it being a better football team.

It all starts with the offseason workouts for the Owls. A military-style regimen in the Texas heat makes Joshua one of the strongest

teams in the state, free safety Kade Boone noted.

“ What we do in the offseason is extremely tough because of what that product has to be on the field,” said DeArman.“ We put them through the fire and they’ re built different.”

Where the Owls closed the gap over the past two years against the opposition is in its physicality and schematics. The Owls stated that 2024 surprised a lot of people with what the Owls have to offer, while 2025 leveled out everyone’ s perception. No longer a surprise to the football world, the desire to be the toughest, most physical team in Texas is not just a make-believe dream for the program. It’ s reality.

After realignment, District 7-5A looks nearly identical to the first few years under DeArman. Burleson, Everman and Midlothian Heritage are among the group that rekindles matchups with the Owls, but have yet to see the new version. Although Joshua’ s school size and location don’ t give them a favorable place to land in realignment, DeArman admitted, he isn’ t concerned with the familiarity of teams.

As for Boone, center Roger Cruz and quarterback Brayden Payne, the aspiration is not only to make the playoffs, but to

be one of the top seeds in the standings. The Owls echoed DeArman’ s words

— If you believe it, you will achieve it.

Offense

With the discussion about the squad’ s physicality, DeArman said it’ s a perfect situation once you throw in the schematics of the wishbone offense.

Behind an experienced offensive line with Cruz in the middle, the Owls return a plethora of running backs with plenty of time under the unique system. Joe Strother, Cash Criner, Esteban Salas