Countdown to No. 1: No. 9 Pieper ushers in new chapter in 6A under Eddie Salas

August 14, 2026

Countdown to No. 1

The Express-News is publishing a daily countdown to its No. 1 preseason team, which will be revealed on Aug. 23. Here’s a look at the No. 9 team in our preseason top 20 countdown, Pieper.

2025 recap: Pieper went 8-5 overall and 5-2 in District 13-5A-I with a third-round playoff appearance. The Warriors’ season ended at the hands of eventual state champion Smithson Valley, 30-14.

Key returnees: WR Carson Lacombe, QB Chase Lyons, OL Laiton Springer

2026 outlook: Pieper is only returning seven starters from last year’s team, but the Warriors did keep multiple top players. Lyons threw for 1,787 yards and 15 touchdowns and Lacombe is a four-star wide receiver with offers from Oklahoma and Ohio State, among others. Springer has previously been named a district defensive MVP and recorded 129 tackles last season.

Pieper, which opened in 2021, is making the jump to Class 6A this season after starting out as a 5A program. The Warriors left one of the toughest 5A districts that housed Smithson Valley, Boerne Champion and New Braunfels for District 27-6A, which is home to powerhouse Steele. Other new district competition for Pieper includes Clemens, Judson, East Central, New Braunfels Canyon, San Marcos and Wagner.

About the Warriors

Former Harlan head coach Eddie Salas is entering his first season leading the Warriors after 75 wins and eight years of playoff appearances with the Hawks. Salas replaces Nick Rogers, who stepped down at the conclusion of last season. Rogers had been with Pieper since the school opened in fall 2021.

Key game

Steele at Pieper, Sept. 25: Pieper gets a big test in just its second district game in 6A. The two San Antonio area heavyweights play each other for the first time in a matchup that likely has District 27-6A title implications.