2026 Football Preview: El Paso-Gridley re-loads wagon for another charge toward state

EL PASO — El Paso-Gridley football came into last season with high expectations, but what they accomplished surpassed anything that they could have imagined.

First, the Titans beat, and on most occasions, throttled, every opponent in its path during the regular season. Then, playoff wins started piling up with a 43-20 win over Chicago Marshall, a 31-0 blanking of Sterling Newman and a 32-15 victory over Farmington.

“[We were] getting that confidence and building week by week was a lot of fun to grow as a group,” senior wide receiver Braden Hayes said. 

Momentum grew with each game, and so did the purple-clad crowds at El Paso-Gridley. 

“Anytime you get community support for a small town sport of any kind, but especially for football, it feels special,” El Paso-Gridley head coach Tanner Benedict said. “It's one night a week, there's a lot of hype up to that game and whatnot. It's certainly well received on our end, we appreciate it big time.”

EPG’s magical season came to an end against state powerhouse Wilmington in the Class 2A state semifinals, but are well-stocked for another deep postseason run with a dozen seniors and nearly 20 key players from last season returning.