ALICE — Cutter Stewart arrived at football practice Tuesday morning wearing orange and white just like the previous three seasons.
The difference this go-round was the shade of orange on his shorts were burnt and instead of "Bulldogs" printed across his chest, "Coyotes" could be read throughout his attire.
Stewart will play for a new team for the first time in high school career after transferring from Orange Grove to Alice in the offseason. Stewart's change of scenery came after his family moved to Alice in the Spring.
"It's a blessing to be in a situation like this and I've been welcomed at Alice with open arms," Stewart said. "Orange Grove treated me well and I miss those guys dearly, but I'm happy were I'm at right now."
Stewart wasn't the only new addition at Alice's opening practices.
Former San Diego receiver /defensive back Hector Gaza III, who can do pretty much anything on a football field, was also spotted in an Alice uniform after his father, Hector Gaza Jr., accepted a position to help coach the defense and special teams at Alice.
"My dad got a job offer and I follow my dad wherever he goes," Hector Gaza III said. "My close friends also pushed me to come out and now we have to come together and have a great season . You have to enjoy all the moments together. I love having my dad by my side."
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Alice coach Kyle Atwood expects all of his players to compete for starting positions ahead of the team's scrimmages against Miller and Ray.
Stewart comes in as a the frontrunner at the quarterback position after compiling more than 8,000 passing yards during his first three seasons at Orange Grove. And Atwood said Stewart checks off all the boxes for what the Coyotes are looking for in a signal caller.
"We like to be a running threat and he can do that," Atwood said of Stewart. "We like to sprint out and he can do that. Occasionally we will have a drawback and he's accurate in that sense as well. He can put the ball in the right place."
Stewart shared the district MVP award with Vanderbilt Industrial quarterback Matthew Davis after passing for 2,157 yards and 17 touchdowns last season. Stewart has passed for 78 touchdowns for his career and hopes to replicate that success for an Alice team that returns 32 seniors.
"The speed is a little bit different with it being a bigger school, but it didn't take long for me to get adjusted to the guys," said Stewart, who will likely only play on offense. "They have really good leadership and the senior class is really nice, which helps. The guys listen, they have really good work ethic so it's good to come to a team like that."
Atwood expects Gaza III to continue his role as a wide receiver and defensive back for the Coyotes.
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Gaza III played a key role in the Vaqueros' run to the Class 3A Division I regional quarterfinals last season after catching 46 passes for 812 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, he made 33 tackles and secured three interceptions and was named the Most Valuable Player in District 16-3A Division I.
Gaza III also showed off his abilities at special teams after returning two kickoff returns, three punt returns and punted an average of 40 yards.
"Hector has the ability to do some really good things with our jet sweep packages," Atwood said. "He runs phenomenal routes and he's as quick as any kids we have had in the past. He does a lot of great things, and if you've watched him, he's a phenomenal return guy on special teams, kickoff return and punt return."
Atwood compared Stewart to former Alice quarterback Isaiah Aguilar, who was under center for the Coyotes in 2018 and 2019.
Some of the similarities included their release, ball velocity and IQ of the game.
"Having 32 seniors and them being contributors is really phenomenal and we've got some move-ins that will be beneficial for our program," Atwood said. "Hector has been here his whole life up until middle school and Cutter has fit in really well, and the kids have responded well to him. We're excited for those two kids and what they bring to the table, but we also have 48 kids who are going to get on the field and perform every night."
The Coyotes open the season Aug. 26 against King at Alice Memorial Stadium. Alice's first game in District 16-4A Division I is scheduled for Sept. 23 against La Feria.
"It's very exciting because I know what this team is capable of," Stewart said. "The team fell short a couple of times in some really tight games but now with this senior class they are keeping things together. I think we will be really strong this year."
The 32 seniors on Alice's roster is the second-most Atwood has had since becoming head coach in 2017.
"We're excited to start this season more than ever," Atwood said. "We went through last year with no offseason, no summer under our belt and we were disappointed with the outcome. A lot of it was how we prepared and now that we've had a good offseason and summer, we're hoping to see some special things."