NEWS CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO - STC senior Manny Cervantes (#77) will help lead the Trojan defense during the upcoming 2026 season.

With the first official football practice about a month away, STC has recently announced their plans for this year’s homecoming festivities.

Friday, Oct, 2, will serve as the homecoming game this upcoming 2026 season. The Trojans will be taking on Centerville, with the freshman game starting at 4:45 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. Last season, the Trojans dropped their contest against Centerville, 34-13, on Oct. 3. Centerville finished 7-2 in 2025 and earned a second place finish in Class 2A, District 7. STC also announced that the homecoming parade will take place on Thursday evening, Oct. 1, starting at 6 p.m.

In other scheduling notes, STC will have all of the same eight opponents from last season. The Trojans will open with three non-district opponents: at Vinton-Shellsburg (Aug. 28); vs. Union (Sept. 4); and Louisa-Muscatine (Sept. 11). STC will then get into district action. They will play: at Albia (Sept. 18); at PCM (Sept. 25); the homecoming game against Centerville (Oct. 2); at Pella-Christian (Oct. 9); and vs. Davis County (senior night; Oct. 16).

The Trojans finished 5-4 last season, with victories over Vinton-Shellsburg, Louisa-Muscatine, Albia, Pella-Christian, and Davis County. Finishing in third place in the district, STC qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2020. They dropped their first playoff matchup against Van Meter, 45-6, on Oct. 24.

Head coach Nate Doran will see many key players return this season, including their leading rusher (senior Eric Medina), leading passer (junior Ryan Brant), second-leading receiver (senior Michael Henry), and leading tackler (senior Kyle Youngbear). STC also returns eight of their 15 all-district selections, including Medina, Brant, Henry, Youngbear, senior Eli Cruikshank, junior Izak Schroeder, junior Lakyr Peska, and senior Manny Cervantes.

Before the season-opening game, STC will participate in a scrimmage against West Marshall on Friday, Aug. 21, at the STC high school football field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.