After an 8-4 season in 2025, during which Anson came one point from having a chance to advance to the third round of the Class 2A Division I football playoffs, there’s plenty of speculation focused on how good the Tigers might be this year.

One thing is fairly certain, however: How far Anson goes — up the standings in District 5-2A DI or through a probable postseason run — Malachi St. John is going to lead the way.

As a junior last fall, St. John caught 90 passes. That was an average of more than seven receptions per game. By the time he was tackled after making those grabs he had gained 1,244 yards. That’s more than 100 yards per contest. Thirteen times he could have gone farther but didn’t, because stat keepers finished their recording once he crossed the goal line.

And then there’s this, which should keep opposing defensive coordinators up late nights during the run-up to the Anson game: St. John, who also rushed for 230 yards and another seven touchdowns, is slated to carry the ball even more this season.