When discussing the 2026 season, fourth-year Mineral Wells coach Cody Worrell doesn’t mince words or sugar coat the situation his team’s finds itself in. 

After graduating the bulk of their playmakers from last year’s 4-7 squad, the Rams will need an experienced offensive line group to be a significant strength from the start of the season to if they hope to reach the playoffs for a third straight year and improve upon last year’s results.

Fortunately, the likelihood of that happening is very strong given both the track record and cohesiveness of that group. So when Worrell says that unit will need to be the “heart and soul of the team,” he does so knowing — not hoping — that that’s likely already the case.