GLEN ROSE — With only five starters back offensively, Glen Rose has a bit of retooling to do offensively in 2026. The good news for the Tigers is, their trigger man returns as one of the best in the Big Country Preps coverage area.
Junior quarterback Judd Connally, who is coming off a remarkable sophomore campaign, is back to lead the Glen Rose attack. And if he improves on his numbers from last year, one can expect first-year coach Jeff Pair’s crew to keep the scoreboard operators busy throughout 2026.
“I feel like with an added year, I’ll be able to diagnose the defenses quicker and be able to throw the ball with a lot more accuracy,” Connally said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a lot stronger since last year, so maybe I can throw with more power and be able to throw it farther downfield.
“Last year, I may not have been able to do that, because I wasn’t as strong.”
GLEN ROSE — As with most high school football teams heading into the season, the Glen Rose Tigers have their share of ifs. 
If you were to custom build a prototypical, college-sized offensive tackle, he might look a lot like Graham’s Tyson Louder.
BROCK — There are certain things one can take for granted during the football season in Central Texas. The sun will rise in the east. It will set in the west. And the Brock Eagles will field a solid football team, regardless of how hard graduation hits them. 
SNYDER — Anthony Gonzales had already built a struggling program at Lovington N.M. into a three-time state champion. He had things rolling in the Land of Enchantment and as far as many were concerned, he had no reason to leave. 
SNYDER — Two years into the rebuilding project at Snyder, coach Anthony Gonzales and the Tigers are showing signs of setting a firm, lasting foundation. 
As is the case at most positions on both sides of the ball this season, the quarterback spot at Wall will feature a new starter in 2026.
The Early Longhorns are ahead of last year’s pace, when first-time head coach and athletic director Marvin Wilson was learning on the run.
SWEETWATER — The name of Blueford has become nearly synonymous with Sweetwater athletics over the years. And the latest members of that family are currently on the Sweetwater football roster. 
SWEETWATER — As Year 2 of the Brian Hodnett era begins in Sweetwater, the Mustangs are still in the process of firming up their foundation with 16 lettermen lost to graduation. 
TUSCOLA — At 5-foot-7 and 185 pounds, Jim Ned’s Cole Chittum doesn’t cast a striking figure. 
TUSCOLA — Two full seasons into his tenure as head football coach at Jim Ned, Johnathon McClure has posted a 20-6 overall record including district and co-district championships.
In high school football, particularly at the small school level, talent ebbs and flows. And with the exception of the few “reload” programs that can maintain a standard of excellence through heavy graduation losses, a team’s ceiling in a given year is most often determined by the amount of experienced talent it has on its roster.
HAMILTON — Less than a year removed from winning the first state football championship in program history, coach Ryan Marwitz and the Hamilton Bulldogs must now face the inevitable questions directed at every first-time state titlist. 
After suffering through an 0-10 campaign in his debut as Eastland’s head football coach last season, Matt Landers has kept is nose to the grindstone. His effort to rebuild a winning culture at EHS remains unchanged, though his offense will in 2026. 
EASTLAND — The Mavericks had a rough go of it in 2025, posting a 0-10 mark through multiple injuries while a young group of replacements did their best to keep the ship afloat. 
Dublin doesn’t have a big senior class to lean on.
COMANCHE — Call it an investment. Call it public service. Call it what you will. Both are correct. 
COMANCHE— After battling through a tough schedule with a young team last season, the Comanche Indians are poised for a step forward from their 5-5 record of 2025. 
MERKEL — When one sees Merkel’s Easton “Moose” Malone standing on the sidelines for the first time, they may assume he’s an offensive or defensive lineman. At 5-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he’s certainly big enough to take on both challenges. 
MERKEL — When examining the 2026 Merkel football team two things become apparent: First, the Badgers will have their share of skill, including one of the area’s most athletic quarterbacks in junior Easton “Moose” Malone.
At 6-foot and 225 pounds, Will Treadway is built more like a linebacker than a defensive tackle. But if there’s any question about his fitness for his position, a quick glance at his stat sheet will answer that in a hurry.
BRECKENRIDGE — The late great NFL coach George Allen once said that “there’s no substitute for experience.” His track record proved him correct, since he continually loaded his roster with aging players, yet never once suffered a losing record in 12 seasons of coaching in the NFL.
When the 2025 season began, the plan for Austin Joslin was to make the full-time switch from quarterback to wide receiver.
When San Saba coach Andreas Aguirre looks at running back Jason Everett, he immediately thinks of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer bulldozer Mike Alstott.
When San Saba opens its season next week against De Leon, Andreas Aguirre’s squad will have already been battle-tested.
MASON — Football coaches love players who can play several different roles when called upon. And why shouldn’t they? Any player who can lend a significant amount of depth and flexibility all by themselves are keepers in any sport — so much so, that the term “Swiss Army Knife” is now a common way to describe them. 
MASON — Since 2010, the Mason Punchers have posted 12 seasons with 10 wins or more, 16 district titles and two state championships. 
Before examining Coleman’s expectations for this football season, you have to set the table with the Bluecats’ late head coaching change.
When watching the Brady football team play, it doesn’t take long to find Nasir Menefield. At 6-foot-5 and 365 pounds, the senior lineman draws eyeballs like a porchlight draws moths.