PLANO, TEXAS, September, 2 2026 - Ford is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the prestigious Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Awards, one of the most celebrated honors in Texas high school sports that recognizes student-athletes for their performance, leadership, and commitment to excellence. During each week of the 2026 regular season, fans, coaches, and media are asked to nominate players at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com.
Ford is partnering with Texas’ most iconic media brand, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, to honor past recipients and showcase their achievements both on and off the field. Throughout the season, Dave Campbell’s will produce the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Show each Wednesday at 7 p.m. on DaveCampbells.com and across Dave Campbell’s social platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X), inviting fans to tune in weekly and follow along for highlights, stories, and exclusive content.
The campaign will also be celebrated through Dave Campbell’s statewide media channels and UIL postseason broadcasts, with special recognition leading into the Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Banquet in January. A couple weeks after the banquet, one of the honorees will also be recognized with the Built Ford Tough Mr. Texas Football Award, a complementary honor that celebrates the state’s most outstanding high school football player as part of this season-long celebration.
This week’s winning athletes join a long list of remarkable players recognized for their exceptional efforts.
Class 6A: Zion Harness, Senior, WR, Lake Belton High School
Mascot: Broncos
Opponent: Vista Ridge High School
Every time Zion Harness touched the football, there was a chance he was taking it to the house. The Lake Belton senior wide receiver needed just four receptions to pile up 257 yards and four touchdowns, scoring from 85, 55, 72 and 45 yards as the Broncos made an emphatic statement in their Class 6A debut with a 58-27 win over Vista Ridge. Harness averaged an incredible 64.3 yards per catch, turning each of his four receptions into a touchdown. He wasn’t finished there, electrifying the crowd with a 55-yard punt return that set up another Lake Belton score. On a night filled with big performances for the Broncos, Harness was the ultimate home-run threat, delivering one explosive play after another in a memorable 6A debut.
“Zion is well deserving of this award. I was happy to see him have such a great game receiving, but I’m most proud of the way he blocked throughout the night and helped spring our running back for some big plays. That’s a testament to the complete player he is and the impact he can make in every phase of the game”
LAKE BELTON HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH KIRK ROGERS
Class 5A: Cole Birkhead, Senior, QB, Memorial High School
Mascot: Mavericks
Opponent: Paschal High School
After waiting two years for his opportunity, Cole Birkhead made sure his first night as Memorial’s true starting quarterback was worth the wait. The senior completed 19 of 33 passes for 385 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception, setting a Memorial school record for touchdown passes in a single game and tying the WFISD all-time single-game mark. Birkhead was sensational in the first half, throwing for 334 yards and six scores, including directing an 89-plus-yard scoring drive with less than two minutes remaining before halftime that showcased his command of the two-minute offense. He repeatedly delivered on third-and-medium and third-and-long and showed impressive poise and decision-making, throwing the ball away rather than forcing passes into coverage. Birkhead added his record-setting seventh touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to help put the game away, capping a memorable performance that also delivered first-year head coach Ross Dillard his first career victory.
“I’m proud of the adversity he’s faced, sophomore year broken leg, junior year he was the back up and has worked through injuries to be a leader on and off the field as one of our captains.”
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH ROSS DILLARD
Class 4A: Jace Jablonski, Senior, QB, Navasota High School
Mascot: Rattlers
Opponent: La Grange High School
When Navasota needed an answer, Jace Jablonski kept delivering. The senior quarterback carved up La Grange for 496 yards and six touchdowns through the air, completing an impressive 33 of 43 passes, while adding 46 yards on the ground in the Rattlers’ 61-42 victory. In a game that went back and forth before Navasota finally broke it open in the fourth quarter, Jablonski never wavered, staying patient, taking what the defense gave him and consistently putting his offense in position to score. The performance was fitting for a team captain and 2025 First Team All-District quarterback who has established himself as a leader on and off the field. Jablonski carries a 3.67 GPA, serves on the Rattlers’ Leadership Council and gives back by mentoring young athletes and volunteering with local youth football programs.
“Jace is an outstanding young man that exemplifies grit, character, love for his teammates, and competitiveness that you want in a leader. He has always led by example and with his voice! His teammates not only love him but respect him! Navasota is proud to have had Jace lead our offense for 3 years.”
NAVASOTA HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH TREY ALLEN
Class 3A: Weston Mitchell, Junior, QB, Canadian High School
Mascot: Wildcats
Opponent: Panhandle High School
Weston Mitchell put together the kind of performance that jumps off the stat sheet. The Canadian junior quarterback accounted for a staggering 679 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, completing 25 of 35 passes for 523 yards and six scores without an interception, while rushing for another 156 yards and a touchdown. It was the latest big showing from a player who was already a First Team All-District quarterback as a sophomore and helped Canadian capture district championships in football, basketball and track. Mitchell’s résumé is just as impressive away from competition. He is ranked No. 1 in his class, is a member of the National Honor Society, serves as Junior Class President and has logged more than 100 hours of community service over the past two years. For Mitchell, it was a huge night on the field from a student-athlete who continues to set the standard off it.
“Weston is a tremendous leader in our athletic program and our school. He is currently ranked number one in his class, very involved in student government and service, as well as a mentor in our wildcat buddies’ program. He was absolutely excellent and only topped by his humility and selflessness he always maintains while receiving accolades like this.”
CANADIAN HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH ANDY CAVALIER
Class 2A: Bo Alvis, Senior, Safety, Lockney High School
Mascot: Longhorns
Opponent: Smyer High School
It seemed like Bo Alvis knew what was coming before the offense did. The Lockney senior safety turned hours of preparation into a night to remember, intercepting four passes, returning one for a touchdown, recovering a fumble and collecting 12 tackles which ranks among the best defensive efforts in Lockney program history. A team captain responsible for getting the defense lined up, Alvis repeatedly diagnosed formations and recognized tendencies before the snap, allowing him to be a step ahead throughout the night. His film study, instincts and preparation helped him personally account for five takeaways, including the game-changing pick-six. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in baseball and track and participates in FFA, 4-H and band, Alvis does a little bit of everything at Lockney. His defensive performance will be remembered in Lockney for a long time.
“Bo Alvis represents exactly what we want our football program to be about - toughness, discipline, consistency and leadership. His performance was outstanding, but what means even more to me is the way he prepares, competes and leads every single day. He’s a senior who understands that being a great player is only part of the responsibility; you have to set the standard for the players coming behind you. Winning the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week is a tremendous honor, and Bo has earned it. I couldn’t be more proud of him, and I’m thankful for what he is doing to help build this program the right way.”
LOCKNEY HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH MICHAEL LEWIS
Private School: Jack Devine, Senior, QB, Regents School of Austin
Mascot: Knights
Opponent: Brazos Christian School
Jack Devine picked up right where he left off. The Regents School of Austin senior quarterback accounted for five touchdowns, throwing for 242 yards and four scores and adding another touchdown on the ground as the Knights rolled past Brazos Christian, 45-14. Big performances have become familiar territory for the San Diego State commit, who has been named All-Central Texas Private School Player of the Year in each of the past two seasons. After accounting for an eye-popping 67 touchdowns as a junior and leading Regents to a 12-1 record and a state semifinal appearance, Devine wasted little time showing he is ready for another big season. For one of the state’s top private school players, the opener was another reminder of just how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hands.
“Jack elevates everyone on the team, coaches included. In order to have a great football team, your best players also need to be your best people. Jack exemplifies that. We are very proud of all of his accomplishments, this one included. But we are even more proud of the person he is.”
REGENTS SCHOOL HEAD COACH KYLE SHOTWELL
How the program works
The Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program recognizes one high school student-athlete in six of the state’s athletic classifications each week of the regular season.
Nominees must excel in three categories:
- Individual performance on the field, including significant statistics from that week’s game
- Contribution to the team’s success through individual leadership abilities
- Performance off the field, including academic success and good community citizenship
At the end of the regular season, Ford and its advisory board will select one student-athlete from the 11 weekly winners to be the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year in each classification. Following the championship games, honorees will be recognized at a banquet next year and one winner will be elevated to be awarded Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Football.
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