PLANO, TEXAS, September 24th, 2025 - Ford is celebrating the 20th 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 2025 regular season, fans, coaches, and media are asked to nominate players at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com.

To mark the milestone, 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 Thursday at 10:30 p.m. on Texan Live and across Dave Campbell’s social platforms, 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. At the banquet, one honoree from each classification, will be recognized with the Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Football Award, an 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: Jermaine Bishop Jr., Senior, RB, Willis High School

Mascot: Wildkats

Opponent: The Woodlands High School

Texas Football's preseason Super Team utility back has upped his game on the field and off. In a 42-30 win over state ranked The Woodlands, Jermaine carried 20 times for 301 yards and four touchdowns. He also completed one of his two passes for a touchdown, had three catches for 14 yards and had five tackles, two TFLs and pass breakup on defense. As he continues to occupy the spotlight enroute to graduation in December before heading to Austin with the Texas Longhorns, he maintains a 4.0 GPA and has become a more vocal leader on the field and with his undergraduate and middle school schoolmates.

“In years past, he let his play elevate his teammates. But this year, he has found his voice, not only with the varsity kids but with our JV and freshman. He has also made it out to multiple middle school games to show support for the future Kats and has been on the sideline coaching them up and providing much-needed encouragement and motivation. He is a complete leader in the community and in the school building as well.” - WILLIS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH TRENT MILLER

Class 5A: Wenderius Jones, Senior, RB, Ennis High School

Mascot: Lions

Opponent: Kaufman High School

Senior running back Wenderius Jones delivered a historic performance to open district play for the Ennis Lions, leading his team to a 42-21 victory over Kaufman. Jones shattered a school record that had stood since 1989, scoring an incredible six touchdowns setting a new benchmark for most touchdowns in a single game in Ennis High School history. He carried the ball 25 times for a staggering 271 rushing yards, showcasing a dominant blend of power, speed, and vision. His performance not only electrified the home crowd but also set the tone for what promises to be an exciting district campaign for the Lions.

"Wendy is a great teammate who is loved and respected by his peers. He is performing at a high level this season because of his toughness and willingness to give great effort to help the team. He no doubt has some God given abilities and he is willing to use those to help the Ennis Lions succeed. I’m very proud of him and excited for the success that he is having. Last Friday night will be a special memory for him and this award makes that memory even more significant." - ENNIS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH DON DRAKE

Class 4A: Bowe Bentley, Senior, QB, Celina High School

Mascot: Bobcats

Opponent: Franklin High School

Senior quarterback Bowe Bentley continues to shine for Celina High School, leading the Bobcats to a 4-0 start with a strong 33-22 win over Franklin. Bentley threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, showcasing the poise and precision that have made him one of the top quarterbacks in the state. With district play set to begin against fellow unbeaten Panther Creek, Bentley’s leadership and playmaking ability will be crucial as the Bobcats look to maintain their perfect record. The University of Oklahoma commit has been the driving force behind Celina’s early-season success, and all eyes will be on him as the competition ramps up.

“Bowe Bently is the epitome of a Bobcat, he embodies all four of the pillars of Bobcat Athletics integrity, excellence, empathy, and grit. He is not only talented as a QB with unbelievable arm talent and equal ability to run, but he is an excellent young man. He sets the standard for our team.” - CELINA HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH BILL ELLIOTT

Class 3A: Jarvse Dickerson, Senior, QB, Brazos High School

Mascot: Cougars

Opponent: Schulenburg High School

Senior quarterback Jarvse Dickerson of Brazos High School continues to build an impressive legacy as a four-year varsity starter, delivering another standout performance in the team’s 4-0 start. In Brazos' recent win over Schulenburg, Dickerson showcased his dual-threat ability by completing 12 of 16 passes for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also rushing 18 times for 200 yards and 3 more scores. Through just four games, he has already rushed for over 800 yards and passed for more than 600, accounting for a staggering 21 total touchdowns.

“He is a true leader and playmaker every time he steps on the field.” - BRAZOS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH PATRICK OLIVER

Class 2A: Kaegan Ash, Senior, RB/LB, Mount Enterprise High School

Mascot: Wildcats

Opponent: Shelbyville High School

Kaegan Ash didn’t outscore the opposing team by himself, but he came pretty close and did enough damage to keep Mount Enterprise unbeaten in an East Texas showdown.

Ash scored 54 of his team’s 62 points in a 62-57 win over Shelbyville, and he did it on offense, defense and special teams.

The Texas Tech verbal pledge carried 21 times for 385 yards and six touchdowns, caught two passes for 123 yards and two scores, passed for 20 yards and had a pair of 2-point conversions on offense. Defensively, he finished with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack and three forced fumbles, and he picked off a pass on a 2-point try by Shelbyville, returning it all the way for a couple of key points for his team.

Ash is closing in on 1,000 rushing yards for the year (955) and is approaching 8,000 rushing yards for his career (7,775) to go along with 111 career rushing touchdowns.

“It was just an unbelievable performance. In 25 years being a head coach, I’ve never seen anyone have a night like that. Everyone dreams of having that kind of performance, but Kaegan puts in the hard work and is ready when the situation presents itself.” - MOUNT ENTERPRISE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH SCOTT PONDER

Private School: John Hebert, Senior, RB, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory

Mascot: Crusaders

Opponent: Wisdom High School

Senior running back and Houston commit John Hebert continues to be a force for Strake Jesuit in Houston, turning in another explosive performance in the team's 48-9 win over Wisdom High School. Hebert carried the ball just 12 times but racked up 197 yards and 3 touchdowns, showcasing his big-play ability and efficiency. On the season, the team captain has already totaled 847 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, setting the tone for the Crusaders’ offense. Known for his incredible work ethic and team-first mentality, Hebert leads by example both on and off the field, earning the respect of teammates and coaches alike as he powers Strake Jesuit through a strong campaign.

“To start, Johnny is humble and selfless. One of the most quiet, disciplined, and motivated people I’ve ever been around. He is a “team first” guy. His work ethic is off the charts, and his ability to motivate and inspire his teammates is what makes him so special." - STRAKE JESUIT HEAD COACH DONOVAN FIKAC

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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Ford F-Series: The best-selling truck for over 48 years 
Ford is the undisputed truck leader in Texas. Ford F-Series sets the standard for full-size pickups with leading payload, towing, interior roominess, strength, and reliability. Ford is proud to recognize the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.  

About Ford Motor Company 

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 182,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com. 

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For over 65 years, the iconic Dave Campbell’s Texas Football media brand has been “The Bible” for millions of football fans across Texas. Its annual summer edition is essential reading for rabid football fans, previewing every high school and college team in the state. Known for its comprehensive coverage, TexasFootball.com offers extensive digital content, including team and recruit rankings, scores, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and daily shows. Additionally, Dave Campbell’s Texan Live streams over 1,900 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.