Did you take some time off from football like a well-adjusted person? Lucky for you, we at DCTX aren’t. We’ve had our finger on the pulse of TXHSFB all offseason. Here is a primer on everything you need to know before spring football starts this month.

Class 6A Spring Preview
Class 5A Spring Preview
Class 4A Spring Preview
Class 3A Spring Preview

Player of the Year Candidates

Brock Belcher, Windthorst QB/DB

Belcher’s brother, Cy, won a state championship and earned Class 2A DII Offensive Player of the Year as a senior quarterback in 2020. Brock has added to his family’s legacy by earning three All-State QB selections ahead of his senior year. In 2025, he threw for 3,491 yards, 55 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s also Windthorst’s returning leader in rushing yards (850, 10 TD) and interceptions (4, along with 53 tackles).

Cooper Bragg, Joaquin RB/FS

There’s no need to boast, because others will Bragg for Joaquin’s running back after a spectacular junior season. Bragg used his 10.99 100M dash speed to rack up 2,023 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also tallied 91 tackles from his free safety spot. Joaquin’s entire backfield - as well as key pieces on the offensive line - returns. Expect them to contend for a state title again.

Darius Jones, Stratford WR/DB

We’ve seen this movie before – but it’s so fun that we’re grabbing our popcorn again. Darius’s older brother, Dru Jones, set Stratford’s single-season receiving yards record in 2021 before playing at West Texas A&M. Darius could contend for that record as a senior. The 5-foot-8, 180-pound receiver had 1,110 receiving yards, 290 rushing yards, and 25 total touchdowns on offense. He’s one of ten returning starters on that side of the ball, along with star QB Chase Lantelme. But Jones makes just as big an impact on the defensive side, where he had 54 tackles, six interceptions, four pass breakups, and four tackles for loss.

Most Intriguing New Coaches

Kerry Therwhanger, Garrison

The last time we saw Therwhanger, he was riding off into the sunset of retirement after coaching Terry Bussey and the Timpson Tigers to the first state championship in program history in 2023. Two years later, Therwhanger is back on the sidelines at a different East Texas program. Therwhanger will have a reunion with his old program when Timpson and Garrison face off as District 12-2A DI opponents this season. One thing’s for sure: Therwhanger wouldn’t come out of retirement unless he believed he could compete for a state championship. Garrison returns 13 starters, headlined by First Team All-District QB Riley McGuire.

Jeff Smith, Floydada

Jeff Smith led West Texas Stinnett to its first state semifinal appearance since 1995 last year. Then, he chose to step down in favor of becoming the head coach at Floydada… which went 0-10 in 2025. Intriguingly, Smith has chosen to leave a program he successfully rebuilt to join a program that needs rebuilding. Floydada has seven returning starters on both sides of the ball. Rising senior Logan Gutierrez earned two-way Second Team All-District 2-2A DI accolades at running back and linebacker.

Ayrus Gaines, Marlin

Marlin’s two years under Jeff Rogers were a case of Jekyll and Hyde. In 2024, the program went 10-4. But in 2025, it bottomed out to 2-9. Now, insert Richmond Randle defensive coordinator Ayrus Gaines. We don’t normally see a 5A defensive coordinator take over at a storied 2A program, but both Gaines and his new program have the winning pedigree, which could make it a perfect match.

2A Newcomers to Watch

Brady

The Bulldogs have made the playoffs each of the last seven years in Class 3A and are coming off 8-3 and 7-4 records, respectively. Brady will have a young offense, but the defense could cause 2A terror. Nasir Menefield will be a four-year starter at offensive tackle and nose guard who earned District Overall Co-MVP in 2025. At linebacker, Johnny Roque had 134 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, four sacks, and two pick-sixes.

Taft

The Greyhounds have made the playoffs in six of the last seven years in Class 3A. The one year they didn’t make it, Taft was tied with three teams for third in the district and was left on the outside looking in due to tiebreakers. The Greyhounds drop to Class 2A while simultaneously returning seven starters on each side of the ball. Michael Ortiz Jr. (56 catches, 575 yards, 8 TD) stretches the field at slot receiver and is a lockdown First Team All-District corner. LB Juan Ozuna is the leader of the defense with 118 tackles and three sacks.

Dilley

Dilley, a consistent playoff team since the 1990s, barely missed the postseason after losing top offensive lineman Joziah Ramirez after the second game. His return gives Coach David Silva confidence that his Wolves will be bigger and more physical in 2026. That bodes well for a drop down to Class 2A.

Big Shoes to Fill

Refugio

Refugio is at an inflection point for the program. You can set your watch to Refugio playing December football. The Bobcats hold the state’s record for 48 consecutive winning seasons. But Refugio will be on its third head coach since 2023 after defensive coordinator Eli Boxell took over for Drew Cox. Boxell’s inaugural team also returns just three starters, partially because the high school’s enrollment has dropped 8.7 percent since 2016. Will the pride and winning tradition carry Refugio back to the state semifinals, or are the Bobcats in for a rebuild?

Mount Enterprise

The Wildcats must replace 17 starters, but they would’ve been on this list if they only had to replace one: Kaegan Ash. The Texas Tech signee broke Kenneth Hall’s 72-year-old single-season rushing record with 4,562 rushing yards. He led Mount Enterprise, a school with an all-time winning percentage hovering around .400, to the state semifinals. After the season, head coach Scott Ponder left to take over at Alto, a district opponent that hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2019. New running back Joel Otwell showed a lot of promise last season, but no one will expect him to put up the yards Ash did. One, because nobody had done it for generations before Ash. And, two, because Mount Enterprise only returns one offensive lineman, First Team All-District Utility Player Antonio Hernandez.

Junction

Coach Scott Freeman has led Junction to back-to-back regional final appearances for the first time in program history. He’ll have a tall task in 2026, replacing all five offensive linemen and the Eagles’ tight end. The skill positions should be rock solid, however. RB/LB Koda Bierschwale was a menace on defense with 90 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and four interceptions. He’ll take on lead running back duties. WR/DB Casen Roberts had a breakout year, earning First Team All-District honors on both sides of the ball (522 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns, 79 tackles, 6 interceptions). He and fellow defensive back Hunter Dale (27 tackles, 5 interceptions) will make life difficult for opposing passing games.

New Districts We're Most Excited to See

15-2A DI

• Shiner: Back-to-back state championship appearances, seven 11+ win seasons in last eight years, return all-state players RB/DB Quincy Jones and LB Brody Popp 
• Ganado: 11-2 in 2025, Class 2A DI State Champion in 2024, Coach Josh Ervin has 47-10 record at school, returns nine starters on each side of the ball
• Kenedy: 10-3 in 2025, first ten-win season since 1978, returns District Co-Newcomers of the Year WR/DB Dylan Russell and QB Jericho Jackson
• Weimar: 8-3 in 2025, playoff team each of the last three seasons
• Flatonia: 5-5 in 2025 with first-year coach Matt Uzzell, defense improved from 40+ ppg in 2024 to 19.9 ppg and returns nine starters 
• Bloomington: 4-6 in 2025, returns 15 starters
• Danbury: 3-7 in 2025, returns promising QB Cash Lamb

1-2A DII

• Gruver: Back-to-back state semifinal appearances, returns all-state LB Bo Cowan and dynamic WR Mason Lankford
• Stinnett West Texas: 14-1 in 2025, first state semifinal appearance since 1995, dropping down from 2A DI
• Stratford: 11-3 in 2025, won at least 11 games in four of last five years, returns ten starters on each side of the ball
• Bovina: 5-6 in 2025, new head coach Wade Wilson inherits three returning all-district players (Eli Rocha, Eric Solis, Matthew Espinoza)
• Vega: 3-7 in 2025, lost just four seniors, returns eight starters on each side of the ball headlined by 1,000-yard rusher Omar Segovia

7-2A DII

• Albany: 10-3 in 2025, made at least second round of the playoffs every year since 2002, Denney Faith is second-winningest active head coach
• Goldthwaite: 8-4 in 2025, back-to-back trips to second round of playoffs, return 19 starters on each side of the ball including two 125+ tacklers (Hagen Greenway and Walt Thompson)
• Stamford: 7-5 in 2025, made state championship in 2024, won five state championships in program history, returns seven starters on each side of the ball
• Hamlin: 8-3 in 2025, returns District Defensive MVP Rowdy Holden (145 tackles, 23 TFLs, 4 FF, 3 PBU) 
• Cross Plains: 4-7 in 2025, made playoffs in three of last four years, second-year HC Jared Sanderson coached a record-setting offense at Levelland in 2016
• Miles: 2-8 in 2025, three consecutive eight-win seasons from 2022-24, 
• Winters: 2-8 in 2025, second year under HC Ryan Pannell, should have 1,000-pound offensive line

5 Teams That Could Make it to Arlington Who Weren't There Last Year

Ganado

Ganado’s Josh Ervin has quickly developed into one of the state’s best young coaches. He’s led the Indians to at least the third round of the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, and won the program’s first state championship game in 2024. That streak should continue with nine returning starters on each side of the ball. Logan Bures, one of the heroes from the state championship team, is back for his senior year after compiling over 1,600 total yards and 20 touchdowns. Honorable All-State QB Landyn Arriaga was exceptional as a sophomore with 3,030 total yards and 52 total touchdowns.

Bremond

Bremond has made at least the third round of the playoffs in each of the last three years, compiling a 34-8 record in that span. With seven returning starters back on each side of the ball, could the 2026 Tigers reach the program’s first state championship game since the three-peat from 2014-16? Those championship teams had a game-changer at QB in Roshauud Paul. Bremond is in good hands with junior Sam Kasowski. Legendary coach Jeff Kasowski’s son earned Honorable Mention All-State honors as a sophomore, recording 31 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Fellow junior and Honorable Mention All-State LB Jaden Scott (132 tackles, 6 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions) will quarterback the defense.

Collinsville

Collinsville has been knocking on the door of its first state championship appearance for the past four years. After three consecutive 12-2 seasons, the Pirates dipped ever so slightly with a 10-3 record. If Collinsville can overcome the loss of four offensive line starters up front, it has the skill talent in a stellar junior class to win it all. QB/DB Paxton Davidson is a dual-threat at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds who threw for 2,713 yards and 36 touchdowns. RB/LB Chase Sheppard has started on defense since his freshman year and posted 990 yards last season. And, if you could only return one lineman, center Noe Cantu is an excellent pick. He is essentially a coach on the field, having started 27 games over the last two seasons.

Stratford

Stratford will be a popular pick to make it to Arlington after returning 10 starters on each side of the ball from an 11-3 team. QB Chase Lantelme (2,325 passing yards, 400 rushing yards, 40 total touchdowns) and WR Darius Jones (1,110 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns) will be one of Class 2A’s best passing combinations. Both those players are also standout defenders, along with 6-foot-4-inch, 200-pound senior Kooper Walden (158 tackles, 25 TFL, nine sacks, five PBU, two INT). One of the only questions is how quickly the Elks can adjust to new Coach Stacey Alexander. The former Amarillo offensive coordinator is the first head coach hired from outside the program since 1994.

Mason

Coach Wade Griffin pulled off one of the more underrated coaching jobs in the state last year. He was hired in mid-May and returned just five starters, but came back from a 1-3 start to go 10-4. Now, he has a full offseason to work with 17 returning starters, including First Team All-State DL Cass Dutton (117 tackles, 29 TFL, 4 sacks) and Second Team All-State LB Slade Buell (1,400+ rushing yards, 87 tackles, 11 TFL). Mason also has the luxury of depth along the line of scrimmage, where few, if any, players should have to start on both sides.