PLANO, TEXAS, September 16, 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: Tyler Albert, Senior, QB, Prosper High School

Mascot: Eagles

Opponent: Westlake High School

The bigger the moment got, the better Tyler Albert seemed to play. Facing perennial power Austin Westlake, the Prosper senior quarterback and team captain delivered a breakout performance, accounting for 447 yards of offense and seven touchdowns in the Eagles’ 49-40 victory. Albert completed 19 of 32 passes for 359 yards and six touchdowns, then added 88 yards and another score on 16 carries. When Westlake brought pressure, Albert used his legs to extend plays, absorbed hits and kept the offense moving. When the Chaparrals threatened late, he answered again, connecting on a 32-yard touchdown on third-and-14 in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. Remarkably, it came in just his third varsity start, a performance that has begun to put Albert on the recruiting radar. A two-sport athlete who also plays basketball and carries a 3.8 GPA, Albert didn’t just put up big numbers against one of Texas’ premier programs. He looked every bit like a quarterback ready for the big stage.                                                                                                                                                           

"Our team will go as Tyler goes. His leadership is as integral to our success as his play on the field. He displayed tremendous toughness and mental fortitude in leading our team to victory last Friday night. We are so proud of how he is playing this season. In an age when everyone is looking for instant gratification, Tyler waited his turn, improved his game and this is his moment."

PROSPER HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH TYLER MOORE

Class 5A: Julian Caldwell, Senior, WR, Argyle High School

Mascot: Eagles

Opponent: Nevada Somerset Academy

So much for needing time to shake off the rust. In his first game back from injury, senior wide receiver and Texas Tech commit Julian Caldwell needed only one half to remind everyone why he is considered one of the state’s premier playmakers. Caldwell hauled in five receptions for 182 yards and four touchdowns, averaging more than 36 yards per catch before calling it a night at halftime. The explosive return was another statement from a receiver whose résumé already includes All-State honors, unanimous First Team All-District recognition and Under Armour All-American honors. After being forced to watch from the sideline, Caldwell wasted little time announcing his return, turning limited action into four trips to the end zone and showing exactly why Texas Tech wanted him in its future receiving corps.

“Julian is an amazing player and person. His opening game for us was an incredible display of athleticism and determination. He is the perfect representation for “Built Ford Tough”

ARGYLE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH TODD RODGERS

Class 4A: Brice McCurdy, Senior, QB, Robinson High School

Mascot: Rockets

Opponent: Lorena High School

When Robinson needed a big play against rival Lorena, Brice McCurdy seemed to have an answer every time. The senior quarterback and TCU commit delivered a spectacular dual-threat performance, completing 23 of 29 passes for 457 yards and four touchdowns while rushing nine times for 127 yards and three more scores in the Rockets’ thrilling 55-48 victory. McCurdy finished with a staggering 584 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, but some of his biggest plays came with the game hanging in the balance. He broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to put Robinson back in front, then dazzled again with a 32-yard scoring run in the fourth as the Rockets held off Lorena. On Friday night, the future Horned Frog showed exactly why he became one of Central Texas’ most coveted quarterbacks.

"Brice did it all against Lorena last week. Made plays through the air with his arm, and on the ground with his legs. The play is never over when the ball is in his hands".

ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH KEVIN BROWN

Class 3A: Trenton Harris, Senior, RB, Mildred High School

Mascot: Eagles

Opponent: Centerville High School

Three games into the season, Trenton Harris has been running through just about everything in his path. The Mildred senior running back turned in his biggest performance yet, carrying 23 times for 361 yards and five touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring run, to help keep the Eagles unbeaten. Through victories over Palmer, Rockdale and Centerville, Harris has piled up 766 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on just 61 carries, an eye-popping average of more than 12.5 yards per attempt, while helping Mildred race to a 3-0 start. His production is matched by his work away from the field. Harris ranks among the top three students in his class and has earned Academic All-State recognition in both 2024 and 2025. Whether he’s breaking tackles on Friday night or excelling in the classroom, Harris has established himself as one of Mildred’s unquestioned leaders.

“Trent is much more than an amazing football player. He is a humble great human being. Trent is a leader on the game field, practice field, weight room, classroom, and in the Community of Mildred. Trent's life is rooted with a tremendous work ethic, and an attitude of gratitude. It's awesome to see when a young man like Trent gets the recognition he deserves, for his play, and the positive example he sets for everyone around him.”

MILDRED HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH JEFF CALLAHAN

Class 2A: Haegen Pinkerton, Senior, QB, Haskell High School

Mascot: Indians

Opponent: Santo High School

Calling Haegen Pinkerton a quarterback doesn’t quite tell the whole story. The Haskell senior was all over the field again, completing 10 of 16 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown, rushing for 213 yards and four scores on 21 carries, and then turning around and making 16 tackles on defense. Through three games, including matchups with highly regarded Stamford and Santo, Pinkerton has put together a remarkable two-way start: completing 35 of 48 passes for 639 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception, while adding 757 rushing yards and 11 scores on 59 carries. That’s 1,396 yards of offense and 20 touchdowns in just three games, while also contributing 29 tackles on defense. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track, Pinkerton rarely gets a break from the action. Whether he’s throwing touchdowns, breaking loose as a runner or making tackles on defense, Haskell’s senior leader continues to find ways to impact the game.

“Haegen is a great leader, great teammate and a great player that makes everyone around him better. If you make a mistake he’s gonna make you pay for it!!”

HASKELL HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH CREIGHTON HENDERSON

Private School: Dedrick Polk, Junior, RB, Lutheran South Academy

Mascot: Pioneers

Opponent: Saint John’s School

Once Dedrick Polk got rolling, St. John’s had few answers for the Lutheran South Academy running back. The junior delivered a dominant performance, carrying 23 times for 262 yards and repeatedly breaking through the Mavericks’ defense as the Pioneers rolled to a 49-19 victory. By the time his night was finished, Polk had found the end zone six times, setting a Lutheran South Academy single-game record for rushing touchdowns. The performance continued an impressive start to his junior season and further established Polk as the centerpiece of the Pioneers’ ground attack. With a combination of power, vision and big-play ability, Polk has shown he can carry a heavy workload and still be a threat to change the game every time he touches the football. Still early in his recruiting journey, the Class of 2028 running back is putting together the kind of performances that should have college programs paying close attention.

"Dedrick’s work ethic, attention to detail and internal drive to be great make him fun to coach. He holds himself to a high standard and strives to reach it every day. He loves his TEAM and is a TEAM first guy.”

LUTHERAN SOUTH HEAD COACH CORBY MEEKINS

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 49 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, 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 customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services, including BlueCruise (ADAS) and security. The company offers freedom of choice through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles (“EVs”) along with embedded software that defines always-on digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, the company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 169,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at fromtheroad.ford.com.

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For over 66 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 2,000 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.

Contact:

Lindsey Beane

Ford Motor Company 

304-546-3811

lindsey.beane@bursonglobal.com