PLANO, TEXAS, September 22, 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: Eli Johnson, Safety, QB, Steele High School

Mascot: Knights

Opponent: Wagner High School

In a secondary loaded with college-level talent, Eli Johnson found a way to stand out. The Steele senior safety and Ohio State commit was seemingly everywhere in the Knights’ 56-19 victory over Wagner, finishing with eight tackles, including three solo stops and a tackle for loss, while forcing two fumbles. Johnson turned one of those takeaways into points himself, scooping up a loose ball and racing 10 yards for a touchdown as Steele’s defense helped take control of the game. At 6-foot-3 and roughly 200 pounds, Johnson brings the size and physicality to play near the line of scrimmage along with the speed and range to patrol the back end of one of Texas’ most talented secondaries. The four-star prospect, Under Armour All-American and First Team All-District selection is rated by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football as the No. 2 safety in Texas for the 2027 class. On a defense filled with playmakers, Johnson continues to show why Ohio State made him a priority.

"Very well deserved!  The way he prepares and the instincts that he plays with are a few of the characteristics that help him excel on Friday nights. Not only is he a great football player but he is an even better person."

• STEELE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH DAVID SAENZ

Class 5A: Hunter Haug, Senior, WR/CB, Smithson Valley High School

Mascot: Rangers

Opponent: Manor High School

Hunter Haug didn’t just make plays on both sides of the football on Friday night. He scored touchdowns on both sides, repeatedly. The Smithson Valley senior turned in a remarkable first half in the Rangers’ defeat of Manor, scoring four touchdowns before halftime, including three on defense. Haug returned interceptions 77 and 45 yards for touchdowns, scooped up a fumble and raced 41 yards for another score, then flipped to offense and hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception. It was an extraordinary display of versatility from the two-way wide receiver and cornerback, but hardly surprising considering his résumé. Haug helped Smithson Valley capture its second consecutive Class 5A Division I state championship last season while producing 2,053 all-purpose yards, 1,156 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns. The Texas Tech commit, four-star prospect, All-State utility selection and District 13-5A MVP has built a reputation for impacting games in multiple ways. Against Manor, he took that versatility to another level.

“3-year starter...2 state championship rings...2-way player and also a kick returner...he is a big reason for our success.”

• SMITHSON VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH LARRY HILL

Class 4A: Izaiah Gidrey, Senior, Safety, Roy Miller High School

Mascot: Buccaneers

Opponent: Harlingen High School

With his team a 20-plus-point underdog on the road against an unbeaten Class 6A Harlingen, Izaiah Gidrey helped turn the expected into the unexpected. Facing 3-0 Harlingen, the Class 4A standout delivered a game-changing defensive performance that helped fuel a stunning 29-28 upset of the Cardinals. Gidrey intercepted three passes, including a 54-yard pick-six, forced a fumble that a teammate returned 90 yards for another touchdown, broke up three more passes and finished with six tackles. With the offense struggling to find its rhythm, Gidrey’s ability to create turnovers and points proved critical in keeping his team within striking distance until it could complete the upset. His impact extends well beyond Friday nights. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track, Gidrey currently leads his football team in community service hours and has played an important role in strengthening the program’s relationship with its community. On a night his team needed something special, Gidrey delivered it.

“Izaiah has been a huge part of the Miller Buc program this season. His leadership, both on and off the field, speaks volumes about the kind of player and teammate he is. Last Friday was another great example of the impact he continues to make. His ability to step up, make plays, and do what it takes to help our team win is a big part of what makes him special.”

• MILLER HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH DAVID McHUGH

Class 3A: Kavian Bryant, Senior, QB, Westwood High School

Mascot: Panthers

Opponent: Timpson High School

Kavian Bryant showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in Texas. The Westwood senior and Texas Tech commit delivered a dominant performance, completing 14 of 18 passes for 385 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and two more scores. Bryant finished the night with 496 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, using his arm to attack downfield and his athleticism to create problems on the ground. It was a statement performance from the District Offensive MVP, All-State selection and Elite 11 finalist, who has established himself as one of the state’s premier two-sport athletes. Bryant also stars on the basketball court, helping Westwood reach the 2026 state championship game and earning UIL State All-Tournament honors. A standout in the classroom with a reported 4.6 GPA, Bryant received major-college scholarship opportunities in both football and basketball before choosing football and Texas Tech. On this night, he put the full package on display.

“Kavian is a unique talent on the field with the ability to make every read and throw,

but what impresses me most about him is his ability to lead on and off the field. Kavian is the glue that holds it all together.”

• WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH RANDY PIPPIN

Class 2A: Paxton Davidson, Junior, QB/LB, Collinsville High School

Mascot: Pirates

Opponent:  Muenster High School

Paxton Davidson rarely left the field against No. 6 Muenster, and Collinsville needed every bit of his two-way impact to pull off the victory. The junior quarterback and linebacker put together a monster performance, completing 38 of 46 passes for 371 yards and five touchdowns while adding 125 yards and two more scores on 11 carries. All told, Davidson accounted for 496 yards of offense and seven touchdowns, completing better than 82 percent of his passes against one of the state’s top-ranked teams. Then he went to work on the other side of the ball, recording five solo tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure from his linebacker position. It was a remarkable display of toughness and versatility from an athlete who contributes year-round at Collinsville. Davidson is also a varsity baseball, basketball and track athlete, making him a true four-sport competitor. Against Muenster, he showed exactly what that athleticism can mean on Friday nights, impacting the game from virtually everywhere on the field.

"Paxton is a great kid, he is one of many that sets the standard for our program with his play and leadership. He had an amazing performance Friday vs Muenster. The stats were great, but his overall competitiveness and unwillingness to accept defeat was on full display Friday night. The 4th down and goal TD pass with the Muenster defender on his feet and the other hitting him in the chest was something that you won't see every day and was an amazing display of his competitiveness."

• COLLINSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HEAD COACH GARRETT PATTERSON

Private School: Logan Lucero, Sophomore, QB, Parish Episcopal School

Mascot: Panthers

Opponent: John Paul II High School

Logan Lucero may only be a sophomore, but the Parish Episcopal quarterback is already putting up numbers that would be remarkable at any age. Lucero was nearly flawless in a district victory over John Paul II, completing 17 of 21 passes for 480 yards and seven touchdowns, an explosive performance that showcased why he has emerged as one of the nation’s most highly recruited young quarterbacks. Lucero burst onto the scene as a freshman, throwing for 2,478 yards and 27 touchdowns while helping lead Parish Episcopal to the 2025 TAPPS Division I state championship. He earned District Offensive Newcomer of the Year and first-team All-State honors, and his combination of arm talent, size and poise has already produced more than 20 Power Four scholarship offers. His accomplishments extend beyond football as an Honor Roll student who has completed 15 hours of community service. With three high school seasons still ahead of him, Lucero is already building one of the more impressive young quarterback résumés in Texas.

“Logan had an unbelievable half of football. It’s unbelievable to think he threw for 480 yds and 7TDs in a half. I know it’s a record here, but I’d be shocked if it isn’t some sort of state record as well. On top of that he’s a great kid that represents everything you want for a Parish football player.”

• PARISH EPSICOPAL HEAD COACH DANIEL NOVAKOV

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:

Abby Garlock

Ford Motor Company 

703-727-1103

Abigail.garlock@bursonglobal.com