District 7-2A Division II Football Season Outlook: Albany, Cross Plains, Hamlin, Stamford, Winters

(Photo courtesy of Amanda Tabor)

First Look Feature: Our 2026 digital preview series covers all 29 Big Country high school sports programs ahead of kickoff on August 28.

Pick up the print issue of Varsity Preview on newsstands now, or subscribe to get each issue delivered straight to your mailbox!

Albany

Albany enters the 2026 season looking to continue its run as one of the state’s premier Class 2A programs under legendary head coach Denney Faith, who begins his 40th season and ranks among Texas’ all-time winningest coaches.

2025 season: Finished 10-3 overall, 5-0 in district; won the district championship and reached the Class 2A Division II regional semifinals.

Albany returns 13 lettermen, including 5 offensive starters and 4 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Clay Chapman (Jr. QB/DB): Passed for 1,596 yards and 15 TDs last season.
• Bennett Neece (Jr. FB/LB): Team’s top returning rusher.
• Christian Hernandez (Sr. WR/CB): Veteran playmaker on both sides of the ball.

Offensive line leader: Zane Green (Sr. OG/DE).

Defensive leaders:

• Bennett Neece (Jr. LB): Recorded 91 tackles in 2025.
• Zane Green (Sr. DE): Finished with 78 tackles and 5 sacks.
• Christian Hernandez (Sr. CB): Recorded 2 interceptions.

Team outlook: Albany brings back a strong core from another district championship team as it faces a much stronger district.

Albany competes in District 7-2A Division II with Cross Plains, Hamlin, Miles, Stamford and Winters.

Cross Plains

Cross Plains enters the second season under head coach Jared Sanderson looking to build on last year’s playoff appearance.

2025 season: Finished 4-7 overall, 2-3 in district; advanced to the bi-district round of the Class 2A Division II playoffs.

The Buffaloe’s return 12 lettermen, including 6 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Kye Schuman (Sr. RB/LB): Rushed for 822 yards and 15 TDs last season.
• William Albrecht (So. QB/S): Expected to take over at quarterback.
• Rylen Reed (Jr. TE/DE): Recorded 7 receptions for 107 yards and 1 TD.

Offensive line leaders: Jessey Bradford (Sr. OL/DT) and Lawson Brown (Jr. C/DT).

Defensive leaders:

• Jessey Bradford (Sr. DT): Recorded 58 tackles, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
• Landry Savell (Jr. S): Collected 3 interceptions.
• Kye Schuman (Sr. LB)
• Noah Allison (So. RB/LB)

Team outlook: Sanderson believes the Buffaloes will benefit from another year in the system and a talented sophomore class, though several first-year varsity players will need to step into significant roles.

Cross Plains competes in District 7-2A Division II with Albany, Hamlin, Miles, Stamford and Winters.

Hamlin

Hamlin returns a solid team after finishing as district runner-up and earning a playoff berth in 2025.

2025 season: Finished 8-3 overall, 4-1 in district; district runner-up and playoff qualifier.

The Pied Pipers return 13 lettermen, including 6 offensive starters and 5 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Javier Ramos (Sr. QB/S): Passed for 1,059 yards and 5 TDs after taking over the starting job midway through the season.
• Reece Rainey (Sr. RB): Rushed for 513 yards and 5 TDs.
• Xavier Garza (Sr. WR/S): Returns after missing last season with an injury.
• Brooklyn Brown (So. WR/DE): Promising two-way contributor with standout size.

Offensive line leaders: Daniel Malone-Casteneda (Sr. OL), Jedidiah White (Jr. OL/DL) and Layne Smith (Jr. TE/DE).

Defensive leaders:

• Rowdy Holden (Sr. LB): District Defensive MVP with 145 tackles and 12 sacks last season.
• McKennon Warren (Jr. LB)
• Jedidiah White (Jr. DL)
• Brooklyn Brown (So. DE)

Team outlook: Hamlin replaces a large senior class but returns several impact players.

Hamlin competes in District 7-2A Division II with Albany, Cross Plains, Miles, Stamford and Winters.

Stamford

Stamford drops into Class 2A Division II after another strong season that included a playoff appearance and area-round finish.

2025 season: Finished 7-5 overall, 3-2 in district; advanced to the area round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs.

The Bulldogs return 18 lettermen, including 7 offensive starters and 6 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Miles Follis (Jr. QB): Expected to lead the Bulldogs’ passing attack.
• Slayden Young (Jr. WR/DB): Dynamic receiver and open-field threat.
• Josh Andruch (Sr. RB): Top returning rusher from last season.
• Levi Vahlenkamp (Sr. WR)

Offensive line leader: Everett Echdahl (Sr. OT/DE).

Defensive leaders:

• Carlos Vega (Sr. TE/LB): Top returning tackler.
• Cree McCright (Sr. DE): Athletic defensive end with excellent size.
• C’nai Whitfield (Sr. CB): Lockdown cornerback.
• Ace Martinez (Jr. LB)

Team outlook: Stamford returns experience on both sides of the ball and should be a major contender in one of the toughest Class 2A Division II districts in Texas.

Stamford competes in District 7-2A Division II with Albany, Cross Plains, Hamlin, Miles and Winters.

Winters

Winters hopes to improve in the second season under head coach Ryan Pannell with a veteran roster and significant size up front.

2025 season: Finished 2-8 overall, 0-5 in district.

The Blizzards return 17 lettermen, including 7 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Nolan Martinez (Sr. WR/DB): First-team all-district receiver with 19 catches for 415 yards and 7 TDs.
• Caleb Rutherford (Sr. RB/LB): Returns after injuries limited him to seven games.
• Hayden Collins (Jr. RB/LB): Rushed for 155 yards and 2 TDs.
• Jayton Flores (Jr. WR/DB)
• Julian Perez (So. Utility)

Offensive line leaders: Braden Hoppe (Jr. OL/DL), John Pierce (Sr. OL/DL), Nolan Davis (Jr. OL/DL), Carter Jacob (Jr. OL/DL) and Alex Alanis (So. OL/DL).

Defensive leaders:

• Hayden Collins (Jr. LB): Recorded 69 tackles and an interception.
• Braden Hoppe (Jr. DL): Finished with 51 tackles and earned first-team all-district honors.
• Caleb Rutherford (Sr. LB)
• Nolan Martinez (Sr. DB)

Team outlook: Winters believes its size in the trenches and another year in Pannell’s system will help the Blizzards compete for a playoff spot despite playing in one of the state’s toughest districts.

Winters competes in District 7-2A Division II with Albany, Cross Plains, Hamlin, Miles and Stamford.

Want the full physical magazine with exclusive photos and coaches’ insights? Get your magazine today!