District 5-2A Division I Football Season Outlook: Abilene TLCA, Anson, Cisco, Hawley

(Photo courtesy of Abilene TLCA social media)

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

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Abilene TLCA

Abilene Texas Leadership Charter Academy begins a new era under head coach Webb Murphy, who takes over a program entering just its fifth season of 11-man football.

2025 season: Finished 0-10 overall, 0-5 in district.

Abilene TLCA returns 10 offensive starters and 10 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Tyler Johnston (QB): Returns to lead the Eagles’ offense.
• Devan Jones (RB/DB): Expected to be one of the team’s top offensive playmakers.
• Dashawn Polk (WR/DB): Gives the Eagles a proven weapon in the passing game.

Offensive line leaders: Will Hardin, Josiah Mendoza and Ray Alcorta.

Defensive leaders:

• Devan Jones (DB)
• Dashawn Polk (DB)
• Will Hardin (OL/DL)
• Josiah Mendoza (OL/DL)
• Ray Alcorta (OL/DL)

Team outlook: Murphy inherits an experienced roster and will look to establish a winning foundation as the Eagles seek to take the next step as a young program.

Abilene TLCA competes in District 5-2A Division I with Anson, Cisco, De Leon, Hawley and Hico.

Anson

Anson enters the 2026 season looking to build on a strong playoff run that ended one point short of the regional round.

2025 season: Finished 8-4 overall, 2-3 in district; advanced to the area round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs.

Key offensive players:

• Malachi St. John (Sr. WR/DB): Rushed for 230 yards and 7 TDs while recording 1,244 receiving yards and 13 TDs last season.
• Grayson Feagan (So. QB/DB): Passed for 1,330 yards and 20 TDs as a freshman.
• Levi Diaz (So. RB/DB): Totaled 456 yards from scrimmage and 6 TDs in 2025.
• Branson Rister (Sr. WR/S): Added 413 receiving yards and 3 TDs.

Offensive line leader: Alijah Lozano (Sr. OL/DL).

Defensive leaders:

• Samuel Wilburn (Jr. LB): Recorded 62 tackles and 2 sacks last season.
• Avery Lozano (Jr. LB): Finished with 59 tackles and 2 sacks.
• Branson Rister (Sr. S): Collected 53 tackles and 2 interceptions.
• Malachi St. John (Sr. DB)

Team outlook: Coach Kyle Wheeler believes the Tigers’ experience on both the offensive and defensive lines will be critical as Anson looks to build on last year’s postseason success.

Anson competes in District 5-2A Division I with Abilene TLCA, Cisco, De Leon, Hawley and Hico.

Cisco

Cisco enters the season once again among the favorites in the Big Country after another deep playoff run in 2025.

2025 season: Finished 12-2 overall, 5-0 in district; won the district championship and reached the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals.

Coach Kevin Steinmetz returns 22 lettermen, including 7 offensive starters and 8 defensive starters.

Key offensive players:

• Colby McIlroy (Jr. QB): Passed for 1,467 yards and 17 TDs while rushing for 824 yards and 13 TDs last season.
• Corbin Harrison (Jr. WR/DB): Recorded 511 receiving yards and 5 TDs.
• Cannon Harris (Sr. WR/DB): Finished with 485 receiving yards and 3 TDs.
• Carter Toof (Jr. WR/DB): Added 294 receiving yards and 5 TDs.

Other key contributors include Taj Moore (So. RB/LB), Gage Johnson (Jr. RB/DB), July Johnson (Jr. RB) and Terrick Hernandez (Sr. WR/DB/K).

Offensive line leaders: Garrett Offutt (Sr. OL/DE), Camden Fyock (Sr. OL/DL), Payton Riley (Jr. OL/DL) and River Frankfort (Jr. OL/DL).

Defensive leaders:

• Kreed Gorr (Jr. LB): Team-high 129 tackles and 2 sacks.
• Garrett Offutt (Sr. DE): Recorded 88 tackles and 6 sacks.
• Hudson Hernandez (Sr. LB): Finished with 75 tackles and 2 sacks.
• Carter Toof (Jr. DB): Collected 7 interceptions.
• Cannon Harris (Sr. DB): Recorded 72 tackles.
• Corbin Harrison (Jr. DB): Added 71 tackles and 4 interceptions.

Team outlook: Cisco combines experience, playmakers and defensive production, giving the Loboes the pieces to challenge for another district championship and deep playoff run.

Cisco competes in District 5-2A Division I with Abilene TLCA, Anson, De Leon, Hawley and Hico.

Hawley

Hawley remains one of the Big Country’s premier programs under longtime head coach Mitch Ables, who has guided the Bearcats to consistent success including a state championship in 2022.

2025 season: Finished 8-4 overall, 4-1 in district; advanced to the area round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs.

Hawley returns a veteran group built around experienced skill players and a strong offensive line.

Key offensive players:

• Camden Ables (Sr. WR/TE/DE): Caught 45 passes for 792 yards and 12 TDs last season.
• Brycen Stofel (Sr. RB/LB): Rushed for 711 yards and 9 TDs.
• Jagger Wiley (Sr. QB/WR/LB/DB)

Offensive line leaders: Bo White (Jr. OL/DL) and JaKobe Robertson (So. OL/DL).

Defensive leaders:

• John Doerschuk (Sr. LB/RB/WR): Team-high 99 tackles in 2025.
• Camden Ables (Sr. DE)
• Brylen Williams (Sr. WR/DB)
• Weston Womack (DB)

Team outlook: Hawley’s experience in the trenches and a wealth of playmakers give the Bearcats another opportunity to contend for a district title. Finding a starting quarterback will be one of the team’s biggest storylines entering the season.

Hawley competes in District 5-2A Division I with Abilene TLCA, Anson, Cisco, De Leon and Hico.

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