toward the end of the season.

Stepp anticipated being placed in 3A Div. II, but fluctuations in enrollment numbers forced the Chargers to be placed in District 6-3A Div. I with Whitney, Mexia, Palmer and the state runner-up, Grandview.

Phillip admitted that the announcement shocked him, but the Chargers are up for the challenge.“ People ask what we’ re gonna do. We’ re gonna play football,” Stepp said. There are similarities between the expectations set upon the Chargers last year and now. Chabvuta mentioned how outsiders in their inaugural 11-man season didn’ t replicate the confidence within the program.

They believe that’ s the case this year and the district placement is a confidence booster.

“ We can hang with the big dogs,” Chabvuta said.

Despite the expectation of being the smallest team in quantity every time they step onto the field, the Chargers aren’ t changing things up with what made them successful in 2025.“ We’ re gonna run, run and run, and there’ s nothing ya’ ll can do to stop it,” stated Contreras. In Stepp’ s words, the Chargers will run for

first downs and throw for touchdowns.

Defensively, the Chargers anticipate continuing with their base scheme and only adding to it. For example, they added stunts from the defensive line and linebackers late last season. They expect to do a lot more creativity in the front seven.

With many doubters of Keene’ s giant leap into district play, the Chargers embrace the motto“ row the boat.” As the Chargers row, there’ s no view of what’ s in front of them. It doesn’ t matter to them as they continue to push forward.

QB / LB Gabriel Contreras WR / DB Glant Phillip

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