Returning as 4A Div. I regional finalists in 2025, Belton was at the forefront of the highest-scoring offense in the country. They steamrolled the competition to an undefeated district title, another deep playoff run and the inevitable rematch with Celina.

With one of the best rosters in program history, the Indians fell victim to the Bobcats once again. Half a year later, Belton and a large senior class graduated, Walraven took the job at Hutto and hired former Alvarado graduate Aubrey Sims.

A new head coach, new district and a new roster make it a fresh start for the Indians in 2026.

Sims doesn’ t like starting over. The stress it puts on his family and the seniors of his program isn’ t ideal for anybody, he admitted.

However, timing works in mysterious ways. As his stint with 6A Weatherford came to an end, Sims learned that his father had passed away in February. Around the same time, Walraven announced his acceptance of the head coaching job with the Hippos.

A friendship between Sims and Walraven dates back to the early 90s, so talks about Sims taking the job ensued between the two. On March 7th, Alvarado ISD announced that Sims would take over.

“ Being able to come home and be ten minutes from my mom and five minutes from my mother-inlaw, I mean, what a blessing from God that this job was,” said Sims.

Appreciating the foundation Walraven laid down for the program, Sims is adamant about making this team his own.

“ I can’ t be him. I’ ve got to do things my way. It’ s the only way that I know how to do it. So, just getting the kids to keep an open mind and accept change. What a great life lesson for them.”

So far, the Indians have seen an improvement in structure and discipline from their new coaching staff. For most of the roster, this is their first year on varsity. Only a handful of starters will experience the switch in systems. Moreover, they’ ll transition from a winnable district to one of the toughest in the state.

In District 4-4A after realignment earlier this year, Alvarado is one of five teams that made the playoffs last season in an 8-team district. Decatur, Castleberry and

Godley all offer the Indians a new test that they never truly received the past two years.

One team, however, stands out above the rest to the Indians and to football fans— Springtown. Meeting up in the regional semifinals last November, Alvarado downed the Porcupines, 64-13. Now as district opponents, the two meet in October for a highly anticipated rematch where the Pines enter as favorites.

The returning starters are excited to face tougher competition, as the knock on the team was what many

considered a weak strength of schedule. Even though Alvarado reached four rounds deep, quarterback KJ Jenkins wants to silence the haters.

“ I would like us to see it early so they can know what we got as a football team.”

Running back / linebacker Zyon Brown furthered his quarterback’ s statement by saying the tougher district schedule will only help the team during their next playoff run.

“ Hopefully early, we’ ll know what