The team’ s leading rusher last season, Devon Williams, had a breakout campaign as a sophomore with 115 carries for 1,161 yards and 12 touchdowns and will look to build on that coming into this season.
However, true to Wallace, the thing that wowed him about Williams last season and what he would like to see more of this year is not just the final rushing yards tally to double digit touchdowns, it’ s the fact that he averaged 10.1 yards-per-carry last season.
That type of production controls the clock and tempo while taking pressure off the defense by giving that unit more time to rest.
The running back unit overall carried much of the team’ s offensive workload in 2025. That committee rushed for 3,857 yards on the season with 55 touchdowns.
After Williams, other key returners to that unit will be Mason Tigue, Tyler Andrews and Dylon Fulgham. Those three will carry a heavy workload though as the running back unit lost six seniors from last year.
On the defensive side of the ball, that smash-mouth identity comes from putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback with both the defensive line and the linebacking core.
However, Wallace said the team is facing some uncertainty coming into this season, losing key seniors on
both the defensive line and at the inside linebacker spot. Wallace will be looking for players like Stone Warren to take another leap as a defensive end while also looking to players like Xzavian Perez in the linebacking core.
One sure fire defensive heavy hitter for the Panthers going into next season however is one of their offensive bright spots as well in Williams.
Williams split time as both a running back and defensive back last season and on the defensive side of the ball tallied 31 tackles, a tackle for loss and 13 pass deflections.
These numbers were enough to get Williams recognized as the District 7-4A-II preseason defensive MVP in“ Dave Campbell’ s Texas Football” 2026 summer magazine.
The Panthers have a lot of promise going into the season and Wallace has big goals for the team to either win a district championship or bi-district championship.
In order to achieve those goals, Wallace wants the team to focus on three factors: being more prepared than their opponents, being willing to work harder than their opponents and being willing to play longer than their opponents.
Wallace believes these key values will set the team up for a path of success in 2026.
QUINLAN FORD PANTHERS
38 END ZONE | 2026