how much they helped him.

“ When I’ m in the hospital fighting to live, I didn’ t have to worry about our athletic program, let alone football,” said Johnson. He even joked that it probably ran better than if he were there.“ It fires us up and pushes us harder whenever he’ s not there,” said Gilbert.

Showing up a few days during the offseason, Johnson saw a well-oiled machine of a program. When he finally got the OK to come back and be around his players, it brought him nothing but pure joy.

“ God has granted me life in his sovereignty,” Johnson said.“ I pray to return to my ministry. This [ Millsap ] is my ministry.”

Millsap’ s head coach is up 15 lbs since entering remission and is functioning with caution around large groups of people and the Texas heat. Practices look like old-school football as Johnson is spent voicing instructions over a microphone from the press box, which is fine by him as he will never underestimate the value of simply being present for his players.

As for football specifics, Johnson felt he was pretty spot on with his prediction for the 2025 season in last year’ s preview magazine, stating the Bulldogs would look really fun at times, but look very young in others.

In the constant chase for the trait of consistency, the juniors and seniors this year have played together since the fifth grade. Along with the experience gained in 2025, the Bulldogs don’ t need that much more time to figure themselves out, Johnson noted.

“ I think we’ re there,” said Gilbert on Millsap’ s progression to be the best version of themselves.“ We’ re ready.”

With no more excuses, according to Braun, what makes the 2026 Bulldogs one of the most dangerous football teams in the area is the off-the-field battle they’ ve fought the past eight months.

Nearly losing their head coach must have affected the players’ minds and changed their perception of struggles. No matter how hard someone hits them, how big or strong the other team is, nothing will compare to what they’ ve already endured the past year.

“ Suffering builds perseverance, builds character, and most of all, builds faith,” said Johnson.

“ You’ re fighting for a greater cause,” said his son.“ You’ re not just fighting on the field; you’ re fighting for your Heavenly Father and earthly father.”

The program’ s No. 1 goal remains to act like men in front of the Lord. The Bulldogs will be violent, but they will also be first class in their pursuit back to the postseason. The most beautiful part of Millsap’ s goal, however, is Johnson’ s ability to be back on the sideline where he belongs.

OFFENSE

Growth on both sides of the ball comes in different ways. Physically, the Bulldogs are just as persistent in putting more muscle on, like their head coach, with plenty of work in the weight room.

Tippie’ s biggest improvement comes in the strength category, specifically with his leg work. Hoping to hold down the front lines, defenses don’ t get a break if they face Braun out of the backfield. Gaining over 20 lbs of muscle since last season, Braun has seen improvements in his lateral movement and cutting ability.

Gilbert’ s growth comes on the intangible side with being a leader and building closer bonds with his offensive teammates.

Millsap plans to be 60 / 40 in run / pass, which they were unable to accomplish in 2025. Johnson’ s confidence in the offense’ s ability to be balanced stems from the outside weapons he possesses.“ This may be the most dangerous we’ ve been on the perimeter,” he said.

While bringing back outside receivers Gabe Jones and Miles Griffin, the Bulldogs bring in lengthy sophomore Luke Klappenbach as well. Klappenbach was a regional high jumper his freshman year.

Remaining a run-first team, Braun’ s heavier stature will wear down a defense and contrast the jitteriness of fellow rusher Cash Webb.

DEFENSE

Returning everyone on the second and third levels from a year ago, except for outside linebackers, Johnson called his inside linebackers the biggest strength of his defense.

Up front, he views the defensive line as a stronger and more athletic unit ahead of the first year in a newly formed District 5-3A with many fresh opponents like Rio Vista, Clifton and Comanche.

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