other teams circle as the game to watch out for,” said Gray.

With the standard set and full support from the town behind them, the Greyhounds are ready to do it again and be just as hungry to remain at the top as they were in the climb up.

“ We accomplished something last year, doesn’ t mean we’ ll be good this year,” said running back / linebacker Walker Lacy.

Owens stated the 2026 Greyhounds have a“ much different feeling” than they did a year ago, relying on their talent at the skill positions to overcome the inexperience up front. A year later, it’ s a complete 180, as most of the skill players graduated and the most tenured players are on the line. As for the newcomers filling the gigantic shoes left by Mark Tullous, Cade McCollough and Rhett Kelley, they’ ll be put to the test in a difficult non-district schedule featuring Pilot Point, Jacksboro and Graham.

“ It’ s how quickly can we pick up on the system,” Owens said.

Luckily, in the program’ s fourth year under Owens, the learning curve won’ t be extensive for those who step into a starting role in 2026. Moreover, returners like Aleksick see the desire for the younger guys to experience the same success from 2025.

Entering this season, tickets are selling fast, and the conversation is shifting from playoff hopes to state title hopes for the Greyhounds.

OFFENSE

The departure of playmakers on the outside, along with running back Hudson Salyers’ move out of Peaster, leaves the team’ s offense to develop younger receivers and lean on a second-year starter under center and a committee of backs.

Despite feeling like a headless chicken early in his first few games, Gray admitted, he put up over 2,100 passing yards and 29 total touchdowns last year.

Battling the toughest teams in 3A Div. I like Paradise and Grandview, Gray’ s knowledge of the offense only grew stronger as the throwing windows got tighter and tighter.

Outside of tight end Slayte Robertson being his expected No. 1 target, he’ ll look to develop his young wideouts with some help from a running

back corps led by Lacy that will switch reps as they all play both ways.

Lacy mentioned the utilization of Gray’ s legs into the mix, as he unlocked that aspect of his game late last season; however, Lacy didn’ t shy away from saying that the passing game will take a huge step forward in 2026.

DEFENSE

One of the most dominant defensive groups in Texas, the Greyhounds limited opponents to 10 points or less in 10 of their 15 games. Much of its success stemmed from the secondary’ s ability to create turnovers.

Although Owens said the secondary is a lot thinner this year, the top-end talent isn’ t a massive drop-off. It’ s a matter of gaining experience for the back end that will most likely start three sophomores.

Not having an abundance of size up front is not new to the Greyhounds, meaning their strengths lie in aggression and speed to the ball.

Aleksick does see the defensive line getting bigger and stronger, expecting Peaster’ s ability to put more pressure on the quarterback.

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