After a season disrupted and almost three seasons removed from a UIL State Title, the Frisco Wakeland Lady Wolverines are on the hunt for the opportunity to tack another title to their belts.
With huge wins against non-district and district opponents like McKinney Boyd, Frisco Liberty, Frisco Heritage, Lebanon Trail, and more, Wakeland has posted a 7-1-3 overall record and a 5-1-3 district record. The Lady Wolverines currently sit at the No. 2 spot in their district- just behind Reedy.
"Last year didn't go as well as we had hoped," said junior Sophia Pehr in an interview earlier this season during the VYPE DFW Whatasnap photoshoot. "So, we used it as more of a transition year." Last year, Wakeland finished at No. 5 in district.
Senior Faith Bell added that a successful season would not only include being able to avoid another shutdown due to COVID and completing the season but "being first in district."
The Lady Wolverines' season is far from over as they continue on their quest. Their next game is Friday, February 5 against Frisco (5-4-3).
McKinney North enters the 2026 season with lofty expectations, and head coach Kendall Brewer believes the Bulldogs have the leadership and experience to live up to them.
The driving force behind this year's team is a senior class that has spent years building toward this moment. Their leadership has become the defining characteristic of the program and, according to Brewer, the biggest separator between McKinney North and its competition.
"We have a really strong senior class," Brewer said. "Their leadership is part of what makes us unique. We have high expectations going into the season."
For Brewer, culture isn't built with catchy phrases or motivational posters.
"It's not slogans on the walls or words on T-shirts," he said. "It's how you behave, rep in and rep out."
Offensively, continuity starts up front, where four of five starters return along the offensive line. That veteran group should provide stability as McKinney North breaks in new quarterback Campbell Seyb, who has impressed throughout the offseason.
"He's way ahead of schedule," Brewer said of his signal caller.
Seyb will have no shortage of weapons. Two All-District wide receivers return to stretch defenses, while running back John Richardson gives the Bulldogs a proven playmaker capable of carrying the load on the ground. With an experienced offensive line paving the way and a talented group of skill players surrounding their new quarterback, McKinney North expects to be one of the district's most balanced offenses.
"Offensively, we feel really good about who is coming back," Brewer said.
The defense is built around one of the area's premier defenders in Eli Harris, a three-year starter who enters the season as the preseason District Defensive MVP. Harris sets the tone with his physicality, leadership and experience, serving as the cornerstone of a unit that expects to be among the district's best.
"We're going to be physical, we're going to be big and we have great athletes in the back end," Brewer said.
With experienced leadership, a veteran offensive line, emerging talent at quarterback and a defense anchored by one of the district's top players, the expectations are high in Bulldog Country. Brewer wouldn't have it any other way.
Plano West has established itself as one of the premier volleyball programs in North Texas, and expectations remain high after capturing the district championship and advancing to the third round of the UIL playoffs a season ago.
Head coach Cooper Phillips has built a culture that balances championship expectations with an environment where players genuinely enjoy competing. While the pressure to win is ever-present at Plano West, Phillips believes success comes from creating a team-first atmosphere where athletes can play with confidence, energy and enthusiasm.
His ability to keep the season fun while maintaining a relentless competitive standard has become one of the program's defining characteristics.
The Wolves enter the 2026 campaign facing a new challenge. Graduation claimed several key contributors from last year's district championship squad, meaning a new group of leaders must emerge. Rather than trying to replace individual stars, Phillips and his staff are focused on developing the next wave of talent and building a roster capable of sustaining the program's tradition of excellence.
VYPE caught up with Coach Phillips on the eve of the 2026 season.
Consistency is the word driving Hebron this offseason.
Head coach John Towels believes the Hawks have all the pieces to compete in one of the toughest districts in Texas, but the difference between a good season and a great one will come down to the little things.
"Our focus is consistency and attention to detail," Towels said. "If we do the little things right every day, we'll put ourselves in position to make a run in our new district and attack the playoffs."
Hebron returns an experienced leader at quarterback in Brady Brock, whose big-game experience gives the Hawks confidence entering the season. Brock has seen plenty of Friday night football and understands what it takes to lead the offense under pressure. His command of the offense and poise will be invaluable as Hebron navigates a challenging schedule.
On the outside, Jevonyae Broussard headlines the receiving corps. A dynamic athlete, Broussard is a dangerous playmaker with the ball in his hands and also serves as one of the team's top defensive backs, making an impact on both sides of the football. Fellow receiver Landon Wallican gives Brock another dependable target, providing the Hawks with a balanced and explosive passing attack.
The secondary could become one of Hebron's biggest strengths. Randy Hemphill is a lockdown corner capable of matching up with an opponent's top receiver every week, while safety Joel Chang provides leadership and stability on the back end. Their ability to eliminate big plays will be critical against the high-powered offenses the Hawks will face.
While there are talented individuals across the roster, Towels believes the team's greatest strength is how those pieces are beginning to fit together.
That chemistry is rooted in what the program simply calls "The Hebron Way." It's a culture built on toughness, accountability and selflessness.
"We bring the wood," Towels said. "We're here for one another. We have a blue-collar work ethic."
That identity has long defined Hebron football. The Hawks pride themselves on playing a physical brand of football, embracing hard work and putting the team above individual accomplishments. Those values continue to shape the culture inside the locker room and set the standard for every player who wears the blue and silver.
