The Elkins Knights put up a good fight against the Summer Creek Bulldogs. But, in the end, the Bulldogs pulled through and won 57-52! Summer Creek will play Atascocita for the Region III Championship soon. Check out some highlights of the Bulldogs vs Knights game below!
Kempner's Olivia Algard
"I speak Swedish at the house," Algard said. "I always talk about it with my friends. It's a very beautiful place. I have so much family there."
Algard still returns to Sweden for vacations, making sure the connection to her birthplace remains strong even as Texas has become home.
Her journey to Texas came with a major adjustment. When Algard first arrived in the United States, she didn't know a single word of English.
"I was in kindergarten crying all day because I couldn't understand anything," she said.
But it didn't take long for the young Algard to find her voice. She picked up the language quickly, and before long, she was finding another way to communicate—through volleyball.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
That passion began in third grade when she joined a church league. From there, the game continued to grow into something much bigger. She eventually joined a club program, and volleyball became a central part of her life.
Today, Algard can't imagine her life without it.
"The connections you make with people and the memories you make," she said. "That's what I love about it."
And she's not limiting herself to just one version of the sport. Outside of indoor volleyball, Algard plays beach volleyball, an experience she believes has helped expand her game and make her a more complete player. She's hoping to continue playing beach volleyball at the collegiate level.
"It's a whole different game than indoor," Algard said. "It opens my range of volleyball. In the sand, you have to play every position, which makes you a very versatile player on the court."
That versatility is important for an outside hitter, but Algard's biggest growth may come from learning how to manage the expectations she places on herself.
"I try my best, but I'm very hard on myself," she said. “It’s something that I need to get better at. It’s impossible to be perfect, but that is just how I’m programmed.”
Being the oldest of three children has also helped shape her approach. Algard understands that her younger siblings are watching her, and she takes that responsibility seriously.
"I'm the oldest of three," she said. "I show them the way. I try to be a good example for them to follow whether it be in sports or just in everyday life."
That leadership doesn't necessarily have to come from being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it comes from setting an example, working hard and showing up every day.
And when Algard needs inspiration, she doesn't have to look far. Her grandmother holds that special place in her life.
"My grandma is my biggest inspiration," Algard said. "I love her a lot. I’m her favorite and we just have a really special bond. She lives in Sweden so I don’t see her much, but our connection is strong."
Away from the court, Algard is a fan of romance movies and shows, with rom-coms among her favorites. She also listens to Lana Del Rey, giving her plenty of ways to unwind when volleyball takes a back seat.
But ultimately, volleyball remains her passion.
From a little girl in Sweden who arrived in America unable to speak English to a confident outside hitter dreaming of playing beach volleyball in college, Algard's story is one of finding her place.
She found it on the court. And she plans to keep going.
Elkins' Tyson Craft
Senior running back Tyson Craft knows the history. Now, he wants his name added to the list.
Craft enters his senior season with a massive chip on his shoulder, a ton of confidence and a simple philosophy when the football is in his hands.
He wants the ball.
"If you are going to be the man of a team, who everyone is looking to make a play, you have to do what you have to do with it," Craft said.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Craft has already established himself as one of Elkins' most productive offensive weapons. The running back was the 2024 District Newcomer of the Year and has piled up more than 1,800 rushing yards during his career.
But statistics aren't what motivate him most. It's the doubters.
"A lot of people doubt me and count me out," Craft said. "That really motivates me and puts something in my heart. My goal is to be one of the best running backs around here and eventually in the NFL. I have to show them every day on the field."
That confidence comes with versatility. Craft models his game after former NFL star Reggie Bush, a player known for his explosiveness, speed and ability to impact a game from anywhere on the field.
"I'm fast and shifty," Craft said. "I'm an every-down back who is versatile. Punt return, in the slot. I want the ball."
And Craft believes his game has continued to evolve. One of the biggest areas of improvement has been his ability to contribute as a receiver.
"I feel like I've become a much better route runner," he said. "I don't feel like anyone can guard me out of the backfield."
That confidence will be important as Elkins looks to build on last year's playoff appearance. Craft believes the foundation for another postseason run has been built away from the lights.
The Knights put in the work throughout the summer, but they also spent time together away from football, strengthening the relationships that can become so important during a long season.
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Elkins Knights football team.Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
"The great teams have great chemistry and enjoy being around each other," Craft said. “We really bonded as a team this offseason.”
There's another Elkins tradition that Craft isn't about to give up. The night before a game, the team moms prepare a “team dinner” - chicken pasta.
"I love that," Craft said. "It gets me fueled up. It’s just another way to get with the guys and hang out… laugh and make memories.”
Those little things are part of what makes a football season memorable. But Craft knows the biggest moments will ultimately come on Friday nights.
He has already started thinking about what comes next, too.
"I'm looking for a school that will let me get on the field quickly," he said. "Also a school that gets me prepared for a career being in front of the camera—the sports media field."
It's an interesting second dream for a player whose first dream is to play on Sundays. And if Craft gets his way, he'll have plenty of football stories to tell.
His own destination remains unwritten, but Craft isn't waiting around for someone else to write it for him. He plans to do it himself, one carry, one catch and one big play at a time.
"I want the ball."
For an Elkins running back with something to prove, that's more than a statement. It's a mindset.
A second-team all-district selection a season ago, Nwawueze led the Lions with six sacks and nine tackles for loss while recording 30 tackles overall. But the numbers only tell part of his development.
“Analyzing plays and improving my get-off has allowed me to step up my game,” Nwawueze said. “There’s a lot you can gain by paying attention to the details — how the tackle lines up across from you, which pass-rush moves to use to get past the block, and being aware of the option plays.”
Farrah Sheeren (VYPE)
His growth as a teammate, though, has come from somewhere a little less tangible.
“I feel like, as a player, I’ve been able to develop my confidence and mental strength over the years,” he said. “That’s not something you can do on your own, so I credit a lot of that to the examples set by the leaders before me. For me, I feel like I can relate to anyone and be approachable. That helps with communication, and you can see that dynamic show up on the field.”
It’s an outlook that traces back to his earliest varsity experiences.
“My love for football comes from my teammates, for real,” Nwawueze said. “Going from JV to varsity, I realized I wasn’t the fastest guy out there. But I also learned that I didn’t necessarily have to be. I got my first sack in my first varsity game, and everyone was celebrating. It was a good moment, and it’s moments like that with my teammates that keep me going.”
That same sense of togetherness now carries into a Lions team that has already shown what progress can look like.
Alief Taylor improved from 1-9 in 2024 to 4-6 last fall, and that momentum has continued into 2026. With a fresh slate of district opponents — including teams from Spring Branch ISD and Houston ISD, in addition to their Alief rivals — the Lions are looking to take another step forward.
The featured standouts of the 2026–27 Alief Taylor Lions football team.Dana Strange (VYPE)
For Nwawueze, the difference may ultimately come down to something the numbers can’t capture.
“Honestly, it’s going to be our mentality that separates us from the teams we face,” he said. “From a skill standpoint, we’re on a level playing field. So, how we approach each game and work through the preparation — that’s what should determine how far we go.”
Beyond football, Nwawueze plans to pursue a career as a physical therapist, beginning certification training through Patient Care after graduation. For now, though, his focus remains on one more season — and on helping the Lions discover just how far their progress can take them.
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