CUB FOOTBALL PREVIEW: NEW FACES AND A BIG RETURN
The days are getting closer as the Brenham Cub Football Team gets ready to once again bask in the Friday Night Lights.
Realignment during the offseason was a mixed bag for the Cubs, who are entering their fifth year under Head Coach Danny Youngs. The teams in the district remained the same as they have been for the last two seasons with Brenham paired up against Belton, Bryan Rudder, Killeen Ellison, Waco, and Waco University.
However, the Cubs have been moved from Class 5A Division II Region III, to Class 5A Division II Region II. At least on paper, it means that when Brenham gets to the playoffs, they could face a more difficult road to their ultimate goal of a State Championship.
In the latest edition of Dave Campbell's Texas Football '26, the Cubs are projected to win District 8-5A Division II. They also will go into the season ranked #10 in the state for Class 5A Division II.
Ellison is picked to finish second, Belton in third, University in fourth, Rudder in fifth, and Waco in sixth.
Last year, Brenham finished second in the district with a 4-1 record. Overall, they were 11-2 and made it to the Region-Semifinals of the playoffs for the second straight year, and three out of the last four. The two opponents that have knocked them out of the playoffs, Richmond Randle and Iowa Colony, are both making the jump to 5A Division I this season.
Brenham is in the process of determining who the starting quarterback will be after last year's starter, Xyron Upshaw, graduated.
The big return is Jakoby Dixon to the Cub backfield. Dixon returned to Brenham in the Spring semester determined to put last year behind him, and according to Youngs, he has come in, done the work, and displayed a great attitude. Dixon started as a freshman and sophomore, and this year, as a senior, he is close to breaking numerous school records this upcoming season.
C.J. Glover returns as a junior after taking on the starting runningback duties as a sophomore last year. Glover carried the ball 182 times for 1,156 yards, and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 279 yards, and three more touchdowns.
The Cubs have huge shoes to fill in the wide receiver department following the graduations of Chris Guidry and Cartelle Brown. Their most experienced varsity receiver is Nate Rau, who returns as a junior. Last year, Rau caught 12 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown.
On the offensive line, returners Dawson Moran and Aaron Carlile will anchor the unit, and they will have three new additions to their ranks.
On defense, Brenham did lose multiple starters, but they return several players who had breakout years. Dave Campbell's Texas Football has picked DB Ledrick Walker Jr. as the preseason defensive MVP in the district. Last year, as a junior, Walker had 60 tackles, 41 of which were solo, and 19 were assists. He also intercepted two passes.
Returning LB Brooks Roznovsky, who is a senior, is coming off a big season in which he had 70 tackles, 46 solo, and 23 assisted, to go along with four sacks.
Other top returners on Defense:
(Jr.) DT Job Rodriguez - 36 solo, 38 assists, 74 total tackles
(Jr.) LB J'Rius Booker - 42 solo, 17 assists, 59 total tackles
(Sr.) DB Quincy Adams - 31 solo, 18 assists, 49 total tackles
(Jr.) LB Rylan Lewis - 27 solo, 21 assists, 48 total tackles
For special teams, Bleu Cienega returns as the placekicker. Last season, he was fourth on the team in scoring. Cienega made 38 of 45 extra points, and 5 out of 7 field goals.
The Brenham Cubs begin their 2026 season with a scrimmage against A&M Consolidated on Thursday, August 20, at 7pm at Cub Stadium.
The first official game of the year is eight days later when Brenham renews their rivalry with the Huntsville Hornets on Friday, August 28, at 7pm at Cub Stadium.
Don't forget that if you can't make it out to the field, you can listen to Cub Football right here on KWHI 1280AM, 101.7FM, and KWHI.com.