CALDWELL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

The Caldwell Hornet Football Team enters the 2026 season in unfamiliar position.

Due to realignment, this year, they are dropping down from 4A Division II to 3A Division I. In 4A Division II, they were the smallest team in their district in terms of student population. Now in 3A Division I, they are the third largest in their district.

The Hornets are in District 12-3A Division I with Cameron Yoe, Franklin, Little River Academy, Lorena, McGregor, Rockdale, and Troy.

Dave Campbell's Texas Football picks perennial powerhouse Franklin to win the district. They are ranked 4th in the state preseason for 3A-DI. Lorena is picked to finish second in the district and 16th in the state. The rest of the projected order of finish is Little River Academy, Troy, Cameron, McGregor, Caldwell, and Rockdale.

Head Coach Sean Witherwax returns for his fourth season at the helm. Last year, Caldwell went 3-6-1, and they were 1-4 in district play.

The Hornets return seven starters on offense and seven starters on defense.

After getting a little time as a sophomore last season, John Fryrear (Jr.) is taking over the reins of the offense this season.

Making the Dave Campbell Players to Watch list for Caldwell are OL Ryan Woodburn, OL Logan Albright, RB/LB Krush Strange, and WR/DB Logan Carter.

The top Juniors are WR Jaden Hogan and OL/DL Walker Herman.

The top Sophomore is RB/LB Desmin Strain.

Caldwell last made the playoffs in 2017, and they are hoping this year might be the year that they break that streak.

The Hornets are scheduled to scrimmage Groesbeck on the road this Thursday night at 7pm. They will have their season opener on Friday, August 28 at Brazos-Wallis at 7:30pm.