Arlington Lamar Vikings
Head Coach: Zach Najarro (1st season)
Last Season: 5-6; 4-3 in district (Lost to Dallas Jesuit in bi-district)
Lamar Key Players and Storylines
Billy Skinner returned Arlington Lamar to the playoffs a year ago, snapping a five-year drought. But after he took a new role with Grapevine-Colleyville ISD as their executive director of athletics over the offseason, Zach Najarro will lead the Vikings into battle this fall.
Najarro had served as Arlington Lamar’s defensive coordinator last year and will look to keep the momentum going from last season’s breakthrough.
He’ll be licking his chops with the talent he has back defensively. Powerful linebacker Braylon Williams (101 tackles, 13 TFLs) is one of the best in the state at his positions and he’ll be joined by fellow first team all-district honoree Tallan Martinez (75 tackles, 9.5 TFLs). The secondary is just as good with Colorado State commit Shahariam Thurston (82 tackles, two INTs), a cornerback that’s not afraid to tackle, and fellow Division I prospect safety Xian Johnson (47 tackles, nine TFLs). Up front, 5’9,” 240-pound defensive tackle Adrian Davis has proven to be a frequent visitor to opponents’ backfields.
On third and long, Lamar’s Braylon Williams comes up with the huge INT and the Vikings gave it at the Horn 25, down 24-21 with 9:32 left @lamarvikings pic.twitter.com/f0LvT2R39z
— Devin Hasson (@DevinHasson) September 13, 2025
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings lose their starting quarterback, so speedy running back Tayrone Thomas (1,368 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns) will have to continue to steal the show. In the passing attack, their top two receivers graduated, but Tyshawn Rollins (353 receiving yards and four touchdowns) and Jacari Martin (254 receiving yards) will be looking to build off of strong junior years.
The Vikings may have finally secured their long-awaited playoff berth, but now they’ll be eyeing a playoff win. If the offense can find a quarterback and the defense can play up to its potential, the Vikings will have a great chance of building off of last year’s breakthrough.
Lamar 2026 Schedule
*- Denotes District 3-6A contest
8/28 vs. Little Elm at UTA 7:00 p.m.
9/3 @ Crowley 7:00 p.m.
9/10 @ Justin Northwest 7:00 p.m.
*9/18 vs. Arlington Bowie @ UTA 7:00 p.m.
*9/25 @ Arlington @ UTA 7:00 p.m.
*10/9 vs. Weatherford @ UTA 7:00 p.m.
*10/16 @ Arlington Sam Houston at Choctaw 7:00 p.m.
*10/23 vs. Arlington Martin at UTA 7:00 p.m.
*10/30 vs. Granbury @ UTA 7:00 p.m.
*11/6 @ Aledo 7:00 p.m.
