Haltom Buffalos
Head Coach: Jason Tucker (13th season; 48-78 record)
Last Season: 4-7; 4-3 in district (Lost to Richardson in bi-district)
Haltom Key Players and Storylines
Haltom has earned back-to-back playoff berths for the first time since 2017-18. The Buffaloes haven’t earned three-straight postseason appearances since the late 1990s, so there’s a big chance to establish some consistency this fall.
Offensively, new leaders will need to emerge after the Buffalos graduated both their starting quarterback and a 1,700-yard rusher. They do have promising junior running back KJ Parks (553 rushing yards and three touchdowns), who was also a threat on special teams a year ago, and senior Elijah Lewis (554 receiving yards and seven touchdowns), who has established himself as Haltom’s go-to receiver. Up front, the Buffalos have strong bookends on the offensive line with 6’5″ tackle Simione Finau and fellow tackle Xavien Robins, a returning first team all-district honoree.
Defensively, the Buffalos have a proven group of seniors who all played big roles a year ago. They’ll be strong in the middle of the field with linebackers Yurem Ortiz (72 tackles and four TFLs) and Demian Ramirez Lopez (67 tackles, nine TFLs). Quarterbacks won’t have an easy time moving the ball through the air either with cornerbacks Keyan Parks (49 tackles) and Kyle Parks (42 tackles) and safety Jalynn Mack (40 tackles) all coming off all-district seasons.
The Buffalos will have a pretty new district with the Irving and Hurst-Euless-Bedford schools moving in to 8-6A. With their defense, the Buffalos will expect to be competitive with all of their new district bunkmates as they look to complete their best three-season stretch this century.
2026 Schedule
*Denotes District 8-6A Contest
Friday, August 28 at Brewer at Bear Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 4 vs. Richland at FAAC 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 11 at Bowie at Choctaw Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 25 * vs. Grand Prairie at Old Birdville Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct 1 * at Irving Nimitz at Ellis Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 8 * vs. L.D. Bell at FAAC 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16 * vs. South Grand Prairie at Old Birdville Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct 22 * at Irving at Ellis Stadium 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30 vs. * Trinity at FAAC 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Nov 5 * at Irving MacArthur at Ellis Stadium 7:00 p.m.
