Irving MacArthur Cardinals
Head Coach: Beck Nitcholas (6th season; 16-34 record)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-5 in district
Returning Lettermen: 22 (6 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)
MacArthur Key Players and Storylines
It’s a tale of two sides of the ball for MacArthur. The offense has a lot of returning talent, while the defense is looking for players to step up with just three starters back from 2025.
Starting with the offense, there’s no questioning the Cardinals’ passing attack. Both quarterback Brock Casas-Willis (1,200 passing yards, seven touchdowns) and receiver Derrick Washington are two-year starters, while fellow receiver Osa Omolade is the Cardinals’ speed option. That’s not all. 6’2” receiver Jayden Thomas and 6’5”, 250-pound tight end Cannon Spencer are both looking to have breakout years in 2026.
Head coach Beck Nitcholas knows the Cardinals will need to run to open up the passing attack. The good news is sophomore running back Jayden Burnett has the potential to be the “centerpiece of the offense” this season.
Defensively, MacArthur’s experience lies in the secondary with hard-hitting safety Gabriel Burnett and cornerback Jeremiah Johnson. Up front, the Cardinals are hoping 6’3”, 250-pound defensive tackle Idriss Ibrahim can evolve into the cornerstone of the defensive line.
NOT BAD FOR CB3‼️ ( Junior Season Film) @BNitcholas @DemarcusHaskins @MacArthurTX (5’10, 150lbs) 3.1 Unweighted GPA https://t.co/HBC4FCpFaW
— 𝒥ℯ𝓇ℯ𝓂𝒾𝒶𝒽 ✝️ (@JeremiahJ_14) November 10, 2025
Nitcholas admits there’s still a lot of unknowns about this year’s team with the roster turnover, particularly on defense. However, he expects the Cardinals to be able to compete in District 7-6A as they continue to work towards snapping their ten-year playoff drought.
2026 Schedule
*Denotes District 7-6A Season
August 28 vs. Carrollton Creekview 7:00 p.m.
September 4 @ Fort Worth Southwest 7:00 p.m.
September 10 vs. Azle 7:00 p.m.
*September 25 @ South Grand Prairie 7:00 p.m.
*October 2 vs. Irving 7:00 pm.
*October 9 @ Euless Trinity 7:00 p.m.
*October 16 @ Grand Prairie 7:00 p.m.
*October 23 vs. Irving Nimitz 7:00 p.m.
*October 30 @ LD Bell 7:00 p.m.
*November 5 vs. Haltom 7:00 p.m.
