Leander Rouse Raiders

Head Coach: Mark Hopkins (1st season)

Last Season: 6-4; 4-3 in district

Rouse Key Players and Storylines

Rouse won its final four games in 2025, but a three-game losing streak to open district play ultimately kept the Raiders out of the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Now, the trick is whether they can keep the momentum they had at the end of last season facing both a move up to 6A for the first time and the challenge of welcoming in a new head coach this fall. Mark Hopkins will be just the second head coach in Rouse history after Josh Mann took the Belton job following a 16-year stint with the Raiders.

The Raiders will also have a new quarterback and starting running back, but receiver Aubryn Davis (1,010 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns) will cause problems for any secondary he faces this year. In the backfield, powerful 6’1″, 200-pound running back Joshua Park (259 rushing yards and four touchdowns) appears ready to step into the lead role this year.

Grateful for the opportunity to compete vs CPHS and Waco Midway.
Over both games: 3 TDs | 72 Rushing Yards | 167 Receiving Yards.
Focused on growth and continuing to improve each week.@RouseRaidersFB @1RoUSeFB @RecruitRouse @CoachLBrooks @ElrodCoach pic.twitter.com/tWKkybeZ5K

— Aubryn Davis (@AubrynDavis) October 5, 2025

Defensively, Rouse trusts junior cornerback Miles Burrell (29 tackles) to operate on an island against opposing top receivers. He’ll have help behind him from sure tackling safety Liam Mongold (77 tackles, three INTs). In the front seven, linebacker Greysen Simpson (47 tackles, six TFLs) will need to step up after Rouse graduated three all-district linebackers, while 6’5″, 234-pound defensive lineman Marc Hall is a returning second team all-district selection.

Rouse won’t be intimidated by the move into 24-6A. The Raiders went 2-1 against the three teams that are moving up with them. Their biggest key will be settling in new starters on each side of the ball as they look to compete at the 6A level right away.

Rouse Raiders 2026 Football Schedule

*Denotes District 24-6A Contest