Stephenville Yellowjackets
Head Coach: Sterling Doty (8th season; 76-19 record)
Last Season: 16-0; 4-0 in district (Defeated Kilgore in 4A Division I State Title Game)
Stephenville Key Players and Storylines
Stephenville slugged its way to a state title a year ago. The Yellowjackets only allowed 8.9 points per game and pitched a shutout against Kilgore in the 4A Division I State Title Game.
That unit did graduate its five leading tacklers, but the cupboard is far from empty. The Jackets will still be able to terrorize opponents up front with the defensive line duo of Nolan Griswold (65 tackles, 16 TFLs) and 6’5″ edge Jackson Richmond (56 tackles, 11 TFLs). Behind them, Cooper Rudd (58 tackles, six TFLs) will lead the linebacking corps while senior defensive back Xavier Gonzalez (55 tackles) is a returning second team all-district honoree.
Stephenville QB Trot Jordan earned Offensive MVP honors in last year’s 4A DIvision I State Title Game victory over Kilgore.
On the other side of the ball, virtually the entire unit is back. The Yellowjackets will be able to move the ball in a variety of ways with returning District MVP quarterback Trot Jordan (3,241 passing yards and 45 touchdowns) and highly touted senior running back Zyler McClendon (1,702 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns). Jordan also has two big targets to aim for in 6’1″, 190-pound senior Adan Jergins (945 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns) and 6’2″, 175-pound standout sophomore Caden Monk (912 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns).
Up front, Stephenville did graduate three first team all-district linemen but Army commit Cooper Doty and center Caysen Bergt return to anchor the unit.
Last year, Stephenville was known for its defense. This year, it’s the Yellowjacket offense that pops off the page. With so much experience returning, expect Stephenville to be in the mix for another state title when December rolls around.
Stephenville Yellowjackets 2026 Football Schedule
*Denotes District 12-4A Division I Contest
August 28 (Friday) — vs. Midlothian Heritage — 7:00 PM
September 4 (Friday) — @ Brownwood — 7:00 PM
September 11 (Friday) — vs. Lubbock Cooper — 7:00 PM
September 18 (Friday) — @ Abilene Wylie — 7:00 PM
September 25 (Friday) — @ Canyon West Plains — 7:00 PM
October 2 (Friday) — BYE
*October 9 (Friday) — vs. Lampasas — 7:00 PM
*October 16 (Friday) — vs. China Spring — 7:00 PM
*October 23 (Friday) — @ Jarrell — 7:00 PM
*October 30 (Friday) — vs. Burnet — 7:00 PM
*November 6 (Friday) — @ Marble Falls — 7:00 PM
