REVEALED: Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Winners - Week 7

PLANO, TEXAS, October 7, 2026 - Ford is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the prestigious Built Ford Tough Player of the Week and Year Awards, one of the most celebrated honors in Texas high school sports that recognizes student-athletes for their performance, leadership, and commitment to excellence. During each week of the 2026 regular season, fans, coaches, and media are asked to nominate players at FordPlayeroftheWeek.com.

Ford is partnering with Texas’ most iconic media brand, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, to honor past recipients and showcase their achievements both on and off the field. Throughout the season, Dave Campbell’s will produce the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Show each Wednesday at 7 p.m. on DaveCampbells.com and across Dave Campbell’s social platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X), inviting fans to tune in weekly and follow along for highlights, stories, and exclusive content.

The campaign will also be celebrated through Dave Campbell’s statewide media channels and UIL postseason broadcasts, with special recognition leading into the Built Ford Tough Player of the Year Banquet in January. A couple weeks after the banquet, one of the honorees will also be recognized with the Built Ford Tough Mr. Texas Football Award, a complementary honor that celebrates the state’s most outstanding high school football player as part of this season-long celebration.

This week’s winning athletes join a long list of remarkable players recognized for their exceptional efforts.  

Class 6A: Jaiden Fields, Senior, WR/DB, Hutto High School

Mascot: Hippos

Opponent: Vista Ridge High School

Jaiden Fields has made a habit of impacting games on both sides of the football, but even by his standards, this was a night to remember. The Hutto senior wide receiver and defensive back turned in a record-setting performance, hauling in 11 receptions for 210 yards and seven touchdowns, establishing a new Hutto single-game record for touchdown receptions. Fields was just as valuable on defense, recording five tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, once again showing the versatility that allows Hutto to rely on him in virtually every situation. The Oklahoma commit, three-star prospect and team co-captain is coming off a junior season in which he was named District 25-6A Overall MVP, an impressive distinction for a player who contributes on both sides of the ball. Fields also carries a 3.7 GPA, matching his production on Friday nights with success in the classroom. Whether he’s catching touchdowns, creating turnovers or making a game-saving stop, Fields has established himself as one of the state’s most impactful two-way players.

“Jaiden is a generational type of talent that is electrifying all over the field. Friday night’s performance was a record-breaking night. We are really proud of all his accomplishments on and off the field.”

Class 5A: Trey Wright, Junior, QB, Lone Star High School

Mascot: Rangers

Opponent: Liberty High School

Trey Wright is only a junior, but the Lone Star quarterback continues to play with the production and poise of a seasoned veteran. The USC commit was nearly flawless in his latest performance, completing 14 of 19 passes for 254 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception, another huge night for one of Texas’ most dynamic young quarterbacks. Through five games, Wright has thrown for approximately 1,395 yards and 19 touchdowns with just one interception, building on a remarkable sophomore season in which he passed for 4,042 yards and 38 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,764 yards and 16 scores. Wright finished that breakout season with more than 5,800 yards of total offense and led Lone Star to the second state championship appearance in program history. Already committed to USC, Wright has quickly established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the Class of 2028, and performances like this continue to show why his future is so highly regarded.

“An incredible performance by Trey Wright -7 touchdown passes to 6 different receivers and a well-deserved Ford Tough Player of the Week honor. His preparation, leadership, and execution were on full display. Proud of how he continues to lead our team!”

Class 4A: Aiden Zavala, Senior, RB, Tivy High School

Mascot: Antlers

Opponent: Davenport High School

In a game where the scoreboard seemingly never stopped moving, Aiden Zavala was the player Tivy kept turning to. The senior running back delivered a spectacular all-around performance in the Antlers’ 70-66 road victory over Davenport, rushing 23 times for 234 yards and five touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 139 yards and two more scores. Zavala finished with 373 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns, helping Tivy improve to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in district play while snapping Davenport’s 14-game district winning streak. The performance continued an impressive senior season for Zavala, who entered the matchup as Tivy’s leading rusher with 388 yards and six touchdowns, meaning his huge night pushed him to 622 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns through five games. A First Team All-District selection who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a junior and he also competes in varsity soccer. Zavala has become one of the driving forces behind Tivy’s unbeaten start. In a four-point shootout against one of the district’s toughest opponents, his seven-touchdown night proved to be the difference.

“What separates Aiden is that his impact goes far beyond wins, statistics, and individual honors. He has a genuine servant heart and is always willing to give his time to help others. Whether he is coaching younger athletes, volunteering with youth soccer, assisting with flood relief, helping at the YMCA, or greeting elementary students on game-day mornings, Aiden understands the importance of using his platform to serve others.”

Class 3A: Elyjai Barnett, Junior, RB/DB, Yoakum High School

Mascot: Bulldogs

Opponent: Marion High School

With Yoakum looking for someone to break open a district battle against unbeaten Marion, Elyjai Barnett delivered on both sides of the football. The junior running back and defensive back rushed 16 times for 147 yards and four touchdowns, added two receptions for 44 yards, and made one of the game’s biggest defensive plays with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. Barnett also broke up three passes, giving him five total touchdowns in a performance that showcased his ability to change a game from virtually anywhere on the field. Even more impressive, Barnett carried the ball just twice in the second half, and both attempts went for touchdowns, helping propel Yoakum past previously unbeaten Marion in a key district victory. An All-Area and All-District selection, Barnett also competes in basketball and track and field. Football success runs in the family, as his older brother X’Zavier Barnett, now at SMU, earned state championship game MVP honors during his own standout high school career. Elyjai is quickly building an impressive résumé of his own.

“Elyjai is a great kid, he shows up every day and goes to work. He never says much, just does his job. He leads by example and is very deserving of this award with the level of his play so far this year."

Class 2A: Drake Phillips, Senior, QB, Harleton High School

Mascot: Wildcats

Opponent: Ore City High School

Drake Phillips was all over the field for Harleton, making an impact as a quarterback, runner and defensive playmaker. The senior two-way standout delivered a complete performance in the Wildcats’ 35-14 victory, carrying the ball 20 times for 162 yards and a touchdown while completing 5 of 6 passes for 82 yards and three touchdowns. Phillips was just as disruptive on defense, recording seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Now a two-time Built Ford Tough Player of the Week, Phillips first earned the honor as a junior running back and defensive back after rushing for 162 yards and three touchdowns and intercepting two passes, including a pick-six, against Queen City. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in varsity basketball, Phillips has become the kind of player Harleton can lean on wherever he lines up. Whether he’s throwing touchdowns, carrying the football or creating havoc on defense, Phillips continues to find ways to make his presence felt.

“We knew coming into the season Drake was going to be a big part of the offense, what weren’t quite expecting was the impact he’s had in a new position on the defensive side and more importantly how he’s taken on more ownership of team leadership.  Drake is a confident but not arrogant young man and takes his successes in stride and is good about giving credit to others”.  

Private School: Wayne Shanks Jr., Senior, RB, The Kinkaid School

Mascot: Falcons

Opponent: Episcopal High School

When Kinkaid needed someone to carry the load, Wayne Shanks Jr. did exactly that, over and over again. The senior running back turned in a dominant performance, carrying 32 times for 281 yards and six touchdowns while adding two receptions for 38 yards, finishing the night with 319 total yards. It was another statement performance from one of the state’s premier private-school running backs. Shanks has been a centerpiece of Kinkaid’s back-to-back SPC championship teams in 2024 and 2025, earning SPC Championship Game MVP honors both years along with two All-Conference and All-State selections. The Arizona commit was also named the 2025 Texas Private School Player of the Year and is regarded among the top running backs in Texas. As impressive as his résumé is on the field, his coaches point just as quickly to the qualities that define him away from it, describing Shanks as hardworking, humble and respected throughout the Kinkaid community. He also gives back through community service efforts, making his impact extend well beyond Friday nights.

“Wayne is everything you want in a player. Humble, hardworking, kind to all but those that try to tackle him.” 

How the program works 
The Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week program recognizes one high school student-athlete in six of the state’s athletic classifications each week of the regular season. 

Nominees must excel in three categories: 

At the end of the regular season, Ford and its advisory board will select one student-athlete from the 11 weekly winners to be the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year in each classification. Following the championship games, honorees will be recognized at a banquet next year and one winner will be elevated to be awarded Dave Campbell’s Mr. Texas Football.

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Ford F-Series: The best-selling truck for over 49 years 
Ford is the undisputed truck leader in Texas. Ford F-Series sets the standard for full-size pickups with leading payload, towing, interior roominess, strength, and reliability. Ford is proud to recognize the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.  

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities, and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services, including BlueCruise (ADAS) and security. The company offers freedom of choice through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles (“EVs”) along with embedded software that defines always-on digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, the company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 169,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at fromtheroad.ford.com.

About Dave Campbell’s Texas Football

For over 66 years, the iconic Dave Campbell’s Texas Football media brand has been “The Bible” for millions of football fans across Texas. Its annual summer edition is essential reading for rabid football fans, previewing every high school and college team in the state. Known for its comprehensive coverage, TexasFootball.com offers extensive digital content, including team and recruit rankings, scores, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and daily shows. Additionally, Dave Campbell’s Texan Live streams over 2,000 live sporting events each year, bringing fans closer to the action.

Contact:

Lindsey Beane

Ford Motor Company 

304-546-3811

lindsey.beane@bursonglobal.com