REVEALED: Built Ford Tough Player of the Week Winners - Week 9

PLANO, TEXAS, October 28, 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: JayQuan Snell, Senior, Safety, Waxahachie High School

Mascot: Indians

Opponent: Duncanville High School

JayQuan Snell turned one of Texas high school football's biggest showdowns into a defensive statement, leading Waxahachie to a dominant performance against powerhouse Duncanville. The senior safety and Texas A&M commit was everywhere on the field, recording 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, five tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Behind Snell's relentless play, the Waxahachie defense held Duncanville to an astonishing minus-four rushing yards, while limiting the Panthers to just 132 total yards and four first downs in the first half, helping the Indians build a commanding 35-14 halftime lead. The performance was another reminder of why Snell is considered one of the nation's elite defensive prospects. The four-star recruit is ranked No. 50 nationally, No. 2 among safeties and No. 6 overall in Texas by Rivals, while Dave Campbell's Texas Football ranks him the No. 1 safety and No. 8 overall prospect in the state. A former First Team All-District 11-6A selection, Snell recorded 60 tackles, four tackles for loss and five pass breakups in the previous season. Against one of the state's most respected programs, the future Aggie delivered a performance that showcased his explosiveness, physicality and ability to take over a game from the defensive side of the football.

“JayQuan is our leader on defense! He brings a lot of experience to this team, and his presence alone makes a huge impact. He’s a prime example of what Waxahachie Football stands for, and we appreciate his dedication to our program and community.”

Class 5A: Tre Moore, Senior, WR, Weiss High School

Mascot: Wolves

Opponent: Killeen High School

With a playoff berth on the line, Tre Moore delivered the kind of performance that has made him one of the most coveted wide receivers in the country. The Weiss senior was nearly unstoppable in the Wolves' victory over Killeen High School, hauling in eight receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns to help secure a spot in the postseason. The explosive performance added to another impressive campaign for the four-star University of Washington commit, who entered the game with a published season total of 554 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Moore has been a dominant force throughout his high school career, coming off a spectacular junior season in which he caught 85 passes for 1,443 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning District 12-5A Division I Offensive MVP honors. Moore attracted more than 40 college scholarship offers before committing to Washington, including offers from Texas, Texas A&M, LSU and Miami. With his combination of size, speed and big-play ability, Moore continues to show why he is one of Central Texas' premier talents, delivering when the stakes are highest.

“I’m extremely proud of his daily habits leading up to each game every Friday night. He has dealt with coverages, double teams and even triple teams at times, but his mindset never changes. Dominance is still the standard.”

Class 4A: Cayson Maupin, Senior, QB, Sunnyvale High School

Mascot: Raiders

Opponent: Ford High School

Cayson Maupin continues to put up video game numbers, and the Sunnyvale senior quarterback has the Raiders sitting undefeated atop the district standings. The dynamic dual-threat playmaker delivered another spectacular performance, throwing 331 yards and four touchdowns while completing 72 percent of his passes, then adding 142 rushing yards and three more scores. Maupin finished with an incredible 473 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns, showcasing the arm talent and explosive running ability that have made him one of Class 4A's most dangerous quarterbacks. The performance builds on a remarkable junior season in which he threw for 2,819 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,208 yards and 16 scores, helping Sunnyvale capture a district championship and reach the regional semifinals. A 2025 District Offensive MVP and Third Team All-State selection, Maupin has established himself as one of the Dallas area's premier small-school quarterbacks. Also, a varsity basketball player, Maupin brings experience, leadership and big-play ability to a Sunnyvale team with its sights set on another deep playoff run.

“Cayson is a special player, but what makes him even more special is the way he competes, leads, and represents our football program. His performance Friday night was remarkable- 473 total yards and seven touchdowns-but his impact goes well beyond the numbers. He's a tremendous competitor, a great teammate, and a young man who sets the standard for those around him. We're incredibly proud of him, and this recognition is well deserved."

Class 3A: Hoytt Wesson, Senior, QB, Jacksboro High School

Mascot: Tigers

Opponent: Henrietta High School

Hoytt Wesson put on an absolute offensive clinic, taking over the game with his arm and his legs in a spectacular performance against Henrietta. The Jacksboro senior quarterback was nearly unstoppable, completing 21 of 27 passes for 377 yards and four touchdowns while rushing 14 times for 112 yards and four more scores. He finished with a staggering 489 yards of total offense and eight touchdowns, accounting for nearly 78 percent of the Tigers' 632 offensive yards and eight of their nine touchdowns. The performance continued an explosive senior campaign for Wesson, who has emerged as one of Class 3A Division II's most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks. A former wide receiver and linebacker who has also contributed at free safety, Wesson brings valuable versatility and toughness to the position. He has earned multiple Jacksboro Player of the Game honors this season, including recognition for standout performances against Boyd, Peaster and Bowie. A team captain and multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball, baseball and track, Wesson gives back by mentoring younger athletes through the Junior Tigers program. Whether making plays from the pocket or creating opportunities on the run, Wesson delivered a performance that showcased his leadership, athleticism and ability to take over a football game.

"Hoytt excelled in every aspect of that district win Friday night. He is a tremendous leader for our football team and has the ability to put stress on defenses with his arm strength and accuracy, as well as his legs.  Hoytt is by definition a fierce competitor.

Class 2A: Bryce Burkeen, Senior, WR/DB, De Leon High School

Mascot: Bearcats

Opponent: Anson High School

Bryce Burkeen was everywhere for De Leon, delivering a five-touchdown performance that showcased why he is one of the most versatile players in Texas high school football. The senior wide receiver and defensive back dominated in the Bearcats' victory over Anson, hauling in 14 receptions for 188 yards and four touchdowns while adding 17 rushing yards and another score. Burkeen finished with 283 all-purpose yards, but his impact extended well beyond the offense. Defensively, he recorded four tackles, an interception and a pass breakup, while contributing 64 kickoff return yards and 14 punt return yards. He also handled punting duties, averaging 30.2 yards on five punts, including a perfectly placed kick downed at the 1-yard line that helped set up a safety just two plays later. He even converted a fake punt for a first down. The remarkable performance added to an impressive résumé that includes 2025 District Utility Player of the Year, All-Area/All-Region recognition and Texas Sports Writers Association Third Team All-State honors. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track, Burkeen continues to demonstrate the toughness, versatility and big-play ability that make him invaluable to the Bearcats.

“Bryce is a special player. He gets it done for us every Friday night in all 3 phases. He is our catalyst and many games we go as he goes. He is a high IQ football player who works his tail off during weekly preparation so he can play fast on Friday nights! We couldn’t be more blessed to have a player and leader like Bryce in our program.”

Private School: Kamal Atkins, Senior, RB/LB, Lubbock Christian High School

Mascot: Eagles

Opponent: Covenant Christian Academy

Kamal Atkins doesn't just lead Lubbock Christian on the football field. Sometimes he helps lead the band at halftime, too. The senior running back and linebacker delivered a dominant two-way performance in the Eagles' 52-7 district victory over Colleyville Covenant, needing just six carries to rush for 165 yards and four touchdowns, an astonishing 27.5 yards per carry, while adding 12 tackles on defense. The explosive performance was another reminder of why Atkins is one of the most versatile players in TAPPS football. A key contributor to Lubbock Christian's 2025 TAPPS Division III state championship team, Atkins earned Padilla Poll Coaches First Team All-State honors at both tight end and linebacker and was recognized as a Second Team All-District selection on both sides of the ball. His talents extend well beyond football, competing in basketball and track while also serving as one of the school's drum majors, occasionally trading his helmet for the conductor's podium during halftime. Known for his infectious energy, positive attitude and leadership, Atkins is the kind of student-athlete who makes an impact everywhere he goes. Whether he's scoring touchdowns, making tackles or helping lead the band, Atkins embodies the versatility, toughness and character that define a Built Ford Tough player.

“Kamal is a joy to have on our football team.  He’s been dominant all year on both sides of the ball, but more importantly he’s been a great teammate and a great leader. We’re grateful to have 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