Vote for Big Country High School Athlete of the Week for Sept. 28-Oct.4, presented by City National Bank

With the 2026 Texas high school football and volleyball seasons ramping up towards district play statewide, many of the Big Country's top high school athletes shined across the Lone Star State last week.

Several athletes had standout performances during last week's action and have been nominated for this week's edition of the Abilene Reporter-News' City National Bank Big Country High School Athlete of the Week .

The Reporter-News is taking weekly nominations and will release a list of finalists for the City National Bank Big Country Athlete of the Week at the beginning of each week.

Please include statistics from the week's games and any pertinent information or honors.

Students in all varsity sports are eligible and can only be named Athlete of the Week one time per season, per sport, and athletes from one school cannot win more than three consecutive weeks.

The poll will close at 5 p.m. Friday and the winner will be announced shortly afterward.

Nominations are due by 7 p.m. Saturday and can be submitted through email at sports@reporternews.com or Andrew.McCulloch@reporternews.com .

Take a look at this week's candidates and cast your vote.

Candidates for the Abilene Reporter-News' High School Athlete of the Week are listed in alphabetical order below.

Beal delivered his best game of the season so far in Abilene High's dominant 42-0 victory over Amarillo Caprock, throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing and adding a two-yard rushing touchdown on the ground too.

Carrington tallied 66 rushing yards and three touchdown runs on nine carries as well as one catch for 17 receiving yards to help the Panthers beat District 6-2A DII rival Munday 49-26.

Chapman threw for 189 yards and four touchdowns on 7-of-14 passing and also rushed for 47 yards on seven carries to help lead the Lions to a runaway 59-8 victory against Cross Plains in their district opener.

Follis – the Big Country's leading passer – had another big game through the air for the Bulldogs in their 56-0 rout of Hamlin in District 7-2A DII action, throwing for 246 yards and four touchdowns on a nearly perfect 13-of-14 passing.

Greenway threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-19 passing and also ran for 59 yards and three rushing touchdowns on nine carries to lead Goldthwaite to its fifth straight win in a blowout 61-0 victory over Miles.

Griffith threw for 223 yards and a touchdown on almost perfect 8-of-9 passing to lead the Wildcats to a runaway 52-3 road win against Frost in District 8-2A DII action.

Mejia shined in Colorado City's bitterly close 28-27 loss to District 2-4A DI rival Ozona, throwing for 366 yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-32 passing while also running for 46 rushing yards on 15 carries.

Newland ran wild for the Bobcats in their thrilling 58-52 road win over Jayton, tallying 295 rushing yards and six touchdown runs on 19 carries as well as 95 yards through the air on 2-of-6 passing.

Pinkerton fueled the Indians' electric offense in a 60-6 rout of Electra in Haskell's District 6-2A DII opener, throwing for 121 yards and four touchdowns on 7-of-9 passing and adding 58 rushing yards and a touchdown run on four carries.

Rangel reeled in six catches for 153 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the Warbirds' 42-0 rout of Amarillo Caprock in District 2-5A DI play.

Roberson ran for 142 yards and four rushing touchdowns on 16 carries to power Albany to a blowout 59-8 win against Cross Plains.

Ward racked up 131 rushing yards and three touchdown runs on six carries, 45 receiving yards and a touchdown grab on two catches, and 27 yards through the air on 3-of-3 passing in the Coyotes' 73-50 win against Whitharral.

Willison threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-22 passing and ran for 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the Moguls' 49-26 road loss to Seymour in District 6-2A DII action.

Wyatt found the end zone in the Buffaloes' 58-16 blowout win against Reagan County by scoring on an 80-yard punt return touchdown.

Ybarra ran wild for the Longhorns during their 45-20 win over Bowie, racking up 231 yards and three touchdowns on the ground off 25 carries to help Early close out non-district play with a dominant victory.