By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
Field general, dime thrower, signal caller. It’s just another way to refer a quarterback.
Sometimes, the exceptional quarterbacks are given these references out of respect. They have command of the offense. They can slow the game down and anticipate what’s going to happen before it happens.
That’s what separates them from the rest who play the position. They will be the No. 1 reason why a team flourishes and plays deep into the postseason. If they can march their teammates into the Thanksgiving weekend and beyond, then the season would have been successful.
As the NTX Varsity sports area coverage teams begin the 2026 Texas High School football season with this opening weekend, it’s proper to identify those who are a cut above.
Kaine Hill, Springtown, Sr.
It’s been magical first two years as the starter. Hopes are high in Northern Parker County for Pojo. The Porcupines are ranked No. 3 in the state Class 4A Division I poll. Entering his third year, Hill will surpass 5,000 yards Friday at Brock (he’s at 4,997). He’s thrown 65 touchdown passes. And he is a dual threat. Hill has accounted for more than 1,300 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns. He is the package. The only frustrating element is that Division I programs are leery of recruiting a smaller classification QB and haven’t offered….yet. Hill will find a place to play in college. Count on it.
Luke McKendree, Mildred, Sr.
Another rising three-year starter. McKendree has been solid for head coach Jeff Callahan’s program. He’s won 21 games and taken the Eagles to at least the second round of the playoffs in his first two seasons. Through his first two seasons, McKendree has thrown for nearly 3,600 yards and 33 touchdowns. If you only used stats as a measurement for his growth, then look no further than his completion percentage. It rose from 57 percent his sophomore season to 64 percent his junior year. Mildred is moving up to Class 3A Division I this year. McKendree will be tested more.
Tre Williams, Aledo, Sr.
This is an interesting story about this three-year starter. It comes with a twist. Williams started for Lewisville in 2024 and 2025, moved to Eastern Parker County and enrolled in Aledo this past January. But he comes with interesting history.
Williams has thrown for better than 4,100 yards and 45 scores. Aledo has been through its share of multiple-year and one-year starters. The last one that came through in the form of Williams was Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, who was the starter in 2021. Part of the responsibility for Williams is that since he is 6A QB by experience, he must lead this program into how the game at the 6A level is played. Aledo is moving up from Class 5A Division I.
Judd Connally, Jr., Glen Rose
At this time in 2025, former head coach Cliff Watkins let his QB competition play out until he named Connally his starter. Like any newbie, there were some rocky times. But it’s always about how you finish. The then-sophomore Connally graduated got the hang of the varsity game, trusted his reads more, stayed in the pocket more and let his feet carry him by design. Glen Rose’s season was his season. It started at 0-5. But it finished 6-6 with a district championship and a playoff win. Connally completed 58 percent of his attempts for 2,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. He also rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 16 scores. The next level in 2026 would mean exceeding those numbers and results.
Brailon Davis, Jr. All Saints
The junior is a tall drink of water as the old saying goes. This move-in from Mansfield Summit missed all of 2025 due to an injury. But the new lease on life could be the key to the Saints making a push toward a third consecutive TAPPS 5A Division II state title. Currently, it has a 29-game winning streak. Davis began things the right way with a solid showing against a very formidable opponent in the Aug. 21 opener in Parish Episcopal out of Dallas. Davis finished throwing for 257 yards and two touchdowns, an All Saints, 31-11, victory. His progression over these next three months will be a story line to track.
You could make the case that this is the year of the quarterback in the NTX Varsity Sports Coverage area. Leadership and composure will make it important for all of these quarterbacks to guide these teams to the goals they want to reach. It’s going to be a lot of fun watching them attempt to light up the scoreboard and put a bunch of Ws in the left-hand column.
Radio/Streaming reminder
Starting Friday, there is no better place to check out high school on the radio or via streaming between the LKCM radio family and NTX Varsity Sports’ streaming capability.
KTFW 92.1 FM has been the flagship station for Aledo since 2000 and it and the Bearcats return for another season. KRVF 106.9 FM begins its second year carrying Corsicana. And KOME 95-5 starts its third year broadcasting Granbury. All pregame shows begin 30 minutes before kickoff.
Meanwhile, NTX Varsity Sports will carry both Paradise and Boyd via its streaming capabilities. When you log on, find the team you want to listen to and you are there. The pregame show starts 15 minutes before kickoff.
Every game will be covered throughout the postseason. Happy football 2026.