As of February 2, a new district was announced for the high school football program. Locally, this means bigger competition, in the best way. 5A Division 1 means playing bigger schools by enrollment, so instead of choosing from what they have on hand, they choose their picks of the litter.
“By playing larger schools with bigger enrollments, we’ve been forced to play against a better talent pool of athletes,” Varsity Offensive Line Coach Jeremy Gillmore said. “That, in turn, forces us to get better. I think that we have gotten better by leaps and bounds over the last two seasons. I’m excited to see how we now match up with schools that are actually the same size and caliber that we are.”
So, in turn, is the district ready for this “better talent pool of athletes”? In response, there are two words for this: boot camp. In December through February, football players in the off season go through rigorous training to prepare them for the upcoming season. Various football players were asked to describe how boot camp feels to them.
“Boot camp is a place where you make brothers because we’re all going through the same pain,” sophomore Jaelynn Wilson said. “Can you do it? I’m tired? I need help? I need water? We are all putting the same sweat, blood and tears at the end of the day. All I really have to say about boot camp is that it’s going to show you your real character. If you’re going to give up or you’re gonna keep fighting with your brothers. Boot camp is a family. Because when you look over at him in a game and you can’t go any more, he’s [going] to be the one telling you to keep going. Remember all the sweat and tears you’ve had together. And you [are] going to keep pushing and pushing harder than you ever have. I promise you that.”
It creates brotherhoods and bonds that are able to get you through the rough games that go into triple overtime (Sept. 6, 2026 vs. Midlothian) or the difficult losses that can only be handled together and not alone.
“Boot camp is something we do in the off-season to prepare us physically but most importantly it prepares us mentally,” sophomore Jacob Vincent said. “Going through the difficult hardships of boot camp causes us to grow as friends and as a team. It forces us to learn grit and determination to grind out the exercises to the best of our ability. Ultimately when it ends you feel a sense of pride knowing how hard you worked to get there.”
Is boot camp viewed the same way from the coaches? From the perspective of Coach Gillmore, it’s safe to say that boot camp has the same views no matter who is involved.
“Our off-season is arguably the toughest and most effective off-season I’ve ever been a part of or know about,” he said. “We not only focus on becoming stronger/faster but we put a lot of emphasis on discipline, physical and mental toughness and competitiveness in everything we do. We will prepare for this district with the same mentality as we did in the last district. Our plan is when the game is over, whoever we play, questions themselves as to why they chose to play football in the first place.”
In the new district however, we see a familiar face, Burleson High School. When Gillmore was asked who the biggest rival would be, that was his answer. Even with Burleson ending last year’s season 2-6, they still look to be a threat.
“Burleson High School will be our biggest rival this year,” sophomore Michael Rickard said. “The reason why they will be is because we have always had a rivalry with Burleson since middle school. Every time we scrimmage them it turns into whose team is mentally stronger. Joshua vs Burleson will be one of the hardest fought games.”
To conclude, the 2026 season looks like it’s going to be a good one. New teams equal more wins in the win column.
“We have had a tremendous off-season so far,” Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Danny DeArman said. “Each day we are getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel!”
