Two Division I commits power Horace football's receiving corps in 2026
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HORACE, N.D. — It is not every day that a high school football program can boast two Division I commits returning as its top pass-catchers. For the West Fargo Horace Hawks, that reality is still sinking in as the fifth-year varsity program continues to produce talent at an unprecedented level.
"That’s something we haven’t had is Division I football players and here we are, at Horace, having Division I football players," head coach Harvey McMahon said. "As a coach, it’s really fun, because we feel we have a lot of weapons and those guys are kind of leading the charge with those weapons."
The weapons in question are incoming seniors Aiden Green and Brett Livingston. Green committed to Western Michigan in May, while Livingston followed suit in July by committing to Western Illinois. Green has paced the Hawks in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last two seasons. Livingston finished second in all three categories during his junior year.
"I’d say that duo is just going to bring a lot of problems," Livingston said. "Teams are going to have to game plan for both of us but then have to play one-on-one ball. Someone might be double-teamed one play, but the other one will be open. Stuff like that is going to be hard for other teams."
Green’s speed combined with Livingston’s 6-foot-5, 225-pound frame creates matchup nightmares. McMahon plans to use the pair in a variety of alignments, moving Livingston to tight end or spreading both wide to exploit mismatches. Green, a two-time all-conference and all-state selection, earned first-team all-state offense honors in 2025 after catching 45 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 84 yards per game. While he is known for his offensive skills, Western Michigan recruited him as a cornerback. Green started playing significant defense only last season, recording 22 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a pick-six.
"I was mainly a receiver but then they threw me in on defense," Green said. "I made a couple of plays and then I’ve just been there since."
The 6-foot Green received offers from Western Michigan, North Dakota State, South Dakota and South Dakota State before choosing the Broncos, who compete in the MAC at the FBS level. "It was pretty exciting," Green said. "Mainly it was just the love they were showing me, how much they wanted me to be there and what their vision was for me."
McMahon praised Green’s willingness to be a two-way player. "He’s just a competitive kid that just wants to win," McMahon said. "He doesn’t really care if it’s by catching a touchdown, making a tackle or taking a kick return to the house. He just wants to win and we’re pretty fortunate that we get to put him all over the field."
Livingston broke out in 2025 with 27 catches for 508 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 50 yards per game. He uses his length and physicality to out-muscle defenders. "I use my length and I try to be more physical since I weigh more than most corners," Livingston said. "I just try to out-physical them and then just hoping [Horace quarterback Matthew Dick] puts the ball in the right spot."
Western Illinois recruited Livingston as a tight end, and he also received offers from Western Michigan and NDSU. The Leathernecks play in the Ohio Valley Conference at the FCS level. "I had a really good connection with [Western Illinois tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator Joshua Caraway]," Livingston said. "I went up there for a visit and the coaching staff was great. I just had a really good moment up there."
Early in high school, Livingston leaned toward basketball, but his junior football season changed his trajectory. "For him, he was juggling between football or basketball," McMahon said. "He found some success last year as a junior, and all he’s done is become addicted to the process of getting better. That maturity right now … I’m just so impressed with his fall camp so far."
Quarterback Matthew Dick, a senior, returns after an all-conference season in which he threw for 1,744 yards and 16 touchdowns. Having two Division I targets has made his job easier. "They make my job a whole lot easier," Dick said. "They’ve got a lot of talent, but they work really hard. They elevate our team and make us better. They can make a big play happen even when it looks like nothing could happen. It’s just nice getting the ball to them and letting them make plays."
In their first season in Division 3A, the Hawks proved competitive in 2025, finishing 7-3. Their three losses came by a combined 13 points, including a 21-20 state quarterfinal defeat to Bismarck Legacy. The team graduated 17 seniors, but key returnees like senior linebacker Reid Foell — who led the defense with 90 tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery — provide stability.
"Those guys had been there for so long and everyone knew their names," McMahon said of last year’s seniors. "And this fall camp has been so fun because now we have new names that are really excited to etch their names into the starting spot or the all-conference list and things like that. It’s just such a great opportunity for these young guys."
Horace opens the season at home against Grand Forks Red River at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. The Hawks’ approach remains consistent: a 1-0 mindset each week.
"We’re really honing in at the 1-0 [mindset] every week," McMahon said. "If we can just continue to compete amongst ourselves, and then when we turn our eyes to the team we play that week and just have a laser-like focus, that maturity is going to help carry us."
Article commentary
The West Fargo Horace football program is experiencing a remarkable inflection point. Having two Division I commits on the same roster — and both as returning starting receivers — is a testament to the program’s growth in just five years as a varsity team. But beneath the headline-grabbing talent lies a deeper story about the evolving landscape of high school football in North Dakota and the challenges of sustaining success. Aiden Green’s commitment to Western Michigan as a cornerback underscores a trend in modern recruiting: college programs increasingly value versatility. Green’s ability to play both sides of the ball, especially his defensive production as a junior, made him an attractive prospect. His offer list, which included NDSU and both South Dakota schools, shows that FBS programs are willing to poach talent from the FCS pipeline. Livingston’s path is equally instructive. Once a basketball-first athlete, he found his niche in football and parlayed a breakout junior season into an FCS offer. His development speaks to the value of late bloomers in a sport that often prizes early specialization. Head coach Harvey McMahon’s comments about the 1-0 mentality and the maturity of his players suggest a culture that prioritizes process over results. That approach helped the Hawks navigate a narrow state quarterfinal loss last season, and it will be tested again as they replace 17 seniors. The 2026 schedule is demanding, with games against traditional powers like Bismarck Legacy and Fargo Shanley. The key will be whether the supporting cast — particularly the offensive line and young receivers — can complement the star duo. From a strategic standpoint, the Green-Livingston combination creates a tactical dilemma for opposing defenses. Green’s speed stretches the field vertically, while Livingston’s size and physicality allow him to win contested catches over the middle. Quarterback Matthew Dick, who has proven capable of distributing the ball, benefits from having two reliable targets. The Hawks’ ability to move Livingston to tight end or split him wide adds an element of unpredictability that McMahon can exploit. However, the program’s success also raises questions about sustainability. Horace is a relatively young varsity program, and the graduation of 17 seniors — even with two Division I stars returning — highlights the cyclical nature of high school football. The influx of new talent McMahon mentioned in fall camp will determine whether the Hawks can maintain their upward trajectory. The development of players like Reid Foell on defense and the emergence of younger receivers will be critical. Ultimately, the 2026 season is a proving ground for Horace. The presence of two Division I commits brings attention and expectations, but it also puts a target on the team’s back. The Hawks have the talent to make a deep playoff run, but the margin for error in Class 3A is razor-thin. If McMahon can foster the same competitive spirit and maturity he praised, Horace could not only compete but also establish itself as a perennial contender. The story here is not just about two players — it’s about a program that is learning to win with the talent it has, and that is the real measure of success.