Anderson-Shiro Owls Chase First Playoff Victory in New District
Source: KBTX News 3 Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
BRYAN, Texas — For the Anderson-Shiro Owls, the 2026 season brings a new district and the same old hunger: a playoff victory that has eluded the program for decades. Head coach Brad Hodges, entering his ninth year at the helm, is leading the team into Class 3A Division II’s District 13, a shift that promises a stiffer challenge but also a clearer path to postseason success. With 15 returning lettermen and six starters back on each side of the ball, the Owls are banking on experience and leadership to finally break through.
Anderson-Shiro has made the playoffs in four straight seasons and seven times under Hodges, yet the postseason trophy case remains empty. That drought is the driving force behind every offseason workout, every practice, every game plan. “It’s going to be a grind week in, week out,” Hodges said. “I think we’re going to be battle tested. We’re going to be hardened. We expect to be in the playoffs, and we expect to win playoff football games. It’s going to benefit us to go through that gauntlet to be in those games so that when you get to the playoffs, you’ve already experienced that. I think that’s going to help us in the long run, you know, get those playoff wins.”
The roster is anchored by a strong senior class. Ta’Colton Calhoun, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound running back and defensive back, is a four-year contributor and a vocal leader. “We all really want it. We want it every year, but this year we really want it,” Calhoun said. “If we get this win, it’d mean a lot to our community, our coaches, and the players. It would mean a lot for pretty much the whole town of Anderson.”
At quarterback, the Owls turn to junior Dalton Sechelski, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound dual-threat who brings a new dimension to the offense. “It’s really to make history and get that first playoffs win ever, school history,” Sechelski said. “I mean, that’s always the goal. We kind of had a rough bump in the season last year, but we’ve got after it this offseason.”
Other key offensive weapons include senior wide receiver Colton Oller (6-2, 180) and senior Tripp Hodge, who contributes at both wide receiver and defensive back. Sophomore Xavier Franklin, who saw significant snaps as a freshman, is expected to share carries in the backfield alongside Calhoun.
Defensively, the Owls are led by senior defensive lineman Gerald Turner, who recorded three sacks in 2025. Senior linebacker Ryder Price also plays tight end, offering versatility. Junior linebacker Cruz Vanegas and junior two-way lineman Ethan Harrison are top underclassmen to watch. The secondary features Calhoun and Hodge, both experienced returners.
Freshmen Brandt and Kade Kapchinski, along with new starter Nolan Womack, all logged meaningful playing time last year and are expected to take on larger roles in 2026. The team’s depth is a product of sustained success at the junior varsity level.
The Owls open the season on the road at Lovelady on Aug. 28, beginning a non-district slate that will test them before the grind of District 13. Hodges sees the tough schedule as a necessary forge. “It’s going to benefit us to go through that gauntlet,” he said, “so that when you get to the playoffs, you’ve already experienced that.”
For a program that has built a reputation for regular-season consistency but postseason heartbreak, 2026 represents a chance to rewrite the narrative. The pieces are in place: veteran leadership, a dynamic new quarterback, and a relentless hunger. Whether that translates into the long-awaited playoff win will define the season for Anderson-Shiro.
Article commentary
The Anderson-Shiro Owls’ 2026 football preview offers a classic small-town Texas high school sports story: a program with consistent regular-season success but a glaring postseason void. The narrative is both familiar and compelling. Under head coach Brad Hodges, the Owls have reached the playoffs in seven of nine seasons, including four straight appearances, yet have never won a single playoff game. That paradox — sustained excellence in district play followed by immediate elimination — frames the season’s stakes. Moving to District 13 in Class 3A Division II is a significant variable. District realignment can alter a program’s trajectory dramatically. For Anderson-Shiro, the new assignment may present either a more manageable path or a steeper climb, depending on the strength of the opponents. Hodges’s comment about the “gauntlet” suggests he expects a tough district, which could be a double-edged sword: it prepares the team for playoff intensity but also risks wearing them down. The coach’s philosophy — that hard games breed resilience — is sound, but it requires a roster deep enough to absorb the physical toll. Personnel-wise, the Owls are built around a strong senior class, particularly Ta’Colton Calhoun, a two-way player who embodies the program’s toughness. The transition at quarterback to junior Dalton Sechelski is intriguing. As a dual-threat, he adds a dimension the Owls may have lacked in previous years. However, his inexperience as a starter could be a liability in crucial moments. The return of 15 lettermen provides a solid foundation, but only six starters on each side means the team will need contributions from younger players like Xavier Franklin and the Kapchinski brothers. Defensively, the unit appears anchored by senior lineman Gerald Turner and linebacker Ryder Price, but the secondary is a question mark despite the return of Calhoun and Hodge. In Texas high school football, where passing attacks are increasingly sophisticated, the ability to defend the deep ball is critical. The Owls’ success may hinge on whether the defensive line can generate pressure without committing extra defenders. Perhaps the most significant factor is psychological. The Owls have never won a playoff game. That history can become a burden — a “can’t win the big one” label that players must consciously overcome. The quotes from Calhoun and Sechelski reveal a genuine hunger, but also a recognition of past failures. Hodges’s emphasis on the grind is an attempt to reframe the narrative: focus on the process, not the history. It remains to be seen whether that approach will translate into a breakthrough. From a broader perspective, Anderson-Shiro is emblematic of many Texas high school football programs that win enough to make the playoffs but not enough to advance. The difference often comes down to depth, talent at skill positions, and the ability to execute under pressure. The Owls have the components, but they must prove they can put it together in November. The opening game at Lovelady will be an early indicator of their readiness. Ultimately, the 2026 season is a crossroads. If the Owls finally secure that first playoff win, it will validate Hodges’s tenure and energize the community. If they fall short again, questions about what it takes to win in the postseason will only grow louder. For now, the optimism is palpable, the work is ongoing, and the goal is clear. Anderson-Shiro’s story is still being written, and the next chapter begins on Aug. 28.