Arlington, TX – The Arlington Martin Warriors have secured a spot in the Texas high school football playoffs after completing an unprecedented 10‑0 regular season, the first undefeated campaign in the school’s history, CBS News Texas reported.
The perfect record was highlighted by a late‑September victory over Aledo, where the Warriors snapped the Bearcats’ 136‑game district winning streak. “It felt amazing knowing that we were doubted,” defensive lineman Alijah Jackson said, recalling the halftime deficit and the comeback that put Martin on the map.
Quarterback Chase Devoll described the team’s bond, stating, “I feel like we’re all family. We all love this sport, and we would all die for each other on this field.” The players credit a cultural shift they call “The Black Team,” a unified group of young men focused on both character and competition. “The culture we decided to create is ‘The Black Team,'” Devoll added.
Head coach Chad Rives emphasized the long‑term effort behind the success. “Back in January we had to decide we’re either going to do this or not,” Rives said, noting that many of the current starters have been with the program since seventh grade and had not experienced a winning season in middle school or freshman year. He highlighted that eleven starters returned from the previous year, helping to sustain the momentum.
Martin’s turnaround is stark: the program posted a 7‑13 record just two seasons ago. The combination of returning experience, a new cultural focus, and strong community support propelled the Warriors to their first state‑title quest.
The Warriors will begin their playoff run against Byron Nelson in the 6A Division 1 bracket. Rives warned that the team cannot rest on its perfect record, noting, “When you have success, you have a target, so we welcome that.” Jackson echoed the urgency, saying, “I got to give it my all because this is going to be my last ride. I don’t get any do‑overs. I have to go all in not only for myself, but for my brothers as well.”
Arlington residents can look forward to the upcoming playoff game, which will be held at the district’s designated venue. The exact date and time have not been released, but the school will announce details on its website and social media channels in the coming days.
What’s next: Fans should monitor Arlington Martin’s official channels for the playoff kickoff time and ticket information. The community is encouraged to attend and support the Warriors as they aim for a state championship, a milestone that could further unite families and reinforce the town’s proud football tradition.
Sources: cbsnews.com, cbsnews.com, cbsnews.com
