Final Buddy Moorhead Pigskin Preview Closes a 50-Year Run
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Six District 13-6A coaches looked ahead to the 2026 season as a longtime Conroe football tradition reached its final luncheon.
Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 | Noon
CONROE, Texas — The 2026 Buddy Moorhead Pigskin Preview gathered a sold-out crowd at the Lone Star Convention Center on Wednesday for the 50th and final edition of a luncheon that has helped open the local high school football season for generations.
Hosted by the Conroe Noon Lions Club, the event brought together head coaches, district administrators, principals, community leaders and supporters for one last preseason conversation under the Pigskin Preview name. The six participating Conroe ISD programs were the Caney Creek Panthers, Conroe Tigers, Grand Oaks Grizzlies, Oak Ridge War Eagles, The Woodlands College Park Cavaliers and The Woodlands Highlanders.
The Conroe Noon Lions Club is a local service organization with members from business, government and civic life. The luncheon began in 1976 and was later named for Buddy Moorhead, the former Conroe High School head football coach and Lions Club member who died in 1983. Conroe High School’s football stadium also carries his name.
Each coach was first given a few minutes alone at the microphone for an opening statement and state-of-the-team update. The coaches then sat together at a table facing the audience, turning the second half of the program into a panel discussion about program identity, leadership and the season ahead.
The time limits mattered. Each coach highlighted several players, but no one had enough time to name every student expected to contribute. The players mentioned from the stage were examples, not complete preseason depth charts. With six district rivals seated together, the limited disclosures also suggested that a little preseason gamesmanship had already started. No coach was likely to hand opponents a full scouting report in early August.
Conroe ISD’s representatives included Mark Murrell, Ed.D., assistant superintendent of high schools, and Chris Feris, director of athletics.
The six campus principals were Dr. Jeffrey Stichler of Caney Creek, Dr. Rotasha Smith of Conroe, Dr. Frederick Black Jr. of Grand Oaks, Nina Norman of Oak Ridge, Robert MacFarlane of College Park and Dennis Muehsler of The Woodlands. Their attendance reflected the event’s place beyond football: The principals represented their campuses while supporting the coaches, student-athletes and communities connected to each program.
The 2025 final District 13-6A standings provided the competitive backdrop. College Park finished first at 8-0, followed by Willis at 7-1, The Woodlands at 6-2, Grand Oaks at 5-3, Conroe at 4-4, Oak Ridge at 3-5, New Caney at 2-6, Caney Creek at 1-7 and Cleveland at 0-8.
Those results placed the six coaches in different positions entering 2026. College Park is defending a district championship. Grand Oaks is building on its first playoff season. The Woodlands is marking its own 50-year football milestone. Oak Ridge brings back defensive experience, while Caney Creek and Conroe are working to turn offseason habits into a stronger fall.
Jim Rapp — The Woodlands Highlanders
Two 50-year milestones meet
The final Pigskin Preview shared its anniversary with The Woodlands, which is celebrating the 50th year of Highlander football.
Coach Jim Rapp, entering his 36th year as a district employee, connected the current team to the program’s beginning. He said the first McCullough players competed in 1976, with a freshman McCullough team playing at Conroe High School in 1975 before the program fully took shape.
Rapp said the Highlanders graduated a large group but return a team he described as fast and strong. He highlighted Magnus Herndon, whom he identified as one of the state’s sack leaders last season, and Carter Cass, a fast receiver in the Class of 2028.
During the panel, Rapp was asked whether College Park’s narrow victory over The Woodlands last season would make the next meeting a revenge game. He rejected the premise.
“We worry about getting better every day,” Rapp said.
His message was that history and rivalry cannot replace daily improvement. The Highlanders must become better enough to finish close games that went the other way a year ago.
Tyler Blackshire — Oak Ridge War Eagles
Experienced defense sets the starting point
Oak Ridge coach Tyler Blackshire said the War Eagles return eight defensive starters, giving the program an experienced group on one side of the ball.
He highlighted 6-foot-7 defensive end Finn Walker, defensive back Christopher Salem and defensive back Ahrie Jackson. Blackshire said Salem can play multiple positions in the secondary and may also help on offense. Oak Ridge also returns three offensive linemen while replacing more personnel on offense.
Blackshire described the program through three E’s: effort, enthusiasm and execution. Players are expected to bring effort and enthusiasm. The coaching staff then helps turn those habits into execution when the game plan is tested.
Rather than promise a record, Blackshire focused on reaching the fourth quarter with an opportunity to finish. For a team that ended district play at 3-5 last season, the returning defense gives Oak Ridge a place to begin.
Taylor Cobb — Caney Creek Panthers
A district graduate returns to lead
Caney Creek coach Taylor Cobb spoke as the leader of the Panthers and as a product of Conroe ISD. Cobb graduated from Oak Ridge in 2003 and said coaching in the district gives him an opportunity to serve the community that helped shape him.
He named receiver Amarien Hughes, two-way lineman Trenton Charping and senior Kaleb Marshall among the players to watch. Marshall played quarterback and defensive back last season and may again handle several roles.
Cobb described Marshall as the heartbeat of the team because of the way he has set standards, held teammates accountable and helped lead summer work.
Caney Creek’s program language centers on effort, focus, toughness and team. Cobb said “team” carries a phrase he remembers seeing on a whiteboard as an Oak Ridge freshman: Together, everyone achieves more.
His daily message is equally direct. Today is the most important day because it is the only one players have. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow has not arrived. For the Panthers, progress begins with the next practice, assignment and play.
Michael Buro — College Park Cavaliers
A new coach inherits a district champion
Michael Buro took over the College Park program in March after serving as the offensive coordinator at San Antonio Johnson. Johnson finished 13-1 in 2025. College Park went 11-2, won its first outright district championship and reached the regional semifinals under Kyle Coats, who left to become the head coach at Humble Atascocita.
Buro grew up in Brenham, Texas and told the audience that joining College Park felt like coming home. He also acknowledged the unusual challenge of becoming the new coach of a team coming off the best season in school history.
The Cavaliers return quarterback Camden Hughes, running back Duke Stephens and tight end Brian Snodgrass. Buro also mentioned Jordan White and James Cabarrus as experienced players in the secondary.
Hughes is committed to Cincinnati after passing for 2,648 yards and 36 touchdowns as a junior. He added nine rushing touchdowns, accounting for 45 total scores. Wide receiver Julian Cromartie is committed to Clemson. Cromartie is the son of former NFL All-Pro Antonio Cromartie.
Those commitments add to the expectations around a roster that already knows how to win. Buro’s task is to preserve what worked while establishing his own identity.
College Park’s four words are discipline, effort, toughness and pride. Buro defined discipline as doing things correctly, effort as giving everything, toughness as finding a way without excuses and pride as putting the group before the individual.
“It’s not about me. It’s about us,” Buro said.
The Cavaliers’ 8-0 district record makes them the team everyone else is measuring against, but Buro said last season cannot become the finish line. His message is to improve by 1% each day rather than become satisfied with the championship already earned.
Shaun McDowell — Grand Oaks Grizzlies
A breakthrough becomes the new baseline
Grand Oaks coach Shaun McDowell entered the luncheon with a program coming off its most significant season. The Grizzlies finished 8-4 overall, reached the playoffs for the first time and earned the first postseason victory in school history.
McDowell highlighted receiver Darnell Jackson Jr., offensive lineman Joel Botchway, safety Jalen Ashley and defensive lineman Chase Leonard. Jackson competed at the state track meet and is committed to Utah. Botchway is committed to Lamar, Ashley to Georgetown and Leonard to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The roster also includes players who started as sophomores and now enter their junior seasons with experience. McDowell said the mix of veterans and younger talent gives Grand Oaks a base for the next step.
The program uses “GROWL” to represent growth mindset, respect, ownership, work ethic and leadership. Last season, the Grizzlies talked about unleashing the growl. This year, the phrase is about growing it.
McDowell made clear that last season’s firsts do not guarantee anything in 2026.
“Show up and do the work,” McDowell said.
The statement captured the tone across the table. The coaches used different acronyms and phrases, but each returned to consistent effort, responsibility and improvement.
Cedric Hardeman — Conroe Tigers
The hometown coach brings the luncheon home
Cedric Hardeman received the hometown treatment. Warner Phelps introduced him as “the pride of Conroe ISD” and the group’s favorite coach. Conroe High School’s stadium bears Buddy Moorhead’s name.
Hardeman is entering his ninth year at Conroe. Before discussing the roster, he recognized principal Dr. Rotasha Smith for leading a campus of more than 5,000 students through construction. He said the construction is scheduled to be completed this year.
The Tigers reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons before missing the postseason in 2025. Hardeman accepted responsibility and said the program returned to its foundation.
Conroe divides the year into phases rather than describing one period as the offseason. During the foundation phase, the Tigers slowed down, rebuilt habits and focused on leadership.
Quarterback Cameron Nunley was one of the players Hardeman identified. The coach said Nunley evaluated his previous season, returned to fundamentals and worked on becoming a more vocal leader. Conroe’s quarterbacks stayed in the weight room with their teammates and did not begin throwing until March.
Defensive end Alexander Coey was the other player Hardeman discussed at length. Hardeman said Coey has more than 21 Division I offers, but his responsibility goes beyond recruiting. The coach challenged him to bring teammates along, set an example and hold others accountable.
Conroe’s “ACTS” standard stands for accountability, compete, trust and sacrifice. Hardeman said the words are intended to reach beyond football. Accountability applies to players and adults. Competition teaches students how to prepare, win, lose and respond. Trust requires honesty, including difficult conversations. Sacrifice means understanding that reaching one goal may require giving up something else.
Hardeman’s final remarks returned the program to the meaning of the last luncheon. He spoke about Lions Club members and community supporters who helped him when he arrived for his first head coaching job. He remembered coming from southwest Houston and initially feeling like an outsider.
Nine years later, he said, Conroe feels like home.
“I hope it’s not the last,” Hardeman said.
The words carried beyond his appearance. They reflected the announcement that a 50-year gathering was ending even as the work represented on the stage continued.
The final panel did not produce a preseason champion or reveal complete depth charts. It placed six rivals in one room and allowed the community to hear what each program values before the scoreboards turn on.
The Woodlands spoke about daily improvement. Oak Ridge emphasized effort, enthusiasm and execution. Caney Creek focused on effort, focus, toughness and team. College Park discussed discipline, effort, toughness and pride. Grand Oaks defined growth through respect, ownership, work ethic and leadership. Conroe closed with accountability, competition, trust and sacrifice.
That common ground helps explain why the Buddy Moorhead Pigskin Preview lasted 50 years. Football brought people to the luncheon, but the annual conversation was also about schools, students and the community built around them.
The final edition ended with the season still ahead. College Park will try to defend its district title. The Woodlands will mark 50 years of football. Grand Oaks will build on its first playoff victory. Oak Ridge will lean on an experienced defense. Caney Creek will continue building around the day in front of it. Conroe will return to Buddy Moorhead Stadium with a renewed emphasis on foundation.
There will be no 51st Pigskin Preview next August. The coaches’ messages, however, will continue in meeting rooms, weight rooms, practices and Friday night games across Conroe ISD.
The luncheon’s final chapter closed Wednesday. The 2026 football season is just beginning.
By The Woodlands Student Center Staff
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