Friday, September 18, 2026 | 7 p.m. | Pugh Field, The Woodlands

Team Snapshot: Hitchcock Bulldogs

• Current record: 2–1 overall, 0–0 in district
• Head coach: Craig Smith
• Head coach’s overall record: 101–61
• Head coach’s record at school: 101–61

Season So Far

• August 28: vs. Stafford — Loss, 43–42
• September 4: at Wheatley — Win, 27–8
• September 11: vs. Santa Fe — Win, 20–17

Team Snapshot: John Cooper Dragons

• Current record: 1–2 overall, 0–0 in conference
• Head coach: Erik DeHaven
• Head coach’s overall record: 52–26
• Head coach’s record at school: 43-23

Season So Far

• August 21: at St. Thomas — Loss, 75–47
• August 28: at Fort Bend Christian Academy — Win, 69–20
• September 4: vs. Fort Worth All Saints’ Episcopal — Loss, 44–7

The Breakdown

Hitchcock presents a difficult combination of strength, speed and big-play ability. Running back Cam’ron Taylor, wide receiver DeSahun Turner and athletic quarterback Jordan Shannon give the Bulldogs multiple ways to attack a defense. John Cooper counters with an offense that has produced several explosive performers through its first three games.

Quarterback Colson Collins has completed 31 of 48 passes for 544 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. The four-year starter has also rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown, giving Hitchcock the challenge of defending both his arm and mobility. Conversely, John Cooper’s defense will have to keep Shannon contained while accounting for Taylor’s running ability and Turner’s explosiveness on the perimeter.

John Cooper freshman Peyton Channey has been the Dragons’ leading rusher, gaining 448 yards and scoring six touchdowns on 36 carries. His average of 12.4 yards per attempt includes two 100-yard performances and a season-long run of 96 yards. Channey has accumulated 549 all-purpose yards, but his status for the game remains a game-time decision. If he plays, Hitchcock will need to prevent him from reaching open space. If he is unavailable or limited, John Cooper will have to find other ways to establish its running game.

The Dragons have also been dangerous through the air. Senior receiver M. Breaux has caught nine passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 34.3 yards per reception. Senior tight end Jake Sneed has 10 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns, while sophomore Joe Norman III has seven catches for 77 yards and a score. Norman will miss the Hitchcock game and is expected to return next week.

Hitchcock’s fast, aggressive defense will attempt to pressure Collins and disrupt those downfield connections. John Cooper’s experienced offensive front, which includes Colton Walker and Colin Weaks, will be responsible for giving Collins enough time to find Breaux, Sneed and the Dragons’ other targets.

When Hitchcock has the football, John Cooper will look to a defense led statistically by H. Voss, who has recorded 19 tackles and two tackles for loss. N. Mendoza has contributed 15 tackles, while B. Nichols and R. Rovirosa have made 13 apiece. L. Triplett leads the Dragons with three tackles for loss and shares the team lead in sacks with M. Yakovlev at one each. Hitchcock will try to challenge that unit with its physical running game and the athleticism of Shannon, Taylor and Turner.

Special teams could provide another source of game-changing plays. Although Norman is unavailable after averaging 65.7 yards on three kickoff returns, John Cooper still has potential return threats in Channey, Jace Perry and Mendoza. Hitchcock’s explosive athletes will similarly test the Dragons’ ability to cover kicks and control field position.

Players to Watch

Hitchcock

• Cam’ron Taylor, running back: An elite runner who gives Hitchcock a physical and explosive presence in the backfield.
• DeSahun Turner, wide receiver: A dangerous open-field playmaker capable of creating big gains on offense and in the return game.
• Jordan Shannon, quarterback: A dynamic athlete whose mobility can extend plays and place additional pressure on a defense.
• Eli Walker, sophomore defensive back: An All-District playmaker who anchors Hitchcock’s secondary and can limit an opponent’s passing options.
• Elijah Brown, junior middle linebacker: The leader in the middle of Hitchcock’s defense, directing the unit and pursuing the football from sideline to sideline.

John Cooper

• Colson Collins, senior quarterback: The four-year starter has completed 31 of 48 passes for 544 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He has added 149 rushing yards and another score.
• Peyton Channey, freshman running back: Channey has rushed 36 times for 448 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 12.4 yards per carry. The highly recruited freshman, who holds eight Division I offers, will be a game-time decision.
• Michael Breaux, senior wide receiver: John Cooper’s leading receiver has turned nine catches into 309 yards and four touchdowns, an average of 34.3 yards per reception.
• Jake Sneed, senior tight end: The Toledo commit has 10 receptions for 79 yards and two touchdowns. His size, experience and 32 Division I offers make him a significant matchup concern.
• Jace Perry, freshman wide receiver: The UNLV offer has two receptions for 65 yards, including a 56-yard gain, and has also produced a 38-yard kickoff return.
• Hudson Voss, senior defender: John Cooper’s leading tackler has recorded 19 stops and two tackles for loss through three games.
• Nico Mendoza, sophomore defender: Mendoza ranks second on the team with 15 tackles and has also contributed an 87-yard kickoff return.
• Lucas Triplett, senior defender: Triplett leads the Dragons with three tackles for loss and has recorded one of the team’s two sacks.
• Joe Norman III, sophomore wide receiver: Norman has seven receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown and 197 kickoff-return yards, but he will miss this game and is expected back next week.

Recent Matchup History

No recent meetings.

From the Coaches

John Cooper Head Coach Erik DeHaven

“This is a great matchup against a strong, physical and talented Hitchcock football team. They have an elite running back in Cam’ron Taylor, explosive playmakers at wide receiver in DeSahun Turner and a quarterback in Jordan Shannon who is a tremendous athlete. Defensively, they play fast and fly to the football.

“For us, the formula is simple: do our job and eliminate explosive plays.

“Defensively, we must stop the run, keep their quarterback contained and make Hitchcock earn everything they get. Offensively, we have to protect our quarterback, establish the run and get the football into the hands of our playmakers. On special teams, we cannot give their explosive athletes opportunities in space—we must control field position and keep the ball away from their returners.

“This will be a tremendous challenge and exactly the type of game we want.”