South Gray went 3–6 and will be “undersized with some speed” in 2026, according to head coach Austin Jantz. Jantz, entering his third season, is assisted by Kimble Martin. He notes they return the majority of their skill‑position players on both offense and defense and are looking for young guys to take a “big step up” next year.
The schedule pits them against Hodgeman County, Meade, Minneola, Elkhart, Sublette, Spearville, Wichita County and Stanton County. Offensively, South Gray returns five starters in base T and Wing formations. Junior quarterback Kasen Faurot (5‑10, 175) produced 378 passing yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception, plus 249 rushing yards and two scores. Sophomore back Tyler Thiessen (5‑7, 170) notched 203 rushing yards and two TDs with 106 receiving yards and two more scores, and junior fullback Branson Hoffman (5‑7, 175) added 174 rushing yards and a touchdown. Junior tight end Seth Thomas (6‑0, 150) logged 42 receiving yards and three TDs, while senior receiver Kyler Walker (5‑10, 145) contributed 52 rushing yards, 420 receiving yards and seven TDs. Jantz says they hope to use their speed and “be able to get the edge” out of their T and Wing looks.
Defensively, five starters return in base 3‑2‑3 and 3‑3 stack structures. Hoffman at linebacker was the leading tackler as a sophomore with 75 stops, five sacks and seven tackles for loss. Thiessen at linebacker posted 30 tackles, two TFLs, two sacks, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Thomas at DB had 21 tackles, an interception and three TFLs; Faurot at LB/DB recorded 26 tackles, three TFLs and a pick; and Walker at DB made 49 tackles with three interceptions and a TFL. The defensive philosophy is to fill gaps quickly using their speed and play physical.
Jantz highlights Hoffman as a strong, physical player who has led the team in tackles for two seasons and whose offensive role at fullback will grow. Thiessen is praised as a three‑sport athlete who started both ways as a freshman, dedicated to the weight room and now “fast and strong” for his age with a bigger role at running back and as a defensive anchor. With undersized but speedy personnel, returning skill on both sides and schemes built to get the edge and attack gaps, South Gray’s capsule fits neatly into your feature length as a “speed and growth” story for the Rebels.
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