Second Baptist Football | A Season Built Through Resilience

From the outside, another trip to the state championship could suggest a smooth, dominant season for Second Baptist School football. The reality was far different. Tested early by a demanding pre-district schedule, the Eagles entered district play at 1-4. Two early district losses followed, dropping SBS to 1-6 in the season. What unfolded was a team choosing to grow through adversity, leaning on Christ and continuing to compete when circumstances refused to fall in their favor.

Senior quarterback Canon Toon’s season mirrored the adversity the Eagles faced as a team. After a shoulder injury early in the year and later a noncontact ankle injury, his season was repeatedly interrupted. With each setback, Canon leaned on his faith and stayed present with his teammates, trusting God’s plan while continuing to lead and support them. When he returned for the regional matchup against The Woodlands Christian Academy, he played through the injury, limping his way through a performance that helped secure a win few expected.

As the roster adjusted to injuries and uncertainty, others stepped into expanded roles. Sophomore Casey Dunn assumed the quarterback position during a critical stretch of the season, showing poise and leadership. Dunn provided stability for the offense and offered a glimpse of the program’s future.

The Eagles leaned heavily on senior running back Langston Davis throughout the year. Battling turf toe during the playoffs, Davis continued to deliver consistent production and explosive plays, recording multiple games with runs of 50 or more yards and scoring three rushing touchdowns against LSA. His toughness and reliability in the backfield kept SBS competitive from week to week.

By the time playoffs arrived, Second Baptist was no longer the team that opened the season. SBS began the postseason with a dominant performance against Victoria St. Joseph. That confidence carried into the regional round against The Woodlands Christian Academy, a familiar opponent that had defeated the Eagles earlier in October.

The rematch told a different story. The Eagles responded when it mattered most, playing with confidence and urgency from start to finish. Jordan Jones ‘26 sealed the win with a pick-six in the last thirty seconds of the game. What many expected to be a one-sided matchup became one of the season’s defining moments.

Momentum carried into the semifinals, where SBS battled past Lutheran South Academy to earn a return to the state championship.

Throughout the postseason run, the outside noise remained loud. Senior Kelvin Baptiste answered it with a simple question: Why not us? The phrase became the team’s playoff motto and the belief that steadied them every week.

The state championship brought a familiar opponent. Second Baptist faced Fort Worth All Saints’, the same team that ended its season in last year’s title game. SBS won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, then set the tone defensively by stopping All Saints’ first two drives. The Eagles scored first with a diving pylon touchdown by Canon Toon ‘26, followed by a field goal from Luc Normand ‘28 to take a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. SBS carried a 10-7 advantage into halftime.

All Saints’ responded in the second half, pulling ahead early in the third quarter. A highlight interception by Will Newhouse ‘27 earned a spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10, but momentum continued to shift. By the end of the third quarter, All Saints’ held a 21-10 lead. The Eagles continued to compete, but the gap proved too much to close. The final score read All Saints’ 34, SBS 16.

This season will not be remembered solely by a final score. It will be remembered for the character this team displayed through adversity and for the steady faith that anchored them in every moment. The legacy of this team will extend beyond this season and continue to shape Second Baptist School football for years to come.

State Football Photo Album