Texas high school football is more than just a game — it’s a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it’s unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

Today’s Spotlight: The Mart Panthers

The Rundown

Mart is the greatest Class 2A program in Texas High School Football history, synonymous with small-school football dominance. The Panthers are tied for the most state championship appearances with 15, and rank second all-time with 844 wins. Five different head coaches have won a state championship in four different decades.

By The Numbers 

Class – 2A Division II
Enrollment – 244
Location – McLennan County, 20 miles east of Waco

Trophy Case

State Championships – 8 1957 (Co-Champs), 1969, 1999, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019
State Championship Appearances – 15 (1957, 1969, 1986, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023)
District Championships – 48 (most recent: 2024)
Playoff Appearances – 55 (most recent: 2024)

Glory Days 

This was a tough choice between the 2018 team that set the Class 2A Championship Game record with 76 points and the 1999 team, but we’re giving it to the ‘99 squad for going a perfect 15–0 and only allowing 100 points the entire year. The Panthers were led by the Cosby brothers (more on Quan following) and John Garrett, who became a four-year starter as a linebacker at Baylor.

The GOAT

Small-school football requires most players to play both ways, but nobody did it quite like Quan Cosby. He was a five-time all-state player from 1999-00, earning quarterback and defensive back honors twice each and adding kick returner as a senior. Cosby was the back-to-back Class 2A Offensive Player of the Year and led Mart to a 30 game winning streak. He played four years of minor league baseball before becoming an All-Big 12 wide receiver at Texas. 

The Architect

This ain’t a case of recency bias - Kevin Hoffman led Mart to six state championship appearances in 10 seasons at the helm from 2015-24, accomplishing the program’s first three-peat from 2017-19. He was the second-fastest coach in TXHSFB history to reach 100 wins (109 games) behind Katy’s Gary Joseph.

Battle Lines

It’s hard to consider anyone a “rival” when the record is so lopsided in Mart’s direction, so we’re zooming out. Mart (844 wins) and Refugio (798 wins) are far and away the most dominant programs in Class 2A. Mart spoiled Refugio’s back-to-back state title bid in 2017, but Refugio got revenge in a 48-40 win in 2019.

Home Turf

Mart opened the Mart I.S.D. Athletic Complex, with its signature purple track, in 2008. Nine of the program’s 15 state championships were built on this field. 

The Year That Was

In a testament to how dominant this team is, Mart’s 9–3 record last year was the first time the program didn’t reach double-digit wins since 2015, which was Coach Kevin Hoffman’s first season. De’Montrel Medlock did it all for Mart offensively, recording 663 passing yards, 785 rushing yards and 575 receiving yards. Mart lost a heartbreaker in the second round of the playoffs, falling 31-30 to Overton.

Looking Ahead

Mart tabbed Robinson head coach Chris Lancaster to take over for the now retired Hoffman. Lancaster turned Robinson around, leading the program to back-to-back playoff appearances after the team hadn’t won more than three games in the three previous seasons. Now, he inherits a juggernaut. Rising senior running back Ah’Maad Scott should be the focal point on offense, while Ethan Hocking and Zach Medlock form a loaded defensive secondary.

Xs and Os

Offense – Multiple
Defense – 4-3

On the Rise 

Defensive end Andrew Wiley earned First Team All-District last season as a sophomore and led Mart in sacks. 

In Their Own Words

“First and foremost, the community and how they support the program makes it a special place… Not just people that are directly involved with the football program, but the girls’ coaches and girls in the athletic program and cheerleading. When it’s football season and you get into the playoffs, everybody in the entire town wraps up … Just like a bunch of the blue bloods in the state, the expectations are enormous … That if you’re involved in the football program, you’re going to play for state championships and play in December, which, to me, is way better than the other end of the spectrum.” - Kevin Hoffman