SportzBuzz - March 2026 | The Buzz Magazines

By Todd Freed, Staff writer | February 25, 2026

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SUPER SIGNEE Strake Jesuit Crusader John Hebert was joined by family members for the school’s National Signing Day Celebration. Hebert’s 8,090 career rushing yards is the fourth highest total in the history of Houston-area high school football.

In the wake of a remarkable, historic career for the Strake Jesuit Crusaders, senior running back John Hebert officially signed to play college football for the hometown Houston Cougars.

Hebert was joined by Strake Jesuit teammates Cannon Aramburo (Washington University in St. Louis), MacGregor Byers (Wyoming University), Dario Contreras (Washington University in St. Louis), and JC Martinez (MIT) for the school’s National Signing Day ceremony at the Crusaders’ competition gymnasium.

“It’s really special to sign with Houston,” said Hebert. “Just the culture and all the great players they are bringing into the program is really exciting. The coaches over there know how to develop football players and know how to win football games. Coach Fritz has turned the football program around.”

This past season, Hebert rushed for 3,668 yards with 44 touchdowns, which ranks as the third highest single season rushing total ever for a Houston-area running back. In addition, Hebert’s 8,090 career rushing yards goes down as the fourth highest total in the history of Greater Houston high school football.

“I’m just really blessed,” said Hebert. “Playing football for Strake Jesuit was just so much fun. I’m going to hold on to those memories for the rest of my life. Looking back, I’m just happy with the success I’ve had and just grateful. To have my family here today is also really special. I wouldn’t be here today without all their support.”

Just last month, Hebert played in the Navy All-American Bowl and was also recently named the Greater Houston Offensive Player of the Year by the Touchdown Club of Houston, but even with all the accolades, it’s the relationships Hebert built at Strake Jesuit that stand out most for the Crusaders senior.

“Playing with all my great friends that I’ve made on this team is what I’ll cherish the most,” added Hebert. “These guys are my brothers. Being with them for every practice, every single game, and every team meal is something I’ll always remember.”

Johnathan Joseph, Foard Polley, Davis Kendall

SIGNING DAY The Stratford Spartans celebrated a trio of football players on National Signing Day including (from left) Johnathan Joseph (University of Houston), Foard Polley (University of Pennsylvania), and Davis Kendall (Air Force Academy).

Elsewhere on National Signing Day, the University of Houston also landed one of the area’s standout defensive players with Stratford Spartans cornerback Johnathan Joseph Jr. signing to play for the Cougars. Joseph is the son of former Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph.

“Johnathan is an explosive athlete who’ll do great things at the next level,” said Stratford head football coach Todd Rankin. “He’s also a great weapon on offense as a wide receiver and as a return man on special teams. Great things typically happen when Johnathan gets his hands on the football.”

In addition to Joseph, Spartans senior offensive lineman Foard Polley signed to play at the University of Pennsylvania and running back Davis Kendall is heading to the Air Force Academy. “Last year we had running back Javier Denson sign with Air Force, so it’s pretty cool for Stratford to have running backs go to play for the Air Force Academy in back-to-back years,” said Rankin.

“Foard is a high-academic kid who chose Penn over several other collegiate offers. He’s 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, and should make a big impact at the next level. He’s also following quite nicely in the footsteps of his older brother Hawkins, who plays tight end for the Baylor Bears.”

Alexandra Maldonado, Cruz Herrera, Charles Toussiant, Robert McFarland, and Martin Davis-Wheatfall

PROUD TEXANS The Lamar Texans will again be well-represented at the collegiate football level. Seen here at HISD’s district-wide National Signing Day ceremony are Alexandra Maldonado (Iowa State athletic trainer), Cruz Herrera, Charles Toussiant, Robert McFarland, and Martin Davis-Wheatfall. Lamar signees not pictured include Cade Mansour and Deverick Stone-Hubbard.

The Lamar Texans had five players sign to play collegiate football including quarterback Cade Mansour, who’ll join his brother and fellow Lamar football product Cole Mansour in suiting up for Southwestern University in Georgetown. In addition, Robert McFarland (Sam Houston State), Martin Davis-Wheatfall (Texas Wesleyan), Cruz Herrera (Trinity University), Charles Toussiant (Texas Lutheran), and Deverick Stone-Hubbard (Garden City Community College) will all represent the Texans at the next level.

“This class of seniors is an exceptionally hard-working group,” said Lamar head football coach Mike Lindsey. “These guys came in somewhat undersized and overlooked so it’s really cool to see how they’ve grown into the players they are today.

“I would describe them as self-made kids who’ve also made great grades and just gotten better and better over the course of their varsity careers. I’m just extremely proud of their accomplishments and I also expect to have several other guys from this senior class make their collegiate choices official in the weeks to come.”

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email [email protected].