Season Preview: Harlan Hawks

<ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>San Antonio East Central</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Madison</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Brennan *</li>   <li>San Antonio O'Connor *</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Marshall *</li>   <li>San Antonio Holmes *</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Stevens *</li>   <li>San Antonio Taft *</li>   <li>@ San Antonio Warren *</li>   <li>San Antonio Sotomayor *</li> </ul>    [player_tooltip player_id='1517040' first='G'Ivori' last='Graham'] brings an explosive, multi‑dimensional skill set to Harlan's varsity offense at 5′9″ and about 187 lbs. A committed TCU running back as of June 2025, he's rated a three-star athlete nationally and taken over kickoff return duties and offensive touches with fierce impact. Despite losing part of his hearing as a child, Graham refused to let it limit him—his resilience and resourcefulness under pressure mark him as a true playmaker.   On the field, Graham attacks every opportunity with elite speed and vision. In 2024, he averaged over 12 yards per carry in key matchups—highlighted by a 103‑yard, 14.7 YPC effort in a district showdown—and he also averaged 19.5 yards per kickoff return. Scouts praise his acceleration and upright balance; his 4.3‑second 40‑yard dash testifies to his sudden burst, while his track and field training has sharpened his footwork and spatial awareness .   What truly sets Graham apart is his competitive fire and adaptability. Whether catching a flip pass in open space, powering through contact, or navigating special teams chaos without relying on perfect hearing, he plays with unshakeable confidence and instincts. His rapport with teammates—like tapping to read signals pre-snap—and his ability to overcome obstacles make him a leadership figure in the locker room. At TCU and beyond, [player_tooltip player_id='1517040' first='G'Ivori' last='Graham'] embodies resilience, explosiveness, and playmaking—qualities that promise a bright collegiate career.   Bottom line: [player_tooltip player_id='1517040' first='G'Ivori' last='Graham'] combines elite burst, vision, hands, and mental toughness—an inspiring, dynamic athlete who's stepping confidently into the college football spotlight.     Taveion Ford brings an explosively physical presence to Harlan High's backfield, standing 6'0″ and weighing in around 185 lbs. A multi-sport talent in football and basketball, he's already cracked the top 7 in Region IV's District 29 rushing yards with 450 yards as a junior—a remarkable feat in a competitive 6A district. Beyond his on-field production, he's also earned All-Academic and All-District honors, demonstrating a balanced approach to athletics and school .   On game film, Ford consistently displays a blend of vision, burst, and competitive toughness. He reads blocks patiently, explodes through seams, and, with his compact frame, absorbs contact effectively—dragging defenders and generating yardage after initial contact. In the receiving game, he offers value as a reliable outlet, working through the catch and turning short passes into positive gains—further showcasing his well-rounded back skill set .   What truly sets Taveion apart is his combination of athleticism, work ethic, and versatility. A standout on both the gridiron and the hardwood, he brings natural competitiveness and leadership to every practice and game. His balanced approach—excelling in football while maintaining strong academics and basketball participation—speaks to his maturity and coachability. With his blend of physical tools and instinct, Taveion Ford is poised to be a workhorse for Harlan's offense in 2025 and a rising prospect in the 2026 class.   Taveion is a dynamic, multi-dimensional back with the vision, burst, and grit to carry a big load—one to watch closely as he rounds into prime form next year.     Aldric Trotter may stand 5′10″ and weigh 160 lbs, but he's emerged as one of South Texas's most efficient underdog quarterbacks. As a junior starter, he's steered Harlan to deep playoff runs, putting up consistent big-game numbers. In a commanding 49–7 Thursday Night Lights win over Marshall, Trotter accounted for four touchdowns—three through the air (238 yards, 13-of-14 accuracy through halftime) and one on a 35-yard scramble—earning “Player of the Game” honors.   On film, Trotter's skills stand out through his precision passing, situational awareness, and spontaneous playmaking. With 238 passing yards and three scores in the Marshall game and a 35-yard touchdown scramble, his ability to shift gears from rhythm pocket passes to improvising with his legs makes him a dual-threat nightmare . He operates with a calm, commanding presence under center—whether dissecting defenses with timing or extending plays with athleticism.   What truly elevates Trotter is his resilience, leadership, and football IQ. After a slow start to the season, he refocused in time to spark Harlan's playoff run, including a 41–23 win over Clark where he threw for 191 yards with a touchdown and rushed for 132 yards with two more scores. Teammates and coaches praise his study habits, communication at the line, and the trust he instills on every drive. Aldric Trotter blends precision passing, clutch athleticism, and cerebral command—traits that make him a quarterback to watch as he heads into his senior year.   A compact, confident dual‑threat with a knack for clutch execution—Trotter is living proof that size doesn't define leadership or production at the quarterback position.     Maddox Berantuo brings a rare combination of size and athleticism to Harlan's defense, standing 6′3″ and around 215 lbs, with a 4.5‑second 40-yard dash and a reported 3.65 GPA—an impressive blend of physical capability and mental acuity. As a varsity junior in 2024, he posted 38 tackles (23 solo), averaged 4.2 stops per game, notched 6 sacks, and generated 7 quarterback hurries—all in just 9 games . Those numbers place him among Region IV's most productive linebackers and edge disruptors.   What sets Maddox apart is his playstyle—instinctive aggression paired with fluid athleticism. Prep Redzone recently spotlighted him in their “San Antonio 2026 linebackers to watch,” praising his 6′3″ frame and disruptive presence at the second level. Film breakdowns highlight his quick-trigger gap shooting, decisive downhill pursuit, and effective pass-rush counters. Whether blitzing off the edge or dropping into short zones, he blends fierce physicality with enough lateral range to impact both run defense and passing lanes.   Beyond talent, Berantuo's leadership and work ethic stand out. A first-year varsity starter who took charge in summer training, he's known for film-room preparation, vocal sideline presence, and high effort in every phase. His academic standing and focus have earned respect from coaches and teammates alike. As a 2026 junior, Maddox Berantuo is not just a standout on paper—but a developing defensive field general with the traits and production to be a serious college prospect.   Bottom line: Maddox combines size, speed, and tenacity with production and leadership—emerging as both Harlan's defensive cornerstone and a rising star for the Class of 2026.     Conner Smith stands at 5′10″ and around 160 lbs—a lean, athletic defensive back who's quickly making a name for himself in Harlan's 2026 class. He earned 1st‑Team All‑Academic honors and maintains a 3.8 GPA, demonstrating strong off‑field dedication. With a 4.52‑second 40‑yard dash and versatile play between corner and safety, he's become an integral part of Harlan's defensive backfield.   On the field, Smith brings a playmaking flair to every snap. In six varsity games last season, he racked up 16 tackles (11 solo), broke on two interceptions, and added two pass breakups . His performance peaked in a first-round playoff matchup against Clark, where he intercepted a deep pass in the end zone to seal Harlan's 41–23 win. His timing, ball awareness, and range make him a natural shutdown presence.   What truly sets Conner apart is his football instincts, preparation, and confidence. Coaches praise his ability to study opponent tendencies, stay vocal over the top, and adjust coverage calls on the fly . Those traits, combined with his athleticism and early production, position him as one of Harlan's most promising DB prospects for the 2026 season and beyond.   Bottom line: Conner Smith blends size, savvy, academic discipline, and clutch playmaking. He's emerging as a key defensive anchor and a rising star in South Texas.     Mujtaba Bhatti brings an imposing physical package to Harlan's defensive front, standing 6′2″ and weighing in at around 250 lbs with a reported 3.8 GPA—a balance of athletic power and academic focus. Labeled primarily as a defensive end with the capability to slide inside at tackle, Bhatti's size and versatility make him a disruptive force up front. As a senior leader, he's now anchoring one of Region IV's toughest defensive units with both strength and intelligence.   On the field, Bhatti shows a powerful burst off the snap and the ability to collapse pockets consistently. According to Hudl and coach references, he blends hand strength with quick lateral movement, effectively winning reps against tight ends and tackles in one-on-one matchups . His stat line from spring camps highlights his motor: 30 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 4 QB hurries—a testament to his consistent backfield pressure and pursuit instincts.   What truly separates Bhatti is his combination of power, discipline, and football IQ. Coaches emphasize his ability to read plays, maintain gap integrity, and communicate adjustments along the line. As a film-room leader and physical presence, he elevates teammates with his effort and voice on every snap. With a refined mix of technique, athleticism, and grit, Mujtaba Bhatti is rapidly emerging as a defensive lineman to watch in the 2026 class—a serious prospect on the rise.   Mujtaba blends size, technique, motor, and leadership—an ideal DL prospect poised for major impact in his final high school season and beyond.