Cross County Thunderbirds 2026 Team Outlook

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview: Class 2-2A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cross County Thunderbirds enter the 2026 high school football season as defending Class 2A state champions, riding the momentum of a historic 2025 campaign while going through a coaching transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2025, under head coach Van Paschal, the Thunderbirds finished 12-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play. They captured their first state title since 1984 with a hard-fought 20-14 victory over rival East Poinsett County. The team's ground attack was dominant throughout the year as the Thunderbirds piled up over 4,00 team rushing yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cross County turns to Ty Mimbs, who arrives from Jonesboro High School, where he served as defensive coordinator. A former Arkansas State football player, he brings defensive expertise and local knowledge to a program that has shown rapid improvement in recent seasons (7-4 in 2024 to the 2025 title).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Results (12-2 Record – 2-2A</strong>)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Harrisburg</td><td>W 30-6</td></tr><tr><td>@ Palestine Wheatley</td><td>L 14-12</td></tr><tr><td>Piggott</td><td>W 54-0</td></tr><tr><td>@ McCrory</td><td>W 43-0</td></tr><tr><td>Izard County</td><td>W 53-6</td></tr><tr><td>@ EPC</td><td>L 20-16</td></tr><tr><td>Marianna</td><td>W 48-6</td></tr><tr><td>@ Des Arc</td><td>W 24-14</td></tr><tr><td>Marked Tree</td><td>W 44-20</td></tr><tr><td>@Earle</td><td>W 60-38</td></tr><tr><td>Bigelow**</td><td>W 49-0</td></tr><tr><td>@ Junction City**</td><td>W 48-22</td></tr><tr><td>Des Arc**</td><td>W 27-7</td></tr><tr><td>EPC***</td><td>W 20-14</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">**Playoffs - ***State Championship</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">THUNDERBIRDS TO WATCH</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1669858"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a68df0d87121"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1669858' first='Jayden' last='Huckabee'] is a prospect to add to the recruiting board. Huckabee displays solid initial quickness into base blocks, along with good pad level and active feet to drive and displace. He is also capable of getting out into space on pulls. Keep an eye on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/B_Huck77/status/1845224149431816332?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/B_Huck77/status/1845224149431816332?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1951374"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a68df0d871b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1951374' first='Kolby' last='Walker'] is going to play at the next level. He'll play both sides of the football this year at running back and linebacker. He's a physical and athletic linebacker with good read-and-react ability in coverage. He's able to change direction, burst off his plant foot, and undercut routes coming across his face. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kobewalker22/status/2078785329515933986?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kobewalker22/status/2078785329515933986?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2257338"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a68df0d87222"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2257338' first='Caden' last='Finley'] was a crucial piece of their dominant 2025 defense last fall. He racked up over 130 tackles, 18 TFLs, and six PBUs. He's a high motor prospect defensively, that's physical against the run. He'll get some more playing time at running back this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CadenFinley08/status/2029273217781714955?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CadenFinley08/status/2029273217781714955?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORE TO MONITOR</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1258056' first='Makel' last='Ward']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2257342' first='Chase' last='Hall']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2026 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>08/28</td><td>Harrisburg</td></tr><tr><td>09/04</td><td>@ Palestine Wheatley</td></tr><tr><td>09/11</td><td>Barton</td></tr><tr><td>09/25</td><td>@ Marked Tree*</td></tr><tr><td>10/02</td><td>@ EPC*</td></tr><tr><td>10/09</td><td>Des Arc*</td></tr><tr><td>10/16</td><td>@ Marianna*</td></tr><tr><td>10/23</td><td>McCrory*</td></tr><tr><td>10/30</td><td>@ Earle*</td></tr><tr><td>11/05</td><td>Clarendon*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*Conference</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT'S NEXT?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending a state title is never easy, especially with a new head coach and some staff turnover. However, the Thunderbirds possess several advantages: athleticism, experience from a deep playoff run, a physical identity established in 2025, and home-field advantage at Thunderbird Stadium for several conference games. Mimbs' defensive background could further strengthen a unit that already proved resilient. Success will hinge on developing the quarterback position, maintaining cohesion on the offensive line, and integrating younger players into crucial roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2A-2 race is expected to be tight, with East Poinsett County and other returning contenders likely challenging. After ending a 41-year title drought, the Thunderbirds have elevated expectations. If the returning talent buys into Mimbs' vision and the program retains its championship culture, Cross County has a realistic chance to contend again in 2026 and make another deep postseason push. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Ty Mimbs (0-0 at Cross County, heading into 1st season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Year: 12-2, 6-1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 2 (Last in 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Championships: 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 1990</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff Record: 22-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->