Hot Springs Trojans 2026 Team Outlook

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Overview: 5A South</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hot Springs Trojans enter the 2026 high school football season with momentum from one of their strongest years in recent memory, but with a youthful roster after losing a lot to graduation. Under head coach Darrell Burnett, the Trojans went 10-2 in 2025. They captured the 5A South Conference title and advanced to the second round of the playoffs—their deepest run in over a decade, before falling to Morrilton 34-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the lack of experience, Burnett expects his team to be disciplined and have the same expectations heading into the fall. Key returning prospects in all-conference offensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='1720130' first='Stevehen' last='Pruitt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1691357' first='Kamron' last='Bedford'], and rising defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1691564' first='Karsen' last='Cook'] will need to help set the tone and lead this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Results&nbsp;(10-2 Record – 5A South</strong>)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>@ West Memphis</td><td>W 57-20</td></tr><tr><td>Arkadelphia</td><td>L 38-34</td></tr><tr><td>@ Alma</td><td>W 49-7</td></tr><tr><td>@ Little Rock Parkview</td><td>W 23-20</td></tr><tr><td>Hope</td><td>W 49-14</td></tr><tr><td>De Queen</td><td>W 56-7</td></tr><tr><td>@ Magnolia</td><td>W 57-55</td></tr><tr><td>Arkansas High</td><td>W 75-50</td></tr><tr><td>@ Camden Fairview</td><td>W 42-21</td></tr><tr><td>Lakeside</td><td>W 23-21</td></tr><tr><td>Beebe**</td><td>W 28-22 OT</td></tr><tr><td>Morrilton**</td><td>L 34-27</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">**Playoffs</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TROJANS TO WATCH</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1720130"],"_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-6a6ac31511e4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1720130' first='Stevehen' last='Pruitt'], their top returning offensive linemen, earned all-conference honors in 2025 and is expected to take that next leap this fall. Pruitt can seal the edge when working wide. He has quick feet and can anchor in pass pro due to solid lower-body strength and hand placement to create leverage and control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/StevehenPruitt/status/2063844896478224660?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/StevehenPruitt/status/2063844896478224660?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691357"],"_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-6a6ac31511e93"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1691357' first='Kamron' last='Bedford'] will be one of their top prospects this fall on both sides of the football, at linebacker and running back. Bedford can stack and shed blockers when attacking downhill. He's athletic and plays with a high motor, making him versatile enough to be positioned all over the defense. At running back, He possesses solid foot speed and lateral quickness, allowing him to navigate through gaps effectively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kamBedford/status/1993045969286676748?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/kamBedford/status/1993045969286676748?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2087496"],"_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-6a6ac31511eba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2087496' first='Brody' last='Quast'], the upcoming sophomore, takes over as the starter. He's a confident passer, which is impressive for his age. He possesses a quick release and the angle freedom to adjust his release point if needed, allowing him to attack the whole field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BrodyQuast3/status/2049962495805108342?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/BrodyQuast3/status/2049962495805108342?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 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2144355' first='Stedman' last='Wiley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1691564' first='Karsen' last='Cook']</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>10/28</td><td>@ Greenbrier</td></tr><tr><td>09/04</td><td>@ Arkadelphia</td></tr><tr><td>09/11</td><td>Maumelle</td></tr><tr><td>09/25</td><td>White Hall*</td></tr><tr><td>10/02</td><td>@ Pine Bluff*</td></tr><tr><td>10/09</td><td>@ DeQueen*</td></tr><tr><td>10/16</td><td>Magnolia*</td></tr><tr><td>10/23</td><td>@ Arkansas High*</td></tr><tr><td>10/30</td><td>Camden Fairview*</td></tr><tr><td>11/06</td><td>@ Lakeside*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*Conference</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT'S NEXT?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Trojans will not match the star power of the previous season, but they enter the year with proven coaching development, physical trench maulers, and an infusion of athletic underclassmen eager to contribute. Success will hinge on development at quarterback and in the skill positions, and on minimizing mistakes against a tough early schedule. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burnett's message centers on effort and competitiveness. After watching his young team battle programs in camp, the coach expressed satisfaction that potential weak spots did not become liabilities. If the fronts control the line of scrimmage and the skill players continue progressing, Hot Springs should remain a factor in 5A South and aim for another postseason appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Darrell Burnett (43-30-2 at Hot Springs, heading into 9th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Year: 10-2, 7-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 4 (Last in 1972)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Championships: 11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2025</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: 7-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->