Farmersville senior Gordon Swartz was a two-way standout for the Farmers football team. He tackles a Wills Point ball carrier during a 48-0 victory for Farmersville on Sept. 19. Photo by Victor Tapia / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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Farmersville has excelled in athletics over the years – and the 2025-26 school year was no different.

The Farmersville Times will take a look at the year that was and break down the highlights, sport by sport, beginning with cross country, football and volleyball.

Cross country

Breelynn Pollard has been one of the fastest female runners for the Lady Farmers during her time at Farmersville High School.

Yet for all the success that she’s enjoyed, she wasn’t satisfied with her times. She was determined to finally advance past the regional meet and qualify for state. An increased practice schedule, which included her running with the boys’ team, paved the way for a standout junior season.

The incoming senior took second at the District 13-4A meet with a time of 13:34 and ran to 14^th place in 12:33.75 at the Region II-4A meet, becoming the first Farmersville runner to qualify for state since Aubrey Varner made back-to-back appearances in 2022 and 2023.

Pollard placed 64^th at the Class 4A state meet in Round Rock.

Farmersville also experienced success in the boys’ division. The Farmers earned third place at the district meet to qualify for regionals for the third consecutive season.

All seven runners for Farmersville completed the 5-kilometer course in less than 19 minutes. Landon Green (18:15), Travis Chambers (18:20) and Luke Lair (18:32) took 12^th, 13^th and 14^th, respectively. Miller Meeks (18:44) placed 15^th and Jesse Hamm (18:45) captured 16^th place.

Farmersville is expected to again be in the mix for a regional berth as it lost just one male runner to graduation: Meeks.

Football

Farmersville has had only one losing season under Zac Quinlan since he took over as head coach in 2022.

Last fall, the Farmers continued their winning ways under Quinlan – finishing 5-5 – though they missed out on a third consecutive playoff berth. 

The season was a tale of two halves. 

Farmersville started 5-1, including a 2-0 start to District 5-4A Division II after posting a 49-13 rout of Gainesville and a 55-19 triumph over Bonham. 

All season, the Farmers had little trouble putting up point, averaging 36.6 per contest. 

Junior quarterback Levi McAbee threw for 18 touchdown passes and 1,692 yards.

Farmersville had big shoes to fill at wide receiver following the graduation of Drake Grimes, but junior Amare Warren and brothers Ethan Stone and Sam Stone filled that void well. The Farmers also got a strong season in the running game from Allen transfer Marquis Oshodi, who rushed for 20 touchdowns and 1,390 yards, as well as senior Gordon Swartz.

Another bright spot for Farmersville was on the offensive line. Despite returning just one starter, the Farmers held their own in the trenches.

For as well as the Farmers started, they struggled to contain some high-powered offenses during a four-game losing streak to conclude the season. 

Defensively, Farmersville received strong play from senior linebacker Rylan Mitchell (12 pass breakups, two sacks, five tackles for loss and 58 tackles), senior defensive linebacker Cade Ellis, among others, senior defensive tackle Triffan Greene and junior defensive back Ra’Jun Wilkes.

Senior place kicker Christian Aguilar earned District 5-4A Division II Co-Outstanding Kicker after he went 28-of-29 on PAT kicks and eight-of-nine on field goals with a long of 46 yards.

Volleyball

The Lady Farmers continued their winning ways by finishing with a 29-13 record and qualified for the playoffs for the 12^th consecutive season. Farmersville was competitive in a 3-1 setback to Pleasant Grove in bi-district.

The season came with a few challenges as Farmersville lost one of its best all-around players, Rylie Cottongame, to transfer during the season, and in need of team leadership after graduating libero Bella Holland.

Several positional changes were also made, one of which was moving Alexia Hernandez from defensive specialist to setter.

Lineup changes and all, Farmersville proved to be a well-oiled machine.

Junior outside hitter Peighton Purser was tabbed the District 13-4A Offensive Player of the Year after she logged team highs in kills (505), service aces (85) and blocks (45) while chipping in 351 digs and 35 assists.

Junior libero Isabella Lopez, sophomore middle blocker Cambrant Donaldson and Hernandez were honored on the all-district first team.

Pollard and freshman hitter Nidya Duran were placed on the All-District 13-4A second team. Sophomore Brinlea McDole, senior Haley Watkins and senior Graycin Strawn earned honorable mention.

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