The Write Team Podcast

🏈 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS ARE BACK IN EAST TEXAS!
The 2026 Texas high school football season has arrived, and From The Press Box is kicking it off with a huge Week 1 preview and prediction show.
Host David Weaver and KMHT 103.9 FM Sports Director Matt Paul are joined by Longview News-Journal Sports Editor Jack Stallard, recently named the 2025-2026 Texas Sports Writer of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association, to break down some of the biggest opening-week matchups across East Texas.
🔥 Among the games on the Pick'em board:
Longview at Lufkin
Tyler Legacy at Texas High
Marshall vs. Tyler
Lindale at Hallsville
Chapel Hill at Whitehouse
Carthage at Henderson
Kilgore at Pleasant Grove
Gilmer at Pine Tree
Daingerfield at Gladewater
West Rusk at Tatum
Hawkins at Elysian Fields
Joaquin at Beckville
Overton at Harleton
And plenty more!
Plus, we discuss the incredible depth of East Texas 4A football, Longview's state title potential, Elysian Fields after an 11-2 season, Joaquin's attempt to return to the state championship game, the loaded 2A race and plenty more.
Football season is here.
It's time to make some picks. 🏈🔥
#FromThePressBox #TXHSFB #EastTexasFootball #TexasHighSchoolFootball #LongviewLobos #MarshallMavericks #CarthageBulldogs #HallsvilleBobcats #ElysianFieldsFootball #FridayNightLights
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services, LLC.
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Thank you to our Write Team Podcast From The Press Box sponsors!Stiles ElectricElysian Fields ISDHallsville ISDKarnack ISDSmackover-Norphlet School District (AR)

Football season is finally here in Elysian Fields! 🏈🐝
On the premiere edition of The Coach Maines Show on From The Press Box, Elysian Fields head football coach Bo Maines joins David Weaver to preview Friday night's season opener against the Hawkins Hawks at Jacket Stadium.
After three weeks of fall camp and challenging scrimmages against New Diana and Queen City, Coach Maines believes the Jackets are ready to experience the speed and intensity of Friday night football.
🐝 Inside Jacket Football:
What Coach Maines learned from the preseason scrimmages
Why EF intentionally challenged itself against bigger and athletic opponents
The value of facing both spread and Wing-T offenses
How the Jackets responded when the live portions of the scrimmages began
Why this team enters 2026 with a chip on its shoulder
🔥 Elysian Fields vs. Hawkins
These programs know each other well after meeting as district opponents last season. Coach Maines breaks down a Hawkins offense featuring a dangerous quarterback capable of making plays with both his arm and legs, a physical running attack and a defense with size and athleticism up front.
His message? Discipline will matter.
⚡ And keep an eye on Alex Simmons.
The junior playmaker could be poised for a breakout season after contributing significantly as a sophomore. Coach Maines discusses Simmons' explosiveness, work ethic and character—and why college programs may want to start paying attention to what's happening in Elysian Fields.
But this year's Jackets aren't designed to be a one-man show. Coach Maines believes EF has the ability to spread the football around, move players into different roles and feature several contributors on both sides of the ball.
🔑 Coach Maines' keys against Hawkins:Contain the quarterback. Be patient and let Alex Simmons work. And find the leaders who will establish the Jackets' identity up front.
Plus, we finish with the Rapid Five, including Coach Maines' pregame routine, whether he's a headset-on or headset-off coach, the assistant who keeps everyone laughing and one important statement about the future:
“Elysian Fields football is going to get back to where it was.”
🎧 Join us every week during football season for The Coach Maines Show, featuring a look back at the previous game, a preview of the next opponent and everything happening with Elysian Fields football.
#FromThePressBox #CoachMainesShow #ElysianFieldsFootball #ElysianFieldsISD #EFJackets #BoMaines #TXHSFB #TexasHighSchoolFootball #EastTexasFootball #HawkinsHawks #FridayNightLights
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services.
*Thank you to our Write Team Podcast Elysian Fields sponsors!
Stiles Electric
Elysian Fields ISD
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more!

Friday night football is back in Hallsville! 🏈🔥
On the first edition of The Coach Strickland Show on From The Press Box, Hallsville head football coach Josh Strickland joins David Weaver to preview the Bobcats’ season opener against a talented and experienced Lindale Eagles team at Bobcat Stadium.
After challenging scrimmages against Kilgore and Chapel Hill, Coach Strickland likes the progress he's seen from the Bobcats. Hallsville showed improvement from one scrimmage to the next, found more success in the red zone and demonstrated the explosive-play potential that could become a major part of the offense this season.
The Bobcats won't ease into the season. Lindale comes to Bobcat Stadium after a 10-2 season with an experienced roster, a dangerous returning quarterback and a disciplined program that Coach Strickland knows extremely well.
He breaks down what makes the Eagles difficult to defend, their strength along the offensive and defensive fronts, and why Hallsville must make Lindale earn everything Friday night.
🎧 Join us each week for The Coach Strickland Show as we look back at the previous game and preview what's next for Hallsville Bobcat football!
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services, LLC.
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more about how you can show your support with a podcast sponsorship!
*This episode of From The Press Box on The Write Team Podcast has been brought to you by:
Stiles Electric
Hallsville ISD
#FromThePressBox #CoachJoshStricklandShow #HallsvilleBobcats #HallsvilleFootball #HallsvilleISD #JoshStrickland #TXHSFB #TexasHighSchoolFootball #EastTexasFootball #LindaleEagles #FridayNightLights

What can happen when you stop allowing fear to keep you in the background and begin stepping into the purpose God has placed on your life?
On this episode of The Conversation on The Write Team Podcast, host David Weaver reconnects with longtime friend and former colleague Kresha Lane for a conversation about education, faith, prayer, mentorship, writing, and discovering the calling behind your life experiences.
A Marshall, Texas native and longtime educator, Lane has spent much of her career working with at-risk students and young people facing difficult circumstances. Her passion is deeply personal, shaped in part by watching her own brother overcome struggles as a young man and by her belief that every child deserves someone willing to invest in them.
Today, that calling is expanding well beyond the classroom.
Lane discusses the creation of Baby Sisters’ Haven, a nonprofit designed to mentor and support at-risk youth; her vision for reconnecting churches, schools, families, and communities; and the need for ordinary adults to realize they already possess experiences and wisdom that can change a young person's life.
She also shares the story behind her 31-day devotional, From the Background to the Forefront of God’s Will, which grew from personal prayer journals and her own struggle to become more confident in publicly sharing her faith.
Throughout the conversation, Lane returns to one powerful idea: much of what God has accomplished in her life began with one small step of obedience at a time.
From education and mentorship to writing, prayer picnics, nonprofit work, and a growing desire to serve her hometown of Marshall, Lane's story is a testimony to what can happen when faith becomes action.
#TheConversation #TheWriteTeamPodcast #KreshaLane #Faith #Purpose #ChristianPodcast #ChristianLeadership #Prayer #Mentorship #Education #AtRiskYouth #MarshallTexas #EastTexas #Testimony #FaithInAction
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services, LLC.
*This episode of The Conversation on The Write Team Podcast is brought to you by Stiles Electric of East Texas.

Who will win the 2026 Heisman Trophy? 🏆🏈
David  and Matt close out their college football preview on From The Press Box by revealing their preseason Heisman hopefuls—and somehow manage to select six completely different players.
The discussion also includes Miami playmaker Malachi Toney, Texas receiver Cam Coleman, and the debate over whether an elite quarterback makes his receivers better—or whether a game-changing receiver makes his quarterback look like a Heisman candidate.
But the predictions don't stop with the Heisman.
David and Matt also look at some of the biggest storylines they'll be watching throughout the 2026 college football season, including the ongoing SEC vs. Big Ten debate, the arrival of Lane Kiffin at LSU, and which struggling programs could become college football's next great turnaround story.
August predictions rarely survive an entire college football season—but making them is half the fun.
Who's your preseason Heisman favorite, and what storyline are you watching most closely in 2026?
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootball2026 #HeismanTrophy #ArchManning #JeremiahSmith #JulianSayin #CJCarr #TrinidadChambliss #TexasFootball #OhioStateFootball #NotreDameFootball #MiamiFootball #SEC #BigTen
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services.
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more!
*Thank you to our Write Team Podcast sponsors!
Stiles Electric
Elysian Fields ISD
Hallsville ISD
Karnack ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (AR)

Who makes the 2026 College Football Playoff? 🏈🏆
David and Matt put their preseason predictions on the record as they build their projected 12-team CFP fields on From The Press Box.
The usual national powers are represented—but there are also some bold picks, potential sleepers and plenty of disagreement over which teams will still be standing when the regular season ends.
The discussion also examines the strength at the top of the field, including Ohio State, Texas, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, Indiana and Georgia, and the potential first-round matchups that could emerge.
☘️ And then there's Notre Dame.
After the Fighting Irish finished 10-2 and still missed last year's 12-team playoff, David and Matt discuss the consequences of remaining independent. Should Notre Dame continue enjoying the benefits of independence while accepting a more difficult path into the CFP—or is it finally time for the Irish to join a conference?
Nobody knows what the 2026 playoff bracket will actually look like in December. That's exactly why making the picks in August is so much fun.
Who are your 12 CFP teams—and who are we leaving out?
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootball2026 #CFP #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFPPredictions #TexasFootball #OhioStateFootball #NotreDameFootball #IndianaFootball #GeorgiaFootball #TexasTech #TexasAMFootball
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services.
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more!
*Thank you to our Write Team Podcast sponsors!
Stiles Electric
Elysian Fields ISD
Hallsville ISD
Karnack ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (AR)

Who wins the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 in 2026? 🏈🏆
On this segment of From The Press Box, David Weaver and Matt Paul make their 2026 college football conference championship predictions, picking potential title-game matchups, champions and sleeper teams capable of disrupting the race.
🔥 SEC: Both see Texas vs. Georgia as the matchup to beat—but they disagree on the winner. Meanwhile, South Carolina and Texas A&M could emerge as "sleeper" teams worth watching.
🌹 Big Ten: What about defending national champion Indiana? Can Matt Campbell quickly turn Penn State back into a contender?
🌴 ACC: Miami is the clear favorite, but picking its opponent isn't nearly as easy. We are also fascinated by what James Franklin could build at Virginia Tech.
🌵 Big 12: Texas Tech and Kansas State headline the discussion, with the Red Raiders entering the season with major expectations. Can Tech finish the job, or will sleeper Kansas State emerge on top? And don't sleep on Kansas.
The guys also discuss why conference races have become increasingly unpredictable in the NIL and transfer portal era—and why the difference between a preseason favorite and an October disappointment can be razor thin.
Who are your 2026 conference champions?
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootball2026 #SEC #BigTen #Big12 #ACC #TexasFootball #GeorgiaFootball #OhioStateFootball #OregonFootball #MiamiFootball #TexasTech
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services.
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more!
*Thank you to our Write Team Podcast sponsors!
Stiles Electric
Elysian Fields ISD
Hallsville ISD
Karnack ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (AR)

The 2026 AP Preseason College Football Poll is out—but do preseason rankings really mean anything before anyone has played a game? 🏈
On this segment of From The Press Box, David Weaver and Matt Paul put the official poll aside and build their own 2026 College Football Preseason Top 10.
Both agree on one major point: defending national champion Indiana deserves to begin at No. 1 until somebody knocks the Hoosiers off. From there, however, the debate begins.
🏆 David & Matt's Preseason Top 10
Why Indiana gets their No. 1 vote
Ohio State's case as one of the nation's elite teams
How high should Texas be ranked?
Oregon and Georgia remain firmly in the national championship picture
Notre Dame and Miami both crack the Top 10
Why Texas Tech may once again be underrated
Is Texas A&M ready to take another step under Mike Elko?
Does Oklahoma make both lists?
Matt finds room for Lincoln Riley and USC
David has Texas at No. 3, believing this may be Steve Sarkisian's best roster yet, while Matt goes Big Ten-heavy at the top with Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon occupying his first three spots.
The biggest disagreement comes near the bottom of the rankings, where David puts Texas A&M at No. 8 while Matt remains skeptical after the Aggies' 2025 season.
And ultimately, that's the fun—and the problem—with preseason polls: nobody has played a game yet.
So who belongs at No. 1? And which team is being overrated or underrated before the 2026 season even begins?
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootball2026 #APTop25 #CollegeFootballRankings #IndianaFootball #OhioStateFootball #TexasFootball #TexasAMFootball #TexasTech #OregonFootball #GeorgiaFootball
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services.
*Support your local Write Team school district and your business with an INSANELY affordable monthly sponsorship of the podcast! Contact us to learn more!
*Thank you to our Write Team Podcast sponsors!
Stiles Electric
Elysian Fields ISD
Hallsville ISD
Karnack ISD
Smackover-Norphlet School District (AR)

Football is back—and From The Press Box is kicking off the season with our complete 2026 College Football Preview! 🏈
David Weaver and Matt Paul break down the teams, players and storylines they’ll be watching as another college football season gets underway. Who belongs in the preseason Top 10? Which teams will win the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12? And when the dust settles, who will make the 12-team College Football Playoff?
David and Matt reveal their own preseason Top 10 rankings before making conference championship predictions and identifying sleeper teams that could shake up the national picture.
Among the biggest questions: Can Indiana defend its national championship? Is Ohio State the team to beat? Can Texas finally get past Georgia and win the SEC? Is Texas Tech ready to sustain control the Big 12? Can Miami build on last season’s national championship appearance?
They also debate Notre Dame’s independent status, make their early Heisman Trophy predictions, examine whether the Big Ten has surpassed the SEC, and identify programs that could be poised for a major resurgence.
Plus, what will Lane Kiffin at LSU look like? Can Texas A&M take another step? Could Navy become a CFP contender? And which former powers could become college football’s next great turnaround story?
The predictions probably won’t all be right—but that’s what makes August fun!
Topics include: 2026 college football predictions, College Football Playoff projections, SEC predictions, Big Ten predictions, Big 12 predictions, ACC predictions, Group of Six contenders, Heisman Trophy candidates, Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, Indiana Hoosiers, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Miami Hurricanes, Texas A&M Aggies, LSU Tigers and more.
#FromThePressBox #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootball2026 #CFP #CollegeFootballPlayoff #SEC #BigTen #Big12 #ACC #HeismanTrophy #TexasFootball #OhioStateFootball #IndianaFootball #TexasTech #NotreDameFootball #TheWriteTeamPodcast
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services, LLC.
"From The Press Box" on The Write Team Podcast is sponsored by Stiles Electric of East Texas.

After nearly a decade in the classroom, Terra Croley reached a defining moment: She loved teaching, but she also wanted the freedom to be fully present for her son.
In this episode of The Conversation, host David Weaver talks with Terra about teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating grief and depression, and recognizing when it was time to make a change. Terra explains how faith gave her the courage to leave her comfort zone, pursue a new path and become a mentor to other women seeking greater purpose, flexibility and freedom.
It’s an honest conversation about motherhood, mental health, teacher burnout, entrepreneurship and trusting God when the next step feels uncertain.
The Conversation features real talk with real people making a real impact. 
#TheConversation #TheWriteTeamPodcast #TerraCroley #TeacherLife #TeacherBurnout #WorkingMoms #PresentMotherhood #MentalHealth #WomenInBusiness #ChristianPodcast #FaithOverFear #EastTexas
The Write Team Podcast is a production of Write Team Services, LLC. Learn more about us at writeteamservices.net.
The Write Team Podcast is also sponsored by Stiles Electric of East Texas.