Senior-Powered Nimitz Chasing Glory

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The Nimitz Cougars football team is gearing up for the 2025 season with clear objectives: to win the district, qualify for the playoffs, and ultimately secure a state championship. These goals have remained constant since Coach Cornelius Harmon took over in 2022.

What sets this year’s team apart from previous seasons is the growth they’ve experienced. The program boasts 38 upperclassmen, including 18 seniors who have been part of the team since their freshman year.

Highly touted quarterback Albert Brown and wide receiver Malachi Augustus lead the senior class. In the 2024 season, the statistics were impressive:

– Albert passed for 2,383 yards and 27 touchdowns, adding 154 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns.

– Malachi recorded 41 catches for 746 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with touchdowns on a kickoff return and a punt return.

Albert said he is determined to advance past the first round of the Texas UIL playoffs for the first time. He said his growth has primarily come in the form of mental maturity, a crucial characteristic for a seasoned quarterback.

“I’ve seen the most growth in my game, primarily in the mental aspect,” he said. “I know where each spot is — where I need to place the ball — and understand the weaknesses of the defenses I face week by week. I’ve also worked on my throwing form.”

Malachi said he feels this season is different due to the heightened expectations he has for himself as well as for the team. He emphasized the importance of staying healthy, and said he has focused on improving his skills, particularly in creating separation and mastering his route-running abilities.

Coach Harmon’s goal is the same as ever: to make it past the first round of the playoffs, after making the playoffs in his first three seasons. He plans to rely on the experience of the players who have been with him through the highs and lows of the program.

“We have a solid group of offensive linemen returning, and we have 16 returning starters on offense and defense,” he said. “The sky is the limit here.”

Since Harmon’s arrival, the team has recorded three winning seasons and had the highest-scoring offense in the district last year. Before Harmon’s tenure, the program managed only nine wins in three years. His influence on the team transcends the field.

“He’s helped me become a better man,” Albert said. “Football is a game of life. Observing how he prepares and our discussions outside of football have shaped my development as a person. I approach the game differently, move differently, and make better decisions. I’m grateful to my coach for that.”

The Cougars’ first game of the season is scheduled for August 30 at Katy Morton Ranch, with their first game at W.W. Thorne Stadium on September 5 against Cy Ridge.

“Come out and see some good football,” Harmon said. “There is no stadium like this in the Houston area, and we are showcasing quality teams in this district.”