Retooling for New Heights: 2026 Davis Football Preview

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When head coach Kelvin Chatham arrived at Davis High School, he set out to build more than a football program. He wanted to create a culture centered on community, accountability and developing young men.

That vision has produced results. 

The Falcons have reached the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and finished tied for first place in district in 2025 with a 6-1 record. Now, the belief surrounding Davis isn’t that it’s entering a rebuilding year — it’s retooling for another run.

Despite losing several key starters to graduation, the Falcons still have a ton of young talent, with all five offensive line starters returning, anchored by versatile guard Jonathan Giles. With the right mindset, the program seeks to continue growing to even greater heights, grounded in the belief that if you put the work and effort into being the best and stay disciplined, all goals will be accomplished. 

“We might’ve lost a good bit of starting seniors, but the players we have coming up all have varsity experience,” Chatham said.

Chatham emphasized that every projected defensive starter for the 2026 campaign has varsity experience, so youth is not an excuse. 

The goal is to take care of unfinished business, and it will take a hands-on approach to reach those goals. It takes the community, the custodial staff, teachers, players, and coaches. Chatham believes everyone needs to be on the same page to accomplish their goal this season. 

The goal is simple: Win district. Making it out of the first round. 

The players believe in Chatham and everything he’s building, largely due to his ability to relate, teach and connect with his players on a personal level. Building his program hasn’t been about just winning on the football field; it’s been about building young men. 

 “The goal was never just about winning 100 games; the goal was always to come to Davis and change 100 lives. I do that by teaching them (student-athletes) how to win the day, teach them how to be better young men, how to win the community, and how to win in the classroom. If they win in those phases, then they’ll win on the field.”

Davis won’t ease into the season.

The Falcons open with a challenging non-district schedule against Waller, Cypress Lakes and Fort Bend Bush. Those games should provide an early measuring stick while preparing Davis for district play and another postseason push.

Offensively, much of the excitement centers around one of the area’s top receiving tandems and what they’ll provide in the passing game. Prairie View A&M commit Courtland Lee-Pugh and David Richardson, who holds offers from New Mexico State and Army– expect Richardson to be a leader on offense and make a massive leap in his senior year. 

The Falcons believe the duo has the potential to stretch defenses and create explosive plays throughout the offense.

Richardson has worked hard to become stronger and proudly shared that he recently set a personal record by bench pressing 260 pounds, breaking the school record for receivers. He is also focused on improving his speed and overall performance as a receiver, emphasizing his commitment to refining his route-running abilities.

DB Keithas “Pop” Johnson, who is one of the defensive leaders, sees this season as a year he can prove himself as one of the best defensive backs in the district, regardless of size. The nickname “Pop” was given to him because of his physical nature and the play he brings to the game despite his size. 

“I shock people with the way I play,” Johnson said. “I’m really a dog.”

Johnson’s production backs up the confidence.

He led the Falcons in tackles (52) and pass breakups (7) last season while tying for the team lead in interceptions (2). His instincts, football IQ and physicality allow him to impact games against both the run and the pass.

The Davis Falcons begin their season with an away game on Aug. 28 against the Waller Bulldogs, marking their first non-district matchup of the year. District competition kicks off for the Falcons on Sept. 9, when they face the MacArthur Generals.