Year 3 Under Blake Ware Could Be Turning Point for MacArthur Football: 2026 MacArthur Generals Football Preview

As head coach Blake Ware enters his third season, there is a growing sense that the foundation being built at MacArthur is beginning to take shape, giving the Generals hope they are ready to make a significant leap. 

The Generals’ 2-8 season in 2025 began with optimism before injuries derailed their momentum. MacArthur suited up 47 players in its season opener but entered district play with just 29 available players, forcing the team to overcome depth issues for the remainder of the year.

A promise derailed is not a promise fulfilled, and even in the quiet hallways of MacArthur in the summer, Ware, a MacArthur graduate, is confident this is the year the Generals make some noise in the district and that MacArthur pride is felt throughout the community. 

Ware understands this task won’t be easy, but he isn’t looking for easy. He’s looking for rewarding. 

“I’ve won everywhere I’ve coached, and I enjoy building programs. Mac football has a proud tradition and was once one of the premier programs in the city of Houston. My job is to help restore that standard by creating a culture built on accountability, discipline and consistency,” Ware said.

There are plenty of reasons for optimism this season. Ware believes in his coaching staff’s ability to develop student-athletes on and off the field while creating opportunities for them to continue playing football after high school. In 2025, the program had nine student-athletes sign to play football post-high school, the most among Aldine ISD high schools. 

With the departure of the Class of 2026, Ware is counting on a mix of returning veterans and newcomers to move the program forward.

Led by 6-foot-2 junior guard Kanon Lewis, the Generals return three starting offensive linemen, along with junior running backs Korey Fisher and Trinidad Espinoza, who combined for 1,090 rushing yards in 2025. The expectation is for the offense to be physically dominant, wearing down opposing teams. The offensive strategy will focus on a strong running game, with play-action passes once the ground game is established, along with screen plays and quick drop-back passing.

“We’re going back to the way I used to call plays a long time ago,” Ware said when discussing what to expect from the Generals’ offense. “Three times four is a first down. We’re not sitting there trying to create big plays. In the past, I was big on looking to score big on the first play. Now, I’m about moving the chains, averaging over 21 first downs, running 60-plus plays on offense, and playing outstanding defense. And our quarterback plays, that matters.” 

That quarterback is senior Lance Nero, whom Ware believes is the best dual-threat quarterback he has ever coached.

“This includes Zion Childress,” Ware said, referring to the former standout now with the Dallas Cowboys. “That’s how highly I think of Lance. He’s a dog!”

Ware also highlighted the Nero they have now, is not the Nero he inherited when he got to campus, stressing his growth in maturity and thanks program’s coaching staff for helping with that. 

While Ware is excited about the offense, he couldn’t stop talking about his two edge defenders, Jalen McFarland and Victor Raygoza, the two combined for 55 tackles, seven TFLs and two sacks in the 2025 season, and senior MIKE linebacker Josh Morales. 

Morales, who currently has a 3.2 GPA and hopes to study computer science in college,  is an incredibly raw player with a high IQ who started playing football just last season, after coach Ware walked by a basketball game during Morales’ sophomore year.

In his first year, Morales won all-district honors, posting 66 tackles – 14tfl – 2 sacks.

Morales is excited for this upcoming season, coming into the year with an additional 10 pounds of muscle, and feels as though the defense looks really good in the early period of training for the season, emphasizing his love for the defensive scheme. The year two jump for Morales isn’t just physical but mental as well. Now with more on his plate, Morales feels he’s ready for what comes being the vocal leader and communicator on the defense. 

“I know what the safeties’ responsibilities are. I know what the corners and d-linemen are supposed to do. I know if we’re in a goal line situation, I know to check into a patriot call. I know the plays, and I am more comfortable out there,” Morales said. 

Morales has also challenged himself to become more physical. He purchased a Planet Fitness membership this summer to continue building strength, hoping to become more effective against the run and eliminate explosive plays.

Both Morales and Ware share the same objective: reaching the playoffs.

Ware believes the Generals have a legitimate opportunity to compete for one of the district’s final postseason spots, potentially earning the program’s first playoff appearance during his tenure.

For Ware, success extends beyond wins and losses. It is about helping turn boys into young men, teaching discipline through honest coaching and watching them succeed long after they leave MacArthur.

A playoff berth is an itch; the MacArthur Generals are poised to scratch in year 3 under coach Ware. The Generals open their season on August 28th against Cypress Ridge, and their district opener against Davis is September 25, 2026.