IT’S TIME | ETBlitz football preview No. 1: The Henderson Lions / By JOE HALE
EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s 15 previews in 15 days here on ETBlitz.com, and since we’re not traditional, anyway, we’re not doing ’em in alphabetical order, and we’re not doing them in order of size. We’re just doing ’em. And the first preview out of the gate: the Henderson High School Lions. Y’all enjoy!
HENDERSON – Ricky Meeks is more than ready to begin his second season as head football coach at Henderson High. His task is turning this once proud football program around.
In other words, getting back on the winning track.
A year ago, his Lions were 5-5, but missed the playoffs for the sixth season in a row. They haven’t made the postseason since 2019 when Henderson finished third in district and 7-4 overall.
The Lions have suffered some, lately. But, if you’re from Henderson and follow program, you recognize his name.
Meeks is the son of former Henderson coach Dicky Meeks, who guided the Lions to the school’s only football championship 16 years ago (3A, DI against Chapel Hill, 28-21). He was on that staff as OC (offensive coordinator), working for his dad before taking his initial head coaching position at Alto in 2018.
He coached three seasons in Alto subsequently moving to Center from 2021 to 2024 and then back to Henderson prior to last season.
Henderson returns four offensive and four defensive starters from its 2025 team. Meeks believes the leaders on this year’s team include Brailon Walker, Aumaz Jackson, Grayson Herrera, and Dakalin Stein.
Walker (5-11, 160, Sr.) and Jackson (5-10, 1,60, Sr.) are both receivers, Jaden Bishop (6-1, 210, Sr.) a running back, and Meeks’ son Blake (6-3, 195, So.) at quarterback, are the premier skill players, while D’Kalyn Pellum (6-3, 293, OL), Grayson Herrera (6-0, 245, OC) and DaKalin Stein (6-0, 250, RG, Sr.) are expected to anchor the offensive line.
Top defenders Henderson welcomes back are Mike Russell (5-9, 186, LB/RB, So.), Walker (5-11, 160, CB/WR, Sr.), Jackson (5-10, 160, CB/WR, Sr.), Justin Howard (5-11, 160, FS/WR, Sr.) and Jason Saulsberry (6-1, 175, SS, Sr.).
This year’s punter/kicker is expected to be senior Ivan Navarro (5-5, 147).
2026 HENDERSON HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent / location | Kickoff time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Aug. 14 | at Whitehouse (preseason scrimmage) | 7 p.m. (9th, JV at 5:45) |
| Thursday, Aug. 20 | at Gilmer (preseason scrimmage) | TBA |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | Carthage | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | at Athens | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 11 | Pittsburg + | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 18 | at Palestine * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Sept. 25 | Lindale * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 2 | at Chapel Hill * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 9 | Open date | |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | at Jacksonville * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 23 | Bullard * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Oct. 30 | at Pine Tree * | 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Nov. 6 | Kilgore * | 7:30 p.m. |
The Lions kick off their season at home against longtime rival and defending 4A, Division II state champion Carthage, which they haven’t played since 2019. “Our game against Carthage is a game Henderson needs to be playing every year. It should be a staple rivalry in East Texas,” Meeks said about the Carthage game.
“Seven playoff teams on our schedule is a challenge,” Meeks nodded, adding, “but so is our district. We have to prepare in a very competitive way.”
A week later, after the opener, the Lions visit Athens and close non-district on Sept. 11 at home against Pittsburg before the grueling seven-game district grind begins at Palestine on Sept. 18.
It’ll be a task from Carthage in the opener right on through Pine Tree in Longview on Oct. 30 and Kilgore back in the friendly confines of Lion Stadium on Nov. 6 for the final two games of the regular season.
If they’re able to punch their ticket to the playoffs, the 2026 Lions will have certainly earned it.
