Stephenville Yellow Jackets cinch highest academic team honor in high school football.

Special to Beneath the Surface News

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has named Stephenville High School as the national winner of the 2025-26 NFF Hatchell Cup, following a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of the country's top state-recognized academic high school football teams.

In addition to earning the distinction as the premier academic high school team in the nation, Stephenville's football program will be awarded $10,000 from Bob's Steak & Chop House.

Created by the NFF in 2021 as a direct extension of its mission to promote academic excellence and leadership through football, the NFF Hatchell Cup has become one of the organization's most important national platforms at the high school level.

Now in its fifth year, the award represents the first and only nationwide effort to recognize an entire high school football team for excellence on the field and in the classroom.

For the 2025-26 cycle, high school programs from across the country were honored at the state level through the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards.

From that nationwide pool of 95 finalists, a national selection committee, with input from state high school coaches associations, conducted a comprehensive review of academic achievement, on-field performance, and community leadership to determine the single national recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup.

"Stephenville's selection as the recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup reflects an extraordinary commitment to excellence in every dimension of student-athlete life," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning.

"This award recognizes their outstanding achievements, including a 4.0 team GPA in the classroom and an undefeated season culminating in a state title. We congratulate Head Coach Sterling Doty, his staff, the players, and the entire Stephenville community on this well-earned honor."

The NFF will make the official presentation of the trophy this spring. In addition, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation will honor Stephenville with the placement of a commemorative brick in The Brick Plaza, located outside Gate A at the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Led by Head Coach Sterling Doty, the 2025 Yellow Jackets posted a flawless 4.0 team GPA.

All 53 players earned Academic All-District honors, with 13 earning Academic All-State recognition. LB/QB Hudson Butchee was named a Rivalry Series Academic All-American, and WR Rhett Donham earned First Team Academic All-State honors.

Forty-eight players were named to the school's Honor Roll, and 32 were enrolled in Advanced Placement and honors courses.

On the field, Stephenville completed a perfect 16-0 season to capture the 2025 Texas Class 4A Division I State Championship.

The defense recorded four shutouts, while the offense averaged 44.4 points per game.

One of Texas' premier high school programs, Stephenville has captured two state titles since 2021 and seven overall.

Administrators who played a role in the program's success include Stephenville ISD Superintendent Eric Cederstrom and Principal Stephanie Traweek.

"The 2025 Yellow jJcket football team embraced both the expectations and the responsibilities that come with success," said Superintendent Eric Cederstrom.

"They committed to winning the play, winning the day, and ultimately winning the season in the classroom, on the field, and in our community. We are incredibly proud of this team and what they represent."