After “Repping the Shield” with honor during their run to the District 12-6A championship and second-round playoff appearance, the 2025 Harker Heights Knights followed suit off the field as well, earning recognition from the National Football Foundation as a Class 6A semifinalist for the 2025-2026 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award.
According to the NFF, to be considered for the national award a team must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, display superior academic application and performance, and have a successful football season.
The Knights were among 16 Class 6A programs and 35 teams overall in Texas chosen as semifinalists.
“I am super proud of our kids, coaches and program. To be recognized at the state and national level is special,” said HHHS head coach Mark Humble, whose team went 6-0 in district and 9-3 overall, including a bi-district playoff win, adding that the team found out about their semifinal selection Thursday, one day after it was announced.
“This proves our program is always more than touchdowns and highlights on the field, but a complete development of champions in the classroom and community,” added Humble, whose players also this season scored 47 academic all-district honors and five academic all-state selections.
From the pool of 35 semifinalists, one school from each classification was selected by the Texas High School Coaches Association a finalist from the state. Those were Jayton (1A), Hale Center (2A), Stephenville (4A), Colleyville Heritage (5A) and San Antonio Johnson (6A).
Ultimately, a committee formed by the NFF picks just one school from across the nation as the recipient of the National High School Academic Excellence Award. The last winner from Texas was Cypress Woods in 2021-2022.
To read more about the award, visit the NFF website here.