Episcopal School of Dallas struggled with inexperience in 2025, resulting in an 0-5 record in SPC 4A competition.
That won’t be an issue for first-year head coach Robert Benson and the Eagles in 2026, however, as the squad brings back a whopping 20 starters, including all 11 on the offensive side of the ball.
Quarterback Miles Link threw for 941 yards and six touchdowns against just two interceptions last season, while receiver Curtis Mathes had more than 900 yards and nine receiving scores en route to All-SPC honors. John Edge Sowa also contributed over 300 yards receiving a year ago, while Wayte McKnight and Charlie Swann provided even more firepower outside.
In the trenches, brothers Samuel and Peter Olson anchor an offensive line that figures to be a strength.
The same can be said for ESD’s defensive front, which also features the Olson brothers.
Linebacker Nico Marquez is one of the top returning tackles for the Eagles, while Mathes, Sowa, McKnight, Swann, and Asher Cooke will also be two-way players.
In addition to having a new head coach in Benson, the Eagles will also be competing in a new district (SPC 3A) which doesn’t figure to have the same strength as SPC 4A.
ESD fans have likely been rejoicing over the new alignment, as the Eagles will now face just one district foe that doesn’t reside in the Dallas area (San Antonio TMI) as opposed to four opponents from the Houston area in previous years.
Author
