“Now that we see [that] we can really handle those tough opponents. We kind of just got to keep doing what we’re doing,” Senior Robert Dedear said.
Bridgeland Football will continue to dominate and most likely go undefeated in the district. This last year, the Bridgeland team lost a couple of key coaches, including their defensive coordinator, Matthew Valmore. Besides the good plays and conditioning his players, Valmore brings heart to the football team.
“I mean, I love Coach Valmore. He helped me out a lot personally, but I think with him leaving, we don’t really know how we’re going to handle this game because he’s a big motivation for us,” Dedear said.
Without Valmore, the team lost a light, someone who builds, strengthens, and has a passion for his athletes. And according to Simplecast, he received the Houston Texans High School Coach of the Year award. Just after Valmore left, Bridgeland JV Navy lost its first game in four years, making it apparent that Valmore affected the team.
“Bridgeland football is about Bridgeland football and the kids, so it’s never about one coach. They won a lot of football games with another coaching staff before I got here, and there are only two coaches out of 14 that are from the staff,” Athletic Coordinator Lonnie Madison said.
The coaches for Bridgeland work together, so even though a coach left, they can fill that hole to keep the team steady. The new lineup of staff is bringing the same boom, many have done before. Changes happen, and players and staff have been able to adapt and grow during this time.
“I think all of our athletes and kids really enjoy being around [the new coaches]. They’re bringing some great new energy and lots of experience as well,” Madison said.
The new staff have brightened the football team, leading them to a win against Pearland Dawson, 35-20. Bridgeland’s strong suit, as a team, has to do with their accountability, because no matter what level of the depth chart, the players still act like they are playing on Friday nights.
“I think for the entire program, regardless of what level you’re on or where you might be on the depth chart, everyone is held to a standard of accountability, that you got to be here, you got to want to be here. You’ve got to do things the right way. From practice all the way to game day,” New Co-Defensive Coordinator Hunter Ramsey said.
Being accountable goes beyond sports; it also has to do with day-to-day life. A coach or teacher fulfills their duties when a student becomes a successful, life-ready person.
“And so, yes, ultimately, all our programs want to win and be successful. At the same time, we’re here to help make the kids prepared for life,” Madison Said.
While we want to work hard every day, UIL guidelines have been an obstacle for this 2025-2026 season: if the Wet Bulb (the temperature of an enclosed space) is over 92 degrees Fahrenheit, players cannot practice outside. To make up for the heat stopping them from practicing, the players have to attend extra practices on holidays like Labor Day and also have morning practices on days when the temperature is going to be over 92 degrees Fahrenheit. These complications, while frustrating, show the dedication of each player to go out of their way in order to be better.
“…it’s been really tough with the heat conditions and heat guidelines. We’re not getting as much practice time as we normally would,” Madison said.
Everywhere, teams are having to adjust to these new guidelines, which stop our team from continuing to grow. But no matter what conditions Bridgeland is put through, when people come to watch Bridgeland Football, they get to see a team of hardworking players throughout the game. Through every obstacle Bridgeland faces, they will prevail and push to the playoffs this year.
“I hope that when the fans and students and other people come to watch us play that they see a team that’s very together, and that plays well with one another,” Ramsey said.
