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Anderson High School Beats McCallum in Rivalry Game

The 21-9 victory at House Park moves Anderson closer to securing a spot in the upcoming high school football playoffs.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Football

Expressive sports illustration of two football players in motion, one in green and gold and one in navy blue.
Anderson High School secured a 21-9 victory over McCallum High School on Friday at House Park, strengthening their playoff standing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Anderson High School secured a 21-9 victory over McCallum High School in a rivalry game at House Park. The win improves Anderson's standing in the hunt for postseason qualification as the district race heats up.

Why it matters

The result is crucial for playoff positioning following recent UIL district realignments in Central Texas. Both teams are navigating a high-stakes schedule where every win significantly impacts the chances of extending their seasons into the postseason.

Anderson racked up 249 rushing yards compared to just 9 allowed on the ground, securing a 21-9 win. Anderson now holds a 5-2 overall record against a 3-2 district mark, while McCallum falls to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in district play.

The players

Anderson High School

An Austin high school currently competing for playoff qualification with a 5-2 season record.

McCallum High School

An Austin high school football program that holds a 3-4 overall season record.

The details

Anderson utilized a strong ground game led by Briggs and Kam'Ron Hornsby, who exploited cutback lanes in the McCallum defense to break off big plays, including a 52-yard touchdown run by Briggs and a 16-yard score by Cove Darbyshire. Defensively, Anderson neutralized the McCallum run game and used heavy pressure, highlighted by two sacks from Zach Cecalek, to limit their opponent's momentum. This victory marks the fifth consecutive win for Anderson in this long-standing local rivalry.

Timeline

  1. The football game took place on October 15, 2026.

The Texas Context

The intense focus on this rivalry reflects the higher stakes introduced by the recent UIL district realignment. These changes have forced local schools to battle for fewer playoff spots, making every district game critical for team advancement.

Fans and families attending upcoming games at House Park should anticipate continued high attendance as the season enters its final stretch. The district standings will continue to fluctuate as schools compete for their final playoff seeds over the next few weeks.

The takeaway

Anderson maintains its momentum with a fifth straight win in this rivalry series. Keep an eye on the district standings in the coming weeks to see how this result influences the final path to the playoffs.

Further reading

Follow the latest updates on the season in our Football section.

Live Poll

Do you believe long-standing local high school rivalries have a positive impact on your community?