After a high-flying 2024 season that ended with a regional semifinal playoff appearance, the Aubrey Chaparrals came back down to earth in 2025, but the Chaps are back on the hunt in 2026, looking to make their mark in a new district.
A big part of the Chaps' success for this season could rest on four key contributors: running back Corbin Frazier, tight end/edge Blake Wheeler, receiver Will Storey and receiver/ defensive back Luke Hellman.
“Will is moving from quarterback to receiver, but he’s a tall, rangy kid who can go up and win the ball in the air,” Aubrey offensive coordinator Chase Marler said. “Corbin got hurt last year, but now that he’s recovered, we’re hoping he can get off to a fast start and be our No. 1 running back, and Blake and Luke are in a similar position because they’re both defensive starters as well, so we have to take care of them offensively, but they’re extremely experienced at this level.”
Frazier, who missed most of the 2025 season because of an injury, said he’s excited to step into a new role for his team.
“Coming back from the shoulder injury has been a huge change from last year,” he said. “This is a different pace from junior varsity or freshmen year. I’ve learned a lot from last year, and it's helped build me into a better persona and a better player.”
Frazier said it's encouraging to know that the Chaps’ coaching staff trusts them to spearhead Aubrey’s offense this fall.
“Knowing they trust me to carry the ball honestly adds extra motivation to put in the hard work and kill it every time I get it,” he said.
The Chaps had a large influx of young players after graduating 30 seniors after the 2024 season, and Storey said that the large amount of playing time was the best way for the new starters to learn what it’s like to play at the varsity level.
“Really nothing can prepare you for going on the field on Friday night besides being out there,” he said. “You can practice, but we had to get those live reps in because it's a different speed out there and the level of intensity that everyone plays with is much higher.”
Storey added that he’s put in a lot of work to make the transition to receiver.
“I didn’t really run a lot when much at all, so during the summer I started working really hard on my routes and getting faster,” he said. “I also went to a lot of college camps and worked on my hands. … If we can create separation and get open consistently, it's going to help our quarterback, Connor [Murphy].”
Wheeler said that the group understands that having the coaches’ trust also means they occupy a larger role by helping to set the tone for the team.
“Not only are we leaders in our own position groups, but we’re also doing what we can to teach the younger guys on the team how to perform once we graduate,” he said. “We’re in a position where we have the chance to get better at our own game, but we can also show our teammates how to improve theirs.'
With summer workouts and fall camp behind them, the four agreed that the Chaps will enter this season with a stronger connection and a little extra motivation.
“A lot of us have grown up playing together, and we’ve even known some of the underclassmen for a long time,” he said. “We’re all friends, which will help our chemistry a lot when we go out on Friday nights.”
Wheeler echoed Hellman's sentiments about the Chaps’ close connections.
“We needed to have a bad season first to set us up for a good season this year,” Wheeler said. “The coaches like to say, ‘You have to fail first to succeed higher than where you started,’ and now our team bonding is better than it’s ever been. You can see it on film that we’re talking and communicating. … This season is going to be so much better just because of our improvement as a team.”
