Paetow High School Athletes Sign After Playoff Football Run and Championship Season Momentum
National Signing Day at Paetow High School arrives at a moment when multiple Panthers programs are either wrapping up competitive seasons or entering key championship stretches.
From a football playoff appearance in District 19-6A to this week’s UIL swimming and diving state meet and the start of major track invitationals, Paetow athletes are carrying momentum into the spring — and several seniors are now officially headed to the collegiate level.
Football: Playoff Finish in District 19-6A
Paetow football closed the 2025–2026 season with a 5–6 overall record and a 4–4 finish in District 19-6A, widely known locally as the “All-Katy ISD” district due to its concentration of Katy ISD programs.
The Panthers secured fourth place in district standings, earning a postseason berth over Tompkins through tiebreakers. Their season concluded in the Bi-District round with a 36–21 loss to Houston Strake Jesuit.
Seniors Lyndon Zachary Johnson, Will Thornton and Samuel Wright were part of a roster that navigated one of Texas’ most competitive 6A districts. Looking ahead, Paetow’s Class of 2026 already includes highly recruited defensive tackle Daryl Campbell, who has drawn interest from major programs including Texas A&M — a sign of continued visibility for the program.
Diving & Swimming: State Meet Week in Austin
In aquatics, Paetow athletes recently competed at the Region 5-6A Championships, with the UIL State Swimming & Diving Meet taking place February 20–21, 2026 at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin.
Barbara Figuera Salazar, who signed with the University of the Incarnate Word, represents Paetow’s continued presence in a region known for deep competition at the 6A level. With championship week underway, the timing of Signing Day underscores how closely athletic achievement and academic opportunity often align.
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Track & Field: Invitational Season Underway
On the track, Paetow is transitioning from early-season quad meets into the invitational portion of the schedule.
Distance standout Elijah Emerson returns after posting times of 4:22 in the 1600m and 9:25 in the 3200m last season and is aiming for a state medal run this spring. Sprinter Grant Batiste, who clocked a 10.34 in the 100m, enters the season as one of the fastest returning athletes in the region.
The Katy ISD Bubba Fife Relays, traditionally held the final weekend of February, mark the next major meet on the Panthers’ schedule.
Paetow High School National Signing Day Signees
Against this backdrop of postseason and championship competition, the following Paetow seniors signed National Letters of Intent:
- Brooklyn Hatton (Track) — Sam Houston State University
- Lyndon Zachary Johnson (Football) — Lamar University
- Barbara Figuera Salazar (Dive) — University of the Incarnate Word
- Will Thornton (Football) — Texas A&M Kingsville
- Valerie Uwa (Track) — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Samuel Wright (Football) — East Central University
“These student-athletes have put in the early mornings, the extra reps and the classroom work. Signing Day is more than a ceremony — it is the reward for years of discipline and the beginning of an exciting new chapter,” Katy ISD Executive Director of Athletics Lance Carter said.
What It Means for Paetow and Katy ISD
For Paetow High School families, National Signing Day reflects both present achievement and sustained competitiveness within Katy ISD athletics. A football playoff berth, active state-level swim and dive competition, and a track season gaining momentum all frame this signing class within a broader culture of year-round performance.
As spring competition continues and offseason football preparations begin, this group of seniors leaves a clear mark on Panthers athletics — one measured in results, resilience and opportunity.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of Paetow High School and Katy ISD athletics.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
