With talented Aledo transfer, Fort Worth All Saints aims to go back-to-back
High-level football is the standard for coach Aaron Beck and Fort Worth All Saints — the program has won six state titles since he became the coach in 2007.
Last season, the Saints reached newfound success, claiming a TAPPS Division II championship, their first in TAPPS, to cap a perfect season. It was a special year that resulted in the Saints’ first title since 2016.
“Those are years that you just try not to talk about it too much while you’re going through it, but now, when I look back on it, we had a great team,” Beck said. “The football Gods smiled, and we stayed injury-free for the most part.”
With last year’s season behind them, the Saints are preparing to defend that title and re-establish a dynasty.
The schedule ahead is challenging with state-ranked Division I powers Plano Prestonwood and Parish Episcopal, yet All Saints once again has sky-high expectations. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has them ranked as the No. 3 team in the private school realm — the highest of any Division II team.
Several players said competing for a state championship is the expectation. Even with the high bar, starting wide receiver Hudson Reasor, a three-star Colgate commit, said there is no pressure to perform.
“We all know what we do, and how hard we worked over the summer, and just what there is to be done,” Reasor said. “So, I feel like we’re confident in ourselves that we can go do it again.”
A proven addition at quarterback
A flurry of key seniors departed, including Texas State’s Gavin Parkhurst, a Star-Telegram All-Area selection. Still, the program has rising stars and fresh talent to showcase.
One of the new faces is quarterback Gavin Beard, a transfer from Aledo who recently picked up an offer from Georgetown. Beard threw for 2,629 yards with the Bearcats in one of the toughest districts in Texas.
He was originally at All Saints before his time at Aledo and will return to teammates he has known since middle school. Beck said Beard’s velocity is “unbelievable.” His arm strength was on display Tuesday as he completed several deep passes.
“I’m feeling good. It’s good to be back,” Beard said. “This is like coming back home for me — being out here with the guys again. … We’re looking good on the offensive side of the ball, and I’m excited about it.”
Senior wide receiver Hattan French, one of Beard’s key targets, said the QB fits right in the system. That chemistry has been dormant, but it’s strong.
“He’s been great,” French said. “He has always been a good fit with All Saints. Always will be. He is one of my best friends.”
Beck’s priority: Develop the athlete
Beck is about to enter his 40th year as a Texas high school football coach. He’s seen recruitment change, and faced two options: Keep to the old ways or learn and adapt.
Beck chose the latter, and he believes it has set up All Saints athletes for success.
“I think we would all love to put the NIL genie back in the bottle, but we can’t,” Beck said. “I partnered with some guys over at Neeley School of Business at TCU, and did a real deep dive into NIL. We wrote some curriculum for high school kids and families to follow, because recruiting today is like walking on quicksand. … In our program, we try to provide our student-athletes with everything they need.”
Compared to other TAPPS football powerhouses, All Saints is a smaller school. Yet, the Saints stay competitive against Division I schools at a Division II enrollment. The school aims to keep its small student-to-teacher and athlete-to-coach ratios, Beck said.
“We don’t want to be the biggest school in Tarrant County,” Beck said. “We just want to be a really good, strong academic school, prep school, with competitive extracurriculars.”
As the private school option becomes more popular for recruits, many observers have suggested that schools like All Saints and Liberty Christian recruit players. Beck emphasized that those accusations are false.
“I haven’t recruited,” Beck said. “We’ve built a program that attracts, and I believe the same is true for public schools, right? … Southlake, they attract. Aledo attracts. Highland Park attracts.”
In 2024, All Saints had 19 seniors, and 12 of them signed to play at the next level.
All Saints: Talent to keep an eye on
With Reasor, French, junior Gabriel Vazquez-Starling and senior Keylan Lemen, the Saints have loads of talent and depth at wide receiver, and the versatility and well-rounded approach give their offense tons of potential.
Vazquez-Starling has breakout potential, and his teammates compared him to former Saint Qumonte Williams Jr., who is now at Boise State. Lemen is a kick return machine who draws college attention; Beck said he believes Lemen has the talent to take his recruitment to the next level.
Another familiar name to keep an eye on is sophomore receiver Jaytn Briles, the son of TCU offensive coordinator Kendal Briles. He is an underclassman in a loaded receiver room, but he is still expected to get playing time in an offense that utilizes many players.
“We’re just thankful to have [Briles] here,” Beck said. “He is like his dad and his granddad. Football is important to him. It means a lot to him. He is a coach’s kid and has grown up in a locker room.”
At running back, Jourden Billings and Bourke Toler are expected to share snaps. They’ll operate behind an offensive line that includes Drew Edmonds, a player Beck is very excited to have back from injury.
Defensively, junior defensive lineman Kingston Beyer is a standout who is starting to pick up Division I offers. Gatlin Gerhard, another defensive lineman, is quick, strong and coachable, Beck said.
Senior linebacker Keyon Adkins, an Army pledge, is back after registering 107 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions last season. He’ll be a key player in a system led by defensive coordinator Brian Edmondson, a coach with over 25 years of experience.
Beck compared the Saints’ defensive style to what Gary Patterson had at TCU.
“It’s not forcing them to fit into a box,” Beck said. “It’s showcasing what their skill set can do.”
The talent is evident, but that doesn’t guarantee success. Multiple players stressed the importance of discipline, unity, leadership and holding other accountable.
“Keeping the penalties away and making the right play,” Vazquez-Starling said. “And it’s really us against us, not worried about the other side. We’re worried about our technique.”
As the season looms, the players are confident in their process and approach. They’ll let their preparation speak for itself as they chase a championship repeat.
“We’ve already taken all the steps, In all honesty,” French said. “We’ve worked our butts off all summer, and we’re ready. We’re excited. We’re going to pounce on that opportunity.”
This story was originally published August 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM.
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