Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Club

06/11/2026

Here are the rankings for each category and our overall score from Nationals. This is for the High School portion. There were also middle school and weld teams.

Overall #24
chicken #33
Ribeye #20
Cake #45
Grilled cheese #68
Pork butt #5
Ribs #48

06/10/2026

What an incredible journey for our Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team!

As a coach, I could not be more proud of this group of students. In our very first year of competition, they earned their way to both State and Nationals—an accomplishment that speaks volumes about their hard work, dedication, and determination.

At Nationals, Yahel Lopez brought home a 5th Place finish in Pork Butt with his money muscle, pulled pork, and burnt ends entry. Robert Cortez earned an impressive 20th Place finish in Ribeye Steak. While these were individual turn-ins, neither student could have achieved this success without the support, encouragement, and teamwork of the entire team behind them.

These students spent countless hours practicing, learning, adjusting, and pushing themselves to improve. Along the way, they developed skills that go far beyond BBQ—leadership, responsibility, perseverance, and teamwork.

We are incredibly proud of everything they accomplished this season and excited to see what the future holds. Onward and upward as we look forward to the 2026–2027 competition season!

A huge thank you to all of our parents, sponsors, supporters, and community members who believed in these students and helped make this journey possible. Your support paved the way for an unforgettable first season.

Once a Lion, always a Lion! 🦁🔥🥩

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

Keynote speaker at nationals

🔥 Inspiring the Next Generation of Pitmasters! 🔥

Today, our Kaufman High School Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team had the privilege of hearing from Rae Barker, the keynote speaker at the National High School BBQ Championship awards ceremony.

Known throughout the BBQ world as "Lil' Gringa," Rae has accomplished more in her young career than most cooks do in a lifetime. Her story of hard work, perseverance, passion, and dedication to the craft of barbecue was both motivating and inspiring for our students.

Thank you, Rae, for sharing your journey and encouraging students from across the country to continue learning, growing, and chasing their goals. Your message was the perfect way to end this cook season.

🔥🍖🏆 🦁🔥🍖🏆

06/10/2026

I will go live here from Scheels after the president and keynote speaker talk.

06/09/2026

Nationals Update!

Our final entry has officially been turned in!

The team presented pork butt three ways:

Money muscle sliced into medallions

Pulled pork

Pork burnt ends

Pork presentation completed and submitted

The boys did a fantastic job today. From the early morning setup to the final turn-in, they worked hard, stayed focused, adapted when needed, and represented Kaufman High School with pride. Their dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of practice all led to this moment.

Now, our work is done, and it's in the hands of the judges.

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, sponsored, and cheered on the Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team throughout this journey. We couldn't have done it without you!

Awards will be held tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. at Scheels. Please keep our students in your thoughts as we await the results.

No matter what happens tomorrow, these students have already made us proud. 🦁🔥🏆

06/09/2026

Nationals Update – Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team

Chicken lollipops are officially turned in! ✅

The ribs are wrapped, resting, and looking great. ✅

Our pork butt 4 ways is finished and resting as well. ✅

At this point, the hard work is done. The team is focused, prepared, and ready for the remaining turn-in times.

These students have put in countless hours of practice, learning, adjusting, and perfecting their craft to earn the opportunity to compete on the national stage. Now it's time to trust their training and let their food do the talking.

Keep sending positive thoughts to our Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team as they represent Kaufman High School and compete for a National Championship! 🦁🔥🏆

06/09/2026

Grilled cheese and ribeye turned in!

06/09/2026

🔥 Nationals Competition Day! 🔥

The smoke is rolling, the grills are hot, and our Kaufman High School Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team is hard at work competing for a National Championship today at Scheels in The Colony!

On today's competition menu:

🍍 Pineapple, Macadamia Nut & Coconut Upside-Down Cake

🐖 Pork Butt – Four Ways

🥓 Bacon, Cheddar & Jalapeño Grilled Cheese

Months of practice, fundraising, catering events, competitions, teamwork, and determination have led to this moment. We couldn't be more proud of these students and the way they represent Kaufman High School, our community, and the State of Texas.

If you're at Scheels today, stop by and cheer on the Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team! We are located on the end of Row 6A near Mavericks Dance Hall, across from the front entrance of Scheels.

Good luck, Lions! Bring home that National Title! 🦁🔥🏆

06/09/2026

🔥 Nationals Competition Day is Here! 🔥

The team arrived bright and early at 5:30 AM and is set up, focused, and ready to crush the day! 💪🔥

Come out and cheer on your Kaufman Lion's Smokehouse BBQ Team as they compete for a National Championship Title today at Scheels in The Colony!

📍 Find us at the end of Row 6A, near the Mavericks Dance Hall, on the opposite end from the main Scheels entrance.

📸 Check out the photos for the competition map, our exact location, and team picture so you can find us easily.

These students have worked incredibly hard all year—through practices, fundraisers, catering events, competitions, and countless hours of preparation—to earn their spot on the national stage. We're proud to represent Kaufman and Texas BBQ!

🐂🔥 Good luck, Lion's Smokehouse! Let's bring home a National Title! 🦁🏆