CBS7 Pigskin Previewmedia.graytvinc.com/documents/PigskinPreview2016WEB.pdfCBS7 KOSA-TV Editor:...

CBS7 Pigskin Preview 1

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Alpine 30Amarillo Tascosa 17Andrews 18Balmorhea 41Big Spring 20Buena Vista 38Coahoma 27Crane 25Forsan 33Fort Davis 37Fort Stockton 21Frenship 17Garden City 36

Grady 45 Grandfalls/Royalty 42Greenwood 22Iraan 34Kermit 26Marfa 39McCamey 32Midland Christian 46 Midland High 8Midland Lee 10Midland Trinity 48Monahans 23Odessa High 12

Odessa Permian 14Pecos 24Rankin 40Reagan County 31San Angelo 16Sanderson 43Sands 44Stanton 28UIL District Alignment 52UT Permian Basin 6Wink 35

Table of Contents

Sarah HoldenCBS 7 Sports Anchor

Jake GadonCBS 7 Sports Director

4


This will be an exciting season in the Permian Basin as the inaugural UTPB Falcons join the countless high school teams in providing fans with

their annual football fix! With incredible community support, the Falcons fly in to town featuring a team loaded with former Permian Basin high school stand-outs. While there are many more local players on the Falcon roster, seven of those players were chosen by Head Coach Justin Carrigan to grace the cover of this year’s CBS7 Pigskin Preview (see Page 7). Falcon fans will get a good look at the new team during their first pre-season game at home in Ratliff Stadium on September 3 against Sul Ross. The Falcons will officially open their inaugural season at home against West Texas A&M on September 17. You can read all about the new Falcons on Page 6 of this publication. You can also see them in action as CBS7 provides live coverage of all UTPB Falcon games which includes an extensive pre-game show. CBS7 will also broadcast an exclusive one-on-one coach’s show with Justin Carrigan every Sunday night at 11pm.

For those fans eagerly anticipating this year’s high school football season, the wait is almost over. Pre-season games begin August 19 with the regular season of Friday Night Lights opening August 26. District play starts early for our 6A teams following realignment and the ex-pansion of that division to seven teams. The Little Southwest Conference is no more, with Abilene out and Frenship and Tascosa in. You can get a closer look at all of the teams in the newly aligned 6A district following our feature story on the Falcons.

For the rest of the districts in the CBS7 viewing area, get ready for some sur-prises as teams in training for the past year rise to the top of the pack. Loss of key players in other towns will put teams in a rebuilding mode. But win or lose, none of our high school teams will disappoint!

Finally, CBS7 has its own inaugural team for this year’s Permian Basin foot-ball season. Two experienced players join the CBS7 Sports Team to bring you this year’s football action. Jake Gadon is new the Sports Director at CBS7 and is excited to jump into the West Texas sports scene.

On the field, in the press box, or from behind the anchor desk, Jake always brings the same energy and dedica-tion to every sporting event he covers.

Jake, who grew up in Old Saybrook, CT, recently graduated from the Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State Uni-versity this past May. He has covered over 200 NFL, MLB, NCAA and high school games while interning at ESPN and Fox Sports. Jake, who is one of five siblings and step siblings, is an APTRA award winner for best student newscast anchor. Jake also has an athletic back-ground, being honored as a two-year varsity baseball letterman in high school. Jake is truly excited to cover the high school football teams in West Texas area; especially with the rich history of Midland, Midland Lee, Permian and Odessa high school football! If you ever see Jake out covering a game or in town, do not be afraid to say a friendly hello; he is always excited to meet the people of West Texas!

Joining Jake as CBS7’s Sports Reporter/Anchor is Sarah Holden. A Michigan native who attended the University of Michigan, Sarah moved to Los Angeles following graduation in August 2015 to intern at the local CBS affiliate in Studio City. Upon completion of the internship, Sarah was discovered on YouTube by the CBS7 news director, and became a member of the CBS7 Sports team in February of this year. She had never been to Texas before moving to Mid-land/Odessa, but she’s so glad she de-cided to take that leap of faith. Although this will be her first season covering football in West Texas, Sarah has a rich background covering the sport. Dur-ing her time at U of M she worked as a sideline reporter and production assistant for the Big Ten Network covering every-thing from football, hockey, basketball, and soccer, to baseball, softball, field hockey and wrestling. She is proud to say that she has covered and rooted for the football program with the most wins in all of college football history. You guessed it, the Michigan Wolverines. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the Permian Basin commu-nity, and cannot wait to see all of you under the Friday (and Saturday) Night Lights!

Jake and Sarah will bring high school football fans all the weekly game highlights during the 5th Quarter every Friday night at 10:15 on CBS7. If you miss the live coverage of Falcon football on Saturdays, you can catch all the highlights during CBS7 Sportscasts throughout the weekend.

Printer:Corning Publishing

Company

Cover PhotoBackground Credit:

Don Hoffman

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Or Write:KOSA-TV

4101 E. 42nd St. J-7Odessa, Texas 79762

Copyright 2016All Rights Reserved

Reproduction in any form is not permitted without written

consent of the publisher.

PIGSKIN PREVIEWPublisher:

CBS7 KOSA-TV

Editor:Molla K. Maytubby

Graphic Design:Melissa Land

Cover Photo:Julian Mancha

Copy:Jake Gadon

Sarah HoldenBarry Sykes

Sales Team:Judy JonesCelia Sperry

Brooke Turner

The Falcons Fly Into Town!

66

NCAA DIV II, Lone Star

UT PERMIAN BASIN

FALCONSIt’s Been a Long Time Coming

This fall, for the first time in its school’s history, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin will field a football team. The

University was founded in 1973 with a little more than 1,000 students that first year. Sports teams have been added over the years and, in 2016, over 6,000 students enrolled and the school’s fourteenth team (seven each for men and women) will take to the field this fall.

Chosen to lead the inaugural effort is Justin Carrigan (2003 graduate of Angelo State; two-time All-LSC safety; earned his masters from Midwestern State in ’09). Carrigan spent five seasons at Tarleton State; the last three as offensive coordinator. His 2015 Texans offense blew the doors off, averaging over 47 points and…522.8 yards per game. He expects his first Falcon group to be “great at throwing it and awesome at running it” with “aggressive defense” to back them up.

The Lone Star Conference home opener with West Texas A&M on September 17 will also get the nation’s attention as it will be streamed live on ESPN3 and WatchESPN.

A good turnout of 2,500 watched the team close out spring practice with a full squad scrimmage and Coach Carrigan was pleased with what he saw. Troy Klimansky (FR, 5-11, 160, El Paso Andress) and Caden Coots (SO, 6-1, 190, Midland Lee) look to battle it out for the starting quarterback position. Klimansky closed out his high school career with 4,489 yards and 49 TD; Coots, in his one year as Lee’s starter, set a school record with 3,415 yards and 34 TD. Either is obviously capable. Jake Bruns (FR, 5-11, 190; Fort Bend Christian Academy) may also figure into the mix. At running back, two Permian Basin backs will help carry the load. Permian-ex

Brandon Bailey (FR, 5-8, 185; 4,383 career yards with 59 TD) will likely get the nod with former Midland Bulldog Brandon Infiesto (FR, 5-9, 185) and Lee-ex Jason McAfee (SO, 5-9, 180) available as well. Infiesto last played for Midland in 2013 and McAfee at Lee in 2011-12 where he had over 2,100 career yards, 1,500+ as a senior. Both wide receiver Terrell Davidson (FR, 6-3, 170; Austin LBJ) and tight end Trevor Abney (FR, 6-3, 225; Midland High) showed well in the spring game and might have worked themselves into the starting lineup. Other offensive players Coach Carrigan notes as being expected to make major contributions include sophomore linemen Caleb Plumlee (6-5, 285, Springtown) and Charles Hunt (6-3, 280; Midland High) and sophomore tight end Hunter Kliafas (6-3, 225; Cypress Ranch).

Defensively a few names have popped up; defensive linemen Jared Thamas (JR, 6-0, 285; Glen Rose) and Logan Gilliam (FR, 6-3, 220; Abilene Wylie), linebacker Emilio Solis (FR, 5-11, 220; Midland High) and two freshmen safeties, Ryan Baker (5-11, 185; Abilene Wyile) and Montique Coles (5-11, 195; El Paso Andress). 8-3 7-4

Home: Biggest Rival: Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: Overall Record: 2015 Record: Conference Record: Last Playoff Year: Offense Style: Defense Style:

Ratliff StadiumAll Conference Foes

Black & Orange Falcons

Justin Carrigan1st 0-00-0

Did Not Play0-0

Did Not Play Balanced

4-2-5 Aggressive

HOMEHOMEHOMEHOMEAWAYHOME AWAYHOME AWAYHOME AWAY

Sul Ross StateArizona Christian U West Texas A&M*Western New Mexico U*

Tarleton State*Eastern New Mexico U*

Texas A&M Kingsville*

OK Panhandle State*Midwestern State*

Texas A&M Commerce*

Angelo State U*

All Saturday 7pm Kickoffs *Conference

Sept. 3 Sept. 10Sept. 17 Sept. 24Oct. 1 Oct. 8Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5Nov. 11

2015 FINAL RECORDS

10-2 Midwestern State8-4 Texas A&M Commerce7-4 Angelo State6-3 Arizona Christian Univ.6-4 West Texas A&M6-6 Eastern New Mexico Univ.5-5 Oklahoma Panhandle Univ.4-7 Western New Mexico Univ.3-7 Sul Ross State Univ.3-7 Tarleton State2-9 Texas A&M Kingsville

Continued on page 9


8

District 26-A

MIDLAND HIGH

BULLDOGSKeep the Playoff Streak Alive

The Midland Bulldogs are coming off a playoff season that featured a must-win game in the regular season finale against cross town

rival Midland Lee and a final mark of 4-7. The last few seasons, the Bulldogs have traveled a rough road and this year, with realignment, find themselves facing a six-game district slate after what should be a competitive pre-season in which the Dogs should more than hold their own.

To notch his 100th win as the head coach of the Midland Bulldogs, Coach Craig Yenzer will need to squeeze six wins (more is more likely) out of his charges. That is very doable as the early look sets the win expectation at five to six in the first ten games. It may take a first round playoff win to achieve that mark, though.

What the Bulldogs have going for them is a hefty number of lettermen returning to the field this fall (34 in all) and of those, Coach Yenzer lists 16 returning starters, including a massive number of ten on offense. Last year, injuries took out a bunch as 19 varsity players missed at least two games each. However, that meant younger players got thrown into the fire and the experience they gained will be paying off this season.

The man of the hour will be senior Jackson Anuskiewicz (6-1, 180). He’s coming off a season in which he threw for just under 1,200 yards with 10 TD and 8 INT. Coach Yenzer would like to see his completion percentage bump up a bit from just over 50% to the neighborhood of 60% or better. In seven games, running back Ricky Hubert (senior; 5-11, 185) ran for 475 yards and 2 TD. Little scatback Nick Hernandez (senior, 5-5, 150) will also be a part of the mix; he scored once in 37 attempts to go with 135 yards. The Dogs really missed wide receiver

Courtney McMaryion (senior; 6-2, 170) who was unavailable for five games due to injury but still managed 28 receptions for 575 yards and 5 TD. He’s a two-year starter and the connection between him and A-Z (the QB) could really set the offensive tone. Senior Juleion Bowers (5-10, 165) nabbed 20 balls, good for 290 and four scores. Senior transfer McClane Mannix (from Midland Christian, 5-10, 170) will give the Bulldogs another powerful weapon in the passing game. He has legitimate 4.4 speed in the 40 (sub 10.7 in the 100 meter) and transferred to Midland High after a junior year in which he totaled over 1,811 all-purpose yards. In June, he was offered and committed to a scholarship from Vanderbilt. Up front, the Big Dogs will be counted on to set the pace; seniors Paxton Heiting (6-4, 272) and Turner Phillips (6-0, 210) and junior Omar Villanueva (5-11, 235) are experienced and will bring a good steady hand (and feet) to the trenches. Senior Brooks Betcher (punter; 34.2 average on 34 punts) and junior Will Powell (placements; good from 35 yards on his only field goal attempt; made both conversions) will handle the kicking duties. Mannix was selected to the TAPPS All-State team as the punter so he will likely be utilized in that area as well.

Defensively, the Dogs should be a good match for their offense with talent across the board. Senior Dillon Springer (6-1, 230; two-year starter) floats between a 3-point stance and taking a step back into linebacker mode. He’s a definite all-district/all-state candidate and will look to build on a solid junior season (39 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery). Senior Willie Echols (6-0, 220) was also a solid defender with more than 35 tackles, 3 for loss. Five more seniors man the linebacker and secondary slots; Joseph Barron (6-0, 211) and Billy Tagle (5-11, 205)

6-4 6-4

Home: Biggest Rival: Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: Overall Record: 2015 Record: District Record: Last Playoff Year: Offense Style: Defense Style:

Grande StadiumAll District FoesPurple & Gold

BulldogsCraig Yenzer

15th 94-67137-90

4-72-3

2015 Shotgun

4-2-5

HOMEAWAYHOMEAWAYAWAYHOMEAWAY

---HOMEAWAYHOME

El Paso FranklinÊP Montwood #

DesotoKeller

*Midland Lee*Wolfforth Frenship HC

*Odessa PermianOPEN

*Amarillo Tascosa*SA Central

*Odessa

*District ^Thursday, 7:00pm #Socorro Athletic Complex 7:00pm MST HC Homecoming

Aug. 25Sept. 2 Sept. 9Sept. 16 Sept. 23Sept. 30 Oct. 7Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 6

Continued on page 9


at ‘backer, Noah Marquez (6-0, 175), Gabe Nunez (5-8, 160) and Chris Sims (6-2, 180) head up the secondary; Marquez is a two-year starter but he, Nunez, and Sims will be looking for their first picks. Among Barron’s 60 tackles were nine for loss with one sack. Mannix’s name pops up here, too, as he will see some playing time in the secondary in addition to playing wide receiver.

The four-game slate to start the season is filled with three teams which won six games each and one with an off-the-mark season, Franklin, who wrapped up at an unusual record for them, 4-6. After that, road games at Permian and San Angelo will be tough matches, but the Bulldogs welcome Frenship, Tascosa, Odessa and Lee at home; the Lee game is technically a road game but Grande is Grande. Tascosa is the pre-season favorite to win district, so having the Rebels at home could be a coup. Of the seven teams in district 2-6A, five of them reached the playoffs in 2015 with only Odessa and Lee sitting it out. Coach Yenzer’s group is well aware they are on the verge of history as a playoff

berth would be only the second time in school history the Bulldogs have advanced three years running (the only other years: 2004-06). The Bulldogs have a doghouse full of experienced players on both sides of the ball and as long as the injury bug visits someone else this fall, it appears Midland will be one of the four teams to dip their toes in the playoff waters, equal the three-years-in-a-row streak and earn their coach his 100th win. CBS7

COACHING STAFFChris Mineo: Co-Defensive Coordinator/DL Associate Head Coach

Scott Preston: Offensive Coordinator/QBs Assistant Head Coach

Jacob Martin: Co-Defensive Coordinator/LBs

Carlos Barocio-Leon: Special Teams Coordinator/ RBs

Robert Conley: Offensive Line

Jake Hale: Defensive Line

Cameron Onic: Defensive Backs

Boone Feldt: Assistant Offensive Line

Trey Hagey: Assistant Wide Receivers

Permian has a few players on the roster who may make an impact as well, line-backer Josh Nguyen (FR, 5-11, 190; three-year starter for Mojo) and defensive back Robby Washington (5-9, 182) were both sideline-to-sideline players in high school and their abilities should translate to the next level.

Predicting the Falcons first go in the Lone Star conference isn’t easy as the team and coaching staff are new and unproven as a unit. The pre-season opponents combined to go 9-10 (Sul Ross: 3-7, Arizona Christian: 6-3) but should provide a good barometer as to how prepared the Falcons

are for what should be a tough conference. Once they hit the Lone Star Conference schedule, Midwestern State stands at the head of the class with both Angelo State (coached by Permian-ex Will Wagner) just a beat behind. All other teams finished with six wins or less. It will certainly be a learning experience for all concerned but, after 43 years of anticipation, whatever happens will be celebrated as THE game of Texas has finally taken root on the UT-Permian Basin campus. It’s been a long time coming. CBS7

NOTE: FR = freshman, SO = sophomore, JR = junior, SR= senior(Justin Lee’s report in the Odessa American contributed to this story)

Continued from page 8

Continued from page 6

Midland High

UT Permian Basin

10

District 26-A

Listening to a New Voice

T he Midland Lee Rebels 2015 season saw a three-win increase from the previous year but the final 4-6 mark was not enough to advance

into the playoffs for a second straight year. In early spring, highly respected and well liked head Coach James Morton told the home folks in Eastland he was coming home (to a very strong 3A program) after guiding the Rebs to a 38-35 record in his seven years. MISD then called on former San Antonio East Central head man Clint Hartman to come to Midland and revive a once dominant and feared team. Hartman, who coached defensive backs at Odessa back in the day (2001-02), brings a 58-30 coaching record to the Tall City (17-17 at East Central, his alma mater; 4-7 last year). He hit the ground running, wasting no time in getting everything up to speed.

A fast-paced run-oriented no huddle spread offense will take the field this fall and that should suit incumbent quarterback Sema’J Davis (senior, 6-2, 180) just fine. To college fans, it’s similar to what Auburn University runs (information thanks to Oscar LeRoy, Midland Reporter Telegram). Davis threw for 967 yards with 5 TD but also had 10 interceptions. The run based scheme will be right in his wheel-house as he ran for 891 yards with another 5 TD. The Rebels will have seven other starters on offense and, with a good solid spring, feel like the growing pains will be minimal. A bevy of receivers will be at Davis’ disposal including seniors Taye Britt (5-11, 165), Peyton Tranum (6-3, 185), Noah Arredondo (6-2, 190), Nicco Sorianello (5-9, 160) and junior Grant Brown (6-0, 180). Britt’s 20 catches for 342 (2 TD) led the team last season while the others combined for 9-94-2. Sorianello spent most of his time on the field in relief of Davis, throwing for 222 yards and 2 TD but will see most all of his action as a receiver this season. A couple

of linemen will also be back, senior Guillermo Hernandez (6-3, 280) and junior Austin Jordan (5-9, 310). Davis was the leading rusher and Tony Jones graduated so the Rebel offense will be in search of a new back, possibly Josh Traylor (junior, 5-7, 160).

The defense is another story as only two starters return for their senior seasons and a new system, an overshift 4-3, will be in place. Coach Hartman calls it a “4-2-5 alignment” that will be heavily based on speed. The two returnees, linebacker Dustin Hunt (6-0, 195) and defensive back Michael Parada (6-2, 190) are playmakers and will be counted on to get the other nine up to speed. Among those expected to earn starting spots this fall are several juniors, D-lineman Isiah Nunez (6-2, 260) and D-backs Javien Johnson (6-0, 170), Trey Jacobs (6-2, 180) and Elijah Prince (6-1, 175).

Coach Hartman had to retool his staff as well and among those wearing maroon, gray, and white is former Odessa High assistant Bo Smith who will coach the offensive line. Five staff members remained while five more left when Coach Morton departed.

With the new alignment for 2-6A, only four preseason games are on the schedule and all are familiar foes including long time district opponent Abilene High. The Eagles are competing in a Ft. Worth Area district for at least the next two seasons (3-6A) but will be on Lee’s non-district schedule. Coach Hartman’s immediate goal, beyond getting the kids well versed in the new systems and how he wants things to run, is to get the Rebels back into the playoff hunt. Lee won only two district games the last two seasons and it will take at least three wins to advance this season unless several teams tie with two wins

MIDLAND LEE

REBELS

5-5 4-6


Grande StadiumMidland & Permian

Maroon, Gray & White Rebels

Clint Hartman1st0-0

58-30 4-62-3

2013 Spread/Multiple

Overshift 4-3

HOMEAWAYAWAYHOMEHOMEAWAYHOMEAWAY

---HOMEAWAY

EP CoronadoAbilene

EP El DoradoLub. Monterey

*Midland*Amarillo Tascosa

*SA Central*Odessa

OPEN*Wolfforth Frenship*Odessa Permian

Continued on page 11*DISTRICT



each and that convoluted tie breaking system has to be used. The Rebels would like to control their own fate and can do so with home wins versus Midland, Frenship and San Angelo Central. The schedule does have the Rebels on the road at district favorite Amarillo Tascosa the end of September. The match-up takes place before the weather turns; Dick Bivins Stadium is replacing its Field Turf surface which was installed in 2008. The new playing field will alternate light and dark green every 5 yards. Interesting note: when Amarillo installed the original Field Turf in 1998 it was Field Turf’s first football field in America and replaced a natural grass surface that had been in place for 48 years. Late in the year it was a tough place to play as the field was chewed up, bumpy and rough by season’s end...decidedly home field advantage for the Amarillo schools come late October. Lee will also play at Ratliff twice this season, so if they can cook up a win or two in the friendly con-fines of Grande, their chances of breaking the post season drought increases significantly. In hiring coach Hartman, the thinking was maybe a new voice was needed to bring the program back to its former state. This fall will bear out if the message heard is loud and clear. CBS7

Continued from page 10Midland Lee Rebels

12

District 26-A

Danny Servance Takes Control

The end of the 2015 season a in early November wrapped up with a final tally of two wins in the ten games

and a short few days later, Head Coach Ron King put the wraps on his tenure of ten years. One thing that was for certain each season - Coach King and his staff would wring every bit of ability and talent out of what he had to work with. Sometimes the result was a playoff run and sometimes, frustration was the order of the day. But his teams always gave their all. He has moved on to coach defensive backs at cross town rival Permian and in his place is a former Mojo All-State player who helped lead them to the state title his junior year (1984) before continuing his career at Baylor. Danny Servance’s coaching career began on the junior varsity level in the late 90’s at Permian before taking the reins of the Permian basketball team from 2000-05. He then moved back to football (at Permian) and then to Lubbock Estacado where he led the Matadors from 2006 to 2015. His new challenge will be to find a way to turn wins into more wins with playoff aspirations an expectation.

Coach Servance will have a good foundation with which to work as 33 lettermen will suit up in his first season. Five starters on each side of the ball return so the west side of Odessa is in good hands. The offense struggled at times last season, managing an average of 23 points a game (the defense surrendered just under 40). Senior Jonathan Franco (5-6, 148) moved between receiver (team leading 29 catches for 486 yards with 5 TD) and quarterback (428 yards, 2 TD, 54% completion

percentage) as a junior with last year’s starter, Nick Adams, battling injury issues. Franco should be the day one starter to lead the spread offense. In the spring game, junior Chase Webster had a good showing and, if he can handle the under-center duties, Franco might be more valuable out wide. Sophomore Trey Smith also got a few good looks, but he may be a year or so away from heavy playing time. Senior wide receiver Aaron Contreras (5-10, 160) is another skill player set to return; he latched on to five balls for 59 yards but will be more heavily involved this season. Two more seniors are expected to see increased playing time in the spread’s passing game. Justus Hood (5-10, 160; 7-57-0) emerged late in the season and should be able to step up his game even more this year, and Orlando Lujan (6-1, 165) will get his first real taste of action. A new running back will need to be found and, at the moment, it looks like Zay Brown (junior, 6-0, 180) may be the one.

The good news is the line that struggled until finding their footing late in the year is back in place with a year’s worth of experience and another off-season under their belts.

ODESSA HIGH

BRONCHOS

4-6 5-5


Ratliff StadiumPermian

Red & White Bronchos

Danny Servance1st0-0

55-50 2-80-5

2013 Spread

3-4

HOMEAWAYAWAYHOMEHOMEAWAY

---HOMEAWAYHOMEAWAY

Lub. MontereyAmarillo

Lub. CoronadoAbilene


OPEN*Midland Lee

*Wolfforth Frenship*Permian*Midland

Continued on page 13*DISTRICT


In the words of Coach Servance

“The purpose of athletics is to help produce good, moral and productive citizens. We want to encourage our student athletes to make a commitment to a selfless work ethic that we believe will result in pride, loyalty, self confi-dence and a sense of belonging to something

bigger than themselves.”


Continued from page 12Odessa High Bronchos

Seniors Bailey Perez (6-4, 260) and Roy Garcia (5-10, 240) will be joined by junior Mason Sanchez (6-0, 266) and should be a lot more solid in the trenches this fall. Chris-tian Alvarez (senior, 5-10, 250) will also be thrown into the fire on the line when the season gets underway.

The defense will be missing the men-among-boys in the middle of the line as three-year starter Brian McClure has wrapped up his high school career. The leadership void will be filled by one of his teammates on the D-line, senior Boy Hernandez (6-0, 230) and senior linebackers Tanner Houston (5-9, 192) and CJ Washington (5-11, 193). The secondary also returns two seniors, Colton Beard (6-1, 164) and Jorge Lopez (6-1, 188).

A level of excitement tempered with reasonable expectations would be a good way to look at the coming season. The opening group of four opponents could lead to a solid 2-2 start (at home against Abilene and at Amarillo will be the biggest tests) and then mistake-free football, winning in all three phases of the game, good luck with injuries, and the way the ball bounces will all shape how the season progresses. District favorite Amarillo Tascosa, along with Permian and Midland High, all visit the Bronchos home turf, but those back-to-back games to open district play will be the toughest matches of the year. After hosting the Tascosa Rebels in late September, Coach Servance will take the boys on the road to the land of the Bobcat before an open week lets them catch their breath for the final four game push. If the Red and White can find a way to get three district wins that should get them in the playoff hunt, but the key will be “mistake-free, injury-free.” The Servance Era has begun; he was a great choice to follow the King Years, and if he can get the most out of the cards dealt him as his predecessor was able to do, then good times are ahead. CBS7

14

District 26-A

It Will Be a Good Year

PERMIAN HIGH

PANTHERS

8-2 7-3


Ratliff StadiumOdessa High

Black & White Panthers

Blake Feldt4th

23-12116-6810-24-1

2015 Spread

3-4

AWAYAWAYHOMEHOMEAWAY

---HOMEAWAYHOMEAWAYHOME

Austin VandegriftEP FranklinEP Eastwood

Bishop Timon # ^*Wolfforth Frenship

OPEN*Midland


*Odessa*Midland Lee

The Permian Pathners are coming off an interesting year. They ran over, around and through their first nine opponents, hardly breaking

a sweat before taking a direct hit at San Angelo. Still, the shared district championship vaulted them into the playoffs where they squashed what should have been a very competitive Arlington Bowie team. That took them to Lubbock to face an old district rival/many-time playoff foe in Amarillo Tascosa. The totally unexpected 17-10 loss ended the season with a 10-2 record and many thoughts of what might have been as the team that opened 2015 did so with almost an entire starting lineup intact from the year before. This season, Coach Blake Feldt will field a team with all but three starters on offense and NONE on defense. The rebuild started as soon as last season ended and carried through the spring game. Now, as fall approaches, the Panthers are gearing up to continue the success Coach Feldt has brought back to the program.

The pre-season tune up games will feature three new opponents. Austin Vandegrift (11-3 in 2015) is a 5A program that has played (and defeated) Abilene Cooper the last two seasons, Bishop Timon (8-4), a “Roman-Catholic independent college-preparatory high school” located in Buffalo, New York that will be playing a schedule that not only takes them to Texas but also Georgia and Ohio (They have made a 2-year commitment to play at Ratliff in 2016-17) and El Paso Franklin. Surprisingly, Permian has never faced off with Franklin (4-6); they have played almost every other El Paso school either in the pre- season or the playoffs, but the game in early September in El Paso will be a first. Permian’s record versus all El Paso schools is 62-4-1. The tie was versus Coronado in the 1975 playoffs, two losses to Montwood in the pre-

season (2012-13), a loss to Yselta in their first-ever playoff game in 1960, and to El Dorado in Lubbock during the playoffs in 2012. The other non-district team is an old foe, Eastwood (9-3) whom the Panthers have played six times previously with six wins (average score: 40-4; allowed 21 total in the six contests). El Paso had quite an upheaval in the coaching ranks during the off-season as seven schools turned over the head coaching position, but both Franklin and Eastwood went unscathed.

Permian’s offense brings back three starters and one contributor from that juggernaut offense that averaged 46.8 points a game and just under 478 yards a game. Senior and two-year starter Jayce Rush (5-11, 240) is the lone returnee on the offensive line with three skill position players also returning. Slot receiver Kobe Robinson (senior, 5-6, 150) ran for just over 500 yards (10.5 per carry!) with 7 TD, caught 11 passes good for 303 yards and 6 TD and returned two punts for scores. He will again be used in all phases of the game - rushing, receiving and returning. Javorian (Brother) Miller (junior, 6-2, 175) was utilized both as a receiver (13-265-5) and as a back-up quarterback (4-7 for 56 yards and 2 TD; ran for 262 yards and 2 TD). Early in 2016, he had decided to stick to basketball but returned to the football team in time for the spring game. He is a Division I talent and it would have been a shame to not see his talents on the football field. The other returning skill player saw a minimum of playing time, Hunter Hawkins (senior, 5-10, 175; 3-32-0) but he should see his playing time increase significantly this season. Permian had a lot of weapons – and only one ball to go around – in 2015, so Hawkins wasn’t on the field as much as he will be this season.

Continued on page 15*DISTRICT ^Thursday #(From Buffalo, NY)



At quarterback, a new leader will have to emerge with Trey Potter’s graduation. Miller will likely stay at receiver where he can do the most good so the odds-on favorite heading into fall is 6-0, 170lb junior Steve Steen, who missed most of his sophomore season due to an ankle break but will be at full strength when the season kicks off. Senior Tyler Marquez (5-9, 180) will likely give Steen a run for his money at the position as well. At running back, the Panthers will be replac-ing a 2,000 yard back, three-year starter Brandon Bailey (4,383 career yards; now plays for UTPB). Coach Feldt feels he has a good group of four who will keep the drop-off at a minimum: Herb Anderson (senior; 5-9, 205), Jaime Garza (senior; 5-8, 170), Aaron Vasquez (senior) and Ed Williams (sophomore; 5-9, 165) could all be used in a rotation with Robinson get-ting touches as well. Anderson and Garza did get a little work as juniors, combin-ing for 45-277-3; look for them and the young pup, Williams, to be the lead dogs. A couple of other skill players (receivers) have been mentioned as well including seniors Michael Comer, Hunter Wynne

and Cody Wood and sophomore Christian Tschauner. Wynne shifted from corner to wide receiver in the offseason. Another big loss is at kicker where Dakoda Delao set a new team mark with 95 consecu-tive conversions (hit all 76 last season) and popped through six field goals. He was a huge weapon that won’t be easy to replace.

Defensively, it’s another story as the entire defensive group graduated, leaving the cupboard completely bare with but two defensive backs who did see some action as juniors, Preston Ellison and Seth Higdon. It will be a complete rebuild that began in off-season, started to gel in the spring and was expected to come to full blossom by the time the team gathers in early August to push for opening night. The defense, like the offense, has a tough act to follow having allowed less than 11 points and a mere 220 yards a game. They always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

All of that being said, what does the future hold for this version of the Mighty Mojo? The crystal ball says Steen will have the first of two very good years at quarterback, the running back rotation (though maybe not AS effective as Bailey was in 2015) will

hold its own and allow the passing game to blossom with Brother Miller having a breakout year. The O-line will be solid. Defensively, the coaching staff is top notch and will be able to plug the right players into the right spots and have them in a position to make a play when it counts. It’s back to the larger seven team district with four teams surviving to the post season. Amarillo Tascosa enters as the district favorite with San Angelo a close second. Permian should stand alone in third and, at this early stage, Frenship looks to be the final playoff team. Permian’s schedule has them on the road at Frenship to start the “real” season (lost both previous meetings in 2012-13) and then at old foe Tascosa (20-7 overall; 4-0 in district) in the third district game. It IS a favorable schedule in that the Panthers will face Midland, San Angelo, Odessa and Midland Lee in the friendly confines of Ratliff though the Broncho game is technically a “road” game. Once in the playoffs, Permian’s backside will still be smarting from the spanking they endured at the hands of the Rebels in Lubbock and may come into play as to how far they can take things this season. It will be a good year. CBS7

(Thanks to Odessa American Royal McGregor for additional information.)

Continued from page 14Odessa Permian Panthers

16

District 26-A

Worth the Price of Admission

10-0 9-1


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AbileneTrophy Club Byron Nelson

Kerrville TivyLaredo Alexander

OPEN*Odessa

*Midland Lee*Wolfforth Frenship*Odessa Permian


For the second year in a row, the San Angelo Bobcats put up 11 wins against only two losses but frustratingly found themselves on the

outside looking in after three playoff games. Coach Brent Davis has guided the Concho Cats to a 32-6 mark the last three seasons (16-2 in district) by running an up tempo offense that could seemingly score at will.

The last three years have featured world class passing games with a different senior quarterback at the controls. This season, yet another trigger man steps in to hopefully continue piling up the yardage and points. Those three (Mickey Scott (2013): 2,893 with 28 TD, Braden Hucks (2014): 3,070 with 32 TD and Brennan Wooten (2015): 3,824 with 36 TD) have lit the district on fire when it came their turn to lead Coach Davis’ high octane offense. That is A LOT to live up to and coach Davis has put the fate of the Cats in the hands of senior Cal Vincent (6-2, 180) to keep the ball rolling. Vincent threw only 17 passes as a junior (completing 53%) with three going for scores. Oh, he was also the team’s leading receiver with 77-961-8. Wooten did a superb job at spreading the ball around as eight receivers had 12 or more catches and four topped 40 receptions. Vincent would do well to follow suit. Vincent does have the luxury of senior Daven Manning (5-11, 193) in the backfield with him. Manning led the team with 798 yards (6.7 average yards per carry, 13 TD) on a decidedly pass-first offense. He also caught 15 balls, good for 141 yards and a TD. He split time last year but will be the feature back in what Coach Davis believes will be a “breakout year.” Two very solid …and tall…wide receivers return for their senior years after very productive junior seasons. Aaron Wooten (6-2, 191; brother of quarterback Brennan) caught 54 balls for 665 yards and 6 TD. His slightly taller teammate, Adam

West (6-8, 211) was good for 44-635-8. Those are two HUGE targets - both uses of the word – for Vincent to find downfield. Before we move on to talk about the line, another player needs to be mentioned here. Sophomore Maverick McIvor (6-3, 180) has transferred from the six-man program at Ft. Davis to San Angelo to play for the Bobcats. As a freshman, he threw for 1,872 yards and 25 TD and ran for over 500 with another 7 TD and was named Newcomer of the Year. In case the name sounds familiar his dad, Rick, is the Sheriff of Jeff Davis County. Oh, and as a high school senior in Ft Stockton, Rick McIvor was an All-State selection at both quarterback and defensive back, was named to the Parade All American team and then went on to lead the UT Longhorns to four bowl games and play in the NFL for four seasons. Obviously, Maverick comes from good stock and you can bet he won’t be on the sidelines much this season (the howls of loss can still be heard around the Ft. Davis campus we’re sure). Junior Henry Teeter (6-4, 200) and senior Tommy Aych (6-0, 157) hope to work their way into the receiver mix. They caught 14 passes between them and Aych scored twice. Ok, now some “lineman” talk. Sophomore Gunter Couch (6-2, 275) started 13 games as a freshman at guard but will move to tackle. Senior Cameron Cross is a load at center at 6-1, 306. So with two in place, Coach Davis and his staff will need to quickly identify and insert basically a new line. Kicker Marc Cabrera hit on eight of 13 field goal attempts and missed but two of his 61 conversion attempts. He’s a weapon that could mean the difference in close games.

*DISTRICT

Continued on page 29

SAN ANGELO

BOBCATS

S.A. Bobcat StadiumAll of Them

Orange & BlueBobcats

Brent Davis8th

54-29155-86-1

11-24-1

2015Multiple / Spread

Multiple / 8-man Front



Jake Gadon 7-3 Sarah Holden 7-3 Jake Gadon 7-3 Sarah Holden 6-4

*DISTRICT*DISTRICT ^7:00pm #5:00pm CST HC Homecoming

Amarillo Tascosa Rebels

Wolfforth Frenship Tigers

In Kent Plunk’s eight seasons, his Rebels mostly hovered around the three- to six-win level until the last two seasons. After a three year run of frustration from 2011-13 (4-7,

1-9, 3-7), the switch was flipped and the light at the end of tunnel brought a 9-3 mark in 2014 and one win better, 10-3 last season. Oh… and that included a shocking knockoff of the juggernaut Permian team in the second week of the playoffs.

This season, the flex-bone offense will be run by two senior quarterbacks, Brock Mooneyham and Zac Zimmer. Running back D’Andre George and receiver Bert Morris (also both seniors) return with a much better understanding of the scheme that, after four seasons, has hit its stride; averaging over 435 yards and 38 points a game in 2015. Overall, a little smaller size-wise and an inexperienced offen-

sive line could be an issue early on, but strength and faith in the offensive and defensive schemes could overcome those hurdles.

Defensively, graduation hit hard but there will be experienced players returning and speed will be an asset. Two seniors, linebacker Preston Bradic and safety Colby Williams are the defensive anchors. CBS7

After years of hanging on the fringe, the Tigers finally moved to the highest classification in 2014 where the road has been a bit rougher.

Coach Brad Davis took the reins from his father, Bobby, in 2006 (after 25 seasons and 250+ wins) and, in those ten seasons, has averaged 10 wins per year. The seven wins last year marked only the third time the Tigers failed to reach at least ten since the younger Davis took the reins.

Thirty lettermen, including a total of 11 starters, will take the field this fall looking to bring the roar back. Though a new quarterback will be under center, the senior-laden cast around the newbie is strong; fullback Bolton Huerta, wide receivers Bradden Kennard and Alfonso Aguilar and four solid linemen, Bo McCraw, Frank Richard, Jacob Piel and Carlton Campbell, should mean offense won’t be a concern.

Defensively, Piel and Asher Robinson return to the line with Zae Johnson (corner) and Mason Weathers in the secondary. Only Johnson is an underclassman. The game to watch

Will be Friday, October 14th when the older brother, Brad, takes his Tigers to San Angelo to face his youngest brother Brent and his Bobcats. Blue & Gold vs Blue & Orange…looks like a mishmash of colors father Bobby will be wearing that night. CBS7

The UIL likes to continue to monkey with a good thing so every two years we have realignment rear its ugly head. The redraw for 2016-17 moves Abilene to district 3-6A with four Keller schools, Haltom City and Weatherford; they are likely to run rough shod over those foes like they did they last time they were reassigned. District 2-6A now is comprised of Midland and Odessa’s four schools, San Angelo, Wolfforth Frenship and Amarillo Tascosa. Yes, NO Lubbock ISD schools remain at the highest level.

Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: 2015 Record: Offense Style: Defense Style:Returning Lettermen:Returning Starters:

Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: 2015 Record: Offense Style: Defense Style:Returning Lettermen:Returning Starters:

DISTRICT 2-6A OTHER SCHOOLS

Red & BlackRebels

Ken Plunk9th

37-4110-3

Flex-bone4-2-537

(Off) 6 (Def) 5

Blue & GoldTigers

Brad Davis11th

102-218-3

Multiple I3-430

(Off) 7 (Def) 4

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EP Montwood ÊP El Dorado #

Lub. CooperAbilene Cooper*Odessa Permian HC


*SA Central*Odessa

*Midland LeeOPEN


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Amarillo CaprockPlainviewAmarillo

Lawton, OK MacArthur

*Odessa*Midland Lee

*Wolfforth Frenship*Odessa Permian

*MidlandOPEN

*SA Central


Frenship // Tascosa

18

District 24-A, Div I

Primed For A Big Year

Since the Ralph Mason era began at Andrews in 2012, the Mustangs have posted wins in 67% of their contests (32-16) and racked

up double digit wins with solid 10-2 marks in the last two years. Those two years followed a combined 12 wins in 2012-13 so things are definitely on the upswing.

Leading the charge for the Mustangs for a second season will be senior quarterback Triston Williams (6-3,190), the Odessa American’s All Permian Basin Offensive Player of the Year. He had a monster junior year, completing 62% of his 433 passing attempts for a whopping 4,347 yards with 60 TD (yep, 60!) against only five picks. He’ll have senior Keegan Thompson (5-10, 165) lined up out wide. Williams was very efficient at spreading the wealth and Thompson was on the receiving end of 56 of his completions for 971 yards and 14 TD. Help will have to be found at receiver with the departure of playmakers Eddie Gabaldon and Devon Fitzgerald and their combined 1,900+receiving yards and 29 TD. The two remaining returning starters are entrenched up front: senior John Benavides (6-0, 215) and junior Chance Darr (6-0, 195). The offense will certainly revolve around the talents of Williams but the boys up front and the running game will have to play a significant role as well. Senior lineman Jayton Miller (5-11, 205) will be one of those counted on up front with junior receiver Beau Narrell (6-2, 190) and senior running back Torey Kelly (5-10, 180) expected to get a heavy dose of action. The 2015 Williams-led offense put up 40 or more in 10 of the 12 games with both losses coming when they were held under that number; 34 vs Sweetwater and 13 in the area loss to Brownwood.

The four returning offensive starters will be doubled on defense where the Mustangs welcome back eight. Thompson (corner, 5 INT), Narrell (safety) and Benavides (D-line) will be counted on to go both ways, but the depth of Coach Mason’s roster means a lot of rested defenders will sit out when the offense is on the field. Hayden Rochell (senior, 6-2, 210; 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery (FR), 54 tackles and 7 for loss) will hunker down in the trenches with Benavides. Two of the three linebackers return: senior Jovi Lopez (5-10, 180; 40 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR) and junior Casey Buck (6-1, 195; 83 tackles, 1 sack). The secondary will return intact as senior Marcus Hernandez (5-10, 160; 5 picks) and junior Jace Keesee (5-10, 160) will again team with Thompson and Narrell to provide a formidable passing defense.

This is shaping up to be the year the Mustangs break through the “area barrier.” The last time a Mustang squad advanced into the third round of the playoffs was 2006 when they finished the year 5-8. Back to back ten-win seasons with 4 and 0 marks in district play have the ‘Stangs chomping at the bit and looking to knock down the door that’s blocked the way the last decade. A couple of All-Time marks that may fall this season: the most wins in school history were the 11-win seasons posted in 1993 (11-2) and 1964 (11-1) with 13 games the most in a single season (2007: 10-3, 1997: 9-4, 1993: 11-2). This year may very well be looked at as THE best season in Andrews Mustang history and it all starts under center with one of the state’s best, Triston Williams. CBS7

ANDREWSMUSTANGS


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San Angelo LakeviewLubbockLevellandMonahansBig Spring

Lub. Coronado*San Eliziario

*Fabens*Mountainview

*ClintOPEN

Memorial StadiumBig Spring

Black & Vegas Gold Mustangs

Ralph Mason5th22-432-1610-24-0

2015Spread

4-3

8-2 8-2*DISTRICT



20

Clint Finley Era Underway

Last year was a strange year for the Big Spring Steers; after two years of rousing success all that could go wrong did go wrong leaving

the Steers with two early season wins and none after mid September (2-7). Not long after, long time Head Coach Phillip Ritchey (eight seasons: 48-42) rode off into the sunset leaving the reins to former NFL player and most recent Los Fresnos head honcho (Rio Grande Valley area) Clint Finley. Though a graduate of Cuero High School (home of the Gobblers!), Finley spent the 1986 and 87 seasons in Big Spring while his father served as the Steers defensive coordinator. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and played two years as a safety for the Kansas City Chiefs (2002-03). In his six seasons at Los Fresnos, he guided them to the playoffs each season including last year when they finished the season 9-2. (Information gathered in part thanks to Oscar Leroy Midland Reporter Telegram.)

So where does that leave the Steers for the coming season? A total of 18 letterman are returning. That includes ten returning starters, so Coach Finley at least has a somewhat full plate with which to work. QB Garrett Wigington’s graduation means a new man under center will be pulling the trigger this season. Junior Dylan Cantu (5-8, 144) looks to get the early nod, but sophomore Jack Everett (5-9, 180) is also a possibility. Running back Preston Alexander (Senior, 5-10, 225) rushed for nearly 700 yards with 8 TD and a 5.3 per carry average and will be counted on to carry the load this year. Senior Daniel Luna (5-10, 175) is the leading returning receiver, having grabbed 36 balls for 812 yards and 7 TD. Another receiver, junior Leon Matthews (5-10, 170; 3 catches for 34), will see his playing time increase this season with sophomore Jeremiah Cooley (6-2, 220) slated for playing time at wide out and

possibly tight end. Along the front, the only returning lineman is senior Levi Molina (5-10, 250) so a new line will need to be identified and solidify early for the Steers offense to gel.

On defense, a few players are slated for double duty; Alexander (linebacker), Luna (safety) and Matthews (DB) and will join the other returning defenders, defensive end Cayman Chavez (senior, 6-4, 236) and ‘backer Brantz Burchett (senior, 5-10, 175).

District 3-4A figures to be another barn burner with both the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs (4-0, 12-3) and Brownwood Lions (3-1, 12-3) being the teams to beat. The Steers will face both on the road with Snyder (2-2, 5-6) and Stephenville (1-3, 4-7) hitting the road to Memorial Stadium. The Steers figure to be firmly in the mix and are more likely to advance to the post season than settle for last year’s two-win season. Even a 5-5 with a 2-2 district slate punches the dance ticket, but something in the air says the Steers may surprise a few folks this fall and be a hard out. CBS7


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Amarillo CaprockSweetwaterMonahans

CanyonAndrewsGraham*Snyder

*Abilene Wylie*Stephenville*Brownwood

OPEN

7-3 6-4*DISTRICT

BIG SPRING STEERS


Memorial StadiumAndrews

Black & Gold Steers

Clint Finley1st0-0

48-212-70-4

2014 Spread

4-2


NOTABLESDamien Cisneros (DT) JR 5-11, 135Domino Cole (WR) NA 6-0, 170John King (S) SR 5-10, 170Mason Lane (OT/LB) SR 5-11, 210Davian Moore (DE) SR 6-1, 224Jimentre Post (LB) JR 5-11, 185Mikey Renteria (LB) JR 6-0, 195Isaac Rios (DT) JR 5-7, 190


The Mike Peters Era Begins

4-6 5-5


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Kermit ^S.A. Lakeview ^Denver City ^

Uvalde #*Mid. Greenwood

*Pecos*Lamesa HC

*SweetwaterOPEN

*Seminole*Monahans

Mike Peters was born and raised in Pecos and after a career in football that began after graduating from

Angelo State, he finally returns home to West Texas. The past six years have been spent at the helm of the Saginaw Rough Riders where he led them to a school record eight wins in 2012 and back-to-back playoff appearances in 2012-13. He inherits a football program that is still looking for its first ever playoff win and they may have found the right man at the right time to bring a trophy home.

It wasn’t all that long ago that the Panthers put up nine wins in a season with 1997 one of only four seasons with as many as nine victories. The others were in 1962 and 1940 with the only ten-win team (10-1) in 1978. That team was led by a quarterback whose name you might remember, Rick McIvor, but even that team bowed out after a single playoff game. Also, only seven seasons ago, the Panthers ran through the regular season 7-3 before stubbing their toe in bi-district. Since ’09 the road has been a bit rougher with 2011’s six wins the topper. However, having said all that, there is plenty of hope on the horizon as the roster returns four starters on each side of the ball, and a healthy 17 letterman.

Coach Peters brings with him a spread offense that will lean heavily on three skill players and a single O-lineman to lead the way. Seniors Alonso Corral (running back, 6-1, 205), Morabie Ramirez (RB/WR; 5-8, 155), Johnny Ybarra (WR; 5-10, 155) and Ivan Pena (OL; 6-3, 255) will provide the leadership the Panthers will rely on in the early going as the youngsters get their feet wet prior to the district opener against Midland Greenwood. Coach Peters knows from watching film from last season his returning players are of

a high quality and will give his team a solid base on which to build. One of the first orders of business will be to find a quarterback, likely either junior Andric Herrera (6-3, 175) or sophomore Nick Johnson (6-0, 155).

On the other side of the ball, Ybarra (secondary) and Corral (linebacker) will be joined by returning starters Marco Quiroz (senior, 5-10, 165; secondary) and AJ Franco (6-0, 190; linebacker). Some of the younger players who will see increased playing time include junior Nester Ruiz (lineman, 6-2, 245) and sophomores Brian Gonzales (secondary, 5-8, 155) and Cesar Trejo (DB/RB, 5-8, 160).

Coach Peters expects his squad to play fast and physical with “great effort” and expects an overall improvement in competitiveness. The production from the senior class will tell the tale since there will be major changes in both the offensive and defensive systems and they will bear the burden of moving the team as a whole forward. District 2-4A will be a rough road to travel with road games at both Sweetwater and Monahans (the two schools expected to give the Panthers the biggest tussle). Friday, September 30th is also an important date as Coach Peters and his band of blue and white Panthers travel to Pecos for the Peters family homecoming. But the home team should not expect an easy welcome home party. Coach Peters may have graduated an Eagle but he’s “a Panther now.” And his laser focus goal is to bring home a playoff win for the first time in school history. The Peters Era has begun and the weekend of November 11-12 could be a big one for the hometown folks. CBS7

*DISTRICT ^7:30pm Kickoff; all others 7:00pm #Saturday, 3pmHC Homecoming

District 24-A, Div II

Panther StadiumPecos

Blue & WhitePanthers

Mike Peters1st0-0

23-394-61-4

2014Spread

4-3

FORT STOCKTONPANTHERS


22

MIDLAND GREENWOOD

RANGERS



Firing on All Cylinders

Fourteen is the number the to know and the reason why 2016 shapes up to be a very successful season for the Greenwood

Rangers; the number 14 as in eight returning starters to offense and another six lining up on defense.

Coach Shad Hanna begins his seventh season at the helm and emphatically states “Experience!” as the primary reason for the elevated optimism. “We have a great set of receivers who have experience and do a great job of catching the ball and blocking in space. We also return a lot of experience on the offensive line.”

Quarterback Ben Brockman (6-0, 170) is coming off a solid junior season in which he threw for more than 1,800 yards with 11 TD and a 52% completion percentage. Running back Stace Bell (5-8, 165) ran for 923 yards and four TD and will again anchor the running game. Of the receivers, senior Fabian Madrid (6-1, 175) and Hunter Wigington (6-1, 165) are the experienced hands and will be complemented by senior Josh Reyes (5-8, 150) and junior Gunnar Holcomb (6-0, 165). The Rangers may be their strongest up front as, from tackle to tackle, all starters return for another season. Center Matt Groeschel is a beast at 6-4….335! This junior is flanked by senior guards Nick Medrano (6-0, 260) and Johnathon Rodriguez (6-2, 275) and tackles Dalton Richardson (junior, 5-9, 175) and Kesmond Andrews (senior, 5-9, 190). Coach Hanna is looking for more explosiveness and consistency on offense this year to maintain drives

and give the defense a rest.

The Ranger defense returns three to the secondary, two on the line and one at ‘backer, with solid depth all around. Rodriguez and junior Brian Romas (5-7, 160) are the returning D-linemen and will have two senior first time starters alongside them - Medrano and Andrews. Madrid is as steady at linebacker as he is at receiver and will be the rock in the middle with Brockman and senior Luke Cowan (5-11, 150) on either side. In the secondary Reyes, Wiginton and senior Lane Gonzales (5-8, 150) are the returning starters with senior Tyler Ellison (5-8, 150) the only newcomer. The Rangers should be a tough team to throw against with all the experience facing off against opponent’s receivers. Gunnar Holcomb, Cade Bracey and Braden Latham also should see increased playing time on defense with Groeschel inserted in a heavy D package.

Common wisdom points to Monahans and Sweetwater to be the headliners in district 2-4A, but Greenwood will have a say in the final standings and deciding who advances to the playoffs. In 2011-12, the Rangers played in the second and third rounds of the playoffs but bowed out in bi-district the last two seasons. Experience and belief in self should carry them into the post season and from there, a fast start and the breaks of the game will determine how far they can go. CBS7

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SnyderBrownfieldShallowater

S.A. Lakeview HC

*Ft. Stockton*Seminole*Monahans

---*Pecos

*Lamesa*Sweetwater

5-5 7-3

Ranger StadiumMonahans

Blue & WhiteRangers

Shad Hanna7th

33-3464-46

6-53-2

2015Spread

4-3

*DISTRICT HC Homecoming




Another solid season, with two playoff games, was put into the books last November and the Monahans Loboes

wrapped up their 2015 season with a second consecutive seven-win season. In the process, Coach Mickey Owens notched his 100th win in fine fashion in mid-October taking Lamesa to the woodshed by a 64-0 count. So begins Owens 12th season at the helm and the faithful can expect more of the same – week after week competiveness, top notch quality on the field and a solid season – equal or better than they’ve come to expect these last 11 seasons.

As always, it starts with the foundation of returning starters and quality lettermen. Nine of the former are a good start with a total of 23 returning players. Coach Owens will have to find a successor to two-year starting quarterback Quentin Jones and will likely start with Dante Griner, a 5-7, 145 lb junior. Of the four returning starters, one is a solid skill player, running back Neek Orredondo (senior, 5-8, 170) who ran for just under 1,000 yards with 7 TD last season. The others are all some serious beef on the O-line and all seniors, Trenton Granado (5-8, 290), Jace McKee (6-0, 270) and Malcolm Montez (6-1, 325). Together they combined for – get ready for this – 203 knockdowns with 76 pancake blocks, led by Granado’s 76. Now, that’s how you control a running game! The Loboes averaged 283 yards a game pounding the ball in Coach Owens’ vaunted Wing T and more of the same will be the order of the day this fall.

The strength of the Lobo D will be the three returning senior linebackers: Seth Hogan (5-9, 180), Ish Marquez (5-10, 200) and Ronin Williams (5-9, 205). The three combined for 217 tackles (led by Williams’ 79). D-back Arredondo will pull split duty both in the offensive and defensive backfields. The defense allowed 330 yards a game, almost evenly split defending the run (160) and the pass (170).

The key to this season won’t be any different from prior seasons - leadership from the returning starters and the senior class and the ability of the younger players to step into starting roles and make significant contributions. Besides QB Griner, these are the players the coaching staff is expecting to make solid strides this season: seniors Devon Almonza (RB/DB; 5-4, 130), Auden Hernandez (WR; 6-0, 165), Trevor Doege; DE/TE; 6-4, 210), Cameron Eddings (OL; 6-0, 220) and Sammy Garcia (WR/DB; 5-8, 165), and juniors Tylan McCallister (RB; 5-7, 190), Alec Gonzales (DT; 5-7, 220), Miguel Marmolejo (RB/DE; 5-7, 165), Corbie Navarrette (TE/DE; 6-1, 212) and Chris Samaniego (OL; 6-3, 305).

The battle for the Crown will again be between the Loboes and the Sweetwater Mustangs, this time at the Mustang Bowl in late October. The ‘Stangs were the only district team to have the Loboes number last season, squeaking out a 38-37 win at Estes Memorial. The other district contests were wins by at least ten points and this season should be no different. Sweetwater (12-1) and Monahans (7-5) sit head and shoulders above Pecos (5-6), Ft Stockton (5-6) and Seminole (1-9) though common thought is Greenwood (6-5) will likely make the district battles a three-team race. At the end of the day one thing is for certain, the Loboes opponents will know that they were in a battle and had to fight for every yard and point. And when all is said and done, the Monahans Loboes will be the victors more often than not. Since 2005, the Loboes have posted seven-win seasons in 10 of those years with a great four-year run of 46-8 between 2008-11 (10-3, 11-1, 13-1, 12-3). It’s a near given the post-season is for the taking and then the next step is to get by Celina who have knocked Monahans from the playoffs the last two years. Get ‘er Done! CBS7

Get ‘er Done!


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Wall^Canyon

Big SpringÂndrews HC ^*Seminole

OPEN*Mid. Greenwood

*Pecos*Lamesa

*Sweetwater*Ft. Stockton

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MONAHANSLOBOES

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A Breakthrough Year Ahead?

Last year was just ‘one of those years’. The Eagles posted five wins in the regular season, two of which came in district play

and gave the Pecos Eagles a playoff berth, and then a one shot and out (to Iowa Park). Still, though, the five wins were a far better sight than the previous year, and this year looks to be a bit better.

A larger seven-team district awaits the Eagles begining with a September 23 date at Sweetwater…and it doesn’t let up from there. Coach Chris Henson will have 19 letterman back and of those, 13 were starters or saw a lot of valuable playing time last season.

The offense lost four but retains seven players including two-year starting quarterback Bubba Henson (junior, 5-11, 185). As a freshman and sophomore, he threw for over 2,500 yards with 28 TDs and ran for another 900+ yards with 11 TDs. He is definitely the straw that stirs the drink. Junior Derick Jaso (5-11, 165) will likely get the nod at running back and will be counted on heavily in the Eagles’ Wing T scheme. According to Coach Henson, the Eagles do have a “talented group of wide receivers” to involve in the passing game; Geovannie Ortiz (senior, 22 catches for 295 yards), EJ Garcia (junior, 30 for 376 yards, 5-9, TD) and Angel Huerta-Rincon (senior, 5-8, 145). The veteran offensive line is also a big thumbs up with three-year starters Justin Rayos, (senior, 5-9, 225) and Johnny Maldonado (senior, 6-0, 230) and returning starter Samuel Soto (junior, 6-0, 265) who is shifting from guard to center. Julian Gervacio (junior, 5-10, 225) and Ricky Rosalez (junior, 5-10, 230) have been groomed to take their spots in the starting lineup this fall. The Eagles offensive line will be of good size and quickness and should provide a great base for both the

running and passing games.

Another six starters return to their positions on defense including three of the four linebackers, senior Jesus Patino (6-0, 190) and juniors Pablo Hidalgo (5-10, 175, team leading 108 tackles) and Jaso . Only one player on the D-line will be back so Coach Henson is looking at three players to join returning starter Jonathan Garcia (5-11, 185, 56 tackles, 7 sacks). All are seniors: Abel Melendez (5-10, 230) , Lucas Delgado (5-11, 225) and Cody Maldon (5-10, 200). Both safeties, Henson and EJ Garcia, man the deep secondary but two new corners or a rotation will play the space in front of them. Raul Modesto (junior, 5-8, 160) is a very talented defender and may get one of the corner spots.

The offense scored a very healthy 36 points (with 420 yards on average) per game while giving up about 30 (356 yards allowed), so it’s easy to see with a little more luck/bounce of that odd shaped ball that those five wins can increase very easily. It will be a tough six-game slate as the Eagles work their way through the district schedule but, with the experienced players they have returning, they should be right in the middle of things. Of the three teams expected to give the Eagles the biggest tussle, only the Monahans Loboes will travel west to Pecos. Both Midland Greenwood and Sweetwater play host this time around and the Monahans/Greenwood games come on back-to-back weeks, so the Eagles will have a good idea where they stand before their bye in week nine. The most recent success came in the 2012 and 2013 seasons when the Eagles posted seven wins each year. You have to go way back to the 9-2 season in 1975 to find more than seven wins, but this year’s squad may be the one to tickle those numbers. Will this be the year of the breakthrough or are we a year early? CBS7

6-4 6-4

PECOSEAGLES


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Brady ^KermitAlpineFabens

*Sweetwater*Ft. Stockton*Seminole*Monahans

*Mid GreenwoodOPEN

*Lamesa

Eagle StadiumFt. Stockton

Purple & GoldEagles

Chris Henson11th

49-5572-63

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Toughness & Passion Rule the Roost

The first season under Head Coach Kirk Byrd was a learning experience as evidenced by being on the short end the first

four games, winning two in a row and plowing through another loss streak before winning the game they had to against Grape Creek to advance to the post season. The three wins (3-8) also included another district victory against San Angelo TLC so the Golden Cranes won when they had to and got the job done. Coach Byrd expects “a breakout season” this fall as the young squad he fielded last season has grown immeasurably since then. And for the second year in a row, the Golden Cranes will have eight starters on each side of the ball returning to take their same spots and use their experience to make a quick turnaround difference.

Among the offensive players returning are very solid senior linemen Trino Castenada (5-9, 175), Andrez Flores (5-10, 205) and Camilo Salcedo (5-10, 175). All graded out at 85% or better with Castenada’s 90% leading the way. Quarterback Kolton Sena (junior, 6-2, 150) saw enough action to complete 57% of his 65 passes, good for 350 yards and 4 TD. He’ll have two juniors, running back Rafael Meza (5-9, 175; 350 yards, 2 TD) and receiver Ricky Medlock (5-9, 150; 14 catches for 215 & 2 TD), to help him get the offensive motor running. The Golden Cranes threw for almost double the 100 yards a game they managed (a little more than 3 TD) and would like to see those numbers increase by at least half.

On defense, four of the same names we listed above with be pulling double duty; D-lineman Castenada, linebackers Flores and Salcedo and free safety Sena. The three in the front seven averaged 89 tackles between them with a good number of tackles for loss and fumble recoveries; the defense is in good hands with those four leading the way. In the words of the head coach, expect a “tough, passionate foot-ball team that the city of Crane will be proud of” with a likely playoff berth earned by the end of district play. The new redrawn district has only Grape Creek (0-5/2-8) as a foe from the last two seasons with Wall (6-0/12-1), Tornillo (0-4/0-10) and Kermit (1-4/1-9) now on the docket. The Wall Hawks come to Kermit in mid-October to set the tone for district and it would appear from first glance that the Golden Cranes have the goods to at least battle for the re-maining playoff spots without much of a problem after that date. That double digit win total – just three seasons removed - from 2013 (10-2) may be a reach, but a final tally reaching the eight-win mark isn’t out of the question. CBS7


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OPEN*Wall

*Tornillo*Kermit

*Grape Creek

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The Jackets are Going to Compete

I n February, the winds of change again blew across Kermit and the Yellowjackets made a change at the top with the hiring of Head

Coach Jacob Bible. A native of Oklahoma, this will be Coach Bible’s second head coaching position; he led the Blackwell, Oklahoma Maroons (the town is north of Oklahoma City) for one season in 2012 and most recently coached the offensive line at Waco Connolly. Kermit (6,110) is similar in size to Blackwell (6,944) and is the kind of town he is “used to.” He feels he is equally strong on both sides of the ball even though he’s spent more time on offense having played on the O-line in high school (Westmoore, OK) and college (Southwestern Oklahoma University). After starting his coaching career in Oklahoma, he made the jump to Texas (Willis and then Waco Connolly) with a goal of heading a program in the state. In late February, the Kermit ISD board gave him the chance because of his “level of enthusiasm, work ethic and focus on strength and conditioning”. (Thanks to Eric Blum, the Odessa American.)

So what does Coach Bible have to work with for the coming season? Of the 15 returning lettermen, 13 saw a good deal of playing time or started a game last season including senior quarterback Josh Trevino (5-7, 155) and senior offensive linemen Matt Leyva (5-10, 220) and Derrick Woods (6-0, 240). Leyva in particular is rock solid after spending the off-season participating in power lifting competitions. Seniors

Nathan Kiser (Linebacker, 5-9, 160) and Dante Jaquez (D-back, 5-6, 145) and junior Jalen Dingle (D-line, 6-1, 255) are three of the returning defensive players Coach Bible will be counting on to turn things around in a hurry. But a lot of younger players will have to contribute quickly for the program to get up and running and get the Jackets back to their winning ways; Kermit’s last winning season was 2009’s 6-4 mark.

With the exception of Kermit and Tornillo, District 2-3A will have a different look as Grape Creek, Crane and Wall will be joining the fray. Wall stands at the head of the class after posting a 12-win season in 2015, but all the other schools (Kermit, Crane, Grape Creek and Tornillo) COMBINED for six wins total: three of those by Crane. In other words, with the exception of the Wall Hawks, the other playoff spots are up for grabs. The Kermit leadership felt that the qualities Coach Bible brings to the program are a great fit for the school and the town, and he feels Kermit is the right place for him and his family: “No matter the time, no matter the place, the Jackets are going to compete.” ‘Nuff said. CBS7

Ft. StocktonPecos

Van HornDenver City

AlpineBrownfield*Tornillo

*Grape Creek*Crane*WallOPEN

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Maroon & GoldYellowjacketsJacob Bible

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The first season under Fred Deitz wound up with three on the left and seven on the right. Making the move from

a long used Wing T system to the more contemporary spread offense showed a few warts, but when this fall is completed, the results should be a lot different as the kids will have had two off-seasons and ten full games under their belts. Coach Deitz will have a total of five returning offensive starters and seven more on defense so there is a lot to build upon as the Bulldogs benefit from a lot of young players getting on the field last season.

Senior Fletcher Mashburn will get the nod at quarterback, with a trio of junior runners at his hip: Adam Clark, Justin Cuellar and Joe Isaac Escobedo, as well as senior Brandon Moreno. Juniors Zach Holmes, Donavon Barber and Alstion Roper look to be featured in the receiver roles and a good mix of experienced players will settle in along the offensive line including seniors David Sandoval and Jonas Turnbough and juniors Trey Bingham, Rolando Ortiz, Braidon Walker and Lane Williams. Senior Tyler Martin will handle the kicking duties.

A lot of those same players will also see extensive defensive action along with a few newcomers such as juniors Landon Barber (linebacker), Calmon Billingsley (LB), Tyler McFall (D-back) and Braden Pearson (LB) and sophomore Gage Clark (DB).

The season’s first game (neutral site; Big Spring) against Forsan will be a stiff test as the Buffaloes are coming off of an eight-win season. The other five non-district teams combined to go 17-34. Once district action gets underway, the home date with 13-win Idalou will be the toughest encounter. The Wildcats ran out to a 13-game win streak before coming up on the short end and will be a tough out again this fall. Roosevelt ended the season even at 5-5, but the other two were under water at 3-6 (Stanton) and 5-7 (Colorado City) so expect the Bulldogs to be in the middle of every skirmish fighting till the bitter end. When all is said and done, look for the ‘dogs to be listed among the week 11 participants as a playoff berth will certainly be awarded. CBS7

In the Middle of Every Skirmish

6-4 5-5


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Forsan ^McCamey

Reagan CountyBangs

Grape CreekSan Angelo TLCA

*Stanton*Idalou

*Colorado CityOPEN

*Lub. Roosevelt


*DISTRICT în Big Spring

COAHOMABULLDOGS

Martin FieldForsan, Stanton

Red & WhiteBulldogs

Fred Dietz2nd3-7N/A3-70-5

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Rumbling Through a New District


5-56-4

STANTONBUFFALOES

Buffalo StadiumForsan, Coahoma

Red & GreyBuffaloes

John Peterson8th

33-3236-38

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2013Spread4-2-5

T he good news for the Stanton Buffaloes to take from the 2015 season is that they added one more win than the previous

year. The even better news is eleven starters return from the class of 18 lettermen and things are definitely on the upswing.

The Buffs aren’t all that far removed from the ten-win campaign in 2010 and, with a couple of good bounces of that oblong ball, good health and senior leadership, they should find themselves in the thick of things - battling for a playoff spot.

Coach John Peterson is counting on his offensive skill players to win the day and getting the ball in the hands of senior running back Alex Martinez (487 yards, 5 TD) and senior receivers Tanner Luxton, Dante Dahl and Austin Fryar (combined 23 catches and 2 TD) will make all the difference. Senior linemen Kaden Kennedy and Jonathon Anderson and senior Colby Gordon will also figure into the mix as well as a runner or receiver.

Gordon and Martinez are two of the returning five defensive players and the strength of the D along with linebackers Fryar and Adrian Rodriguez (the lone junior) and lineman Edgar Saldana. The ‘backers and D-lineman all had 30+ tackles last season and should improve on those numbers this year. The experience from the back end should make for an improved unit all the way around.

Stanton moves into a new district this year with Coahoma, Colorado City, Idalou and Lubbock Roosevelt, getting Idalou and Coahoma at home. The Idalou Wildcats (13-1)

are again the team to beat as they are reloading after falling to state champion Waskom in the semi-finals last season. The other three (Roosevelt, Coahoma, Colorado City) finished .500 or lower. To get to the post season, the Buffaloes will have to put a few more points on the board each week and trust the defense to hold the leads. That’s doable - so expect Week 11 to feature a Stanton Buffaloes playoff matchup and a win to notch the 10th victory. Fans will have to wait and see what shakes out after that. CBS7

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Continued from page 16San Angelo Bobcats Defensively, the ‘Cats have several good players with which to build around begin-ning with two seniors, Gehrig Scott (6-1, 218), a four-year starter at linebacker who is a D-1 prospect after a unanimous selec-tion to the all-district team as a junior, and safety Brock Martin (6-0, 190), another all-district player who had 17 tackles in the narrow playoff loss to Denton Guyer.

Other notable defenders who return include corners Gage Smith (junior, 5-10, 150) and Dedrick Howard (senior, 6-1, 165). Smith has great instincts and moved into the starting lineup in week 10 last season. Howard is destined for a breakout year as well according to his coach. Senior Ty Harmon (5-10, 175) is moving to safety as Smith and Howard have the corners locked down. Along the front seven, several more players will be wearing the Angry Orange jerseys another season; D-linemen Cedrick Smith (5-11, 290), Henry Howard (6-0, 210), Elbert Paulk (6-0, 212), Jordan Schellhase (6-2, 325) and Donnie Bowers (5-10, 265). You did

notice the weights? That front line will be massive and will be akin to moving herd of elephants out of the way if a team wants to gain any yardage on the ground. Henry Howard is making the move from safety to defensive end.

The Bobcats have been a tough out these last few years and there is no reason to think they won’t be a formidable opponent again this year. The defense looks to be a step above the unit last year that surrendered an average 326 yards and 23 points a game; the offense was humming along at 468+/42.4. The numbers put up by the offense, 551 points, 3,853 yards passing and just under 6,100 total yards were all team records. Cabrera, as you’d expect, reaped the benefits by setting new records for conversions and total points scored by kicking. Oh yes, Brennan sits atop the leader board for his tremendous passing year, just ahead of legendary Bobcat Shea Morenz.

San Angelo has advanced to the playoffs six years running and 2016 will be no different. In Coach Davis’ first two seasons, his squad struggled through 2-8 and 5-7 seasons then broke through at 9-3 in 2011 before settling back at .500 (6-6) in 2012. Since then, they have found the

magic dust to post records of 10-2, 11-2 and another 11-2. With a system firmly in place and quality players coming through the pipeline each year, the Bobcats will be a district favorite every year. The district championship will likely be decided the night of November 4 when the pre-season favorite, Amarillo Tascosa, comes to town. But the highlight may well be three weeks earlier when older brother Brad brings his Wolfforth Frenship Tigers to town. Brother versus brother battles are so much fun! All Bobcat games these years are sit-on-the-edge-of –your-seat exciting with the quick pace, strike from anywhere offense Coach Davis likes to run. But those two games in particular will be worth the price of admission. CBS7

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November/December is Deer Season

The first year under Head Coach John Fellows saw the Alpine Fighting Bucks advance into the post season and even though the result

was a quick one-and-done, it was a good year on which to build. In 2016, seven starters (combined) return to advance to what has become an annual tradition: playing beyond the regular season.

In seven of the last eight seasons, the Fighting Bucks have done just that. But now the goal is to take things a week or more further. The last post season advancement beyond the first round was in 2014. Before that, you have to reach back to 2003 (9-3) or 2001 (that wonderful 11-2 year!) to find the Bucks listed in round two or three.

For that to happen, a lot of wet-behind-the-ears youngsters will have to step up in a big way on offense which again will be led by senior quarterback Isaac Gallego (5-10, 170). Gallego had a VERY good junior campaign, topping 1,500 yards both running (1500+) and throwing (1700+) with a combined 35 TDs. The only familiar face in the huddle – as far as returning starters – will be senior center Gage Glidewell (5-8, 175). Both will have a year of Coach Fellows’ system behind them and that should give them a good grounding of leadership for those players not so experienced.

Defensively, there is a little more meat on the bone as five players will be back in place. The strength of the D is definitely the secondary where Gallego will be pulling double duty and will be joined by veterans Calvin Pearce (5-10, 170) and Dustin Chopelas (5-9, 165), both seniors. Seniors Nick Miller (D-line, 5-9, 230) and Jorge Vargas (linebacker, 5-11, 200) are a solid base with which to build. They combined to pick off ten errant passes and Vargas was a tackling monster, racking up 121 total tackles.

The district race will likely revolve around the games the Fighting Bucks play at Sonora (8-4, 5-0) and at home versus Reagan County (6-5, 3-2). A sixth straight playoff appearance is all but a given, but the Bucks want a lot more than just a pat on the back. They’re looking to fill up the trophy case and maybe equal or exceed the 11-win seasons of 2001 and 1965. The Holy Grail remains the magical season of 1992 (13-1) that featured a 13-game win streak before running into the (then class 3A) Southlake Carroll Dragons juggernaut that took that year’s crown. This season shapes up to be the first to post ten wins since the 2001 squad and with a little luck and some quick-maturing players, the season may rival the three teams that posted 11 or more. CBS7

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Grape CreekVan Horn

PecosCrane

Kermit HC

Stanton*San Angelo TLCA

*SonoraOPEN

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ALPINEFIGHTING BUCKS

Jackson FieldCrane

Purple & GoldFighting BucksJohn Fellows

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HELP IS ON THE WAYAaron Frost – WR/DB Junior 5-10, 155Skyler Short – WR/DB Junior 5-6, 150Victor Carrasco – RB/LB Junior 5-9, 185Dominic Gonzales – RB/LB Junior 5-9, 190Cooper Estepp – O & D Lines Junior 5-10, 210Derek Rojo – WR/DB Soph 5-9, 150Alex Gonzales – WR/DB Soph 5-7, 165


Winning Breeds Winning

It sure feels good to get over the hump. In this case, “the hump” is getting back to the winning ways the Reagan County Owls have been striving for. Last

year’s 6-5 mark was the first winning season since 2007 and sets the Owls up for better things to come in Coach Ken Campbell’s sixth season. The six wins also doubled the previous year’s final mark of 3-7 and, with a healthy group of returning players, the Owls are primed for another winning season. Winning breeds winning.

The offense will be operating out of the beloved Wing T with L.J. DeLeon at the controls. The 5-8, 150 lb senior is quick footed and can also sling the ball when called upon. Last year he threw for just under 700 yards with seven touchdowns and ran for 300 yards with eight more scores. Senior running back Carlos Del Rio (5-10, 160) scored three times and rushed for 672 yards and is a good bet to improve those numbers this season. The offense will also have senior receiver Tyler Aguero (5-8, 150) back. He scored twice on 12 receptions. Three very solid linemen are also back in place to help improve on the average 205 yards a game the Owls managed on the ground. Two are senior two-year starters, JD Esquivel (5-9, 225) and Angel DeLuna (5-9, 240). A third year in the system and in the same position should give the offense an early jump on running smoothly. The other returning O-lineman is junior Angel Gallegos (5-8, 220). The offense managed only 65 passing yards per game and Coach Campbell would like to see those numbers closer to the century mark in order to help the ground game and move the chains. Sophomore Samuel Goodloe (5-8, 185) has good speed and figures to be utilized a lot more in the backfield.

DeLeon is a three-year starter and a leader on defense from his safety position and is one of several Owls who will pull double duty including Esquivel and Aguero (D-line) and Del Rio (Linebacker). Trey Ortiz (junior, 5-9, 175) and Zach Adams (senior, 5-9, 145) are the other players who will be in the starting lineup for another year. Defensive back Alex Chavez (6-1, 160) missed a number of games due to injury but will be back at free safety when the season kicks off. Coach Campbell is also counting on a few new faces to step into the spotlight, among them Servando Carrasco, Nathan DeLeon, Tristan Oriz, Kodee Warriner and and Rey Salgado.

In Coach Campbell’s words, “Last year’s team surprised a lot of people and finished second in district. They overachieved through hard work, great attitude and a never-give-up mentality.” As for what holds this year, “Sonora will be the team to beat (the Owls have them at home). The team that is able to “show up” (among the rest of the district squads) will have the advantage in a very even competitive district.” He feels his offense will be better and his kids believe in their defense and building on the success of last season, with a good “nucleus of seniors and a strong class of juniors and sophomores.” Getting over the hump by winning six games last year has the Owls hungry for more. You gotta believe! ”Winning breeds winning.” CBS7


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CoahomaForsan

Ozona HC

Colorado City*Ballinger

*San Angelo TLCA*Sonora*AlpineOPEN

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District 33-A, Div IIREAGAN COUNTY

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James Bird StadiumAll of Them

Royal Blue & GoldOwls

Ken Campbell5th

17-2417-246-53-2

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Expecting Great Things

T he McCamey Badgers find themselves in a wide open district both in terms of distance between the schools

and in the overall evenness of the teams. Eldorado (108 miles from McCamey) was the only team to win five games in 2015 (5-6) as the other three all settled in at 4-7 (Ozona; 67 miles from Badgerville; Christoval ; 123 miles, Anthony; 265 miles). So it’s a good bet each Friday will be a battle to the final whistle and absolutely no one wants to be in a scratch and claw to the end with a Badger.

The first year under Ricky Peacock was a bit lean with only two wins to show for the hard work but another year to understand the offensive and defensive schemes, another year to build team unity and trust along with good health should result in a much improved result.

The first order of business is to find a quarterback and Robert Silva (senior, 5-10, 165) looks to be the ‘man of the hour.’ He will have the benefit of six returning starters to the Badgers’ offense, three skill players and three more on the O-line. Running backs Mark Juarez (senior, 6-0, 190) and Angel McKee (junior, 5-10, 170) return along with junior receiver Nelson Bermudez (5-10, 165). The all-important line will be anchored by returning senior starters Eric Ibarra (6-0, 200), Julian Torres (5-9, 180) and junior Devin Wolfe (6-2, 180). Hunter Maynard will get a good look and likely lots of playing time on both the O and D lines.

The defense returns seven of last year’s eleven: linemen Juarez, Robert McKee (senior, 6-2, 280) and sophomore Taelor Pister (6-4, 245), junior linebacker Zach Rosales (5-9, 160) and secondary stalwarts Silva, Bermudez, and Angel McKee. Speed, aggressiveness and another year in Coach Peacock’s system should bode well for this season.

District 3-2A is quite literally a toss-up and the Badgers have the luxury of home dates with both Anthony and Eldorado, leaving that massive 530 mile round trip to the other side of El Paso to another season. The road trip to Christoval is just a bit more than 2 hours each way and shouldn’t be an issue. This year it may well come down to the team that holds serve at home and can steal a road game and the Badgers are set up with returning experience to do just that. They won as many as seven games as recently as the 2011-12 seasons (both 7-4) and this season looks to post as many or more. The two-win season of 2015 soon will be a distant memory. CBS7


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IraanBronteWink

Van Horn*Anthony*OzonaOPEN

*Eldorado*Christoval

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Black, White & OrangeBadgers

Ricky Peacock2nd2-8

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*DISTRICT



A Whopper of a District Slate Ahead

The Thundering Herd laid waste to their district opponents in 2015, storming through unblemished on their

way to sterling eight-win season. That the season came to an end in round one of the playoffs was a disappointment, but the joy was in the eight wins and the hope for a bright future.

Coach Jason Phillips begins his ninth season at the head of the herd and welcomes back seven starters on each side of the ball from last year. Team speed and quickness will be what carries the season with a few spots on the offensive line that need to be filled and a new quarterback the primary issues.

Junior Bryce Hergert (5-11, 160), a 2nd team defensive back on the all district team, will also move over to the offense and assume the duties under center. He’ll have a solid core of returning players alongside to lessen the adjustment including three up front, a tight end, two receivers and a stud running back. Tearell McVae (senior, 6-0, 175) ran for 886 yards with 12 TD and scored another two via reception. Receivers Blaze Yeater (senior, 5-10, 160) and Garrett Evans (junior, 6-0, 155) will be back in place looking to improve on their combined 32 receptions (476 yards) and 7 TD. Both earned first team all district honors at their position. Junior receiver Austin Darden (5-10, 150) was selected to the 2nd team. The offensive line returns three of the five, seniors Lane Schafer (6-0, 205) and Tyler Westbrook (6-2, 270) and junior Brycson Pineda (6-1, 275). All were

selected to the all district team, Pineda on the 1st team, Westbrook and Shafer to the 2nd team. Tight end Ehren Hillger (6-1, 175) completes the offensive’s returning players.

Coach Phillips has another seven returning starters with invaluable experience setting up shop on defense including many of the same players listed above. Hillger, Pineda and Westbrook will anchor the line (Hillger was 1st team all district; Westbrook was a 2nd team selection) and Shaefer (2nd team all district) assumes his customary spot at linebacker. The secondary returns Hergert, Yeater (2 INT) and Evans and Darden will see his playing time increase as he moves into the starting lineup. Hergert and Evans made the all district 2nd team.

A good mix of young and veteran Buffs will be counted on this fall as their playing time increases; seniors Steven Davis (5-9, 250), TJ Ellis (5-10, 190), Brent Glasco (5-10, 180), Anthony Kilgora (5-10, 220) and Ashton Voight (5-7, 185) and juniors James McCafferty (5-10, 155) and Tre Wheat (5-10, 160).

The bi-annual UIL realignment has plopped the Buffaloes into a stampede with all four district opponents posting ten or more wins last season. Hawley (5-0 district/ 10-2 overall), Anson (4-1/10-2) and Stamford (4-1/10-2) all come from the same district and Post (5-0/11-1) joins the new 4-2A to provide a district that just may be the toughest in the entire state.


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Coahoma ÊldoradoStanton

Reagan CountyMortonWink HC

*HawleyOPEN

*Anson*Post

*Stamford

7-3 7-3*DISTRICT ^ in Big Spring (Thursday) HC Homecoming

FORSANBUFFALOES


Buffalo StadiumCoahoma

Black & WhiteBuffaloes

Jason Phillips9th

28-3536-38

8-34-0

2015Spread

3-4



34

High Expectations

W hat’s a team got to do? Three seasons and a grand total of … three losses…against a staggering

34 wins. 34! 2013: 11-1, 2014: 10-1 and then last year: 13-1. Wowza, that’s some big-time dominating going on but a little of a sour taste left at the end. The Braves have certainly figured things out and now have to find a way to push things down the road just a little more. But, still….34-3 is pretty darn awesome.

Now for some good news, Coach Mark Kirchhoff lost only four starters from that 13-1 squad, returning all but one on offense and all but three on defense. So, there is no need to rebuild, it’s more like reload.

The offense reeled off 395.5 yards a game last season (43.8 points per game) with an almost 4 to 1 ratio of rush to pass (316.5-78.9) and have almost the entire unit back in place. Senior quarterback Clayton Kent (6-0, 190) will again lead the way after posting solid numbers his junior year (1,105 yards passing with 17 TD). He’ll have a PAIR of studs in the backfield to lighten his load as both Daryel Lozoya (senior, 5-7, 200) and Kyle O’Bannon

(junior, 6-0 185) return after posting extremely productive seasons. Lozoya ran for 1,720 yards with 20 TD and his under-classman running mate finished with 1,228 and 26 scores. O’Bannon added another 530+ yards receiving and another seven TDs. Oh, and if that isn’t enough action, he also returned four punts and two kickoffs for scores and averaged 37.3 on 27 punts. A reminder, he was a SOPHOMORE last season! Canon Andrews (Senior, 6-4, 240; 8 catches for 121 yards and 2 TD receiving, 428 yards rushing with 7 TDs) is also back in the fold. He primarily was at tight end last year but may also see time in what would be a very large backfield. Senior linemen Wyatt Banner (5-10, 215), Steven Garlock (6-2, 245) and Shelion Rodriquez (6-0, 240) make up a very formidable front and will plow the ground ahead of the backs to grind out yards, use the clock, and put points on the board.

A number of those same players are just as much a force on defense (allowed a paltry 159.1 yards and 10.7 points per game in ’15) and


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CraneOzona

McCameyMason

Colorado CitySonoraOPEN*Wink

*Van Horn*Menard

*Irion County

9-1 9-1*DISTRICT


IRAANBRAVES

Brave StadiumMcCamey, Ozona

Red & BlackBraves

Mark Kirchhoff5th40-9

201-8513-14-0

2015Flexbone

4-3


MAJOR HONORSCanon Andrews – District Co-Defensive Player of the Year, 1st team All District and 3rd team Texas Sports Writers Assoc selection at tight endWyatt Banner – 1st team TSWA All-State on O-line, District Co-MVPClayton Kent – District Co-Defensive Player of the Year, 1st team TSWA All State, 1st team All District QB in first year to ever play the positionDaryel Lozoya – TSWA 3rd team, All-District 1st team at RB, 2nd team at LBKyle O’Bannon – District Co-MVP offenseShelion Rodriguez – TSWA 2nd team O-line, All-District 1st team O-line, 2nd team D-line




Experience Equals Success

The number six is certainly ingrained in the heads and helmets of the Wink Wildcats; after three years of six wins

(6-4, 6-3, 6-6) the Cats finished off 2015 with the six being on the other side of the ledger (5-6). The .500 regular season mark did put the Wildcats into the playoffs, but Roscoe made the playoff adventure a quick one and out and the Wildcats were left to lick their wounds and take a look ahead. And that look ahead is a promising one indeed. According to Head Cat Andy Hrncir, beginning his sixth season, all 14 of his returning lettermen are either returning starters or saw a high amount of playing time last season. That can mean but one thing: experience and ultimately success.

The schedule opens up with three home dates before the Wildcats hit the road for the final three pre-season games. Once district play commences, the 13-win Iraan Braves play host to the Cats as do the Menard Yellow jackets (9-3 in a different district last year) while Van Horn and Irion County make the trip to Wink. That early season schedule should play well into the Cats’ hands in preparation for a tough row to hoe in district play. The matchups with Iraan (13-1) and Menard will certainly go a long way toward determining the playoff seedings – the Cats should have the goods to qualify but those two games and the subsequent seeding can lead to a favorable or not so favorable bracket.

Sophomore Kenny Hrncir (coach’s kid and Newcomer of the Year in district) reeled off a solid 1,200+ yards passing with 16 TD. With a year of growth, both in size (he’s now 6-0, 165) and experience, he should post even better numbers

this year. He’ll have a new backfield behind him however, but will have the luxury of two receivers and four linemen. Junior Derek Fostel (6-4, 170) and senior Tristron Carroll (6-2, 175) were both solid contributors to the passing game last season, combining for 32 catches, good for almost 480 yards and 2 TDs. The safety net of returning offensive linemen is also a good sign as two seniors, one junior and one sophomore will line up in the trenches. The underclassmen are sophomore Alex Ramirez (5-10, 250) and junior Tristan Lorta (6-1, 230); they are flanked by seniors Josh Parks (6-5, 220) and Koby Ramirez (5-10, 220)

Koby Ramirez is the leader of the defense from middle linebacker with Fostel alongside and joined by what sounds like the law firm of Lorta, (A.) Ramirez and Parks down front on the defensive line. Both Hrncir and CJ Mercier (junior, 5-9, 150) man the back end.

Last season the defense allowed about a touchdown more than the offense could muster (33 to 26) and the Wildcats will at least need to flip that if they are to put up the numbers (six or more wins) for which they are shooting. Conventional wisdom points to a very competitive evenly talented district so it will be a case of the aforementioned games on the road at Menard and Iraan that will be the deciding factor as to how the Wildcats may fair in the postseason. The experience factor alone should propel them beyond the regular season and then seedings, brackets and breaks will play a large part in the final outcome. CBS7


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---HOMEAWAY

SundownStantonPlains

SeagravesMcCamey

Forsan*Irion County

*IraanOPEN

*Van Horn*Menard

6-4 6-4*DISTRICT

WINKWILDCATS

Wildcat FieldIraan

Orange & BlackWildcats

Andy Hrncir6th

35-3249-48

5-61-3

2015Spread

3-4


36

Expect the Expected

J eff Jones’ first season at the helm of the Garden City Bearkats was a successful one any way you look at it. Nine wins in the regular season

and eleven overall is a good year in anyone’s book and Coach Jones has reason to believe the coming season will be its equal or better.

That final game was a whopper, 180 points scored between Garden City and Crowell with the ‘kats on the wrong end by a final 94-86 count. But from the ashes of defeat will rise up a team as stout as any Garden City program has fielded in recent memory.

This version will be led by two senior two-way starters, Riley Eggemeyer (6-0, 145) and Ethan Goodwin (6-4, 160). Eggemeyer’s junior season was stellar all the way around, 842 rushing yards with 19 scores, 366 receiving yards (12 catches) with another 7 TD and another 2 passing TDs. He was the all-state utility back honoree and also was chosen as a member of the West Texas Super Team, again as a utility player. Coach Jones touts his very good vision and sure hands as strong attributes. On defense, he leads from his spot at linebacker where he will look to improve on his 59 tackles. He also scored on one of the two fumbles he scooped up and he also picked off a pass.

Goodwin played tight end and defensive back. On offense, his 19 catches for 424 yards resulted in 9 TD. On defense, he was what is referred to as a ‘shut down corner’ as any quarterback who looked to test him found loads of T-R-O-U-B-L-E; nine picks including a score and 89 tackles. Coach Jones says, “He can cover lots of ground and has great hands.” As you’d expect, Goodwin was an All-Region defensive back and also made the All-West Super

Team at DB.

The Bearkats expect to pick up where they left off with contributions from those two along with these three: seniors Jose Gallegos (RB/LB, 5-9, 150) and Drake Douglass (both lines, 5-10, 185) and junior Trent McMillan (expected to take the reins at quarterback and in the secondary, 5-9, 145). The junior varsity went undefeated (9-0) and will promote several players who figure to be heavily involved this fall including juniors Cade Braden (both lines, 5-9, 190), Derek Halfmann (TE/DE, 6-0, 165), Alfred Leos (RB/LB, 5-9, 145) and Victor Salinas (TE/DE, 5-8, 170) and sophomores Raul Almazan (RB/DE, 5-8, 145) Zach Burnett (both lines, 5-9, 190), Cesar Chavez (RB/LB, 5-8, 145) Josue Gutierrez (RB/LB, 5-7, 135) and Hagan Halfmann (QB/DB, 6-0, 140).

Coach Jones feels that tradition and pride go a long way toward how a season plays out and he also feels this team’s speed will help carry the load each week. A very strong senior class has graduated and the sub varsity players adjusting to the level of play on the varsity level will take some time. The new district will feature two teams who posted ten or more wins: Garden City (11-2) and Sterling City (10-2) with Robert Lee (6-5) and Westbrook (5-5) also at .500 or better. That’s a much tougher slate to wade through, but after a seven-game non-disrict schedule, the Bearkats should be toughened up and ready to take on all comers. In ten of the last 12 seasons, Garden City has posted at least eight wins (2011 and 2012 were the outliers at 5-5 and 3-8), so expect more of the same this season. The Bearkats will likely be playoff bound with a shot at the title before it’s all over. CBS7


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Austin Varitas #Santa Anna

OPENBalmorhea

RankinBuena Vista

MarfaMilford ^

*Westbrook*Sterling City*Robert Lee

7-3 7-3*DISTRICT #Saturday at Borden Co. ^ at Santa Anna

District 61A, 6-Man Div I

GARDEN CITYBEARKATS

Walton FieldRankin

Red, Black & WhiteBearkatsJeff Jones

2nd11-2

32-3211-23-0

2015Jaybird

2-3



Need to Grow Up in a Hurry

Every step forward is a step in the right direction. In Coach Seth Nolan’s first season in 2014, his Ft Davis Indians improved

from 2013’s 0-10 to 4-6 and then, in 2015, they made one more leap to 5-5. Next step would be fixing that pesky problem of winning a district game - or two or three - and advancing to the post season.

The playoff drought has stretched for five seasons now, since the 7-3 2011 season that ended in the first round of the playoffs. Back in the middle of the decade, the Indians had things figured out; in the ten years between 2002 and 2011 they posted 74 wins with eight seasons of seven or more. So, improving from an 0-fer to five wins within two years means the arrow is pointing.

The Indians will need a lot of younger players to step it up this year as only two starting players return: junior wide receiver/safety Troy Hernandez (5-8, 145) and sophomore center Penn Merrill (6-1, 160). Hernandez did haul in 39 passes for 620 yards (15.9 per catch) good for 5 TD. On defense, he swiped five opponent passes and totaled 39 tackles. There is a good chance he will move to quarterback this fall to run the offense. Merrill was named to the all-district first team at center as a FRESHMAN so even better days are ahead, you’d think. A couple of notable players are also being counted on offensively including sophomore running back/defensive end Sabien Granado (5-9, 180) and freshman running back Jack Lanpher (6-0, 150). Granado was only available for three games last season so his availability and the abilities of the sophomore runner will be a great boost to the offense. Those numbers

from last season were a near mirror image of the defensive output as you’d expect from the final .500 record - 57 points a game scored versus just under 54 allowed. If they can be tweaked up on offense and down on defense just a little, it’s a good bet the number of wins will go up for a third year in a row.

The biggest loss was the departure of QB/LB Maverick McIvor and two more players who rarely left the field - Trent Whitesell and Cody Granado. However, Coach Nolan feels that the younger players will use the opportunity to increase their playing time and show they can do the job. There is a good chance a number of freshmen will be in the starting six on each side of the ball so the early going may be fraught with growing pains that will hopefully iron themselves out by the time district play begins.

The Indians do have the benefit of playing at home the first two weeks of district and only making the short half-hour drive to Marfa for the finale. The non-district opponents were 32-40 last season with only Balmorhea (11-2) and El Paso Faith Christian (7-3) above water, but those games should be a good barometer as to how competitive the young Indians will be. The three district opponents were a different story; 24-11, led by Buena Vista’s sterling 13-1 mark. Marfa finished up 7-3 while Rankin was at 4-6. All that to say this: the first seven will be a good test and the final three will be a major test if the Indians want to win at least six AND carry their season on to the post-season. Those young ‘uns will need to grow up in a hurry. CBS7


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4-6 3-7


EP Home SchoolBalmorhea

Sierra BlancaSanderson

EP Faith ChristianGrandfalls-Royalty

Dell CityOPEN

*Rankin*Buena Vista

*Marfa

*DISTRICT

FORT DAVISINDIANS

Bart Coan FieldMarfa

Green & GoldIndians

Seth Nolan3rd9-119-115-50-3

2011Spread

4-2


38

Building on Prior Success

There was an old beloved 60’s era TV show starring the suddenly rich Clampett family and whenever Jed, the

family patriarch, was delighted with something, he’d exclaim, “Wee doggies.” The year 2014 was one of those times for the Buena Vista/Imperial faithful who kept the faith for 19 long years when their beloved Longhorns remained at home while the state playoffs got underway. That 11-1 season was one to smile about and the 2015 squad built on that momentum to come within reach of a state finals berth before falling to Follett 44-38 on an early December day in Frenship. The Longhorns had a 24-2 combined record the last two years and more of the same looks to be the order of business this fall.

Coach John Benavidez had a rocky start to his tenure the first three seasons but once the ‘horns figured out how to win, they posted consecutive unblemished district slates and solid playoff runs. Often getting over the hump and figuring out HOW to win is the hard part and often winning breeds more winning as evidenced by the past two seasons.

The offense will welcome back the three skill players who averaged 57 points a game: quarterback Ethen Evans (senior, 6-0, 175), fullback Miquel Padilla (senior, 5-5, 170) and tailback Jose Castro (junior, 5-10, 200). Evans was solid through the air, completing 67% of his passes for 1,830 yards, 33 touchdowns and a single interception. Padilla and Castro combined for over 2,000 yards and 41 scores. Castro also was on-the-money throwing the ball with two of his three completions going for scores.

The ‘horns D surrendered only 18 points a game last season and returns five of the six starters. D-linemen Padilla (76 tackles, 6 forced and recovered fumbles), Guadalupe Salcido (38 tackles, 1 INT) and Avie Lozano (junior, 5-7, 140) will anchor the trenches with linebacker Evans (118 tackles, 8 forced/6 recovered fumbles and 3 picks) and D-Back Joseph Sarabia (junior, 5-7, 140; 69 tackles, 9 picks) manning the same spots as last season.

Experience and depth has excite-ment at a level not seen in almost two decades as the Longhorns will ride the mantra “Score with O and win with D” deep into the playoffs for a third straight season. CBS7


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8-2 9-1

District 71A, 6-Man Div II

Eden ^Sterling City

Midessa Home SchoolMidland Trinity

SandersonGarden City

El Paso Home SchoolOPEN

*Marfa*Ft Davis*Rankin

*DISTRICT ^Saturday

BUENA VISTA/IMPERIAL

LONGHORNS

Longhorn StadiumAll of ThemBlue & GoldLonghorns

John Benavidez6th

37-1937-1913-14-0

2015MultipleMultiple


RELOADING WITH SENIORSO-Line David Crawford 5-11, 250End David Nunez 5-6, 135RB Guadalupe Salcido 5-10, 175

JUNIORS BEING COUNTED ONOL/DL Dalton Bandy 5-11, 185O-Line Dago Rodriguez 6-0, 195RB Pedro Ulloa 5-9, 165RB/DB DJ Whaley 5-10, 175

SOPHOMORES CONTENDING FOR P.T.Peter Castro Juan CortezMarkus Gomez Peter GonzalezJovannie Romero Justin SarabiaKyndrik Tarin


Finish What They Start

As a new head coach, Wayland Jenkins coaxed seven wins out of his Shorthorns in 2015, but a single

district win kept Marfa from advancing to the post season. Still, in Coach Jenkins’ first season, seven wins is nothing to be sneezed at and the one district win was the final game, a two-point victory over Ft Davis so the ‘horns ended the season on a high note.

Ten lettermen return this season with a total of seven starters among them. Salvador Roman (senior, 5-10, 147) averaged a solid eight yards a carry and will be back to lead the offense while senior John Serrano (end, 6-1, 150) and junior Arron Luna (safety, 5-7, 132) will lead the defense with linebacker Steven Granado (junior, 5-7, 132) also back in his starting spot. The offense relies on speed and ran the ball much more effectively than when they threw it. Coach Jenkins would like those numbers to balance out a lot more this season as they were really lopsided in 2015, though the Shorthorns did manage a very good 43 points per game. The defense gave up about ten points less a game and any improvement there should vault the ‘horns into the post season.

Serrano will also get the nod to run the offense at quarterback with senior Brandon Leos (5-7, 205) returning on the line.

Coach Jenkins’ philosophy this season is very simple, “Finish what you start.” District opponents Buena Vista (13-1), Rankin (4-7) and Ft Davis (5-5) will put up a fight, so the Shorthorns will need to show up with their “A” game every week if they expect the season to extend beyond the regular season. And to

do that, they need to start strong and finish just as strong. The schedule will play into their hands as the only district road game will be at Rankin (a long 300+ mile round trip) with BV and Rankin traveling to Marfa. When the seven-game pre-season schedule wraps up in early October, the Shorthorns will get a much needed bye and then have three hard weeks of district games to get the job done. Start fast, finish just as fast and that should be the ticket to the post season. CBS7


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6-4 7-3


Sierra BlancaSandersonBalmorhea

Grandfalls-RoyaltyDell City

Ft HancockGarden City

OPEN*Buena Vista

*Rankin*Ft Davis

*DISTRICT

MARFASHORTHORNS

Martin FieldFt Davis

Purple & WhiteShorthorns

Wayland Jenkins2nd7-37-37-31-2

2014Tight3-2


40

Things Are Looking Up

The Rankin Red Devils will be under new leadership this fall as Pat Potts has relinquished the reins to the football

program but will remain with the school district where he has been for 11 years now.

Rankin ISD tabbed Spur‘s Jeff Shelton to take over the program in late June. Coach Shelton’s Bulldogs improved from 4-7 his first season to 6-5 last year. His previous stops include Jayton, where he was the defensive coordinator for three seasons including the ’06 state finalist team, two seasons at New Home (2009-10) and three more at Roscoe Highland (2011-13) prior to the two-year run in Spur.

Rankin wrapped up 2015 with a 4-7 mark and a bi-district berth and welcome back six returning starters to what should be a very good team. Quarterback Markus Black (junior, 5-9, 160) threw for better than 500 yards with 15 TDs as a sophomore and projects to improve on those numbers the next two seasons. Senior running back Jonathan Storie (6-0, 165) scored 12 times while rushing for 553 yards and will be counted on heavily this fall. The offense will have one lineman return, junior Justin Gaddis (5-10, 205). Angel Martinez (junior, 6-0, 190) and Junior Alvarado (senior, 5-9, 250) are slotted into spots on the line along side Gaddis and should be able to plow the field and keep the running game moving. Junior Cody Wyatt (5-10, 140) may get some looks at quarterback but most likely will slide to another skill position as Black continues to grow into the position.

One of the reasons for the un-Rankin-like 4 and 7 mark was the lopsided numbers between offense and defense - the D gave up on average about 19 points more a game than was scored by the O. That should change drastically this fall and the running game that averaged about 275 yards a game should be stout. The Red Devils put the ball in the air just enough to get by last year and believe Black’s passing numbers will also take a jump.

Defensively, both Black and Storie will see considerable playing time, Black at linebacker and Storie at safety where he will be paired with returning starter Sammy Reyna (senior, 5-5, 125). Black and Storie picked off a combined seven errant opponent passes while also posting big tackle numbers (Black registered 94, Storie had 72 and Reyna chipped in another 62).

The coaches are excited about this group of kids noting, “They are very coachable and work hard.” They’ve put in the necessary work during the offseason and that should pay off when the games begin.

Rankin will be on the road to start and end district play with the sole home game with Marfa sandwiched in between. Buena Vista (13-1 last season and the opponent in the final game of the regular season) is again the team to beat, so if the Red Devils are going to advance beyond week 10, they will likely have to find a way to upend Marfa (7-3) and/or Ft Davis (4-6) to punch their ticket. Things are on the upswing without a doubt, even with a new era underway. CBS7


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7-3 6-4


RANKINRED DEVILS

Balmorhea Midland Trinity

SandersonGrady

Garden CityRobert Lee

Water ValleyOPEN

*Ft Davis*Marfa

*Buena Vista

Red Devil StadiumGarden City

Maroon, Black & WhiteRed Devils

Jeff Shelton1st0-0

29-434-72-1

2014Unbalanced J Set Wing

4-2, 2-3, 5-1

*DISTRICT



Reaching for the Biggest Number of All

Last year would be categorized as a very good year for the Bears with 11 wins and three rounds deep in the

playoffs. In Coach R Vance Jones’ four seasons, the Bears have averaged those same 12 games a year (won 75% of the 48; and that’s just under Coach Jones’ career 81% mark), so when looking ahead to this fall, it’s likely the Bears will handle the regular season, advance to the post-season, and play at least three rounds deep.

They will have 13 letterman and three players slated to go both ways and another returning starter as well. Coach Jones and his staff will have to lock on to quarterback in the run up to the opening game on August 26th but know they have the other skill players already in place. Three juniors, Kyle Garcia (running back, 5-9, 170), Lucas Martinez (split end, 5-10, 160) and Avery Mendoza (tight end, 5-9, 195) and sophomore Marcos Mendoza (wingback, 5-10, 185) are locked in. Junior Marco Martinez (6-1, 150) looks to be the most likely among the candidates for quarterback with junior Josiah Garcia (5-11, 150) also a possibility. The offense averaged more than 57 points a game last season, ran the ball a ton (357 yards per game) and threw it a little (103 per game). A strong running game will again lead the way with “great blocking and good play action” contributing mightily, according to Coach Jones.

Four of the six on defense will also return; nose guard Danny Vasquez (junior, 5-6, 175) and end Lucas Martinez as well as linebackers Marcos Mendoza and Garcia. These four’s knowledge of the system and experience will take the defense a long way this season

with help from several players with some or limited experience: junior Matt Carrasco (linebacker/split end; 6-0, 150), sophomores Caleb Aguirre, Eric Carrasco (defensive end/tight end; 5-9, 135), Zachery Fleener (nose guard/tight end; 5-9, 185) and Tyler Dutchover (d-end/center; 5-11, 165). Even freshmen Aaron Mendoza (RB/LB; 5-7, 160), Marco Ramos (nose/center; 5-9, 205) and Kade Weatherman (safety/QB5-8, 125) could be on the field in the later stages of the season. Coach Jones teaches an aggressive “in your face” speed to the ball de-fense and this group is taylor-made for that scheme. In his words, “play hard, smart and fast and….uh….(honked) off!”

The Bears are “primed for a deep run in the playoffs this season” owing to “depth, experience and leadership”. A run to and a successful finish in the state 1A division 2 state finals is the highly attainable goal. In reaching for the top, the Bears would likely set a school record for wins – the current mark is 11, set in 1994 (11-1) and equaled last season (11-2). Interesting note: the Bears only have had three seasons with 10 or more wins (1936-2015), the two listed and 2012 when they ended the year 10-3. Count on 2016 to add to that list and maybe add the biggest number of all. CBS7


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8-2 7-3

RankinFt DavisMarfa

Garden CityKlondike

Midland Trinity*Sierra Blanca

OPEN*Sanderson*Dell City

*Grandfalls^

*DISTRICT ^Thursday


Bear StadiumRankin/GrandfallsBlue, White & Black

BearsR. Vance Jones

5th36-12216-5111-23-0

2015Unbalanced/I Wing

3-3 & 3-3-1

BALMORHEABEARS


42

‘Boys Are For Real

I t’s been kind of hard to stay on the buckin’ bronc these last two seasons since the Grandfalls-Royalty Cowboys celebrated their 2013 state

title. Back to back try-your-patience four-win seasons have left the ‘boys hungry to taste the post season and the time is now at hand.

Records of 4-6 and 4-6 are not the kind of marks Coach Joe Helms and his rough band of Cowboys are used to, but a quick glance of what’s ahead has them chomping at the bit. Five starters out of six on each side of the ball is a good recipe for success.

Junior Jalen Helms (5-8, 160) will again lead the charge at quarterback with a bevy of quality senior players around him; Colton Butler (running back; 5-10, 190), Robert Canals (RB/end; 5-8, 225), Jaren Brooks (wide receiver; 6-1, 180) and Carlos Luna (center; 5-9, 215). That’s the makings of a formidable offense and will certainly keep the ‘boys in the hunt in every game this fall.

On defense, Butler (nose), Luna (end) and sophomore Rudy Arizola (5-9, 160) will man the trenches with Helms at linebacker and Brooks at corner. Other players will also find it’s their time to shine and will be making major contributions as the season progresses.

The combined win-loss record for the pre-season combatants was 28-31 with both Klondike and Marfa leading the way posting seven wins apiece. Chalk up the Cowboys to go 6-0 in those contests. The district race for the championship will no doubt come on the night of November 3rd, a Thursday, when Big Daddy Balmorhea hosts the Cowboys in what will likely be a winner-take-all barn-burner. The four district foes

won 16 and lost 24 in 2015 with the Bears the ONLY team to stay above water (Sanderson: 1-9, Dell City: 3-7, Sierrra Blanca: 4-6, Balmorhea: 11-2). Chalk those first three games up as Cowboy victories leaving Grandfalls-Royalty possibly riding a nine-game win streak into that early November clash. However the chips may fall, the Cowboys will again enter the post-season in November and look to repeat the run of 2012-13 when they posted 13-1 and 14-1 records with the state title triumph to cap it off. Happy Days are here again! The ‘Boys are for real! CBS7Home:

Biggest Rival: Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: Overall Record: 2015 Record: District Record: Last Playoff Year: Offense Style: Defense Style:

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6-4 7-3


GRANDFALLS-ROYALTYCOWBOYS

Cowboy FieldBalmorhea

Red & WhiteCowboys

Joe Helms5th

35-13122-76

4-62-2

2013Multiple

3-3

Welch DawsonOdessa Latter Rain

KlondikeMarfa

WhitefaceFt Davis

*Sanderson HC

*Dell CityOPEN

*Sierra Blanca*Balmorhea^

*DISTRICT ^Thursday HC Homecoming



I t may be all about to change; “It” being consecutive single-win seasons. As recently as 2010, the Eagles won ten games (10-2) and back a bit

further to 2000-2003, double digit wins were the norm; 10, 13, 14 and 11 in those four years. After that great run, things have settled in the .500 or just above range until the hard times hit in 2014-15. But change is at hand brethren, change is at hand.

Out of those frustrations, Coach Jerry Garza will field a team with ALL six starters back in place on BOTH sides of the ball. He will have a sophomore running things at quarterback, Wyatt Mills (6-0, 155) but a great mix of seniors and juniors around him. Senior running back Michel Shoemaker (5-6, 135) ran for better than 1,000 yards last season and will look to build on that effort with experienced receiver Jacob Helmers (5-11, 135) out wide. Three juniors also have the experience of a full season to build on, fullback Andrew Cavender (5-8, 140), guard Jesus Lopez (5-11, 235) and end Hunter Truesdell (5-9, 140).

Shoemaker and Mills flip to defense end, Lopez mans the middle linebacker spot and Helmers and sophomore Justin Alvarez will be at corner.

Believe it or not, the playoffs are a good bet this fall; granted the twin towers of Balmorhea and Grandfalls-Royalty are probably a step above the Eagles, but they are certainly the equal of their other two district opponents, Dell City and Sierra Blanca. The 2016 season looks to be a much happier time

to be a Sanderson booster though those heady days of ten-win seasons may be a bit of a reach. But a good solid six-win season with a playoff berth and a win or two will set the ball rolling toward better days to come. CBS7

Change Is At Hand


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5-5 6-4

Ft HancockMarfaRankinFt Davis

Buena VistaMidessa Home School*Grandfalls-Royalty

*Sierra Blanca*Balmorhea

OPEN*Dell City


*DISTRICT

SANDERSONEAGLES

Eagle StadiumBalmorhea

Black & OrangeEagles

Jerry Garza5th

17-2217-221-90-4

2011Unbalanced

3-1-2


44

Building on Success

C oach Steve Keith is looking to build on the success of his Sands Mustangs during the last two years (13

wins including 7-4 last season). The junior class is large (about 12 players; this is a 6-man roster) and will be the force that carries the Mustangs this season.

A total of five starters return to the fold (eight lettermen are back) to give Coach Keith a good foundation on which to build. The senior class has but five players, but they are headed up by a very capable two-way starter. Juan Diaz (5-8, 160) was honorable mention all-state as a defensive end but will be tasked with carrying the load on offense as well. He’ll see the rock a lot as the Mustangs use the run to set up the pass. The other seniors are Trevor Blagrave (wide receiver/defensive back), Eric Garcia (WR/DB), Leonard Martinez (WR/defensive line) and Bryan Garcia (both lines). The graduation of quarterback Dayton Eddleman left a big hole (2,200+ passing, 40+ TD, 1,000+ rushing, 20+ TD) and two players will square off for the position. Juniors Deryk Renteria and Nick Garcia are both capable to step into Eddleman’s shoes. The other juniors who will make up the bulk of the starting lineup include Reme Arriaga (RB/D-line), Landry Connell (WR/D-line) , Lathe French (both lines), Caleb Gillespie (RB/LB), Kobyn Ramsey (RB/D-line), Noah Wigginton (both lines) and Chris Ybarra (RB/D- line).

The Mustangs whipped through district play with a single loss (3-1) but stubbed their toe in the bi-district matchup with Balmorhea. District play again this year will be a rough and tumble affair, but it should all shake out with the Mustangs head and shoulders above the rest. None of the other four schools managed a .500 record last season with Wellman-Union’s four wins (4-6) the best of the bunch. Grady (2-7), Loop (0-9) and Welch Dawson (3-7) all look to be a bit better this time around, but the Mustangs rate just a little higher. The pre-season schedule features a nine-win squad (Ira; 9-2) and a team that equaled Sands seven wins (7-5), but the others combined to go 13-29. In a continuation of the success of the last two years, count on Ackerly-Sands to post as many as eight wins in the regular season and then give back what was given should they face up with the Balmorhea Bears in bi-district for another year (they did trap the Bears in 2014 and advanced two more weeks). The theme for the year is Building on Success; get the job done. And let those underclassmen lead the way. CBS7


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Lueders-Avoca ^WestbrookNew Home

TrentMeadow

Ira*Lenorah Grady

*Loop*Wellman-Union

OPEN*Welch Dawson

6-4 6-4*DISTRICT ^Thursday at Borden County


Mustang FieldGrady

Brown & WhiteMustangs

Steve Keith4th

20-1420-147-43-1

2015Spread3-1-2

ACKERLY SANDSMUSTANGS



T his fall, the Grady Wildcats will have a new Big Cat roaming the sidelines as defensive coordinator

Brent Lucas has been promoted to head coach. He’ll oversee a unit that will welcome back three starters on each side of the ball giving him what should be a good foundation on which to build.

A couple of players are being considered to start at quarterback - seniors Devyn Smith (5-9, 160) and Taylor Boydston (5-10, 165). One will play QB and the other will likely shift to slot back. Several players are in the mix at wide receiver including senior Roman Reyna (5-10, 160), junior TJ Shands (5-5, 135) and sophomores Marshall Cox (6-2, 170) and Charles Cassell (5-10, 145). Seniors Edrei Trejo (5-8, 150) and Garrett Deatherage (5-10, 185) will man the guard slots on either side of sophomore center Jordan Rodriguez (6-0, 175). Trejo will also handle the kicking duties.

The defensive strength will definitely be at linebacker where Smith (strong side), Jordan Rodriguez (sophomore; 6-0, 175) and Boydston (weak side) will roam. Trejo returns to his defensive line position and will team with Deatherage and Cox. The Wildcats employ a single secondary player, likely Cassell, Reyna or Shields, or a mixture depending on the alignment on the field at any given time.

Coach Lucas knows this group is “young and inexperienced” and will have to outwork their op-ponents in all phases in order to

become successful. However, the senior leadership on offense should balance out the youthful roster. The Wildcats advanced to the playoffs four of five seasons between 2010 and 2014 (2010, 12, 13 and 14) but missed out last year. He knows he has a good nucleus to build from and even though he’s asking a number of players to stay on the field almost the entire game, this is a team that could surprise. The schedule does play in their favor as Ackerly Sands and Loop travel to

A Balance of Young and Experienced


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4-6 4-6

Roscoe HighlandRobert Lee

Water ValleyRankin

WestbrookNew Home

*Ackerly Sands*Welch Dawson

OPEN*Loop

*Wellman-Union


*DISTRICT

LENORAH GRADYWILDCATS

Wildcat StadiumSands

Black, Gold & WhiteWildcats

Brent Lucas1st0-0N/A2-70-3

2014Multiple

2-3-1



46

Primed to Make Some Noise

The Midland Christian Mustangs drop back to TAPPS Division 2 this season after two years in the upper class where

they finished a combined 12-12. They are happy to be back, for sure, as double digit win seasons are the norm not the exception in their neck of the woods.

There will be some holes to fill as some quality players have moved on, but the young stallions are ready for the challenge. This season, the quarterbacking duties will be handled by junior Anderson Needham (6-2, 185). He was utilized at receiver as a sophomore (19-417-2 TD in 4 games) but will move under center this fall. The run game looks to be solid with junior running back Luke Sheppard (6-0, 185; 540 yards/6 TD) and seniors, fullback Logan Schmidt (5-10, 180) and H-back Cody Wolfe (6-0, 200; missed last season but played 12 games as a sophomore) experienced, locked and loaded and ready to carry the load. Two experienced senior wide outs will also return, Blake Ray (5-10, 160; 27-423-2 TD) and Luke Watson (6-0, 165; 15-291-2). Down where all the dirty work is done, two seniors and a junior will do the heavy lifting in the trenches, senior Sean Gill (6-9, 180) and Jake Weathers (6-3, 235) and junior Luke Fisher (6-4, 305; 17 starts under his belt). The offense struggled at times last season, averaging just a bit more than four touchdowns a game, but this group should be good for another seven to ten points per contest this season.

The Mustangs don’t list any two way starters – at least now, well before the season kicks in and health may or may not be an issue – so this unit should stay rested and productive as long as the offense plays ball

control. The strength lies firmly in the grasp of the linebacking group where a senior and two juniors will do the banging…senior Garrett Eddison (5-11, 205) and juniors Silas Crews (6-0, 175) and David Threadgill (6-0, 200). Threadgill led the team with 129 tackles, and as a group they registered a combined 316 tackles. Crews also swiped three wayward passes. One player each returns to the defensive line (Noah Hooper; senior, 6-1, 210) and secondary (Landen Troglin; senior, 6-0, 160) so, as a whole, the defense will be in good experienced hands.

Coach Greg McClendon will be on the sideline for his 19th season at the helm of the Mustangs this fall, having guided them to seven of their 13 state titles. This school, staff and team are built on three tiers of success: “Faith, character and tremendous work ethic,” according to Coach McClendon. So all the Mustang faithful can rest assured that the struggles of the un-Mustang-like seasons of 2014 and 2015 are in the rear view mirror and what lies ahead is a different world.

Renewing some old rivalries and kicking those same tails has the Mustangs all riled up and ready to take on all comers. Their district slate is split in half, at home with Grapevine Faith and then on the road to Southwest Christian, a non-district tilt at home versus Wall and then the final two games with Frisco Legacy Christian at home before wrapping the regular season in Ft Worth. The 2016 season may not be a return to the 13 to 14 win seasons of the recent past, but something in the 11 or 12 win-range would not come as a surprise.


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6-4 5-5

EP Eastwood ^Brock

EP Americas Êlysian Fields HC

Alvin Shadow CreekOPEN

*Grapevine Faith*Southwest Christian

Wall*Frisco Legacy Christian

*Ft Worth Christian

*DISTRICT ^6:30pm local start HC Homcoming

TAPPSDiv II, Dist 1

MIDLAND CHRISTIAN

MUSTANGS

Mustang StadiumN/A

Red & Blue Mustang

Greg McClendon19th

161-62161-62

5-73-4

2015Multiple/Spread

4-3 cover 2




Mid. Christian MustangsContinued from page 46

The Mustangs have a knack for mak-ing some noise once the playoffs roll around and this bunch of wild things should be primed for a good run when mid-November starts the “second sea-son.” CBS7

Wildcat Stadium with the two road games at Welch Dawson (48 miles one way) and Wellman-Union (72 miles one way).

A quick look at the schedule shows only two of the ten opponents with winning records in 2015, Robert Lee at 6-5 and district foe Sands at 6-4. Westbrook’s dead even mark of 5-5 was the next best as all others finished anywhere from 4-6 (Water Valley, Wellman-Union) to 0-9 (Loop). So, in the great scheme of things, where does that leave the Wildcats? Coach Lucas, having run the defense last season, knows what he has to work with. A break-even start of three and three would get the ‘cats ready for the rigors of district and, with a few breaks from this early stage, it looks like when the week 11 brackets are drawn up, you’ll find the Grady Wildcats matched up against a 5-1A foe. From there, anything goes. CBS7

Continued from page 45Grady Wildcats

The road games will be at Hawley and Post, the two teams which swept their district as Forsan did last season – so, something has to give. Anson and Stam-ford will travel to the friendly surround-ings of Buffalo stadium this season so it’s critical that Forsan at the least wins the home slate and if they can steal a road game, the playoff picture won’t likely come down to tie breaking rules. One thing is a guarantee: the teams which do advance will be battle tested and more than ready for any opponents coming their way in the playoffs. CBS7

Continued from page 33Forsan Buffaloes

48

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7-3 8-2


TAPPSDist 1, Div I

MIDLAND TRINITY

CHARGERS

Coombes FieldAll

Royal Blue, Black & White Chargers

Antwan Alexander4th

25-1025-1011-33-1

2015Spread

3-3

I t began with a Big Bang. The 2015 opening game for Midland Trinity at Lorraine reverberated across the entire country - literally, as

USA Today carried a story on the Chargers rolling to a 108-66 win. It was big news because it was one of the highest scoring high school games ever (see box). That started the season with a bang and the Chargers just kept on playing week after week all the way to the final game of the year in mid December at the TAPPS 6-man state final. Unfortunately, the season ended with the Chargers on the short end in their first championship appearance (Houston Emery-Weiner 84 Trinity 58), but that didn’t dampen the fact that it was some kind of season to be remembered for a long time to come.

Coach Antwan Alexander begins his fourth season heading up the program having seen rapid im-provement each season (5-5 to 9-2 to 11-3) with one goal left to accomplish: win the final game. He’ll have a great group to build around this year as his team is loaded with returning, experienced players. One position that will fea-ture a new starter is at quarterback where junior

Ethan Schlittler (6-0, 180) may have an edge over sophomore Chesley McDonald (6-1, 190) with the odd man out moving to receiver. Juniors Cade Lawson (6-0, 180) and Daniel Webb (5-10, 175) are two more pass-catching vets and with experienced running backs Wyatt Evans (senior; 6-2,

215) and Logan Ramsey (junior; 5-8, 160), the offensive firepower should be firing on all cylinders. In the trenches, the Chargers willhave plenty of experience with two seniors and a sophomore leading the way. Seniors Lewis Ohlman (6-1, 200) and Chris Picciano (5-9, 200) will team up with sophomore Carson Parrish (6-0, 185) to form a solid front line.

All of those players are heavily involved on defense as well in the 3-3 scheme employed by Coach Alexander. Along the line: Lawson, Parrish and Evans and behind them linebacker Picciano and D-backs

Full Speed AheadDell City ^

RankinLubbock Titans #

Buena VistaOPEN

BalmorheaMcLeanOPEN

*Abilene Christian*Watauga Harvest*Denton Calvary

*DISTRICT ^Thursday at Ft Davis 5:30p #Wilson HS


COMBINED POINTS – SINGLE GAME242 San Antonio Winston (122) vs San Antonio Town East (120); 2011232 Ft Davis (124) vs Midland Trinity (108); 2011214 Giddings, Tx State School (121) vs Abilene Christian (93); 2015174 Midland Trinity (108) vs Lorraine (66); 2015

POINTS SCORED BY ONE TEAM124 Ft Davis, Tx; 2011122 San Antonio Winston; 2011121 Giddings State School; 2015120 San Antonio Town East; 2011112 Paint Rock, Tx; 2010108 Midland Trinity; 2015108 Midland Trinity; 2011101 Columbia, SD; 1958



Ramsey and Webb. Loads of experience (a full 14 games worth last year alone) means these hard charging defenders have a wealth of big-time game expo-sure upon which to draw.

TAPPS Division I District I will feature a down-in-the-dirt battle every week with only Abilene Christian under the .500 mark last season (4-7). Trinity led the way at 11-3, followed by Watauga Harvest at 9-3 and Denton Calvary at 7-5. The Chargers will have six pre-season matchups to get them ready for the three district games. A quirk in the schedule does have the Chargers with TWO open weeks, on each side of the Balmorhea game. Those six teams combined for a record of 43-26 with Buena Vista at 13-1 (road game for Trinity) and Balmorhea at 11-2 (at home) looming large on the schedule. However, the Trinity Chargers will be a force to be reckoned with this fall as well and may well find themselves in the hunt for a state title for the second year in a row. Chargers! Full speed ahead! CBS7

Mid. Trinity ChargersContinued from page 48

playing both ways doesn’t dim their ef-fectiveness; D-linemen Banner and An-drews, linebacker Kent and defensive back O’Bannon will hardly leave the field once the opening whistle blows. The Braves defense is bolstered as well by sophomore tackle Isaac Mendoza (6-2, 265), senior linebacker Rolando Olivo and D-backs Kevin Benevides (senior) Corley Collins (junior, 5-9, 160). A promising batch of newcom-ers is headed by Ivan Castilla (O-line), Camden Chaney (DB), Danny Lopez (LB). Note: Of the 137 points allowed last season 87 of them (64%) came against three foes - Christoval (27), Electra (20) and in that quarterfinal loss to Albany (42). The other 11 teams hardly put a scratch on the D’s helmets.

The 2015 season was certainly a great one and Coach K says as much, “We accomplished a tremendous amount considering the losses from graduation and move-outs. Hopefully the experience of four rounds of playoff games will

carry over.” Still, his assessment for the coming year is to field an improved team from the 13-win group of a year ago. The district lost Eldorado in the UIL reshuffle and welcomes in Menard (4-1 in their district last year, 9-3 overall). The other three are carryovers from previous seasons, Van Horn (3-1, 8-4), Wink (1-3, 5-6) and Irion County (0-4, 6-4; very odd year with 6-0 in non-district, 0 for 4 in district play). The Braves host both Menard and Wink and travel to Irion County (only 87 miles away) and Van Horn (a good haul at 187 miles one-way) meaning that the district is somewhat favorable though the long road trip and the Eagles will be a tough one from beginning to end. At the end of the day, the Braves have a very good chance of not only advancing into the playoffs (duh!) but doing some damage once they’re there. CBS7

Continued from page 34Iraan Braves

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2016 UIL - DISTRICT ALIGNMENT

ADVERTISER TABLE OF CONTENTS

6A-DISTRICT 2Amarillo TascosaMidland HighMidland LeeOdessa HighOdessa PermianSan Angelo CentralWolfforth Frenship

4A-DISTRICT 2-DIV 1AndrewsClintClint Mountain ViewFabensSan Elizario

4A-DISTRICT 3-DIV 1Abilene WylieBig SpringBrownwoodSnyderStephenville

4A-DISTRICT 2-DIV 2Fort StocktonLamesaMid. GreenwoodMonahansPecosSeminoleSweetwater

3A-DISTRICT 2-DIV 1CraneKermitSan Angelo Grape CreekTornilloWall

3A-DISTRICT 2-DIV 2CoahomaColorado CityIdalouLubbock RooseveltStanton

3A-DISTRICT 3-DIV 2AlpineBallingerReagan CountySan Angelo TLCSonora2A-DISTRICT 3-DIV 1AnthonyChristovalEldoradoMcCameyOzona

2A-DISTRICT 4-DIV 1AnsonForsanHawleyPostStamford

2A-DISTRICT 5-DIV 2IraanMenardMertzon Irion County

Van HornWink

1A-DISTRICT 6-DIV 1SIX MAN

Garden CityRobert LeeSterling CityWestbrook


Fort DavisBuena VistaMarfaRankin


BalmorheaDell CityGrandfalls-RoyaltySandersonSierra Blanca


Ackerly SandsLenorah GradyLoopWelch DawsonWellman-Union

TAPPS DIV 2, DISTRICT 1Grapevine FaithFort Worth ChristianFrisco Legacy ChristianMidland ChristianSouthwest Christian

TAPPS DIV 1, DISTRICT 1SIX MAN

Abilene ChristianDenton CalvaryMidland TrinityWatauga Harvest Christian

Ashley Furniture 55

Basin Subaru/Mitsubishi 4

Betenbough Homes 54

CBS 7 54, Back Cover

Discount Tire 51

Expert Pumping Unit Services 9,15,19

First Basin Credit Union 9, 11, 13, 15, 19,

47, 49

First National Bank of Stanton 29

Golf Headquarters 11

Permian Regional Medical Center 19

Prescription Shop 19, 45

Ratliff Ranch/Sid and Sam’s 3

Septemberfest 53

Toyota of Midland 3

West Texas Dermatology Center 47

Whitehouse Meat Market 2


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