CBS7 Pigskin Preview - Amazon S3 · As for the 2017 CBS7 Pigskin Preview . Cover, ... any form is...

CBS7 Pigskin Preview 1

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Alpine 32Amarillo Tascosa 17Andrews 18Balmorhea 44Big Spring 20Borden Co. 38Buena Vista 41Coahoma 28Crane 26Forsan 35Fort Davis 40Fort Stockton 21Frenship 17Garden City 39

Grady 47 Grandfalls/Royalty 45Greenwood 22Iraan 36Kermit 27Marfa 42McCamey 34Midland Christian 48 Midland High 8Midland Lee 10Midland Trinity 50Monahans 23Odessa High 12

Odessa Permian 14Pecos 24Rankin 43Reagan County 33San Angelo 16Sands 46Seminole 25Stanton 30UIL District Alignment 52UT Permian Basin 6Wink 37

Table of Contents

4


The 2016 Permian Basin football season was one for the record books. Three Basin teams made it to historic “Jerryland” and

were competing in the State Finals at AT&T stadium- finally putting West Texas football back on the map. Iraan’s inspirational story will be something that is talked about for years to come and might even be the next football movie out of West Texas (we know how well the last one went). Balmorhea, who was competing in the lowest classification in UIL, couldn’t outlast Richland Springs, but don’t worry, they bring all their starters back in 2017. And then there was Borden County, who won the 1A Division 1 State Title and continued their winning ways throughout the year. So if 2016 was as good as it was, I can only imagine how good the 2017 season will be.

UTPB will be back on the field at Ratliff for year two, bringing college football to the Basin - something that the fans showed was a huge success in year one. CBS7 will continue to have our stellar pre-game and coaches show with Justin Carrigan this next season, as well as a replay of the games from the previ-ous week. The Falcons will open against Sul Ross, for the second year in a row, on September 2 and according to Car-rigan, the orange and black are bigger, better and stronger than their inaugural season (see page 6).

Those Friday Night Lights though, will be brighter than ever in 2017. But it has to be mentioned- why so many coaching changes this offseason? Close to ten programs will have a new leader strolling the sidelines in 2017! As men-tioned, the Bears of Balmorhea will be back with a vengeance this next season, as Vance Jones leads them in his sixth season in Balmorhea. A repeat in Iraan looks to be unlikely, but keep an eye on Midland Christian and Head Coach Greg McClendon’s twentieth season with the Mustangs. In the higher ranks, Mona-hans, Greenwood and Seminole will battle it out in district 2-4A (in my opin-ion the toughest district in the Basin). The winner could see themselves in the 4A State title game just like Sweetwater a year ago. Plus, you cannot forget about the Andrews Mustangs, who are good every season. Finally, in 6A, Midland High came off a historic season, but also lost one of the Basin greats in now re-tired Coach Craig Yenzer (We are gonna miss you!). But longtime assistant, Coach Tim Anuszkiewicz (let’s go with Coach A to Z), takes over a squad that is young and inexperienced. Hot take: Permian will be good this next season. Very good. I get it, everyone was high

on MOJO in 2015 with their incredible defense, yet they lost to Tascosa early in the playoffs. But in 2017, Blake Feldt says his Panthers are even better than 2015 - and the amount of Division I offers rolling in for his players proves it. Plus, Brother Miller is healthy with a potent veer-offense ready to explode in 2017 in Steve Steen under center with a defense that brings back a TON of experience (when healthy as well). So, if you are like me, you’re counting down the days to September 1 (Week 1).

As for the 2017 CBS7 Pigskin Preview Cover, we have picked the ‘top ranked’ players the Basin has to offer in Midland High’s Jacoby Thorton, Greenwood’s Matthew Groeschel, Pecos’ Bubba Hen-son and Permian’s Brother Miller. All four of these young stars have garnered college offers and will be playing on Saturday next year. As we call them - the rising Basin stars of tomorrow.

Now, in my second year as Sports Di-rector at CBS7, I have a new right hand man, who has grown up on Texas high school sports. From the Sooner State to the Lone Star State, Clarke Sachs is known for his sports fun facts (Let me say, they are really good)! Clarke, who was born in Oklahoma but raised in Keller, Texas, is a 2016 graduate from the Gaylord Journalism & Mass Communication College at the Univer-sity of Oklahoma. While in college, he covered a variety of sports, including the OU football team of course, and even covered the 2016 Final Four in Houston. In his senior year, Clarke was an OBEA award winner for Best Television Sports Story. As a kid, no sport went untested for Clarke playing as many as he could. Growing up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Clarke is already familiar with Texas high school football, but excited to experience it here in the Permian Basin for the first time! So yeah, Clarke knows his Texas High School football very well.

As our countdown begins to the regular season, we will be back again with the 5th Quarter at 10:15 P.M. each Friday night on CBS7, as well as our CBS7 Player of the Week. But do not forget ~ Saturday’s are for the boys and more football ~ as we continue to be the home for Falcon Football in 2017. And if you miss any of that, we will continue to be on CBS7 each week at 6 & 10 P.M. to give you the latest sports news the Basin has to offer. Because, at the end of the day, we are your #1 source for news, weather and SPORTS.

Jake GadonCBS7 Sports Director

Publisher:CBS7 KOSA-TV

Editor:Molla K. Maytubby

Graphic Design:Melissa Land

Cover Photo:Julian Mancha

Copy:Jake GadonClarke SachsBarry Sykes

Sales Team:Celia SperryJoel Hawkins

Printer:Corning Publishing

Company

Copyright 2017. Gray Television. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in any form is not permitted without written consent of the publisher.

For Comments Call:432-580-5672

Or Write:KOSA-TV

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

The Rising Stars of the BasinExcitement, Turmoil & Resiliency

66

NCAA DIV II, Lone Star

UT PERMIAN BASIN

FALCONSYear Two of the Falcons

Well, the long awaited first season is in the books. Things started out like gangbusters for the Falcons in

their inaugural season with opening wins over Sul Ross State and Arizona Christian, but then reality (as in the conference part of the schedule) set in when their lineup of mostly freshmen - with a few upper classmen thrown in - found the going much tougher as those teams were loaded with older, more seasoned players. Common thinking is it takes a new program three - sometimes four years - to turn the corner in that the freshmen of year one are the three-year senior veterans in year four. So, 2016 is in the books and 2017 is coming up fast.

The Falcons will have 10 starters back on each side of the ball, a year older, wiser and more understanding of the college game and how fast it moves.

QB Cameron Mathis (Sophomore; 6-2, 185) threw for over 2,000 yards with 15 TDs and will again lead the charge with two sophomore running backs also returning. Brandon Infiesto (Midland High; 5-9, 185) was a pleas-ant surprise; a tough runner who bulled

for all the yards he could get. His final totals of 573 yards and 4 TD should trend upward this fall. He missed two games due to injury, had four games where he was barely able to participate and managed two hundred-yard efforts. He’s a keeper. Marquis Simmons (5-9, 200) scored five times (295 yards) with a high of 75 yards against Texas A&M Kingsville. The two make a great pairing. A full set of four wide receivers return as well, led by junior Mitchell Leonard (6-1, 180) and three sophomores, Terrell Davidson (6-3, 170), Kristian Brown (5-9, 170) and Jake Anglin (6-0, 180). They combined for 140 catches, good for 2,009 yards and 16 scores. Mitchell led the way with a line of 39-673-7 and seemed to get better every week. He had three games with 100 yards or more capped off with 215 yards and a TD in the season’s finale game at Angelo State. Last season’s O-line featured four underclassmen and another year on the field will go a ways toward getting the offense clicking. The offense averaged just over three scores a game, 3.4 yards per rush and 4.7 per play, numbers

5-6 4-7

Home: Biggest Rival: Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: Overall Record: 2016 Record: Conference Record: Last Playoff Year: Offense Style: Defense Style:

Ratliff StadiumAll Conference Foes

Black & Orange Falcons

Justin Carrigan2nd 2-92-92-90-9N/A

Balanced4-2-5

HOME AWAY AWAYAWAY HOMEAWAYHOME HOME HOME AWAY HOME

Sul Ross StateLamar (Beaumont)

West Texas A&MWestern NM Univ.

Tarleton StateEastern NM Univ.

Texas A&M KingsvilleQuincy Univ. ^

Midwestern State #Texas A&M Conference

Angelo State Univ.

All Saturday 6pm kickoffs *ConferenceAll HOME games at Ratliff except # (Midland)ât Miami, Oklahoma

Sept. 2 Sept. 9Sept. 16* Sept. 23*Sept. 30*Oct. 7*Oct. 14* Oct. 21* Oct. 28* Nov. 4*Nov. 11*

Continued on page 29

2016 LONE STAR CONFERENCE STANDINGS

STATE RECORD ^ YEAR *

Texas A&M Commerce 10-2/8-1 1889Midwestern State 8-3/7-2 1922Texas A&M Kingsville 9-3/6-3 1925Eastern New Mexico 7-5/6-3 1934West Texas A&M 6-5/6-5 1910Tarleton State 5-6/5-4 1899Angelo State 5-6/4-5 1928Western New Mexico 3-8/3-6 1893Oklahoma Panhandle St 2-9/1-8 1909UT-Permian Basin 2-9/0-9 1973

NOTE: Oklahoma Panhandle State elected to leave the LSC in April 2017 and join the NAIA Central States Football League.

^Record: Overall/Conference *Year school was founded


8

District 26-A

MIDLAND HIGH

BULLDOGSThe A - Z Era Begins

Last year went into the books as a very good year for the Midland Bulldogs, nine wins (9-3), the best record and the first playoff win in

six years (11-2 in 2010) and a sparkling 5-1 mark in district. Then came the shocking news that long time coach Craig Yenzer was taking up a fishing pole and setting aside his whistle. His loss was mitigated somewhat by the school board’s decision to hand over the keys to the Dawg Pound to long time DC Tim Anuszkiewicz (ah-noose-K-wits. We’ll use his nickname A-Z from here on out).

He was defensive coordinator from 2002 to 2005 at Midland, took the top job at Borger from 2006-08 and then returned to the Bulldogs, again as DC and safeties coach from 2009 till now.

It’s interesting that as the A-Z era begins, he won’t be able to utilize the talents of his son, Jackson, who gradu-ated this spring after leading one of the most prolific offenses in Bulldog his-tory (most points, most passing yards)!

Quarterback is a huge hole to fill (Jackson A-Z sits atop the career pass-ing list with 4,280 yards the last two years with 46 passing TDs. That’s 600 yards and 19 TD ahead of second on the lists!). Junior Suddin Sapien (6-4, 211) is the heir apparent and though those are big shoes to fill, he has the tools. Sophomore Riggs McDonald (6-1, 185) is waiting in the wings. Mid-land also lost their top running back and receiving group leaving lots of holes to fill, but Coach A-Z is confident the pieces are in place as the graduated senior class laid “a great foundation for future teams. A lot of new players this fall; the strength of our team will be the offensive line and our skill posi-tions will be competitive (leading up to opening night).”

Those linemen, seniors Fidel Lopez (6-1 300), Brandon Nanez (5-11, 275)

and Omar Villanueva (5-11, 225) and junior Juan Vasquez (5-10, 315) should provide a solid, experienced safety net for Sapien as he grows into the job. Villanueva is working his way back from a shortened junior year due to injury. Junior Caedon McDonald (5-11, 174) looks to get the nod at running back replacing the uber-effective Ricky Hubert. Darius Manning (SR; 6-0, 165) is penciled in at one of the receiver slots.

The defense will be a bit ahead of the offense in the early going as four start-ing players return for 2017 and others got a lot of experience in last year’s 12-game run. D-linemen Stetson Ab-ney and Collin McCollough, lineback-ers Smith Essman (JR; 5-10, 190; solid 5-5 5-5

Home: Biggest Rival: Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: Year at School: Record at School: Overall Record: 2016 Record: District Record: Last Playoff Year: Offense Style: Defense Style:

Grande StadiumAll District FoesPurple & Gold

BulldogsTim Anuszkiewicz

1st0-00-0 9-35-1

2016 Spread4-2-5

AWAYHOME AWAYHOME HOME AWAYHOME

---AWAYHOME AWAY

El Paso FranklinÊP Montwood #

DesotoKeller

*Midland Lee*Wolfforth Frenship HC

*Odessa PermianOPEN

*Amarillo Tascosa*SA Central

*Odessa

*District ^7:00pm MST

Sept. 1 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10

Continued on page 9

CRAIG YENZER (2002-2016)

Coach Yenzer spent 15 seasons at the helm of the Midland Bulldogs, more than double any other coach in team history. Tugboat Jones (1949-55) and Harold King (1960-66) are next with SEVEN years each.

Yenzer’s teams won 103 games in those 15 years (103-70). His career record: 146-94 earning 13 playoff wins. In comparison, from 1920-1951, Midland won only three playoff games and between 1951-2001: zero.

In his 15 years, Midland won ten or more in a season four times (most recent: 2010) with a school best of 12 (12-3) in 2002 when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 1951 and made it all the way to the state final.

His Bulldog teams finished .500 or better in 11 of the 15 years

The best run was 2002-2005: 35-16 with seasons of 12-3-10-10 wins.


as a rock as a sophomore) and Ross Marker and secondary mates Jacoby Thornton (SR; 6-1, 200) and Tony Zarate will make up a formidable group that’s expected to hold the fort while the offense takes shape. Thornton was maybe the best corner in 2-6A last year as he returned two errant passes for pick-6s and blocked 2 kicks. He also led the team in causing turnovers.

District 2-6A is shaping up to be a group of tjree at the top, one team in the middle and three more below. Until a team can knock them off, the San Angelo Bobcats remain the team to beat with Permian close behind and Amarillo Tascosa a shade behind the Panthers. Wolfforth Frenship also has a new man at the helm and sits in the middle of the seven teams between the groups of three. That leaves the Bulldogs, Lee, and Odessa rounding out the final group. But…and it’s a BIG BUT…last year Midland was in the same spot and clawed, bit and pushed their way to five wins (only loss was at the Bobcats) and very well could do so again. Good health, good breaks, confidence, abil-ity…it all will play a part as the Midland Bulldogs A-Z era begins. CBS7

Continued from page 8Midland High

10

District 26-A

Playoffs? Very Possible

T he first season with Clint Hartman calling the shots for Midland Lee was a growing/learning year and, judging by the

number of returning letterman and healthy amount of starters back in place, year two should see a marked improvement from the three wins of last year.

The highlight of the season came early in district play when the Rebels took down the co-district favorite Amarillo Tascosa Rebels on their home turf in overtime. The rest of the year saw only a win over Odessa High but, even without the wins, the Rebels were competitive and that means something.

Coach Hartman will be looking for a new signal caller but will welcome back eight starters from last year’s offense. Senior Colby Standard (6-0, 190) will shift over from wide receiver (18 catches, 258 yards, 2 TD) to quarterback and will have a second year starter lined up behind him. Junior running back Josh Traylor had a very good sophomore season; more than 1,100 yards and 8 TD. He’s a good one, maybe the best the district has to offer this season (along with that beast from Frenship (G. Johnson). A couple of experienced hands at wide receiver will also help him settle into the offense. Senior Grant Brown (6-0, 180; 29-333-2) and junior Sheldon Bass (6-2, 185; 12-118-2) look to improve after a season in which they certainly did their part. Bass comes from good stock; his dad, Sheldon Bass Senior was a standout receiver for Permian back in the day. Here’s a key to this year’s offense and how

well it meshes, especially early in the year: four senior offensive linemen return. That’s a big deal for any offense and these four are rock solid; Carmac Fish (6-0, 240), Britt Murry (6-0, 250), Nacho Rubio (6-0, 230) and Mark Valadez (6-0, 245) are obviously well fed, but hungry to improve on last season. A couple of stout sophomores are also being looked at to contribute as the year goes along in running back John Norman (5-11, 190) and wide out Loic Fouonji (6-4, 190). The offense averaged a solid 31 points a game (over 430 yards a game, too) and more of the same would be welcome.

On the other side of the ball, improvement in numbers is an absolute necessity as the Rebels surrendered 42 points a game. Six of ten opponents scored more than 40 (4 over 50) so that will need to be tightened up quickly. Leadership will come from the linebackers where seniors Kougar Rodriguez (now that’s a football name! 5-11, 220) and Isaiah Nunez (6-2, 235) roam the secondary where three more starters are back in place. Two seniors, Elijah Prince (6-2, 190) and Trey Jacobo (6-1, 175) and one junior, Julian Stricklin (6-1, 185) have the backend covered, but that leaves the guys in the trenches up front who will be brand-spankin’ new. Senior Adreill Burnett (5-11, 185) looks like the favorite to join Rodriguez and Nunez at ‘backer.

MIDLAND LEE

REBELS

5-5 5-5


Grande StadiumMidland & Permian

Maroon, Gray & White Rebels

Clint Hartman2nd3-7

61-39 3-72-4

2013 Spread/Multiple

Overshift 4-3

AWAYHOMEHOMEAWAYAWAYHOMEAWAYHOME

---AWAYHOME

EP CoronadoAbilene

EP El DoradoLub. Monterey

*Midland*Amarillo Tascosa

*SA Central*Odessa

OPEN*Wolfforth Frenship*Odessa Permian

Continued on page 11*DISTRICT



Coach Hartman forecasts this season as one in which his defense plays the ‘bend but doesn’t break’ method and his offense keeps the opponent off balance. Physical strength and speed have seen significant improvement in the off-season as well as understanding of the schemes implemented last year and knowing what is expected by each player and position. A jump from three wins is likely though the district is still ruled by the Big 3 of San Angelo, Permian and Tascosa. A fight for that fourth playoff spot will probably center on the game with Wolfforth Frenship in the next to last district game (and could turn into a battle of who controls the ground game and the clock with those two stud ball carriers). Good news, the Rebels host that game. Breaking a three-year playoff drought is one of the goals of the coming season and it will mostly depend on if the defense can tighten up and the offense can pick up on the groundwork laid by the 2016 squad. CBS7

Continued from page 10Midland Lee Rebels

12

District 26-A

Building in Small Increments

Some wise man (or wise person) said, “There’s no place to go but up.” That could be the motto for the 2017 Odessa

Bronchos. When the final whistle sounded on the 2016 season, the book was closed and new chapters were the order of the day. So now, next year is here and what can reasonably be expected?

Well, for one, the numbers of lettermen and boys wanting to play for Coach Servance are great – 17 of 21 returning starters are back and the experience gained through playing time and adversity should serve the Bronchos well this fall.

Senior QB Chase Webster will lead the offensive effort for a second year and he’ll have seasoned vets, in running backs Keve Robinson and Tony Carrasco, with him in the backfield. The flank also has good, experienced players back for another go, in Jacob Munoz and Tyrone Caufield. Robinson, a senior, and Caufield, a junior, are exciting players in the open field. One goal this year is to break those two free a lot more often and then let them “do their thing.” Robinson’s electrifying 84 yard TD run versus Lee last year was a great example of his explosiveness and the offensive minds are working overtime to find ways to break him loose more often. O-linemen Christian Alvarez (5-11, 225) and Caeden Murry (6-1, 280) are the anchors on an offensive line that MUST gel quickly and give Webster and his skill mates time

and space to operate. The key to the offense this year is, without a doubt, the play of the offensive line both in the aforementioned need to get Robinson (and Carrasco) in the open field and in getting Webster time to find Caufield and the other playmakers via the pass.

Six more starters return to the defense, which will again be led by senior defensive ends Joseph Chavez and Juan Gallegos and junior linebacker Oscar Lucio.

Coach Servance expects his boy’s efforts to remain high and the team to be much improved over 2016. In his words, “Excellence is the expectation of our program. It has to become a habit! Through the experience of football, we become better people.”

District 2-6A will be a rough week in-week out battle with four games at Ratliff once the district games commence (one of those is the Permian game in which the Bronchos are the visitor). It would be too much to expect to ask for the boys in red and white to be battling for a playoff spot this season as the wins are still gonna be hard to come by. The preseason non-district opponents went 39-10 last year and features 11-game winners Abilene and Lubbock Coronado and 10-game winner Monterey. District foes were no pushover either; 42-26 with San Angelo (12-1) and Midland (9-3) leading the way. This fall, the district will again have a

ODESSA HIGH

BRONCHOS

1-9 2-8


Ratliff StadiumPermian

Red & White Bronchos

Danny Servance2nd0-10

53-58 0-100-6

2013 Spread

3-4

AWAYHOMEHOMEAWAYAWAYHOME

---AWAYHOMEAWAYHOME

Lub. MontereyAmarillo

Lub. CoronadoAbilene


OPEN*Midland Lee

*Wolfforth Frenship*Permian*Midland

Continued on page 13*DISTRICT +THURSDAY

Aug. 31+ Sept. 7+Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10


Continued from page 12Odessa High Bronchos

split personality with three fairly even teams, (San Angelo, Permian, Tascosa) one squarely in the middle (Frenship) and the remaining three holding up the back end (Bronchos, Midland and Lee). One, maybe slight, advantage; both Midland and Frenship are breaking in new coaches after more than a decade (in Midland’s case, 15 years) with one man in charge. Improvement by Coach Servance’s charges may come in small amounts this season, on the win-loss columns. But under the surface, where the real work is being done, will be what propels the Bronchos forward and provides the building blocks for the future. CBS7

14

District 26-A

Much Better Than Just A-OK

PERMIAN HIGH

PANTHERS

8-2 9-1


Ratliff StadiumOdessa High

Black & White Panthers

Blake Feldt5th

29-16122-72

6-42-4

2015 Spread

3-4

HOMEHOMEAWAY

---HOME

---AWAYHOMEAWAYHOMEAWAY

Austin VandegriftEP FranklinEP Eastwood

OPEN *Wolfforth Frenship

OPEN*Midland


*Odessa*Midland Lee

One of the most notable characteristics of a Ferrari is its sound - low, mean, rumbling, humming the perfect pitch. A Yugo on

the other hand, well, not so much.

For four games plus one half, the Permian offense was humming like a well-oiled machine- lean, mean and nasty - and the defense was just as stout; 21-20, 61-0, 56-34, 55-12 and then that first half at Wolfforth, 28-10. Team leader and terrific athlete Kobe Robinson went down with an injury before the first half was over and seemingly, with his absence, the night imploded into a 40-28 loss and a four-game tailspin. From 4-0 to 4-4 in the blink of an eye - from a Ferrari to a Yugo. BUT…and this is worth noting…if you looked beneath the surface, beyond the final scores, you’d see something different. And it is those differences that propelled Mojo to find the bad spark plug, clean up the engine and finish out the year with a 104-28 spanking of their last two opponents.

You see, in that four-game skid, it wasn’t a massive meltdown as someone from a distance would assume. So, when the tune up was done, the engine re-fired and the season ended with two big wins and a final emphatic statement at Ratliff with the 55 point outburst against Midland Lee (the most points ever scored by Permian in the series dating to 1961). It was apparent that Permian was one of the best teams in the state not to make the playoffs. Permian was AND will be OK.

Coach Blake Feldt begins his fifth season in control of the Permian program and, because of injuries during the last half of last season necessitating the shifting of players and positions, the coach finds himself with a great number of returning lettermen and 17 of 22 starters – and a good number with playing experience at the varsity level - who will be back on the field the first Friday in September.

The offense has eight of those re-turning starters including the critical position of quarterback, where senior Steve Steen (6-0, 170) maintains the controls. His numbers were solid: 1,103 yards passing (13 TD), 862 rushing (the most ever for a Permian QB in a single season) with 17 more scores. Something he and his offense can build on. We’ve often stated a lot of high school quarterbacks show a tremendous amount of growth (in abil-ity and their numbers) between their first and second seasons as a starter provided the system and coaches are the same. Something else worth noting about Steen: prior to 2016, Permian QBs had run and passed for 100+ yards in a single game six times in school history. Steen added to that list FIVE TIMES in 10 games - meaning he was a true double threat. Toddrick Robinson (JR; 5-9, 160) was moved over from corner to the offense due to the injury bug hitting the Panthers hard and he was a very pleasant surprise; 8-125-2 rushing, 3-136-2 receiv-ing (carries/receptions-yards-TD). Four-year STARTER Brother Miller (6-3, 182) is back for his last hurrah (27-291-3 rushing, 11-289-3 receiv-ing) and will again be a major focus of their opponent’s defenses (career: 551 rushing with 5 TD, 38-729-9 receiv-ing; also returned a kickoff 100 yards for TD verses Midland). Other players to keep an eye on: junior slot receiver Justin Hammond (6-0, 170; combined 283 yards, 4 TD rushing/receiving), and running back Ed Williams (JR; 5-10, 185; 130-662-8). With Wil-liams in the backfield, Steen will have Miller, Todd Robinson and Hammond in the slot and on the flank: A LOT of firepower!

The offense’s passing numbers should improve, which will unleash Williams to have a break-out year. If Miller can follow suit with a career year of his own, watch out! Senior Orlando Bueno and junior Dawson Reynolds


*DISTRICT All Preseason: 7:00pm. All District: 7:30pm.



16

District 26-A

Like the Energizer Bunny...

9-1 7-3


AWAY HOME HOME AWAY

---AWAY HOME AWAY HOME AWAY HOME

AbileneTrophy Club Byron Nelson

Kerrville TivyLaredo Alexander

OPEN*Odessa

*Midland Lee*Wolfforth Frenship*Odessa Permian


Last year was quite the year for the San Angelo Bobcats. Let us count the ways; first undefeated regular season since 1943, first 12-win

season since the state title year of 1966 (13-1 under legendary coach Emory Bellard), most points scored in a season (669/51.46 per game), most total yards (6,357), most rushing yards in a season by a player (1,697 by Daven Manning, breaking a 16 year old mark), third year in school history with offensive triplets (1,000 yard rusher, passer and receiver; the other years: 1992 and 2014. One occurrence between 1920 & 2014 and now twice in three seasons), most TD passes by a passer in a single season (Cal Vincent with 42), most points scored by a kicker (Marc Cabrera with 89). A one-word summation would be “remarkable.” When Brent Davis was handed the job in 2009, the Bobcats were just a season removed from an O-fer; the 0-10 lost season of 2008. Things didn’t go from a stink bomb to rosy overnight, however, but the Bobcats did improve from no wins in 2008 to two and then four and then a big jump to nine (9-3) in 2011 before falling back to 6-5 the next year. Since then, the story has been much different. Between 2013 and 2016, the Bobcats won 44 of 51 games and, as important, 21 of 23 district games including a spotless run of 6-0 last season (5-0 in 2014, too). However, the Bobcats have faced the same fate as other district teams once they ventured out into the great unknown of the playoffs. A rude slamming shut door on the season once the third playoff week comes around. Like Permian, Tascosa, Midland and Lee as of late, the metroplex foes in round three have had District 2-6A’s number. Will this be the year the ‘cats – or another district team – pick the lock, kick in the door or do SOMETHING to “break on through to the other side?” (channeling Jim Morrison and The Doors.) That was a heck of a paragraph, but that just tells you how good the Bobcats have been recently. The word

“great” will need to be reserved for a state semi or final appearance (or championship).

Coach Davis lost a hefty number of players from 2016 (39 lettermen; last year was THE year the program had been planning on) but fear not, good and faithful Bobcat fans, the ground isn’t barren and, though maybe not so prolific, this season should be a-ok.

Start with the offense where junior Maverick McIvor (6-3, 190) will take over for the graduated Cal Vincent (3,077 yards to go with his 42 TD passes). Coach Davis does allow the backup QB sporadic playing time throughout the season and McIvor did get a good taste now and then before being tossed to the wolves in the regional home playoff loss to Allen due to a first half injury to Vincent. Horrible weather conditions and other issues put the kibosh on the game and

*DISTRICT


SAN ANGELO

BOBCATS

S.A. Bobcat StadiumAll of Them

Orange & BlueBobcats

Brent Davis9th

66-30167-87-1

12-16-0

2016Multiple / Spread

Multiple / 8-man Front


NEXT MAN UP

SeniorsDemarcus Cobb (5-10, 170 Running BackNoah Gatton (6-1, 192) LinebackerJakobe Green (6-1, 175) SafetyOtto Haynes (6-0, 170) JuniorNick Hernandez (5-11, 215) D-EndJarrett Hill (6-2, 255) O-LinePeyton Menchaca (5-11, 251) D-LineMichael Niera (6-0, 210) D-LineNoah Perez (6-2, 190) ReceiverNick Severson (6-2, 180) SafetyMalik Smith (6-2, 262) D-Line

JuniorsDaylon Green (6-0, 220) Linebacker

SophomoreXykerion Paulk (6-2, 290) D-Line(“going to be a difference maker”)


Jake Gadon 3-7 Clarke Sachs 3-7 Jake Gadon 7-3 Clarke Sachs 6-4

*DISTRICT ^Thursday HC Homecoming*DISTRICT

Amarillo Tascosa Rebels

Wolfforth Frenship Tigers

Ken Plunk is the dean of district coaches, beginning his tenth season at the helm of the Rebels this year. (Brent Davis of San Angelo is next in line,

starting his ninth year). It’s been a long, uphill climb back to respectability for the Rebs as, between 2005 and 2014, the best they could muster was a .500 record. The last two years: a combined 17-8. The number of returning lettermen tells you the

excitement is high (second year in a row with 37 lettermen). Coach Plunk will have a total of eight returning starters to a team that qualified for the playoffs a second straight year after a 3-3 district run. He points to team speed and “comprehen-sion of schemes” as positives (Tascosa utilizes a flex-bone offense and unconven-tional 4-2-5 defense). Returning starters: King Doerue (JR; RB), Deveion Gray

(SR; RB/DB), Tafari Gomillion (SR; RB), Jacob Lott (SR/OL-DL), Adam Mendoza (SR; DB), Nashon Ray (SR; RB), DJ Smith (SR; D-Line), Lamaron Smith (SR; Fullback), Brandon White (JR; WR/DB), The Rebels will be right in the thick of things again this fall with road games for both Permian and San Angelo. CBS7

For the past 36 years, a Davis has prowled the Wolfforth Frenship sidelines. Bobby Davis was head coach for 25 seasons before turning the reins over to youngest

son Brad for the last 11 years (combined record: 280-135-2). Brad abruptly resigned in November (now HC/AD at 3A Grandview) and was replaced by Garland Sachse offensive mind Jay Northcutt. This will be his first go-round as the man with the whistle and he feels the community will quickly take to his boys as his offense is “going to ignite enthusiasm amongst the players and community. It will be fun to play and watch.” (Lubbock Avalanche Journal) He’ll have 23 lettermen and 11 starters to work with including a beast of a running back in junior Garrison Johnson (6-0, 215; he ran for 357 against a VERY GOOD Tascosa defense last season. He is on par in size and ability to Abilene’s Abram Smith) and a solid QB in Mason Weathers (SR, 5-10, 170). Seniors: Camdyn Caravelli (6-0, 175), Braden Robinson (6-3, 215), Justyce Bocanegra (5-8, 170) and Nick McCauley (5-9, 160). Juniors: Scooter Carcia (5-9, 205, another very, very good running back. Frenship has two of the best in district at their disposal) and Ethan Filio (6-3, 300). This season projects Frenship being firmly in the middle of the district pack, just behind Permian, San Angelo and Tascosa and comfortably ahead of Midland, Midland Lee and Odessa. They will battle – and likely earn – another playoff berth. CBS7

Joining the Odessa and Midland schools and San Angelo again this year in the second year of UIL alignment are Amarillo Tascosa and Wolfforth Frenship. One is led by the dean of current district coaches and the other by a new face to the district.

Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: HC Record: Year at School: Record at School: 2016 Record:District Record: Offense Style: Defense Style:

Colors: Mascot: Head Coach: HC Record: Year at School: Record at School: 2016 Record:District Record: Offense Style: Defense Style:

DISTRICT 2-6A OTHER SCHOOLS

Red & BlackRebels

Ken Plunk61-5110th

44-4610-33-3

Flex-bone4-2-5

Blue & GoldTigers

Jay Northcutt0-01st0-05-63-3

SpreadMultiple/Even

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EP Montwood EP El Dorado Lub. Cooper

Abilene Cooper*Odessa Permian


*SA Central*Odessa

*Midland LeeOPEN

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Amarillo Palo DuroPlainview

Lawton, OK MacArthur

Amarillo*Odessa HC

*Midland Lee*Wolfforth Frenship

*Odessa Permian*Midland

OPEN*SA Central

Frenship // TascosaSept. 1 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10

Aug. 31^ Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10

18

District 24-A, Div I

Call For the Next Man Up

Our headline in last year’s publication stated, “Primed for a Big Year.” Does 11-2 constitute a “big year?” Yes, yes it

does… especially when you consider the 11 wins were the most for the Andrews Mustangs since the 1993 team also wrapped up 11-2.

Under Coach Ralph Mason’s tutelage, the Mustangs are 25 games above .500, averaging a very healthy 8.6 wins per year. This year should continue the trend since, as of late, the Mustangs don’t really rebuild, they just keep on keeping on.

The offensive line did their part in pushing, prodding and steamrolling their way to just over 52 points (52.38) and 480 yards a game. A whopping 320 of that came through the air. That five-man wall returns intact led by three seniors and two juniors. Senior wide receiver Casey Buck (6-1, 200) is the only other returning starter. It would be a massive understatement to simply say Coach Mason needs to find another quarterback with the graduation of last year’s signal caller. Triston Williams threw for 3,898 yards and 52 TDs last season and that was LESS than his junior year (3,975/56). His career numbers: 8,226 yards and one-hundred nine (109!) touchdown passes. Those are HUMONGOUS SHOES to fill, but somehow the Mustangs will find a way. Running back, wide receiver, kicker…yes, they all will need replacing too (with the exception of Buck, of course). Three names to look for this fall are all wide outs, senior Mateo Dela Cruz (5-8, 175) and juniors Vito Prieto (6-1, 200) and Mare Solorzano (6-0, 190). Those other critical skill positions are still up for grabs.

On the defensive side, the Mustangs allowed just over four TDs a game (28.5) and an experienced secondary and the lone returning linebacker should keep those numbers steady or hopefully a bit under. Buck will be

going both ways as he’s the ‘backer we mentioned. In front of him are two returning D-linemen, seniors Cody Hada and Beau Narrell (6-2, 190). The secondary, on the other hand, is stocked with three seniors back in place, Marcus Bustamante (5-9, 150), Jace Keesee (5-10, 165) and Noah Lujan (6-0, 160). Sophomore Esau Flores (5-7, 165) looks to have the edge on taking one of the spots next to Buck, Dela Cruz is targeted for the secondary and both Prieto and Solorzano are likely starters on the defensive line.

The Mustangs are on an 18-game district win streak and the odds on a fourth straight walk through the district schedule is pretty good. Clint at 8-2 presents the only real challenge so that final district game (for Andrews) on November 3 will likely determine who wears the crown. The other three schools (Fabens, San Elizario and Clint Mountain View were a combined 8-23/4-8). The third round loss to Levelland (22-53) snapped a six-game win streak and run of 50 points or more. The three rounds deep were the most since 2007, but the loss won’t tarnish what was an excellent season. The Mustangs have a playoff streak of five seasons and are a shoe-in to make it six in a row this fall. Never rebuild, just call for the next man up. 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 Mason6th

43-1843-1811-24-0

2016Spread

4-3

8-2 7-3*DISTRICT


HERE’S THE BEEF

SENIORSCody Hada 6-3 260Daniel Mullins 5-10 200Nate Mullins 5-10 200

JUNIORSReese Azam 6-3 275Jacob Mechler 6-3 225


20

Building Blocks to a Great Future

This year will see a new man at the controls of the Big Spring Steers. Phillip Ritchey stalked the sidelines for eight years before Clint

Finley took over in 2016, but decided to part ways with the program earlier this year. Enter Mitch McLemore from class 2A Junction (three year mark of 18-17). His Eagles made the playoffs all three seasons and in 2015 he was named Class 2A All-West Texas Coach of the Year. So he brings some experience to a program in need of stabilizing. Just two seasons ago, the Steers advanced to the third round and ended the season 9-3 before falling back to 2-16 the last two seasons.

What’s to look forward to this fall? Twenty-four lettermen will suit up in the black and gold on opening night with ten starters returning; five on each side of the ball. So, the barn isn’t empty - there is a lot of talent to develop. Coach McLemore will hand the keys to the offense to the very young but extremely capable freshman quarterback CJ Harris (6-3, 190). Sophomore wide receiver Jerimiah Cooley (6-4, 190) will also be expected to play beyond his youth. Two seniors will provide their experience and leadership to the offense as well: running back Mikey Renteria (6-0, 190) and lineman Jordan Dunn (6-1, 250).

Cooley, Harris and Renteria will have the back end of the defense in good shape with returning senior D-lineman Damian Cisneros (6-1, 260) the only returning starter in the front seven.

Abilene Wylie remains the King of the Hill in district 3-4A, coming off a 4-0 district slate and a 12-win season overall. Brownwood (3-1/6-4) is the closest to the Bulldogs as far as being a tough out. The remaining teams in the district were a combined 3-5/5-16 with Big Spring bringing up the rear at 0-4/0-9. The Steers tenth game, versus Monahans, was cancelled due to

extreme weather in early September.This season expect about the same, but with both Wylie and Brownwood com-ing to Memorial Stadium, that could be to the good for the Steers. They do have a competitive pre-season slate and will sorely need those tune-up games to get comfortable with the new staff and way of doing things. It looks like the team will field a very young group that will need to grow up in a hurry. No matter what happens the building blocks of 2017 will certainly benefit the Steers over the next few seasons. CBS7


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Amarillo CaprockSweetwaterMonahans

CanyonAndrewsGraham*Snyder

*Abilene Wylie*Stephenville*Brownwood

OPEN

1-9 2-8*DISTRICT

BIG SPRING STEERS


Memorial StadiumAndrews

Black & Gold Steers

Mitch McLemore1st0-0

18-170-90-4

2014 Spread

Multiple 3-3 Stack



Keep Moving Forward

5-5 5-5


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Kermit ^S.A. LakeviewDenver City

Uvalde*Mid. Greenwood

*Pecos*Lamesa

*SweetwaterOPEN

*Seminole*Monahans

It’s a rough ‘ol district the Ft. Stockton Panthers find themselves in. Last season, three of their district foes posted nine wins or better (Sweetwater, Seminole,

Monahans), led by the Sweetwater Mustangs 13-2 season that came with a state finals appearance. It is an absolute knock down-drag out every week in this seven-team grouping and, as tough as last year was, this year doesn’t look to be any easier.

Coach Mike Peters swung a 3-7 in his first go ‘round with one win in the six district skirmishes. This fall, he will welcome back 16 lettermen with four of those returning to the offense and another five to the defense.

The offense has the experience sprinkled around and includes junior quarterback Kobe Henderson (6-2, 205) who managed a TD pass per game (10) and looks to improve on that solid sophomore effort. Junior Brian Gonzales (5-8, 160; 2 TD) is the lone running back/receiver back in the fold with two seniors along the front rounding out the experienced Panthers returning to the offense. Those are lineman Jordan Dominquez (5-10, 245) and converted lineman now tight end Casey Nolen (6-4, 235). Those four will be who Coach Peters and his staff will build the offense around. They are looking to pump up their 22 point per game average of a year ago and hope their improved team speed will also help the passing game that struggled at times last year and averaged out at under 100 yards per game (the rushing game was a bit better at 190 a contest). Several players are waiting in the wings to contribute this fall, including senior Andre Gomez (5-8, 150) and junior Tony Rodriquez (5-8, 150) who may both win a starting spot opposite Gonzales at receiver. A couple of more hopefuls, junior Cesar Trejo (5-7, 155) and sophomore Uber Granado (5-9, 155) are who the staff is hoping to see a lot of action from in the backfield this season. The Panthers will field a defense led by those five returning starters, but that means six more players will need to

win spots and be running full-steam-ahead by opening night. Gonzales, as of now, is the only two-way starter; he’ll settle in as one of three returning defensive backs. So, the back end of the defense should be in skilled hands. The other two are seniors Jeremiah Hughes (5-10, 165) and Arian Galindo (5-8, 165). Gonzales led the group with two picks; Hughes had one. All three are sure tacklers. Two more returning starters are at linebacker spots, senior Nestor Ruiz (6-0, 205) and junior Cole Daggett (6-0, 220). Daggett averaged nine tackles a game and is primed for a great senior season. A couple of under-classmen being mentioned as starting caliber players include junior defensive back Nick Johnson (6-0, 160) and sophomore linebacker Iram Villareal (5-10, 180). All are assured of being in the starting 11 when the Panthers open the season in Kermit. The defense will have to find a whole new group in the trenches as the four D-linemen will be brand spanking new.

The Panthers only district win last season was against Lamesa, but a year can make a difference. The non-district slate doesn’t feature a single team that screams out “unbeatable” so we’ll go out on a limb and pencil the Panthers in for a 4-0 start and full of confidence when they head out on the highway for Midland Greenwood in late September. Opponents Lamesa (1-9/0-6) and Pecos (5-5/2-4) are winnable games but, for the real breakthrough, the Panthers will have to find a way to take down one or more of the big dogs: Monahans, Seminole and Sweetwater. Greenwood will be breaking in a new coaching staff this spring and may suffer some growing pains in the process so taking advantage in the district opener may be a possibility. District 2-4A isn’t going to be easy…especially when you consider the Big 3 are on the schedule one after the other beginning in late October.

*DISTRICT

District 24-A, Div II

Panther StadiumPecos

Blue & WhitePanthers

Mike Peters2nd3-7

28-443-71-5

2013Multiple

4-3

FORT STOCKTONPANTHERS



22

MIDLAND GREENWOOD

RANGERS



They Will Be A Hoot To Watch

In a mild shocker, long time Head Coach Shad Hannah stepped down after seven years (71-49) and Levelland’s Jared Sanderson was tapped to lead the Rangers

football program. This past season, Levelland advanced to the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals before bowing out with a 10-win season. Sanderson posted a 27-21-1 record in four seasons in his first head coaching position. Note: his quarterback, Nick Gerber, broke the state single season record for passing yards (5,617) and passing touchdowns (77) and graduated this past spring. All that is said to say this: look for a wide open spread attack that will bend and often break defenses this fall. The Rangers should be a hoot to watch.

The 2016 Rangers certainly didn’t have any problems scoring points or piling up yardage (46.7/506.5) and this season should be no different though only one skill position player returns to his starting spot. That would be wide receiver Jared Nail (SR; 5-8, 165). The front wall though is a little better with two seniors and one junior back in place.

A couple of three-hundred pounders will lead an attack that ran on oppo-nents for more than 300 yards a game; senior Matt Groeschel (6-6, 330) and junior Parker Wigington (6-3, 310). The pipsqueak of the bunch, Dalton Richardson is a “measly” 5-11, 205! All said, tongue-in-cheek, of course, but it is a good bet the offensive line will be humming from day one.

Of the four returnees on D, three of them will set up in the front seven. Senior linemen Brian Ramos (5-10, 185) and Braden Latham (5-9, 195) will be lined up in front of linebacker Gunner Holcomb (6-3, 190), with safety Nail the only secondary player to return.

If that was all coach Sanderson had to work with, then the faithful might be a bit fearful. But several more players are prepared to step up and be ready to go opening night. They include several juniors, Jake Somers (6-0, 180) who is

likely to be the starting quarterback, Seth Weatherby (5-8, 160), the leading returning receiver, Kobe Jameson (5-8, 160), expected to start at either wide receiver or corner…or both, and lineman Jerry Vasquez (5-7, 200). Three sophomores look like they could win positions as well, lineman Jayden Kitchens (6-1, 210), Brody Ray (6-1, 165), who will be looked at to carry the ball or defend it at corner, and running back/linebacker Ryan Snodgrass (5-10, 175). It wouldn’t be a surprise if all of them are in the lineup September 1 at Snyder.

Watching a Sanderson-coached team, you will see a disciplined group of boys that is “hard-nosed and plays faster than the opponent.” Sanderson says, above all, “our first priority is to develop great men with character,” who know how to handle responsibility, be dedicated and develop the tools necessary to handle the ups and downs of not only a football game, but life itself. Sounds good to us! Expect the Rangers to win the day more often than not and take their place in week 11, ready for a good playoff run.

Here’s the rub; three teams in district 2-4A came away with nine-win sea-sons in 2017, capped off by a champi-onship appearance by the Sweetwater Mustangs. Sweetwater (13-2), Semi-nole (9-5) and Monahans (9-3-1) have to be considered at the head of the class with Greenwood the only other team to finish .500 or better (7-3). This season, the schedule has the Rangers facing both Seminole and Sweetwater on the road while hosting the Monah-ans Loboes in the district’s third week. It is going to be a “Battle Royale“each week between all three of those teams. Greenwood sits firmly in the middle of the pack but can easily force their way into the top half of the district. Pecos, Ft Stockton and Lamesa (a combined 9-19) remain at the bottom of the pack. Another seven-win season is a good bet, but eight or more would not be a big surprise. CBS7

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SnyderBrownfieldShallowater

S.A. Lakeview*Ft. Stockton HC

*Seminole*Monahans

OPEN*Pecos

*Lamesa*Sweetwater

7-3 7-3

Ranger StadiumMonahans

Blue & WhiteRangers

Jared Sanderson1st0-0

27-21-17-34-2

2015Spread

4-3

*DISTRICT HC Homecoming #Thursday

Sept. 1 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 26# Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10



Notch another season with nine or more wins in Coach Mickey Owens’ belt - the seventh in his 12 seasons. What does that

tell you? The Monahans Loboes come ready to knock your block off each and every week and you better be ready.

The Loboes took the measure of every district opponent last year, coming away with a spotless 6-0 mark - but stumbled in a rematch with Seminole in the playoff’s second week. The Loboes eeked out a 27-19 win in week five (district opener) over the Indians, but Seminole won the one that mattered eight weeks later (28-21). That stung just a bit and the Loboes have been stewing over that heartache the entire off-season just waiting for the new season to start.

Coach Owens begins his 13th season this fall and will have a good group of returning players to build around. Monahans never seems to be in “rebuilding mode.” In fact, the closest they have come to a .500 season was way back in 2007 when they ended the season 6-5. Close, but no cigar.

This year the QB, fullback, flanker and TE will be back to operate the vaunted Wing T offense (a favorite of many). Coach Owens has added a little of the spread offense over the years as well. Senior Dante Griner (1,011 passing yards, 13 TD) is the man under center and he will have an extremely stout running game at his disposal. Senior Tylan McCalister is the perfect ideal of a Wing T fullback. He ran for 1,751 yards with 26 TD and can be counted on for more of the same this season. He was selected AP 2nd team All-State. Others who figure into the rushing attack are Griner (276 yards, 2 TD), Kye Noyola and Miguel Marmolejo. David Birdwell (15 receptions, 201 yards, 4 TD), McCallister (2 TD) and Corbie Navarrette (1 TD) will all play a part in the passing game. The Wing T is predominately a rushing offense

and the running game averaged 345 yards a game with the passing game adding another 91 or so each week. Coach Owens’ offense will have a tall order however: replacing all four guys up front (“must be able to replace those guys to have a chance”).

The defense may show its inexperience early (there are only four non-district games before the first district match at the end of September). All three linebackers graduated but the old ball coach says, “We think we have some young kids to fill those spots.” D-linemen Navarrette, Marmolejo, Alec Gonzales and Aldan Carlos will hold down the front with Jordan Fisher and Michael Smith in the secondary. Other players expected to fill roles include Javier Moreno, Cody Poor and Noyola.

For the last 12 years in a row (hmmm, the entire length of Mickey Owens tenure), the Loboes have been a yearly fixture in the playoffs. As mentioned - never seeming to rebuild just always reloading and finding a way to win. They come into 2017 as the defending district champs (6-0), just ahead of Sweetwater (5-1; lost to Monahans 19-16) and Greenwood (4-2). Seminole was even at 3-3. Those seem to be the teams to beat again this year though Pecos is loaded on both sides of the ball and may surprise a few folks as well. The nine-win 2016 season broke a three-year run of seven win seasons (2013-15: 7-4, 7-5, 7-5) that may foretell the future.

The Loboes had quite a run from 2008-11 running up 46 wins against only eight losses. The five seasons since: 38-22, which is pretty solid as well. What it boils down to is this: Monah-ans ALWAYS finds a way to win the games that count and you can count on writing them in as a Week 11 partici-pant for the 13th year in a row. CBS7

Twelve Straight Playoff Seasons


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Wall^Canyon

Big SpringAndrews

*SeminoleOPEN

*Mid. Greenwood*Pecos

*Lamesa*Sweetwater*Ft. Stockton

9-1 9-1

MONAHANSLOBOES

Estes MemorialAll of Them

Green & WhiteLoboes

Mickey Owens13th

112-38164-66

9-36-0

2016Wing T/Spread

Multiple

*DISTRICT


24


Gonna Be A Fun Ride

Coach Chris Henson’s Pecos Eagles posted a second consecutive five-win season in 2016 (2-4 in district 2-4A) and he

and his staff have been hard at work in the offseason, tinkering in their lab like mad scientists trying to figure out how to break out of the pack. The UIL plopped them into a huge seven-team district with a loaded set of district foes and it is taking all of their collective brainpower to figure out a way to rise above. Well, this should be “fun.”

The Eagles again will have four weeks to fine-tune the two sides of the ball and get ready for the games that matter. This year, the always-powerful Sweetwater Mustangs (12-2 last year) must make the I-20 trip west. Whether that plays to the Eagles advantage remains to be seen. Pecos will face the district’s three top teams in the slate’s first four weeks so they had better be ready.

Here is a bit of good news: the offense welcomes back eight starters from a year ago including Coach Henson’s son, Bubba (6-0, 185), who wraps up his four-year career under center. He will look to build on his 5,355 passing yards (62 TD passes) and 2,200+ rushing yards (another 29 TD) in leading the Eagles offensive attack. His junior year was pretty darn great; 2,452 yards, 33 TD passes. He has a solid trio of receivers; seniors EJ Garcia (5-6, 150), a three-year starter who has 90 career reeptions for 1,404 yards and 16 TD (junior year: 60-1,028-10TD), Isaiah Ornelas (5-6, 150; 31-525-8 last year) and Zeric Garcia (6-1, 165; 20-255-5). Second Team All-District running back Michael Rambo (JR; 5-9, 185; 676 yards/5 TD last season) will be back after a very good sophomore campaign. Back in the trenches are three-year starter (senior) Samuel Soto (6-0, 275; 1st Team All-District) at center and two more seniors at tackle, Ricky Rosalez (5-11, 230) and Julian Gervacio (5-10, 255). The offense averaged 428 yards/40 points a game

and that number will be even better this year. This is as loaded an offense as any you’ll find in the district and with this experience comes confidence which often manifests itself in the win column.

Fifteen combined returning starters this season and eight of those are on defense. As loaded as the offense is, can the defense be even better? The senior linebacking group may be the best in the district, led by leading tackler Pablo Hidalgo (6-0, 220; 1st Team All-District). Derick Jaso (5-11, 165) and Angel Alaniz (5-9, 155) are no slouches either and, with Hidalgo, form an almost inpenetrable wall. The secondary is made of ‘the good hands people,’ EJ Garcia and Ornelas at safety and Ray David Mucia (SR; 6-0, 150) at corner. The D-line is a question mark (looks like the only one) as senior defensive end Jonathan Garcia (6-1, 190; 5 sacks) is the lone returnee. Two may answer that question: seniors Julian Baeza (6-4, 215) and Guillermo Baeza (5-11, 200).

Certainly games are not won or lost on paper but, as you read through those last two paragraphs, you have to take notice that Pecos will come into 2017 absolutely stacked on both sides of the ball (the third element is also in good hands (feet) with the return off All-State honorable mention punter/kicker Jonathan Garcia). A straw poll would

7-3 6-4

PECOSEAGLES


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Brady ^KermitAlpineFabens

*Sweetwater*Ft. Stockton*Seminole*Monahans

*Mid GreenwoodOPEN

*Lamesa

Eagle StadiumFt. Stockton

Purple & GoldEagles

Chris Henson12th

54-6077-685-52-4

2015Spread Wing T

3-4

*DISTRICT ât Ozona


AND THERE ARE MORE PLAYERS...

(ALL JUNIORS)

Zack Garcia (5-5, 270) D-LineAngel Gallegos (5-5, 170) R-BackRyan Orona (5-9, 160) LinebackerIsaiah Fuentes (6-0, 165) D-LineCharles Hernandez (5-6, 150) D-BackNathaniel Hinojos (5-6, 150) D-Back



Plenty Left in the Tank

Now THAT is what you call a turnaround. Due to injuries and what-not, the Seminole Indians plodded through a very

tough 2015, posting a single win in ten tries. Coming into 2016, they felt like they had a chance to reverse their bad fortune from the year before (19 returning starters) and reverse they did. From one win to nine wins (the most since 2011, 11-2). Along the way, they put together a four-game win streak that propelled them into and through the first two playoff rounds before district nemesis Sweetwater ended their year in the Quarterfinals (the Mustangs won both meetings, 39-22 in district, 38-14 in the playoff game). Want more good news? Thirteen more returning starters hit the field when the season commences on September 1 so Coach Kent Jackson’s squad didn’t go all-in last year with nothing left. They have plenty left in the tank.

Some very good skill players will have to be replaced on offense (including QB Brett Hicks). Junior Jordan Rodriguez (5-9, 165) has the early nod to start the season under center. At this point, it looks like defensive standout Cade Barnard (SR; 6-2, 205) may also be the starting running back. He does have a bit of experience there, too, having scored a combined six TD rushing and receiving and even completing half of the passes he attempted. Senior Aron Dominquez (5-9, 180; a combined 3 TD), also a defensive stalwart, will likely split time with Barnard. A BIG target lines up at tight end, 6-7 Reese Moore (SR: 270lb). He graded out at 92% blocking, flattened 34 opponents and managed to catch 16 passes for almost 20 yards a catch and 3 TD. The offensive line appears to be in good shape with two seniors and a junior expected to return. Johnny Fehr (6-3, 285) and Juan Valdez (5-10, 205) are the seniors, Rusty Froese (5-10,. 215) is the

junior. Fehr was first team All-District O-line, graded out above 90% and allowed no sacks on 191 pass attempts. Several other players will be counted on to jump in and fill holes including Dago Esquivel (Soph; 5-10, 170) Bryce Karr (JR; 5-11, 160), Sergio Landeros (SR; 6-1, 185), Daniel Grado (SR; 5-10, 195) and Ezekiel Grado (SR; 5-10, 195).

Coach Jackson counts experience as the team’s biggest strength. “This group of seniors were freshmen when we got to Seminole. We have a good group that has played a lot of football for us. Our defense should be very strong (7 returning starters),” Jackson noted. Some of the same players mentioned on offense will take up positions on defense led by Barnard at linebacker. He was a tackling machine (193) and was named first team All-District, second team All-State, Permian Basin Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year (Odessa American) and All-4A Super Team (Lubbock Avalanche Journal). Dominquez is also set at linebacker (106 tackles, 3 blocked kicks); he was all over the field as a junior and projects to be even better this season. The defensive line is solid as a rock with the return of Fehr, Froese and Moore. Froese was first team All-District and All-4A (LAJ) after a 100 tackle season. In the secondary, the Indians are in good hands as well with two seniors roaming the back end; Ransom Edwards (5-10, 155; first team All-District, Honorable Mention All-State, All Permian Basin 4A (OA), All 4A (LAJ)) and Jonathan Knelsen (5-10, 160). Three newcomers will probably see most of their action on defense, Senior Ryan Elrod (O & D lines; 6-0, 220) and juniors Austin Kelly (Both lines; 6-1, 230) and Noah Mata (RB/LB; 5-10, 180).


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Lubbock HighIdalouSnyder

Amarillo River Road*Monahans

*Mid. Greenwood*Pecos

*Lamesa*Sweetwater*Ft Stockton

OPEN

8-2 8-2*DISTRICT

SEMINOLEINDIANS


Wig Wam StadiumAll of Them

Black & GoldIndians

Kent Jackson4th

16-19147-107-1

9-53-3

2016Shotgun/Triple Opt.

4-3



26


Right Guy - Right Time

B ack to back 3-8 seasons are in the books for the Crane Golden Cranes and 2017 will usher in new

leadership as Steve Rodman takes control of the program following a highly successful run at Spearman (2008-16: 67-34). His is a familiar name around town as he was the team’s D-backs coach for nine years (1998-2004), a time in which the Golden Cranes ruled the roost, amassing 67 wins against only 12 losses. It’s those heady times the Crane faithful are banking on as a new season approaches.

Quarterback Kolton Sena returns for his senior year (4 TD passing and 4 more rushing) looking to improve on his junior season. Two more skill players will join him, Chris Maldonado at running back (just under 200 yards rushing, 1 TD) and wide receiver Brandon Cerna (2 TD on 12 receptions). Coach Rodman is looking to increase the passing stats significantly this season (averaged under 90 yards a game) and with it the scoring totals.

The defense has two returning players on the line and two more in the backfield meaning the middle will be featuring some new faces. Tye Heard and Emmanuel Camacho will line up in the trenches, Chris Martinez and Sena (3 picks) will be in the secondary.

Two factors that lead to Rodman’s hiring were his longevity at his previous coaching stops (nine years in Crane, nine years in Spearman, three years in Seagraves

(assistant)) and his experience as an athletic director. Coach Rodman likes that Crane “takes care of its students and they have a good community and support athletics.” (as told to the Odessa American’s Eric Blum.)

Last season, the Wall Hawks pummeled district 2-3A, winning all four district matches (outscoring their foes 245-28 and shutting out both Crane and Tornillo). They will be the odds-on favorite to rule the roost this year. In fact, other than Wall (11-3), San Angelo Grape Creek (6-4) was the only squad above .500. The non-district schedule will find the Golden Cranes on the road three straight weeks (and three of four to start the year. Total mileage isn’t too bad though: 415 miles/830 round trip). They will alternate weeks on the road and at home once the district schedule settles in (biggest jaunt is the 140 miles to Wall; a little more than two and a half hours via bus).

Coach Rodman took over a struggling Spearman program and in three seasons made it a perennial playoff participant with seven straight seasons of seven or more wins. He sees similarities between Spearman and Crane (“Super hard working” OA; Blum) and can see where, with hard work and focus, the traditions he previously was a part of can return. CBS7

IraanColorado City

OzonaAlpineSonoraJunction

OPEN*Wall

*Tornillo*Kermit

*Grape Creek

AWAYHOMEAWAYAWAYAWAYHOME

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4-6 4-6


*DISTRICT

CRANEGOLDEN CRANES

El Ave StadiumSonora & AlpinePurple and GoldGolden CranesSteve Rodman

1st0-0

67-343-81-3

2016Multiple Spread

3-3



Well, he said they were “going to compete” and he was right. He is Head Coach Jacob Bible who, in

his first year at the helm of the Kermit Yellow jackets, presided over a team that improved by three games in the win column (from one to four), won three of four district games, and though saw a quick playoff exit, did manage to qualify for the postseason. The four wins were the most since 2011 (5-5) and there is excitement in town as the fall approaches. A whopping 31 lettermen are back for a second go-round in the Bible Era with a massive eight starters returning on both sides of the ball.

The eight offensive starters are a good combo of linemen and skill players, led by senior QB Jerek Garcia (quite a load at 6-3, 240). He tossed 12 TDs last season and is primed for a much better senior season. Running back Charles Stallings (SR; 6-0, 186) averaged seven yards a carry and scored 18 times. Garcia will have a solid pair of wide outs to play catch with this fall, junior Alexis Rios (5-10, 158) scored 5 TDs with an eye-popping 18 yards a catch and sophomore Arturo Gonzalez (5-9, 154) may be young, but is capable. Up front, the middle and right side of the line are in place with junior center Josue Vasquez (5-8, 208; Second Team All-District), guard Jose Payen (5’9, 224; First Team All-District). The offense managed only 21 points a game, but with the experience of a year or more under their belts, and a second year with Coach Bible’s system, that figure should improve. The ground game was solid a year ago (265 a game), but the passing game was a bit anemic at 89 yards per contest. Garcia’s numbers should jump and with it the entire offense.

The defense surrendered 32 points a game with an even split between rushing and passing yards allowed, 139 on the ground, 143 through the air. With eight returning starters, and like the offense, with another year in the system, expect things to tighten up quite a bit. Five of the returning starters occupy spots in the front seven, which is a good thing. Down front, both ends are back in familiar spots, seniors Garcia (yes, the QB goes both ways) and Jalen Dingle (6-2, 270). Sophomore tackle Darius Pando (5-10, 225) will have a new running buddy this year along side, but those three form a powerful wall that should be able to control the opponent’s running game. Two of the linebackers, on either side of the middle ‘backer are returning, senior strong side ‘backer Josh Garcia (5-10, 165) and sophomore weak side linebacker Brady Johnson. Garcia had five sacks last year, Dingle 21 tackles for loss and the linebackers did their jobs with sure tackling. In the secondary, one corner will be new but both safeties and the other corner slot will be occupied by veterans. Anthony Muniz (JR; 5-6, 140) snagged four picks from his corner post and both senior free safeties grabbed a pick apiece as well, Isaac Gonzales (5-10, 150) and Zavian Florez (5-8, 145).

Looking over what was accomplished last season, a three-game district win streak that put the Yellow Jackets in the playoffs, the three-win improvement, the experience gained in the first year of a new coach and his way of doing things...all lead to this season …and a roster of hungry boys who are primed to topple the .500 mark, and restart a new winning tradition in Kermit.

Coach Bible admits he is “demanding (having) extremely high expectations of myself, coaches and team.” One major goal for 2017 is gaining confidence for the rigors of district by flipping the

Building A Winning Tradition

5-5 6-4


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Ft StocktonPecos

Van HornDenver City

AlpineBrownfield*Tornillo

OPEN*Grape Creek

*Crane*Wall


*DISTRICT

KERMITYELLOWJACKETS

Walton FieldPecos

Maroon & GoldYellowjacketsJacob Bible

2nd4-74-74-73-1

2016Multiple/Pistol

4-3



28


Win the Ones That Count


5-55-5

O n the surface, the final tally of three wins in ten games last season was a little disheartening for the Coahoma Bulldogs,

coming a year after a four-win season. Looks can be deceiving as the 2015 team stayed home when the playoffs got underway, but last year’s team qualified for a Week 11 matchup due to their 2-2 record in district games. Coach Fred Dietz will welcome in his third group this fall and it is a stout group with 20 lettermen and 17 total starters in place.

Let’s start where previews always do, with the offense. Eight starters will be in place this fall when the Bulldogs take the field in Big Spring to kick off the season against a very tough Forsan group of boys. That 3-7 win-loss record obscures the fact Coahoma had some stud offensive playmakers. Running back Braden Pearson (SR; 5-9. 160) and wide receivers Zach Holmes (SR; 5-9, 160) and Gage Clark Burdell (JR; 6-3, 180) were unanimous selections to the First Team All-District squad. Holmes was also the choice for All Big Country as the utility player this fall; at least that’s the early scuttlebutt. Two linemen, Rolando Ortiz (SR; 5-10, 240) and Braden Walker (SR; 6-1, 260) were also first team unanimous selections. Adam Clark (SR; 6-0, 215) is another of the offensive returning starters and will split out at receiver. He is a load to tackle in the open field…scored 8 TD on 37 catches or once for every four grabs.

Several of those offensive playmakers will also start on defense; Holmes in the secondary, Clark, Ortiz and Walker on the d-line and Burdell at linebacker. Others who started or saw significant playing time last season

and are returning this fall include Joe Escobedo (SR; 5-8, 160) at outside linebacker and Caimon Billingsley (SR; 5-10, 180) at inside linebacker.

There are a number of others who Coach Dietz points out as players the Bulldogs are counting on this fall: Aleks Duenes, Avry Burgans, Bobby Zambrano and Alejandro Gonzales.

Coahoma was competitive in 2016, and will be again this fall in district 2-3A. Idalou (8-4/4-0) was the only team to amass a winning record; Colorado City (4-7/3-1), Lubbock Roosevelt (3-8/1-3) and Coahoma (3-7/2-2) were all in the mix for playoff spots and there’s reason to believe a repeat is entirely possible. The Bulldogs will have to travel to Idalou and Roosevelt, but will host Stanton (0-9/0-4) and Colorado City (4-7/3-1). A few breaks here and there, good health, and solid leadership from their very experienced core and the Bulldogs will be in the thick of things. Looking back through the records, 2003 is the last season the Bulldogs won a playoff game. That year, they won the first two before Panhandle eeked out a narrow win in the third round. At least on paper, this Bulldog team appears to be primed to win the ones that count, compete for not only a playoff berth but have a real chance to do some damage once they are in the playoffs. CBS7

*DISTRICT ^ in Big Spring

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Forsan^McCamey

Reagan CountyBangs

Grape CreekSan Angelo TLCA

*Stanton*Idalou

*Colorado CityOPEN

*Lub. Roosevelt

COAHOMABULLDOGS

Martin FieldForsan, Stanton

Red & WhiteBulldogs

Fred Dietz3rd6-1413-183-72-2

2016Spread

3-3 Stack



are expected back on the offensive line.

The defense should be equal to the offense judging by the number of players returning and who they are. D-1 prospect Preston Ellison (SR; 6-3, 205) was a first team All-District safety (had an 85 yard pick-6 versus El Paso Eastwood). He is just one of several stand outs; Seth Higdon missed most of the season with an injury, but is back for his senior year (he’s 6-0, 170). Senior Ben Vore (6-3, 192) got a lot of playing time with Higdon’s unavailability and will figure in to the secondary somewhere. Senior O’Ryan Farley (6-2, 250) and junior Matt Jones (6-4, 220) also return with Farley on the defensive line and Jones either on the line or at linebacker. Others who saw significant playing time in 2016 and should see increased action this fall include Dorian Rand, Bailey Grizzell, Christian Tschauner, Rakeeb Adeyemi and Tanner Adams. This group looks to be the best of the district’s seven teams and will likely keep the Panthers from having to prevail in a scoring battle.

District 2-6A is breaking in new coaches at Midland (longtime DC elevated) and Wolfforth Frenship (brought in from the Metroplex) with Odessa and Lee in the second year of new leadership (after 0-10/3-7 seasons). The district playoff picture looks to have a group of three at the top with Permian, San Angelo and Tascosa, Wolfforth in the middle and Midland, Lee and Odessa in the final section. Last season, Midland surprised everyone by winning five of six district games (only loss was to the Bobcats) on the way to a 9-3 record. San Angelo, until someone succeeds in knocking them from their perch, has to again be the district favorite although they are replacing a lot of players and have yet another new QB. Tascosa also will have to fill a lot of holes while Permian, of all the teams in 2-6A, is LOADED with returning experience. The Panthers have Wolfforth and Tascosa at home (also Odessa) and that may swing things in Mojo’s favor, though they do have that date with San Angelo in late October, smack-dab in the middle of the district slate. All in all, Permian will be just fine and the learning curve from last year and the experience gained will serve the Panthers well. They will be OK or markedly better than “just OK.” CBS7

Continued from page 14Odessa Permian Panthers

that should each improve in year two. Kicker Bailey Giffen (5-8, 165) was solid in his freshman year, 92% on points after touchdowns, 5 for 5 on field goals (long of 47 versus Eastern New Mexico) and an average of 37.6 on his 62 punts. His 37 points were the second most on the team, just behind Leonard’s 42.

The defense gave up more than seven yards a play and over 50 points a game, but Coach Carrigan remains “excited to see our young team take the field for a second year.” He likes his defense to play “fast and physical, with sound technique and discipline.” For the most part, that was what was seen last season even if the numbers don’t bear it out. A few players were obvious standouts and always around the ball; two Midland High products, Cameron Hurd (5-8, 170) and Emilio Solis (5-10, 210) and two imports from elsewhere in the state, Andrews product Keegan Gray (5-11, 225) and middleman Chris Hoad (Leander; 6-0, 228; leading tackler). Those four linebackers are expected to get loads of playing time with Hoad rarely, if ever, coming off the field. Up front, the D-line was manned by four

juniors who are expected to return, Al Fano (6-1, 260), Leti Manu (6-1, 255), Frank Seiuli (6-0, 285) and Jared Thames (5-11, 265).

Coach Carrigan has signed some newcomers (all juniors) who will be competing for playing time this fall, one on offense, wide receiver Kyle McBride (5-10, 185; Kilgore Junior College) and five for the defense, D-linemen Kris Sutton (6-1, 220; Sierra College) and Ashad Guice (6-1, 220; Yuba College) and secondary players Marquis Davenport (5-9, 180; Diablo Valley College), Justin Nicholls (5-9, 180; Saddleback College) Kris Sutton (6-1, 220; Sierra College) and Tristen Thompson (6-0, 200; Kilgore Junior College).

The Falcons will have only five home games this fall with Sul Ross State kicking things off on Saturday, September 2 at 6pm. The four conference games will feature Tarleton State, Texas A&M Kingsville, Midwestern State and Angelo State. The game versus Midwestern will be played at Midland’s Grande Stadium, all others in the friendly confines of the Falcons’ home turf, Ratliff Stadium. The biggest game on the Falcons schedule: at Lamar in Week 2.

What to expect this fall? Some improvement in numbers; the defense especially has to stem the tide and hold the fort by forcing short, punt-resulting drives. Opponents converted 44% of their third down chances (41% of 4th downs) while the Falcon offense was at 34% on third down and 39% on fourth down tries. The offense will need to extend drives and severely reduce the number of “3 & outs.” That would help in two areas, keeping the ball and scoring chances alive and giving the defense much needed rest. Growing pains are sure to still be evident, but those who watch and follow the Falcons this fall will see a different and improved team after a full 11- game season followed by an off-season to work out the kinks.

UT-Permian Basin is by far the youngster in the Lone Star Conference, having been founded in 1973 with a single season of football competition under their belts. All other conference foes have had their pro-grams up and running for a very long time. That is a factor, but the Falcons overall will be a year older and wiser as noted and the small steps taken the first three years will hopefully lead to on-field success in a couple of more years. CBS7

Continued from page 6UT Permian Basin

Continued from page 24Pecos Eagles

likely shake out with 2016’s top teams again as the ‘teams to beat,’ but Pecos may very well have a say-so in the final outcome. Sweetwater, Seminole and Greenwood will all have to take the I-20 ride to face the Eagles and the game against the Loboes is just a short bus ride up the same highway to Monahans. The schedule does play out in the Eagles favor. We just keep coming back to a few things: an offense led by a father/son combo starting their fourth year together, a trio of receivers who are the equal to any other team’s starting group, and a very good offensive line. Eight returning defensive players and a great kicking game. The so-called district Big 3 (and Greenwood) should not be pencilling in Ws on the Pecos part of the schedule just yet. No sir-ee. Only four years since 1974 have the Pecos Eagles won seven games (1974, 1980, 2001, 2013). Once have they won eight (1972) and the most games ever won in a season is nine by the 1975 and 1952 outfits. This group may be knocking down a few doors. It just feels like the dam is about to burst and it’s gonna be a fun ride. CBS7

30


Rising, Like A Phoenix


3-74-6

STANTONBUFFALOES

Buffalo StadiumCoahoma

Red & GreyBuffaloes

John Peterson9th

36-4736-470-90-4

2013I Back/Multiple

3-4

T hroughout school history, the Stanton Buffaloes have endured the ebb and flow of success and frustration. A winless

season pops its ugly head up here and there and just as quickly fades from memory as success takes hold and success breeds success. A good example is the back to back winless seasons of 1990-91 followed by modest success and then a huge turnaround from 1997-2000 when the Buffs won 52 with only six losses. The run began with the lone state title and its 16-0 season. After 2000, things have slowed a bit, but there is hope on the horizon and the phoenix-like rise could begin as early as this fall.

Coach John Peterson straps on the whistle for his ninth season when his Buffaloes travel to Seagraves the first Friday in September. He’ll bring with him 14 lettermen and seven returning starters on his offense, four seniors and three juniors. Two of the upper classmen are the running back duo of Connor Sales (5-9, 160) and Andrian Rodriquez (5-8, 160). There will be a new signal caller, but he will have his comfort level greatly enhanced by the return of all but the center on the front line (new QB, new center). Seniors Chris Hernandez (tackle; 6-0, 230) and Alejandro Machuca (guard; 5-9, 190) will be joined by juniors Devin Gonzalez (guard; 5-10, 210) and Sebastian Escamilla (tackle; 6-3, 240). Add junior tight end Wes Ulmer (6-1, 200) and the front line is in really good shape. Another youngster being considered for line work, maybe at center: sophomore Chandler Denson (6-0, 200). Coach Peterson points to the depth at running back (junior Keegan Dahl (5-10, 160) is also in the mix)

and the experienced offensive line as huge positives going into this season. They should bust through last year’s season total of 46 points in the first two weeks!

The Buffaloes will also feature an experienced defense with six starters back in place...two defensive tackles (junior Ulmer and senior Hernandez), a junior linebacker (Reagan Nichols (5-11, 190), two corners (Adrian Rodriquez and Sales) and one safety (Cameron Yarbrough (Soph; 5-10, 150). Junior Rankin Kiker (6-0, 170) will get a hard look at one of the linebacker spots (as well as some action at tight end).

When the final whistle blew last November and 2016 was put to rest, the Buffaloes turned their thoughts and focus to this year. A quick glance at what awaits them in district certainly brings optimism. Idalou (8-4/4-0) was the ONLY district 2-3A squad to win more than they lost (Coahoma, Colorado City and Lubbock Roosevelt were a combined 10-22) so it’s a strong possibility that Stanton will be able to reverse the results of last year. The Buffs suffered five shutouts while scoring only the aforementioned 46 points in nine games (the Christoval game was cancelled due to severe weather) and of that total, just 22 were scored in the four district games (6-8-0-8). There is NO CHANCE of that repeating. This Stanton Buffalo team will be considerably improved from last season and it would come as no surprise to find them in the listings for the bi-district games in mid November. Like a phoenix, the Buffs will rise again. Starting this fall! CBS7*DISTRICT

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SeagravesWink

ForsanChristoval

MerkelAlpine

*Coahoma*Lub. Roosevelt

OPEN*Idalou

*Colorado City



Continued from page 16San Angelo Bobcats

the season that day in San Angelo. Coach Davis’ assessment of McIvor, who most know is the son of Ft Stockton/U-T Long-horn and NFL quarterback Rick McIvor: “big arm, will be one of the best dual threat QBs in the state.” He is one of five returning offensive starters. The others include junior O-linemen Gunner Couch (great name for a lineman; 6-3, 285; a mauler who allowed NO sacks and flat-tened opponents 43 times) and Brodrick Howard (6-1, 255; first team All-District.) Want to hear more glowing words from the coach (about Howard): “THE most athletic lineman I have coached in 30 years.” Oh, that’s all? Senior wide out Henry Teeter (6-5, 205) was at one time the heir apparent to Vincent before McIvor’s arrival prior to last year and he moved to receiver before last season. He’s had multiple D-1 offers already after a 56 catch junior year, good for 730 yards and 6 TD. He will be McIvor’s “go-to” this season and he is a BIG target. Cody Parker (JR; 5-10, 180) was Manning’s understudy last season and Coach Davis expects a breakout year for him in 2017…and a continuation his senior year in 2018.

The defense has one lone returnee, senior Gage Smith (5-10, 157)...smallish but a very good cover corner. So, the entire defense will need to be rebuilt, but with the Bobcats scoring, on average, better than 50 a game (and a wide victory margin), a LOT of players were able to hit the field last season.

Coach Davis is a bit concerned about the experience factor, especially having just the one senior corner, but in the four year run we wrote about earlier, the Bobcats have managed to find the diamonds in the rough time and time again and keep the ball rolling. They do have a favorable district schedule (so qualifying for the playoffs isn’t the issue) and until a team is able to knock the crown off their noggin, or at least skew it a little, the Bobcats will remain the pick to win the district title. Winning the games that matter to advance to the post season hasn’t been a problem since the ‘cats clawed their way back to respectability; it’s been that third round wall that has been tough to knock down. With the lessened experience, this may not be the year as there are a number of Region 1 Class 6A teams that could stand in their way. But the Bobcats are like the energizer bunny; they just keep going and going…so two things we’ll continue to predict; playoffs, at least two wins. After that… CBS7

non-district script. The Yellow Jackets opened at 1-5, but followed that up with the three straight district wins before losing their final district match to Wall and the bi-district game to Muleshoe. A faster start will breed the confidence they need to repeat the district run. Wall (11-3) and Grape Creek (6-4) were the only district teams to have winning seasons, so the ‘jackets have a better than even shot at repeating at 3-1 or even 4-0. A winning tradition starts with a first winning season and then a team builds from there. Look for the building to start this season. CBS7

Continued from page 27Kermit Yellowjackets

Year two of the Mike Peters era is this fall and sometimes it’s the little steps that matter (in NASCAR wins or losses are by tenths or even hundreds of a second!). The Panthers are still searching after all these years for their first playoff win, but first they need to win the games that count - to qualify for the playoffs. Little steps can lead to big things….you just have to stay patient and keep moving forward. CBS7

Continued from page 21Fort Stockton Panthers

32

The Hunted Become the Hunters

Most native Texans know that fall is hunting season and that deer are high on the list of

desirables. This season, the hunting may be a little bit tougher for those opponents battling the Fighting Bucks in District 3-3A. Coach John Fellows’ boys posted four wins in 11 games last season, but the hunt-ed will likely be the hunt-er this time around.

The first order of business for Coach Fellows is replacing a solid player at QB. Isaac Gallego took his diploma and vacated the position leaving the only hole in what should be an offense chock full of skill players. Running backs Joel Hernandez (SR; 5-8,. 165) and Zion Johnson (SR, 5-10, 180) will lead the way via the run. Johnson headed up an 8-1 under-varsity squad that will form the bulk of the ’17 varsity so there is room for lots of expectations. Four wide-outs will figure heavily in the spread’s passing attack: seniors Skyler Short (5-7, 149) and Aaron Frost (5-10, 185), junior Derek Rojo (5-10, 160) and coach’s son, sophomore Aaron Fellows (5-11, 165). All are skilled and all will give the new signal caller a measure of comfort to go along with the ball carriers. Coach Fellows points to the offensive line as a team strength…with another year of seasoning and growth to the Bucks’ advantage. Two juniors, guard Ricardo Contreras (5-8, 200) and tackle Julio Estrada (5-10, 205), will lead the charge up front.

The defense may be what carries the team beyond the district slate with solid, experienced players sprinkled throughout the squad. A couple of linebackers, senior Tonny Terrazas (5-8, 150) and junior Ceaser Aguilar (5-10, 220) will be counted on heavily as will the two defensive ends, senior Victor Carrasco (5-9, 205) and junior Dorian Cordero (6-0, 170). On the back end, ball hawk Rojo is back in his familiar d-back spot from where he snagged four errant passes last season.

Some say the battle for district supremacy will be a three-way battle between the Fighting Bucks, Sonora and Reagan County. That’s a fair observation. But to be considered are the top dogs from 2016 (Sonora and Reagan County) who ran roughshod over just about everyone, running up a combined record of 21-4 (7-1 in district). The Bucks will host the Sonora Broncos, but will travel to Reagan County, so holding home serve will be crucial to any hopes of a district title. It can be done and Coach Fellows and his fellow coaches…and players…will be eager to get the season kicked off in early September and then see where the chips fall. The Hunted become the Hunters. CBS7

5-5 6-4


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Grape CreekVan Horn

PecosCrane HC

KermitStanton

*San Angelo TLCA*Sonora

OPEN*Reagan County

*Ballinger

ALPINEFIGHTING BUCKS

Jackson FieldCrane

Purple & GoldFighting BucksJohn Fellows

3rd9-13

64-424-71-3

2016Spread4-2-5


*DISTRICT HC Homecoming



Blake Weston in Charge

The Reagan County Owls made a huge three-game jump in the win column in 2016, going from 6-5 the year before to 9-2. The bi-

district match with Coleman didn’t go their way, but it also didn’t change the fact that the Owls had a lot to smile about: an eight-game win streak, the most wins in a season in 14 years (9-3 in 2002), and a football program with sunny days ahead.

After his 5th season at the helm, Coach Ken Campbell (26-26) made the move to Athletic Director and named first time head coach Blake Weston from Sonora as his successor. Weston was an assistant coach of the Owls big rival the last nine seasons and was co-offensive coordinator in 2016 when the Broncos were the only team to lay a blemish on the Owls regular season record.

All discussions about offense normally start with the man under center and Coach Weston will need to find one to replace the graduated LJ DeLeon. Junior running back Samuel Goodloe (5-9, 210) will return however; he had just over 800 yards with eight scores as a sophomore. Junior Nathan DeLeon (5-10, 200) may spell Goodloe some on offense as well. Kodee Warriner (JR; 6-0, 200) starts on defense, but will add H-back to his duties this fall. The only returning lineman is Trey Ortiz (SR; 5-9, 200) and like several players, will go both ways. There are lots of holes to fill on offense (seven of them) so the going may be just a bit slow in the beginning (also adjusting to a more wide open offense), but the first district game isn’t until mid-October (the season’s seventh game) so plenty of tune-up time is in store. The offense was very potent in 2016, averaging 41 points a game and rushing for more than 320 a contest. Coach Weston feels the ground game (both with the backs and line) should be steady. The offense will

be opened up a bit, moving on from the Wing T to a “multiple spread” scheme.

On the defensive side of the ball, the line-backing core of DeLeon, Ortiz and Warriner returns intact and that should help in getting this side of the ball in gear from the get-go.

The Owls graduated a big senior class, but enough key pieces return to give confidence to the coming season. Sonora, of course, will have to be reckoned with and that game will be on the road in the Broncs pen at the tail end of October; a homecoming of sorts for Coach Weston considering his near decade of being on the Sonora side of the field. Alpine, Ballinger and San Angelo TLCA were a combined 7-24/3-9 and rate a rung below both the Owls and Sonora (combined: 21-4/7-1). Looks like District 3-3A is in for a re-run with the Broncos and Owls matchup determining the district champion. Things are trending upwards and it may not be long before the Owls rip off a string of seasons like 1985 to 1993 when they were a combined 83-19-1 with three nine-win seasons, a ten-win year, two seasons with 11 wins and one that wrapped up 12-1-1 (1986). The Weston Era begins and things are looking great. CBS7


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McCameyIrion County

CoahomaForsanOzona

Colorado City*Ballinger

*San Angelo TLCA HC

*Sonora*AlpineOPEN

7-3 7-3*DISTRICT HC Homecoming

District 33-A, Div IIREAGAN COUNTY

OWLS

James Bird StadiumAll of Them

Royal Blue & GoldOwls

Blake Weston1st0-00-09-23-1

2016Multiple Spread

50/ 3-4

Sept. 1 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10TIME TO SHINE

SENIORSChance Darr (6-1, 185) TE/DLAngel Gallegos (5-9, 220) Both LinesKaleb Morris (6-3, 175) WR/CBAlex Chavez (6-3, 190) Athlete

JUNIORSJustin Chavez (5-10, 170) AthleteTristan Ortiz (5-10, 260) Both Lines

34


Turn The Page

T he McCamey Badgers enjoyed a seven-win season as recently as 2011, but wins have been harder to come by as of late. After

two years and five wins in 21 games under Ricky Peacock, the school and coach parted ways after the season and Andrews assistant Fred Staugh was chosen as the Badgers’ head coach. This will be his first job leading a program.

The Badgers one district win was enough to get them into the playoffs, but it was a quick one and done (to Anson). Coach Staugh will have a good base to work with, however, as 12 lettermen return this fall and, of those, seven starters will be back in place on O and D.

Starting with offense, Coach Staugh (who was the wide receiver coach with the Mustangs) will stick with the spread offense used by the Badgers the last few years. So the basics are there - it is just a change in terminology the kids will have to learn. Three players will battle for the starting quarterback position: senior Robert Silva, junior Carson Fuentes and sophomore Jorian Fuentes. First team all-district running back Angel McKee returns to the back field for his senior season with junior Gunner Adams also a part of the plan. Silva, if he doesn’t start under center, will be one of the receivers along with fellow senior Nelson Bermudez who earned first team all-district honors after last season. Senior Andre Tone is the third receiver who returns for a final go-round. The Badgers’ front line will be an early emphasis as all five positions will need to be filled. The key to the offense is the wealth of “explosive playmakers,” in Coach Staugh’s words.

Defensively, second team all-district linebacker McKee will lead the way, one of a complete set of ‘backers Coach Staugh has returning. The others are Tone and Jorian Fuentes. Four more returning starters are in the secondary, all two-way guys: Silva, Carson Fuentes, Bermudez and Adams. The linebackers and back end are set – even with players being asked to go both ways – but the critical spot up front, in the trenches, will have to be taken by newbies. The experience and “relentlessness” of the defense should serve the Badgers well.

Yes, this is Coach Staugh’s first year to be in charge of a program and he is chomping at the bit. He expects his offense to use its explosiveness to spread defenses out and take advan-tage of their weaknesses. On defense, he uses the words “relentless” and “fundamentally sound.”

The Badgers find themselves among a group of schools that have their programs firmly in place. Christoval (8-2/3-1), Ozona (7-4/4-0) and Anthony (7-4/2-2) all had above .500 records, but all lost out in the first round of the playoffs. The other district team, Eldorado (2-8/0-4) didn’t fare as well. So it is very clear that the road from where the Badgers were the last few years to where they want to be isn’t that long at all. The early part of the schedule, when the boys are figuring things out with the new coaches and their way of doing things, plays into the Badgers’ favor with three consecutive home games. That may be just enough to settle things into a nice rhythm. It wasn’t that long ago that the Badgers were a real force; between 2004 and 2006 they won 31 of their 39 games. Since then…well, a different story. But the story can be rewritten and have a happy ending…time to turn the page. CBS7


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Reagan CountyCoahoma

IraanBronteWink

Van Horn*Anthony*OzonaOPEN

*Eldorado*Christoval

3-7 4-6

MCCAMEYBADGERS

Badger StadiumIraan

Black, White & OrangeBadgers

Fred Staugh1st0-00-03-81-3

2016Spread

4-3

*DISTRICT



Future Is As Bright As Ever

As Forsan begins the 10th season under Coach Jason Phillips something is very apparent: they have finally hit on the

winning formula. In Coach Phillips first three years (2008-10), the Buffaloes won a combined eight games (8-22) and stayed home from the postseason each year. The next four years (2011-14) saw a nice improvement (22-21; six wins in three of four years and playoff appearances also in three of four). But these last two have seen a big jump, first to eight wins (8-3) in 2015 and then another notch up the ladder (9-3) last year. Those nine wins were the most in 29 seasons, since the 1986 squad went 9-1-1!

Coach Phillips refers to his district (4-2A) as “challenging, solid top to bottom, one of the toughest in the state.” He is spot-on. All but Stamford (2-8/0-4) had winning seasons; ALL won eight or more, led by Anson (10-4/3-1) and Post (10-3/3-1) and followed closely by Forsan (9-4/2-2) and Hawley (8-4/2-2). That means every Friday night from mid-October to mid-November is a ‘knock down/drag out” affair.

Forsan will have their hands full, but Coach Phillips thinks they have the boys to compete. He’ll have eight solid returning starters, but will “need some young kids to step up.” The offense is in the capable hands of senior Bryce Hergert (6-0, 175); over 1,600 yards passing, 18 TD (7 interceptions), 55% completions, over 400 yards rushing and six scores on the ground. That was his junior year and a two-year starting quarterback in the same system (no coaching or scheme changes) will often see leaps and bounds improvement the second year. He will have two very capable senior wide receivers to play toss with: Garrett Evans ( 6-0, 165) out on the flank looking to improve on his junior year’s totals of 30 catches, 506

yards and 6 TD and Austin Darden (5-11, 160; 22-345-4 + 205 rushing and 3 TD). Darden was a first team all-district receiver. Receivers Kobe Richardson (JR; 5-10, 155) and James McCafferty (SR; 5-11, 175) also will be back to give Hergert four excellent targets. Ehren Hillger (SR; 6-2, 175) returns at tight end and is effective in the run game as a blocker. He also helps on the seam routes as a receiver.

The offensive line is also stocked and ready to rumble, led by Newcomer of the Year Caden Williams (JR; 6-1, 265) and senior Brycson Pineda (6-1, 275).

Defensively, Evans leads the way from safety, where he was a first team all-district selection (he picked off three passes last season) with Darden playing corner. McCafferty also will go both ways, at receiver and linebacker, as will Hillger who doubles on defense as a D-lineman.

Coach Phillips is stoked about the possibilities on offense with his air game and his skilled defensive secondary, but he does have concerns about depth if any stalwarts are sidelined for a length of time. Yes, it will be tough sledding every week; Hawley and Post will make the trek to Forsan. Anson will do the hosting when the Buffs show up on the schedule, but the Forsan Buffaloes will not be anyone’s pushover. Having built a winning atmosphere, expectations and belief in their abilities, individually and collectively, can go a long way. In NASCAR it’s said “cautions breed cautions” and in football “winning breeds winning.” Half the battle is often won before a team even hits the field. These Buffaloes have stepped between the lines on Friday nights in recent years expecting to hang a W when the final whistle sounds. Going into this fall, things look as bright as ever CBS7


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Coahoma ÊldoradoStanton

Reagan CountyMortonWink

*HawleyOPEN

*Anson*Post

*Stamford

7-3 7-3*DISTRICT

FORSANBUFFALOES


Buffalo StadiumCoahoma

Black & WhiteBuffaloes

Jason Phillips10th47-5047-509-42-2

2016Spread

3-4


36

Look It Up: Juggernaut

T he Iraan Braves 2016 season was one of highs and lows that ended at the home of the Dallas Cowboys in mid- December. The final tale to

be told was of a resilient bunch of boys and their coaches (and supporters) who battled through adversity and heartbreak to land in the state final against one of the state’s premier teams. The Bremond Tigers polished off a tremendous three-year title run with their 48th win in a row when they beat the Braves that winter day. But what can’t be lost in the retelling is the Braves advancement to the championship tilt for the first time in 20 years, capping off a pretty solid 46-4 run of their own the last four years. Really, the juggernaut goes back a bit further. Between 2008 and 2016, the Braves posted 91 wins against only 19 losses with six of those defeats coming in the only down year of 2012 when they wrapped up at 5-6. Over the last four years, the Braves have experienced the bitter taste of defeat only once per season and each time after ripping off 14, 13, 10 and 8 wins in a row.

So, having said all of that, what’s in store for Coach Mark Kirchhoff’s sixth season? How about more of the same? A couple of receivers, a back and one lineman will be saddled with getting the offense up and running. Missing from that group is the quarterback; with Clayton Kent’s graduation, the new man under center will need to get up to speed in a hurry. He’ll have returning running back Kyle O’Bannon (SR; 6-0, 180) to ease the transition. O’Bannon had a solid junior season capped off with 3 TDs in the title game. Three players to keep an eye on (all running backs): senior Brandon Castaneda (5-8, 150), junior Mario DeLuna (5-4, 150) and sophomore Dylan Kent (5-6, 155). The two receivers, senior Corley Collins (5-9. 165) and sophomore Jermaine Bernal (6-3, 165) provide good targets for the few times the Braves put the ball in the

air. Senior Axcel Santana (6-2, 185) may also figure into the mix at receiver. The “Flexbone” offensive style primarily relies on the ball handling skills of its quarterback to make the right decisions whether he, or one of the backs, will carry the rock. In the spring and heading into fall, it looks like junior Brodey Myers (5-9, 145) will get the starting nod under center. Up front, junior Ivan Castilla (5-11, 235) will hunker down at center. He will have his hands full breaking in the all-important line mates in the trenches, one of which is likely to be junior Luis Salas (5-6, 200).

In posting those 15 wins, the Braves surrendered only 15 points a game (the offense put up over 43 a game) and a continuation of that stinginess will go a long way toward another long playoff run. O’Bannon and Collins return in the secondary along with senior Camden Chaney (5-9, 165). Junior Isaac Mendoza (a beast at 6-2, 265) is the lone returnee to the front seven. Coach Kirchhoff has a good group on defense who will undoubtedly step in and step up when the whistle blows on September 1. A lot of good players will take their turn to keep the ball rolling in


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CraneOzona

McCameyMason

Colorado CitySonoraOPEN*Wink

*Van Horn*Menard

*Irion County

9-1 8-2*DISTRICT


IRAANBRAVES

Brave StadiumMcCamey, Ozona

Red & BlackBraves

Mark Kirchhoff6th

55-10216-8615-14-0

2016Flexbone

4-3



DEFENSIVE STARS-TO-BE

SENIORSLB Danny Lopez (5-10, 170)DE Marcus Clifton (6-1, 185)DE Albert Willock (6-0, 185)DB Saul Rico (5-9, 140)

JUNIORSDT Michael Muniz (6-0, 215)DE Xavier Coward (6-0, 200)

SOPHOMOREDB Joe Kennedy (5-7, 140)



A Perennial Playoff Contender

The reins have been handed over from Andy Hrncir to Brian Gibson. Under Coach Hrncir, the Wink Wildcats won 40 of 78 with four six-

win seasons in his seven years (2016, 2012-14) and five straight playoff trips. Gibson left Van Horn at the end of last season (28-38 in six seasons) to take an assistant position with Coach Hrncir (and also so his wife could improve her career prospects) and was promoted to the head coaching position when Hrncir resigned to take a job in Needville. (OA; Eric Blum) He will inherit a team with 21 lettermen and 18 returning starters. Talk about leaving the barn full. Wow!

Coach’s son, Kenny Hrncir, graduated in the spring leaving the quarterback position open. Whoever wins the job, though, will have a stout running game at his disposal as, even with the Wildcats utilizing the popular spread scheme, the running game will be the offense’s strength.

Senior CJ Mercier (5-8, 140) is on the smallish size, but plays much bigger than his stature. He racked up 847 yards rushing with nine scores and another 456 yards receiving with eight more TDs; a true double threat. His running buddy, senior Josh Riley (5-8, 150) is similar in size, but more impor-tantly, similar in skill level. He’s also a dual threat running and receiving and had a combined six scores. He will of-ten take up a position on the flank and has to be accounted for by the defense. Two more seniors start at wide receiv-er: Quinton Crow (6-0, 170) and Derek Fostel (6-3, 170). Crow scored once on eight receptions last season, but Fostel had a solid junior year with 44 recep-tions, good for 823 yards and 10 TDs. He’s looking for a breakout senior year. As important as the skill guys are, the boys down front will be just as critical to the offense’s execution and Coach Gibson can count on all five to return.

That’s huge! Three seniors and two juniors will be in the starting lineup when the season kicks off at Sundown (the location and the time of day) on the first Friday in September. Seniors Victor Berzoza (6-0, 280), Chris Ura-nga (6-0, 260) and Tristan Lorta (6-2, 260) and juniors Alex Ramirez (6-0, 260) and Aidan Wineinger (6-1, 210) form a massive front that would be the envy of most 6A programs.

As of now, the Wildcats will ask only three players to play on both sides of the ball: Fostel at linebacker and secondary ball hawks Crow and Mercier. Three of the four linebackers will return: Fostel, Clayton Holcomb (SR; 5-9, 150) and Saul Rodriguez (JR: 5-9, 175) as will three of the defensive backs, Crow, Mercier and Wade Halterman (JR; 6-2, 160) and one lineman, Tristan Lorta (SR; 6-2, 260). Another linebacker spot in the 3-4 will likely be filled by freshman Mason Morgan (5-10, 170)

The offense scored 42 a game last year with 225 yards on the ground and another 188 through the air. Numbers Coach Gibson would welcome. The defense allowed 228 rushing, 86 passing and roughly 33 points a game. Again, numbers the 2017 Wildcats could live with. Coach Gibson feels that even in the midst of changes, the experience gained in 2016 will be very beneficial and coupled “with a great mindset should allow for a competitive season.”

The Iraan Braves were the class of the district last season, winning 15 games and losing once, in the state final. Wink and Van Horn (6-6 under Coach Gibson) were the other district squads with records of .500 or better; Mertzon (Irion County) and Menard only won two games between them. Things are shaping up that the top three in 2016


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SundownStantonPlains

SeagravesMcCamey

Forsan*Irion County

*IraanOPEN

*Van Horn*Menard

8-2 7-3*DISTRICT

WINKWILDCATS

Wildcat FieldIraan

Orange & BlackWildcats

Brian Gibson1st0-0

28-386-52-2

2016Spread

3-4



38

The Defending State Champion

T he Borden County Coyotes are coming off one of “those” seasons…a great one…a championship year…a

steamroller kind of season. The only stumble was early in the year, the third game, when Calvert squeaked out a narrow 62-60 win. Other than that one stumble, no one stood in their way all the way to AT&T Stadium and a win over Jonesboro. That was the Coyotes first title since the back-to-back championships in 2008-09 and the school’s seventh since 1957.

Coach Trey Richey begins his 11th season, overseeing a program that has AVERAGED just under 11 wins a year in his tenure. The first year, in 2007, was a struggle (3-6), but the back to back titles came the next two seasons (29-0) and except for an off year in 2013 (6-6), the Coyotes have been doing the hunting rather than be the hunted.

This year will present a challenge - 11 lettermen return to defend their title with two offensive and one defensive starters coming back. Coaches son Trace Richey (SR; 6-1, 185- scored 10 TD) will lead the charge with juniors JW Nix and Ben Justice (center) on offense with Richey the lone returning starter on defense. He was rock solid on both sides of the ball as he racked up 121 tackles, 21 for loss, five sacks and seven interceptions. Coach Richey points to previous team success as the driving force every year and coming off a state title year, the hunger remains as does the push to defend the title. Defensively, a lot of players saw playing time, so even with Richey the only returning starter, the team chemistry remains. There are a number of players Coach Richey is counting on to step it up this

fall. Those include newcomers Cam Edwards and Will Yarbro, seniors Nick Proulx, Morgan Wilson (likely QB) and Ryan Willborn and juniors Payton Merket, Easton Edwards and Braxton Barnes. There are “major holes to fill” this fall and those players (and likely others) will have their opportunity to continue the Coyotes rich tradition.

Borden County posted seven shut-outs, all before the playoffs, scored 827 points (59 per game) while allowing 226 (15.0). Other than the loss to Calvert, the Coyotes really weren’t tested again until the Area game when Buena Vista held the offense to 40 while scoring 32 of their own. They scored a season high 92 against Happy in the semi-finals and then cruised to the title by beating Jonesboro handily, 60-12. District 5-1A should again pose little challenge in the lead up to the post season and with ten games worth of seasoning, the 2017 version of the Coyotes will have an opportunity to defend their championship. CBS7


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Meadow +Austin Veritas ^

Calvert #Bryson (at Guthrie)

NazarethPaducah

OPEN*Klondike

*Ira*Hermleigh*O’Donnell

10-0 9-1*DISTRICT + Gail @ 8:00pm Ûndecided as to day; Friday or Saturday at Zephyr #Undecided; Friday or Saturday at Strawn

District 51A, 6-Man Div I

BORDEN COUNTYCOYOTES

Coyote StadiumIra

Red, White & BlueCoyotes

Trey Richey11th

108-21108-2114-14-0

2016J-Gun

2-3/2-1-2

Aug. 31 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10


8-2 8-2


GARDEN CITYBEARKATS


Another Magic Season in The Offing?

I n the 16 seasons since the turn of the century, the Garden City Bearkats have notched at least ten wins eight times including last year’s 10-3 effort. Not bad -

and a precursor to what’s in store this fall.

The Borden County Coyotes have broken a lot of dreams over the years and last season put an end to the Bearkats playoff run in the second season’s third week. But, 21 wins over the last two seasons should plainly tell you that the Bearkats are just gonna reshuffle, reload, and come right back at you.

Senior QB Trent McMillan (5-9, 140) is back for a last hurrah after a junior year in which he threw for just under 1,300 yards with 33 TDs. Coach Jones says McMillan has great “on field leadership skills and is a very smart football player.” He was First Team All-District at both quarterback and safety and is a primary reason why the Bearkats will equal or more likely, exceed last year’s ten wins.

McMillan will have a bevy of newbies in the backfield with him as the only other returning starters to the offense are up front. Senior Cade Braden (5-8, 200; all district) and junior Raul Almazan (5-8, 165) are the guardians of the trenches and, along with QB Mac, give the offense a good solid foundation. Kicker Scott Miller (6-0, 180) is also returning. He was the district’s All-Region honoree.

The defense will be soliid with Second Team All-State player McMillan at safety (six picks) and another player who made his mark as a sophomore leading the way. Despite missing two games with an injury last season, Cesar Chavez (5-8, 155) was named all district/all region/honorable mention All-State at linebacker. He

has a “nose for the football,” says his coach. They will be joined by returning starters Zach Burnett (nose guard; JR, 5-10, 200) and defensive end Almazan.

Coach Jones has a lot of players, some with at least a little experience, to call on this fall and it’s a good mix of juniors and seniors with at least one sophomore as well. Take a look.

SENIORS: JD Rodriguez, Victor Sa-linas, Alfred Leos, Derek Halfmann

JUNIORS: Josue Gutierrez, Trae Jost, Ragan Lowery and Hagan Halfmann

SOPH: Hunter McMillan

The Bearkats remain the team to beat in district 6-1A even though only one team, Robert Lee, failed to finish over .500. Sterling City (7-4) and Westbrook (6-3) will again fight it out for a playoff spot and a chance to join Garden City in the post season. In 1991, the Bearkats capped off a four-year run of seasons with ten or more wins, but then sunk into a long dry spell between that season and 2005 when they finished 10-2. Since 2005, ten wins have been the norm rather than the exception as eight of the last 11 years have seen double digit win seasons when all was said and done. THE years were the back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010. Can this group of ‘kats equal those magic years? That’s a big hill to climb but one thing has certainty written all over it: come mid-November when the brackets are set for the first round of the postseason you can bet your sweet bippy Garden City will be on the list. After that….a few breaks, all cylinders clicking, and magic may be seen again. CBS7

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Austin Varitas #Santa Anna

OPENBalmorhea

RankinBuena Vista

MarfaMilford ^

*Westbrook*Sterling City*Robert Lee

Walton FieldRankin

Red, Black & WhiteBearkatsJeff Jones

3rd21-5

42-3510-33-0

2016JaybirdBase 2-3


*DISTRICT #Saturday at Borden Co. ^ at Santa Anna

40

Will This Be The Year?

Boy, O Boy….O Boy! Things just may be looking up out west. The Ft. Davis Indians struggled to a 3-7 mark last season, learning

a little bit more week by week, and will hopefully put that experience to good use this coming season.

This is Coach Seth Nolan’s fourth year to roam the sidelines and things have been a bit up and down. What’s ahead may be a big UP.

Twelve returning lettermen will take the field September 1 when the Indians host the Dell City Cougars (for the first of two clashes; the teams meet again in mid October just before the Indians bye). And…the offense brings back six starters or heavy contributors. ALL SIX! Sophomore Damien Tercero (5-8, 150) leads the way from under center with a bevy of experience surrounding him. In the backfield: junior Sabien Granado (5-10, 170; scored 4 TD) and senior Troy Hernandez (5-8, 155; 11 TD with another nine passing. A dual threat). Out on the flanks will be Jack Lanpher (Soph, 6-0, 150; a combined 3 TD as a freshman) and junior Adrian Aguirre (6-1, 150; scored four times). Center Penn Merrill, a 6-2, 180lb junior anchors the front. That’s a good nucleus with which to build around. Coach Nolan would like to see the scoring average bumped up quite a bit, from the average of four TDs a game to somewhere in the six or more scores on a regular basis. This group has that capability.

On the other side of the ball, three will see double duty; defensive end Granado (recovered three fumbles), linebacker Hernandez (picked off three passes) and D-back Lanpher. They will be joined by two seniors, D’Art Chavez (5-6, 175) at one end and tackle Ian Sanchez (5-9, 195). Safety Stephen Chavez (JR, 5-8, 150; 4 INT) will join Lanpher in the back end. The defense

gave up 50 points a game last season and that number has to come down by a score or two for the Indians to achieve their goals this season.

Coach Nolan has to be excited about returning practically the entire team. He and his staff played a lot of younger players last year in hopes of setting the building blocks for this year, but they still have some work to do. Imperial Buena Vista is the Big Daddy of the district after running through the other three teams on their way to a 9-3 season. But, Ft. Davis is on par with the others, Marfa and Rankin, and should be in the conversation to secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2011. Can this squad equal the 13 wins put up by the teams in 2008 and 2004, or even the nine wins of the ’06 and ’09 squads? The 13 may be a stretch, but nine or even ten wins to go with a playoff spot and a run until late November or even early December is certainly a possibility. The schedule will be tough as the Indians play two of their three district games on the road. But that final one, vs Marfa, may hold their playoff fate. Here’s something to think about; the Indians are looking for their first district win in…six years. The last time they won a district match was in 2011 when they ended the year in the playoffs and finished up at 7-3. So, first things first…win the first game of the year (vs Dell City), win the first district game (on the road against Rankin), win the first playoff game and then let the chips fall where they may. The ultimate goal every year is win the last game of the year. That may be asking a little too much, but asking “Could this be the breakthrough year?” is right on target. We are penciling in two district wins by the way. CBS7


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5-5 5-5


Dell CityBalmorhea

Sierra BlancaSanderson

West TX HomeschoolGrandfalls-Royalty

Dell CityOPEN

*Rankin*Buena Vista

*Marfa

*DISTRICT

FORT DAVISINDIANS

Bart Coan FieldMarfa

Green & GoldIndians

Seth Nolan4th

12-1812-183-70-3

2011MultipleMultiple



More of The Same

Last year was another solid season as the Longhorns posted nine wins against only three losses and played as tough a game as you’d

want before bowing out in their playoff game with Borden County. The final 40-32 score - when a good number of six-man finals are in the 60 to 90 point range - was a testament to how hardy these Longhorns were in 2016 and how tough an out they will be this fall.

From 2009 to 2011, the ‘Horns could manage only seven wins combined those three seasons (seems like ages ago). The turnaround hit stride in 2014 and the win totals the last three years show the steadiness of Coach Benavidez and his program. From 2014 to 2016, the Longhorns were a combined 33-5 and 2017 looks like the herd will continue heading in the right direction.

QB Ethan Evans graduated (as did two other stalwart players), but those losses will be mitigated by the return of several more seasoned vets. The backfield boasts the return of polar-opposite seniors Jose Castro (5-10, 220) and Genaro Martinez (5-6, 150). They will get the job done. Split end DJ Whaley (5-10, 160) is also a senior and hopes to build on his junior year totals of 11 catches and seven scores. Senior kicker Dago Rodriguez (5-11, 188) also returns, so the high powered 50-pt a game offense should pick up where it left off. A couple of players, sophomore Israel Sanchez and freshman Estevan Hernandez, will battle for the vacant quarterback slot with the player not chosen likely to win a spot at another skill position or on defense.

Speaking of defense…it looks to be in good shape with three returning starters and another player whose season was cut short by injury. All are seniors; two of those down front, nose tackle

Avie Lozano (5-7, 200) and end Dalton Bandy (5-10, 205). Utility player Pedro Ulloa (5-8, 150) also returns. Cornerback Joseph Sarabia (5-7, 140) only saw three games worth of action before being shut down for the year and his return should bode well for the pass defense.

There is a long list of hopefuls who are anxiously awaiting their chance to add to Longhorn Lore and all are under classmen. Let’s start with the juniors; Jovannie Romero (Utility), Peter Gonzalez (DB), Juan Cortez (D-Line), Markus Gomez (D-Line) and Justin Sarabia (O-Line). Add in two sophomores, Josh Rodriguez (Utility) and James Schoenfedlt (O-Line) and a slew of freshmen, Alex Cortez, Aiden Bustamantes, Candelario Gardea, Jorge Martinez, Many Padialla and Andrew Perez, and the Longhorns have the making of another rock solid team.

Imperial Buena Vista’s nine wins were the most by any team in District 7-1A last season. They also went three for three in district play and there are good reasons to think the same is coming this season as the Longhorns host the first two district rivals before hitting the road to Rankin to wrap up the regular season. Nine or maybe even a perfect ten wins is very possible in the regular season with a likely rematch against the always-powerful Borden County Coyotes looming in late November. When “more of the same” means a season with ten wins or more, the Longhorns will take it. CBS7


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9-1 8-2


EdenSterling CityEl Paso Faith

TBDSandersonGarden City

EP ImmanuelOPEN

*Marfa*Ft Davis*Rankin

*DISTRICT

Longhorn StadiumAll of ThemBlue & GoldLonghorns

John Benavidez7th

46-1846-189-33-0

2016MultipleMultiple

BUENA VISTA/IMPERIAL

LONGHORNSSept. 1 Sept. 8Sept. 15 Sept. 22Sept. 29 Oct. 6Oct. 13 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3Nov. 10

42

Expect The Expected

The Marfa Shorthorns faced a bit of upheaval at the tail end of last season when Assistant Coach Arturo Alferez

Jr. was tasked with taking the reins as the playoffs approached. The Shorthorns managed a big bi-district win over Santa Anna before bowing out the next week to Garden City. The interim tag was removed and Coach Alferez was named the permanent head coach in March to go along with his duties as the head basketball coach. (Note: Marfa won seven of its 12 games but due to UIL sanctions their final record was 3-9.)

In his first full season, Coach Alferez will field a team that welcomes back five of six starters on each side of the ball. The offense is in good hands with QB J.J. Garcia (JR, 5-8,. 165) leading the way. Senior scat backs Arron Luna (5-8, 150) and Jose Gallegos (6-1, 180) and junior running back Ricky Guevara (5-11, 170) lead the way with a pair of linemen also returning for their final years. Both are good-sized bruisers, Kevin Pippen (6-1, 250) and David Samaniego (5-8, 245) and they won’t have any problems plowing the field ahead of the runners in Coach Alferez’s Jaybird/Spread offense (basically an unbalanced set; in six man any player can touch the football and the more creative the movements of the ball, the better).

Defensively, the Shorthorns list only two players going both ways, Garcia at linebacker and Luna at safety. The others who started, or had their share of playing time and return this season, include defensive

linemen Edwin Baca (SR; 5-8, 155) and Barrett Nation (Soph; 5-9, 145) and linebacker Coy Livingston Dominquez (JR; 5-9, 150). Both sides of the ball should be stout. There are at least five other players to keep an eye on who will have a say in what transpires this season: skill players Sal Roman and John Serrano and linemen Steven Granado, Brandon Leos and Epi Catano who will also serve as the team’s kicker.

2016 was a battle each and every week with the offense barely outscoring what the defense was allowing (48 to 43). Coach Alferez would like to see the offense bump it up a bit and the defense tighten up enough to give everyone some breathing room.

Based strictly on what happened on the field, the seven games Marfa won stack up well with Imperial Buena Vista’s nine wins. Rankin (2-8) and Fort Davis (3-7) are likely to improve slightly but the Shorthorns are on target to play beyond the ten on their schedule. A few breaks here and there and who knows? CBS7


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4-6 5-5


Sierra BlancaSandersonBalmorhea

Dell CityOPEN

Ft HancockFaith Christian

OPEN*Buena Vista

*Rankin*Ft Davis

*DISTRICT

MARFASHORTHORNS

Martin FieldFt Davis

Purple & WhiteShorthorns

Arturo Alferez, Jr1st0-00-03-92-1

2016Jaybird/Spread

4-2/3-2



The Tradition Reborn

Year two of Jeff Shelton’s leadership kicks off September 1 against THE top team they will face all year.

It will be a good measure of where they stand on the new season, but the tests to come the following six weeks will be a better barometer. The 7-1A district schedule is only three weeks long and two of those games will be at Red Devil Stadium. Those are the make-or-break games for the Red Devils. Make no mistake.

Coach Shelton and his squad endured a rough year, but coming into 2017, the air is sweeter and the outlook much brighter. He will have four returning starters on each side of the ball and that experience should make a big difference. Center Angel Martinez, spread back Kamren Shelton and utility back Markus Black are all back for their senior seasons. They will have a new signal caller, receiver and one new lineman to break in and how seamlessly that happens will make the difference.

On the other side of the ball, the Red Devils have loads of experience and hence the reason for optimism about the coming season. Three of those fellows on offense will be going both ways; Martinez at nose tackle, Black at linebacker and Shelton at safety. They are joined by two fellow seniors at defensive end, Dalon Owen and Justin Gaddis.

It was a learning year in 2016 as the Red Devils won but two of their ten contests, but one of those wins was in district play. This season they should flip the script and come away with at least two district wins and a spot in the playoffs for the first time in two years. Coach Shelton is “really looking forward to this group. We’ve seen improvement all

years and expect to get back in line with the Rankin tradition.” Between 2011 and 2014, the Red Devils won 36 of their 46 games before stumbling a bit the last two years. Seven wins in those first ten games this fall would not be a surprise as the turnaround should come quickly and emphatically. The 1980 team and their 13 wins remains at the top of the heap and it may be expecting too much to think this group can equal that year’s win total. Nine to ten wins and a two to three game advance through the state playoffs is definitely within their reach. That would be a whopping seven or eight game improvement…the Tradition is about to be reborn. CBS7


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3-7 3-7

BalmorheaMidland Trinity

SandersonGrady

Garden CityRobert Lee

Water ValleyOPEN

*Ft Davis*Marfa

*Buena Vista

*DISTRICT


Red Devil StadiumGarden City

Maroon, Black & WhiteRed Devils

Jeff Shelton2nd2-8

37-622-81-2

2015Multiple

4-2, 2-3, 5-1

RANKINRED DEVILS


MOST WINS IN A SEASON

13 198012 198811 201211 200711 2000

44

These Bears Are A-Coming

C oach Vance Jones has notched a massive number of wins versus losses in his career, 230 to 52. In his six seasons at Balmorhea, the

number is just as staggering with 50 wins against only 13 losses. Frustratingly, there is one big win missing from those totals - a state title. In 2016, the Bears came oh-so-close to taking care of that little issue, dropping every opponent in their wake and playing the final weekend of the season at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. Things didn’t end the way they planned as Richland Springs hoisted the trophy while all the Bears could do was watch.

So there is one BIG - not small - piece of business the Bears want to take care of this season. And they will have the firepower to do it. Coach Jones will welcome back 16 lettermen and the maximum number of starters/experience on each side of the ball allowed. These Bears are loaded and hungry and that is a deadly combination.

Let’s start on offense where senior quarterback Marco Martinez (6-0, 160) will lead the way. He had a stellar junior year, throwing for over 1,300 yards. That doesn’t seem like much of a total in 15 games (87 yards a game), but he also completed 41 of his passes for touchdowns! Senior Kyle Garcia (5-9, 155) and junior Marcos Mendoza (5-10, 180) will carry the running game load. Garcia was lights-out last season with more than two thousand yards rushing and 35 TDs while also throwing for seven scores. Mendoza was just as spectacular with a combined 39 TDs. Those numbers very clearly show why the passing yardage from QB Martinez wasn’t critical as the Bears chewed up tons of yards on the ground and surprised by having their backs also involved in throwing the ball. Senior Matthew Carrasco (5-10, 145) scored 13 TD on his 24 receptions. Center Avery Mendoza (SR; 5-9, 200)

and guard Danny Vasquez (SR; 5-5, 170) are small in stature, but come up big when it counts. They scored a combined 9 TDs between them last season and will be a big part of the offense again this year. The defense was all but impenetrable last season until the final against Richland Springs, allowing less than 20 points a game. This will be a junior/senior laden squad and again should give the Bears a much better than even chance every week (the offense scored almost 56 a game). Up front, at end, are senior Lucas Martinez (5-10, 155) and junior Eric Carrasco (5-10, 140). In the middle, at nose guard will be Vasquez. The linebackers are also two-way starters, Garcia and Mendoza, and the safety will again be senior Josiah Garcia (5-11, 140; 7 INT).

In summary, EVERY STARTER returns from the state finalist team. And every one of them knows how close they were to the school’s first ever championship and what it will take to return.

Good health, good breaks, and solid play in all three phases of the game should result in another district title and deep run in the playoffs. The old coaching adage comes into play here: Win the first game, the first district


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10--0 10-0

District 51A, 6-Man Div II

RankinFt DavisMarfa

Garden CityKlondike

OPEN*Sierra Blanca

Amarillo Christian *Sanderson*Dell City

*Grandfalls-Royalty^

*DISTRICT ^Thursday

BALMORHEABEARS

Bear StadiumGrandfalls-RoyaltyBlue, White & Black

BearsR. Vance Jones

6th50-13

230-5214-14-0

2016Multi-set Unbalanced

3-2-1


WAITING THEIR TURN

SOPHOMORESAaron Mendoza, Marco Ramos, Bryan Solares and Kade Weatherman

JUNIORSCaleb Aguirre, Zach Fleenor and Justin Kruger

FRESHMENDylan Aguirre, Lane Carrasco, Angel Iniquez, Sean Orozco, Lauro Mata and Isaiah Valerio



L ast year was certainly a bounce-back year for the Cowboys of Grandfalls-Royalty as their ten wins (three losses) was a nice

six-win improvement from the year before. Heaps of enthusiasm abound as the town speculates on what 2017 may bring coming off that turnaround.

Those pesky Balmorhea Bears were the only district blemish last season (in all fairness, the Bears did reel off 14 straight wins before their State final loss so the ‘boys weren’t the only one in a losing battle with that squad). The rest of the district didn’t put up much resistance and – at least on paper – both GFR and Balmorhea look to be at the head of the table again this season.

Coach Joe Helms begins his sixth season this fall and has the luxury…if that’s the word…of having son Jalen at the..uh, helm again this season . The senior signal caller (5-9, 150) isn’t the only skill player to return as sophomore running back Oscar Huertes (5-10, 180) and two junior receivers (Rudy Arizola and Jerry Lee Cadena) also return. Both are good targets; Arizola at 5-10, 165 and Cadena at 5-11, 155. Missing from that group of returners are any of the ‘boys from up front, so Coach Helms and his troupe will have to break in the beef and get them up to speed quickly. There was a good spread between what the offense scored last season and what the defense allowed (53 to 31) and more of the same should bode well for a long playoff run.

Defensively, Helms (DB), Arizola (defensive end) and Huertes (linebacker) form the core of what should be a good unit. Several young players, some with at least a bit of experience, have been waiting in the barn and now get their chance to “cowboy up.” Among them are junior Danny Castillo (6-0, 190), sophomores Noah Arizola (5-10, 180) and Kegan York (5-10, 180) and freshmen Christian Rodriguez (5-7, 175) and Isiah Vasquez (6-0, 165).

The district champ comes to town for the final district game this season, which may help in unseating the king. Balmorhea not only took the district match from the Cowboys last year (40-16), but also ended the ‘boys run in the third week of the playoffs (a much higher scoring affair; 87-42). The only other team to get one over on GFR was Whiteface, with a narrow 63-61 win in the season’s fifth game. So, what about this season? It should play out just a bit differently (likely nine straight wins leading to the final district game) and again with everything on the line Thursday, November 9, when the Bears come calling. Win the game or not, the Grand Falls- Royalty Cowboys are destined for another year of ten or more wins and a good run through the playoffs. It would not be a surprise if Balmorhea once again presents a roadblock, but one that can’t be broken. These boys are ready to “cowboy up.” CBS7

Cowboy Up


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9-1 7-3

Welch DawsonWest TX Homeschool

KlondikeMarfa

WhitefaceFt Davis HC

*Sanderson*Dell City

OPEN*Sierra Blanca*Balmorhea^


*DISTRICT HC Homecoming ^Thursday

Cowboy FieldBalmorhea

Red & WhiteCowboys

Joe Helms6th

45-16134-7610-33-1

2016Multiple

3-3

GRANDFALLS-ROYALTYCOWBOYS


46

More of The Same - A Good Thing

L ast year was a good year, albeit one that ended too early in some respects. For the second straight season, the Mustangs

posted seven wins against four losses but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs (the Cowboys from Grandfalls-Royalty did the bouncing last season). Overall, a good year and a good foundation laid for future success beginning this fall.

Coach Steve Keith continues to stack the building blocks of a solid program that expects to win anytime they take the field. The ‘Stangs have totaled at least seven wins in three of his five seasons, but oddly they had their deepest playoff run in 2014 when they were 4-6 in the regular season and won two playoff games before losing in the postseason’s third round. This year, with a great group returning, it looks like at least seven wins can be expected.

The offense will have five starters returning, led by quarterback Landon Morrow (5-6, 124) and running back Caleb Gillespie (5-7, 128). Two more players, Landry Connell (6-3, 169) on the flank and Layne French (5-9, 168) at center, round out the group. All but Morrow (junior) are seniors. That’s a nice bunch of boys around which to build the very popular jaybird offense. Both Gillespie and French scored seven times last year and look to add to that total this season. Five of last year’s starters will be back this fall.

On defense, the Mustangs return another four starters from 2016 led by Gillespie at linebacker and Reme Arriaga (SR; 5-9 164) at end.

The point difference between offense (50) and defense (39) gave Coach Keith a little bit of breathing room. The offense hit a high 76 versus Grady while the defense surrendered its most points against Ira (70). Grandfalls-Royalty hit 69 in the playoff loss (Sands managed 46). A bit more on offense and a little less on deffense can make a big difference.

Coach Keith has several players waiting in the wings for their chance to play and make an impact. A couple of them are seniors, Kobyn Ramey and Chris Ybarra and three more are juniors, Ryston Archuleta, Marcos Garcia and Jayden Wigington. The coaching staff is looking for kids who want to play defense and hit so these boys will get a good look.

The Mustangs team motto is simple and direct: play hard, play smart, play tough. Coach Keith feels the number of seniors on the squad providing leadership and experience and the success of the track program last spring will all be contributing factors leading to a successful season. Sands’ seven wins led the district last year, as did their sparkling 4-0 mark in district games. More of the same is expected this season with the exception of a longer playoff run. CBS7


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Petersburg^WestbrookNew Home

OPENMeadow

Ira*Lenorah Grady

*Loop*Wellmon-Union

OPEN*Welch Dawson

7-3 7-3*DISTRICT ^ Borden County Coyote Classic


Mustang FieldGrady

Brown & WhiteMustangs

Steve Keith5th

27-1827-187-44-0

2016Jaybird

3-1

ACKERLY SANDSMUSTANGS


*See Page 52 for photos.


F lipping through the Grady football season records, you might be surprised to find two of their school’s five eight-win seasons in

the not so recent past; 2012 (8-4) and 2010 (8-3). The last two years have been a bit different as the Wildcats put up a total of five wins the last two seasons combined. Well, those days of frustration may be over.

Coach Brent Lucas will field his second Wildcat squad this fall and though the 2016 record wasn’t anything to write home about, the way the season ended WAS something to get excited about. His boys won their last two district games (Loop, Wellman) to close out the year and that success combined with a full complement of starters on both sides of the ball should make his team a tough out this fall.

They will get a good feeling for how things will go when the fun begins on September 1. Roscoe Highland’s narrow 46-40 win last August set the stage for an opening three-game losing streak before the ‘cats could get their claws set. This year should be a complete flip-flop as there is a good chance they will take a 6-0 record into the district opener at Sands in mid-October. Is that too much pressure? No.

Among this list are starters and heavy contributors to the Wildcats offense last season and the experience they gained will be instrumental in doing an about-face this year.

Only one senior is on the list with a bunch of juniors and four sopho-mores. That senior is running back TJ Shands (5-6, 140). Quarterback Jordan Rodriquez (6-0, 185) leads the junior class which includes Charlie Cassell (5-9, 145) at end and two on the front line, guard Marshall Cox (6-2, 185; quite a target!) and center Sergio Rey-na (5-10, 180). A couple of sophomore

split ends, Elijah Perez (5-7, 135) and Cristian Jimenez (5-8, 150), a fullback, Bryon Walker (5-8, 180) and a guard, Justin DeLucas (5-7, 140) round out the cast. That is a LOT of experience.

Every one of those players will also see a lot of action on defense. Down front, two ends, Rodriguez and Cox, one linebacker, Walker, in the middle and three in the secondary, Cassell, Jimenez and Shands. Stout, stout, stout! The defense gave up 45 a game last year while the offense was scoring about nine points less a game. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that’s unworkable. It is highly likely those numbers may be reversed this year

Rebuilt and Hungry


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6-4 5-5

Roscoe HighlandRobert Lee

Water ValleyRankin

WestbrookNew Home

*Ackerly Sands*Welch Dawson

OPEN*Loop

*Wellman-Union


*DISTRICT

LENORAH GRADYWILDCATS

Wildcat StadiumSands

Black, Gold & WhiteWildcats

Brent Lucas2nd3-73-73-72-2

2014Multiple

2-3-1



48

Coach McClendon’s 20th Year

By all accounts, Midland Christian’s 2016 return to TAPPS Division 2 was a success as the Mustangs advanced all the way to

the state semi-finals before falling to powerful Grapevine Faith Christian on a field goal with under two minutes to play. The final record shows eight wins against five losses. But more importantly, it shows the Mustangs won the games they had to and advanced three rounds in the postseason. Yes, a good year and one to build on.

This year is a landmark year for head coach Greg McClendon as he will celebrate his 20th season at the helm when the Mustangs kick off the season at home against El Paso Eastwood on September 1. The Mustangs have averaged nine wins a year in his tenure with an astounding seven state championships, the most recent being the third of a three-year title run in 2013. He’s “The Man” and his presence on the sideline insures the Mustangs will always hit the field prepared and expecting to win. This fall’s version of the ‘Stangs returns 17 lettermen; with six starters on offense and another four on defense. So the foundation is there for another playoff team and deep advancement in the “second season.” Junior quarterback Peyton Powell (6-2, 175) exited the semi-final loss with an ankle injury, but he is fully healed, locked and loaded, and ready to lead his team again this season. His sophomore season was tremendous; more than 2,000 yards passing and 1,600 yards rushing and, as the saying goes, “he’s just getting started.” Any way he looks he’ll find experienced players to help in the cause whether it’s running or catching the ball. Two mirror image senior ball carriers return, Luke Sheppard (6-0, 180) and Bryson Harper (also 6-0, 180). All-Everything WR/RB/QB Anderson Needham (SR; 6-4, 185) did it all, whether it was running, catching or throwing the ball. He led the offense seamlessly in that Grapevine Faith Christian semi-final game when

Powell was ruled out and will be, again this year, counted on for a little bit of everything in the Mustangs spread offense. Fellow senior wide out Josh Bailey (6-1, 180) will also be on the flank. The Mustangs also have lots of experience up front with three seniors back in place, guard Jeremy Helmcamp (5-10, 205) and tackles Stephen Welch (6-1, 275) and Luke Fisher (6-4, 290). The offense hummed along week after week in 2016, averaging 43 points and 461 yards a game. With Powell

and Needham in place along with the complimentary pieces, those numbers should hold steady if not increase. Over on the other side, the Mustangs allowed under 27 points a game and just under 370 yards a game, a healthy difference between gained and allowed and more of the same this season should put the Mustangs in good company. Safety Needham is the lone two-way returning starter with senior Silas Crews (6-0, 175) also set in the secondary. In the front seven, two of the those players will be back and both are seniors, tackle Nifemi Esan (5-11, 210) and linebacker David Threadgill (6-1, 200; average a machine-like 14 tackles a game). Coach McClendon feels “solid” in the middle but knows the defense “will need some young guys to step up.” There is no shortage of available talent just waiting


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7-3 7-3

EP Eastwood ^Brock

EP AmericasFt Worth All Saints 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 McClendon20th

169-67169-67

8-53-1

2016Multiple/Spread

Multiple 4-3



POSSIBLE BREAKOUT STARS

SENIORS: Blaine Brunson

JUNIORS: Hayden Awtry, Randall Blanscett, Chandler Carter, Ben Gibbs, Daniel Gower, John Graniczny, Daniel Loftis, Zayne Lujan, Payton Murdock, Joseph Rawicki, Ben Thompson

SOPHOMORES: Brandon Blair, Garison Breed-ing, Kage Gilbreath


Mid. Christian MustangsContinued from page 48

for their chance as shown in the box. So, offense or defense, Midland Christian should be able to reload, retool and keep the engines humming.

In their return to TAPPS Division II, the Mustangs were one of three district teams to tie for the district lead, all with one district loss (3-1). Ft Worth Christian (9-3) and Grapevine Faith (12-2) were the other two. The Mustangs started the season in the hole, looking up after a winless start the first three weeks, but they rebounded to win six in a row and eight of the last nine with only the single district match (to FW Christian) on the short end before the semi-finals. They earned a big win at home when Grapevine Faith came calling, but the Lions paid them back in a big way with their semi-final squeaker win six weeks later. This season, those same three teams appear to be the teams to watch as the remaining two, Southwest Christian (5-6, 1-3) and Frisco Legacy (3-6, 0-4) are at least a step or two back.

Congrats are in order to Coach Greg McClendon as he steps on the sideline for his 20th year as the Mustang’s boss. It should be a good one and, with good health, a little luck, and a few breaks here and there, it would not be a surprise to see the Mustangs at year’s end with a big W, hoisting the Championship hardware. CBS7

with the offense scoring in the 40s and the defense allowing point totals in the 30s.

This season, on paper, is looking like a good year for the Wildcats. Did you know from 1973 through 2016 the Wildcats had only ONE season with ten wins. ONE! In 2007 they were 10-1 before taking a loss in the second round of the playoffs. In fact there are only three seasons where the ‘cats played as many as 12 games in a season; again, most recently in 2007. Those are reasonable goals to shoot for and the schedule isn’t so tough that those seven – or eight – wins could come before the playoffs commence.

Yes, this fall has the makings of not a rebuilding year but a rebuilt year. Maybe one for the record books when these hungry cats are done. CBS7

Continued from page 47Grady Wildcats

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TAPPSDist 1, Div III

MIDLAND TRINITY

CHARGERS

Coombes FieldAll

Royal Blue, Black & White Chargers

Antwan Alexander5th

32-1432-147-43-0

2016Spread4-2-5

C oming off a successful fourth season under Head Coach Antwan Alexander, a year in which the 7-4 record was

slightly deceiving, the Trinity Chargers dropped a bombshell in late March: 6-man football is then, 11-man game is now. Wow!

Trinity had a very successful run in the 6-man ranks the last 13 seasons, winning the TCAF Division 1 title in 2009 and playing in the state final and semi-final the last two years respectively. Now it’s a whole new ballgame…literally.

Why now? Sort of complicated, but it boiled down to a few things.* A Trinity committee had explored returning to 11-man (the Chargers played at that level from 2000-03) and thought the time was right. That decision was pushed ahead in part by the news that Amarillo San Jacinto wanted to drop to 6-man and a seamless switch could replace one school with the other. So here we are. (*as told to the Midland Reporter Telegram’s Chris Hadorn)

What can Coach Alexander and his staff expect with the jump up? He has hired additional staff to handle the workload and they will welcome back a good nucleus to coach the 11-man game. Positions are still to be determined as is a final decision to be made on what offense to run. There was no spring practice so that added to the muddled mix. This is the group of seniors who likely will take starting

spots on the offense: Daniel Webb (5-10, 170; the favorite to win the quarterback job), Logan Ramsey (5-8, 160), Jude Garcia (5-10, 178) and Cade Lawson (6-0, 175). The junior class as of now consists of Carson Parish (6-0, 180) and Ethan Lujan (5-10, 180). Obviously there will be others who will jump in and contribute as well.

Four of those players will also see action on defense; Lawson and Parish at linebacker and Ramsey and Webb in the secondary. Joining them will be juniors Noah McIntosh (5-8, 245; D-line) and Lujan (either D-line or linebacker) and sophomores Gus Phil-lips (5-11, 180), Kyle Alworth (5-8, 150) and Emeku Odukwu (5-8, 215).

In the Chargers district this season are two behemoths, Lubbock Christian and Trinity Christian (Willow Park, Texas). Lubbock Christian is the defending district champ having won all six matches on the way to a 10-3 record. Trinity also won 10 (10-2) and lost only to LC in district play (5-1). The other schools didn’t fare as well as they wound up with five wins or fewer on the season. Amarillo San Jacinto’s winless season probably hastened their move back to six-man. There will definitely be growing pains as everyone gets adjusted and acclimated to the differences between 6-man and 11-man football. For now, what’s old is new again, but one thing is a near certainty, the Trinity Chargers will soon be competitive and a force to be reckoned with. Maybe not this year, but that time’s coming CBS7

The Old Is New AgainDenver City

Tyler All-Saints1

OPENOPEN

FW Calvary HC

Blooming Grove*Lubbock Trinity*Trinity Christian

OPEN*FW Lake Country Christian

*Lub. Christian

*DISTRICT 1Location TBD HC Homecoming

TAPPS DISTRICT 1 DIVISION III 2016 STANDINGS1 Lubbock Christian 10-3 6-02 Trinity Christian 10-2 5-13 FW Lake Country 5-7 3-34 Lubbock Trinity 3-8 2-45 FW Calvary 3-7 1-56 Amarillo SJCA* 0-10 0-6*dropped to 6-man for 2017, replaced by Midland Trinity

A NOTE ABOUT THE SCHEDULE: As we went to print Athletic Director Jeff Young was trying to fill the two September OPEN dates. When the Chargers made the move to 11-man to replace Amarillo San Jacinto with that school dropping to 6-man, it was thought the two would just trade schedules. However, two teams declined to keep the Chargers on their schedule this year. The problem was then heightened by this being the 2nd year of UIL realignment so most schools were locked into the 2nd year of their agreements. The search to fill those slots continued throughout the summer.



the right direction.

District 5-2A had the Braves firmly at the top last season with their 15 wins and a mark of 4-0 in district. Only Van Horn at 3-1 was able to crack the break-even mark in district play and only the Eagles (6-6) and Wink Wildcats (6-5, 2-2) were able to win as many as six games (Menard 1-10, Mertzon /Irion County 1-8). This year, it’s not going out on a limb to expect more of the same. It’s just a fact. Iraan is head and shoulders above the rest of the conference and will, with little trouble, find themselves back in the mix for a state title run yet again. They are that good and the word “juggernaut” isn’t too big a description. CBS7

Continued from page 36

Continued from page 25

Continued from page 44Continued from page 37Iraan Braves

Seminole Indians

Balmorhea BearsWink Wildcats

will top the standings again in 2017. The Iraan Braves come calling October 20 and then, after an open week, the Wildcats will be on the road to Van Horn the first Friday in November. The regular season boils down to those two games in those three weeks – one at home, a bye and one on the road. It’s interesting that Coach Gibson’s new team will face his old team for what could be a district championship deciding game. Coach Andy Hrncir left behind a talented squad of youngsters who will be shooting for their sixth consecutive trip to the state playoffs. It would not surprise anyone if they equal the 2005 team, the most recent with eight wins. CBS7

As mentioned earlier, the Seminole Indians improved by a whopping eight games between 2015 and 2016 and were smack-dab in the middle of a highly competitive District 2-4A. Monahans (9-3/6-0), Sweetwater (13-2/5-1; won both meetings with Seminole, played in state final), Midland Greenwood (7-3/4-2) and Pecos (5-5/2-4) will all be strong again this season. Three of those games will be on the road with Greenwood the only home game against the big four. The other district opponents struggled a bit (Lamesa and Ft. Stockton combined to go 4-15/1-11). It literally will be a toss-up as to who might survive to earn the district championship belt. Before losing in the state final, the Sweetwater Mustangs only loss was to Monahans so as of now, those two have to be considered the favorites. There will be no rest for the weary this season. The Indians have to take care of business against both Lamesa and Ft. Stockton (both at home) and at least split with the Big 4. Unless the injury bug bites hard, Seminole should find themselves among the playoff teams in week 11 and then it’s a matter of getting the breaks and winning the close ones. Last year was great, but there is plenty left in the tank for the possibility of an even better 2017. CBS7

and playoff game and win THE LAST GAME.

The Cowboys of Grand-Falls Royalty will provide the biggest challenge to the Bears and that smashup will take place in Week 10, the final week, on a Thursday night in Grand-Falls. After that, it’s a matter of taking care of business. The Balmorhea Bears under Coach Jones’ leadership have been a force with those 50 wins in five seasons. This will mark his 47th year in coaching and his steady hand and experience is evident in how the Bears approach and perform each week. Mark these words, all opponents: These Bears are a-coming and you best be ready to give it your best.CBS7

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2017 UIL - DISTRICT ALIGNMENT

ACKERLY SANDS MUSTANGS: Story Page 46

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 Stockton

LamesaMid. GreenwoodMonahansPecosSeminoleSweetwater

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

3A-DISTRICT 2-DIV 2CoahomaColorado CityIdalouLubbock RooseveltStanton

3A-DISTRICT 3-DIV 2AlpineBallingerReagan County

San Angelo TLCSonora

2A-DISTRICT 3-DIV 1AnthonyChristovalEldoradoMcCameyOzona

2A-DISTRICT 4-DIV 1AnsonForsanHawleyPostStamford

2A-DISTRICT 5-DIV 2IraanMenardMertzon Irion CountyVan 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 3, DISTRICT 1FW Lake Country ChristianLubbock ChristianLubbock TrinityMidland TrinityTrinity Christian


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