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High School Football Preview 2015 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Football Fever

Talented QBs are bringing back dominant passing games to West Texas Inside: LoneStarVarsity.com selects its preseason

Super Team, Pages 8-9

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football fever

How ‘Friday Night Lights’ is football on the South Plains? By Phil Terrigno

A-J Media High School Editor

“Friday Night Lights” — both the book and the film — did more to spotlight and add to the lore of Texas high school football than anything else. Nationally, Texas prep football is known for good quarterbacks and expensive stadiums (see: Allen). All of the minute details that matter here don’t resonate in big cities elsewhere. Even on the 25th anniversary of H. G. Bissinger’s book. Stop people on the street in Boston or Chicago, and they would probably get a Permian reference and mention Boobie Miles before being able to dissect Art Briles’ ascension to Baylor. Or the merits of Lake Travis and Southlake Carroll’s success or the legacy Kyler Murray left behind. But they would know Permian. And that it was great. Key word: was. Last year was outstanding for Permian. Its 9-4 record offsets that it finished below .500 three of the last four seasons before that. Its last state title also came in 1991. But overall, and this includes South Plains teams and any school 4A and above in West Texas, things have changed. The Metroplex and large cities rule the big classification game. Why is this, can it change and what does it all mean? You could probably write a dissertation on this subject and come to some sort of conclusion. The reasons probably range from population shifts away from this region, finances at the city and individual levels and a cyclical phenomenon of success. It can certainly change, but it’s unlikely. For our purposes, it means that 2A and 3A teams in this region have become a large attraction and have the best chance to do something meaningful. Shallowater and Seagraves were state semifinalists last year. If you’re betting money on which area teams can return that deep in the playoffs,

 Associated PRess

Former Odessa Permian football coach Gary Gaines watches his players work out. Gaines was the head coach of the 1988 Permian team that was the focus of H.G. Bissinger’s book “Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream.” bet here heavily. Particularly on Seagraves. If those teams should stumble, Brownfield and Crosbyton also have legitimate shots. Class 4A is a little less certain and has the potential to buck the trend. Estacado was unfortunate in having to face Jarrett Stidham last year at a time when it didn’t expect to. With Levelland’s outstanding quarterback, it also has an opportunity to advance deeper into the playoffs if it can find defensive competency. In 5A, Cooper’s most recent success came in 2013 when it played in the Region I final before losing to Stephenville (the same team it would beat on ESPN2 a year later). In 6A, both Frenship and Monterey had success on the state level roughly a decade ago. The Tigers were state semifinalists in 2005 and 2006, and the Plainsmen reached the regional quarterfinals four

consecutive years from 2000 to 2003. Last year, their playoff runs ended abruptly in the area round: Frenship lost to Abilene High 55-34 and Monterey lost to San Angelo Central 50-14. Time will tell if El Paso schools are creating a blueprint for how to be a school far from the Metroplex and be successful, but they’ve at least put a hold on being a punch line. Last year, Canutillo advanced to the 5A semifinals before losing to Ennis. Eastlake — which beat Cooper in the area round last year — and Del Valle both advanced to the 5A regional quarterfinals, playing competitively with Aledo and Everman, respectively. Nothing football-related will be able to recreate what Bissinger wrote about since times have also changed. Football fanaticism hasn’t died, but it hasn’t grown at the high school level. If you think that’s wrong, look around on a Friday night. The lights are still on, but not nearly as many people are basking in their glow. West Texas is stuck with “Friday Night Lights” as its football ambassador outside of the state, like it or not. Successful teams here won’t ever be the talk of the country. But they can be the talk of the state. For the big classification teams to become relevant again statewide, they’ll have to continue to ditch runheavy schemes and continue to become more expansive. In a 2003 column for the Amarillo Globe-News, Mike Lee examined this issue ahead of his time. “Palo Duro, using a one-back offense that spread the field, dropped a 28-27 decision to state-ranked Frenship early last season. Palo Duro coach Steve Parr said afterward that had his team been running the Wing-T as in past years, Frenship would have beaten the Dons something like 28-7. “No one’s suggesting Panhandlearea coaches throw away their Wing-T and Power-I playbooks. We’re just suggesting that they add a few pages to it — provided they want to win state.”

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On the Cover

From left, Jaelyn Nolan, Baylor Mitchell and Nick Gerber lead a talented group of quarterbacks who are bringing high-velocity passing attacks to the South Plains. The trio of QBs joined other star area athletes for a photo shoot at the Texas Air Museum in Slaton for this publication. Photo by Don Carpenter, Illustration by Nicholas Talbot

On the Inside Class 6A Preview QB Cover Story LSV Super Teams Coronado Frenship Monterey Class 5A Preview Cooper Lubbock High Why no tight ends? Plainview Class 4A Preview Snyder Levelland Estacado Seminole TAPPS Class 3A Preview Brownfield Slaton Denver City Shallowater Muleshoe

4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 13-14 16-17 18-19 20-21 22 23 24-25 26 27 28-29 30 31 34-35 36 36 37 38-39 40

Littlefield 41 Post 42 Roosevelt 42 Idalou 43 Class 2A Preview 44-45 Tahoka 46 Floydada 46 Olton 47 Hale Center 47 New Deal 48 Abernathy 49 Springlake-Earth 50 Sudan 50 Crosbyton 51 Ralls 51 Lockney 52 Sundown 52 Morton 53 Plains 53 Seagraves 54 Smyer 55 Isaia Montgomery 56-57 Six-man Preview 58-63

Contacts Nicholas Talbot, sports editor, Tech football and women’s basketball . . . 766-8704 Daniel Paulling, Wreckem247 editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-8736 Krista Pirtle, Big 12 football, Tech men’s basketball, Tech baseball . . . . . . . 766-8735 Phil Terrigno, high school sports editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-2166 Don Williams, Tech football, small colleges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 766-8734 Email: sports@lubbockonline.com l Fax: (806) 766-2180

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Class 6A Preview

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Taking Flight

Don CArpenter  For A-j media

Frenship’s Tresten Kennard, left, and Coronado’s Quay Gray will be thrust into starting roles this season as both the Tigers and the Mustangs break in new quarterbacks. Both quarterbacks were described by their coaches as one the best signal callers either has coached.

Coronado, Frenship to have new signal callers

‘

By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

At a Coronado practice during the first week of two-a-days, a lanky quarterback was gliding from drill to drill. He was dropping back and throwing across his body with some zest on the ball for a few reps. Then, he was strafing to one side and tossing well placed passes into the corner of the endzone, taking instruction from coach Seth Parr the entire time. The sophomore, and new starter for Coronado, spent last season quarterbacking an 0-10 junior varsity team. Now, Quay Gray takes over at Coronado af-

Out of all the quarterbacks I’ve had, he’s going to be the best one. ... I had four that won player of the years in the Amarillo area and one that’s been in the top five in the state.

’

Seth Parr Coronado football coach on sophomore quarterback Quay Gray

ter a 3-7 season. “Quay’s (spring) went really well,” Parr said. “I think his summer was even better. We’ll see how this progresses. I think his spring was getting so many reps and learning every in and out of every play. I think in 7 on

7 he played over 30 games. He improved and improved and improved.” Gray was on Parr’s radar as early as last spring because of his build, ability and willingness to learn. “He’s going to make mistakes,”

Parr said. “But of all the quarterbacks I’ve had, he’s going to be the best one. I’m encouraged about him. I had four that won player of the years in the Amarillo area and on that’s been in the top five in the state.” Gray had access to review the

Coronado offense on his own time in addition to studying it with Parr. “Spring, it’s been a learning experience for the most part,” Gray said. “Once you get to know it and get it going, it’s easy. Just run the offense.” Tight end Zach Stepp and Noah Sifrit are among several returning receivers that Gray will target in a pass-heavy offense. Jeffrey McCutcheon and Jarrod Compton are among the rushing options that will also be used to catch out of the backfield. “Knowing that a 6-foot-4, 6-foot-5 guy, knowing that any ball you’ll throw to him, he’ll catch it,” Gray said of Stepp.

Class 6A Preview

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

What about Year 2? How can coaches at Monterey, Coronado continue to build in their second year? In his first year at Monterey, Wayne Hutchinson led the Plainsmen to the area round before they eventually lost to San Angelo Central. It was a season that saw Vincent Johnson stamp his mark as a prominent running back in the region and it allowed quarterback Baylor Mitchell to develop, considering he did not begin the year as a starter. This year, Monterey’s pieces at the skill positions aren’t known commodities — yet. Corbin Whitfield, along with Trent Ward, are talented secondary players that will also see time on offense. At times, the Coronado Mustangs’ playmaking ability was on display last year. Other times, it was undone by its defense, particularly against the run. Brandon Sherlin was superb at wide receiver last year, and Noah Sifrit and Zach Stepp also emerged. Sherlin, and his kick returning abilities, are gone, but the Mustangs have several strong receiving options for Quay Gray. Gray will start as quarterback as a sophomore because Seth Parr believes in his ability, potential and dedication. Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

 A-j media FILE PHOTO

Frenship’s Ronald Awatt gets past Coronado’s Jeffrey McCutcheon to score a touchdown. Frenship is favored to win District 2-6A once again this season despite breaking in a new quarterback.

“And get upfield with it. On short yardage, you give it to him. He can get it. Usually they have short corners or linebackers on him, so just throw it high.” Stepp spoke about the role that the receivers can play in helping Gray get settled. “Don’t do an I move when you try to mess up the timing and make a real ‘me’ play. Just do what’s told and know what’s expected to make things smooth for him. Frenship will also debut a new quarterback this season: Tresten Kennard takes over, replacing last year’s starter, Parker Bingham. Kennard played safety last year and will be

How we picked them — District 2-6A Frenship so thoroughly beat both LISD schools in this district last season, including a 33-point win over Monterey and a 41-point win over Coronado, that it is unlikely it falls out of either the first or second spot. Although the Tigers lost several collegiate players after last season, they return with several more promising prospects: running back Ronald Awatt and linebacker Hayden Harrison, among others. Like last year, the final playoff berth could potentially be decided during the game between

Monterey and Coronado. This year, Coronado has the advantage at skill offensive positions and can break a playoff drought. Monterey may lack name recognition now, but the chance is there for its players to establish themselves.

tasked with helping Frenship successfully expand from a run-heavy style to a scheme that includes some spread. Ronald Awatt, along

with Deauzae Johnson and fullback Scott McIntire, will be getting most of the carries. Awatt has already picked up college interest from Cor-

1. Frenship 2. Amarillo High 3. Coronado 4. Monterey 5. Tascosa

nell and Bryant. Last year, Awatt split carries with Grant Sandercox, a Lone Star Varsity super team first team selection. The Texas State-bound Sandercox also played linebacker and averaged more than 13 yards per carry last season. He finished with 1,239 yards and 23 touchdowns in the regular season. Kennard, who is also expected to contribute as a runner, progressed during 7 on 7 season. “We played on the freshman team and junior varsity together so we already know (he can) play,” Awatt said of Kennard. “He’s already stepped into it and doing really well.”

Monterey’s Baylor Mitchell

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Football Fever

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Bringing back the Air Raid: Talented area quarterbacks throwing the ball all over the field

By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Before he was Brownfield’s coach, Bryan Welps was trying to draw up ways for Amarillo River Road to stop Muleshoe, Bushland, Canadian and other teams dedicated to passing. “Muleshoe was the class that we were trying to get to,” Welps said.

The Mules weren’t the inventors of the Air Raid, or spread passing offense, but they were one of the first to make it digestible at the high school level. With help from Muleshoe native and then Texas Tech assistant coach Lincoln Riley, the Mules adopted four or five receiver sets with a two-third passing ratio and occasional wide offensive line splits. “We had an in already,” Muleshoe head coach David Wood said. “So, we went up there and visited with Lincoln and (then

Texas Tech coach Mike) Leach. We said ‘we’re going full into this. We’re not going to be into it sometimes. We’re going into this.’ How do you structure your practices, what do you start teaching first progression wise from one practice to the next. They’re the ones that really helped us get started.” It worked. The Mules have averaged at least 450 yards of offense per game in the seven years it has run this offense.

They’re also not alone: the South Plains, particularly last season saw a handful of prolific passers in each class. “When Texas Tech first brought that wild offense down here with Leach, I feel like that’s when this area changed,” Welps said. “Muleshoe went to it and won a state championship (in 2008). Coach (Seth) Parr was up at Caprock and he was big into slinging it around. Coach Parr’s brother (Scott) was up at (West Texas A&M) and WT and Tech were both actually running the same offense. All the high schools started it.” The quarterback stats from

teams in different areas of the region in different classifications show that it’s not just big schools attempting to throw more. In 5A, Cooper’s Kolton Ehlers passed for 1,939 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 70 percent completion rate in addition to rushing for 817 yards and 12 scores. In 4A, Levelland’s Nick Gerber finished last season with 42 combined touchdowns and 3,783 yards as a sophomore.

Brownfield’s Jaelyn Nolan, Monterey’s Baylor Mitchell and Levelland’s Nick Gerber lead an exciting group of West Texas QBs. Don CArpenter  For A-j media

Football Fever

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“This one in Levelland, he’s really stepped up,” Welps said. “You’ve got the kid from Muleshoe that’s good. Even the kids that we play now, Greenwood. The Roosevelt kid (Colt Garrett) can sling it. Jaelyn (Nolan) went down to quarterback camp. The Doege kid is back in town. There’s a lot of good quarterbacks here in this area.” Estacado’s Jaleen Tennison passed for 1,216 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 1,254 yards and 22 touchdowns. In 3A, as a freshman, Brownfield’s Jaelyn Nolan threw for 1,812 yards and 13 touchdowns while running for 1,065 yards and 18 touchdowns. Three FBS programs visited Cubs practice this spring to watch Nolan. In 2A, Abernathy’s Garrett Royal passed for 1,246 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,120 yards and 14 touchdowns. Of the area’s three 6A teams, none had an outstanding passer last season: Frenship is installing a spread offense, but it’s still a run-heavy team.

Monterey’s Baylor Mitchell took over in the middle of the year and J.T. Morris from Coronado was a senior in Seth Parr’s first season of implementing his pass-heavy scheme. Welps said some of the progression deals with increased reps in “7 on 7 programs in the summer. As far as depth at quarterback, you can’t hardly find a team 3A on up that doesn’t have a good signal caller. That’s a big deal nowadays. “It’s different on the South Plains right now,” Welps said. “There’s a lot of good quarterbacks here.’ Levelland offensive coordinator Jhett Norman said that unlike in past seasons, his team has seven competent varsity receivers. “We were just talking about that with our receivers coach. We can put four on the field at one time. And they’ll know exactly. We’ll use any combination. The other reason we’re going with a pass heavy game is the bind it puts defenses in. It you have five wide and go empty, if you can get

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

outside the pocket, it puts defenses in a huge bind.” The flip-side of this trend is that run-heavy teams can still pose a challenge, including Wing-T Seagraves, which was a state semi-finalist last season. “You play somebody like Wall, I feel like that’s a backward offense,” Welps said. “It’s hard for us to prepare for nowadays. It used to be all we prepared for. And when we played Littlefield, they’re in the Slot I.” Levelland head coach Jared Sanderson said the increased focus on passing is definitely a trend, one that is furthered by young quarterbacks able to contribute early in their varsity careers. “A lot of it has to be the players that you get now,” Sanderson said. “I think everybody has seen how the game has changed. You’re getting athletes out and you’re trying  A-j mediaFile Photo to get them the ball in space. Instead of just turning around and Levelland’s Nick Gerber scores a touchdown against Pampa last season. handing it off. It’s a space game. Gerber threw for 3,783 yards and combined for 42 touchdowns last season It’s how can I get the ball in the for the Lobos. hands of my best kid.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

LonEStarVarsity.coM

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The Lone Star Varsity preseason super team First team offense QB— Nick Gerber, Jr., Levelland

Combining for 42 touchdowns and 3,783 yards last season, Gerber helped lead Levelland to its first playoff win in 18 years.

RB— Cory Kyle, Sr., Seagraves

The Lone Star Varsity player of the year, Kyle rushed for 48 touchdowns and 3,127 yards. Through three seasons, he has rushed 652 times for 7,004 yards and 98 touchdowns. If he picks up 2,000 yards as a senior, a total of just over 9,000 yards would place him fourth alltime on the Texas high school football rushing list.

RB — Cooper Ogle, Sr., Shallowater

Ogle finished with 24 touchdowns and 1,614 yards for Shallowater, which lost to Mineola in the 3A state semifinals.

TE — Zach Stepp, Sr., Coronado

Stepp has taken to coach Seth Parr’s insistence that his players focus on the minute details of each position. One of the only pass-catching threats from the tight end spot in the area, Stepp has already gotten FBS interest.

WR — Tandon Jones, Sr., Levelland

Trenton Jones had 19 receiving touchdowns last year. He graduated, meaning it’s Tandon’s turn to be on the receiving end of more Gerber passes.

WR — Jordan Salas, Sr., Cooper

Salas will be the Pirates’ main target this season after contributing in a variety of roles last year.

OL — Israel Vasquez, Sr., Denver City

Vasquez helps set the standard for a very well choreographed Denver City offense. It lost Gutierrez and Daniel Garcia, but McLeroy will lead the team in a super competitive district that includes Brownfield and Shallowater.

First team defense DL — Kirby Vinson, Sr., Cooper

Vinson is expected to be a fixture in Cooper’s defense after finishing with 72 tackles and six sacks last year.

DL — Rakeem HatchetCooper, Sr., Estacado

Hatchet-Cooper is a matchup problem and will attract attention from blockers, giving the back end of Estacado’s defense a chance to make plays.

DL — Kaleb Young, Sr., Coronado

Young has a very high work rate and his experience is important as Coronado tried to improve a porous defense.

Cory Kyle, Seagraves

LB — vashondric Hastings, Sr., Estacado

Hastings was paired with D’Ante Willard — a Lone Star Varsity first team selection last year — in a strong 2014 campaign for Estacado. Willard has graduated and Hast-

OL — Emoree Giddens, Sr., Coronado

Giddens is a verbal commitment to Texas Tech.

OL — Trent Cottrell, Sr., Snyder

Cottrell is the leader of a very stout Tigers offensive line.

OL — CRYSTIN Baston, Sr., Plainview

Baston is a veteran lineman for this Wing-T offense.

OL — Dakota Oliver, Jr., Brownfield

Oliver is a three-year starter for the Cubs.

K — Conner Dean, Sr., Coronado

Dean finished the year 28 of 32 on extra point attempts and was 9 of 11 on field goal attempts, including a 54-yarder to beat Permian as time expired.

UTIL — Cole McLeroy, Sr., Denver City

The Mustangs news quarterback, McLeroy is a dangerous runner that spent last year contributing in different areas.

ings will be responsible for covering a lot of ground for the Matadors.

LB — Josh Quinton, Sr. Cooper

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Quinton is a major prospect for the Pirates.

LB — Hayden Harrison, Sr., Frenship

Harrison had 121 tackles and two interceptions last season.

LB — Brenton Burgett, Sr., Shallowater

After last year’s regular season, Burgett had 165 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and 10 tackles for loss before eclipsing 200 total tackles following five playoff games.

DB — jacobye bracy, Sr., Estacado

Bracy returned three interceptions nearly the length of the field last year. He is one of several collegiate prospects the Matadors have on their defense. Hatchet-Cooper is another.

Cooper Ogle, Shallowater

DB — Corbin Whitfield, Jr., Monterey

Whitfield’s role might expand to the Plainsmen offense this season as a running back.

DB — Cambry Gilbert, Sr., Post

Gilbert had 76 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, two caused fumbles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups last season.

DB — Broderick Harrell, Sr., Frenship

The Tigers rolled through 2-6A convincingly and Harrell finished with 65 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

P — Zack Kirkpatrick, Sr., Idalou

Kirkpatrick averaged more than 30 yards per punt, including a long of 63 yards. He is also Idalou’s starting quarterback and plays defensive end.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

preseason Top 10s Big School 4-6A

Frenship: Several of Frenship’s outstanding players graduated and moved on to play in college, several at the FBS level. It’s a different group, but some of the key pieces remain, including running back Ronald Awatt. Cooper: It is unclear how Jaret Doege will perform in the move from 2A Iraan to 5A, but he cemented his position in the job early on. Estacado: The Matadors have several big-time playmakers on defense, a core group that can potentially disrupt Levelland’s offense. Levelland: Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picked Levelland to topple Estacado in district play. If it shores up its defense, that’s a feasible outcome. Coronado: Seth Parr has chosen a sophomore, Quay Gray, to play quarterback in a system with a bevy of options. Monterey: The Plainsmen advanced to the second round of the playoffs last year and return quarterback Baylor Mitchell.

3 4

5 6

Shallowater: An area to watch is the play of quarterback Chris Contreras, a lithe senior that will no longer be able to split reps with Westin Elliott, a Midland Christian transfer. Brownfield: Precocious Jaelyn Nolan was borderline dominant last season — as a freshman. Is there enough around him to give Brownfield a legitimate shot at dethroning Shallowater? Idalou: The backfield of Ty Nicholas and Brandt Schilling will bully opposing teams. If Zack Kirkpatrick contributes more Idalou’s potential is sky-high. Seagraves: Regardless of which player emerges from the quarterback competition, including returning safety Uriel Martinez, the Eagles return a wealth of talent from last year’s state semifinal team. Muleshoe: When quarterback Danny Campos was injured last season, Keagan

 A-j media FILE PHOTO

Frenship’s Hayden Harrison tackles Coronado’s Cordell Greve last season. Frenship should be the team to beat in District 2-6A.

Plainview: Wrangler Haresnape has a similar build to Paxstyn Oldfield, the Bulldogs recently graduated quarterback, and will have talented running back Trendan Jackson in the backfield. Seminole: Brett Hicks looked sharp in limited time at quarterback last season. His development will aid the Indians in

being competitive. Snyder: James Polk’s team has had a year in an arduous district under its belt and will be led by a massive offensive line. Lubbock High: Lubbock High showed promise early last year before James Garcia’s injury, a blow that forced Dae Dae Morgan under center.

Small School 2-3A

3 4 5

Gonzales was strong in filling in. Campos returns with many of talented options, including Jason Florez. Denver City: Cole McLeroy takes over at quarterback behind a stout offensive line. The Mustangs had excellent team speed last year and should perform to the same standard. Crosbyton: Nathan Childers and Bobby Childers have graduated after being standout performers offensively and defensively. Littlefield: Bryan Huseman’s team will no longer feature Da’Madrick Moore and Dontra Ewing, but several members of the Wildcats state semi-final baseball team are back. Post: The Antelopes fell to Cisco in the second round of the playoffs last season. New Deal: The Lions team speed should be superb with the addition of Mark Adams, a member of New Deal’s state champion track team.

6 7 8

9 10

— Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

Lone Star Varsity Super Team Second team QB: Jaelyn Nolan, So., Brownfield RB: Brandt Schilling, Sr., Idalou RB: Ronald Awatt. Sr., Frenship FB: Ty Nichols, Sr., Idalou WR Abram Smith, Sr., Snyder WR Devante Greathouse, Sr., Lubbock High Util: Jason Florez, Sr., Muleshoe OL Jaybren Rodriguez, Sr., Post OL Taylor Wallace, Sr., Estacado OL Eric Gipson, Sr., Monterey OL Kellon Smith, Sr., Coronado OL Jade Maldonado, Jr., Cooper K: Aron Lopez, Sr., Post P: Connor Smith, Sr., Shallowater DL: Roy Abanonu, Sr., Plainview DL: Heath Carrell, Sr., Cooper DL: Xavier Rivera, Jr., Abernathy LB: Isaiah Cortez, Sr., Levelland LB: Brian Switzenberg, Sr., Plainview LB: Seth Wood, So., Coronado LB: Dalton Marsh, Sr., Monterey DB: AJ Perez, Sr., Cooper DB: Ty Thomas, Jr., Cooper DB; Tony Vasquez, Sr., Muleshoe DB: Coby Serbantez, Sr., Brownfield

Third team QB: Danny Campos, Sr., Muleshoe RB: Trendan Jackson, Jr., Plainview RB: Isaia Montgomery, Jr., Roosevelt WR: Jezreel Griffin, Sr., Brownfield WR: Noah Sifrit, Jr., Coronado Util: Richard Longoria, Jr., Seagraves OL: Morgan Davison, Jr., Seminole OL: Tomas Vidales, Sr., Levelland OL: Christian Barkley, Jr., Cooper OL: Jacob Piel, Jr., Frenship OL: Nick Hoeve, Sr., Lubbock High K: Logan Huber, Sr., Lubbock High P: Jeffrey Elliott, Jr., Levelland DL: Robby Pinon, Sr., Seagraves DL: Steven Day, Sr., Seminole DL: Eden Cervantez, Jr., Idalou LB: Prince Kim, Sr., Brownfield LB; Connor Adkins, Sr., Lubbock Christian LB: Kevin Mendoza, Sr., Muleshoe LB: Drew Berry, Sr., Sundown DB: Jacob Duenes, Sr., Shallowater DB: Bryson Blair, Jr., Shallowater DB: Bryce Kiser, Sr., Frenship DB: Christian Hayes, Jr., Coronado

 A-j media FILE PHOTO

Estacado’s Vashondric Hastings (16) gets tackled by Shallowater’s Jake McMillin (17) during their game in Lubbock.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Coronado

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MISSION CONTROL

A technical focus for Coronado ‘D’ By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Sophomore quarterback Quay Gray and Coronado hope to improve on a 3-7 record in Year 2 under coach Seth Parr.

The Caprock team Seth Parr inherited in 2007 went 5-55 in the previous six seasons. It had made two trips to the playoffs since the school opened in 1963. By the time Parr left to coach Coronado after seven seasons, Caprock finished 38-38 in the regular season with two playoff appearances. Much of the Longhorns success was based around details. Minutiae or not, they were subtle improvements that had an impact. It’s the same attention to detail that can potentially help Coronado rebound from a 3-7 record in Year 2 under Parr. In a column about Parr’s tenure at Caprock, the Amarillo Globe News’ Lance Lahnert wrote “Not ranking Parr near the top of great football coaching jobs completed in the Texas Panhandle — or even the entire state — during the past seven years would mean your opinion is simply wrong.” “I kind of consider this my Year One because this is the time that I really know who everybody is,” Parr said about the start of this season. “And being familiar with the coaches.

Last year was kind of like an all-star team where you were put into a situation and you kind of ran out there.” Much of the acclimation also involved assistant coaches: including adapting to Parr’s system, the language, the drills, the techniques, communication in the press box, film analysis and even riding the bus. Coronado’s offense displayed its big-play potential throughout last year, but it’s defense was consistently porous, particularly in district play. It allowed 61 points against Frenship and 56 against Amarillo High. “Fundamentally is where we had to improve on the most,” Parr said. “Learning how to play the run as far as they were a penetrating team. We’re a read team.” The Mustangs will base out of a Multiple 40 defense and have also used a 4-2-5 scheme. “Last year, we didn’t work as a unit to help out our offense,” linebacker Seth Wood said. “We kind of gave up a lot of games. ... Last year, a lot of us just went out and wanted to be ourselves. A one man team. That doesn’t work. Fundamentally (Parr) gets us to work hard.”

Coronado

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Q&A with Coronado’s

Connor Dean

my like what was I thinking, if I was nervous. No, just the adrenaline is in you and you just go for it.

You kicked a game-winning 54-yard field goal against Permian last season. Do people still ask you about it? Yes. Since I set two personal records that game, it’s probably my best so far. A couple weeks ago, some people did (ask me about it). They ask

Which of your teammates has an interesting musical taste? Seth Wood. Usually you listen to music to pump you up. But he’s just straight country all the time. It’s weird if you listen to that right before the game. Who has the best sense of style on the team? Besides me? Probably Noah Sifrit. It’s kind of similar shoes and pants wise. But it depends on the day who rocks it better. It’s kind of like California style.

Who has the best hair on the team? Noah Sifrit. He’s always worrying about his hair. He’s always fixing it. What can people in the area expect from the Mustangs this season? For the past few years, people kind of down us because we don’t make playoffs. But this year I think it’s going to be good. No one is going to expect us. Our offense is going to help us a lot. Have you made any adjustments to your kicking? The only thing I have to work on more now is punting. Because we’re doing a new kind of punting. Where my steps are. I have to step and not hit it as high, kind of get it driven for. I’m supposed to drift to one side now and come at it rugby style. They want me to get more of a roll and a bounce instead of them recovering it at all. I think it will be good as long as we have a good snap and I get a good hold. Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Coronado Mustangs Schedule Aug. 28 at Weatherford 7:00 p.m. Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

at Odessa at Lake View Randall Permian Hobbs at Amarillo Monterey at Tascosa Frenship

7:30. p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Team Info ■ 2014 record: 3-7 ■ Basic offense: Air Raid ■ Basic defense: Multiple 40 ■ Lettermen returning: 22 ■ Starters returning: 8-7 ■ Last made playoffs: 2007 ■ Top returners: Zach Stepp, Seth Wood, Jeffrey McCutcheon, Kaleb Young, Noah Sifrit ■ Top newcomers: Quay Gray Head coach Seth Parr; 3-7, second season Assistant coaches Efrain Ramos, Thomas Walsen, J.R. Compton, C. Ray Gregory, Ryan Burrow, Kenny Wooton, Quenton Hendershot, Diamon Hughes, Brad Bibb, Gary Hix, Shawn Hensley, Jeff Marrs, Klay Keith, Lamark Williams, Theo Hopnick, Alistair Caldwell

Visit LoneStarVarsity.com for scores, recaps and highlights every Friday night this season

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Frenship

It’s Tradition

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Tigers set out to prove their strength BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

Frenship’s run in 2-6A ended with the team going 4-0 and capturing a district title. A feat Hayden Harrison never had a doubt the Tigers would accomplish, because he knows what is expected of the team. “A district championship every year. That’s the expectation. And a deep run in the playoffs. We brought that onto ourselves,” he smiled. “So, we have to live up to those expectations every year.” This season will be a test for the Tigers who lost 28 letterman and 15 starters, though. Harrison, who recorded 207 tackles in 2014, returns at linebacker to strengthen a Tiger defense that graduated seven. “I think our quickness and our speed will be better (this year),” Frenship coach Brad Davis said. “I think we are going to be a little smaller overall, not as big, but we are going

Frenship Tigers

Team Info  2014 record: 9-3  Basic offense: Multiple I

 Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 28  Starters returning: 3-4  Last year won district: 2014  Year last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Ronald Awatt, Hayden Harrison, Broderick Harrell, Tresten Kennard, Jordan Mannon.  Top newcomers: Jordan Prado, Jax Henderson, Christian Rodriguez, Jacob Piel and Bradden Kennard Head coach Brad Davis; Record, 93-21

to be faster, quicker and stronger.” The strength of Frenship’s offense is questionable early on with the loss of its entire offensive line and standout running back Grant Sandercox. But the Tigers return Ron-

ald Awatt, who rushed for 1,580 yards and 11 touchdowns while sharing carries with Sandercox. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound tailback will lead Frenship’s rushing attack this season alongside returning fullback Scott McIntire and Deauzae Johnson, who played tailback some in 2014.

Schedule

Aug. 28 Burges at Odessa 7:00 p.m. Sept. 4 EP El Dorado 7:00 p.m. Sept. 11 at Cooper 7:00 p.m. Sept. 18 SA Central 7:00 p.m. Sept. 25 at Odessa 7:00 p.m. Oct. 2 Clovis 7:00 p.m. Oct. 9 at Monterey 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Tascosa 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Coronado 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Amarillo 7:30 p.m.

In a 7-on-7 practice in 2014, somebody commented on Tresten Kennard’s ability to throw the ball and how he played quarterback seasons before. At the time it did not seem pertinent considering Kennard was listed, and played, safety while Parker Bingham took the snaps under center. Now, the 6-foot, 185 pound “tough” quarterback, who saw limited time at the position last season, will take the helm of the Tigers’ offense. “He is looking good,” Davis said. “He is throwing the ball really well. He is smart. He runs the ball well. I think he is going to be a threat and a weapon we can use throwing and running.”

 A-j media File Photo

Ronald Awatt (22) is expected to lead a potent Frenship rushing attack this season.

FRENSHIP

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Q&A with Frenship’s

Jordan Mannon

“It’s really exciting because in the past couple of seasons we’ve had really good running backs in Grant Sandercox and D’Maujeric Tucker and Ronald Awatt, so, having that new spread offense and getting more chances to catch the ball and the quarterback to pass, it’s really good for a receiver.” What are your overall thoughts about the upcoming season? “I’m really looking forward to it. It’s mostly a new team but I’m just excited to see who really shows up when the season starts and just performs well. I hope it will be as good, if not better, than the season that we had in the recent past.” It seems that Frenship returns a lot of speed that the team plans to utilize this season. How does that make you feel knowing you are a skill player yourself?

What is something you personally have been working on for the first game of the season? “Going over the plays and just trying to work on my routes the best that I can, and trying to catch and show off my skills. Trying to keep my spot from all the young guys coming up because we have got young guys that have some skill as well. I just hope that I can perform well when the season starts.” With the team’s numbers being so high, does it make practices that much

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

more competitive? “Definitely. Most of the spots right now (in two-a-days) are up for grabs, and everybody is doing everything they can to try to fight for their spots. Even guys from last year. Nothing is for sure yet, so everyone is competing right now.” What is something that you do when you are not playing football? “Most people don’t know this, but I love to play ultimate frisbee in my free time with my friends. We just play pickup games and throw some. Try to do trick shots if we can. There is no actual organized thing.” What got you started playing it? “A few months ago during school, me and some of my friends were hanging out with the cross country team and they just started playing frisbee, and we decided to hang out and play frisbee with them and it just got me really into it, and I’ve just loved it ever since.” What is your favorite TV show? “I am not a fan of a whole lot of the current shows, but I really like Drake & Josh. The old Nickelodeon show. (And) there is always Spongebob (Squarepants), which is still around and is always a favorite of mine.” Interview by Bryan Navarette

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Monterey

lonestarvarsity.com

IN THE PILOT’S SEAT

Allison Terry  For A-j media

Trent Ward, above, along with Corbin Whitfield and Shadrick Taylor should form a solid secondary for Monterey this season. The Plainsmen won’t have much size defensively, but instead will be relying on speed to stop opponents.

Plainsmen defense unit to use speed, positioning By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

The back part of Monterey’s defense reads like a who’s who of competent secondary players: Corbin Whitfield, Shadrick Taylor and Trent Ward, along with linebacker Dalton Marsh. But in year two under coach Wayne Hutchinson, it’s the Plainsmen’s defensive front that will be working in plenty of new names after graduating Xavier

Freeman, a Lone Star Varsity super team first team selection, and Alazea Douglas. “We may not be as big defensively, but we’re putting a whole lot more speed,” Hutchinson said. “And we’re going to be seasoned in the secondary and we’re going to be seasoned in the linebacker corps. The tell-tale is going to be our defensive line.” Tommy Cavillo (6-foot-3, 205 pounds), Caleb Nixon (6-foot, 180 pounds) and Tyrick Ranson

(6-foot-1, 180 pounds) will be used as defensive end hybrids, while Talon Jones (6-foot-1, 295 pounds) and Jiamond Rainwater (5-foot-11, 235 pounds) will be used in the interior. “We know that people are going to try and run right at us,” Hutchinson said. “So we’re going to have a heavy group and a light group.” Hutchinson was hired to coach Monterey after winning backto-back state titles with then-1A

Stamford. In the three seasons before he arrived at Stamford, the team was 2-28. Monterey beat El Paso Americas in the bi-district round of the playoffs last year before losing to San Angelo Central in the area round, 50-14. Whitfield and Ward will also see time on offense as a running back and wide receiver, respectively. Monterey returns second year quarterback Baylor Mitchell,

who took over as a starter in the middle of last season. “I think we’ll definitely throw a lot more this year,” Mitchell said. “We got a lot more plays and we just have a lot more work with it. “I’m excited. I think we’ll get a lot more pass heavy. Some games, we’d only throw 15 passes. I’m hoping and expecting to throw a lot more, get a lot more yards and just keep the defense guessing more.”

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The Plainsmen graduated Vincent Johnson, a Lone Star Varsity super team first team selection who finished with 1,665 yards and 22 touchdowns and added six rushing scores in two playoff games.” “(Johnson) did great, but sometimes if you look at it the other way,” Mitchell said. “If we did pass more, than we would have developed a lot more and we might have ended up getting a total of more yards. I think that if we start throwing more, it’ll distract more from the running. “That will make us have more big carries instead of a lot of small carries. And we’ll start breaking off less runs, but bigger ones.”

Monterey Plainsmen Aug. 28 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6

Schedule

Odessa High 7:00 p.m. Hereford 7:30 p.m. at Randall 7:30 p.m. Lubbock High 7:00 p.m. Caprock 4:00 p.m. at Palo Duro 4:00 p.m. Frenship 7:30 p.m. at Coronado 7:30 p.m. Amarillo High 8:00 p.m. at Tascosa 7:30 p.m.

Team Info ■ 2014 record: 5-7 ■ Basic offense: Spread ■ Basic defense: 3-5-3 ■ Lettermen returning: 21 ■ Starters returning: 3/7 ■ Last won district: 2007 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Baylor Mitchell, Trent Ward, Shadrick Taylor, Corbin Whitfield, Dalton Marsh, Jiamond Rainwater ■ Top newcomers: Ashton Williams, Wes Hutchinson Head coach Wayne Hutchinson; 5-7, second season Assistant coaches Andy Correll, Dustin Robinson, Bob Stanley, Taylor Read, Taylor Cain, Drew Peters, Kevin Pittman, Shannon O’Pry, Kent Meador, Josh Davis, Leo Sandoval, Marvin Lethridge, Ralph Ramon, Hunter Dewbre, Dwayne Soto, Chad Payne, John Peterson, Brent George.

Monterey

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Q&A with Monterey’s

Shadrick Taylor

Who has the best sense of style on the team? “Trent Ward. He always has new pairs of shoes on. New outfits.”

It’s the 25th anniversary of Friday Night Lights. Can big schools in West Texas compete for state titles again? “If we all combine. Schools in the Dallas area, there’s so many people to choose from. We have a select few. It’s kind of hard for us to get up in the higher rounds. If we combined, maybe. At the moment, no. There’s three of me there. There’s four of Baylor (Mitchell). If one gets hurt, they can just throw another Baylor in.” Which of your teammates has the best musical taste? “Jiamond Rainwater. He’s always hyping the team up with his music and stuff before the game. He’s definitely the musician of our team. Hip-hop, rap. Not really country. He even raps for us sometimes. Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, Drake. Stuff like that.”

Which player does the best coach Wayne Hutchinson impersonation? “His son, Wes Hutch. He’ll walk around talking just like his dad. On the sidelines, right next to his dad. Wes will do it.” Who is the team clown? “Myself. I’m always jacking around. Getting in trouble for not being serious when I need to.” What can people in the area expect from the Plainsmen this season? “We’re going to do great things. I feel like they know that we’re going to do really great things this year. It can also be on the other side, where people think we lost Vincent and we’re not going to do very well. But some other people, the people that really know us, the moms, dads. There are kids moving up, getting stronger and faster. We’re going to do a lot better than last year I feel.” Interview by Phil Terrigno

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Class 5A Preview

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Flight formation

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Quarterback will be crucial to the District 4-5A race this season as Plainview hands the reins to Wrangler Haresnape and Cooper puts Jarret Doege behind center. Doege is the younger brother of former Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege. Meanwhile, Lubbock High will try to break its playoff drought with Dae Dae Morgan at quarterback.

New QBs for Plainview, Cooper could decide district race By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

When Plainview finally arrived at the state 7-on-7 tournament — after a city-wide fundraising effort to cover costs — the Bulldogs didn’t have the crispest of performances. They stumbled early and advanced only to the consolation bracket. But the extra reps mattered anyway. It wasn’t about scheme repetition. The pistol wing-T offense can include passing, but it’s a run-heavy system far from what 7-on-7 looks like. It was about getting Wran-

‘ ’

“It would be easy for someone who is a big name who came in here to steal the spotlight. And he’s very humble and he works hard. Max Kattwinkel Cooper football coach, speaking about quarterback Jarret Doege

gler Haresnape, one of two new starting quarterbacks for 4-5A area teams, playing time with the same targets he will use this fall in a scheme that requires plenty of timing and communication.

“When (the Wing-T) is going well, it looks great,” former Plainview quarterback and current assistant coach Karson Hembree said in the spring. “When it isn’t going too good, that’s when you really have to rely on that

passing part of your offense. If you’re running well, there are multiple holes that are open. (If it’s going poorly), it looks like a big ball of red (jerseys) in your face. Your lineman, your other back, all your teammates are on

you instead of the other team.” Plainview coach Ryan Rhoades has been able to bring some consistency to Plainview, noting that “This will be the third year that they’ve run the same offense and same defense.” “We run the ball,” Haresnape said. “We think the best thing about state (7 on 7) and the way it helped us was to compete. And meeting competition that we can meet later in December.” Defensively, Rhoades said, Plainview has had “some good years before. Before we got here, they were not as consistent as I would have hoped them to

CLASS 5A PREVIEW

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be. My first year as head coach, that was that offense’s third offense in three years. So, the retention, the ability to makes adjustments goes up exponentially because they understand.” Haresnape played in the secondary last season and saw time on offense also. When starter Paxstyn Oldfield got hurt, Haresnape combined with Marc Ramos to replace him. “It’s a lot more physical than it was when we were with Hereford and Randall and all that,” Haresnape said of playing in 4-5A, which also includes Lubbock High, Abilene Cooper and San Angelo Lake View. “I think it’s going to be a good year this year. Especially with us beating Abilene Cooper. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Haresnape has a similar built to Oldfield, which is helpful because of the many designed runs called for in the Plainview offense. In general, the Bulldogs will look to establish a rushing presence from both its tailback and fullback positions after the graduation of Warren Flye. Last year, the Plainview fullbacks combined for more than 1,000 yards. Both return — except Trendan Jackson is at be playing tailback and Avery Rodriguez is

expected to see time at fullback. “I know they’re going to come back for us. And I know for a fact we’ll come back for Lubbock Cooper because they took us to claim the district championship and put us in a bind, a three-way tie.” Cooper replaces Kolton Ehlers with junior Jarret Doege, the younger brother of former Frenship and Texas Tech quarterback Jarret Doege. “We were fairly balanced last year,” Cooper coach Max Kattwinkel said. “Even with Jarret coming in, we’re going to stay fairly balanced. Around 50-50. It may look out of some different sets.” Doege is a 6-foot-1, 170-pound transfer from Iraan, a team in District 5-2A DII with El Dorado, Wink, Van Horn and Irion County. “The thing that struck me day one about him, beside all his athletic ability, is he’s a good teammate,” Kattwinkel said. “It would be easy for someone who is a big name who came in here to steal the spotlight. And he’s very humble and he works hard and he’s very good to his teammates. That to me is the overriding factor about him.” As a sophomore

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

at Iraan, Doege rushed 98 times for 410 yards and 12 touchdowns. He completed 120 of 192 passes (62.5 percent) for 1,927 yards, 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Last season, Ehlers passed for 1,939 yards and 17 touchdowns with a 70 percent completion rate and he also rushed for 817 yards and 12 touchdowns. “(Doege) can (run),” Kattwinkel said. “But it’s going to look different than it did with Kolton. Kolton had a lot of gifts and he could do some things. “Our running game will look a little different with Jarret. Our passing game will be a lot different too. “We had to sprint Kolton out a lot because he didn’t have the height. Jarret is more of a pocket type of passer and can see over the line.”

 A-J Media File photo

Plainview running back Trendan Jackson (4) is expected to become the feature back for the Bulldogs.

Replacement game Can Plainview’s Trendan Jackson fill the hole at RB left by Warren Flye’s graduation? The Plainview Bulldogs have enormous confidence in Trendan Jackson’s ability to contribute as a tailback after spending much of last season as a fullback. Jackson and fullback Avery Rodriguez combined to rush for more than 1,000 yards last year’s in Plainview’s wing-T offense. This year, the team is without Flye, a current Navarro College player that had 2,021 rushing yards and 449 receiving yards for 24 combined touchdowns as a senior. Jackson is another lithe, shifty back that will be aided by Wrangler Haresnape playing quarterback since Haresnape has a big frame like last year’s signal caller Paxstyn Oldfield did. Having a strong runner at the quarterback spot helps the running backs because it is another challenging option the defense has to worry about in this run-heavy style. Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

How we picked them — District 4-5A

 A-J Media File Photo

Lubbock High quarterback Dae Dae Morgan, right, is expected to lead a rejuvenated Westerner passing attack this season.

This district ended in a three-way tie last year and is very, very congested at the top once again. Cooper is the favorite because of its stout defense and offensive potential, but Abilene Cooper and Plainview showed last year they could do enough to muddle the playoff scenario and stay relevant. Lubbock High and Lake View appear destined to

1. Cooper 2. Abilene Cooper 3. Plainview 4. Lake View 5. Lubbock High compete for the final playoff spot. It only takes one district win to get into the playoffs. Doing so would be the first time that the Westerners qualified for the postseason since 2012.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Cooper

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FANTASTIC

FOUR Improvement key for Pirates’ D-line By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Quarterback Jarret Doege (2) is expected to lead the Pirates offense this season, while Ty Thomas (23) should make an impact at safety.

One of the first times a spotlight was on Cooper’s defense last year came before it faced Stephenville on ESPN 2. It stayed with the 4-2-5 scheme, which puts an emphasis on using speedy, hybrid players, it used all last season before facing thenTexas Tech commit Jarrett Stidham. The Pirates ended up with a dramatic win. The 4-2-5 will be used again, but it will be bolstered by a stronger group on the defensive line. “That interior of that box group with Josh (Quinton) and J.R. (Erwin) and (Blaze) Englehardt, Kirby (Vinson),” Cooper coach Max Kattwinkel said. “With what they’ve done in the offseason, I think that’s going to be an area of strength for us. Last year, it was probably an area that we needed to just get the experience and get stronger. They’ve done that.” Vinson, an FBS recruit being looked at by Rice, is part of a defensive front with three other seniors: Heath Carrell, Jacob Hinojosa and Tyler Roberson. Whitehouse transfer Tre Jones will also see time there and Kattwinkel said there will be situations

Cooper Pirates

Schedule Aug. 28 Idalou 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Randall 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Frenship 7:00p.m. Sept. 19 Stephenville 2:00p.m. Sept. 25 at Monahans 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at Caprock 7:00p.m. Oct. 9 at Lake View 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Lubbock High 7:00 p.m. Oct. 23 at Plainview 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Abilene Cooper 7:30 p.m. Team Info ■ 2014 record: 8-4 ■ Basic offense: Multiple ■ Basic defense: 4-2-5 ■ Lettermen returning: 32 ■ Starters returning: 5-6 ■ Non-district title: 2014 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Josh Quinton, Kirby Vinson, Seth Watts, Jordan Salas ■ Top newcomers: Jarret Doege, Ty Thomas, Ryan Davis Head coach Max Kattwinkel Overall: 19-3, third season Assistant coaches Kent Allison, Chip Darden, Keenan Kitchens, Brad Wuensche, Sonny Gonzales, Joe Sexton, Marty McClintock, Kiel Kitchens, Randy Doege, Jason Salinas

where Vinson stands up as a linebacker. “I think we have just as many athletes as last year to where I can move up to a linebacker,” Vinson said. “Ty Thomas can move up to linebacker. We have just as many guys to cover as much ground and

Cooper

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play as many positions. Just fill more roles.” Last season, Ricky Mendez and Tycer Farmer were part of a secondary group full of hybrids that also included Isaiah Bitela and Garrett Neudorf. “I think we actually improved back there with Ty (Thomas) and Will (Draughon),” Kattwinkel

said. “I think we’ve gotten faster back there.” Offensively, Cooper will start Iraan transfer Jarret Doege at quarterback. Doege replaces last year’s starter Kolton Ehlers. Last year, the Pirates substituted often and Doege will have targets in Jordan Salas, Seth Watts, Ryan Davis and Curtis Chiaveri-

Q&A with Coopers’

Josh Quinton

If the Pirates had one weakness what is it? “I grew up in Cooper watching my brother play football on the varsity and whatnot and I’m telling you, this is the best football teams I’ve seen at Lubbock Cooper. We have no weak position.”

What will you be looking for from the team early on? “The defense is looking to shut down the run, look good through our progressions, see everybody and shut down the inside run game really. Really hard.” Who is the funniest guy on the team? “A.J. Perez likes to talk a little bit on the field. He is pretty fun. Kyle Reedy, he is a wide receiver,

he is really funny. So, I guess offensive funny is Kyle and defensive funny is A.J.”

What has been one of the funniest moments on the field so far? “We had a dancing contest at the end of practice, and that was pretty funny. Our linebacker corps won the dance off. It was pretty funny.” How do you feel about the team’s potential? “We are looking great. Everybody is amped up and we are ready to go. We are all looking good and Jarret Doege is looking good at the quarterback position. Our defense is solid with Ty Thomas and me and Blaze Englehardt at linebacker, Kirby Vincent at the defensive end.” Interview by Bryan Navarette

ni. Kyle Reedy has also worked out at tight end, a position vacated by current Texas Tech player Evan McHugh. “We’ve always set a tight end,” Kattwinkel said. “We’re working Kyle Reedy. He played outside (linebacker) and punted for us last year. He’s done a good job. It’s

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

going to take him a while to get accustomed to putting his hand down every once in a while.” After the team’s first preseason scrimmage, Cooper players spoke about their impression of Doege’s performance and how his arm strength has been apparent since he joined the team for 7-on-7. “We had some problems today

with pass protection and picking up some blitzes,” Kattwinkel said of that scrimmage. “A lot of that stuff, you see a lot early on offensively. You’re going to be a step behind the defense. “It’s like I was telling our guys, you don’t want one side to be dominant over the other at this point in the year.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lubbock High

lonestarvarsity.com

Gaining confidence

Westerners trying to find consistency, a few more wins By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

When Dae Dae Morgan was thrust into the starting quarterback role as a sophomore last season, there were some fractured efforts along the way. There were also promising games when his ability to scramble was coupled with ontarget passing. Like the Westerners’ district game against Lake View, which ended in a 30-25 loss. “We started off miserably,”

Lubbock coach Jason Strunk said of the Lake View game. “We couldn’t get anything going. Dae Dae wasn’t in rhythm. Things were happening fast. We were down 9-0, then 16-0. And then 23-0. You could tell he was frustrated. “Then all of a sudden, he starts clicking. Next thing you know, it’s 23-20. We had the ball in our hands again. Last quarter, he showed flashes of brilliance.” The year ended 1-9 for Lubbock High. Many injured starters from that team, along with Morgan — originally a running back — return this year. “Last year at this time, he wasn’t quite sure of himself,” Strunk said. “He has all the confi-

Allison Terry  For A-j media

Jacob Bayouth (83) is expected to lead an experienced receiving corps for Lubbock High this season.

dence in the world athletically. But maybe we weren’t quite sure what we were going to do with him.” A week after playing competitively with Sweetwater, which would go on to become one of the state’s top Class 4A teams, Lubbock High lost 60-8 to Andrews at home last season. “It was too late in the game to come back together,” Lubbock High’s Alijah Garcia said. “The scoreboard showed otherwise. We let the rain get to us.” Four of Lubbock High’s offensive line starters played all of last season; that group is projected to be made up of Pooh Bear Ambriz, Nick Riojas, Nick Hoeve, Josh

Austin and Josh Hoeve. “I still go back two years ago to Plainview,” Strunk said. “We had fourth and goal on the one. Last play of the first half. And we got stuffed. We went in down 14-0. Could have been 14-7. When we came out, we scored on an 80-yard touchdown run. We haven’t been able to pick up those critical first downs in short yardage situations. I think this year we can.” Ty Doss, Garcia and Keyshawn Collins are projected to contribute at running back in a season that will see the Westerners run more and also huddle up. Last year, it started the year

without huddling and tried to play an up-tempo style that was constantly spread out. Toward the end of last season, the Westerners started huddling to try and eat the clock, as well as slow the game down for Morgan. “Slowing down is going to keep us together,” Garcia said. “The tempo was great. We lost coach Jake (Willingham), because he’s the one that brought it here. I think the (huddle) is going to be great for us. “To keep our heads right. (Tempo) kind of slowed us down. Messing up, false starts. Just not capitalizing how we should. I think the slow pace will keep us good. Instead of getting rattled.”

Lubbock High

lonestarvarsity.com

Q&A

Lubbock High Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6

Schedule

Sweetwater at Andrews Dumas at Monterey at Estacado Borger A. Cooper Cooper Lake View at Plainview

with Lubbock High’s

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Team Info ■ 2014 record: 1-9 ■ Basic offense: Spread ■ Basic defense: 3-4 ■ Lettermen returning: 27 ■ Starters returning: 10/7 ■ Last won district: 1975 ■ Last made playoffs: 2012 ■ Top returners: Devante Greathouse, Dae Dae Morgan, Pooh Bear Ambriz, Alijah Garcia ■ Top newcomers: James Brady, Tristan Snook Head coach Jason Strunk; 7-35, fifth season Assistant coaches Neal Tull, Nate Jephcott, Derek Mauldin, David Moody, Tyler Trout, Jinks White, Adam Rosales, Tyler Lloyd, Nate Gensler, Devin Kline

Alijah Garcia

What do you think is one of the team’s strengths coming into the season? “We are looking pretty good. Our tempo is about to start picking up. With the players that we have right now, we have key players like Dae Dae (Morgan) and (Devante) Greathouse back. We will be looking with to them and their pace and just let the new guys come in and figure out how to keep up with our tempo, and once they do that we will be back on a row and I think we will be fine.”

Does the team have any ongoing jokes or fun games they like to play during practice? “We don’t really do things like that. When we get into contact the big thing that we look up to is, like, our gauntlet and our Oklahoma drill, where everyone gets to team up and see who’s going to knock off the next person and compete. That’s what we like to do. We like our fun, don’t get me wrong, it’s just more about competing right now. We are ready to go to war.”

What team are you most looking forward to play this season? “That’s a good question. I am always ready for any game. It’s just about how we are going to

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

come out and play. I don’t really look for certain games, just any game. I am ready to play.” What is the Westerns’ biggest rivalry game of the year? “The big one here in town is our Monterey game which everybody goes crazy about, (and) now, everyone is talking about the Sept. 11 game we got coming up against Estacado. So, that should be a pretty big game.” Have you ever been apart of, what you would consider to be ,a funny moment on the field? “Well it’s not actually on the field. It’s whenever we come in and we get our food and we talk about things. Coach (Jason) Strunk usually has somebody give their best impersonation of him, or we’ll do something funny like that.” What about a crazy moment? “When we play Westerner Ball out there on the field it gets pretty crazy, and its pretty fun. We play to compete and I love seeing our freshman out there ready to compete and prove that

they have something. So, I love our 7-on-7 and stuff like that when we get to compete with each other.” What did you do over the summer? “Most of the time I am at BodyWorks playing basketball with my close friends, Dae Dae (Mor-

gan) and them, or we are out at the field running our routes. I like being home and stuff. It’s great. I would just rather be outside catching a football or playing basketball. Doing something that is going to keep me well and ready for the season.” Interview by Bryan Navarette

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

football fever

A Stepp Ahead

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Why Coronado has one of the few elite tight ends in West Texas

Don CArpenter  For A-j media

Coronado tight end Zach Stepp, pictured at the Texas Air Museum in Slaton, is one of the few tight ends used in passing attacks throughout West Texas. By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

When Seth Parr talks about preparation for his tight ends, he starts by explaining those players don’t “split time.” He means they don’t practice with the offensive linemen or in a tight end-only group and then join the wide receivers. They’re with the wide receivers all the time — a move that’s part logistical, part putting an emphasis on skill. That focus on the position as an offensive one has helped make Coronado’s Zach Stepp, one of the area’s only legitimate pass-catching tight end threats and a FBS-level recruit. “It keeps me in shape,” Stepp said of practicing with the wide receivers. “I’m 240 pounds and I’m running with the receivers while others might put me as a down tight end. I’m still mobile and I’m able to still run and catch and perform to

the expectations of the coaching staff.” The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Stepp said he has been shown interest from Army, Navy, Air Force, Southern Methodist University and Rice. In District 2-6A, Coronado prepared often for tight ends. But they weren’t receiving threats. They were “legitimately blockers,” the Coronado coach said. “It was like having another tackle there. The benefit of having a tight end is it widens it off the edge. Third and short, if you get guys that are blitzing off the edge, you give them a longer gap.” While many schools on the South Plains have adopted a pass-heavy approach that Texas Tech helped publicize, they haven’t quite embraced — because of personnel or philosophy — the role that a pass-catching tight end can play in the scheme. In 2013, Jace Amaro finished with 106 catches and seven touchdowns for Texas Tech.

“There are some short yardage ones that we can go on third and short,” Stepp said of the routes that he’s preparing to run this season. “Then there are some deeper ones and medium range ones.” Stepp was able to get early repetitions with sophomore quarterback Quay Gray in 7-on-7 this spring. “Basically, (my role) was if you had to get a big chunk of first down yardage or a third or fourth down conversion,” Stepp said. “... Or if I had a backer on me that was shorter, they would throw it to me.” The other prominent tight ends in the area, totaling three in recent memory, have gone on to play at FBS schools. Last season, Evan McHugh and Preston Scaff were selections to the Lone Star Varsity super team first and second teams, respectively. Both walked on at Texas Tech McHugh had 788 receiving yards, and matched the seven touchdowns he caught as a junior. Scaff caught nine touchdowns

and had 552 receiving yards in addition to playing defensive end. “Shallowater stands out the most to me,” Stepp said. “The past few years, they’ve sent people to Texas State. To walk on as Tech. Shallowater also optimizes that tight end position as well.” In 2014, All-South Plains selection Cameron Knight signed to Texas State after catching 26 passes for 387 yards and five touchdowns as a senior. “I’ve always taken pride in being a great blocker,” Knight said after signing his letter of intent in 2014. “But my speed and my route-running is what I’ve really improved over the last year.” When asked if he’s carried the ball previously, or has been presented with the chance to carry it this season, Stepp said he hasn’t. He said he would be “a lead blocker, most likely ... Not opposed to carrying it, though.”

Plainview

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Stout Plainview defense to test District 4-5A offenses By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Plainview’s mark in District 4-5A last year came when it beat Abilene Cooper, the same team that beat Lubbock Cooper. In that win, and the rest of the games after that in a season that ended with an area round loss to Palo Duro, the Bulldog defense felt accountable. That urgency came from having two players, Marc Ramos and Wrangler Haresnape, cover for the injured Paxstyn Oldfield at

quarterback. Oldfield has graduated, but Haresnape will return as quarterback and Ramos will take a prominent role in the secondary. It’s a veteran defensive group that includes Switzenberg, Ethan Andrade, Jayton Ellis and Roy Abanonu. “I think this group will be able to play faster because schematically, they are going to be allowed to attack more,” Rhoades said of his defense. The Bulldogs also lost standout back Warren Flye, a member of the Lone Star

Plainview Bulldogs

Team Info ■ 2014 record: 6-5 ■ Basic offense: Pistol wing-T

■ Basic defense: 4-3 ■ Lettermen returning: 23 ■ Starters returning: 6/8 ■ Last won district: 2014 (three-way tie), 2005 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Wrangler Haresnape, Marc Ramos, Roy Abanonu, Brian Switzenberg, Ethan Andrade, Jayton Ellis, Trendan Jackson ■ Top newcomers: Jace Delagarza, Beaux Bennett Head coach Ryan Rhoades Overall: 9-12, third season

Varsity super team second team currently playing for Navarro Junior College. Flye finished with over

2,000 yards and set a school record for individual rushing yards in a game with more than 500.

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Randall 7:30 p.m. Palo Duro 7:30 p.m. at Canyon 7:00 p.m. at Caprock 7:30 p.m. Dumas 7:30 p.m. at A. Cooper 7:30 p.m. Cooper 7:30 p.m. Lake View 7:30 p.m. Lubbock 7:30 p.m.

His primary fullback, Trendan Jackson, moves to tail back. Jackson is highly regarded, and last season,

combined for more than 1,000 rushing yards with fellow fullback Avery Rodriguez.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Class 4A Preview

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Getting a chance

Seminole, Hicks work to find consistency By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Seminole quarterback Brett Hicks took over against Levelland less than a year ago and hasn’t looked back.

When Oct. 10 rolled around last season, Seminole was stagnant at 2-4 just ahead of its district opener against Levelland. Before that game, Brett Hicks was pulled up from the junior varsity to spend time with the varsity and potentially see some time. When he was put in the game to spell senior quarterback Jarrett Johnson, it was late in the first half. His first drive culminated in a touchdown pass to Kason Rosalez and after that, Hicks started seeing increasing time on varsity. He ultimately earned three starts that concluded with an area round playoff loss to Graham. Those performances put himself in a position to provide Seminole with consistency under second year coach Kent Jackson and his ambitious coaching staff. “With a quarterback like him, it doesn’t matter if he’s younger,” Seminole graduate and current MidAmerica Nazarene University player Sabraun Adams said. “He’s going to play. He’s been study-

ing for a while. He takes a lot of mental reps. He’s a really smart quarterback. He plays older in a way.” “They told me I was going in for a series against Levelland to get a feel for it,” Hicks said. “Nothing was happening. I went in and we scored on an 80yard drive. “So, they decided to keep me in. From there on, I kept working. I knew from getting on varsity that I’d have to chase them down.” Last season was a mixed bag for Seminole, which finished 5-7. The Indians started 2-2, which included a 31-6 loss to Class 3A Idalou. It also lost to 3A Littlefield, 38-7. In its first game of district play, it had a surprising win against Levelland that changed the complexion of District 1-4A DI. “Ever since then, we took off,” Adams said. “He came in late in the first half. We went down and scored. From that point on we became a better team. They were picked to beat us that game, too.” In this district, Levelland and Estacado return as stiff competition, particularly because of Estacado’s defense and Levelland junior quarterback

Class 4A Preview

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Nick Gerber. “I know (Seminole is) young this year,” Adams said. “I think once they get a little more experience, they are going to be the team to beat. I say give them a year.” Seminole quarterbacks coach James Vint described the Indians offense as a pistol spread based around a zone read. It doesn’t always operate quickly — although it can. In a recent practice, the Indians got off 17 plays in a five minute span, including personnel substitutions and special teams plays. Vint said that Hicks made strides during Seminole’s winter and spring quarterback schools, which includes a tutorial period designed to teach basic coverages and how to make pre-snap protections. “Not only did he participate in that, but he came in on his own to ask questions,” Vint said. “He wants to understand not only what we do, but why we do it. And figure out ways to make it even better.” In most situations this year, Hicks will be in a triple option setup with three running backs: Jarryd Karr might be beside him in the backfield with two others split out as slot receivers. Along with Hicks’ pre-snap recognition comes a grasp of which district teams disguise their coverages. “I thought Estacado was pretty good at baiting the passes,” Hicks said. “Estacado stuck out to me for that. They just baited the ball. They’d leave someone open. You throw, and they have a way of getting back over there. That’s their plan. And they stunt some backs just to bring the blitz.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

It starts up front Can the new Levelland offensive line come together quickly and protect its QB? It depends on how quickly this new group learns to work together. Last year, a large unit up front allowed Nick Gerber and the rest of the offense to average 503 yards per game. Now, Chris Simmons and three other starting linemen are gone, leaving Gerber with only Tomas Vidales as a returner on the line. A younger, lighter group will be tasked with blocking for Gerber and avoiding performances like the area round playoff game against Wylie in which Gerber was sacked seven times. “This is going to sound a little crazy,” Levelland offensive coordinator Jhett Norman said this spring. “ ... We have a lot of run-pass stuff built into our option. I think it will give Nick a chance to pull the ball and run.” Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

Don Carpenter  A-j media

Levelland wide receiver Tandon Jones, above, figures to be the primary target this season for Lobos quarterback Nick Gerber, right.

How we picked them — Class 4A District 1-4A 1. Estacado 2. Levelland 3. Seminole 4. Borger 5. Pampa When Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picked Levelland to win this district, it gave some credence statewide to the progress that’s being made in

Levelland. The Lobos won their first playoff game in 18 years last season and return plenty of talent from that team. Is it enough to unseat Estacado? That remains to be seen. Much of that hinges on its ability to play consistent defense. The Matadors were superb offensively last season and had game-

breakers on defense. They will be working in a lot of new names, particularly at quarterback and running back. There is FBS-level talent on this defense and it will be a challenging team to score on consistently. Seminole progressed through its first year under new coach Kent Jackson and has found consistency at quarterback with Brett Hicks.

District 3-4A 1. Stephenville 2. Abilene Wylie 3. Brownwood 4. Snyder 5. Big Spring In 3-4A DI, Snyder had its work cut out for it in a district that is as stacked as this one with Stephenville, Abilene Wylie, Brownwood and Big Spring. The Tigers

stout offensive line will help them stay in games give a new quarterback time to work. Much of Snyder’s difficulties last season came from lack of participation numbers, which it has solved this season. More players will get more rest which can only help the Tigers in its bid to make the playoffs. Snyder did win the big school LoneStarVarrsity. com lineman challenge.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Snyder

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With participation up, Tigers ready to compete again BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

James Polk set out to accomplish two things in the offseason. n One, increase his injury-plagued, 26-man roster from Snyder’s 2014 season that ended in a 2-8 record. “That made it really hard on us,” the Tigers’ coach said. “Especially when we got to district and Big Spring, Stephenville, Wylie and Brownwood roll out 55, 60 kids. So, that made it extremely difficult for us to stay with them for a whole game, because we were wore out playing both sides of the ball. “It was like Remember the Alamo. (The team was) totally, outnumbered.” And he did. Polk reported prior to two-a-days that the team had increased their participation numbers from last season. He said the team had approximately 26 members last year on the varsity and has added about 12 to 16 players since. n Two, get the kids familiar and comfortable with Snyder’s program. “That group of seniors

 AJ MEdia File PHOTO

Snyder claps as they are about to receive the trophy for winning the LoneStarVarsity.com lineman challenge. Snyder should be led by its work in the trenches this season as it competes for a playoff spot. last year had three head coaches, they had four defensive coordinators in four years and three offensive coordinators in four years,” he said. “So, I felt like a lot of our problem was it was changing every year.” So, Polk said the team will continue to build on its game plans from last season. The quarterback position has yet to be decided, though. Logan Tate, who led

the Tigers’ 7-on-7 team to a state tournament this summer, and Jarrett Reneau will compete for the position heading into the team’s first match-up with Littlefield. “We are going to see how they do,” he said. “They both got equal reps in the

spring, and we are going to see how they do when we put them pads on. You got to make those reads and get hit, and see what you do then. That makes a big difference as to who I think is going to play quarterback.” No matter the decision, Polk said Reneau, who recorded 47 tackles and four interceptions, will start on defense at a position that had not been determined heading into two-a-days. Reneau combined for 121 yards on offense last season and is expected as a two-way starter this season, as well. The 5-foot-10, 170 pound athlete will be joined by Jose Juarez on both sides of the ball. Polk described Juarez, who rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns and recorded 65 tackles, two quarterback sacks and two interceptions, as one of the team’s most versatile threats.

“He played running back, he played receiver, I mean he kind of does it all,” Polk said. “We have him labeled as a running back, but he’s an athlete. It’s going to be great to see what he does.” The team also returns wide receivers Taylor Munkres and Abram Smith. Trent Cottrell (6-4, 295 pounds) will anchor a sizeable Tiger offensive line that will include Jose Jiminez and Francisco Esparza. “When we started installing back in January, February it was rough at first,” Polk said, “but man, they improved so much, and I think it helped us when we went into 7-on-7 and linemen challenges, because we knew our coverages, knew our routes and knew our concepts. We weren’t out there drawing stuff in the dirt. “We did what we do, and I think that helped us.”

Snyder Tigers Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

Schedule at Littlefield 7:30 p.m. at Slaton 7:30 p.m. Monahans 7:30 p.m. Sweetwater 7:30 p.m. Greenwood 7:30 p.m. at Shallowater 7:30 p.m. at Big Spring 7:30 p.m. Stephenville 7:30 p.m. at Wylie 7:30 p.m. Brownwood 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 2-8  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: Multiple  Lettermen returning: 17  Starters returning: 5-4  Last won district: 2009  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Taylor Munkres, Trent Cottrell, Jose Juarez, Abram Smith, Leshun Burns, Jose Jimenez  Top newcomers: Kabren Willis, Jaden Zamora and Francisco Esparza Head coach James Polk; Overall: 6-15 Assistant coaches Mike Brogden, Coby Hamlin, Curtis Lowery, John Moffett, Gabriel Rios, Andrew Roy, Lee Scott, Shane Stewart, David Tate, Steve Taylor and Bob Wood

Levelland

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

A new, trimmer offensive front for Lobos helps Gerber By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Levelland’s bi-district playoff round thumping of Clint last year was a comfortable win that broke a streak of 18 seasons without a playoff win. Much of its area round playoff game against Wylie a week later looked uncomfortable. Uncomfortable for its talented receivers getting jammed earlier than they were used to and uncomfortable for quarterback Nick Gerber, who was sacked seven times. Four starters from that large offensive line, which included Lone Star Varsity super team first team selection Chris Simmons, have graduated. Only Tomas Vidales returns on the offensive line for Levelland, which was picked by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine to win District 1-4A Division I. Vidales’ experience will be helpful in allowing this new, quicker group to acclimate. It will have to perform well if the Lobos can make the best use of several receiving and rushing options. “We have an inexperienced line, but speed came back,” wide receiver Tandon Jones said. “We have all of our receivers back. We lost Trenton. And you can never replace a Trenton Jones. “But at the same time we have guys out here that can play fast. We can bust one at any given time.” Running back Qualin Miller called the Wylie game a “big challenge,” pointing to his negative rushing yardage in the first half. But he also said “all we

Levelland Lobos Schedule Aug.28 Muleshoe 7:30p.m. Sept.4 Shallowater 7:30p.m. Sept. 11 Andrews 7:30p.m. Sept. 18 at Brownfield 7:30p.m. Sept. 25 at Denver City 7:30p.m. Oct. 2 at Bushland 7 p.m. Oct. 9 Seminole 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Estacado 7 p.m. Oct. 23 Borger 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Pampa 7 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 5-7 Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-3 Lettermen returning: 17

needed was a little experience. And now that we got that, we can go a little in the playoffs than just the area (round).” The offense should continue to be stout as Gerber has multiple options: Jones, Lukas Bontrager, Daniel Hurn, Jeffrey Elliott and Kentton Williams. The 6-foot-6 Williams was a Lone Star Varsity super team first team basketball selection last season who is returning to football for the first time in two years. An area of improvement for the Lobos is its defense, which lost standout defensive linemen A.B.

Starters returning: 6-7 Last won district: 1998 Last made playoffs: 2014 Top returners: Nick Gerber, Tomas Vidales, Isiah Cortez, Jeffrey Elliott, Tandon Jones  Top newcomers: Daniel Hurn, Kentton Williams Head coach Jared Sanderson; Overall: Third season, 10-12 overall Assistant coaches Jhett Norman, Brian Coker, Berry Bowman, Alex Soliz, Kyle Cavitt, Michael Brogden, Blandon Hancock, Brent Paris, Jordan Elam, Zakarl Wadley.

Ramirez and Alex King but returns linebacker Isiah Cortez. Last season, Cortez had 116 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, one sack, four pass breakups and an interception. “We struggled last year defensively and we gave up a lot of points,” Levelland head coach Jared Sanderson said. “And you’re going to lose to some of those teams. But we’ve got to eliminate mistakes. “We did some things in the offseason scheme wise. I think up front we’re going to be OK. We’re going to create some things with how we play.”

 A-J MediA File Photo

Levelland’s Qualin Miller gets tackled by Pampa’s Zack Gates during a home game in Levelland. The Lobos will rely on Miller to keep teams honest against quarterback Nick Gerber and their passing attack.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Flying Lessons Estacado’s defense

Estacado

lonestarvarsity.com

could stymie 1-4A By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Since last year’s 69-60 loss to Stephenville in the area round of the 4A DI playoffs, Estacado coach Danny Servance has met with Joseph Gillespie — but not to dissect the game. The former Stephenville coach and current Tulsa linebackers coach did speak with Servance about that exciting contest, but their conversation centered on Gillespie’s recruitment of several Estacado defensive players. Eight prominent defenders return for Estacado — several of which are considered to be FBS-level players — in a district that includes the

powerful Levelland offense and up-and-coming Seminole and Snyder teams. Last year, Estacado beat Levelland, 65-53. “He and I talked about that game and he had high praise for our kids,” Servance said of meeting with Gillespie.

Don CArpenter  For A-j media

Estacado wide receiver Jacobye Bracy will be the main target for the Matadors this season as they compete for a district title with Levelland.

Estacado

lonestarvarsity.com

“And talked about how they had to play (Jarrett Stidham), and if not, they wouldn’t have had a chance. “And we were just proud of our kids and how they came out and played. Just watching the game, a couple of turnovers in that game, it was the difference.” Rakeem Hatchet-Cooper, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound defensive end, is one of the most notable Estacado defensive players returning. He is paired with Allen Jones as part of the Matadors defensive front. “We have to keep coming hard,”Hatchet-Coopersaid. “All through the game. No plays off. Because they’re going to keep coming at us hard and keep trying to score on us. We have to get a better pass rush, more pressure on the quarterback. (Quarterbacks were) rolling out on us — lateral

Estacado Matadors Sept. 4 Sept. 1 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 29

Schedule Dumas 7:30 p.m. at Caprock 7:30 p.m. at Shallowater 7:30 p.m. Lubbock High 7:30 p.m. at Lake View 7:30 p.m. at Borger 7:30 p.m. at Levelland 7:30 p.m. at Pampa 7:30 p.m.. Seminole 7:30 p.m

 Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Rakeem Hatchet-Cooper, Vashondric Hastings, Jacobye Bracy, Hollis Ready, Taylor Wallace, Roc Sanders  Top newcomers: Marcell Woodall, Angel Hernandez, Royce Wellington Head coach Danny Servance, 8th season; Overall: 51-35

Team Info  2014 record: 9-3  Basic offense: I-Spread  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 20  Starters returning: 5-7

Assistant coaches Joe Gifford, Oscar Murga, Dino Jones, Clyde Wilson, Joseph Medulla, Zach Zimmerman, Danny Douglas, Tony Osorio

movement. We have to get on the quarterback to help the secondary out.” Shawn Hastings and Javier Camacho both return as linebackers after suffering knee injuries last year. Roc Sanders and Vashondric Hastings are also part of Estacado’s linebacker group.

Crowley transfer Marcell Woodall will slot into the secondary and Servance said observers will be impressed with his striking ability. Both of Estacado’s starting cornerbacks, Jacobye Bracy and D’Anta Thomas, return. Bracy returned three full-ﬁeld intercep-

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

tions last year and will also see time at wide receiver. “(The defense is) really the anchor of our team this year,” Servance said. “Anytime you’ve got seven guys returning on one side of the ball, then you look for those guys to continue what they did last year and add on to the success that we had.” One area in which the Matadors will be less experienced is their offensive line: only Hollis Ready and center Taylor Wallace return as starters. “When you have an offensive line that understands how all of the pieces of the puzzle work together, I think those guys have a chance to be really good,” Servance said. “... A lot of times we would take for granted that defenses would change and they would put us in the right checks.”

‘ ’

(Defense is) really the anchor of our team this year. Danny Servance Estacado football coach

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Seminole & Lamesa

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Hicks ‘understands the game’, will lead Indians at QB BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

Kent Jackson said Brett Hicks doesn’t just play football. “He understands the game,” the Seminole coach said, “and does a good job at reading the things that we want him to read. He has a good sense about our passing game and knowing when it is good and when it’s not. “There is some of those things that come to kids more natural than they do others, as far as their instinct, and he is definitely one of those kids.” Hicks returns at quarterback

this season to lead Seminole’s spread offense. The 6-foot, 160 pound junior started in the Indians’ last district match-up with Borger in 2014, worked his way into the starting position and finished the season with 984 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Hicks will be joined in the backfield by Jarryd Karr (6-1, 180), who will be reprising his role at running back. Jackson said Drayton Perez will lead the way for the Indians’ receiving core, which includes Aaron Dominguez and Austin Par-

um. Additionally, tight end Reece Moore (6-4, 225 pounds) is expected to be a big contributor to the offense. Center Morgan Davison returns to the offensive line, and Jackson said the three-year-starter will be instrumental in leading the team’s new additions. “He is the kind of guy you want playing that position,” he said. “Very dependable. Works hard and we know he is going to mean a lot up front. “He will be surrounded by a lot of guys who were either in back up roles last year or they were part of that group on the junior varsity line that did good things.”

Seminole Indians Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 29 Nov. 6

Team Info  2014 record: 5-7  Basic offense: Spread Option  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 15  Starters returning: 4-3

James returns to Lamesa to restore program BY krista pirtle A-j media

Lamesa gave Tim James his first head coaching job in 1996. Now, he’s back with the Golden Tornadoes for the first time since 2003. While James says it’s like “coming home” returning to Lamesa, he understands the task ahead. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, that’s no doubt,” James said. “It’s not going to be easy, but I’m excited about the challenges we have ahead of us.” Starting out at Lamesa, James is already familiar with most of his players. Many of their parents James coached. “They know how I was back then,” James said. “I haven’t changed. I’m not going to change. Their parents are getting them ready for me.” Lamesa has never won a district title, and the last time the Golden Tornadoes made the playoffs was during James’ first stint in 2001. Jessie Villareal is eager to help Lamesa return. “We’re getting more players that want to play and bring Lamesa back to win-

‘

I haven’t changed. I’m not going to change.

’

Tim James Lamesa football coach

ning football games,” Villareal said. While James isn’t going to change his ways, he understands some changes must be made with the program. Over the past three years, the Golden Tornadoes have gone 1-29. “It’s going to be totally different on offense and defense,” James said. “I’m an old school coach. We’re going to build our program on discipline. If you don’t do what we ask you to do, you probably won’t make it.” Villareal has seen the changes in himself and his teammates and hopes it leads to success on the field. “You need the discipline to do well,” Villareal said. “It will help us win games this year.”

Lamesa Tornadoes

Schedule Aug. 28 at Roosevelt 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at New Deal 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Childress 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Seagraves 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Greenwood 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Monahans 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Pecos 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at F. Stockton 7:00 p.m. Nov. 6 Sweetwater 7:00 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 1-9  Basic offense: Veer  Basic defense: 5-2  Lettermen returning: 20  Starters returning: 5/7  Last won district: N/A

Schedule at Greenwood 7:30 p.m. at Idalou 7:30 p.m. Kermit 7:30 p.m. at Fort Stockton 7:30 p.m. Littlefield 7:30 p.m. at Dalhart 7:30 p.m. at Levelland 7:00 p.m. Pampa 7:00 p.m. at Estacado 7:00 p.m. Borger 7:00 p.m.

 Last made playoffs: 2001  Top returners: Heath Denzington, Dannis Jackson, Chris Barrow, Jessie Villareal, Steven Zapata, Kendred Stanton and Buddy Williams  Top newcomers: Moses Rodriguez, Ryan Ortiz, Chris Garza, Josh Toscano, Ashton Vara and Ryan Jimenez Head coach Tim James Assistant coaches Mike Sott, Kurt Pierce, Jacob Dangerfield, Juan Carzon, Myles James, Jacob Hernandez, Gerry Woodberry, Kevin Lewis, Sam Estes, Zach Garcia, Rolando Sandoval, Michael James, Alex Rodriguez, Kale Ferguson, Gabriel Chapa

 Last won district: 2011  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Brett Hicks, Morgan Davison, Jarryd Karr, Steven Day, Drayton Perez and Johnny Fehr.  Top newcomers: Scout Powers, Trevin Harris and Brett Sarli. Head coach Kent Jackson; Overall 136-95-1 Assistant coaches Ted Maple, Ty Palmer, James Vint, Cole Gant, Mike Browning, Michael Mann, Phillip Sanders, Mike Virden, Matt Hawkins, Tom Snethen, Tanner Moore, Joe Massey, Keegan Reynolds, Kyle Wheeler, John Wheeler, RJ Lester and Call Bernard

TAPPS

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Q&A with LCHS’

has been putting in work this summer, working on his throwing mechanics and working on his reads. He has been doing awesome.”

Connor Adkins

How is the season looking early on for the Eagles? “It’s been looking good. We had a few injuries the first week and we got some kids who are sore a little bit, but we didn’t lose a whole lot. We lost a few seniors but not a whole lot. So, I feel like everybody has just gotten older and we just seem a little more experienced than we were. We hit the ground running harder this year than last year. Last year was a little more of a learning curve for people, but this year, the first day, we were out there hitting it.”

What was your favorite moment of two-a-days? “A favorite moment of mine since starting is seeing Parker (Pierce). He was a 1,000 yard rusher for us last year at running back and seeing him go out there and play quarterback, because we had a quarterback that graduated last year. We run the triple option and that’s a real tough thing because you have to make a lot of different reads. Parker

Have you made any decisions as to where you might want to play in college? “I talked to a few colleges. I mean, it’s just been a dream for me to go play, but I mean I am just going to go out there and play ball and whatever happens that will take care of itself. I am just going to go out there and play hard.” What do you do when you are not playing football? “I like to watch and I like to play soccer, a lot. I have really been getting into soccer. Like, European soccer. I don’t know why. I just love to play and watch it. Me and my friends usually go up to (Texas) Tech or (Lubbock Christian) and we

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

find a goal and we just play on it. It’s fun.” What shows did you binge watch this summer? “We’ll I’ve been watching Game of Thrones. I’ve been watching that and Friday Night Lights for like the third time now. ” What has been your longest binge session? “In TAPPS there is a rule that like the week before you start two-a-days there is a dead week where you can’t go to the campus at all. ... So, I had a lot of down time and I actually watched, in four days, I watched 33 episode of (Game Of Thrones).” Who is your favorite character on the show, so far? “It’s got to be Khaleesi, the blond chick. Of course.” Interview by Bryan Navarette

Stone looking for urgency from Eagles By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Following a fourth place finish in district in 2014, Lubbock Christian is looking to improve on that mark behind a powerful offensive attack this season. With four starting offensive linemen and a 1,000-yard rusher returning for the Eagles in 2015, the TAAPS Division III District I remains wide open. LCHS coach Pete Stone is looking for a since of urgency from his squad when they take the field against Lockney on Aug. 28, and expects a different outcome in district play. “We have a lot of kids coming back, and I’m pretty optimistic for this team,” Stone said. “We went to the playoffs last season, but I expect to finish higher in the district this year. I started four freshman on the offensive line last season, and I’ll have the group back again. Our theme for the year is build a wall, and we need to dig in and get to work.” The Eagles will be utilizing a flexbone offensive system, and will rely heavy on senior starting running back Brock Ricks. Connor Adkins is making a transition to tight end in hopes of opening up the passing game over the top, and will also be

LCHS Eagles Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule

Lockney at Ralls at Morton San Jacinto Academy Lake Country Christian Sacred Heart at Calvary Christian Fellowship Academy at Temple Christian Covenant Christian

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

anchoring down the defense at middle linebacker. “I think were better at all positions, and were definitely hoping for a good year,” Ricks said. “I think we will end up being a lot better than last year, and come back stronger than we were. We have our offensive line coming back, and I’m anxious to get out there and have a good year.” Utilizing a basic 4-3 defensive scheme, the Eagle’ defense will be looked upon to create turnovers and get the ball back in the hands of their offense. Senior middle linebacker Connor Adkins recorded 123 tackles last season, and will be relied on once again to slow down opposing offenses. “We need to get out here in two-adays and work hard and not waste the time we have,” Adkins said. “You

Team Info  2014 record: 0-9  Basic offense: Speed option  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 21  Last won district: 2004  Last won playoffs: N/A  Top returners: Jonathon Potocki, Parker Pierce Head coach Pete Stone

Assistant coaches

Mark Breaux, Leric Eaton, Jordan Heusinkveld

only get to be a senior once, obviously. So, we’re going to get some of these younger kids and try to pull them all together and form a brotherhood and play for each other. It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to. Despite losing the TAAPS division III player of the year in Peyton Maddox to graduation, coach Stone remains confident that his team will progress and continue to build on where they want to be at season end. All in all, the Eagles have high expectations for the 2015 season. “I really think this is a team that can go deep into the playoffs,” Stone said. “If we can finish one or two in the district and get a home opener in the playoffs, that would help us a lot. If we come out and do what we’re capable of, a playoff run is not out of the picture.”

Trinity Christian ready for next in Year 2 of program BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

Brock Waldrop said Trinity Christian’s past record won’t determine its next. “Last year was getting our foot in the door, now we are stepping in,” the Trinity Christian linebacker said, “and we are going to be a lot better than we were.” The Lions ended their first season as a varsity team 0-9 and will begin its second season under firstyear coach, and former Texas Tech football player, Rodney Blackshear. “It was our first varsity year, so, that was a big step for a lot of guys,” Derek Mitchell said. “A lot of them, it was their first time playing on varsity.” Mitchell, a returning senior, will be at the helm of the Lion’s speed option offense after picking up nearly 1,000 rushing yards last year. “Derek playing quarterback for us is huge,” Blackshear said. “He played running back last year, and he also played linebacker so he understands both sides of the ball.” A large incoming freshmen group that includes 6-foot-2 wideout Daniel Wheeler and 6-foot back-up quarterback Cade Crawford are expected to contribute on both sides of the ball. “(Crawford and I) fight over who gets to throw to (Wheeler),” Mitchell laughed. Blackshear said the Lions’ established a decent sized offensive line over the summer and is looking for his front five to make

the run game a possibility. Senior linebackers Brock Waldrop and Tristian Boehning will lead Trinity Christian’s linebacker core, which Blackshear considers to be the defenses’ biggest strength early on. In preparation for the season, the Lions went to a football retreat at Wayland Baptist over the summer to break down its offense and defense by position. Mitchell said he would like the team to win half of its games this season, and in the process change the course of the Lion football program. “For us seniors, when we graduate, we hope Trinity Christian football will be real football,” he said, “and someday will experience winning seasons.”

Trinity Christian Lions Schedule

Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Nov. 6

at Claude 1:00 p.m. Morton 7:30 p.m. at Roosevelt 7:30 p.m. Wink 7:30 p.m. Sudan 7:30 p.m. Seagraves 7:30 p.m. FWChristian 5:30 p.m. at Pantego 7:00 p.m. Team Info

 2014 record: 0-9  Basic offense: Speed Option  Basic defense: 3-4  Top returners: Derek Mitchell, Brock Waldrop and Cameron O’Donnell  Top newcomers: Garrison Johnson, Zach Jones and Daniel Wheeler Head coach Rodney Blackshear; overall, 52-39 Assistant coaches

Curtis Ford, Trae Ivory, Cory White, Justin Phillips, Andrew Beck, Ryan Dykes and Ty King

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

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Lone Star Varsityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Football Fever 2015

Base Camp

Rooseveltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Isaia Montgomery finds comfort on and off the field

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Class 3A Preview

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Who is carrying the

BOOMSTICK?

Getting the right kind of experience By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Don CArpenter  For A-J Media

Brandt Schilling will lead a powerful and explosive rushing attack for district favorite Idalou this season.

A close review of the highlights from Brownfield’s area round loss to Wall last year shows both the running and tacklebreaking ability of Jaelyn Nolan. It was three rushing touchdowns from the thensophomore that helped Brownfield build a 13-point halftime lead. A week earlier, he was elusive and patient in finding his receivers and helping the Cubs climb out of a 28-0 deficit against Childress. Now, the word is out on Nolan. He, along with two other strong quarterbacks in District 2-3A DI make for perhaps the most prominent grouping of Class 3A quarterbacks on the South Plains. “He’s just very athletic in the open field,” Brownfield coach Bryan Welps said. “He’s fast. He’s quick. He’s got great feet and great acceleration. And that creates a problem in the open field. He’s not just naturally gifted. That dual threat, it requires defenses to change. We appreciate having that.” After a Cubs practice in early August, cornerback Coby Serbantez, linebacker Prince Kim and offensive lineman Dakota

Oliver described the challenge of facing Nolan in practice daily during certain drills, and accounting for his rushing and passing ability. “What he showed last year shows what he can do,” Oliver said. “I have no doubt. Every time he’s back there. The entire backfield is fast.’ With Kermit, Slaton and Tornillo projected to finish at the bottom of District 2-3A DI, the top three teams knew each other intimately after a hotly contested league schedule last year. Brownfield beat Denver City handily and then came close to beating Shallowater. Denver City, using its excellent team speed and quarterback-running back tandem of Daniel Garcia and Saul Gutierrez, nearly beat Shallowater. It lost 29-26 and squandered a chance to take the lead with a late turnover. “We had to worry about the run game and they also had that 6-foot-4 tight end,” Kim said of playing Shallowater. “We also had to worry about Cooper (Ogle). We gave up too many big runs. And Denver City, they had Daniel Garcia. Cole McLeroy. He’s a sub 4.5. We play against a dual threat offense every day so there

Football Fever

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

The best in 2018 What does Brownfield QB Jaelyn Nolan’s top-75 recruiting ranking really mean?

 A-j media File Photo

Shallowater running back Cooper Ogle breaks free from Estacado defenders Freddie Martinez (40) and Carl Willard last season. Ogle is expected to lead a potent Mustangs rushing attack. won’t be any surprises.” Shallowater returns starting quarterback Chris Contreras, a lithe, speedy senior. “I’d say the main reason (we sprint out) is that it’s just a different look for teams,” Contreras said. “Whenever we sprint out, you have that option to run the ball instead of just sit back there. Once you sprint out, it gives you the option (to run) if your one, two, three options aren’t there. You have the field in front of you to take off.” Tight end Preston Scaff has graduated, but Shallowater will target Ran Johnston and Connor Smith among other new players it went to during last year’s run to the state semifinals. Running back Cooper Ogle was a Lone Star Varsity super team firstteam selection after a stellar junior season. “Sometimes, it can seem like people are more focused on him,” Contreras said of Ogle. “And then we can sneak someone in there and they’ll be caught off guard.” Cole McLeroy takes over as Denver

How we picked them — Class 3A District 1-3A DI 1. Muleshoe 2. Littlefield 3. Childress 4. River Road 5. Friona 6. Dimmitt

District 2-3A DI 1. Shallowater 2. Brownfield 3. Denver City 4. Kermit 5. Slaton 6. Tornillo

District 1-3A DII 1. Idalou 2. Spearman 3. Highland Park 4. Roosevelt 5. Tulia 6. Sanford-Fritch

District 3-3A DII 1. Coleman 2. Post 3. Colorado City 4. Coahoma 5. Stanton 6. Ballinger

1-3A DI: Muleshoe will have to fend off Childress and Littlefield, but should have both the pedigree and volume of experienced players to win this district. Beto Diaz, now healthy, will play some quarterback.

2-3A DI: Shallowater will be tested primarily by Brownfield because of Jaelyn Nolan’s gamebreaking ability. If the Cubs’ defense performs well, the race for this district title will be compelling.

1-3A DII: Idalou and Spearman will once again make for a compelling tangle at the top of this district. The Wildcats’ power running game is going to bully most teams as Brandt Schilling was listed as a ‘Money Player’ by Dave Campbell’s.

3-3A DII: Post had a promising season last year and is practically guaranteed a playoff spot.

City’s starting quarterback after recovering from a pelvic injury. “(His arm) is good,” Denver City coach Steve Taylor said. “He played quarterback through the years. He played quarterback until his freshman year. And when he came on as a sophomore the last two years, we

had a senior quarterback. But I like to have a senior quarterback.” The speedy McLeroy played several roles in a dynamic Denver City offense last year that featured Daniel Garcia and Hunter Hemmeline. “He knows 90 percent of the offense anyway,” Taylor said.

Jaelyn Nolan became Brownfield’s starting quarterback earlier than expected last fall. The Cubs sophomore is now seeing his recruitment take off quickly as a result. Kansas, SMU and Texas have expressed interest in the four-star recruit, and representatives of the latter two programs have visited Cubs spring workouts. Nolan threw for 1,812 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 1,065 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. “(The recruiting interest) was pretty good,” said Nolan, who earned his role following an offseason arrest of starter Sha’Colby Hill. “I want to go play college ball.” 247Sports rates Nolan the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback and No. 75

Jaelyn Nolan, Brownfield QB

player overall, lofty rankings that bode well for the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder playing in college. The No. 6 dual-threat quarterback in 2015, Jauan Jennings, received offers from top-tier programs such as Alabama, Mississippi State and Ohio State before signing with Tennessee. The No. 75 player overall, Johnny Frasier, signed with North Carolina State and had 22 offers. Brownfield coach Bryan Welps said Nolan is a true dual-threat quarterback. “He’s one of the best runners I’ve ever seen once he gets out of the pocket,” said Welps, who added Texas Tech hasn’t shown interest. “He’s probably got one of the strongest arms I’ve coached. He can put any type of touch on the ball.” DanielPaulling, Wreckem247 Editor

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Brownfield Cubs Schedule

Aug. 28 at Ft. Stockton 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Greenwood 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Colorado 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Levelland 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Pecos 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Denver City 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Tornillo 6:00p.m. Oct. 23 at Slaton 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Shallowater 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Kermit 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 5-7  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 5-2  Lettermen returning: 17

 Starters returning: 7-8  Last won district: 2002  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Jaelyn Nolan, Zeke Morin, Prince Kim, Coby Serbantez, Jezreel Griffin, Dakota Oliver, Alex McCrary  Top newcomers: Jericho Garcia Head coach Bryan Welps Overall: Fifth season, 19-25 Assistant coaches Bart Upchurch, Stacy Ward, Jeremy Watson, Corbin Brooks, Jesus Morales, Tate Casey, Joseph Hood, Zach Lierman

Year 2 of the Nolan show By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

In one calendar year, Jaelyn Nolan went from unexpectedly taking over as Brownfield’s quarterback to being recruited by FBS schools after throwing for 1,812 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 1,065 and 18 touchdowns as a 14-year old freshman. With that progression comes a chance for the Cubs to legitimately compete for a title in 2-3A — a district that includes three state-ranked teams in Brownfield, Denver City and Shallowater. “After a year, he’s different,” Brownfield coach Bryan Welps said of Nolan. “His packages changed from last year to this year. We’ve added more to him. He can check at the line. “He’s not so much just a running quarterback anymore. I feel like he’s getting his game to the level he’s getting it to. And he’s at a different level than he was last year.” The Cubs opened district play last season with three

straight blowouts of Denver City, Tornillo and Slaton before losing to Shallowater, 37-20. “I felt like we were a different team after Shallowater and the Denver City game,” Welps said. “They learned they could play with anybody.” Last year, Nolan was surrounded by a talented group of seniors that included receiving threat Jordan Demps and powerful running back Simon Jacquez. Those players graduated, but Zeke Morin takes over at running back and both Nathan Besler and Jezreel Griffin are competent targets. Brownfield’s defense also returns key contributors in a new 5-2 scheme, including linebacker Prince Kim and cornerback Coby Serbantez. “The double threat of it all,” Kim said of the challenge of defending the Cubs offense daily in practice. “You have one of the tallest receivers, (Jezreel Griffin), a dual-threat quarterback, a sub-4.5 running back. And (Nathan) Besler is 210 pounds. There’s no stopping this.”

Brownfield & Slaton

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Tigers expect to rebound from down year By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

With 19 lettermen returning, the Slaton Tigers expect to rebound from a disappointing 3-7 stint a season ago. Slaton has seven returning starters on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, including 6-foot-4 defensive end Jameson Jackson, who is expected to play a major role for the Tigers. “I’m just going to try and give it everything every single play and lead the team by example,” Jackson said. “I’m going to try to make all the right reads on defense to give our linebackers a chance to make plays, and always fire off first and be aggressive.” Slaton coach Sam Robinson believes speed and depth is a strength on both sides of the ball, and he wants to see a new attitude from his team on Friday nights. Although one of the smaller schools in the

Slaton Tigers Schedule at Floydada 7:30 p.m. Snyder 7:30 p.m. New Deal 7:30 p.m. at Olton 7:30 p.m. at Post 7:30 p.m. at Tornillo 7:30 p.m. at Shallowater 7:30 p.m. Brownfield 7:30 p.m. at Kermit 7:30 p.m. Denver City 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 3-7  Basic offense: Multiple spread  Basic defense: 4-3  Lettermen returning: 19

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

district, Robinson said his team is out to prove they belong. “We want total commitment from our team, with everyone selling out for each other,” Robinson said. “We want to have a new attitude, that we belong, and when you get done with us you’re going to know you played a football game. “We’re going to put a lot of speed on the field offensively and make you chase

 Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 1994  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Jameson Jackson, Nate Vasquez, Jacob Terry, Carlos Garcia, Desrael Williams  Top newcomers: Isaiah Hawkins, Xavier Briseno, Xavier Ramirez Head coach Sam Robinson Assistant coaches Creighton Henderson, Lawrence Johnson, Hunter Henzler, Mike Northup, Chris Brattain, Bo Medley, Brandon Langston, Brendan Clary

us,” he said. “We’re going to utilize Jameson Jackson at

tight end, who’s a great athlete and can go up and get the ball over the top.” A big part of that defense is senior middle linebacker Jacob Terry, who has seen action in 34 games for the Tigers. Terry is a fouryear lettermen and will hold a major responsibility in keeping opposing offenses off the board. “I need to lead this defense and we need to hold ourselves accountable,” Terry said. “Coach Robinson has been here awhile and knows what we are capable of, so we just have to trust him.”

Denver City

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Denver City Mustangs Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Pecos 7:30 p.m. Sonora 7:30 p.m. at Post 7:30 p.m. at Littlefield 7:30 p.m. Levelland 7:30 p.m. Brownfield 7:30 p.m. at Kermit 7:30 p.m. Shallowater 7:30 p.m. Tornillo 7:30 p.m. at Slaton 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 2-8

 Basic offense: Spread, shotgun  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 17  Starters returning: 5-4  Last won district: 2009  Last made playoffs: 2014 Head coach Steve Taylor Assistant coaches Daniel Fontenot, Jarryd Taylor, Rob Ogle, Doug Duncan, Judd Cathey, Raul Santillan, Bryce Green, David Delgado, Robin Cochran, Terry Murphey, Mike Louis, Craig Cooke, Bryan Lewis

Denver City’s health is key to its success BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

Steve Taylor believes Denver City will be contenders for the District 2-3A championship, if they can remain healthy. “Injuries were unbelievable (last year),” the Mustangs coach said. “We usually have about 35 on the varsity. Well, we ended up with 43 throughout the year because of injuries.” Denver City had 12 players injured going into their season opener and continued to have to fill in players at different positions late in the season. “We had 26 kids miss one game or more,” Taylor said. “It’s tough at the time, but it helps you for the next year.” He said the team is returning experienced players that were thrust into starting positions last season due to injury, as well as a few starters who are expected to lead the team in the absence of its 23 graduated lettermen. The most notable of those is Cole McLeroy, who moves from running back to quarterback this season to lead the Mustang’s spread offense. The six-foot senior was a two-way all-district selection in football in 2014 and a state qualifier in the 100-meter dash in track. He rushed for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, despite missing five games due to a pelvic injury. In the trenches, Denver City returns Israel Vasquez (5-10, 230 pounds), Bryce Brown (6-0, 280 pounds) and Arturo Ortega (6-0, 260 pounds) to its offensive line. With the additions of running back Aaron Cordova and fullback Eduardo Hernandez, Taylor said the offense will look to its run game to be successful this season. “If they can’t stop the run, we are not going to throw it,” he said. “We are going to run every down.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Cole McLeroy is moving from running back to quarterback for Denver City this season. Don CArpenter  For A-j media

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Shallowater

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Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Chris Contreras, left, is expected to lead the Shallowater offense this season.

Expect the unexpected

Mustangs add roles for standouts, newcomers By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Q&A with Shallowater’s

Brenton Burgett

Compiled by Krista Pirtle, A-J Media

How do you think this season is going to go? “I mean, we have the potential. We went far last year. We did lose some guys, yeah, but I feel like we can overcome that. We’ve got some guys stepping up to make replacements that will make big moves this season.”

Has anyone surprised you so far in two-a-days? “Uh, yes. Actually, some of our offensive linemen like (Caleb) Hatcher (are) moving to defensive line and working both ways now. Him, and Lawrence Galvan and some of the other new defensive backs we got in the backfield.” What can people expect from Shallowater football? “They can expect just 100 percent from all of us. I mean, we’re all doing this for our buddy Justice (Chavez) that died (in a auto

accident in April). They better expect a show. That’s what we’re going to put on for sure.” What music do you listen to before you play? “Screamo, hardcore screamo.” What’s your pregame meal? “Noodles like spaghetti and stuff like that to carb load.” What about postgame? “Rosa’s Cafe. That’s where we all go.” What are you currently binge watching on Netflix? “Breaking Bad. I love it. I don’t even know. It’s a great show.” What’s your go to dance move? “Probably the whip. I can hit the whip pretty hard.” Who’s the best and worst dancer on the team? “Either Cooper Ogle or me (is the best), and Christian Rios (is the worst).”

The specifics of how Shallowater plans to remember and include the memory of Justice Chavez this season have yet to be ironed out. There will probably be a patch or sticker the Mustangs will wear in remembrance of their teammate who was killed in an April car crash along with a female classmate, Alicia Ramos. They’re deciding how to carry his No. 65 jersey before games. “We have a big football group message and we talk about it,” Shallowater running back Cooper Ogle said. “How we’re just trying to play the season for him, trying to live out his dream the best we can, and to do everything we can to make his dream happen, because everyone knows he wanted to win state. Like I said back in April, he was the only one that looked forward to two-a-days.”

Chavez was part of a Shallowater team that started last season with new lineups on both sides of the ball. It ended the year as a state semifinalist. In 2015, many key upperclassmen return from that team, including quarterback Chris Contreras, linebacker Brenton Burgett and Ogle. “We’ve been very blessed with pretty large classes where we haven’t played very many sophomores up on varsity,” Shallowater coach Kyle Maxfield said. “In my previous six years, I can only think of maybe three or four off the top of my head.” Ogle and Burgett will both see time on opposite sides of the ball: Ogle will play some cornerback and Burgett will also play a sniffer back on offense. “More than anything, it’s to have depth at those positions,” Maxfield said. “We don’t want to take away from what Brenton does on defense. At the same time, once he gets in good enough

Shallowater

lonestarvarsity.com

shape, he might be able to do both without affecting his play on defense. We’ve kind of had a philosophy that even if there’s a younger player there, he’s going to get enough reps to be as good or better than a Brenton Burgett.” As last season progressed, Shallowater became more expansive, particularly in its offensive targeting of different players. “I think Wayne Carillo is going to have a good year this year,” Ogle said. “He’s filling in for Preston Scaff. And that’s big shoes to fill. Connor Smith, we’ll need to use him more this season. It’s nice having the whole (offensive) line back. It’s our senior year. It’s kind of the last ride.” At times last year, Contreras split reps with Westin Elliott. The 6-foot-4 Elliott has since transferred to Midland Christian. Contreras’ backups are Bryson Blair and Jacob Phillips. “We can do everything, but just being able to see the field like Westin (Elliott) could,” Maxfield said when asked if he would have to stop using any packages because of Elliott’s absence. On defense, Burgett returns as the state’s leading tackler. Jacob Duenes and Bryant Blackburn will see more time in the secondary along with J.D. Townsend.

‘

Because everyone knows he wanted to win state. ... He was the only one that looked forward to two-a-days.

’

Cooper Ogle Shallowater RB, on the influence on the team left by Justice Chavez, a teammate who died in an auto accident in April

Scaff joins Evan McHugh as the other area tight end that has walked on to Texas Tech’s football team. Scaff was also a defensive end and sniffer back for Shallowater and was selected to the Lone Star Varsity super teams in football and basketball. “For us, he had a lot of catches,” Maxfield said. “But really, more than anything, it was his big play potential. “It might just be more of a shared role than having that one guy. When we got in crunch time, especially throwing the ball, he was such a target.”

Shallowater Schedule Sept. 4 at Levelland 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Greenwood 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Estacado 7:00 p.m. Sept. 25 at Idalou 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 Snyder 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Kermit 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Slaton 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Denver City 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Brownfield 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Tornillo 6:00p.m. Team Info ■ 2014 record: 8-4 ■ Basic offense: Spread ■ Basic defense: Multiple ■ Lettermen returning: 21 ■ Starters returning: 8-5

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

■ Last won district: 2014 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Cooper Ogle, Chris Contreras, Brenton Burgett, J.D. Townsend ■ Top newcomers: Brody Hendrick, Wayne Carrillo Head coach Kyle Maxfield Overall: 112-66, seventh season Assistant coaches Steve Adams, Kevin Sherrill, Sam Gillispie, Jay Lusk, Jared Aven, Steven Biera, Chase Clanahan, Keith Kitchens, Casey Ellison, Forrest Harding, Lane Wood

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Muleshoe Mules

Schedule Aug. 28 at Levelland 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Sweetwater 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Seagraves 7:00 p.m. Sept. 18 Perryton 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Kermit 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 River Road 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Friona 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 Childress 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Littlefield 7:30 p.m. Team Info ■ 2014 record: 8-4 ■ Basic offense: Spread ■ Basic defense: 2-3

■ Lettermen returning: 14 ■ Starters returning: 9-7 ■ Last won district: 2014 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Danny Campos, Dagen Dunham, Josh Florez, Josh Lopez, Kevin Mendoza ■ Top newcomers: Beto Diaz, Cezar Olivares Head coach David Wood; 160-65, 20th season Assistant coaches Wes Wood, Wes Boatmun, Clay White, David Sturdivant, Bryan Loera, Steven Brown, Mark Olbert, John Jay

Muleshoe

lonestarvarsity.com

Height, variety to boost Mules offense By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Danny Campos’ resume as one of the strongest passers on the South Plains earned him an invite to the Lone Star Varsity season preview photo shoot. But could he end up on a postseason super team at a different position? “If Danny (Campos) is the quarterback, Beto (Diaz) will be the receiver,” Muleshoe coach David Wood said. “We might just be flip-flopping them. They take those roles very well. I think we know that they’d rather play quarterback.” Wood explained the 6-foot-2 Campos will be used as a receiver when the 5-foot-10 Diaz, a junior, takes reps at quarterback. The Mules return nine offensive starters from last year’s team, which lost to Breckenridge in the area round. “We didn’t go as far as we wanted to last year,” Wood said. “So, yes, we’re going to lean on them heavy. Those Josh Lopezes. Those Jason Florezes. They’ll sit here and say it wasn’t good enough for them last year. So, they’re going to do better.” In that game against Breckenridge, Campos returned to relieve backup quarterback Keagan Gonzales after missing several games with an injury. “It was miscommunication a lot,” Florez said of that game. “Starting with (Keagan Gonzales) because he didn’t play much and was coming in for those big games, too. It’s hard to do. It was a lack of communication before.”

Danny Campos, shown, will potentially split time with Beto Diaz at quarterback for Muleshoe. Don CArpenter  For A-j media

Diaz was supposed to play a more prominent role on the team as a safety last season, but he broke his hand in a scrimmage and broke his foot against Levelland a week

later. In baseball season, he broke his ankle. “I felt like I was doing something wrong,” Diaz joked about how he felt after suffering the third injury.

“Everybody was telling me to drink my milk. All I do is drink milk. I guess it wasn’t my year. I felt disappointed and I was expecting to be able to do something.”

LittleField

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

District title within grasp for Wildcats Littlefield Wildcats Schedule Aug. 28 Snyder 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Bushland 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Idalou 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Denver City 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Seminole 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at Childress 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 River Road 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Friona Nov. 6 at Muleshoe 7:30 p.m.

 A-j media FILE PHOTO

Muleshoe’s Jason Florez runs into Littlefield’s Shawn Cristan. Florez will lead the Wildcats defense this season. BY krista pirtle A-j media

On the verge of its second district title in three years, Littlefield dropped its last league game of the season to Muleshoe 34-27. Little mistakes, like turnovers, cost the Wildcats. Coming up short a year ago has added incentive to the 2015 season. “Our kids are hungry,” coach Bryan Huseman said. “We didn’t have a great year last year. We didn’t win a playoff game. We weren’t district champs. Here at Littlefield, everyone wants to be district champs. That’s your number one goal. ... Our kids want that district championship back. That’s what we’re shooting for.” To achieve that goal, Littlefield is going with a more balanced approach than its used in years past. Running back Da’Madrick Moore has graduated, but the pressure to replace his numbers relies on a number of backs. “We have a couple of slotbacks, two, that we really think can run the football,” Huseman said. “Then we have a couple of tailbacks. We’ll really share the load

this year. ... It’s going to be a bunch of guys having to step in, fill in and be able to carry the football for us rather than just one guy.” With a more balanced attack on the ground, Huseman hopes to open up the box with a better passing game. Quarterback Bryson Calaway returns for the Wildcats after working on his mechanics over the summer. “Last year we didn’t throw very often because it’s like a shot in the dark with me,” Calaway said. “I’ve worked on my release point. Going from throwing a baseball all summer and then throwing a football is a pretty big difference.” With key positions set and their eyes on a district title, emphasis is set on cutting down mistakes through two-a-days and into the season. The Wildcats understand they can’t afford to repeat the mistakes from last year and expect better results. “That’s something we’ve really got to concentrate on — fumbling the football and hanging onto it,” Huseman said. “I hope it really helps us to hang on to the ball better.”

Team Info  2014 record: 6-5  Basic offense: Slot I  Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 14  Starters returning: 4/4  Last won district: 2012

 Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Bryson Calaway, Amador Gomez, Nate Herrera, Brian Acevedo, Jacob Martinez and Seth Hartley  Top newcomers: Jashua Davis, Nathan Solis, Michael Solis, Zach Aragon and Chris Douglas Head coach Bryan Huseman; Overall: 117-51 Assistant coaches Brent Green, Bryan Allcorn, Colby Huseman, Kerny Teafatiller, Clint Conkin, Cory Golden, Nathan McKinney, Jimmy Snead, Trevor Galbraith

‘ ’

Here at Littlefield, everyone wants to be district champs. Bryan Huseman Littlefield football coach

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Roosevelt Eagles Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Lamesa 7:30 p.m. Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. Trinity 7:30 p.m. at Floydada 7:30 p.m. Friona 7:30 p.m. at Tulia 7:30 p.m. Spearman 7:30 p.m. at Idalou 7:30 p.m. H. Park 7:30 p.m. at S-Fitch 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 6-4  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 3-4

 Lettermen returning: 15  Starters returning: 5-7  Last won district: 1986  Last made playoffs: 2008  Top returners: Colt Garrett, Isaia Montgomery, Trey Bass, Jacob Garcia, Teagan Cooksey, Garrett Heatly and J.D. Rojas  Top newcomers: Zyketh Campbell and Alex Carroll Head coach

John Contrucci; Overall: 6-4

Assistant coaches

Zac Erekson, Robert Wallace, Wayland Damron, Matt Landers, Chuck Graves, David Quisenberry, J.D Marrow, Kelcey Wormsbaker

Eagles look to build unity BY krista pirtle A-j media

For John Contrucci, unity is the key to success. The second-year head coach at Roosevelt has implemented a culture of belief, and his players are buying in. “I see a difference with this group this year than there was last year with how close we are,” senior Colt Garrett said. “I think that’s kind of what hurt us last year.” The Eagles finished last season 6-4, one win away from advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. “Everything was a new experience,” Contrucci said. “I think the whole year in general was a learning experience. ... We had a plan and we stuck with it and evaluated it at the end of the season. I think we grew closer as a staff, as a team and as a community.” Roosevelt returns 15 lettermen from last season, with five starters back on offense and seven starters returning on defense. An added year of expe-

rience, plus a season in Contrucci’s system under their belts, should play out in favor of the Eagles. “Last season, it was kind of a tough situation with the coaches coming in and it being their first year and a whole new system,” Garrett said. “Now we all know it. We have a game plan, and the coaches set it up for us. They put us in position to win.” Garrett at quarterback, along with running back Isaia Montgomery and wide receiver Trey Bass, stand out as key players for Roosevelt. However, Contrucci knows these three alone won’t get the Eagles where they want to go. “Trey brings outstanding size to our receiver corps, but there are other receivers,” Contrucci said. “Colt brings great leadership as a senior this year and quarterback play, but he knows he’s only as good as his offense line and receivers. Isaiah brings size and strength. “He also knows if the line isn’t blocking, then we’re not as good as a team.”

Post & Roosevelt

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Antelopes led by strong senior class BY krista pirtle A-j media

With one year of a new system under their belts, the Post Antelopes hope to start the season off quickly. This time last year, firstyear coach Michael Pittman and his staff were teaching their philosophies to a team coming off a playoff appearance the season before. Now, Pittman is ready to hit the ground running. “It helps a lot because they’ve been there,” Pittman said. “Last year going in we were pretty young. It took us a little while to find our groove. As the year went along last year we got

Post Antelopes Schedule Aug. 28 at Abernathy 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Tahoka 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Denver City 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Floydada 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Slaton 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 Coleman 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Ballinger 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 Coahoma 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Colorado 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Stanton 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 8-4  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 18  Starters returning: 8-7

better. I’m expecting us to start out on a higher note this season.” Besides familiarity with the coaching staff, experience is a key factor for Post returning to the playoffs. A squad sparse with seniors a year ago, the Antelopes now rely on an abundance of senior leadership. This is a responsibility senior Shandon Wiley, wide receiver and defensive back, takes seriously. “I feel like everything is on me,” Wiley said. “I just want to go out there and lead our team to victory and help the young guys.” While Wiley feels the pressure to lead by example  Last won district: 2012  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Shandon Wiley, Alex Ramirez, A.J. Reed, Aron Lopez, Cambry Gilbert, Blaine Reece, Jaybren Rodriguez, Rafael Gonzales and Tristan Fannon  Top newcomers: Ben Ayala, Chance Courtney, Michael Pherguson and Valente Perez Head coach

Michael Pittman; Overall: 8-4

Assistant coaches Beau Riker, William Pevey, Jordan Cavazos, Billy Garza, Keith Bloskas, Jerry Pyles, Billy Kelso, Michael Ramos

this season, he understands the pressure of a district

championship doesn’t lie on his shoulders alone.

Idalou

lonestarvarsity.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Q&A with Idalou’s

Ben Mc Gehee

What was your biggest lesson last season during your first year on varsity? “Probably last year in the game against Sonora. I got pulled out in the second half because I was not playing as a team.” What can people expect from Idalou football this year? “We’re going to be good. We’re going to surprise a lot of people. We’re going to go win district.” Don Carpenter  For A-j media

From left, running back Brandt Schilling, quarterback Zack Kirkpatrick and fullback Ty Nichols should rack up tons of yardage on the ground for Idalou this season.

Powerful backfield to lead Idalou By Phil Terrigno

A-J Media High School Editor

During Idalou’s 2010 season, which culminated in the first of two consecutive state titles, the Wildcats had a formidable backfield pair. Tailback Nick Gary and fullback Garrett Sosa worked well together with a combination of physicality and knowledge of the Wildcats offense. In 2015, after an arearound exit of the playoffs, Lone Star Varsity Super Team second-team selections Brandt Schilling and Ty Nichols return in the backfield. “At fullback and at tailback, you have to read the defense,” Idalou coach Jeff Lofton said. “The fullback has got to make a certain decision on certain plays. ... Depending on what the

fullback does, the tailback has to adjust his path. That definitely helps.” They are joined by second year quarterback Zack Kirkpatrick, a former tight end who also plays fulltime defensive end. Kirkpatrick is a Lone Star Varsity super team first-team selection as a punter. “He had been at quarterback his whole seventh-, eighth-, ninth-grade career. We needed a tight end when he was a sophomore,” Lofton said. And so we ended up recruiting and bringing him up. ... It kind of got him out of rhythm at quarterback.” Lofton said he anticipates Nichols, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound fullback who has received interest from major colleges, will become more of a scoring threat this season. It’s a similar role to the one Sosa had

during Idalou’s championship season. “When your fullback has the potential to break one off and go the distance, that takes some pressure off the tailback,” Lofton said. Kirkpatrick, who is also a running threat, will likely be most impactful in Idalou’s Pro I formations and play action because of his mobility. “At times, we’ll give (Kirkpatrick) more stuff that he can read, definitely,” Lofton said. “It’s also situational. You don’t want to put too much on the plate either. ... I don’t want any of the guys to feel that they’re being overwhelmed.” Kirkpatrick’s main targets are Ben McGehee and Beau Howard, players who will make up for some of the production Hayden Davey, a recently graduated tight end, had last season.

Idalou Wildcats Schedule

Aug. 28 at Cooper 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 Seminole 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Littlefield 7:00 p.m. Sept. 18 at Friona 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Shallowater 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 Highland Park 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 Cooper 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Tulia 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Roosevelt 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Spearman 7:30 p.m.

Team Info ■ 2014 record: 8-4 ■ Basic offense: I/Spread ■ Basic defense: 4-3 ■ Lettermen returning: 14 ■ Starters returning: 8/7 ■ Last won district: 2012 ■ Last made playoffs: 2014 ■ Top returners: Ty Nichols, Brandt Schilling, Zack Kirkpatrick, Beau Howard, Caleb Stricklin, Ben McGehee ■ Top newcomers: Eden Cervantez, Luke Rodriguez Head coach Jeff Lofton 16-8 overall, third season

What do you listen to before every game? “Avenge Sevenfold and Five Finger Death Punch.” Who on the team has the best dance moves? “Brandt Schilling.”

Worst dance moves? “Brandt Schilling.” What are you binge watching on Netflix? “The Office.” What’s your favorite quote from The Office? “When Dwight is talking to Gabe and he says, ‘Gabe, this is like a squirrel’s office.’ ”

What are your top three movies of all time? “World War Z, Forrest Gump and Remember the Titans.” Interview by Krista Pirtle

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Class 2A Preview

lonestarvarsity.com

Poised to strike

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Seagraves linemen Jonah Garcia (68), Israel Rosalez (60) and Dillon Hibbits (52) will have to protect the quarterback this season — even if they don’t know who it will be yet. Regardless, the Eagles should be one of the most feared teams in Class 2A this season.

Quarterback differences between top 2A teams By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Smaller classification schools on the South Plains furthered a precedent last season that they are the ones that rate statewide. Both Shallowater (3A) and Seagraves (2A) were state semifinalists. 2A also saw three teams — Seagraves, Crosbyton and Abernathy — finish the regular season undefeated.

After such strong seasons last year, the teams considered the class of 2A DII in Region I find themselves on the opposite end of the quarterback spectrum. It makes the notion of whether they will once again meet in the Region I final more compelling. Crosbyton returns Tanner Clark, while Seagraves has yet to name a starter as of mid-August. “(Clark’s) poised to have a great year,” Crosbyton coach Brannon Rodgers said. “He had 12 touchdowns and one inter-

ception last year. He only had 750 yards passing but when he threw, it was a touchdown. We’ll pound (the ball), and if people decide they want to creep up, we will make them pay with play action.” Last year, Clark commanded an offense that saw Eastern New Mexico-bound Nathan Childers rush for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also saw time at safety. “He’s actually grown up like, a step,” Childers said of Clark.

Going Undefeated Since 2005, two area teams in the same class went undefeated in the regular season twice. Last year was the first time three did it: Crosbyton, Abernathy and Seagraves — all in 2A. Excluding last season, 19 area teams have been undefeated in the regular season since 2005: Frenship (3), New Deal (3), Shallowater (2), Muleshoe (2), Sundown (2), Nazareth (2), Littlefield (1), Plains (1), Denver City (1), Idalou (1), and Plainview (1).

“To a leader point. He’s taken what we’ve gotten from when we were upperclassmen, and after we graduated, he gave (the

underclassmen) knowledge. The legendary expectations. He is a good leader, omeone I look up to.”

Class 2A Preview

lonestarvarsity.com

This year, Elliott Rios is expected to carry much of the rushing load for Crosbyton. Clark will also be able to target Tyriece Mooring, Zane Zundt and Kenley Henn. “It was like running behind a brick wall,” Childers said of the Crosbyton offensive line, which returns all of its starters except for Dom Flores. “We had a line over 1,500 pounds. It was the line that held up for us. We have big dudes. We always owe it to the line.” Seagraves, which graduated Tanner Rodriguez, is working out Uriel Martinez and Joseph Guerrero as quarterbacks. The team returns last year’s Lone Star Varsity player of the year Cory Kyle, a running back that has eclipsed 7,000 yards for his career. Last season, the offense that Rodriguez led was based out of the wing-t and eventually grew more expansive as the year went on. “It was a lot of misdirection,” Rodriguez said. “We did a lot of different things with it. There were times when our (offensive coordinator) would say he would have dreams of a formation. And he would put it in the next day and it would end up working.” Martinez, a safety, saw time in relief of Rodriguez when he was hurt last season. “He’s always worked out behind me,” Rodriguez said. “I think he’ll do pretty good. He’s put in the position right now where he needs to learn it. “And once he learns it and gets it down, he’ll be able to play there. He did surprisingly well (in relief) considering that he didn’t play quarterback during the two-a-days or the scrimmages.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Into the record book Where will Seagraves RB Cory Kyle end up in the Texas high school record books?

Seagraves’ Cory Kyle has rushed 652 times for 7,004 yards and 98 touchdowns in his career, plus he has 13 catches for 244 yards and three receiving touchdowns. If he has a year of 38 touchdowns and 2,000 yards as a senior, a conservative amount compared to his 3,127 yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior, he will climb the Texas high school records books into prominence. Kyle would tie Jacquizz Rodgers and Nate Jeffrey for third all-time with 136 career touchdowns if he scored 38 touchdowns as a senior. A 2,000 yard senior rushing season would put him fourth all-time in total rushing yards behind Kenneth Hall (11,232), Johnathan Gray (10,889), and Traylon Shead (10,298). With 1,855 yards, Kyle would pass the fourth place player, Wes Danaher (8,855). Phil Terrigno, A-J Media

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Crosbyton quarterback Tanner Clark leads a class of 2A signal callers that could make the diffrence in going to the playoffs.

How we picked them — Class 2A District 2-2A DI 1. New Deal 2. Abernathy 3. Hale Center 4. Floydada 5. Olton 6. Tahoka

District 2-2A DII 1. Farwell 2. Vega 3. Sudan 4. Springlake-Earth 5. Bovina

District 2-2A DII 1. Crosbyton 2. Quanah 3. Memphis 4. Clarendon 5. Lockney 6. Ralls

2-2A DI: Abernathy had a stranglehold on this district last year in what was a dominant season. This time around, New Deal has the team speed to upset the status quo and finish atop this district. Watch for members of its state track championship team to contribute offensively.

2-2A DII: Sudan is dealing with the loss of Barry Johnson, a Lone Star Varsity super team second-team selection last year after a stellar season at running back. Everyone here will be chasing a powerful Farwell team with Springlake-Earth hoping to grab the last spot.

3-2A DII: Crosbyton is the favorite in this district. Even though It lost stellar players in Bobby Childers and Nathan Childers, its offensive line averages 272 pounds. That will help out Elliott Rios after a year with more than 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns.

District 4-2A DII 1. Seagraves 2. Sundown 3. Smyer 4. Morton 5. Plains 4-2A DII: The rest of this group will sort itself out after Seagraves, with Sundown looking like a strong lock at No. 2. Practically the entire Seagraves team returns from a state semifinal team. It just has to settle on a competent quarterback.

Cory Kyle, Seagraves

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Floydada Whirlwinds Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Slaton 7:30 p.m. at Seagraves 7:30 p.m. at Lockney 7:30 p.m. Post 7:30 p.m. Roosevelt 7:30 p.m. at Olton 7:30 p.m. Tahoka 7:30 p.m. at Hale Center 7:30 p.m. at Abernathy 7:30 p.m. New Deal 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 5-6  Basic offense: Multiple  Basic defense: Split

 Lettermen returning: 20  Starters returning: 8-7  Last won district: 2003  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Josh Gonzales, Kyi Baker, Jessie Seguera, Albert Dehoyes, Mark McGovern, Angel Lorenzo, Abraham Perez, Sammy Segura  Top newcomers: Zeke Torres, Robert Mora, Alfonzo Medoza, Carson Turner, Evan Ibarra, Tyler Saldana, Miguel Pena Head coach Todd Bandy

Floydada aims to end title drought By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

With a 12-year drought since the last district championship, coach Todd Bandy and his players have one common goal in mind — a district title. Despite only winning five games in 2014, Floydada was able to clinch a playoff spot and is looking to build on that post-season experience this season. “Our district is going to be as tough as anybody’s, and we can’t take anybody lightly,” Bandy said. “You have to go through your district and win those early games first though. Our region is tough, and we have a state champion sitting in our region.” The Whirlwinds will be returning 20 lettermen, including eight starters on offense and seven on the defensive side of the ball. Kyi Baker will be a twoway starter in 2015, including holding the responsibility of running head coach Todd Bandy’s multiple spread offensive attack. With eight players coming back with previous experience, Floydada expects to put up big numbers on opposing defenses. “Going undefeated and winning district would be

great, but were really focused on getting back into the playoffs,” Baker said. Senior Josh Gonzalez will lead the Whirlwind defense as the strong-side defensive end, returning as a thirdyear starter. Gonzalez is also expected to start at guard on the offensive side of the ball, knowing his experience and leadership can play a critical role in the upcoming year.

Floydada & Tahoka

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Fleenor expected to lead Bulldogs Tahoka Bulldogs Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Crosbyton 7:30 p.m. Post 7:30 p.m. at Smyer 7:30 p.m. Ralls 7:30 p.m. at Plains 7:30 p.m. Hale Center 7:30 p.m. at Floydada 7:30 p.m. New Deal 7:30 p.m. at Olton 7:30 p.m. Abernathy 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 2-8  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-3  Lettermen returning: 10  Starters returning: 4-4  Last won district: 2012  Last made playoffs: 2012  Top returners: Hadley Reynolds, Luke Fleenor, Jared Green Brit Lockaby, Grant Tekell, Kevin White, Trace Cook  Top newcomers: Justn McCarty, Andrew Alvarez, Jawan Hamilton Head coach Brandon Hopper Assistant coaches Stephen Overstreet, RC Mills, Reggie Gibbs, Xavier Elizondo and Billy Rogers

By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Senior Luke Fleenor will be a huge weapon for Tahoka at the running back spot and as a wideout in 2015, knowing he has to produce and carry the offense early on as they try to improve each week. With 10 returning lettermen coming back for the 2015 season, the Tahoka Bulldogs expect a better result than the 2-8 stint they had just a season ago. The Bulldogs will only have four returning starters on both sides of the ball, so head coach Brandon Hopper and his staff will have their work cut out to produce the team they want to see on Friday nights. With so many new faces on each side of the ball, it will be up to senior leadership to set the tone early on for Tahoka. “We need to have better chemistry and be mentally tough this season,” Fleenor

said. “I’m going to have to take a leadership role more than I did last season and stay healthy. Our main goal is to be closer and a playoff spot is obviously what we’re hoping for. We’re going to win every play and to come out and prove everyone wrong we have to come out and work extremely hard.” After using a running at-

tack last season, Tahoka will be going to a spread offense in the upcoming season, hoping to spread out opposing defenses to let their skill players work. “Were switching up the offense this year, Hopper said. “So these guys need to be disciplined and mentally focused early on to pick up the offense.”

Hale Center & OLTON

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Olton Mustangs

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Friona 7:30 p.m. at Sundown 7:30 p.m. Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. Slaton 7:30 p.m. at Morton 7:30 p.m. Floydada 7:30 p.m. at New Deal 7:30 p.m. Abernathy 7:30 p.m. Tahoka 7:30 p.m. at Hale Center 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 6-4  Basic offense: I-formation

 Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 16  Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Stephen Schovajsa, Matthew Thompson, Landon Williamson, Xavier Barker, Marcos Gonzales, Carson Phillips  Top newcomers: Marco Godinez Head coach Guthry Edwards Assistant coaches Erik Edwards, Jeff Barker, Tanner Bales, Jason Josselet

Mustangs on the rebound from 3-7 By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Olton second-year coach Lance Hogle is looking to rebound from a 3-7 year in 2014, and he hopes to continue to develop a foundation for the Mustangs program this season. After finishing fourth in district play a year ago, the Mustangs have 18 returning lettermen, as well as eight returning offensive starters and seven on the defensive side. Just two years removed from a playoff berth in 2013, the Mustangs will rely heavily on a quarterback combination of T.J. McCall and Jose Munoz to run a spread offensive attack. “It’s year two of this program, and we’ve had a great offseason and been able to make a lot of progress,” Hogle said. “The kids are buying into the program, and if we can stay healthy we will have a chance to compete well in our district. I’m the fourth head coach in the last four years for these players, and I want to end that and bring stability to this program.” Success starts up front, and that will remain a key focus for the Mustangs in

2015. On the offensive line, two returning players will be counted on in particular: first-team all-district left tackle Bryson Goen and right guard Jacob Jalomo. “We want to run the ball a lot more this year and change our mentality,” Hogle said. “Our offensive line will be lead by senior Jacob Jalomo, who’s really a go-getter and will also start for us at inside linebacker. First team alldistrict left tackle Bryson Goen will be a junior, and with those guys anchoring our line these guys can lead the way for us.” The Olton defense gave us almost twice as many points as they earned in 2014 (148), and Coach Hogle hopes that by switching to a 3-4 set this season will allow for his playmakers to make an impact on the defensive side of the ball. “We’re going to switch to a 3-4 defense this year, which allows us to get a couple extra athletes on the field,” Hogle said. “Jordan White is an impact player for us on both sides of the football, and he can really cover some ground at free safety. We have some depth this season, and hopefully it bodes well for us.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Hale Center hoping for Lucky 7s By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Hale Center will be looking to improve upon their 3-7 season from a year ago, depending on the 17 returning lettermen it has coming back to produce a different result. The Owls have seven returning starters on both sides of the ball, including Senior wide receiver and safety Trey Buxton. Junior Jake Martinez is expected to start on both sides of the ball, anchoring the center position on the offensive line and switching over to defensive end on the opposite side of the ball. Hale Center coach Adam Cummings believes his team is capable of reaching the postseason in 2015, and he expects to see progress from his team each week. “Last year was a year of implementing our offense and our defense, and this

Hale Center Owls

Schedule Smyer 7:30 p.m. at Sudan 7:30 p.m. at Farwell 7:30 p.m. Shamrock 7:30 p.m. Bovina 7:30 p.m. at Tahoka 7:30 p.m. at Abernathy 7:30 p.m. Floydada 7:30 p.m. at New Deal 7:30 p.m. Olton 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 3-7  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-3

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

year we want to take the next step,” Cummings said. “Our district is very competitive from top to bottom, so we have to be consistent and take care of the football. If we can put ourselves in a spot to be competitive in the fourth quarter, I think we will really have a chance to have some success this season.” Hale Center will utilize a spread attack on offense, with Buxton playing a cru-

 Lettermen returning: 17  Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 1995  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Trey Buxton, Jake Martinez, Anthony Borjas, Dillon Johnson, Zac Richards, DJ Dunn  Top newcomers: Beau King, Brandon Castillo, Quentin Bendele Head coach Adam Cummings Assistant coaches Isaiah Barrera, Bobby Workman, Clete Knippa, Kyler Ellison Steve Roberts

cial role as a leader and playmaker. The offense will

be looking to get the ball down field to open up the running game, and much of that begins with Buxton as a vertical threat. “We set a bunch of goals at the beginning of this year, and we hope to make a playoff run this season,” Buxton said. “We have to make sure everyone shows up and works hard and gives it their all. We need to win game one and set the tone, and hopefully that leads to a district championship and being able to play into December.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

New Deal

Q&A with New Deal’s

Tre Patton

The team has had a few practices now. How is everything looking? “Honestly, I think we look pretty good. We’ve got a lot of speed on our hands. With me and Jai (Manahan) in the backfield I don’t think we can be stopped honestly. We have a really fast defense. We are not so much of a big team but we are pretty quick.”

Allison Terry  For A-j media

New Deal has plenty of speed this year with Sebastian Hartless (13), Tre Patton (28), Jai Manahan and Mark Adams (2).

New Deal to utilize its speed BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

When asked how New Deal would handle its bigger opponents, Marshall Rieken answered. “Get the fast guys on their guys and get one on ones,” the all-district wide receiver said. “Kill them with speed.” Which came as no surprise considering the Lions return three from its 2014 Class 4A 400-meter relay team. Relay members Mark Adams, Demetrius Jackson and Tre Patton will take the field this fall after capturing New Deal’s first state title in track. With Jai Manahan, Sebastian Hartless and Rieken added to the mix, the Lions should be one of the fastest teams in District 2-2A “I think we are going to have plenty of speed on the field,” New Deal coach Matt Hill said. “As a coach-

ing staff we are trying to figure out right now how we can utilize our strengths and post some challenges for opposing teams.” Manahan, who rushed for 350 yards in 2014, is expected to get more touches at running back this season, while the rest of the speed will be found at the wide out position. Hartless led all receivers in 2014 with 610 yards and seven touchdowns. Jaxon Durham takes over at quarterback after seeing time there last season when Baylor Bean, now graduated, was injured. Hill said the 6-foot-1 junior showed promise in his starts at the varsity level, but the offense will operate differently under Durham, who is considered more of a passer type and not a runner. “We are going to have to come up with some schemes where he keeps the defense honest and respecting him,

because he throws the ball really well,” Hill said. “He is good enough to keep people honest; we are just going to have to have a different philosophy with him.” Of the seven starters New Deal returns on offense, tackle Austin Pena and center Dane Hensley are the only returners on the line. Michael Vega, who played sparingly on offense last season, will join the duo in trying to strengthen the line while also returning to his role at defensive tackle. Patton joins the linebacker squad and Adams and Rieken will start this season at the cornerback position. “We are just really excited to get started,” Durham said. “Losing in the first round of the playoffs last year left a real bad taste in our mouths, and we are going to do better than that this year.”

New Deal Lions Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Dimmitt 7:30 p.m. Lamesa 7:30 p.m. at Slaton 7:30 p.m. Farwell 7:30 p.m. at Sundown 7:30 p.m. Abernathy 7:30 p.m. Olton 7:30 p.m. at Tahoka 7:30 p.m. Hale Center 7:30 p.m. at Floydada 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 7-4  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 3-3 Stack  Lettermen returning: 17  Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 2009  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Jai Manahan, Sebastian Hartless, Austin Pena, Michael Vega, Ethan Garza and Dane Hensley  Top newcomers: Mark Adams and Tre Patton Head coach Matt Hill Overall: 7-4 (at New Deal) Assistant coaches Kyle Carver, Dewayne Sexton, Kedric Carver, Rex Whitfield, Jason Ybarra Matthew Ford

There is a lot of talk about the defense. What about the offense? “If we do what we are supposed to and we run the routes and carry the ball right and all that, I think we’ll be (competitive) against other teams.” Who has impressed you the most during practices? “There are a couple of

lonestarvarsity.com youngsters coming up trying to get on varsity. Mark Adams. Last year he couldn’t play on varsity because he came late into the season, but he’s stepped up a lot. He’s one of the state track meet people too.” Who are you looking forward to playing this season? “Abernathy.” Does the team have any ongoing traditions on or off the field.” “We say ‘FTR,’ and that’s ‘fear the roar.’ We started that last year. Who is the funniest guy on the team? “I say Marshall Rieken. He is a receiver. He’s got jokes.” Has the team been able to persevere through the heat, and length, of practices? “If we see someone slacking off we will either make them laugh or get on to them, but everybody has been doing pretty well so far, so, we need to keep that up.” Interview by Bryan Navarette

Abernathy

lonestarvarsity.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Antelopes aim to uphold District 2-2A strength BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

Sawyer Knight’s return to the field is not one he is taking for granted. When he straps up his pads, the 2013 all-district Abernathy running back is looking for every yard he can get for the reigning District 2-2A champs. “I am really excited. It wasn’t fun missing a year,” Knight said. “ I don’t have a set yardage (goal) in mind. I want to just get every yard I can.” The 5-foot-10, 190 pound senior returns from a knee injury that kept him from playing in the 2014 season to help solidify a semi-new backfield for the Antelopes. Joining Knight will be quarterback Trae Bender, who played wide receiver last season and took some snaps at quarterback before suffering a collarbone injury. Bender and Knight take over positions that were previously held by Garrett Royal and Nik Clarson, who led the team’s offense the year before. “I feel comfortable with (Bender) at quarterback,” Abernathy coach Darrell Daily said. “He is just like (Royal) as far as his ability to run and throw the ball well, and make good decisions. So, its not like we are not going to go without a quarterback. He’s a good one and we are looking for great things from him this year.” The Antelopes lost 14

lettermen last season, 13 of which were starters on varsity, but do return a mainstay in running back/ linebacker Mark Pando. “Put Mark, Sawyer and Trae in the backfield like we do and it’s an advantage for us,” Daily said, “because Pando is probably stronger than all of them. He is a really good running back, so we are looking to have a really good backfield.” In addition to Pando, Abernathy returns center Isaiah Fernandez, guard Bryson Kitchens and tackle Jarrett Stone to the offense. Standout defensive end Xavier Rivera (6-4, 275 pounds) is expected to fill in at offensive tackle to help bring strength to the veteran line. “We will play Xavier on both ends as much as we can,” Daily said. “Definitely, he won’t be off the field on defense. He is a special kid. He has great feet and strength and as he matures, he gets better each game. So we are looking for great things from that kid.” Rivera, along with corner Servando Cavazos, will anchor Abernathy’s 4-3 defense while safety John Turner rehabilitates from an injury sustained over the summer. Daily said the playmaker will miss the first couple of weeks of the regular season but is expected back for district play to strengthen the defense. He said the Antelopes will be looking for depth at wideout heading into

Abernathy Antelopes Schedule: Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

 A-j media File Photo

Abernathy coach Darrell Daily yells at the head official about a holding penalty that nullified a touchdown during the Antelopes’ 47-14 victory against Floydada. the season but have found some outside targets in 6-foot-4 Kason Teal and 6-foot-3 Aaron Rodriguez. With Clarkson graduated and no replacement at kicker yet, the Antelopes will also be looking to strengthen their special teams before heading into district play. “We are going to have a tough district, I think,” Daily said. “New Deal is

going to be tough and I think they are going to be as good or better than last year. “Everybody else in our district has eight and eight (starters) back, seven and eight, and we have four and five back. “So, I think we have a chance always to win the district, but it’s going to be a battle when we get there.”

Post 7:30 p.m. at Friona 7:30 p.m. Sundown 7:30 p.m. Stanton 7:30 p.m. at Childress 7:30 p.m. at New Deal 7:30 p.m. Hale Center 7:30 p.m. at Olton 7:30 p.m. Floydada 7:30 p.m. at Tahoka 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 12-1  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-3  Lettermen returning: 20  Starters returning: 4-5  Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Mark Pando, Isaiah Fernandez, Xavier Rivera, Trae Bender, Sawyer Knight Head coach: Darrell Daily

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Hornets stinging from not making playoffs last year By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Following a 6-4 season last year, the Sudan Hornets are looking to resemble more their 2013 squad, which captured the District 2 Region I championship. The Hornets will have 16 lettermen to lean upon in the upcoming season, with seven starters returning on both sides of the ball. Sudan will feature an Iformation offensive scheme that will be dependent upon their senior signalcaller, Stephen Schovajsa, with the loss of 2,000-yard back Barry Johnson. “We are going to have to work harder each and everyday to get where we want to be at the end of the year,” Schovajsa said. “One of our main goals is to win district and advance as far as we can in playoffs. We have the abilities to go far, we just have to go out and use them every single day.” Senior Matthew Thompson returns to anchor the offensive line at the center position, while senior left tackle Landon Williamson is also returning and is ex-

pected to protect Schovajsa’s blind side. Williamson can also make plays on the defensive side at tackle, and senior Carson Phillips will man the middle of the Hornet defense at middle linebacker. Senior Marcos Gonzales will lead the Hornet secondary, and will be depended upon to limit the big plays from opposing offenses. “We’re really looking forward to building upon some of things we built last year, with some of our guys who played on varsity for their first season,” Sudan coach Guthry Edwards said. “Our quarterback is going to be a three-year returner, and we’re really excited about the leadership he brings to the team. We have some quick aggressive kids that were excited about seeing what they can do this season. “We hang our hat on our base 50 defense, and we try to play with fundamentals and teach good technique. We’re very excited about our guys up front who were really doing some good things for us last season, and our linebackers and secondary really progressed and

SpringLake-Earth & Sudan

Sudan Hornets Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Ralls 7:00 p.m. Hale Center 7:30 p.m. at Crosbyton 7:30 p.m. Plains 7:30 p.m. at T. Christian 7:30 p.m. at Smyer 7:30 p.m. at Farwell 7:30 p.m. S-Earth 7:30 p.m. Bovina 7:30 p.m. Vega 7:00 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 6-4  Basic offense: I  Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 16  Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Stephen Schovajsa, Matthew Thompson, Landon Williamson, Xavier Barker, Marcos Gonzales. Carson Phillips  Top newcomers: Marco Godinez Head coach Guthry Edwards Assistant coaches Erik Edwards, Jeff Barker, Tanner Bales Jason Josselet

learned the system. “We’re really excited about what that’s going to look like when we put it out there on Friday nights.”

lonestarvarsity.com

Some vanilla could help Springlake-Earth win BY krista pirtle A-j media

Last season, first-year head coach Israel DeLeon installed a simple offense at Springlake-Earth. The focus was on running the plays effortlessly while focusing on doing the right things fundamentally. “This year we hope to be able to install more,” DeLeon said. “It was a very basic offense. This year we can add and have a bit more of an offense.” Senior Treylr Jackson felt that the vanilla offense helped the players and coaches get on the same page. Despite the new additions offensively, Jackson is content to stick with some of the original schemes. “We we hard-nosed, run straight at people,” Jackson said. “We will run what we do and make the other

team stop us like we did last year.” While it’s easy to assume one year under DeLeon’s system will add much needed experience for Springlake-Earth, that isn’t the case this season. The Wolverines lost eight seniors a year ago and will rely heavily on freshmen and sophomores with only five seniors. “I’m nervous about the whole deal,” DeLeon said. “I’ve got some young guys I trust. I won’t put young guys in that I feel aren’t ready.” To help prepare his young team, DeLeon is utilizing as many two-a-day practices as he can. “Our kids have always given us everything they have,” DeLeon said. “Around here, it’s kind of expected to have success. I hope with all the young people that they can surprise some people.”

Springlake-Earth Schedule at Morton 7:30 p.m. Clarendon 7:30 p.m. Booker 7:30 p.m. Smyer 7:30 p.m. at Ralls 7:30 p.m. at Claude 7:30 p.m. at Sudan 7:30 p.m. Bovina 7:30 p.m. at Vega 7:30 p.m. Farwell 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 6-5  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 8  Starters returning: 8-8  Last won district: 2012  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Isaak Romero, Treylr Jackson, Michael DeLeon  Top newcomers: James Sandoval, Zak Juarez, Daniel Lopez Head coach Israel DeLeon; Overall: 6-5 Assistant coaches Oscar Castillo, Ryan Ocheskey, Matt Clark, Armando Soliz, D.J. Atwood

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Crosbyton & Ralls

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Crosbyton Chiefs

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Tahoka 7:30 p.m. Farwell 7:30 p.m. Sudan 7:30 p.m. at Bovina 7:30 p.m. at Smyer 7:30 p.m. at Quanah 7:30 p.m. at Ralls 7:30 p.m. Clarendon 7:30 p.m. at Memphis 7:30 p.m. Lockney 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 12-1  Basic offense: Wing-T  Basic defense: Split

 Lettermen returning: 18  Starters returning: 7-7  Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Tanner Clark, Elliot Rios, Noah Rubalcado, Matthew Johnson, Brandon Flores, Tim Childers, Joaquin Vasquez and Hunter Silva.  Top newcomers: Tyler Guerrero, Zane Zundt Ethan Sanchez, Chris Gutierrez and Ian Mendez Head coach Brannon Rodgers; Overall 55-44

Crosbyton’s run game poised for further success BY BRYAN NAVARETTE a-j media

While Crosbyton returns 14 starters to its team this year, it also graduated several impactful players, ones that won’t be replaced individually. “We are going to have to collectively pick up the slack,” Crosbyton coach Brannon Rodgers said, “but we have the kids to do it.” Quarterback Tanner Clark and running back Elliot Rios return to the Chiefs’ backfield to manage the offense’s rushing attack this season. Rodgers said Clark is a 5-foot-7, 165 pound mobile quarterback who can squat 500 pounds and back up defenses with his arm when needed. Rios rushed for more than 1,000 yards in a shared carry role with former Crosbyton standout Nathan Childers, and several other backs. Rodgers said both players are poised to have a great season behind the Chiefs’ veteran line, which returns all its starters. Noah Rubalcado will

anchor the offensive line alongside Matthew Johnson and Brandon Flores. “I think our offensive line is going to be a big part of our movement on the ball,” Rubalcado said. Timothy Childers was moved up for district play last season and will serve as another offensive threat for the Chiefs to utilize, as well as Gabriel Garcia. “Yeah, we graduated four key players on our offense, but all of us that are moving up, we kind of meld together, and we have a chemistry that really, if we stay with it together, we can’t be stopped,” Clark said. Crobyton’s quick secondary will rely on the defense’s front four to pressure the quarterback, Clark said, freeing up linebackers Ian Mendez, Ethan Sanchez and Rios. “This upcoming season is going to be tough, because going undefeated and then losing in a quarterfinal round of the playoffs (means) we are going to have a huge target on our backs going in,” Clark said.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Jackrabbits plan to spread field, run wild BY krista pirtle A-j media

Ralls has depended on its run game heavily the past few years. With a stout line headlined by David Reyes and Zane Lara with Eli Van Gundy and Joseph Contreras at running back, it makes sense. However, a one-track offense hasn’t left many opponents guessing what the Jackrabbits will do next. That all changes this season under new coach Jeff Caffey “It’s what they’ve learned to love over the past six years,” Caffey said. “We’ve been a heavy run team. Now we’re going to try to help them out. We’re going to try and spread the field and pose a different aspect of the game people have to defend.” More passing leads to fewer carries, but Van Gundy is excited for the new wrinkle in the system. “It’s a 180 from last sea-

son,” he said. “Last year we didn’t even look twice at (throwing the ball). This year, other teams won’t know what to expect, If they expect the run, we’ll make sure to capitalize off of it.” With the focus on the run game the past few years, the linemen understand the importance of their play. That will pay off this season to allow the quarterback time to get a pass off. “It depends on everything,” Reyes said. “If I don’t get that job done, then they can’t do their job. It depends on us for them to do their jobs.” Beyond the running backs and the linemen, everyone is on board for the changes happening at Ralls, Caffey said. The spring went well for them, and they hope it continues through the season. “It made them hungry,” Caffey said. “It gave them a different option, a different look, something different to take a new interest in.”

Ralls Jackrabbits Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Sudan 7:30 p.m. LCHS 7:30 p.m. at Bovina 7:30 p.m. at Tahoka 7:30 p.m. S-Earth 7:30 p.m. at Memphis 7:30 p.m. Crosbyton 7:00 p.m. at Lockney 7:00 p.m. Clarendon 7:00 p.m. at Quanah 7:00 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 2-8  Basic offense: Flexbone  Basic defense: 3-4  Lettermen returning: 18  Starters returning: 6-7  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Eli Van Gundy, David Reyes, Devon Garcia, Jose Samarripas and Jesus Villarreal  Top newcomers: Xerekk Yocom, Zayne Martinez

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Lockney & Sundown

lonestarvarsity.com

Lockney hopes to continue to improve, make playoffs BY krista pirtle

A-j media

It’s been 10 years since Lockney made the playoffs. With four spots advancing to the postseason from each district, coach Jay Ragland is hopeful for his team’s chances. “I’m gunning for one of the playoff spots,” Ragland said. “It’s time for us to get one of those spots. I’m not just satisfied with the No. 4 spot. We should be able to compete for any of them.” Over the past few years, the Longhorns have progressed and

finished with a better record each year. Ragland hopes to see the trend continue. “We’ve gone from 2-8, 3-7, 4-6 and 5-5,” Ragland said. “We lost one district game by one point last year. That would have given us three district wins, and that hasn’t happened in a while. You have to try and keep the players focused on the progression.” Senior quarterback Daylen Gatica is aware of the improvements made in recent years. He hopes his final season at Lockney will be one to remember.

“We’ve got to give it everything we’ve got,” Gatica said. “We’ve got to push harder to get where we want to be. I expect everyone to give their all. Hopefully everyone sticks to the same goal of making the playoffs.” The play of the offensive and defensive lines are key for the Longhorns to achieve their goal. “Without the line, you can’t run and you can’t throw,” Ragland said. “They do the job up front. That’s what makes them successful.” Not only do the lineman play both ways, but they do so in an up-

Lockney Longhorns Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at LCHS Shamrock Floydada at Morton at Vega Clarendon at Memphis Ralls Quanah at Crosbyton

Head coach Jay Ragland; overall: 112-81 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.

tempo, no huddle system. “We’re better conditioned than the other team,” Gatica said. “I

Team Info  2014 record: 5-5  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-3  Lettermen returning: 18  Starters returning: 6-6  Last won district: 2005  Last made playoffs: 2005  Top returners: Daylen Gatica, B.J. Jimenez, Ruben Ascensio

feel very protected (by the offensive line) and have enough time to do what I need to do.”

Roughnecks’ Smith hopes team stops overthinking during games BY krista pirtle A-j media

From learning a new coach’s system to trying to execute it flawlessly on the field, the Roughnecks were limiting themselves by over-thinking. Despite striving for perfection, Sundown committed too many turnovers for then first-year head coach Steve Smith. Now, with a season of experience, Smith hopes his team cuts down on those mistakes. “You can only focus on

so much at a time,” Smith said. “Now they aren’t worried so much about running the plays. They know how to do that now. They’ll be more consistent.” In addition to the abundance of penalties, Smith and his staff also needed to teach the players new facets of their system every week. Instead of a broad and fundamental understanding of the playbook, the players can dig deeper into the philosophies. “They know the system now,” Smith said. “We can go on to finer details and

deeper learning. I believe it’s going to be a whole lot easier this year.” Once facet of the system offensively is using senior running back Drew Berry, Sundown’s leading rusher. Whether he has the ball or not, Berry’s presence on the field provides options for the Roughnecks. “We are going to set it up

because everybody is going to want to stop Berry,” Smith said. “It’ll still revolve around Berry. Him being successful is going to open up things for other guys.” Berry doesn’t collapse under this pressure. Instead, he understands that his success in the past has come from some help from the offensive line.

Sundown Roughnecks Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6

Schedule Wheeler 8:00 p.m. Olton 7:30 p.m. at Abernathy 7:30 p.m. Panhandle 7:00 p.m. New Deal 7:30 p.m. at Iraan 7:00 p.m. Seagraves 7:30 p.m. at Smyer 7:30 p.m. Plains 7:30 p.m. at Morton 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 5-6  Basic offense: Pro I  Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 13  Starters returning: 5-5  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Drew Berry, Xavier Garza, Paul Varner, Bull Smith, Eddie Rodriquez Head coach Steve Smith; overall: 5-6

Morton & Plains

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Morton looking to hold onto leads late this season BY krista pirtle A-j media

Three times last year, Morton lost its lead with one minute remaining in the game. Coach Jimmy Randolph hopes his players have learned from the mistakes and can add to the win column in 2015. “We weren’t used to leading,” Randolph said. “We’d get ahead and think, ‘Oh my goodness.’ Then something would happen to us.” Senior quarterback Adam Soliz agrees with that state-

Morton Indians

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Sp.-Earth 7:30 p.m. TCHS 7:30 p.m. LCHS 7:30 p.m. Lockney 7:30 p.m. Olton 7:30 p.m. at Bovina 7:30 p.m. at Seagraves 7:30 p.m. Smyer 7:30 p.m. at Plains 7:30 p.m. Sundown 7:30 p.m.

 Lettermen returning: 14  Starters returning: 6-6  Last won district: 2011  Last made playoffs: 2011 Top returners: Adam Soliz, Matt

Ochoa, Jamatrick Joyce, Kalin Bracken, Joe Zapata, Chris Pina  Top newcomers: Saul Garcia, Diego Longoria, C.J. Navaratte, Josh Navaratte, Drew Wallace, Jacob Cruz

Head coach

Jimmy Randolph; Overall: 25-56

Team Info  2014 record: 3-7  Basic offense: Spread option  Basic defense: 4-2-5

Travis Buchanan, Shean Abston, Brad DeBusk, Mark Herrera, David Ramsay

ment. But he also thinks pride came before the fall

for the Indians. “We would get the lead

Assistant coaches

and we thought we were too far ahead for the other team to catch up, so we would just lay down and stuff,” Soliz said. “Then they came back. We just need to keep playing hard through all four quarters.” In the pocket of a spread option offense, Soliz can make sure his teammates finish. “He’s a very good leader,” Randolph said. “He runs the ball very well. He makes good decisions. Therefore, our option game is good. And, he throws the ball very well.” Defensively, linebacker

New coach Terry set to turn around Plains BY krista pirtle A-j media

Plains’ 0-10 record last season didn’t scare Chad Terry from the job. Instead, the winless record drew him to it. Terry has turned around four programs in his coaching career, and he hopes to

Plains Cowboys Schedule Aug. 28 Bovina 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Forsan 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Wink 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Sudan 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Tahoka 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Boys Ranch 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 Smyer 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Sundown 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Morton 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Seagraves 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 0-10  Basic offense: Spread option  Basic defense: 4-3  Lettermen returning: 11  Starters returning: 4-4  Last won district: 2010  Last made playoffs: 2010  Top returners: Moses Burgoin, Brandon Pereyra  Top newcomers: Hector Pando, Isiah Cira Head coach Chad Terry

add Plains to the list. “That’s kind of what my M.O is,” Terry said. “I love this opportunity. I think it’s the biggest challenge for a coach to take a program, we’re 3-37 and on a 14-game losing streak. This is the stuff that drives me.” Terry is starting the Cowboys over with a clean slate. The only remnants of the past he looks to are the success of the Plains teams of the 70s and 80s. “I think the biggest thing,

number one, is you have to give kids hope and make them believe in things that happened in the past,” Terry said. “History is a big part of anything you do athletically.” Knowing the support and community excitement of years prior helps the players understand it can be done now. That’s what senior Moses Burgoin plans to do this season. “We can get this town

back on the football field again if they stick with us,” Burgoin said.

Chris Pina returns for the Indians. His experience sets the precedent for the rest of the Morton defense.

“Chris Pina will probably be our best defensive player,” Randolph said. “He was outside and we are moving him inside this year.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Seagraves

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Seagraves to be more expansive By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

Richard Longoria, Cory Kyle and Robby Pinon were seated in the Seagraves locker room after an early August practice. The trio were recalling which schools they remember having strong teams as they were growing up. Most of the schools mentioned — Cooper, Monterey, Frenship and Estacado — were givens. The only outlier in the conversation was New Deal. In the current high school football landscape on the South Plains, smaller classification teams are driving the conversation with state semifinal appearances from Seagraves and Shallowater last year, as well as undefeated regular seasons from Crosbyton and Abernathy. Now, after a season that ended with a 24-14 loss to Albany one

Seagraves Eagles

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Floydada 7:30 p.m. at Muleshoe 7:30 p.m. at Lamesa 7:30 p.m. Stanton 7:30 p.m. at TCHS 7:30 p.m. at Sundown 7:30 p.m. at Morton 7:30 p.m. at Smyer 7:30 p.m. Plains 7:30 p.m.

Team Info  2014 record: 13-1  Basic offense: Multiple  Basic defense: Multiple  Lettermen returning: 23  Starters returning: 8-10  Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Cory Kyle, Robby Pinon, Quashus Williams, Richard Longoria, Uriel Martinez  Top newcomers: Dillon Hibbits, Skylar Clark, Israel Rosalez, Joseph Guerrero Head coach Steve Heryford Overall: 22-6 (at Seagraves) Assistant coaches Eugene Brown, Bo Bryant, Jim Dougherty, Jesse Garza, Jamie Humphries, Blake Tittle, Billy Wilson

‘

It’s crazy. I never thought it would be like this.

’

Robby Pinon Seagraves defensive lineman

win from the Class 2A DII state final, Seagraves returns the bulk of its team — including Kyle, last year’s Lone Star Varsity player of the year — with the intention of being more expansive. “We go places now and they’re like, ‘Oh, Seagraves. We’ve seen y’all play,” said Pinon, a defensive lineman and tight end. “It’s crazy. I never thought it would be like this.”

Last year’s starting quarterback, Tanner Rodriguez, has graduated, and there has been an open competition between safety Uriel Martinez and sophomore Joseph Guerrero for the quarterback position. Plains transfer Will Wilkins has not yet been cleared by the UIL, but he could work out at the position if Seagraves gets a waiver. Kyle, who is very close to prominently securing his place in the Texas high school football record books after already collecting more than 7,000 yards, tends to dominate the attention of defenses. This has led to multiple opportunities for players like Skylar Clark, Quashus Williams, Longoria and Pinon. “Then we can spread them out all across the field so they can’t just stop the run or just stop the pass,” Kyle said. “They have to try to stop both of them.”

Jonah Garcia (68), Dillon Hibbits, right, and Israel Rosalez (60) will be a force up front for what should be a potent Seagraves rushing attack with all-state running back Cory Kyle (not shown). Don Carpenter  For A-j media

SMyer

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Bobcats hope to build on last year By Jordan Irvine For A-J Media

Despite winning only four games, the Smyer Bobcats made the playoff last year, and they hope to build on that experience in 2015. Smyer is returning nine lettermen, including five starters on offense and six on the defensive side of the ball. Tye Lozano is moving from quarterback to receiver in hopes of opening up the passing game, and Shayne Wisener will be under center for the Bobcats when they take the field against Hale Center in the season opener. “As one of the seniors and leaders on this team, it’s our duty to keep our

teammates in check and push them as hard as we can,” Wisener said. “As long as we buckle down and work hard, then hopefully we can make the playoffs and have an overall positive season. Smyer coach Rick Price knows he has to depend on a lot of new faces this season, but is optimistic about what the upcoming year holds for his team. “We had a little more size and speed on the offense last season, so we’re switching to an H-back offense, which we will run out of the gun,” Price said. Price said the Bobcats are sticking with their 50base defense to slow down their opponents attack, and he believes they have

the size and depth on the defensive line to do so. With many new faces and positions to fill, senior leadership and experience will be critical for the Bobcats to fund the success they are looking for. Lozano will be looked upon to make an impact and get the Bobcats over the edge in his final season at Smyer. “I want these guys to know they can count on me for anything,” Lozano said. “A lot of the guys coming up to varsity are new, and I would like them to really commit themselves to what we are doing. I’m willing to do everything I can to help this team. “If we can establish that commitment, I feel the team will achieve great things.”

Smyer Bobcats Schedule at H. Center 7:30 p.m. at Bovina 7:30 p.m. Tahoka 7:30 p.m. at Sp.-Earth 7:30 p.m. Crosbyton 7:30 p.m. Sudan 7:30 p.m. at Plains 7:30 p.m. Sundown 7:30 p.m. at Morton 7:30 p.m. Seagraves 7:30 p.m. Team Info  2014 record: 4-7  Basic offense: H-Back  Basic defense: 50  Lettermen returning: 9  Starters returning: 5-6  Last won district: N/A  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Tye Lozano, Shane Wisener, Heri Corral, Brandon Gomes  Top newcomers: Adrian Movica, Ramon Lopez Head coach Rick Price

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

A New Home

RB Isaia Montgomery overcomes troubled past to star for Roosevelt

football fever

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football fever

lonestarvarsity.com By Phil Terrigno A-J Media High School Editor

ll of the documents were on the CD Child Protective Services gave Mary Duenes, but she despises reading on a

computer. So she started printing. And printing. And printing. She printed until the notes detailing the life of the teenagers she and her husband Jimmy wanted to adopt totaled more than 600 pages. It took her nearly all of May to read each gritty, challenging page. “I read it,” Duenes said. “I cried. I couldn’t believe it. It’s in detail. I think it would have been different if they were a lot younger, because they’ll forget some things. And not understand maturity-wise. But for him to know we knew he went through some of that stuff.” Isaia Montgomery and his sister, Nataya were in and out of foster care since 2007. Every CPS incident report from 1999 to present, shelter intake forms, visits with their biological mother and educational assessments filled the pages. They also vividly described situations of abuse. Isaia was partially forced to forgo his childhood to take care of Nataya and his older brother, Jordan, who has cerebral palsy. When Mary was done reading the CPS documents, nothing changed about her intentions. Montgomery is both the Duenes’ newest son and a standout junior running back collecting college interest on a burgeoning Roosevelt Eagles team that never played organized football before high school. “I feel like people are surprised about how much me and my siblings have been through and how I still stick it out to this day,” Montgomery said. “I’ve always been told I’m tough for the position I’m in. I always have my head up.”

Old roots

Jimmy Duenes knew 16-year-old Isaia had been meaning to visit some old friends in Plainview, so they took a trip 40 miles up I-27.

Don Carpenter  For A-j media

Roosevelt running back Isaia Montgomery lived in numerous foster homes before being adopted in May by Mary and Jimmy Duenes. When they pulled into the trailer park, Montgomery pointed out his friend’s trailer. He also pointed out where he used to live, a now-boarded up trailer two spots away. “They basically had to survive,” Mary Duenes said, puling from information contained in the CPS documents. “They survived for food. They survived for hygiene. Their living environment was basically they were on their own from ages 6, 7, 8, 9 (years old). They were left alone to care for themselves.” ‘They’ refers to Montgomery and his 14-year old half-sister Nataya. They, plus Jordan, lived in that trailer during Isaia’s middle school years. It’s there that Isaia took care of both his sister and tried to manage his brother’s cerebral palsy. All while going months at a time without shampoo and other toiletries. His classmates were unforgiving during that time, letting Isaia know that he had an odor and that his hair was unkept. “In his mind, he was a parent,” Mary Duenes said of Isaia. Plainview was only one stop on this journey. It started with his birth in Corpus Christi and spanned foster homes in Amarillo, Kansas and the Texas Boys Ranch in Lubbock. The first CPS report was written when Montgomery was slightly more than a year old, in 1999.His mother failed to bring Jordan to scheduled doctor’s appointments.

The negligence forced a visit from CPS — the first of many. “He was just over 12 months at the time, but he was a poorly taken care of baby,” Mary Duenes said. Eight years later, in 2007, Montgomery and his sister were taken out of their mother’s custody and placed in foster care for the first time.

Filling the nest For a time, Montgomery quit. “I just gave up home,” he said. “Since this would be our third time in foster care for nine, 10 years. I didn’t feel it would be good for us. And then I realized I was being selfish with that. I just thought more about my sister and my brother.” Even college seemed far-fetched when he was in foster care. “In his mind, (college) wasn’t even an option because he was going to work,” Mary Duenes said. “He had no ambition of going to school. College wasn’t an option.” That’s when he met the Duenes’. At a Roosevelt football game last season, Mary didn’t recognize Isaia and started asking around: “Who is that player?” People starting filling her in and she was compelled by a story of how Montgomery insisted that he not be separated from his sister in foster care. The Duenes’ had spoken about adoption for years, but hadn’t made specific plans. They just knew that they didn’t

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

want a toddler. Soon, they started driving to all of Montgomery’s games to support him, even traveling as far as Spearman. They weren’t able to discuss a possible adoption with Montgomery directly, but they made their intentions known with CPS. After a home study, the Duenes’ were one of three families left vying for Isaia and Nataya. In May 2015, he and Nataya were in their custody. Mary and Jimmy’s oldest biological children, Kelly, 23, and Matt, 19, have already moved out of the house. Taylor, the Duenes’ 15-year old daughter, is left at home and she’s made fast friends with her new siblings. “To read about (Isaia and Nataya) in that trailer with no electric, no food, this rodent infestation,” Jimmy Duenes said. “It’s two different worlds. And yet, sitting side-by-side, they interact very well.” When Montgomery describes what his life was like at the Boys Ranch, he said he looked “forward to sleeping and taking naps.” That’s the same thing Mary Duenes discerned from notes about Montgomery. “I laughed,” Duenes said. “Because the first month he moved in here, he didn’t sleep at all. He didn’t take any naps. I asked him and he said, ‘I don’t want to sleep. I want to spend time with my family. Play video games with ya’ll.’ That was stuff we probably took for granted and it was the world to him and his sister.”

A chance on the field When Montgomery came into the Duenes’ household, he inherently expanded his knowledge in one area: college and pro football. He knew the game from playing it. Only. “Who’s your favorite NFL team?,” Mary Duenes said she asked Isaia early on.” ‘I don’t have one.’ Who’s your favorite Big 12 player? ‘What’s that?’ Just because he’s never been exposed to football beyond ‘I’m going to play in high school.’ “They didn’t have TV’s at home. So how did he watch it?”

Whatever his football acumen may have lacked in trivia knowledge, it became more than expansive on the field. “We’ve seen him go from the kid who wasn’t quite sure if he was a varsity football player to, in my opinion, probably one of if not the best running back in our district this year,” Roosevelt assistant coach Zac Erekson said of the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Montgomery. Kevin Lamae was slated to be the Eagles top running back last season, but rehab from an injury kept him out until the third game of the season. Isaia started his varsity career as a sophomore by rushing for more than 150 yards against Lamesa. A review of his highlight film, a culmination of his best plays, shows him gashing stout Idalou and Spearman defenses on running plays up the middle, shifty runs to the outside and a deft screen-catching game. “We challenged him,” Erekson said. “‘Yeah, you may have rushed for 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns. Now everybody knows who No. 43 is. While coaches are sitting in their office before playing Roosevelt, they’re saying we have to stop 43.” The attention for his football accomplishments heading into his junior year has intensified, a spotlight Jimmy Duenes said is new for Isaia. To date, his adopted sister Taylor might have provided the best advice. “He got an offer from Benedictine Junior College in Kansas,” Jimmy Duenes said. “(Isaia) was ready to pack his bags and move to Kansas. (Taylor) told him, ‘dude, you should wait and see what else you get.’ ” Erekson, a Utah native and former BYU player, developed a close relationship with Montgomery — joking that Isaia could pass for his son. “I said, ‘Isaia, you know the coolest thing about all of this is you’ve been through the wringer and back,” Erekson said. “ ‘You’ve come out a better man. You have every excuse in the world to be a pain in the butt problem child. And you’re not. You’re a great young man who is a good example to his friends.”

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

football fever

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Class 1A: Six-man Preview

Amherst

There is a new coach in Amherst, and he will be entrusted with resurrecting a program which went 2-8 last season. Quarterback Adam Gonzalez and center Johnny Cardenas make a tandem which can compete in Division II’s District 3-1A. Other players to watch out for include linebacker Ramon Cuevas and receiver Jesus Pancheco, a few of the six returning starters on both sides of the football. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule New Home at Ropes Petersburg at Whitharral Whiteface at W.Union Borden at Lazbuddie at Kress Cotton Center

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Robert Herrera Assistant coaches Daniel Hinojosa  2014 record: 2-8, 1-2 district  Stadium: Amherst  Lettermen returning: 6  Starters returning: 3-3

 Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Ramon Cuevas, Adam Gonzalez, Johnny Cardenas, Jesus Pacheco

Anton Slot-back Javier Savedra is a second-team all-region honoree on the defensive line. A utility back, Savedra is essential to improving Anton’s 5-6 season, which ended in bi-district. Other notable players include cornerback Fabian Amalla, center Patrick Fleming and lineman Dalton Gray. Coy Hise guides the program in his first season. Schedule Aug. 28 * Motley Co. Sept. 4 Hart Sept. 11 at Klondike Sept. 18 at Water Valley Sept. 25 Petersburg Oct. 2 at Spur Oct. 16 at New Home Oct. 23 Meadow Oct. 30 at Whiteface Nov. 6 Ropes *at Jayton

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Coy Hise, first season  2014 record: 5-6, 3-1 district

 Stadium: Bulldog  Lettermen returning: 11  Starters returning: 8  Last won district: 2002  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Javier Savedra, Fabian Amalla, Patrick Fleming, Dalton Gray

The Lubbock Titans’ Seth Martin runs the ball as Kingdom Prep’s Garrett Jenkins makes the tackle.

Borden County Trey Richey’s Coyotes return nine lettermen from an 11-1 season, among the top records in the six-man classification. Running back Corbin Sumners, who rushed for 2,213 yards and 39 touchdowns in his sophomore season, should be a focal point of the offense, as is quarterback Hunter Jones, who threw for 1,778 yards and 23 TDs. “We had a tremendous year,” Richey said. “We were really undersized last year, but this year we’ve got some kids in here that we can get some experience.

 A-j media File Photo

“We’re still pretty young, but we’ll make up for it … Corbin Sumners will do some big things for us. Hunter Jones and Corbin Martinez, our senior

(Corbin) will play center and corner; he was secondteam all-state for us. Added Richey: “All we want to do is make it to district playoffs … We’ve been

blessed and fortunate to win seven district titles, and we’re aiming for No. 8. Preseason rankings put pressure, but we know everyone and their dog wants

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to accomplish the same thing.” Schedule Aug. 28 * Crowell 8 p.m. Sept. 4 at Lueders-Avoca 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Rankin 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 New Home 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at Knox City 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at Ropes 7:30 p.m. Oct. 9 Water Valley 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Amherst 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 Grady 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Klondike 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at O’Donnell 7:30 p.m. *at Jayton Head coach Trey Richey Assistant coaches Bubba Edwards, Michael Skelton, Peter Benavides  2014 record: 11-1, 3-0 district  Stadium: Coyote Stadium  Basic offense: Jay-Gun, multiple  Basic defense: 2-3, 2-3-1  Lettermen returning: 8  Starters returning: 5/5  Top returners: Corbin Sumners, Hunter Jones, Corbin Martinez, Trace Richey  Top newcomers: Steven Carrillo, Braxton Coor, Colby Pennell, Ryan Willern

Dawson The Dragons went 4-6 last season, missing postseason for the first time in seven years. Coach Edward Robison will have only one senior

on this year’s team. With increased competition from Buena Vista, Grandfalls-Royalty and Sands, Robison said “the district’s gonna be tough.” Dawson will have 15 players this season, the most in three years. Robison will have a plethora of talent to choose from in order to mount a challenge within his district, including center Justin Contreras — the senior — as well as Matt and Austin De La Rosa and quarterback Trey Sessems, all juniors. “We’ve got a good group of juniors,” Robison said, “and most of these guys have been playing together since they were freshmen.” Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

Schedule Klondike at O’Donnell Whitharral Meadow at Southland at Westbrook at Grandfalls Sands at Buena Vista Loop

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Edward Robison Assistant coaches Todd Wall, Nathan Peralez  2014 record: 4-6, 2-2 district

 Stadium: Ed Mitchell Field  Basic offense: Multiple  Basic defense: 4-2  Lettermen returning: 7  Starters returning: 3  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Matt Contreras, Matt, De La Rosa, Austin De La Rosa, Trey Sessems

Jayton The Jaybirds advanced to the postseason last year for the fifth consecutive year. However, coach Josh Stanaland admitted the program’s 4-7 record, despite being District 101A Division II runner-up, was inadequate and has to be improved upon in 2015. “It wasn’t as much fun for us,” Stanaland said. Top returners include quarterback Slade Coulter, who threw for 1,802 yards and 27 touchdowns, as well as his main target, receiver Sheldon Burchett. “They’re the guys who put up the best numbers game after game,” said Stanaland. Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18

Schedule Petersburg Blackwell Wilson at Knox City

8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 5

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Ira 7:30 p.m. at Guthrie 7:30 p.m. at Aspermont 7:30 p.m. at Rule 7:30 p.m. at Lueders-Avoca 7:30 p.m. Paint Creek 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Josh Stanaland, sixth season Assistant coaches Ryan Bleiker, Justin Gibson  2014 record: 4-7  Stadium: Jaybird  Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: 2-3  Lettermen returning: 10  Starters returning: 4  Last won district: 2010  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: QB Slade Coulter, TE Colton Shipp, WR Sheldon Burchett  Top newcomers: RB Clay Griswold

Kingdom Prep The Warriors finished 2014 3-4 overall, but another season of progress under Brian Sepkowitz can instill a deep sense of pride in an ever-changing football program. Players to keep an eye out for as the season rolls around include running back Garrett Jenkins, quarterback Jeremy Brown (who threw for 783 yards and 11 touchdowns) and receiver Nick Gallardo.

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 24 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Loop 7:30 p.m. Hart 7:30 p.m. Grady 7:30 p.m. at Wilson 7:30 p.m. at Whitharral 7:30 p.m. WF Christian 7:30 p.m. Whitharral 7:30 p.m. at EP Jesus Chap. 7:30 p.m. at WF Not. Dame 7:30 p.m. Am. Holy Cross 7:30 p.m. Head coach Brian Sepkowitz

 2014 record: 3-4, 0-2 district  Stadium: Wilson’s Mustang Stadium  Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: Unbalanced  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Garrett Jenkins, Jeremy Brown, Nick Gallardo, Bradley Jonas  Top newcomer: Nathan Schroeder

Klondike The Cougars have five returning lettermen and four starters apiece returning on offense and defense. They went 6-4 last year, but were only 1-2 in district play. With this in mind, Andrew Tijerina’s Cougars will march onward with quarterback Chris Arismendez, linebacker Aaron Skiles, corner Marcus Molina and receiver William Barker. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2

Schedule at Dawson Rotan Anton at Trent Ropes at Sands

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

football fever

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 5

at Motley County 7:30 p.m. at O’Donnell 7:30 p.m. at Borden County 7:30 p.m. Grady 7:30 p.m. Head coach Andrew Tijerina

 2014 record: 6-4, 1-2 district  Stadium: Nance Field  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 3-2  Lettermen returning: 5  Starters returning: 4  Last won district: 1995  Last made playoffs: 2008  Top returners: Chris Arimendez, Aaron Skiles, Marcus Molina, William Barker

Lazbuddie The Longhorns are guided by a new head coach, a longtime assistant Chad Larkins, who moved into the leader’s chair after Kevin Roberts moved on to Lorenzo. The program made a bi-district appearance in 2014. With a coach the program is familiar with, Lazbuddie looks to ﬁnd a way to allow the two returning players to meld with a brand-new roster. Standouts for the Longhorns include running back Bernardo Lopez and defensive back Wesley Penrod. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25

Schedule at Silverton at Whitharral at Hart Clovis Christian at Hedley

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Lorenzo 7:30 p.m. at P’view Christian 7:30 p.m. Amherst 7:30 p.m. at Cotton Center 7:30 p.m. Kress 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Chad Larkins, ﬁrst year  2014 record: 6-5 (2-1 district)  Stadium: Longhorn Stadium  Lettermen returning: 2  Starters returning: 2  Last won district: 1997  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Bernardo Lopez, Wesley Penrod

Loop The Longhorns hired a new head coach for the 2015 campaign: Sean Lewis. What Lewis must do is to improve upon a 2-8 record that Loop endured in 2014, while entrusting his 10 returnees and six returning starters with the reins in the six-man system he plans to run. Top players for Loop include quarterback Kaithen Bodey, lineman Oscar Basquez, Justin Aranda and Lee Scott. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Kingdom Prep Wellman-Union at O’Donnell at Lorenzo at Whitharral Southland at Sands Buena Vista at Dawson Grand.-Royalty

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Sean Lewis  2014 record: 2-8, 0-4 district  Stadium: Longhorn Field  Basic offense: Spread  Basic defense: 4-2, 5-1  Lettermen returning: 10  Starters returning: 6  Last won district: unknown  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Kaithen Bodey, Oscar Basquez, Justin Aranda, Lee Scott

Lorenzo New coach Kevin Roberts will be entrusted to improve a Hornets team that ﬁnished winless in district play and 4-6 overall. Six players return for Lorenzo, most prominent among them linebacker Vicente Salinas, end Riley Scott, defensive end Mike Gonzales and nose guard Jose Osuna. Salinas’ 92 tackles last season and Scott’s four interceptions means the Hornets will be buzzing on defense. Schedule Aug. 28 Wellman-Union 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 *vs. Am Holy Cross 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Kress 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Loop 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 at P’view Christian 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Lazbuddie Oct. 9 Southland Oct. 23 Spur Oct. 31 at Petersburg Nov. 6 Valley *at Kress

lonestarvarsity.com 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Kevin Roberts  2014 record: 4-6, 0-3 district  Stadium: Hornet Stadium  Basic offense: Tight  Basic defense: 32  Lettermen returning: 9  Starters returning: 6  Last won district: 2010  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Vicente Salinas, Riley Scott, Mike Gonzales, Jose Osuna

Meadow The Broncos missed the postseason despite a 6-4 season in 2014. Four total lettermen return, all starters: quarterback Trey Herrera, running back Adrian Flores, middle linebacker Chanse Smith and running back Adrian Perez. New head coach Brian Cooper is looked upon to take the program further. Leaning on the talents of his incumbents would be a recipe for success.

Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30

Schedule at Zephyr Petersburg at Well.-Union at Dawson at Happy Turkey Valley at Whiteface Ropes at Anton New Home

8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Brian Cooper  2014 record: 6-4, 2-2 district  Stadium: Bronco Stadium  Last won district: 2011  Last made playoffs: 2012  Top returners: Trey Herrera, Adrian Flores, Chanse Smith, Adrian Perez  Top newcomers: Stephen Sanchez, Ruben Moya

Motley County The Matadors look to improve upon an 8-4 campaign which brought the program to a regional semiﬁnal in 2014. Coach Mike Bigham returns to Motley County

with much talent to choose from, including tailback Bryant Taylor, quarterback Marcus Ortiz, center Matthew Faulks and back Bryce Brady. The program is expected to be motivated for the coming season. Schedule Aug. 28 *Anton Sept. 4 Spur Sept. 11 at White Deer Sept. 18 Hermleigh Sept. 25 at Chillicothe Oct. 9 Klondike Oct. 16 at Lefors Oct. 23 Patton Springs Oct. 30 Paducah Nov. 6 at Guthrie *at Jayton

6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Mike Bigham  2014 record: 8-4, 2-1 district  Stadium: Burleson Field  Basic offense: T, Unbalanced  Basic defense: 2-3  Lettermen returning: 13  Starters returning: 5  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Bryce Brady, Matthew Faulks, Marcus Ortiz, Bryant Taylor

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New Home New Home brings back two top performers in linebacker Jonathan PhillipsGarrett (99 tackles) and quarterback Jackson Abney, son of the head coach Koby Abney, who threw for 896 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Leopards bring back six lettermen, as well as four offensive and two defensive starters. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Amherst Hermleigh at Sands at Borden County O’Donnell Grady at Ropes Anton at Meadow Whiteface

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Koby Abney, 2nd season  2014 record: 4-6, 1-3 district  Stadium: Leopard Field  Lettermen returning: 6  Starters returning: 6  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: Jonathan Phillips-Garrett, Miguel Gomez, Sebastian Rodriguez, Koby Abney

O’Donnell The Eagles went 4-6 last season yet return a healthy amount of talent. Top performers expected to make an impact in 2015 include A.J. Rivas, running back Donavan Pesina, nose tackle Bry Todd and defensive end Kale James. The six starters on defense have returned and O’Donnell is

highly expected to exceed their win total from the previous year. Brad Bell’s team does face a massive challenge in Nov. 6’s end-of-season district matchup with defending champions Borden County, but the strength of returning players should make O’Donnell’s season change, possibly for the better. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Southland Dawson Loop Lub. Home Schl. at New Home at Loraine Ira Klondike at Grady Borden County

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Brad Bell  2014 record: 4-6, 0-3 district  Stadium: Johnson Field  Basic offense: T, Spread  Basic defense: 4-2  Lettermen returning: 9  Starters returning: 9  Last won district: 1991  Last made playoffs: 2006  Top returners: A.J. Rivas, Donavan Pesina, Bry Todd, Kale James  Top newcomers: E.J. Morales, Brandon Rosales, Chance Rosales, Patrick Grant

Petersburg During the 2014 season, Petersburg went 2-8, but coach Jake Popham isn’t worried about the past. “We played a lot of young kids,” Popham said. “We had about four or ﬁve freshmen start for us. We were inexperienced …

missed the playoffs. But now, we look forward to making progress, gaining experience and hopefully making the playoffs.” Top players to watch out for the Buffaloes include receiver/linebacker Marcos Hinojos running back/defensive back Isaac Salas. “They’re catalysts,” Popham said, “on both offense and defense. Everything we’ll do, we usually run through these two guys.” Aug. 27 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Jayton at Meadow at Amherst Groom at Anton Whiteface Guthrie at Valley Lorenzo at Spur Head coach Jake Popham

8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

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 2014 record: 2-8  Stadium: Petersburg  Lettermen returning: 5  Starters returning: 4  Last won district: 2011  Last made playoffs: 2012  Top returners: Marcos Hinojos and Isaac Salas

Ropes The Eagles are defending champions in Division I District 3-1A, with a 7-4 mark and a bi-district postseason appearance. For Lane Jackson’s team, there should be contribution from the two starters who are returning on both sides of the football, and the departure of the other four could signal winds of change at Ropes and in the district. Fullback/linebacker Ethan Peden, defensive end Ben Walker and quarterback/safety Hunter Yandell are among Ropes standouts to watch for.

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6

Schedule TBA Amherst Ira at Nazareth at Klondike Borden County New Home at Meadow Whiteface at Anton

TBA 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Lane Jackson  2014 record: 7-4, 3-1 district  Stadium: Eagle stadium  Basic offense: Multiple  Basic defense: 3-2-1

 Lettermen returning: 6  Starters returning: 2/2  Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Ethan Peden, Ben Walker, Wesley Hancock, Colton McNabb, Hunter Yandell  Top newcomers: Jacob Escobedo, Brogen Johnson, Nathan Dubois

Southland The defending district champion Eagles return nine players total from a squad which ﬁnished 9-3 (3-0 district) last season.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

New head coach Justin Rucker formerly served as head basketball coach and football defensive coordinator for three seasons before ascending to the head job. His game plan for the season: “Just want to get them in shape, get ready for the schedule and improve. There’s several things we can do to get better, but I just want to prepare us, and I think we can win the district championship, but we’ll see how we can get there.” Despite losing a major senior class, Rucker said “we were mainly a junior team last year,” and several key players from 2014 will return, including Kevin Dorman, Christian Sanchez and Zachary Vizcaino. Aug. 29 Sept. 4 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7

Schedule at O’Donnell Nazareth at Whiteface Cotton Center at Dawson Loop Lorenzo at Whitharral at Wilson Wellman-Union

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Justin Rucker, ﬁrst season Assistant coaches Tommy Deleon, Dillon Cox  2014 record: 9-3, 3-0 district  Coach’s overall record: 0-0  Stadium: Eagle Stadium  Lettermen returning: 8  Starters returning: 4  Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: 3-2, 2-3  Last won district: 2014  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returners: Kevin Dorman, Ismael Guerra, Christian Sanchez, Zachary Vizcaino

football fever Head coach Jeff Shelton  2014 record: 4-7, 2-1 district  Stadium: Jones Stadium  Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: 2-3  Lettermen returning: 11  Starters returning: 4  Last made playoffs: 2014

Wellman-Union

 A-J mEDiA FiLE PHOTO

Whiteface running back Drew Mosley, left, avoids a tackle and scores a touchdown against Christ the King last year. Mosley returns for the Antelopes, who are looking to build on last season’s 5-5 record.  Top newcomers: Walker Booth, Marcos and Tony Deleon, Dallyn Holgerson, Zachary Reeves

Spur The Bulldogs return 11 players from last season, a year in which a 4-7 record still got Spur into the bi-district round. Jeff Shelton’s team has a solid amount of experience and brings back four of his traditional six men on both offense and defense. With rival Valley (Oct. 30) losing all but two starters, the Bulldogs have an opportunity to improve dramatically upon the previous season’s results. The program’s biggest standout is slot-back Caelan Gutierrez.

Schedule Aug. 28 *Bryson 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Motley County 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 Rotan 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Paducah 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Fort Elliott 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 Anton 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 **Follett 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Lorenzo 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Valley 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Petersburg 7:30 p.m. *at Knox City **at Groom

Coach Tommy Tritz has set the goal of “district or bust” for his Wildcats in 2015, despite enduring a 2014 season in which the program went 2-8. The ﬁrst-year head coach will be entrusting nine seniors to accomplish his stated goal. “We haven’t had (senior leadership) in a while,” Tritz said. “We’ve got players back and we’ve got the goals. Playoffs, district, as far as we can go.” Braden Caldwell is the senior quarterback and continues Tritz’s vision of experience being the guiding light to the top. Running back Martin Loewen is a state 100-meter ﬁnalist and is expected to bring an angle of speed to an attack

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Tritz and Wellman-Union fans can feel optimistic about. “Having (Loewen) brings something to the table,” he said. “He’s going to be a big difference-maker for us.” Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule at Lorenzo at Loop Meadow P’view Christian at Hart Amherst Cotton Center Wilson at Whitharral Southland

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Tommy Tritz, ﬁrst year Assistant coaches Fletcher Hall  2014 record: 2-8, 1-2 district  Stadium: Wildcat Stadium  Lettermen returning: 7  Starters returning: 5  Basic offense: Spread

 Basic defense: 3-2-1, 4-2  Last won district: 2005  Last made playoffs: 2007  Top returners: QB Braden Caldwell, RB Martin Loewen

Whiteface The Antelopes are looking at a building season again in 2015. Jason Fortner, a 13-year employee and second-year head coach, acknowledged his role in the big seat has been a “learning experience.” “I had seven seniors that really led the team that I’m going to miss a whole lot,” Fortner said. “We beat Ropes last year and we were on cloud nine. Nobody believed we could do it. It’s the big one that sticks out in my mind.” Fortner is a proponent of

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the six-man game. Whiteface was 11-man for the ﬁrst two years he was hired before the school joined the six-man level. “I was scared to death of (coaching six-man),” Fortner said. “Now I love it … someone described it as ‘basketball on grass.’ Kids can make exciting plays, make big hits and score off one cut.” Top returning standouts include Drew Mosley and John Rivas. Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6

Schedule Christ the King Happy at Southland Hart at Amherst at Petersburg Meadow at Ropes Anton at New Home

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

Head coach Jason Fortner, second year  2014 record: 5-5, 1-3 district  Stadium: Diggan Field  Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: Unbalanced  Lettermen returning: 10  Starters returning: 4/5  Last won district: 2013  Last made playoffs: 2013  Top returners: QB John Rivas, RB Drew Mosley

Whitharral “We’re going to be big and strong,” Panthers

coach Michael Brand said. “We’re looking forward to a good year.” Whitharral is in a transitional phase, even after an 8-4 season in which the program won its ﬁrst district-level game since winning the league in 2006. Brand expects to compete for district honors again as his perennial playoff Panthers continue to climb the six-man ladder. Players to look out for include Matt Pinkert, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound tailback whose height and weight are unconventional for a six-man player. When asked how people should deal with the prospect of defending Pinkert, Brand wryly said, “Try and tackle him.” Schedule Aug. 28 *Santa Anna 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4 Lazbuddie 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Dawson 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Amherst 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 Loop 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 Kingdom Prep 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Kingdom Prep 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at Southland 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 Wellman-Union 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 Wilson 7:30 p.m. *at Zephyr Head coach Michael Brand Assistant coaches Clayton Fryar  2014 record: 8-4, 2-1 district  Stadium: McCormack-Doshier Field

 Basic offense: Unbalanced  Basic defense: Unbalanced  Lettermen returning: 6  Starters returning: 3  Last won district: 2006  Last made playoffs: 2014  Top returner: Matt Pinkert  Top newcomers: Gavin and Dustin Earles

Wilson The Mustangs ﬁnished 1-9 and winless in district play in 2014, and Wilson coach Bear Chesley understood this would be a major issue. He pointed out major issues within the program itself. “We only had nine players at one point,” he said.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

“We had to kick three players off the team for team rules. Another got severely hurt. We had to forfeit our last two district games, and we wound up playing ﬁve-on-ﬁve with Sands’ JV team.” When asked what points of emphasis were used in offseason workouts, Chesley pointed to something that got under his skin throughout the 2014 season. “Our tackling was terrible last year,” Chesley added. “We’ve been stressing that this year. We switched to the Seattle Seahawks’ system, the ‘Hawk’ tackle,

and it takes the head out of the game and teaches proper technique.” Despite the doom and gloom that accompanies working for the Wilson football program, Chesley believes the team can turn the corner and break a 28year playoff drought. “We’re excited. Wilson’s Wilson; it’s always been looked down upon for some time,” Chesley said. “When you’re losing for a long time, you adapt to that, and we’re trying to get that out of that mentality. We have talent, and we want to put that together and make the playoffs.”

Schedule Hermleigh 7:30 p.m. Westbrook 7:30 p.m. at Jayton 7:30 p.m. Kingdom Prep 7:30 p.m. at Cotton Center 7:30 p.m. P’view Christian 7:30 p.m. at Clovis Christian 6:30 p.m. at Well-Union 7:30 p.m. at Southland 7:30 p.m. Whitharral 7:30 p.m. Head coach Bear Chesley  2014 record: 1-9, 0-3 district  Stadium: Mustang  Basic offense: Unbalanced I  Basic defense: 4-2  Lettermen returning: 6  Starters returning: 6  Last won district: 1986  Last made playoffs: 1987  Top returners: Lance Lopez, Pete Esparza, Bailey Steen, Brandon Norwood

Aug. 28 Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6