Football preview mag 2017

FOOTBALL PREVIEW El Campo Ricebirds

2017

CHECK OUT THE LOUISE HORNETS INSIDE!

• • SPECIAL SECTION • •

We’re Cheering For A Great Season !

ECHS DERBY DOLLS Derby Dolls this 2016-17 school year are (Front Row, l-r) Kirby Chambers, Kalyn Jones, Briana Hernandez, Vicky Cortez, Jackie Mijares, Alyssa Pena, Selene Valenzuela, Chloe Janak (Web Master/Historian); (Row 2) Nicole Cano, Bethani Gold, Alexis Flores (President), McKenna Kosanke (Recording and Corresponding Secretary), Kamryn Munos, Ja’Liyah Levi, Mikayla Hildebrand; (Row 3) Sarah Morton, 1st Lt. Jae’ Avendano, Co-Captains Michelle Sutton and Elizabeth Wilson, Vanessa Padilla, Kelia Jasso, Brooklyn Webster; (Row 4) Jackie Granados, Zoey Zahn, Jr. Lt. Meredith Gwosdz, Jr. Lt. Kierana Manis, Sr. Lt. Shelby Sabrsula, Hana DeLeon (Vice President), Delaine Valenzuela; (Row 5) Lucia Mendez, Michaela Holt, Chelsey Ott, Shelby Linzza, Amber Sutton, Dierra George. Director is Jennifer Morton.

Good luck to all area teams

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l Campo and Louspectacular, but that would be ise are the kind of an understatement. towns that come That’s why we, the staff at together for the good and the the Leader-News, are so proud bad no doubt. to present this 2017 edition But football season? That’s of the El Campo Ricebirds when we truly shine, putting and Louise Hornets football anybody’s vision of Friday preview.

Night Lights to Inside these shame. pages, you’ll find To quote that previews of the traditional cheer: upcoming sea“We’ve got spirit. son, coverage of Yes, we do.” the outstanding It shows every position players Football Friday and listings of the when in El Campo entire teams. it seems like one But there’s out of every two Shannon Crabtree more. folks shows their And, that my Ricebird pride by friends, you will wearing either a red shirt or find on the ads that surround something with “Go Birds” those stories and images. upon it.

Not only do they make this Louise/Hillje residents are section possible, they provide more than ready to brag on a wonderful example of just their boys too, showing their how much we in these towns Hornet pride in blue and gold. support “our boys.”

One might call those We got spirit. How about Football Friday spirit displays you?

The 2017 El Campo Ricebird and Louise Hornet Football Preview is a special section of the El Campo Leader-News.

The El Campo Leader-News is published Wednesdays and Saturdays. For information, contact 979.543.3363 or visit www.leader-news.com.

Copyright 2017

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RICeBIrD Overview

Reloading For 2017 Ricebirds Look To Fill Key Positions

A

fter a successful 2016 campaign with an 11-1 record and an area round playoff berth, El Campo said goodbye to nearly 30 senior football players. Of those, 21 either started or played a substitute role on one or both sides of the ball.

The thought of returning only two offensive and three defensive starters may concern some, but for Head Coach Wayne Condra and staff, it’s just the start of another football season.

“Our kids are hard workers and we have that next man up mentality,” Condra said. “Our goals are always to get better each week, make the playoffs, advance through the playoffs and win the state championship. In order for us to reach that goal, we have to win every minute of practice.”

The Ricebirds still have a handful of senior leaders this year who first saw the varsity playing field in 2015 as sophomores. Seniors Clay Rawlings, Nery Enriquez, Reed Spenrath and Jurvon Bryant will play key roles in building success and unity within the team, the coach said.

“The one thing about this senior class is that they have really started to come together and develop that senior leadership that all Ricebird teams have had,” Condra said.

One senior getting the spotlight early is starting quarterback Kelley Osina.

The third installment in three years, Osina looks to pick up where his predecessors left off.

“At the quarterback position, Kelley has come on strong,” Condra said. “He presents a threat on the edge with our bootleg routes and sprint outs and has the ability to pull the ball down and run.”

Osina got practice airing it out over the summer as the primary quarterback for El Campo’s 7-on-7 competitions.

Some of his favorite targets will get a chance to shine as members of the receiving corps this year.

L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

Coming Through

Three-year letterman Jurvon Bryant looks to terrorize opposing offensive lines this season.

“Reyden Svatek, Clay Rawlings and Demond Carter have great catching ability and speed that present a deep ball threat,” Condra said. “We’re going to try and get Reed Spenrath some oneon-one situations and utilize his great hands and height.”

Other seniors who played backup roles last year will be asked to step up and play full time.

On the offensive line, Nick Gallegos, Keaton Wisnieski, Victor Meza and Bryant will get their chance to start while tight end Taylor Vaclavick could play a key role for the Birds as a blocker and pass catcher.

In the backfield, Enriquez returns from a 1,600-yard season where he averaged 133 yards per game, but who will accompany him is still up for grabs.

Fellow senior Jared Haller and junior Je’Veon Cunningham are both making a claim for playing time somewhere on the field with their work ethic.

The Ricebirds will also look for qualified signal callers on the defensive side of the ball. Senior linebackers Rusty Hackfeld and Jose Mendoza lead the pack bringing mobility and toughness to the field.

At outside linebacker, seniors Jacob Leal and Jalen Robinson have emerged as potential front runners to patrol the defensive edge.

As the season comes to light, many questions will get answered about who will play where.“We’re trying to find out where to put players,” Condra said.

“We’ll have to move the pieces around and see what best fits the Ricebirds.”

New defensive coordinator Elliott Babcock may have put it best when he illustrated an underlying mindset of Ricebird football.

“We have a lot of guys coming in as seniors and it’s their time to go and step up,” Babcock said. “The Ricebirds aren’t rebuilding. We’re just reloading.”

– By Kyle Poenitzsch

EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

5

RICeBIrD OFFeNSe

Next In Line Ricebirds Replace Front Five, Positions Throughout Squad

F

our yards is a good play.

That motto has embodied the Ricebird offense for decades. This year is no different, even with wholesale changes in personnel, especially in the trenches.

El Campo celebrated the best offense in District 26-4A last year, mounting 412 yards and 37 points per game. Much of that success could be attributed to an experienced senior lineman corps providing protection and physically pushing opponents around.

This year, Offensive Line Coach James Harp has the

Coming In Hot

distinct job of interviewing new candidates to fill those slots.

The traits he looks for are not a secret.

“You have to be tough, you have to be able to move, and you have to be able to think,” Harp said. “If you have those three qualities, you can play on the offensive line.”

Seniors Keaton Wisnieski, Nick Gallegos and Jurvon Bryant served as backups last year, but will get a chance to shine this season along with third-year tight end Reed Spenrath who started as a junior in 2016.

“Gallegos, Wisnieski, Bryant and Spenrath are four that need to set the bar high for the rest,” Harp said.

Other seniors vying for a spot on the interior include Victor Meza, Mark Ortiz, Reed McGuill, Davis Stockton, Wyatt Gordon and Randy Vacek. Juniors Jorge Hernandez, Fabian Nunez and Gabriel Balderas have turned heads along with potential players Paul Garcia, Tony Janke and Reed Nielsen.

L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

Senior Quarter back Kelley Osina presents a threat on the edge with an option to throw or run the ball.

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Senior tight ends Spenrath and Taylor Vaclavick could play a big role blocking on the edge and both possess proven catching ability. That could pose a huge threat to opponents, especially on play-action passes which complement El Campo’s heavy running attack.

A couple of youngsters who have worked hard in the off-season and will get a shot to compete are sophomore guard Cole Riha and sophomore tight end Conner Williams.

No matter which players earn starting roles, a common goal will encompass Ricebird line play, according to Coach Harp.

“We preach you have an assignment out of the huddle, you have technique when you get to the line of scrimmage, and you finish it with attitude,” he said. “If we take care of business play to play, the results will take care of themselves.”

In the El Campo backfield, senior running back and three-year letterman Nery Enriquez returns as a force to be reckoned with. Enriquez’ bruising style led to nearly eight yards per carry and opponents wishing they had never tried to get between him and the end zone.

Joining Enriquez will be senior leader Jared Haller and a host of junior prospects including Je’Veon Cunningham, Dontrell Dove and Donny Holloway, the younger brother of 2016 tailback Deadrick Holloway.

Whoever gets the call, they will be receiving the ball from a new signal-caller in senior quarterback Kelley Osina.

Osina served in a backup role last year to Brock Brandl and showed some

REED SPENRATH break away speed in limited action.

Kelley earned the starting spot with his primary competition coming from his younger brother Lynn Osina. Just a junior, Lynn has progressed rapidly and brings a little different style and skill set.

“It’s been a unique situation with brothers,” Quarterback Coach Craig George said. “They are both different in what they bring to the table. Kelley will get the first crack and we’ll see what happens from there.”

Regardless of the outcome, both players still have areas to improve on before the first game Sept. 1 against GregoryPortland, according to Coach George.

“We’re working on getting timing

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down with receivers, getting drops and getting used to a pass rush that we didn’t have in 7-on-7,” George said.

“They both need to continue to work on getting command of the huddle.”

If those skills can be mastered, the Ricebirds will have a talented receiving corps to work with including seniors Reyden Svatek, Clay Rawlings, Demond Carter, Jalen Robinson and Spenrath.

“Svatek, Rawlings and Carter run crisp routes,” George said. “Robinson is a jump ball threat and Spenrath has great hands and runs great routes.”

Coach George resumes offensive play-calling duties this year and has no reservations about sharing his game plan for the Ricebirds.

“Play-action is our best weapon as much as we run the ball,” George said.

“We’ve been working on good fakes with quarterbacks and we’ve been using different receivers in multiple formations to keep defenses off-balance.”

The goals for this year are no different than last.“Lead the district in offense,” George said. “We did that last year and we need to do it again. We also want to limit our turnovers.”

If history repeats itself, the Ricebirds will not be the biggest, strongest or fastest team on the field most Friday nights.

Yet, year-end and year-out, they find a way to win ball games. How do they do it?

“Believing that we’re going to outwork people every day instead of trying to outsmart them or out-athlete them,” George said. “It’s exciting to see kids coming in here and buying into that.”

– By Kyle Poenitzsch

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7

RICeBIrD SeNiOrS

Senior 2017 players for the Ricebirds are (l-r): Row one: Jacob Leal, Will Tomlinson, Rusty Hackfeld, Jose Mendoza, Demond Carter, Christian Perez and Reyden Svatek; row two: Clay Rawlings, Victor Meza, Nery Enriquez, Nick Gallegos, Jared Haller, Wyatt Gordon and Tate Fuechec; Row three: De’Andre Gibson, Kelley Osina, Reed McGuill, Jurvon Bryant, Keaton Wisnieski, Josh Garza, Chris Robertson and Mark Ortiz; and row four: Brandon Brito, Justin Davlin, Jalen Robinson, Taylor Vaclavick, Reed Spenrath, Austine Clark and Davis Stockton. Not pictured Randy Vacek. Not Pictured: Tony Janke.

L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek

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2017 EL CAMPO RICEBIRDS

20

JAMES ANDERSON

70

GABRIEL BALDERAS

75

BRANDON BRITO

61

JURVON BRYANT

2

DEMOND CARTER

28

ANTHONY CATETE

89

AUSTINE CLARK

6

JE’VEON CUNNINGHAM

81

JUSTIN DAVLIN

33

DONTRELL DOVE

30

NERY ENRIQUEZ

46

THOMAS FELDER

EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

9

7

TATE FUECHEC

55

NICK GALLEGOS

78

PAUL GARCIA

22

JOSH GARZA

24

De’ANDRE GIBSON

80

WYATT GORDON

10

RUSTY HACKFELD

32

JARED HALLER

50

JORGE HERNANDEZ

5

DONNY HOLLOWAY

17

DARRELL JACKSON

66

REED McGUILL

36

JOSE MENDOZA

4

82

BRONSON HARFST

TONY JANKE

3

JACOB LEAL

10 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

65

VICTOR MEZA

68

REED NIELSEN

62

FABIAN NUNEZ

42

74

MARK ORTIZ

11

KELLEY OSINA

9

LYNN OSINA

44

LEVON PENA

CAMERON OLVERA

14

CHRISTIAN PEREZ

25

FELIX PEREZ

8

CLAY RAWLINGS

63

COLE RIHA

34

CHRIS ROBERTSON

21

JALEN ROBINSON

88

REED SPENRATH

76

DAVIS STOCKTON

EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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19

REYDEN SVATEK

WILL TOMLINSON

40

54

52

12

TAYLOR VACLAVICK

64

CONNER WILLIAMS

Not Pictured: Randy Vacek

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2017 RICEBIRD COACHING STAFF

L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek

El Campo coaches include row one (l-r): Chris Kerzee, Elliott Babcock, Gabriel Cavazos, James Harp, Matt Sohrt and Blake George; row two: Joshua Kurtz, Jesse Galvan, Mark Dominguez, Wayne Condra, Trent Popp, Alan Roberts and Russell Krenek; row three: Herman Mauch, Patrick Penman, Wes Condra, Craig George, Dean Easter, Jonathan Young and Kerry Brandl

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RICeBIrD DeFeNSe

Primary Secondary Rawlings, Svatek Bring Experience

A

s the 2017 football season starts, so begins the next chapter for new Ricebird Defensive Coordinator Elliott Babcock who takes the reins following the retirement of Coach Alan Roberts.

Babcock, a former Ricebird quarterback, welcomes the challenge of maintaining a stingy defensive system that held opponents to a mere 17 points per game in 2016.

“We don’t have a lot of experience coming back, but we have a lot of guys who are going to work hard and play hard,” Babcock said. “They’ll pick up experience as they go.”

El Campo returns only three defensive starters from 2016 – senior defensive backs Clay Rawlings and Reyden Svatek and senior defensive tackle Jurvon Bryant.

As a three-year letterman, Rawlings brings the most experience to the squad. He is joined by seniors Svatek and Jacob Leal as emerging leaders of the defense.

“Rawlings is a third year starter and the cornerstone of our secondary,” Babcock said. “Svatek and Leal are two guys that work and show up and give L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch you 110 percent every day.”

Up To Speed Seniors Jalen Robinson and Demond Third year starting defensive back Clay Rawlings brings speed and saavy Carter will find plenty of time in the to an athletic Ricebird secondary. defensive backfield this year along with junior newcomers Donny Holloway, James Anderson and Je’Veon Cunninglinebackers Jose Mendoza and Rusty stands out as a physical player in the ham.

Hackfeld have turned heads early as middle and may earn more playing Rawlings, Svatek, Leal, Robinson, they look to add their names to a long time as the year goes on.

Carter, Holloway and Cunningham list of All-District signal-callers from El Regardless of the personnel, Linewere all part of the summer 7-on-7 Campo. backers Coach Kerry Brandl says team, splitting time between running “Both are smart players and hardsuccess will depend primarily on one and covering routes. nosed guys,” Babcock said. fundamental practice.

As skill position athletes, they will Other linebackers in the mix are “The biggest thing that we’re going see a lot of two-way playing time this senior Jared Haller who is making the to work daily on – tackling,” Brandl year as receivers and defensive backs. transition from defensive tackle and said. “That’s the key for our whole Though the experience lies in the junior Levon Pena. defense all season long.” secondary, the heart of the defense Sophomore Conner Williams also may naturally lie in the middle. Senior On the defensive front, senior Bryant 16 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2017 EL CAMPO RICEBIRD VARSITY El Campo 2016 Ricebirds’ varsity football team members are (l-r) Row one: Jacob Leal, Will Tomlinson, Felix Perez, Anthony Catete, James Anderson, Demond Carter, Christian Perez, Reyden Svatek and Cameron Olvera; row two: Clay Rawlings, Darrell Jackson, Jorge Hernandez, Levon Pena, Cole Riha, Jose Mendoza, Je’Veon Cunningham, Jared Haller and Tate Fuechec; row three: Bronson Harfst, Nery Enriquez, Rusty Hackfeld, Victor Meza, Dontrell Dove, Fabian Nunez, Gabriel Balderas, Nick Gallegos, Donny Holloway and Reed

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L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek Nielsen; row four: Kelley Osina, Reed McGuill, Jurvon Bryant, Conner Williams, Wyatt Gordon, Keaton Wisnieski, Joshua Garza, Chris Robertson and Mark Ortiz; and row five: Justin Davlin, Jalen Robinson, Taylor Vaclavick, Lynn Osina, Reed Spenrath, Austine Clark, Tony Janke, Paul Garcia and Davis Stockton. Not pictured: Thomas Felder, Brandon Brito, De’Andre Gibson and Randy Vacek.

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RICeBIrD DeFeNSe

L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

Gaining Ground

Junior defensive tackle Dontrell Dove is poised to earn a majority of snaps on Friday nights. and junior Dontrell Dove are wreaking havoc on offensive game plans.

In his third year of varsity football, Bryant is becoming a noticeable leader on the field. Dove is getting plenty of looks and proving he deserves a shot.

“Dove has been playing good defensive tackle for us,” Babcock said. “He has a chance to be a starter if he stays on the path he’s on right now.”

Other potential contributors on the defensive line include seniors Keaton Wisnieski and Fabian Nunez along with juniors Darrell Jackson and Christopher Robertson. Sophomore Cole Riha also makes a strong case for defensive reps.

If you’re looking for height, look no further than the defensive end position.

The Ricebirds have four players over six foot tall to stretch the edge and disrupt

passing lanes.

Seniors Reed Spenrath, Taylor Vaclavick and Josh Garza have a year of varsity experience under their belt giving them a leg up in playing time.

Seniors Austine Clark and Justin Davlin also bring a vertical advantage to the position and will vie for playing time in 2017.

“Our philosophy is to stop the run 100 percent,” Babcock said. “If you can prove that you can throw the ball, then we’ll honor it and make adjustments.”

Traditionally, El Campo teams are undersized compared to their opponents. Because of that, Coach Babcock and the defensive staff put the focus on speed and movement.

“We do a lot of slanting up front,” Babcock said. “We play with smaller, quicker defensive tackles up front so

we can run to the football. We don’t play gap defense so we don’t need big pluggers. We need guys that can slant and run.”

In regard to game preparation, the Ricebird defensive staff is no stranger to the film room and works to keep it simple for the players.

“We pride ourselves in taking a lot of time to study film and pick up tendencies,” Babcock said. “We counter what our opponent does with simple rules and responsibilities.”

Senior leadership sprinkled with enthusiastic newcomers and simplistic schemes may be just the equation for Ricebird success in 2017. That, and one common goal from year-to-year.

“Eleven hats to the football every play,” Babcock said.

– By Kyle Poenitzsch

EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

21

Hornet Overview

Strength In Character Hornets Look To Seniors In New Round Of Action

B

rotherhood is the prevailing motivation for success for the 2017 Hornets. As Head Coach Heath Clawson stands afar from his team during preseason practice in his second year at Louise High School, he watches his coaches taking the lead in their specialty.

Coaches Kurt White and Brian Blank are on the far side of the field and given a wide berth to work with receivers and defensive backs. Nearby, 12-year Louise Coach Joe Bill runs drills with quarterbacks, running-backs and tight-ends while Coach Bryan “BJ” Muschalek, Colton Hanson and Assistant Head Coach Brent Trischler see to the offensive and defensive line with barrel drills.

Coach Clawson rarely brings himself to shout at the players. Instead, he stops the practice intermittently to deliver a lesson on character, team unity and appreciating what you have.

“How many of you went home last night and hugged your mom and told her you loved her,” he asked his players with some raising their hand and, “How many of you went home and shook your father’s hand and said thank you for teaching me to be a good man?”

A player near the front begins to tear up. That player’s father had died earlier in the year. His teammates pat him and hug him, “You always need to appreciate what you have. You know I’m always here for you and so are the other coaches,” he added.

The players return to work with Clawson coming in occasionally to bring a quick lesson in technique.

“We did a lot of team building in the spring, a lot of competition. We divided up into five different teams and it developed leadership and our mental and physical toughness. If we can get tougher, we will do really well,” he said.

Hitting The Hole

L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek

Quarterback Robert Montes makes a handoff to Running Back Aaron Cardenas during drills as Head Coach Heath Clawson studies technique.

Last year, Louise was hamstrung by the experience lost from players graduating in 2015, ending the season three wins and eight losses and being eliminated in the first round of playoffs.

This year, Louise is stacked with veterans. Eight players will return to offense as well as nine on defense; and, as it’s his second year, Coach Clawson will have the relationship with the players he needs to bring out their best.

“I hope to see these guys grow as young men, as far as their character and grit. I want to see them come together like ‘I fight until the battle’s over for the

22 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

guy next to me’,” he said.”

The Hornets will hope to harness that grit in some of the notable games they see during the season, “The Battle of Mustang Creek, you know Ganado.

They’re right down the street and it’s a rivalry game. Tidehaven is always a good battle,” Clawson said. “This year in our district we have Falls City and Flatonia, and we’re going to battle those guys for the district title. The other three teams should be much improved as well,” The strength, Clawson said, is in the offensive line, “If these guys can come

2017 LOUISE HORNETS The 2017 Louise Hornets’ varsity includes Row One: Damian Diaz, Aaron Cardenas, Colin Gonzales, Duran Vasquez & Kristian Munoz; Row Two: Tyler Sulak, Derek Luna, Cameron Cortez, Josh Garcia, Michael Gussman and Kyler Marek; Row Three: Leo Torres, Charlie Huerta, Marco Puentes, Kade Bubela, Wylee Strelec, Ty Morton, Dylan Bronikowsky and Dustin Roberts; Row Four: Danny Williams, Marco Torres, Aaron Gomez, Daylon Machicek, Morgan Williams, Rogeric Schooler and Alex Ventura; Row Five: Robert Montes, Steven Appling, Isiah Montes, Robert Martinez, Miguel Montes, Saul Vasquez and Adolfo Torres. Sixth Row: Marcus Montes and Kaleb Sanchez.

EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2017 LOUISE HORNETS STEVEN APPLING

DYLAN BRONIKOWSKI

KADE BUBELA

AARON CARDENAS

CAMERON CORTEZ

DAMIAN DIAZ

JOSH GARCIA

AARON GOMEZ

COLIN GONZALES

MICHAEL GUSSMAN

CHARLIE HUERTA

DEREK LUNA

DAYLON MACHICEK

24 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KYLER MAREK

ROBERT MONTES

MARCO PUENTES

ROBERT MARTINEZ

MIGUEL MONTES

DUSTIN ROBERTS

ISIAH MONTES

MARCUS MONTES

TY MORTON

KRISTIAN MUNOZ

KALEB SANCHEZ

ROGERIC SCHOOLER

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EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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WYLEE STRELEC

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Good Luck Hornets!

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HOPE YOU HAVE A SPECTACULAR SEASON!

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birds!

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Hornet Overview together and gel as a unit then we can really move the ball down the field, which will open up our pass game too.”

The Hornets will rely on veterans for both sides of the ball: OL Robert Martinez, OL/DL Miguel Montes, OL/DL Marcus Montes, QB/S Colin Gonzales, RB/LB Aaron Cardenas, RB/OLB Isiah Montes, WR/DB Kristian Munoz, WR/DB Morgan Williams, WR/DB Adolfo Torres, DL Kaleb Sanchez, LB Aaron Cardenas, LB Duran Vasquez, DB Tyler Sulak, DB Kade Bubela, DL Danny Williams, DB Gaige Kocian, DB Cameron Cortez and DL Derek Luna.

“I fight until the battle’s over for the guy next to me,” – Head Coach Heath Clawson The season will also test a new coaching staff coming on board. Hanson is handling the offense and defense in his first year at Louise. White arrives to build up wide receivers and defensive backs with Blank. Muschalek serves as offensive coordinator working with his counterpart Brent Tritschler, the defensive coordinator. Bill will be training special teams, runningbacks and linebackers.

“I’ve got a great coaching staff.

When the new coaches came into their interview, you ask the questions to find out if they have good character.

Whether we’re 16-0 or 0-10 for the season, we want to see the same person.

I want to see someone who’s going to do the right thing regardless of how the season is going.”

Defensively, Louise hopes to be aggressive. “We are looking for 11 guys to fly to the football. We felt like the 3-4 defense best fits our players. We have a lot of second level defender type kids.

GO 979.543.9600 • 201 S. Mechanic St

BIRDS!

L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek

Before The Snap

Aaron Cardenas waits before making a break up the field for a pass. Also pictured is Damian Diaz and Tyler Sulak.

We don’t have a lot of lineman, and a good number of linebacker type kids,” Tritschler said. “It is a base 3-4 multiple defense. The kids really have picked up their alignment, keys and reads well.

Seeing a lot of the spread offenses that we see, the adjustments are so much easier as well.”

The remaining players for the Hor-

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nets are: Aaron Gomez, Alex Ventura, Charlie Huerta, Daylon Machicek, Dustin Roberts, Dylan Bronikowski, Marco Puentes, Leo Torres, Kyler Marek, Josh Garcia, Michael Gussman, Rogeric Schooler, Saul Vasquez, Steven Appling, Ty Morton and Wylee Strelec.

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GO HORNETS! GO BIRDS!

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EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2017 HORNET COACHING STAFF 

The 2017 Louise Hornets’ coaching staff includes from left: Joe Bill, Brian Blank, Brent Tritschler, Heath Clawson, Colton Hanson, Bryan Muschalek and Kurt White.



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Wishing you the best this football season!

Make This A Season to Remember!

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L-N Photo by Matthew Hofferek

Quick Turn After The Burn

Morgan Williams sprints up the field to make the catch while running routes during pre-season drills.

Good Luck to Louise Hornets & El Campo Ricebirds!

GOOD LUCK TO OUR GRIDIRON GLADIATORS. As we kick off another exciting football season, we wish the Louise Hornets and El Campo Ricebirds good luck and much success. We’ll be cheering for you all the way to championships!

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Back In The Huddle

Three former El Campo quarterbacks return to the field as coaches in hopes of maintaining excellence for the program. Pictured (l-r) are: Wes Condra, Craig George and Elliott Babcock.

Young Guns

Three Former Quarterbacks Return To Lead Birds

M

aybe it’s tradition. Maybe it’s desire, discipline and dedication. Or, maybe it’s just something in the water. Whatever the phenomenon, three former Ricebird quarterbacks have not only decided to pursue careers in coaching, but have returned to El Campo, their hometown.

“Any time you get former players back to coach for you, they understand what these athletes are going through and

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Ricebird football,” Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Wayne Condra said. “They understand what we expect.

“They can share their experiences as a former Ricebird and with Ricebird Pride,” he said. “It’s great for our kids and our community that these guys want to come back and be a part of what they were once a part of.”

Newly-appointed Defensive Coordinator Elliott Babcock and Varsity Quarterbacks Coach Craig George, who once donned red and white uniforms of their own, have bided their time to move up the ranks. Both started coaching at the freshman and junior varsity levels, respectively.

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31

RICeBIrD PrOFiLe This year, after the retirement of Coach Alan Roberts, Babcock got the call to take over the defense. The vacancy also created an opportunity for the Ricebirds to recruit a third former quarterback in Wes Condra, son of Athletic Director Wayne Condra.

“I’m excited to be able to work with (Wes) and I’m excited with what he brings to our kids,” the head coach said. “He’s worked in a system in Cuero where they do a lot of the same things.

“I think it’s a good fit. I think he can bring some new things to the table,” he added. “I’m excited about our entire staff. We’re ready to get after it.”

Babcock got his first dose of his mentor, Coach Condra, during his senior year in 2003. That’s when he arrived in El Campo with then Athletic Director Bob Gillis. Babcock helped the Birds win three playoff games that year before falling to state champion La Marque.

Babcock graduated from El Campo High, got a degree from Texas State University and was hired by his former coach to rejoin the Ricebirds in 2009. He attributes his success as a defensive coach to his three years of varsity quarterback experience.

“I went through high school offensive-minded which is an advantage to me as a defensive guy,” Babcock said. “It allows me to know what to look for and how to stop it.”

In 2004, George was a senior for El Campo and took on the role of backup quarterback.

In the eighth game of the season, an injury to the starter put George in the driver’s seat. He would lead the Ricebirds to victory in the final game of the regular season, as well as two playoff games wins before losing to eventual state champion L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

Plan of Attack

New Defensive Coordinator Elliott Babcock directs senior linebacker Rusty Hackfeld on the importance of reads and communication on the field.

Go Ricebirds & Hornets!

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George attended Sam Houston State University and earned his degree before returning to El Campo in 2010 as a junior varsity coach.

In 2015, when current Head Coach Condra took the reins from Gillis, Babcock and George got their shot.

Babcock took over the running backs and secondary while George was tasked with the quarterbacks.

The newest member of the coaching staff, Wes Condra, started every game at quarterback for the Ricebirds in 2008, including three playoff games. He attended Texas State University and served as a Bobcat football student assistant coach.

Condra coached football in Cuero from 2014 to 2016, but when a position opened at El Campo, he jumped at the opportunity.

“It’s exciting to be back,” Wes Condra said. “To walk out there on the same field I played on and to know the expectations and the mindset that we’re going to work harder than anybody else.”

Condra will coach the safeties on defense this season and assist Offensive Line Coach James Harp. He once played high school football

Catching up

L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

Quarterbacks Coach Craig George warms up senior quarterback Kelley Osina before a pass route session.

PROUD TO SUPPORT ALL AREA ATHLETES! WE ARE

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33

RICeBIrD PrOFiLe for his dad and now has the unique chance to work side-byside with him.

“It’s a great opportunity to work with my dad,” Condra said. “I’m seeing him in a whole new light which is cool.”

This season, three former El Campo quarterbacks will be called upon to command the offense and the defense from game-to-game and play-to-play, much like they once commanded a huddle.

No matter the cause, current Ricebird players can rest assured that whatever circumstances they are facing on the football field, their coaches have been there and done that.

Maybe even on the same field.

In any sense, this homecoming serves as a testament to the eternal adage: “Once a Ricebird, always a Ricebird.”

– By Kyle Poenitzsch

Surveying the Field

L-N Photo by Kyle Poenitzsch

New Safeties Coach Wes Condra works with the secondary to identify offensive formations and adjust defensive alignments.

GOOD LUCK HOMETOWN FOOTBALL TEAMS!

GOOD LUCK this football season!

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Wishing a Great Season for the Ricebirds & Hornets!

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35

SEPT. 29 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. COLUMBIA (AWAY)

RICEBIRD & HORNETS SCHEDULE SEPT. 1 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. GREGORY- PORTLAND (AWAY) HORNETS VS. GANADO (HOME)

OCT. 6 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. NEEDVILLE ( HOME) HORNETS VS. WOODSBORO (HOME) OCT. 13 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. BRAZOSPORT (AWAY) HORNETS VS. FLATONIA ( HOME) OCT. 20 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. SEALY (HOME) HORNETS VS. PETTUS (AWAY)

SEPT. 8 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. ANGLETON (AWAY) HORNETS VS. INDUSTRIAL (AWAY)

OCT. 27 @ 7:30 p.m.

HORNETS VS. FALLS CITY (HOME)

SEPT. 15 @ 7:00 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. CALHOUN (HOME) SEPT. 15 @ 7:30 p.m.

HORNETS VS. BURTON (AWAY)

NOV. 3 @ 7:00 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. STAFFORD (AWAY) NOV. 3 @ 7:30 p.m.

HORNETS VS. CHARLOTTE (AWAY)

SEPT. 22 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. WHARTON (HOME) HORNETS VS. TIDEHAVEN (AWAY)

NOV. 10 @ 7:30 p.m.

RICEBIRDS VS. BAY CITY (HOME) HORNETS VS. RUNGE (HOME)

Award Winning Sports Coverage!

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36 EL CAMPO LEADER-NEWS | FOOTBALL PREVIEW