District 15-2A, Division I

DISTRICT 16-2A, DIVISION II Falls City prepares to flex its muscles

BY MIKE FORMAN

MFORMAN@VICAD.COM

Falls City made its third straight semifinal appearance in Mark Kirchhoff’s first year back as head coach since 2011.

The Beavers won the District 16-2A, Division II championship and finished the season at 11-3 in what essentially was a year of learning the flexbone offense.

“We’re leaps and bounds ahead as far as install and implementation and familiarity with terminology,” Kirchhoff said. “We have quite a few back and that always makes it easier. We’re way ahead on both sides of the ball from where we were starting out last year.”

Falls City returns eight starters on offense and eight on defense from a team that’s closest margin of victory in district play was 29 points.

“A lot of it is getting them in the right spot after we know them after an offseason,” Kirchhoff said. “We’re trying to put them in the right spot in a scheme to fit what they do well.”

Yorktown swept through district after losing to Falls City, and with eight starters returning on offense and defense hopes to challenge the Beavers.

“Falls City has got a great program going,” said Yorktown coach John David Caffey. “We got to see them for the first time in a number of years and our guys hopefully understand the level at which they’re playing at and that’s where we want to be. We have a bunch of kids who have a lot of experience and have worked really hard and who are ready to take that next step.”

Louise started practice a week late because of COVID-19. The Hornets lost some talented skill players from last season’s playoff team, but have experience on the offensive and defensive lines.

“They look pretty good,” said Louise coach Joe Bill. “They pick stuff up pretty quickly. They haven’t missed a beat. I think we can be in the mix. I like our chances and like the district we’re in.”

Runge finished third last season and went through two coaching changes.

Woodsboro struggled in coach Johny Lesak’s first season. The Eagles return a majority of starters and hope to make a push for a playoff spot.

“Things we were able to do in the first week of practice, there were times I can’t remember how long it took to get to it last year,” Lesak said. “We feel like we’re going to be a lot better. Everything so far has been a lot better. We don’t have huge numbers, but we have good numbers now.”

DISTRICT 16-2A, DIVISION II

Falls City Beavers

Coach: Mark Kirchhoff Last Season’s Record: 11-3, 6-0 Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, state semifinals Returning Starters: WR/DB Wesley Molina, RB/LB Cole Thomas, QB/DB Luke Shaffer, RB/LB Cody Arrisola, RB/LB Grant Jendrusch, OL Brandon Moczygemba, OL/DL Tristan Niedenberger, OL Peyton Jurgajtis, LB Devin Janysek.

Yorktown Wildcats

Coach: John David Caffey Last Season’s Record: 7-4, 5-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, area Returning Starters: QB Drew Alexander, RB Gabe Latta, OL/DT Ethan Pompa, OL Philip Yeretsky, OL Kyron Lemke, OL Hunter Hall, OL/DT Vayden Buch, WR/CB Kalen Barefield, DE Blake Boyd, FS Cade Martin, ILB Dylan Respondek, ILB Joshua Sanger, OLB De’Quan Clay.

Runge Yellowjackets

Last Season’s Record: 6-4, 4-2 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: LB Bo Fraga, OL/DL Antonio Lopez, QB/DB Joe Fraga, OL/LB Sabastian Reyna, OL/LB Isaiah Rios, OL/DL Broden Garcia, ATH Gavin Gutierrez.

Louise Hornets

Coach: Joe Bill Last Season’s Record: 5-3, 3-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: RB/LB Blayke Yeager, G/DT DD Gaona, G/NG Chris Vasquez, WR Holden Watson, C Pete Galvan, OT Damian Gundelach, OT/DE Marco Torres, LB/K/P Roy Arambide, S Kyle Anderson, CB Angel Reyes, CB Jaden Brown, DE Tayveon Kimble.

Woodsboro Eagles

Coach: Johny Lesak Last Season’s Record: 1-7, 1-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2018, regional Returning Starters: WR/LB James Meacham, RB/ DL Colton Wiginton, OL/DL Derrik Perez, QB/S Roger Gonzalez, OL/DL Izak Gonzalez, OL/DL Logan Meacham, OL/DL Juan Estraca, OL/DL Evan Blaker, RB/LB Braxton Ladner, WR/LB Joseph Singleterry, WR/DB Dereck Hatchett, RB/LB Adam Dominguez, OL/DL Michael Love, OL/DL Reed Fricks, RB/LB TK Morgan, OL/DL Brenner Kurtz, OL Jakob Knight, OL/ DL Braden Briseno, OL/ Braiden Harmon.

TAPPS DIVISION IV, DISTRICT 3 St. Paul eyeing 4th straight state title

BY KEVIN ALSTROM

SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE

Following its third state championship in a row, and fifth in six years, Shiner St. Paul will return 15 starters in the quest to win a fourth consecutive state title.

“We feel like we have the opportunity to have a good year,” said St. Paul coach Jake Wachsmuth. “We have a long way to go, but the teams that are successful are the teams that work at it everyday and keep getting better and better.”

St. Paul won TAPPS Division IV, District 3 last season, going 8-1 overall and 3-1 in district.

The Cardinals beat Bryan Brazos Christian, Tombau Rosehill Christian and Waco Reicher in the playoffs, averaging 51 points per game.

Running back Zak Johnson will lead the offense, while Noah and Nate Boedeker will anchor the defense.

Hallettsville Sacred Heart will be under the direction of first-year head coach Brad Oden. The Indians wrapped up the 2020 season with a 2-4 record, going 1-2 in district. Sacred Heart lost in the first round to Houston Lutheran North.

The offense will feature returning quarterback Austin Kutac, along with running backs Korbin Koehne and Brady Haas. The trio will also anchor the defense alongside linebacker Will Harper and defensive lineman Trey Daniels. Nick Angerstein returns at kicker for the Indians.

“Our players have worked very hard and they are very determined to have the best football team they can possibly have,” said Oden.

St. Paul and Sacred Heart compete in TAPPS Division IV, District 3, which includes Central Texas Christian, San Antonio Holy Cross, and New Braunfels John Paul II.

St. Paul and Sacred Heart play in Shiner on Oct. 15.