FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 2024
JEFFERSON AND
ORANGE
COUNTY FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
NEW COACHES
Bridge City eyes postseason berth under leadership of new coaching staff
By Chris Moore panews@panews.com
The Bridge City Cardinals have not made the postseason since 2019. New head coach Josh Smalley hopes that streak will come to an end this fall.
Smalley took the job, coming from Orangefield, where he led the team to the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons. Prior to his arrival in Orangefield, the Bobcats had a 10-year playoff drought.
Last year, the Cardinals finished 3-7 (1-5 in district). Smalley said his team is hungry to improve.
“The effort from the kids has been fantastic,” Smalley said. “There are some similarities to what they have done in the past. There are some differences in terms of terminology. It is taking a little bit of time to catch up on that. The defense is different.”
Smalley said the kids buying in has helped smooth the transition.
“We really started in January,” he said. “The kids got to know the staff
throughout the spring. They have been around to know what the expectations are. They are hungry to win and they want to be successful. They are doing what we are asking them to do. Now it is just about the coaching staff putting them in the right spot to get the gameplan going.”
While he was able to perform a quick turnaround in Orangefield, Smalley said he has learned patience and understanding over his time coaching.
“You just understand that the process is going to take a little time,” he said. “You have to understand to have some grace. You have to understand what kids are going through. But also, we were a program at Orangefield that made it to the playoffs and won a district title and won a playoff game. We know what it takes to establish a winning culture and win some games.”
Senior quarterback Hutch Bearden said the team has taken to the new staff.
“Smalley is a great guy and a good leader,” Bearden said. “He got us in the
Chris Moore/The News
Abraham “Mungy” Munguia runs after a catch at Bridge City practice.
weight room and did a lot of good things. I think we have a lot of good things coming this year.”
Bearden said his only goal for the year is to win.
“It would be big if we made it to the playoffs,” Bearden said.
Bridge City has not won a playoff game since 2016 when the team made it to the regional round.
Implementing a new system can be difficult for a new staff, but Smalley said having vocal leaders has helped eased the transition.
“We have guys like Luke Williams that plays safety,” Smalley said. “We have guys like Abraham (Mungy) Munguia that plays receiver for us. We have Hutch Bearden at quarterback. We have Austin Bellanger at receiver. We have some offensive linemen like Daniel Rodriguiz and Tad Knapp. We have Jagger Carlin at safety. There are some guys that this will be their third year starting on varsity here. They know what Friday night lights are about and they have done a good job stepping up and leading the kids.”
Munguia said the team has progressed well in the offseason.
“We have been working really hard,” he said. “We got straight to work. We feel pretty confident going into this season. I think it will be a pretty good year. I feel like we can make the playoffs. That is something we are really focused on. We want to win district, too. That would be a big deal here.”
Smalley said he is interested to see what sophomore outside linebacker Bryce Breeden brings to the team. Breeden started 10 games for the Cardinals as a freshman last season.
The head coach said he is also anxious to see how some coaches’ kids perform, who transferred over when their dads were added to the staff.
The Cardinals will start the season against Buna at home Aug. 30. Bridge City will close out the non-district schedule on the road against Kirbyville Sept. 13 and at home against Orangefield Sept. 13. District play will kick off Aug. 27 against Lumberton on the road.
Chris Moore/The News
Bridge City quarterback Hutch Bearden pitches the ball during practice.
RECAPTURING THE MAGIC
LC-M
Bears eyeing first outright district title since 1994
By Keagan Smith panews@panews.com
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville Bears are hungry to get back the top of their district. They haven’t sat in first place at season’s end since sharing a co-champions title with Lumberton in 2021.
Their last outright district championship came in 1994 – three decades ago. Head coach Eric Peevey hopes this year’s team can recapture the magic of that ‘94 squad.
“Our expectations are to win a district championship,” Peevey said.
“We know it’s not gonna be easy and we’ve got a target on our back. Our district is tough, but we don’t care if we have to go to work and get dragged to reach our goals.”
The Bears return eight starters on offense. Most of the offensive line is back, which is a huge boon for the chemistry needed to open running lanes and protect the quarterback.
remains up for grabs. Junior Braylon Lewis and senior Evan Worster were locked in a QB battle throughout fall camp. Peevey said both players possess similar strengths, thus the decision is a tough one.
“Evan’s always been a heck of a football player and tough kid, really fearless back there,” Peevey said. “He does well at running the ball and does a little bit of everything. Braylon Lewis is very explosive. He has a lot of speed and he’s really developed into a great thrower. They’ve really pushed each other in this role.”
At receiver, the top two targets should be Keagan Cockerham and Khayden Reed. Cockerham enters his third year as a varsity starter, while Reed was an All-District selection as a sophomore last season.
diero and Eddie Winters provide size and experience in the trenches, while Trevor Lloyd and Parker Freeman could be names to watch for as the season progresses.
Linebacker Tucker Floyd serves as the heartbeat of the LC-M defense. Floyd was another of the Bears’ All-District selections last season and tallied an absurd stat line of 115 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks and an interception. Now, he steps into the Mike linebacker spot.
“Tucker’s just been an explosive player for us,” Peevey said. “He’s just been a top notch leader from day one, even his freshman year. He makes plays for us all over the field.”
the time they were freshmen. When you have experience it just makes things a lot better.”
The experience means everything to this LC-M roster.
Peevey said his players know what to expect and in turn, he can ask for more from their performance. He expects the passing game to be elevated this year and said there will be new wrinkles in the rushing attack.
On defense, he can deploy a true multiple scheme to keep opponents on their toes.
“We’re already doing way more than we’ve done the last two years because of all those kids coming back,” Peevey said.
Rounding out the offense at running back are fellow All-District honoree Jonah Fuller and J’lynn Morris. The pair served as the primary backs last year and should be comfortable in the offense.
As for the quarterback whose blind side they’ll be watching, the position
On defense, seven Bears are coming back for another season. DeMarco Ban-
Finally, Jackson Smith enters his third season as a starter at safety. Cornerback Kaden Boatman led the district in turnovers last season and will continue to make a massive impact, while Morris had an impressive camp and will step into the other corner spot early on.
“The one thing you can’t overlook is experience,” Peevey said. This is my first group of seniors that I’ve had from
“It’s been exciting to see our defense move around out there and do the different things we’ve added.”
All things considered, the number of returners means LC-M should be one of the favorites to win their district. They begin their journey with a non-district contest at Hamshire-Fannett, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Proud Supporter of All Nederland Sports and Activities!
‘AT A CERTAIN LEVEL’ Bulldogs ready to take first step under new coach
By Chris Moore panews@panews.com
For the first time in seven years, a new head coach will lead the Bulldogs onto the field opening day of the 2024 football season. In February, former Katy High School assistant coach Scott Rich took over the program that went 4-7 last year and 4-3 in district play.
A week into camp, Rich acknowledged that his team still has a way to go before they are where they want to be before the season starts against Lumberton Aug. 30. The Bulldogs also play West Orange-Stark and Silsbee in non-district competition and will open up district play against Splendora at home Sept. 27.
“From Day One, we talked about being at a certain level,” Rich said. “It is a daily process to get better. I am never going to be satisfied with where we are. That was the way I was mentored and brought up. Even when we are looking good and everyone thinks we are look-
ing good, I am not going to think it is good enough. That is just the way it is.”
Rich said he wants his team to be able to react while they are on the field.
“We always say we want to do a thousand reps,” he said. “It seems like we run things a bunch of times. You don’t have to run a bunch of stuff. You just have to run the stuff you do well.”
The Bulldogs will not overlook any opponent, Rich said, when asked about any potential added motivation with the rival and state champion Port Neches-Groves in the same district.
“Everyone wants to win,” Rich said. The reality is everyone wants to have the will to prepare to win.”
While the coaching staff might look a little different, many players from last year’s squad will take the field for the black and gold.
“We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of plays,” Rich said. “We have a lot of seniors, leadership guys that have been in the grind for a while.
Some of these guys played as sophomores and were thrown into the mix fast and probably weren’t ready. They have taken some lumps and are hungry for something new. I am excited to for them to show that they are winners.”
Quarterback Ayden Sunday will return under center for Nederland along with running back Hubert Thomas, who has been a strong back for Nederland since taking over the job his sophomore season. KJ Tezeno returns as the Bulldog’s utility player. He will line up at receiver, running back and defensive back for Nederland.
“We want to win them all,” Rich said. “We want to win a district championship and go undefeated. We have to have that belief that we can. Right now, we are just trying to get better.”
Nederland linebacker Ellis Walker said he uses PN-G’s championship as fuel.
“You grew up playing with them and we were on the same field playing each
other,” he said. “You see them accomplish that and it makes you feel like you can do it, too. You just have to go take it.”
Walker, who is one of the team’s captains along with Sunday, returns to the Nederland defense after missing much of last year with various injuries.
Nederland will play PN-G Oct. 25 at The Reservation in the 101stgame between the two programs over the past 99 years.
The Bulldogs district looks a bit different this year after realignment shook up the new lines.
Nederland will play Splendora, Lake Creek, and Hunstville at home and will go on the road to Dayton, West Fork, PN-G and Montgomery.
Lake Creek went 12-1 last year (6-0 in their district). Lake Creek ended Nederland’s season in the first round of the playoffs with a 53-6 decision. They went on to lose to PN-G 30-27 in the third round.
Chris Moore/The News
Scott Rich is in his first year as head coach at Nederland.
Chris Moore/The News Nederland’s KJ Tezeno carries the ball during practice.
Chris Moore/The News
Nederland Head Coach Scott Rich talks to the team after practice in August.
Best of Luck to Our Area Teams!
SETZER HARDWARE
A NEW ERA
Bobcats establishing culture in year one under Jeff Breaux
By Keagan Smith panews@panews.com
Kent Manuel
When one chapter comes to a close, a new one begins. The Orangefield Bobcats find themselves in the midst of a major transition as they approach their first season without longtime head coach Josh Smalley since 2011.
A coach’s first year with their new program tends to create growing pains, and taking over the mantle from the school’s all-time wins leader adds an extra layer to expectations. With that said, new Orangefield head coach Jeff Breaux is fully prepared to lead his team into the next era of Bobcat football.
“It’s some big shoes to fill,” Breaux said. “Smalley did a great job and we want to continue what they’ve had going here; keep building it; keep working hard; keep pushing and compete for district championships just like they’ve done in the past.”
Breaux comes to Orangefield after three years as offensive coordinator at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, where he helped lead some of the best Bears’ offenses in recent memory.
Having poached Parker James from the LC-M staff to be the Bobcats’ new offensive coordinator, the duo look to renovate the Orangefield system from the ground up.
The biggest change by far is the team’s transition to the spread offense, a marked change from the traditional Slot-T seen over the past decade-plus.
“When we got here, we started immediately trying to teach our guys a new route tree and working on the passing game,” Breaux said. “It’s a huge shift offensively for us, but I think the players here can do it. It’s just going to take a lot of hard work.”
The Bobcats return five offensive starters and will utilize a much more balanced offensive attack as they move to the spread scheme. However, they will still look to establish the run as always.
That starts with running back Mason Manning, who Breaux said put on good weight over the offseason but has kept the speed which helped him break the 1,000-yard mark last season. Breaux also bragged about Manning’s receiving abil-
ity, which makes him a versatile weapon and, arguably, the focal point of the offense.
The receiver corps is more of an unknown due to Orangefield’s lack of passing game in years past. However, Breaux said slot receiver Zach Morrow brings a lot to the table and will likely make an impact catching passes from quarterback Carson Gonzalez, who started several games as a freshman last season.
The defense should have a somewhat easier time adjusting to what the new coaching staff wants. The Bobcats will still run a base 3-4 defense, but Breaux said he’s looking to shake things up when it comes to coverages and blitz packages. He said so far, the defense is doing well picking up the changes.
Linebacker Kaleb Menard, the 2023 Defensive Newcomer of the Year in District 10-3A, is undoubtedly the heart and soul of the defense.
“He’s a guy with a high motor and it’s running all the time,” Breaux said. “He just brings that presence where teams have to know where he’s at because he’s a relentless defender. He’s going to find that football, so he’s big for us.”
Linemen Kaleb Myers and William Crosby bring experience up front, and linebacker Caden Knox has transitioned to an outside LB role.
As Breaux takes over the program, he wants to make sure everyone in the building is on the same page.
“We want to establish the culture,” he said. “Work ethic, leadership, hard work is what we’re wanting. We’re going to play fast. It’s going to be disciplined, hard-nosed, and we’ll handle everything the right way in the locker room and the weight room.”
While the program is in a transition period from one staff to the next, it represents an exciting opportunity for the Bobcats to reinvent themselves and get back to competing for district titles.
The community’s support is behind them — Breaux said Orangefield and the tight-knit Bobcat faithful have been great ever since he arrived last spring. Now, he’s just ready to get on the field.
The new-look Orangefield Bobcats open the 2024 season with a home game against the Woodville Eagles, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Keagan Smith/The News
New head coach Jeff Breaux talks to his players after practice during fall camp.
2024 MASTER SCHEDULE
NEDERLAND BULLDOGS
8/30 vs. Lumberton, 7 p.m.
9/06 at West Orange-Stark, 7 p.m.
9/13 vs. Silsbee, 7 p.m.
9/20 BYE
*9/27 vs. Splendora, 7 p.m.
*10/4 at Dayton, 7 p.m.
*10/11 at West Fork, 7 p.m.
*10/18 vs Lake Creek, 7 p.m.
*10/25 at Port Neches-Groves, 7 p.m.
*11/01 vs. Huntsville, 7 p.m.
*11/08 at Montgomery, 7 p.m.
PORT ARTHUR MEMORIAL TITANS
8/30 at Dekaney, 7 p.m.
9/06 vs. Legacy School of Sport Sciences, 7 p.m.
9/13 at Fort Bend Hightower, 7 p.m.
9/21 vs. Cleburne, 1 p.m. (neutral site in Madisonville, TX)
*9/27 vs. Beaumont United, 7 p.m.
*10/4 at Ball, 7 p.m.
*10/11 vs. Barbers Hill, 7 p.m.
*10/18 at West Brook, 7 p.m.
10/25 vs. Lufkin, 7 p.m.
*11/01 at Sterling, 7 p.m. 11/08 BYE
PORT NECHES-GROVES INDIANS
8/30 at Klein Oak, 7 p.m.
9/06 at Beaumont United, 7 p.m.
9/13 vs. La Porte, 7 p.m. 9/20 BYE
*9/27 vs. Lake Creek, 7 p.m.
*10/4 at Huntsville, 7 p.m.
*10/11 vs. Splendora, 7 p.m.
*10/18 at West Fork, 7 p.m.
*10/25 vs. Nederland, 7 p.m.
*11/01 vs. Montgomery, 7 p.m.
*11/08 at Dayton, 7 p.m.
8/30 at Danbury, 7:30 p.m.
9/06 vs. Acadiana Christian, 7 p.m.
9/13 vs. Warren, 7 p.m.
9/20 vs. KIPP Generations Collegiate, 7 p.m.
*9/27 vs. Colmesneil, 7 p.m.
*10/4 at Hull-Daisetta, 7 p.m.
*10/11 vs. Evadale, 7 p.m.
*10/18 at West Hardin, 7 p.m.
10/25 BYE
*11/01 vs. Deweyville, 7 p.m.
*11/08 at West Sabine, 7 p.m.
8/31 at Texas State, 7 p.m.
9/07 vs. Mississippi Valley State, 6 p.m.
9/14 vs. Weber State, 6 p.m.
9/21 vs. Texas Southern, 6 p.m.
9/28 at Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.
10/05 BYE
^10/12 vs. Stephen F. Austin, 3 p.m.
^10/19 at Texas A&M-Commerce, 3:30 p.m.
^10/26 at Northwestern State, 2 p.m.
^11/02 vs. Southeastern LA., 3 p.m.
^11/09 at Incarnate Word, 2 p.m.
^11/16 vs. Nicholls, 3 p.m.
^11/23 at McNeese, 7 p.m.
SABINE PASS SHARKS
LAMAR UNIVERSITY CARDINALS
2024 MASTER SCHEDULE
BRIDGE CITY CARDINALS
8/30 vs. Buna, 7:30 p.m.
9/06 at Kirbyville, 7:30 p.m.
9/13 vs. Orangefield, 7:30 p.m. 9/20 BYE
*9/27 at Lumberton, 7:30 p.m.
*10/4 vs. Vidor, 7:30 p.m.
*10/11 at Hardin-Jefferson, 7:30 p.m.
*10/18 vs. Livingston, 7:30 p.m.
*10/25 at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 7:30 p.m.
*11/01 at Liberty, 7:30 p.m.
*11/08 vs. Huffman-Hargrave, 7:30 p.m.
LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEVILLE BEARS
8/30 at Hamshire-Fannett, 7:30 p.m.
9/06 vs. Silsbee, 7:30 p.m.
9/13 vs. Iowa, 7:30 p.m.
9/20 BYE
*9/27 at Vidor, 7:30 p.m.
*10/4 vs. Hardin-Jefferson, 7:30 p.m.
*10/11 at Livingston, 7:30 p.m.
*10/18 at Liberty, 7:30 p.m.
*10/25 vs. Bridge City, 7:30 p.m.
*11/01 at Huffman-Hargrave, 7:30 p.m.
*11/08 vs. Lumberton, 7:30 p.m.
ORANGEFIELD BOBCATS
8/30 vs. Woodville, 7 p.m.
9/06 at New Waverly, 7 p.m.
9/13 at Bridge City, 7:30 p.m.
9/20 vs. St. Louis Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
*9/27 vs Hardin, 7:30 p.m.
*10/4 at Anahuac, 7:30 p.m.
*10/11 vs. Coldspring, 7:30 p.m.
*10/18 at Kirbyville, 7:30 p.m. 10/25 BYE
*11/01 vs. East Chambers, 7:30 p.m.
*11/08 at Buna, 7:30 p.m.
8/30 at Silsbee, 7:30 p.m.
9/06 vs. Santa Fe, 7 p.m.
9/13 at Hamshire-Fannett, 7:30 p.m.
9/20 BYE
*9/27 vs. Little Cypress-Mauriceville, 7:30 p.m.
*10/4 at Bridge City, 7:30 p.m.
*10/11 vs. Huffman-Hargrave, 7:30 p.m.
*10/18 at Lumberton, 7:30 p.m.
*10/25 vs. Liberty, 7:30 p.m.
*11/01 vs. Hardin-Jefferson, 7:30 p.m.
*11/08 at Livingston, 7:30 p.m.
WEST ORANGE-STARK MUSTANGS
8/30 at Newton, 7 p.m.
9/06 vs. Nederland, 7 p.m.
9/13 at Waco La Vega, 7 p.m. (neutral site in Madisonville, TX)
9/20 vs. Episcopal, 7 p.m.
9/27 vs. Almeta Crawford, 7 p.m.
10/4 BYE
*10/11 at Jasper, 7:30 p.m.
*10/18 vs. Shepherd, 7:30 p.m.
*10/25 at Silsbee, 7:30 p.m.
*11/01 vs. Tarkington, 7:30 p.m.
*11/08 at Hamshire-Fannett, 7:30 p.m.
VIDOR PIRATES
Keagan Smith/The News PNG quarterback Connor Bailey prepares to take the snap during fall camp.
BACK-TO-BACK?
Port Neches-Groves staying focused as state title defense begins
By Keagan Smith panews@panews.com
Everyone knows banners hang forever — the Port Neches-Groves faithful are still riding the high of their team’s first state football championship since 1974. Now nearly a year removed from the historic title game, the PN-G Indians are looking for more.
What’s better than one championship? Back-to-back trophies, of course.
The community and team alike have title hopes. In the meantime, third-year head coach Jeff Joseph is ensuring his players remain grounded and focused on the task at hand.
“The things that we accomplished last year were accomplished because of the work that was done last year,” Joseph said. “To accomplish things like that, you have to do that same type of work. It’s not going to happen because it happened last year. It’s going to happen because you work for it, and that’s our mentality headed into the fall.”
Although the team lost some key contributors from last year’s title team, they
still have plenty of talent and Joseph’s leadership means players will be put in the most advantageous situation possible. In short, expect them to be in the mix for a potential repeat.
PN-G returns seven starters on offense. Games are won in the trenches and the team retains most of its championship-caliber offensive line, including star University of Texas commit Jackson Christian and fellow OL staple Aaron Wolford.
That line will provide the basis for a run game led by junior Blair Chatagnier, who rushed for over 1,300 yards last season. Connor Bailey enters his second year under center for Port Neches-Groves. The junior quarterback filled in admirably for an injured Shea Adams last season before taking over the starting job. He led the team throughout the second half of the title run and showed a great deal of poise in the process.
“Connor has grown physically,” Joseph said. “He’s a little taller, a little bigger, and has more understanding of what we’re trying to do, and where we’re trying to attack with what we’re calling on offense.”
The loss of Reid Richard and Adams hurts the pass-catching corps. However, London Nunley steps into the WR1 role as a proven contributor. Jayce Neeb caught a few passes at the varsity level last year, as did a couple of other depth players who will round out the receiver room.
It is worth noting that a new coach will take over play-calling duties on offense following the departure of former Offensive Coordinator and receivers coach Cade McCrary. Now, QBs coach Colin Gizzi will assume the OC role and call the offense.
PN-G’s defense has a few more holes to fill than their offensive counterparts, but the unit should remain a force to be reckoned with. The front seven will go about business as usual — see ball, hit ball. Defensive linemen Jonathan Hernandez and Kash Barnwell will beef up the trenches, while linebackers Mason Wuenschel and Isaac Uriostegui are the basis of a linebacker group renowned for their speed and run-stopping prowess.
Five defensive backs from last year’s roster have graduated, leaving a handful
of gaps to fill in the back end of the defense. Seth Brisboe will move to DB from offense. Otherwise, Joseph said there’s been a healthy amount of competition through fall camp and several younger players are vying for starting spots.
The concerns about the secondary aren’t major though. After all, Joseph and his staff have a knack for putting guys exactly where they need to be in order to succeed. The best coaches maximize their talent; PN-G certainly does.
“We’re working on developing leaders and seniors that are going to step up and speak to each other,” Joseph said. “We want them to hold each other accountable and do the little things that matter every day.
“We’re gonna take this thing small seasons at a time. We have our three non-district games that we try to make ourselves better in, and then head into district. We’re gonna do everything we can to try to win this championship and make the playoffs.”
Port Nechez-Groves begins their title defense with an away game at Klein Oak, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
‘WE WANT TO BE RELENTLESS’
Vidor Pirates establishing the run as always in 2024
By Keagan Smith panews@panews.com
Offensive innovation is taking over every level of football from the NFL all the way down to Friday night lights. Teams are constantly chasing up-tempo, high-flying schemes that seek to pass the ball, and often, leave the run as an afterthought.
Some things are still sacred, though. As the Vidor Pirates gear up for the 2024 campaign, they’re sticking to their cannons with a smashmouth style of oldschool football.
“We go with our core values of commitment, relentlessness, things like that,” head coach Dwayne DuBois said. “We’re trying to find two things. We’re trying to work into shape just like everybody else is doing, and working on our focus. We want to be relentless.”
The Pirate offense returns six starters to the fold.
They’re headlined first and foremost by running back Riley Marlow, who was the district’s Offensive MVP pick by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The senior paced for 1580 yards and 14 scores last year and will again be the bell-cow back as his team looks to do what they do bes – establish the run.
“He’s a very talented individual,” DuBois said. “He’s got great vision, tremendous leadership skills, so he’s a total package. We’re asking him to take it up a notch this year, because I think he can probably be, and this is saying something, the best we’ve ever had at that position. We expect a lot out of him, and he accepts that role and he runs with it.”
Quarterback Daigen Venable is also back. While Vidor doesn’t throw the ball much, their signal-caller unlocks the run game with his legs and has the full
confidence of his head coach. DuBois said it’s a big deal to have their team’s “bus driver’ back to stabilize the offense.
The offensive line should be strong, too. Three-year starter William Jones is moving to center and Dubois said the guards are looking good, especially for this early in the year.
There are five starters returning on the other side of the ball.
Dallas Pachuca and Skylar Stankovich are foundational talents on the defensive line. DuBois said the rest of the unit will rally around their leadership and experience. DuBois also mentioned Hunter May as a breakout nose tackle.
The linebacking corps is less experienced, with the Pirates still searching for both an inside and outside linebacker to step up in a big way through camp. In the secondary, Aiden Villafano started 11 varsity games last season and returns at defensive back. He’s joined by Brody Bloss, who DuBois expects big things from in 2024. The experienced coach said several other players who lack much playing time at the varsity level bring good football skills, but they’ll need to grow in a hurry as the team begins to lean on them more.
Overall, DuBois said his team’s attitude has stood out throughout camp.
“We’ve got a good group of seniors,” he said. “They have good leadership skills and these guys are hungry to win. They know the team has had success before them and they want to continue that success, but they want to take it a step farther. Now, even the younger kids have been jumping in there following that role. I’m impressed by the work ethic.”
The Vidor Pirates travel to Silsbee to kick off the new season Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Keagan Smith/The News
Vidor head coach Dwayne DuBois observes his team during fall camp.
Keagan Smith/The News
West Orange-Stark head coach Hiawatha Hickman speaks to the team following an early-morning practice.
STAMPEDING AGAIN
Mustangs ready to vie for district titles again
By Keagan Smith panews@panews.com
Expectations for the historic West Orange-Stark football program are as high as ever. The community, accustomed to annual excellence for one of the state’s winningest schools, finds themselves asking, “What have you done for me lately?”
Sure, the Mustangs have underwhelmed relative to expectations and historical precedent, but they’ve still finished the regular season at .500 the last two years — now in year three at the helm, head coach Hiawatha Hickman feels his team has the depth it needs to compete for district titles again.
“That’s the biggest thing now compared to my first two years,” Hickman said. “I feel like we have depth at every position. Our guys have gotten bigger and stronger, and the program has gotten stronger for us that now we’ve got pieces we can move around.”
WO-S will need as many contributors as possible to ensure they match up with opponents, even when starters are gassed. 4A-II District 10 appears to be an arms race where talent is concerned, with Jasper, Silsbee and Hamshire-Fannett all earning spots in the state rankings.
The Mustangs offense returns a handful of key contributors.
Senior quarterback Marcus Turner Jr enters his third season as varsity quarterback and brings a dual-threat game with a cannon for an arm and plenty of rushing ability.
The team’s halfback tandem of senior Tahj Amerson and sophomore Khelvy Jefferson will be a dangerous duo. Both put together great seasons in 2023 and should be heavily involved as Hickman’s staff adds more power run concepts to the ground game.
“You’ll see Khelvy in a lot of different spots,” Hickman said. “He can line up at running back and be a slot receiver, so he’ll do quite a bit. He’s a special talent and has a chance to really leave his mark on this program.
“And Tahj is maybe the best football player we have. Last year, every time he touched the ball it felt like 67-68 yards
and a touchdown.”
The offensive line they’ll run behind remains more uncertain. Offensive tackles Denim Orebo and Jadyn Rhodes will anchor the edges, but Hickman said there’s been a tightly-contested race for the center position and both guard spots.
As for the receivers, Amyrion Scott is the lone man left from last season’s primary pass catchers. How the rest of the WR room shakes out is yet to be seen, but Michael Davis and Quincy Walker both played varsity snaps last year and are expected to step up full-time.
On defense, the Mustangs’ linebacker corps is their most talented position group and will undoubtedly cause problems for opponents.
Amerson, who was a first team All-District safety last year, is moving to the Will linebacker position. He’s joined in the middle by sophomore Anterrion Fontenot, who already has a second team All-District selection to his name. William Pitre and the aforementioned Scott will man the outside linebacker positions and bring starting experience.
The West Orange-Stark defense should stop the run more often than not. When it comes to the secondary, the unit is largely unproven, but Hickman said some names are standing out through camp.
Sophomore Quincy Walker started six games at free safety last year. Raymond Mallet will also play cornerback — Hickman had high praise for the senior and said he could very easily earn All-District honors.
There’s no doubt the Mustangs have talent. Now, the question is how far it will get them. Last season, they lost four games by just one score, including two district contests. Now, late-game execution and overall toughness have become a point of emphasis.
“We’ve had to rededicate ourselves in the weight room,” Hickman said. “We put some more muscle mass on and got stronger to try to hold up better against injuries. I feel like we’re stronger as a team this year.”
The Mustangs will put that strength to the test when they open the regular season at the Newton Eagles, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
WIN THE LAST GAME
Memorial looks to reclaim the top of the district
By Chris Moore panews@panews.com
Around the Memorial Titans’ facility, one phrase is heard more frequently than any other: Win the last game of the season. Coaches and players can be heard uttering the phrase when talking about goals for the upcoming fall.
By Memorial’s high standards, last season could be seen as a down year for the Titans, who finished 8-3, losing their last three games of the season and finishing fourth in the district.
Entering his seventh year as the head coach, Brian Morgan hopes to get the team back to the top of the district. Under his leadership, Memorial reached the playoff each of his six seasons and earned at least a share of a district championship three times.
This season, the Titans should enjoy some shorter road games as both Beaumont schools drop down to 5A Division I. Memorial returns a ton of talent on a squad that will have a strong junior class with multiple players entering their third year on varsity.
The defensive side of the ball has players at each level that will play in a Power 5 conference at the college level. Senior defensive end Michael Riles, who committed to Oklahoma State earlier in the year, is ranked eighth among his position in the state for the class of 2025, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas High School Football.
Taiyion “Tank” King is ranked is ranked as the second-best linebacker in the state for the class of 2026 and his classmate Brock King is rated as the fifth best corner in the class.
Both have received scholarship offers from Texas and Texas A&M. Tank King has also received offers from Alabama and Florida. Brock King has also received offers from Oregon and Baylor among others.
“Tank returning and playing middle linebacker, you count on him to be that guy,” Morgan said. “We have some young guys that will probably step up, too. There are always some guys that didn’t have to step up as sophomores and juniors that step up and help the young guys.”
Brock King said building blocks are there for the Titans to make a deep playoff push.
“We are putting it together piece by piece,” he said. “We are going to come out with a bang. I think we are going to shock the fans and everything this year.”
For several years, Memorial has had a “lockdown” corner that makes scheming up defenses easier and gives opposing offenses nightmares. Brock King hopes to be able to fill that role for the Titans this year.
“I feel like we are all together,” Brock King said. “We have to get our communication right.”
He wasn’t the only one to stress the importance of communication. Junior right tackle Michael Milson also said communication is a point of emphasis for improvement before the season starts.
“I am working on technique right now,” he said. “We have to be able to communicate to win games. It is important. If you don’t know where the ball is going or the call, you can’t get in the endzone. I feel like we have more work to do, but we are physical enough.”
Milson said going up against the Titans defense in practice has helped and beliefs there is an iron-sharpens-iron effect on the team.
On the offensive side, junior quarterback Jordan Jones will take over as the signal caller for the Titans.
“All of the teams he has been the quarterback on growing up have been really successful,” Morgan said of Jones. “The younger ones and older ones know him, but the guys that are in his grade have played with him and know they can win with him. He is a tough kid even though he is a little slim. He doesn’t have that much weight on him, but he is tough. We have a lot of confidence in him.”
Morgan said the offense will have to be mindful to be sure to get all of the weapons involved. The Titans return three running backs that saw significant carries last year and a talented receiving group to balance out the offense.
The Titans kick off the season Aug. 30 at Dekaney. Memorial’s first district game will be Sept. 27 against Beaumont United in Port Arthur.
Chris Moore/The News
Port Arthur Memorial players work out during a pads-off session.
