The regular season kicks off with a Top 5 showdown in the Class A Division I ranks, while nine other local squads look to open their 2021 campaigns in the win column.
May (0-0) vs. Borden County (0-0)
6 p.m. Friday at Jayton
After making their third state championship appearance since 2013 this past December, the No. 3 May Tigers are expected to be in the hunt for a trip to AT&T Stadium in Arlington this season. An early measuring stick for 18th-year head coach Craig Steele’s squad comes in the form of the No. 2 Borden County Coyotes.
“The biggest drawback for us right now is varsity experience,” Steele said during the preseason. “We’ve got four kids in there that have played varsity and only two starters back from last year’s team. So the non-varsity game experience is going to be important for us. An advantage for us would be numbers, we have the kids, but we’re really going to have to gain some experience and make sure we have kids in the right spots. Last year we pretty much knew going in who was playing where, there wasn’t any questions, but this year’s different. There’s going to be onus on the coaching staff, to make sure we evaluate correctly and have kids in the right spots.”
Among the players to watch are district offensive preseason player of the year Kaden Halk (1,224 rushing yards, 26 TDs; 18-430, 8 TDs receiving; 62 tackles, 5 INTs), RB/DL Blake Harrell (693 yards, 12 TDs passing), E/DL Brian Kunkel, RB/DB Damian Salinas, QB/DB Luke McKenzie, E/DL Alexis Mejia , RB/DB Cade Lindley, E/DL Kaysen King, QB/DB Bryson Guerrero, C/DL Landon Beal, and recent transfer addition RB Avery Williford, from Brookesmith.
“The two starters coming back, Kaden Halk and Blake Harrell, they’re going to be big in whatever we do this year. Those kids are going to be right in the middle of it,” Steele said. “The other two kids coming back that played on the varsity last year are Brian Kunkel and Damian Salinas, and they’re going to do a lot for us. That’s really our experience, that’s our upperclassmen, but we’re excited about the JV kids coming up. We’re not as big as we were last year but we still have good size so I think we’ll be able to do some things.”
Like May, Borden County is also reloading this season. The Coyotes, the District 4-A Division I favorite according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, return just two of 10 lettermen – including one starter on each side of the ball – from last year’s 11-3 state semifinalist squad.
Players to watch include RB/LB Ishmael Rodriguez, RB/DB Rhett Kingston, TE/DL Brandt Behrens, QB/DB Kallan Kuehler, OL/DL Koda Bigham, E/DE Landen Foree, and E/DB Shanks Walker.
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Zephyr (0-0) at Sidney (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Thursday
The high school football kicks off early with a Thursday night tilt between the Zephyr Bulldogs and Sidney Eagles.
Zephyr head coach Jeremy Phillips stated 2021 will be a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs with just two starters back on each side of the ball – and two of 12 lettermen overall – from a 1-8 squad in 2020.
“This is continuing our rebuild,” Phillips said in the preseason. “We lost a whole bunch of seniors. Last year we only had 10 kids out and most of them were seniors, so I’m returning two underclassmen on the team. More than half our team is freshmen.”
The experienced Bulldogs on the roster are RB/LB Jayden Millican and RB/DB Eathan Gowin.
“We’re trying to build around Jayden Millican and Eathan Gowin,” Phillips said. “Jayden will be starting for me for the third year in a row and Eathan, it will be his second year to start. They’re the leaders on the team. Those two are both pretty good athletes, that’s what we’ll build around, their athleticism and their speed. We’ll try and fill in the pieces the senior class left behind.”
Sidney was tabbed to place third in District 15-A Division II in the preseason by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The Eagles bring back seven of 12 lettermen, including three starters on each side of the ball, from last year’s 5-4 squad that missed out of the playoffs.
Players to watch include Mike Lindque, Cameron Spells, Jaxson Rucker, Timothy Ruggles. Grant Drummond, Landon Cheatham, Jaylon Salinas, Lehman Lindeque Tanner Crawford, Brody Thorpe and Peyton Terpstra.
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Bryson (0-0) at Blanket (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Casey Mund coaching era begins for the Blanket Tigers Friday night as they look to upend the Bryson Cowboys, who are a late addition to the schedule.
Mund arrives in Blanket after stints at Star for one season, Eden for three, Veribest for three, and Olfen for half of last year.
The Tigers return 11 of 15 lettermen, including three offensive and three defensive starters, from last year’s 7-4 playoff squad. Blanket is again favored to win District 15-A Division II, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, ahead of Brookesmith, Sidney, Rising Star and Panther Creek
Players to keep an eye on include DCTF district preseason defensive player of the year Brayden Day, a defensive lineman and running back, along with C/DL Hayden Rodriguez, QB/DB Carlos Morales and RB/DB Levi Vazquez.
“Brayden Day played a lot as a sophomore last year and he had some big games,” Mund said. “He’s going to be somebody we’re going to lean on pretty hard, he and Levi Vazquez. Carlos Morales is also going to be a running back in the backfield that gets a lot of touches, too. He’s going to be a bulkier back and the other two are going to be speed backs.”
The Bryson Cowboys are replacing Gorman in the season opener for Blanket, as Gorman delayed the start of classes and all school-related activities due to a COVID outbreak.
Bryson returns three of 11 lettermen from a 5-5 team a year ago, but no starters on either side of the ball. The Cowboys are picked to finish fourth in District 9-A Division I behind Saint Jo, Perrin-Whitt and Newcastle.
Players to watch for Bryson include QB/DB Chance Hand, RB/LB Trever Shults, DL Noah Justus, RB/DB Tanner Burby, RB/DB, Jameson Pierce, and C/DL Evan Ford.
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Veribest (0-0) at Brookesmith (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Brookesmith Mustangs look significantly different from the 2020 squad that earned the school’s first district title since 1985, but first-year head coach Todd Lawdermilk still has high hopes for the program.
At one time during the preseason first-year head coach Lawdermilk reported eight Mustangs at practice, but the first scrimmage at Baird on Aug. 13 was canceled as the roster number had dipped to five. As of this week, six players were ready for the season opener against Veribest.
“Our expectations are to put a team on the field, then play hard and give it our best, and we finish the season,” Lawdermilk said during the preseason. “We still fully believe that as long as we have six boys on that field we can compete for a district championship. We may have lost some kids, but we feel like with what we still have, if we play hard and come together every game, it’s going to be hard, but we think we can do it.”
The Mustangs are coming off a 7-3 campaign, but were ravaged by graduation and a transfer after two-a-days began.
Players to watch for the Mustangs include Tristen Slayton and Conner Heard.
Veribest, expected to finish fourth in the District 14-A Division I race according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, returns eight of 11 lettermen – including three offensive and four defensive starters – from a 3-5 team a year ago.
Players to keep an eye on include QB Konnor Barnes, LB Marcus Ojeda, DL Elijah Gamoa, and RB Hunter Tucker.
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Richland Springs (0-0) at Marble Falls Faith (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Richland Springs Coyotes reached the Class A Division II state championship game last season, but came up short in their bid for a 10th state championship. The No. 2 Coyotes begin their pursuit to extend their state record of six-man state titles as they venture to Marble Falls Faith Friday night.
Coming off a 12-1 campaign, the Coyotes welcome back 10 of 20 lettermen and three starters on each side of the ball. Players to watch include QB Jadeyn Bryant, RB Zane Capps, LB Keston Lusty, WR Nick Nilson, OL Jeremiah Beam, DB Brandon Stewart, OL Lane Garcia, QB Hutton Rogers, WR Jim Eckerman, DB Kenny Triplett, RB Gage Behrens, LB Hudson Tharp, RB Zeke Hoover, and WR Jayden Sutherland.
“Jadeyn Bryant’s going to be a great player, he got second in state in the 300-meter hurdles, he’s got a lot of speed and a lot of quickness,” said Richland Springs head coach Burkhart who owns a 219-11 record with the Coyotes, during the preseason. “Zane Capps has a lot of speed, too, and he’s going to step up for us. Our line is what I’m excited about, we’ve got some kids that are stepping up, Lane Garcia, Jeremiah Beam, Cohen Tharp, and Jayden Sutherland is another kid coming up that’s going to be pretty good. We’ve got a lot of kids that we can move around in our backfield. We can take Kelton Lusty and put him anywhere as well.”
Marble Falls Faith posted a 7-3 record a season ago and is picked by place second in TAPPS Six-Man Division I/II District 3.
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Cross Plains (0-0) at Menard (0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes’ 11th season under the guidance of head coach Daniel Purvis begins Friday night with a road trip to Menard.
The Buffaloes bring back 11 of 18 lettermen from a year ago, including seven offensive and seven defensive starters, from the 8-3 playoff squad of 2020.
“As far as our team strengths, we should be fast, fast, fast,” said Purvis, who is 59-50 in 10 seasons with the Buffaloes. “I think it’s going to be the fastest defense I’ve ever put on the field and one of the fastest teams I’ve ever had. We took three relays to the state track meet last year, it was all sophomores. It’s a really talented group for us, we’re excited about them.”
Among the key returnees are QB Cason Allen (1,003 rushing yards, 409 passing yards; 80 tackles, 4 interceptions), OL/DL Riley Conlee (98 tackles, 21 for loss), RB/DB Noah Moses (230 rushing yards, 75 tackles), OL/DL Alex Parker, OL/DL Brennon Funderburk, WR/LB Ryan Hopkins (340 receiving yards), WR/DB Spade Koenig, WR/DB Ryan Reed (142 receiving yards, 5 interceptions), OL/DL Jody Collier (40 tackles), and RB/DB Asher Moses.
Menard, coming off a 0-10 season in 2020, is picked to finish last in District 14-A Division II by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The Yellow Jackets return 17 of 19 lettermen, including nine starters on each side of the ball.
Players to watch include RB/LB Joel Guerrero, OL/DL Zadrian Zapata, QB/LB Jordan McSherry, RB/DB Anthony Burgueno, TE/DB Ulises Osomio, TE/LB Isaiah Stanslawski, WR/DB Orlando Resendiz, OL/DL Gavin Johnston, OL/DL Amos Hesbrook, OL/DL Jimmy Morris, OL/DL Brandon Spinks, QB/DB Wyatt Terrell, and FB/LB Hunter Whitaker.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, there is no line but Cross Plains is ranked 53 points higher than Menard.
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Miles (0-0) at Coleman (0-0)
7 p.m. Friday
After their season was ended prematurely by COVID in 2020, the Coleman Bluecats are back with a vengeance as the 2021 campaign opens at home against the Miles Bulldogs.
According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Coleman is tabbed to finish third in the District 4 race behind Cisco and San Saba. The Bluecats are projected to finish ahead of Winters, Goldthwaite and De Leon.’
The Bluecats return 18 of 25 lettermen, including seven offensive and eight defensive starters, from last year’s 6-4 team that was playoff behind prior to a COVID outbreak.
Players to watch for the Bluecats include RB/LB Ryland Gentry (420 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 74 tackles), WR/DB Denver Hunter (9-80, TD receiving; 40 tackles, 1 INT), OL/DL Gus Allen (36 knockdowns, 24 pancake blocks), TE/LB Christian Espitia (45 tackles), OL/DL Jeryd Fain (23 knockdowns, 18 pancakes), OL/DL David Navarro (53 tackles, 5 sacks), WR/DB Braxton Smith (17-400, 6 TDs receiving), RB/LB Brent Bouldin, RB/LB R.J. Wright (43 tackles), ATH Cort McFadden, RB/DB Devinar Roberson, OL/DL Garrett Smith, LB Will Faries, FB/DL Dayden Hunter, OL/DL George Silas, and QB/DB Jadin Jackson.
“Braxton Smith is a returning receiver for us and he was explosive last year,” Elder said. “Gus Allen and Jeryd Fain on our offensive line, Denver Hunter at a receiver, and Ryland Gentry as middle linebacker and running back are just a few guys to watch.”
The Miles Bulldogs are anticipated by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football to come in fifth place in the six-team District 14-A Division II. Miles welcomes back 15 of 23 lettermen, including eight offensive and nine defensive starters, from last year’s 3-8 playoff squad.
Players to watch include OL/DL Christian Gutierrez, OL/DL Joel Garcia, RB/LB Seth Michaelwicz, TE/LB Eli Sanchez, ATH Hayden Johnson, OL/DL Rylee Chapman, RB/DB Dylan Garza, OL/LB Holton Wilson, QB/DB Hayven Brook, RB/LB Tanner Wood, WR/DB Keagan Riddle, OL/DL Toby Castanuela, RB/LB Jose Casteneda, WR/DB Kaden Crocker, RB/DB Carson Ellison, LB Austin Askins, and RB/DL Auden Torres.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 39-point favorite.
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Goldthwaite (0-0) at Crawford (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Goldthwaite Eagles reached the playoffs a year ago, and look to make an even bigger impact in 2021 with the bulk of the 2020 roster back. The first step on their journey occurs Friday night against the No. 3 Crawford Pirates.
Goldthwaite brings back 19 of 22 lettermen, including nine offensive and eight defensive starters, from a 3-8 playoff squad.
Third-year quarterback Jackson Patrick rushed for 948 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior last year in Goldthwaite’s Slot-T offense. Returning running backs Seth Gardner and Aaron Anzua combined for 775 yards and five TDs rushing.
The passing offense wasn’t as productive last year as Patrick completed 43 percent of his attempts for 499 yards, seven TDs and seven interceptions. Tight end Cason Guthrie, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, is the top returning receiver with 13 catches last year. The Eagles have several other veteran and new receivers, including seniors Bryson Owen (6-2, 175) and Adrean Martinez, junior Carsyn Campbell, sophomore Rylan Wiedebusch, and freshman Luke Sanderson.
The interior offensive line returns four starters in seniors Kody Roberts (5-10, 210), Mitchel Hopper (5-11, 190) and Saul Vaquera (5-6, 212); along with junior A.J. McCoy (6-2, 295).
Goldthwaite’s defensive front returns McCoy at nose guard and Vaquera at tackle. Hopper, who made 95 tackles last year, and Roberts, who had 85 stops, return at inside linebacker spots. Guthrie returns at outside linebacker after making 75 tackles last year.
Gardner and Campbell return at cornerback after combining for 64 tackles last year. Patrick returns at safety, where he led the team in tackles last year with 111 and in interceptions with two. Anzua also returns at safety.
Crawford is the favorite in District 7-2A Division I, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, as 17 of 27 lettermen return from a 13-2 state semifinalist squad, including six starters on each side of the ball.
Players to watch include RB/DB Breck Chambers, QB/LB Ty Williams, RB/DB Luke Torbert, FB/LB Camron Walker, WR/DB Trey Dobie, WR/DB Ben Baker, RB/LB Austin Merenda, OL/DL Dillon Compton, RB/LB Brady Ward, OL/DL Kyle Worrell, OL/DL Lanie Fisher, OL/DL Jacob Mitchell, WR/DB Colt Murphree, WR/DB Huston Hall.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 49-point underdog.
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San Saba (0-0) at Eldorado (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The San Saba Armadillos are looking to continue their recent run of lengthy playoff runs, but will need to rely on a new cast in their effort this season.
Head coach Andreas Aguirre welcomes back 24 of 34 lettermen from last year’s 8-3 playoff squad, including five offensive and four defensive starters. After a runner-up finish in District 4-2A Division I, the Armadillos are projected by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football to again finish behind Cisco in the league race. San Saba is expected to place in front of Coleman, Winters, Goldthwaite and De Leon.
“Our culture is strong, we’ve got a great coaching staff, and a great group of kids. We lost a strong senior class but they’ve been saying that the last three years,” Aguirre said. “These kids are winners, they’ve been through it, they love what it tastes like, what it feels like to win ball games. We have high expectations around here, high expectations for this coaching staff, for these kids, and myself.”
Among the players to watch for San Saba are DCTF District 4-2A Division I preseason defensive player of the year WR/DB Reagan Mejia who plays cornerback and receiver, RB Wesley Lackey, WR/DB Drake Bryant, DB Franco Franco, OL Leonel Aranda, QB Lance Taylor, OL/DL Christian Ramirez, and WR/LB Tyler Johnson.
“We have Reagan Mejia, he’s a six-sport athlete,” Aguirre said. “He’s going to be holding it down at the corner position. Franco Franco will be at the other corner. We have Lance Taylor running our quarterback position. We have a plethora of skill guys. We’ve got some big guys coming back like Christian Ramirez and Leonel Aranda who are holding down the lines. I’m excited about the kids we’re having back this year.”
Eldorado is picked to come in second in District 14-A Division II according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. The Eagles return 24 of 29 lettermen, including 10 offensive and nine defensive starters, from a 6-6 playoff team in 2020.
Players to keep an eye on include WR/LB Cooper Meador, QB/DB Korbin Covarrubiaz, RB/DB James Kimble, RB/LB Santiago Hernandez, OL Braxton Elias, TE/LB Garrett Porter, WR/DB Nino Tambunga, OL/DL Sam Griffin, WR/DB Jason Covarrubiaz, WR/DB Kaden Gonzalez, TE/LB Damian Romo, OL/DL Michael Adame, WR/DB Marcos Morin, WR/DB Mario Arispe, and WR/K Jonathan McGee.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 17-point favorite.
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Mason (0-0) at Comanche (0-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Comanche alum Joaquin “Jake” Escobar makes his debut as head coach of the Indians Friday night as the Mason Punchers come calling.
The Indians are coming off an 8-3 campaign, but returns just nine of 30 lettermen, including three offensive and two defensive starters.
“Our biggest strength is we’re athletic,” Escobar said. “We have some young kids that can run and I think that’s going to be an advantage for us. I know our O-line is going to be young, we’re going to have one senior and a couple of sophomores. Our quarterback and our running back, those two guys have varsity experience but there’s only three guys that have varsity experience on the offense. That’s going to be a big key for us, them managing the game.”
Among the players to keep an eye on are QB/DB Hudson Welch, RB Luke Wilson, OL/DL Dominic Rios, OL/DL Ezray Rios, DB Miguel Martinez, OL/DL Ethan Morin, RB/LB Alan Garza, TE/LB Israel Medrano, WR/DB Kyler Beaty, and RB/LB Ayden Fishback.
“Luke Wilson is our running back, I think he’s going to be a good player for us and he’s a great leader,” Escobar said. “Our quarterback Hudson Welch is another young man who has really stepped up. He was up here in the summer working his tail off. He looks calm, cool and collected. He’s grasping what we’re trying to get done in our philosophy. We have a couple of young receivers, Tyler Beaty is a sophomore that’s going to be a good hand for us. Our tight end is going to be a sophomore, a big kid that can run. We have a couple of receivers where this offense is going to benefit them. Our slot guy, Miguel Martinez, played quarterback on JV last year. He’s a basketball kid, he’s shifty and can move, so this fits perfect for him. We’ve got some good linemen that are young an have been working really hard this summer. Our right tackle is going to a big surprise for some people.”
Mason is the District 14-A Division I favorite according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football as 18 of 30 lettermen return, but just three offensive and four defensive starters from last year’s 8-5 regional semifinalist team.
Players to watch include RB Hayden Harding, OL Milam Mayfield, OL/DL Cason Jacoby, RB/DB Ryne Todd, QB/DB Isaiah Bishop, QB/DB Ivan Wofford, an RB/DL Wyatt Row.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 3-point underdog.