GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘24: Priddy Pirates

August 16, 2024 at 7:43 am Derrick Stuckly

PRIDDY – The Priddy Pirates have spent the last two falls gearing up for this moment – UIL football competition.

After reviving a program that was dormant since 1960, Priddy posted a 3-7 record in 2023 and a 4-2 record in 2022 in their infancy on the gridiron.

Now, the Pirates have been added to UIL competition and received a favorable draw outside of preseason Class A Division II No. 1 Oglesby. Priddy will also be competing against Mullin, Evant and Cranfills Gap in District 14-A Division II play as they attempt to make waves and secure a postseason berth.

Jeremy Herrera has taken over as head coach of the program, and said of the Pirates, “They’re really excited because now they’re playing for something. They love playing, but when you’re in contention for something it makes a big difference.”

The Pirates have a solid nucleus to build on as they being their quest for a playoff berth.

“We have six returning seniors so we think we’re going to be pretty good this year,” Herrera said. “We’ve implemented a new defensive scheme, but the kids are super excited and they’ve been going hard every day. It’s going to depend on the kids. We have the potential to make the playoffs, but it will depend on their heart, and right now it’s in the right place.”

Players to watch, according to Herrera, include Brody Strew, Brazos Miller, Braxton Works, and Trisitan Ojeda, among others.

“Brody Strew is one of our best players all around,” Herrera said. “We also have some up and comers. Brazos Miller is a freshman and Braxton Works, both of those guys are going to contribute. Tristian Ojeda, he’s our quarterback and he blew out his ACL in basketball last year but he’s back and progressing to where he needs to be. Brendan Seago and Catfish Baird look really good in the backfield and Seago is also good on the defensive back side. Levi Breum and Ryan Arnett have potential to be really good, too.”

Prior to district competition, the Pirates will square off against Panther Creek, Walnut Springs, Trent, Gustine, Santa Anna, and Rising Star.

Early season goals for the Pirates, according to Herrera, are, “seeing how they react to adversity. With us being in a district and playing with a new defensive plan, I want to see how they react to that. We’ll look at game film and look at where things are at. When it comes down to it the guys are going to have to boot their best foot forward and focus on each game, not look to what’s ahead.”

Priddy opens district at home against Cranfills Gap, visits Oglesby after a bye, welcomes Evant, then travels Mullin to wrap up the regular season.

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Priddy is projected to place third in the league behind Oglesby and Cranfills Gap and ahead of Evant and Mullin.

“The key for us is to play each game one game at a time,” Herrera said. “Oglesby is stacked with 35 kids and we have 13. But every other team we feel like we can be beat. Cranfills Gap is another team we have to worry about, but if we can take care of the teams we’re supposed to beat and then beat some we’re on the borderline with, we’ll be good.”

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PRIDDY PIRATES 2024 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30	Panther Creek	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 6	at Walnut Springs	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 13	Trent#	7 p.m.
Sept. 20	at Gustine	7:30 p.m.
Sept. 27	Santa Anna	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5	at Rising Star	7:30 p.m.
Oct. 11	Cranfills Gap*	7 p.m.
Oct. 18	OPEN
Oct. 25	at Oglesby*	7 p.m.
Nov. 1	Evant*	7 p.m.
Nov. 8	at Mullin*	7:30 p.m.