GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘23: Coleman Bluecats

August 10, 2023 at 7:30 am Derrick Stuckly

COLEMAN – The Coleman Bluecats were denied a second straight district championship in 2022, but did reach the playoffs for the second year in a row – advancing to the second round. As head coach John Elder enters his 10^th campaign with the Bluecats, returning to the top of the District 5-2A Division I standings is among the primary objectives.

The Bluecats welcome six offensive and five defensive starters back, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas magazine, and from a 9-3 team. The publication expects the Bluecats to again finish behind Tolar and ahead of Hamilton and Bangs to comprise the postseason contingent from District 5.

“Our expectations are like every year, try to do better that you did the previous year, expand on some things you started to do well, get better at the things you did a good job with, and add a couple of new things,” Elder said. “I think the attitude is right. We lost a few in key roles last year so we have some kids playing new positions this year. Everybody’s come out willing to learn and we were able to work on some things this summer with the sports specific workouts we get to do now.”

A senior class of six is among the greatest strengths for Coleman entering the season, led by the likes of quarterback Jadin Jackson (1,540 passing yards, 16 TDs; 850 rushing yards, 10 TDs); tight end/linebacker Hunter Lackey; receiver/defensive back Hagen Cavanaugh; running back/linebacker Brent Bouldin; and offensive/defensive linemen Jorge Salas and Oscar Camacho.

“It’s not a big senior class but those guys have been together their whole lives,” Elder said. “They have great leadership skills, hold the locker room accountable and have a great chemistry with their teammates. They make the team easy to be a part of. For the new kids moving into the locker room, they’re having an easy transition playing with them, but at the same time they’ll expect a lot from the new guys. They’re good teachers and role models.”

A concern for the Bluecats entering the season is a smaller roster in terms of the number of players, which will make remaining healthy of the utmost importance.

“We’re low on numbers but the ones that are here are putting in the work,” Elder said. “They have the energy and dedication to be successful. Hopefully we can stay free of injuries and have a good season.”

Prior to the start of district competition, Coleman will square off against Mason, Ballinger, Brady and Llano. The Bluecats started the 2022 season with three wins before falling in the pre-district finale.

“I want to see us be ahead of where we were early in the season last year,” Elder said of the goal over the first four games. “We have a tough schedule. Mason comes to town pretty fast after we scrimmage Albany and Eastland. We want to be able to go out and execute the basic things and add a couple of things that would be later additions in a normal year. We want to be able to focus on a lack of penalties early in the season, not be sloppy on that, and clean some things up in our games early in the year. We also need to be successful in the passing game and finish drives.”

Regarding the District 5-2A Division I race, Elder said. “It’s going to be lot tougher than it was last year. Hamilton is coming up from last year and San Saba’s going to improve a lot. De Leon has a lot of young kids that are going to improve, too. Bangs has a new system so any time you see something new that’s going to be dangerous for everybody. Goldthwaite is rolling and there’s a lot going over there. Us and Tolar are supposed to be the teams to beat in the district, but you never know. It’ll be a fight to the finish.”

As for what it will take for Coleman to reclaim its spot atop the district and advance past the second round of the playoffs, Elder said, “The biggest key for us is to minimize our penalties and finish drives. We can’t keep the ball for eight minutes and then turn it over. We can’t get the ball for eight minutes and stall out on a drive. We have to be able to take the wind out of our opponents with long drives and capitalize with points. We also can’t give up big plays and fall asleep when somebody else has the ball and let them put one over us for a big completion. We have to have discipline and awareness in the ball games. We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot, that’s worse than injuries.”

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COLEMAN BLUECATS 2023 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – Mason , 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 – at Ballinger, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 – at Brady, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 – Llano, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 – at Goldthwaite*, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29 – San Saba*#, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 – at Tolar*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 – Hamilton*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 – OPEN

Oct. 27 – at De Leon*, 7 p.m.