GRIDIRON GLANCE ‘23: Richland Springs Coyotes

August 13, 2023 at 7:35 am Derrick Stuckly

RICHLAND SPRINGS – The Richland Springs Coyotes suffered through a tumultuous 2022 campaign as their strings of 81 consecutive district victories and 20 straight district championships came to an end, and head coach Jerry Burkhart received a three-year suspension from the UIL. Along with that, a rash of injuries continually depleted the roster.

The result was an 8-2 season, runner-up finish in District 16-A Division II, and second-round playoff exit at the hands of state runner-up Loraine.

Fast forward to the 2023 preseason and the Coyotes are back at full strength with 17-year assistant Shawn Rogers having taken over the reins of the program.

“Last year was just horrible with the injuries and the other stuff, but we’ve had a way better offseason that we did last year,” Rogers said. “We’re just trying to build on previous years and we’ve got 22 kids this year, so I think we’ll be all right.”

A perk for this year that actually came from last season’s woes was the experience gained by the younger players due to the number of injuries the Coyotes suffered.

“When we played Loraine, the state runner-up, we had three sophomores and two freshmen starting,” Rogers said. “Those freshmen and sophomores had to play a lot last year so they’re ready. We lost six seniors from last year, we’ve got three pretty good seniors this year, but we’ll reload. The junior class has 12 boys that are pretty good athletes.”

Looking at the District 16-A Division II race, the Coyotes will attempt to upend reigning league champion Cherokee – ranked No. 3 in the preseason by sixmanfootball.com – while Rochelle is also a likely threat in the postseason hunt.

“The three teams in our district last year easily could have gone three rounds deep – any of them,” Rogers said. “We just had too many injuries. We lost a senior every single game starting in Week 3. It’s going to be another tough district run this year, but we’re ready for it.”

Among the players to watch for the Coyotes are the senior class of Jayden Sutherland, Kenny Tripplett, and Troy Shelton, along with underclassmen Billy Perry, Hutton Rogers, and Gage Behrens.

Rogers has added a pair of coaches to the staff in Richland Springs graduate Jadeyn Bryant and former Milford standout James McIntyre, who ran track at Tarleton.

Prior to the start of the district race, the Coyotes will square off against High Island, Olfen, Lometa, Bell County Academy, Coolidge and Burnet Smoking for Jesus.

“I just want to see them be physical, line up right and tackle,” Rogers said of the pre-district goals. “The defense was horrible last year after Coach Burkhart left. Then in district it will be us, Cherokee and Rochelle, and Cherokee is probably the favorite with us and Rochelle neck and neck. Hopefully we can knock off one of them at least.”

As for what the Coyotes need to do to reclaim their status among the state’s elite, Rogers said, “Get back to Richland Springs football. We need to come together, the community’s been behind us. We can’t change the past and it’s time we move on.”

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RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES 2023 VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 25 – High Island, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 – Olfen, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 8 – Lometa, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 – Bell County Academy, 6 p.m.

Sept. 22 – at Coolidge, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 29 – Burnet Smoking for Jesus (location TBA)

Oct. 6 – at Cherokee*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 13 – Rochelle*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 – Brookesmith*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 27 – at Lohn*, 7:30 p.m.