GRIDIRON GLANCE: Coleman Bluecats

August 13, 2020 at 8:03 am Derrick Stuckly

COLEMAN – Following a two-year postseason absence, the Coleman Bluecats are hoping a change of scenery translates into positive results in 2020.

During the UIL’s biennial realignment in February, Coleman was placed in District 4-2A Division I – dropping down from the Class 3A ranks. That, coupled with the return of 17 of 25 lettermen – including eight offensive and seven defensive starters – could provide the right mix for the Bluecats to make a playoff charge.

“We’ve got a lot of guys back that have been playing varsity football even when they got forced into it,” said Coleman head coach John Elder, who owns a 39-30 record at the school heading into his seventh season. “With the returning experience and the depth we have this year across the board that will help us mature and get going in the right direction.”

Despite the drop in classification, the district opponents awaiting Coleman is quite the collection. Former district rival Cisco also dropped down from 3A along with Coleman, and San Saba – which has reached the state semifinals and state quarterfinals the last two seasons – Goldthwaite, De Leon, and Winters comprise the rest of the foes.

“We’ve got a new district and a new classification but it’s still a hard district,” Elder said. “We’re centrally located and no matter if we are 2A or 3A it seems like we’re always in a tough district so that’s nothing new to us. We’ve got to be able to coach well and play good ball week in and week out because we’re going to be facing great coaches and great programs and great kids. It doesn’t matter what classification number you put in front of us, we have to play good football.”

Key returnees include first-team all-district wide receiver Jalen Holloway (21 catches for 291 yards, 4 TDs); quarterback/defensive back Corbin Rosales (605 passing yards, 9 TDs; 335 rushing yards, 5 TDs), a second team all-district choice in the secondary a year ago; running back/linebacker R.J. Wright (430 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 59 tackles, 1 INT), a second-team all-district linebacker in 2019; offensive/defensive lineman Brock Bouldin (57 tackles, 8 sacks); offensive/defensive lineman Gilbert Espitia, a second-team all-district offensive line selection; tight end/linebacker Ezequiel Valdez; offensive lineman Gus Allen; and linebacker/running back Ryland Gentry.

Players expected to see expanded workloads in 2020 include offensive lineman Joe Robles, offensive lineman/linebacker David Navarro, receiver/defensive back Dylan Mickler, and offensive lineman Jeryd Fain.

“My quarterback will be a senior, Corbin Rosales, and a running back that should make a statement is R.J. Wright. So should our returning all-district receiver Jalen Holloway,” Elder said. “Our strength is our numbers are up. We lack a little depth on our O-line and D-line but our skill kids have numbers and that’s going to benefit us practice-wise. We get to practice with full teams on both sides and that’s going to help us down the stretch with endurance and maturity of the team.”

Prior to the start of district action the Bluecats will tangle with Miles, Anson, Brady, Grape Creek, and Colorado City.

“I want to see progress week in and week out,” Elder said of the early season goals. “I want to start from the get-go limiting turnovers and penalties. I want to see that we’re mature enough to hold the snap count or not hold or do anything like that to shoot ourselves in the foot and move the ball forward, not backwards.”

Elder added the anticipation level among the Bluecats for this season is among the highest he can recall.

“We’re full of energy, it’s like a glorified day care some days,” Elder said. “They’re excited to be out of the house and able to do something. With school starting, I think everybody has a different outlook on school now. Things are positive here and all the way around the program.”

The Bluecats last made the playoffs in 2017 and finished with a 3-8 overall record. The last winning season for Coleman occurred in 2016 with a 9-4 mark.

In order for Coleman to turn around its recent fortunes, Elder said, “The biggest key for us is to maintain momentum and never get lackadaisical during the middle of the season. We want to make sure we’re keeping the kids poised all the way through and not let the negative things hold you down. We have to keep moving forward.”

COLEMAN BLUECATS

VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 28 at Miles

Sept. 4 Anson

Sept. 11 Brady

Sept. 18 at Grape Creek

Sept. 25 at Colorado City

Oct. 2 OPEN

Oct. 9 De Leon*

Oct. 16 Goldthwaite*

Oct. 23 at Cisco*

Oct. 30 San Saba*