GRIDIRON GLANCE: San Saba Armadillos

August 15, 2020 at 9:03 am Derrick Stuckly

SAN SABA – In the weight room of the No. 10 San Saba Armadillos, three banners currently hang – one for the 2018 state semifinalists, one for the 2019 state quarterfinalists, and one for 2020, which features only a picture of AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Coming off back-to-back historic postseason runs, the San Saba Armadillos are eyeing the program’s first state championship in head coach Andreas Aguirre’s second campaign.

“The expectations are high,” Aguirre said. “We harp on that every day with our core principles and the things we do around here. Not only do we want to reach goals but exceed our expectation each and every year.”

The Armadillos have won 27 of 29 games over the last two seasons, including a 13-1 mark a year ago. San Saba returns 15 of 27 lettermen from the 2019 squad, including seven starters on each side of the ball.

“We lost a great senior year group, those kids have been with us about three years working hard in the weight room,” Aguirre said. “They built the bridge for these young men, guided them down the right path and laid a foundation for us. But we still have a solid kids that work hard, a lot of ‘yes sir’ kids.”

Among the key returnees for San Saba are receiver/defensive back Logan Glover (642 receiving yards, 10 TDs; 63 tackles, 10 INTs) – Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine preseason defensive MVP for District 4-2A Division I – running back/defensive back Stone Sears (115 tackles, 4 sacks), quarterback/linebacker Risien Shahan (483 passing yards, 5 TDs), and linebacker Landon Yarbrough (177 tackles, 4 sacks).

“Our linebacker is moving to quarterback, Risien Shahan, and our outside linebacker, Stone Sears, is moving to running back,” Aguirre said. “He’s about 6-2, 200 pounds and he’s a workhorse for us. Logan Glover is an all-state free safety and wide receiver that’s back. The main thing about those guys is they’re leaders on and off the field, great in the classroom, and they get the job done.”

Other players to keep an eye on for the Armadillos include receiver/defensive back Wesley Lackey, quarterback/linebacker Tegan Saiz, offensive lineman Landin Short, and offensive/defensive lineman Bryan Reza.

With two consecutive district championships to their credit, the Armadillos will have to contend with the perennial state powerhouse and fourth-ranked Cisco Loboes – dropping down from Class 3A Division II – in the race for the District 4-2A Division I crown. Goldthwaite and De Leon are carryovers from the old 7-2A Division I, while new additions to the league include Winters and Coleman – another 3A school last year.

Prior to district, San Saba will test its mettle against Eldorado, Rogers, Mason, Llano, and Dublin.

“It’s going to be a meat grinder of a schedule,” Aguirre said. “We’ve got a lot of great competition, a lot of good coaches, a lot of good programs, a lot of good communities and a lot of great athletes and teams we’re going to see. I’ve been able to talk to a lot of them, great cultures, high expectations once again, and teams dropping from 3A to 2A. I’m excited to put our product on the field and see what these other teams have to offer.”

As for the keys to make another deep playoff push and possibly advance to Arlington this season, Aguirre said, “We have to continue to harp on the little things, continue to improve each and every day, and continue to build our culture. We’re not looking forward to Week 10, Week 11, the playoffs or anything like that, we just want to continue to focus on each and every day and get better each and every day.”

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

VARSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 28 Eldorado

Sept. 4 Rogers

Sept. 11 at Mason

Sept. 18 at Llano

Sept. 25 Dublin

Oct. 2 OPEN

Oct. 9 at Goldthwaite*

Oct. 16 at Winters*

Oct. 23 De Leon*

Oct. 30 at Coleman*