Brownwood Bulletin Pigskin Preview 2018

SEASON PREVIEWS:

BROWNWOOD • EARLY • BANGS • BLANKET • BROOKESMITH • MAY • ZEPHYR • HOWARD PAYNE COLEMAN • COMANCHE• GOLDTHWAITE • SAN SABA • SANTA ANNA • RICHLAND SPRINGS • MULLIN • RISING STAR • SIDNEY

ROOTS RUN DEEP

New coach Burnett building bridge between past and future at Brownwood

Bulletin B R O W N W O O D

18 BROWNWOODTX.COM

PIGSKIN PREVIEW

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

BROWNWOOD LIONS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PHOTO BY DERRICK STUCKLY

Quarterback Tommy Bowden (left), named the District 5-4A Division I Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, provides a dual threat both on the ground and through the air for the Brownwood Lions offense.

Lions focused on short-term, long-term success under Burnett LIONS GLIMPSE • District: 5-4A Division I • Head coach: Sammy Burnett (1st season at school, 0-0 record; 58-32 career record) • Assistant coaches: David Jones (assistant head coach), Brett Mouser (defensive coordinator/secondary), Kirk Chastain (defensive line), Derrick Stacks (outside linebackers), Blandon Hancock (outside linebackers), Darren Bailey (cornerbacks), Chase Adams (offensive line/run game coordinator), Brad Bowden (offensive line), Bryan Clark (running backs), Tyler Horton (quarterback), Grant Feaster (receivers).

• 2017 record: 6-5, 2-2 in district • Last district title: 2010 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Players to watch: QB Tommy Bowden, WR A.J. McCarty, OL/ DL Theo Bryant, WR/CB Braden Jetton, RB Joseph Johnson, ILB Hayden Tunnell, DL Santanna Espinoza, OLB Hunter Leonard

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

The Brownwood Lions are turning to the past as they embark upon their future.

Sammy Burnett, a 1988 Brownwood High School graduate who played football under both Gordon Wood and Randy Allen, will be the first Lion player to lead the program during the 2018 season.

With firsthand experience in the traditions of Brownwood football, Burnett will harken back to days past in his quest to eventually return the Lions to their status among dominant high school football programs in the state of Texas.

“We’re trying to install a program here and get the program back to where it was a long time ago,” Burnett said. “The root of that was the discipline, the character building, the daily life skills that you’re teaching the kids from classroom behavior, to expectations on grades to how you conduct yourself when you’re in school and on the field. It’s also important how you conduct yourself

away from school because you’re a reflection of the program.”

As much as Burnett would like to see Brownwood in state championship contention season after season, he also understands reshaping the program won’t happen overnight.

“It takes time,” Burnett said. “Kids have to learn lessons the hard way before they understand this is how it’s going to be. For me, I feel that’s my mission in life anyway is to raise Sammy Burnett young men through athletics. We use BROWNWOOD HEAD COACH athletics to mold young people. It’s not about us, it’s what we can do to help our neighbor, our community member, our teacher, our teammate or our coaches.

I’m a firm believer the more you do for other people the

SEE BROWNWOOD, 56

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 3

BROWNWOOD LIONS

Hunter Leonard

Grayson Swanzy

Tommy Bowden

Rowdee Gregory

George Nicholas

Zack Smith

Braden Jetton

Zach Strong

#2 - SENIOR

#3 - SENIOR

#4 - SENIOR

#5 - JUNIOR

#6 -SENIOR

#7 - SENIOR

#8 - SENIOR

#9 - JUNIOR

Ben Kallman

Jayron Anglin

A.J. McCarty

#10 - SENIOR

#11 - SENIOR

#12 - JUNIOR

Austin Haynes #13 - SENIOR

Clayton Bertrand

Damion Jones

Christian DeHart

#15 - SENIOR

#16 - JUNIOR

#17 - JUNIOR

Khyren Deal

Reece Rodgers

Nate Martin

Bowdy Boyd

Anthony Larrera

Joseph Johnson

Cooper Swanzy

Riley Pruett

#18 - SOPHOMORE

#20 - JUNIOR

#21 - SENIOR

#23 - SENIOR

#24 - SENIOR

#25 - SENIOR

#26 - JUNIOR

#33 - SENIOR

Ian Moreno

Hayden Tunnell

Aaron Menchaca

#35 - SENIOR

#44 - SENIOR

#45 - SENIOR

Grayson Stone #51 - SENIOR

Cutter Thompson

Ezequiel Ibarra

Adrian Villarreal

#52 - JUNIOR

#55 - JUNIOR

#60 - JUNIOR

Branson Koepp-Cox

Santanna Espinoza

Jacob Ruiz

Dawson Evans

Theo Bryant

Jayln Jones

Ulysses Villarreal

Brandon Farrow

#64 - JUNIOR

#70 - SENIOR

#72 - SENIOR

#74 - SENIOR

#75 - JUNIOR

#76 - SENIOR

#77 - SENIOR

#78 - JUNIOR

4

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

HOWARD PAYNE YELLOW JACKETS

FILE PHOTO BY DERRICK STUCKLY

Kaidrion Latson (5) and Eric Haverstock (2) are two of the approximately 60 returners for the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets, who look to build off last year’s 1-9 record.

Jackets planning to climb ASC ladder in Harris’ second season JACKETS GLIMPSE • Conference: American Southwest • Head coach: Braxton Harris (2nd season at school, 1-9 record; 1-9 career record) • Assistant coaches: Coby Gipson (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks), Will Snyder (defensive coordinator, secondary), Luke Wagner (receivers), Scott Clough (offensive line) • 2017 record: 1-9, 1-8 in conference • Last conference title: 1995 • Last postseason appearance: 1995 • Starters returning: 9 on offense/9 on defense • Players to watch: OL Travis Folmar, OL Abraham Centeno, TE Eric Haverstock, RB Kaidrion Latson, OL Robert Evans, DE Brady Wade, DE Jaylon Jeffery, DT Adrien Barrientos, LB Britt Boler, S Tevin Dawson, CB Elijah Washington

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

As the second season of the Braxton Harris coaching era begins, the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets’ goal is to begin an ascent up the American Southwest Conference standings.

With a solid core of returners back, along with an influx of talented newcomers, Harris believes pieces are in place to begin the climb.

“The biggest thing from year one to year two is the returners,” Harris said. “Last year we didn’t have very many returners, we came to the fall camp with about 40 returners and this year we had almost 60 returners. You may not think that’s a huge

difference, but 20 more kids is a big difference for us.

“The fun thing in fall camp is you truly see a difference in the kids that have been in our program and the newcomers that have come in. What that tells Braxton Harris us is the culture HOWARD PAYNE HEAD COACH of the program is being set. It’s neat to see those guys continuing to grow and showing young guys that this is what you do here. Last year at this

time we didn’t have anybody to lead by example, it was just trying to get everybody to do those things. Now we have the guys that can lead by example and that’s what’s stood out the most this fall camp.”

Simply having players return is not enough to push the Yellow Jackets over the hump, Harris readily admits.

“When you’re a 1-9 football team there’s a lot of things you need to work on,” Harris said in reference to Howard Payne’s record in 2017, his first year in charge of the program.

“There’s a lot of things we have to be able to improve on, but overall ath-

SEE HPU, 54

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 5

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

EARLY LONGHORNS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Longhorns aim to crash playoff party for first time in a decade LONGHORNS GLIMPSE • District: 3-3A Division I • Head coach: Blake Sandford (4th season at school, 5-25 record; 5-25 career record) • 2017 record: 3-7, 1-4 in district • Last district title: 2007 • Last playoff appearance: 2008 • Starters returning: 7 on offense/7 on defense • Players to watch: QB Ryan Trompler, WR/DL Ty Schafer, DB Brandon Lombrano, RB Jesson Tarrant, OL/LB Jayden Lehde, OL/ DL Ethen Portillo, WR/DB David Shields, OL/DL Patrick Valencia, OL/LB John Griffin, RB/LB Carlos Moreno, RB/DL Jose Pesina, WR/ DB Johnny Clubb

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

EARLY — The Early Longhorns are coming off the best season of head coach Blake Sandford’s coaching tenure, and heading into season four the goal is to end a playoff drought that extends a decade — back to 2008.

The UIL did the Longhorns no favors, however, as each of Early’s five District 3-3A Division I opponents qualified for the postseason a year ago. But with Sandford’s program firmly in place, and the strides the Longhorns made last season, Early is embracing the challenge ahead.

“Yes the expectations are high, but we didn’t have lower expectations last year or any of the previous years,” Sandford said.

“The general consensus in the locker room is we think we’re going to be pretty good and I certainly wouldn’t bet against them because I’ve seen how hard, firsthand, they work. They’ve put in the time, the

blood, the sweat and the tears.”

Sandford stated having been in the same program for four years is among the greatest strengths for this year’s squad.

“The kids have been in the program now longer, so with that being said as they Blake Sandford continue through this EARLY HEAD COACH path of what we’re doing in this program, they’ve gotten bigger, faster and stronger and are grasping the concepts of what we’re doing offensively and defensively,” Sandford said. “Keeping the staff virtually intact certainly is a great help with that. It all starts with what we’re doing with our coaching philosophies.”

Another area of improvement this sea-

son is both in size and speed.

“For the first time in a while our overall size is better than what it’s been here lately, and our strength level is pretty high,” Sandford said. “Our athletic ability is also looking pretty good in my opinion, and they’re flying around. They’re high energy, they’ve got a good grasp of what we’re doing offensively and defensively, and they’re being intelligent about what we’re doing.”

In regard to where the Longhorns can improve, Sandford said, “Things we need to continue to work on is the mental side of it, having great reps when we’re tired, being adamant about physical dominance on each play in practice so that it will carry over to a game. They have to know what their breaking point is and move past that.

If they’re a little hot, or a little winded or have some aches and pains, they have to SEE EARLY, 52

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 7

EARLY LONGHORNS

Jesson Tarrant

David Shields

Timmy Smithson

Jonathan Morales

Brent Grooms

Ryan Trompler

Stephen Holt

#2 - JUNIOR

#3 - SENIOR

#4 - JUNIOR

# 7 - SENIOR

# 8 - JUNIOR

#10 - SENIOR

#11 - SENIOR

Johnny Clubb

Jose Pesina

Cale Wade

Brandon Lombrano

Carlos Moreno

Ethen Portillo

Jadyn Lehde

#18 - SENIOR

#21 - SENIOR

#24 - JUNIOR

#25 - SENIOR

#32 - JUNIOR

#50 - JUNIOR

#53 - JUNIOR

John Griffin

Diego Crader

Riley Richards

Patrick Valencia

Adrian Elizondo

Jayden Vasquez-Hodges

Sebastian Perez

#55 - SENIOR

#58 - JUNIOR

#60 - JUNIOR

#61 - SENIOR

#65 - JUNIOR

#68 - JUNIOR

#72 - JUNIOR

Bailey Jones

Logan Gillem

Austin Reveile

Ty Schafer

Ryan Hicks

Jeramiah Fowler

#73 - SENIOR

#77 - SOPHOMORE

#80 - SENIOR

#81 - SENIOR

#84 - SENIOR

#85 - JUNIOR

8

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

BANGS DRAGONS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Maxfield tasked with returning Dragons to winning ways DRAGONS GLIMPSE • District: 4-3A Division II • Head coach: Kyle Maxfield (1st season at school, 0-0 record; 135-77 career record) • 2017 record: 0-10, 0-5 in district • Last district title: 2010 • Last playoff appearance: 2014 • Starters returning: 5 on offense/5 on defense • Players to watch: QB/ DB Seth Anderson, QB/ WR/LB Justin Wilson, OL Hunter Lawrence, OL/DL Cael John, RB/LB Brandon Robinson, OL/DL Hayden King, RB Ethan Sanchez

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BANGS — The Bangs Dragons look to clean the slate in 2018 as they begin a new era under former Brownwood head coach Kyle Maxfield.

Maxfield, who posted a 12-9 record in two seasons at Brownwood with a pair of playoff berths and one bi-district championship, inherits a Bangs program that went winless in 2017 and owns a 2-27 record over the past three seasons.

“From their attitudes so far you would never know the struggles they’ve been through in the past,” Maxfield said. “As far as their attitude and the way they go about approaching practice, it’s been very good.

They want to get it done, they want to get it turned around, but they know it’s not easy.”

Maxfield, who was hired in early February, and the rest of the Dragons are eagerly anticipating the start of the regular season.

“Since my first day in the spring, it’s a been a journey to this point, bringing in new staff, getting to the know the kids and what they’re strengths and weaknesses are,” Maxfield said. “We know some good things will happen and some bad things will happen, we just want Kyle Maxfield them to be coachable and BANGS HEAD COACH play with a lot of effort.”

Maxfield is no stranger to rebuilding programs, as he took Class 3A Division I Shallowater to six playoff appearances and four district championships in seven seasons, compiling a 72-18 record in that time. Prior to Maxfield’s arrival in 2009, Shallowater had not made the playoffs since 2006 and last won a district championship in 2004.

Maxfield credited his coaching staff — which consists of former Brownwood assistants Sam Gillispie, Aaron Keesee and Cory Medulla, among others — with playing a major role in reviving a program.

“Our experience on our staff has also helped tremendously,” Maxfield said.

“We help each other see some things when you’re taking over a program that’s had some struggles.”

The Dragons have just three opportunities to hone their skills before the start of District 4-3A Division II action, as Bangs has been placed in an eight-team league — a rarity for small schools in this day and age.

“The last time I was part of an eight-team district I think was in the early 2000s when I first became a head coach,”Maxfield said.

“With four teams going to playoffs, I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, not like it used to be when they only took one or two. Still, it SEE BANGS, 50

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 9

BANGS DRAGONS

Kolt Bradley

Wesley Mitchell

Evan Belez

Justin Wilson

Garrett Shackelford

Corbin Freeland

#2 - JUNIOR

#3 - JUNIOR

#4 - SOPHOMORE

#5 - SENIOR

#6 - SENIOR

#10 - JUNIOR

Seth Anderson

Josh Valdez

Jacob Powell

Ethan Sanchez

Riley Taylor

Colton Martin

#12 - SENIOR

#20 - SENIOR

#21 - JUNIOR

#24 - JUNIOR

#25 - JUNIOR

#27 - SENIOR

Tyler Brooks

Holdyn Hoffman

Devon McCarty

Charlie Smith

Hayden King

Hunter Lawrence

#30 - JUNIOR

#52 - SENIOR

#54 - SENIOR

#55 - SOPHOMORE

#60 - SOPHOMORE

#62 - SENIOR

Michael Francois

Cael John

Donald Ivey

Bradly Wright

#70 - SENIOR

#72 - JUNIOR

#75 - SOPHOMORE

#76 - JUNIOR

10

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

BLANKET TIGERS

Tabor returns to Blanket, which targets first playoff trip since 2015 TIGERS GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division II • Head coach: Tyler Tabor (1st season back at school, 0-0 record; 51-47 career record, 34-32 at Blanket) • 2017 record: 5-5, 0-3 in district • Last district title: 2014 • Last playoff appearance: 2015 • Starters returning: 4 on offense/4 on defense • Players to watch: RB Logan Wheeler, ATH John John Alexander, QB/LB Trenten Varner, DL/FB Kameron Spivey, OL Adan Lopez, TE/DL Tyler Simpson

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BLANKET — After a one-year hiatus, Tyler Tabor returns as head coach in Blanket where the Tigers — after moving down to Class A Division II — are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2015.

“It feels great and I’m excited to be back,” said Tabor, who posted a 34-32 record in six previous seasons at Blanket. “Day by day we’re trying to improve and get better. But for me personally, it feels great to be back with the guys on the football team.”

The Tigers are coming off a 5-5 campaign, but went 0-3 in District 10-A Division I action. With the move back to Division II, Blanket is the preseason favorite in District 15-A Division II, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

“We have a young team, but we also feel like we’ve had enough success in the past that we’re ready to get back in the playoffs,”

Tabor said. “That’s definitely a goal for us. I feel like we can win the district championship even though its touted as being an even district that’s up for grabs. We just feel like that’s our No. 1 goal — win district and get in the playoffs.

Week to week we just have to get better and see Tyler Tabor what happens.”

BLANKET HEAD COACH Among the greatest strengths for the Tigers is their speed, according to Tabor, as Blanket’s offense will be spearheaded by Class A 200 meters state champion and 100 meters state runner-up Logan Wheeler, who rushed for 915 yards on just 93 carries — an average of 9.8 yards per rush — a year ago.

“We’ve got some guys that can run,” Tabor said. “Obviously we have Logan, but we have some other guys returning in key positions. Our quarterback, Trenten Varner, is back, and senior John John Alexander is a two-way utility player who can play anywhere. Kameron Spivey was an all-district nose guard, so we’ve got some players coming back.”

Tabor cited the Tigers’ primary weakness as a lack of depth.

“We have about five freshmen coming up that are definitely not ready to play yet,” Tabor said. “We’ve got to get someone ready to fill some roles because we just don’t have enough depth right now.”

Blanket’s season begins at home against Cherokee and then Lometa ahead of a road trip to Lingleville. The Tigers then host Three Way and venture to Gordon and

SEE BLANKET, 48

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 11

BLANKET TIGERS

John John Alexander

Hector Castaneda

Ryan Jenkins

Mark Yeats

Logan Wheeler

Tyler Simpson

Carlos Morales

Trenten Varner

#3 - SENIOR

#6 - SOPHOMORE

#7 - FRESHMAN

#8 - FRESHMAN

#11 - JUNIOR

#12 - SOPHOMORE

#13 - SOPHOMORE

#14 - JUNIOR

Mario Morales

Dakota Pogue

Brady Furry

Kameron Spivey

Jayden Carson

Hayden Rogers

Tanner Isom

Adan Lopez

#17 - SOPHOMORE

#21 - FRESHMAN

#22 - SOPHOMORE

#24 - JUNIOR

#25 - SOPHOMORE

#32 - FRESHMAN

#47 - JUNIOR

#50 - SENIOR

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

Jeremaya Ibarra

Clayton Adame

Randall Williams

Johnathan Willoughby

#1 - JUNIOR

#3 - SOPHOMORE

#5 - SOPHOMORE

#9 - SOPHOMORE

Avery Williford

Tyler Williford

Holden Bolt

#22 - FRESHMAN

#23 - JUNIOR

#24 - JUNIOR

Cody Mazurek #11 - SOPHOMORE

Kody Turner

Mason Brummett

#13 - SENIOR

#21 - SENIOR

Conner Heard

Aleric Petross

Rusty Roberts

#31 - FRESHMAN

#33 - JUNIOR

#34 - JUNIOR

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

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BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

Coming off back-to-back playoff berths, Mustangs eye district title MUSTANGS GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division II • Head coach: Scott Edmondson (2nd at school, 5-6 record) • 2017 record: 5-6, 3-1 in district • Last district title: n/a • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 4 on offense/5 on defense • Players to watch: RB/LB Mason Brummett, FB/LB Jonathan Willoughby, DB Holden Bolt, Tyler Williford, Cody Mazurek, Randall Williams

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BROOKESMITH — Following a decadelong postseason drought, the Brookesmith Mustangs are coming off back-to-back playoff seasons. Now, with head coach Scott Edmondson returning for a second year, the Mustangs are eyeing even greater achievements in 2018.

“Our goal is obviously to get a win in the playoffs,” Edmondson said. “Our first goal is to get there. A district championship hasn’t happened here in somewhere around 30 or 40 years. But our main goals are to win a district championship and win a playoff game.”

With well over a dozen players on the roster, Brookesmith has more depth than it has enjoyed in years. And with Edmondson, the Mustangs’ 10th coach in the last 15 seasons, back on the sidelines, that provides Brookesmith with an additional advantage.

“Last year they came in and everything was new,” Edmondson said. “They basically

had to start from scratch.

It took us probably five weeks to feel comfortable with what we were doing.

Now, the first week in we already know some schemes and what we should be doing. We’re about three weeks ahead of where we were last year and that makes it a whole lot easier to transition.”

Scott Edmondson Among the areas where BROOKESMITH HEAD COACH Brookesmith must improve in order to compete for a district title, according to Edmondson, are the back end of the defense and up front on offense.

“I felt like our pass coverage needed work and we’re going to work more on that,” Edmondson said. “Blocking was also kind of a weakness for us. We’re going to focus the most in those two areas. We have a lot of

speed and talent, so if we can block for them we’ll do very well.”

Players to watch for the Mustangs include Mason Brummett, who last year ran for 1,099 yards and 18 touchdowns, while recording 87 tackles, along with Jonathan Willoughby, who added 459 yards on the ground and 49 tackles. Other players to keep an eye on include Avery Williford, Holden Bolt, Jeremaya Ibara, Rusty Roberts, Cody Mazurek and Randall Williams.

“Mason averaged over 10 tackles a game and 200-plus yards a game,” Edmondson said. “Avery Williford, we’re not sure what all he will do for us yet, but he should be a bright spot. Holden will help on both sides of the ball, and play quarterback, and Jonathan Willoughby is also part of the core group, along with Cody Mazurek and Randall Williams. Some of the newer guys are Jeremaya Ibara and Rusty Roberts. We’ve got a lot of SEE BROOKESMITH, 48

14

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

MAY TIGERS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

New faces step up as May looks to continue string of district titles TIGERS GLIMPSE • District: 14-A Division I • Head coach: Craig Steele (15th season at school, 113-48 record) • 2017 record: 12-1, 3-0 in district • Last district title: 2017 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 3 on offense/3 on defense • Players to watch: RB/DB Daniel Salinas, E/DL Gage Keckler, OL/DL Austin McAbee, E/DL Jaden Baker, RB/DB Rory Bustamante, E/DL Chris Flenniken, E/DB Tyler Wheeler, QB/ DB Seth Johnston, RB/DB Isidro Salinas, RB/DL Dylan Pruitt

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

MAY — The May Tigers won their first 12 games of the 2017 season before being derailed in the playoffs by eventual state finalist Jonesboro. Coming off back-toback district championships with a total of two losses over those two seasons, 15th year head coach Craig Steele will have to count on a new cast for continued success in 2018.

“I feel like with our line intact, we still have something to build around for this year,” said Steele, who is 113-48 in his time at May with a pair of state championship game appearances. “We still have to replace our backfield — the top three running backs and our quarterback are all gone, and that’s what we’re looking to replace and what we’ve been working through in practices.

“Our inexperience in certain positions could get us in trouble early in the sea-

Craig Steele MAY HEAD COACH

son. We’re going to go through some growing pains, playing some sophomores that have never played varsity before, and a couple of juniors and even a senior that haven’t had much playing time. We’ve got some experienced kids, but not enough to play all six positions. We have to build some depth and some experience through the non-dis-

trict schedule.”

Among the key returnees for the Tigers are Daniel Salinas, Austin McAbee, Jaden Baker, Gage Keckler and Chris Flenniken.

“We’ve got two returning all-staters in Daniel Salinas (151 tackles, four fumble recoveries) and Austin McAbee (14 catches

for 256 yards, 4 TDs),” Steele said. “Daniel will be the lynchpin on defense and Austin, who’s a fantastic center, will be on offense.

“We also bring back Jaden Baker, who’s a very good end. Gage Keckler was an allregion receiver and we’re moving him to the backfield this year. He’s a senior but inexperienced at the position. Chris Flenniken is going to take Gage’s spot on the line, he’s a sophomore but started in two playoff games last year because of injuries.

We’ve also got a slew of sophomores and juniors that will have the opportunity to compete for positions and play. Our quarterback position is really wide open right now and we won’t know for a while what we’re going to do at the position.”

May will learn a lot about itself during its pre-district games. The Tigers open at home against Richland Springs, then visit

SEE MAY, 48

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 15

MAY TIGERS

Jake Robertson

Kaysen Purcell

River Freeland

Seth Johnston

Isidro Salinas

Dilan Johnston

Blake Harrell

#2 - FRESHMAN

#4 - FRESHMAN

#7 - FRESHMAN

#8 - JUNIOR

#9 - SOPHOMORE

#12 - JUNIOR

#14 - FRESHMAN

Gage Keckler

Chris Flenniken

Landon Beal

Dylan Pruitt

Kaden Halk

Tyler Wheeler

Rory Bustamante

#15 - SENIOR

#17 - SOPHOMORE

#20 - FRESHMAN

#21 - SENIOR

#22 - FRESHMAN

#24 - JUNIOR

#25 - SOPHOMORE

Jayce Blankenship

Lane McGinn

Ethan Self

Daniel Salinas

Jaden Baker

Austin McAbee

Keith Cross

#26 - SOPHOMORE

#27 - SOPHOMORE

#30 - SOPHOMORE

#33 - SENIOR

#34 - SENIOR

#44 - SENIOR

#77 - SOPHOMORE

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Williamson returns to alma mater, ready to lead way at Zephyr BULLDOGS GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division I • Head coach: Brent Williamson (1st season at school, 0-0 record) • 2017 record: 10-2, 2-1 in district • Last district title: 2015 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 3 on offense/2 on defense • Players to watch: WR Devin Williams, OL John Paul Gowin, OL Elliot Gowin, QB Michael Seider, RB Jerrick Woodcock, RB Mason Rogers, OL Tristan Petty, QB J.C. Mangus, RB Garit Durbin, E William Simpson

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

ZEPHYR — After a whirlwind spring that featured an uncertain future, new Zephyr head coach Brent Williamson is now settled in at his alma mater, eager to continue the run of postseason success the Bulldogs have enjoyed in recent years.

“It’s always a coach’s dream to go back and be able to coach where he went to school and graduated from,” said Williamson, who posted a 5-5 record last year in his one season at Blanket. “It’s been a dream of mine to come back home and coach some kids that walked the same halls I did.

I just want to be able to give back what my coaches gave to me when I was in school and what I’ve learned through the years, and keep the Zephyr tradition going.”

The Bulldogs finished 10-2 last season, where they came in second behind Class A Division I state finalist Jonesboro in the district race. With three offensive and two

defensive starters back from that squad, and with Jonesboro returning just half of its lettermen from a year ago, the time could be right for the Tigers to earn the District 15-A Division I crown — their first title since 2015.

“Expectations are always high wherever I’m Brent Williamson at,” Williamson said. “I ZEPHYR HEAD COACH know Zephyr has a rich tradition and we want to build on the success over the years that (former head coach) Shannon (Williams) had here. Zephyr has taken it on the chin from Jonesboro the last few years, but they’re the ones we’re shooting for.”

As for the strengths of the 2018 Bulldogs, Williamson cited a roster that consists of

more than two dozen players, including all of the starting offensive linemen from a year ago.

“The strengths are our numbers and we’ve got all of our linemen back,” Williamson said. “We have to replace our quarterback, and then there’s some things we have to work on as far as transitioning into a new system. Mine and Coach Williams’ systems are similar, but there are some differences.”

Players to watch for the Bulldogs include Devin Williams, who caught 46 passes for 1,088 yards with 26 touchdowns in 2017, while also logging 75 tackles. Leading rusher Mason Rogers returns in the backfield, while J.P. Gowin and Michael Seider will have expanded roles. Varsity newcomer Jerrick Woodcock is also expected to make an immediate contribution.

“Of course Devin year in and year out SEE ZEPHYR, 48

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 17

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COLEMAN BLUECATS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Young Coleman squad embraces challenge of new, larger district BLUECATS GLIMPSE

• District: 4-3A Division II • Head coach: John Elder (5th season at school, 34-15 record; 34-15 career record) • 2017 record: 3-8, 2-3 in district • Last district title: 2014 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 2 on offense/2 on defense • Players to watch: OL/ LB Khutter Sanchez, OL/ DL Robbie Berry, RB/DL Moussio Sanchez, WR Jared Nall, OL/LB John Deramus, OL/DL Kayden Castleberry, OL/DL Gage Sikes, LB Blake Greaves

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

COLEMAN — In his fifth season at the helm in Coleman, head coach John Elder carries his youngest roster into the 2018 campaign — but that doesn’t mean the Bluecats are necessarily inexperienced.

“We had to dissolve our JV team and only had the one varsity team, and we had a big senior class leave from last year,” said Elder, whose squad still reached the playoffs and finished 3-8 a year ago. “The good thing about that is we had a lot of young kids that got some varsity experience whether they were ready or not. A lot of those kids have matured. Most of the kids that have played for us have some varsity experience, and I think we’re a little further along than we’d thought we’d be at this point. Boys grow up, and now they’re turning into football players so we’ll see what happens.”

Elder considers the youthfulness of the roster both a strength and a weakness.

“Our weakness is we’re playing with a lot of young kids, but our strength is those kids have had varsity time,” Elder said.

Placed in the revamped District 4-3A Division II, the Bluecats have just three opportunities to gel before heading into their seven-game league slate.

John Elder Coleman visits Jim Ned COLEMAN HEAD COACH in the season opener, hosts Early in the second game and ventures to Goldthwaite in the pre-district finale.

“We want to see them be able to come out and run our basic offense, control the line of scrimmage, take time off the clock, and finish drives,” Elder said of the Bluecats’ pre-district goals. “We also have to minimize a lot of penalties early. We’re a young

team, but we can show maturity by cutting out a lot of those things.

“Defensively we need to get some big stops and to keep the ball in front of the chains. We also need some kids to develop where everybody doesn’t have to go both ways.”

Players to watch for the Bluecats include Moussio Sanchez, who is moving from the line to running back, along with Kayden Castleberry and Robbie Berry up front.

“Hopefully a couple of other young kids will step up and help us out,” Elder said.

“We might use two or three guys at quarterback early on.”

The Bluecats jump into district action Sept. 28 at Grape Creek followed by their homecoming game against San Angelo TLC (Oct. 5), a trip to Cisco (Oct. 12), a home date with Anson (Oct. 19), the short drive to Bangs (Oct. 26), the home finale against SEE COLEMAN, 50

Sunday, August 26, 2018

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

COMANCHE INDIANS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Indians move to Class 3A Division II, seek third straight district title INDIANS GLIMPSE • District: 6-3A Division II • Head coach: Stephen Hermesmeyer (7th season at school, 39-29 record; 64-50 career record) • 2017 record: 12-2, 5-0 in district • Last district title: 2017 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 2 on offense/5 on defense • Players to watch: RB/LB Kade Mercer, QB/FS Trendon Morin, C/ DL Kendel Beck, OL/DL Dakoda Moreno, WR/DB Price Odom, OL/ DL Jeron Conine, RB/LB Zach Foster, TE/DE Roberto Medrano, OL/DT Thomas Ramirez, LB Max Jimenez, OL/DE Alex Davalos, WR/DB Trent Lopez, TE/DE Ryan Stephens, OL/ DT Robert Stephens

By Jimmy Potts jpotts@brownwoodbulletin.com

COMANCHE — Class 3A Division II has a new contender for state with the Comanche Indians dropping down a division following a dominant 2017 season.

Coming off a season that ended at the hands of state finalist Brock in the state quarterfinals, Comanche is setting its sights on a third straight district title.

“The beauty of being here and going into the seventh year is most of the kids know what we’re trying to do,” Comanche coach Stephen Hermesmeyer said. “It’s refreshing, reminding them of what we do, how we execute things.

For the most part, we picked up right where we left off. We have some experienced seniors coming back. We need their leadership and for them to lead our freshmen, sophomores and juniors in a strong way. I know they will.”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football tabbed the Indians to finish atop the recently restructured District 6-3A Division II, led by senior running back Kade Mercer, who rushed for 1,052 yards and nine touchdowns in 2017.

Mercer was named the Stephen Hermesmeyer district’s offensive COMANCHE HEAD COACH preseason MVP and is expected to spearhead the Indians’ offense.

Mercer is one of two returning offensive starters, but Hermesmeyer believes his younger players will step up to fill the void.

“We are pretty low on numbers, which we knew we would be because we gradu-

ated a big senior class, but we’re happy with the kids, the way they’ve shown up and their attitude is great,” Hermesmeyer said. “We have a lot of learning to do and a lot of holes to fill. We’re really excited about getting out here. We have a lot of learning to do, but the kids have a great attitude. They’re working hard and we’re excited about what we’ve seen so far.”

Despite dropping down a division, the competition remains steep, even at the district level. Jacksboro is projected to finish second in the district, which is a strong statement considering the Tigers finished last season 12-2 with their season-ending loss coming to state semifinalist New Diana. The Tolar Rattlers are also expected to challenge for the district title after wrapping up 2017

SEE COMANCHE, 46

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 21

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GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Low numbers could put Goldthwaite’s postseason streak in jeopardy EAGLES GLIMPSE • District: 7-2A Division I • Head coach: Greg Proffitt (5th season at school, 26-20 record; 26-20 career record) • 2017 record: 4-7, 3-3 in district • Last district title: 2015 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 6 on offense/6 on defense • Players to watch: LB/RB Trey Patterson, WR/DB Isaac Chavez, QB Drew Hermesmeyer, WR/ DB T.J. Watson, LB Josh Butterfras, OL/DL Zabreigh Odom, OL/ DL Dalton Goodman, DL Adrian Garcia, DL Josue Sanchez, OL/DL Gonzalo Gallegos, OL/DL Devon Arndt

By Mike Lee Special to the Bulletin

GOLDTHWAITE — The health of this year’s Goldthwaite football team can’t be emphasized enough.

Short on numbers and experience with just over 30 players in grades 9-12, Goldthwaite must stay healthy and take care of the football if it hopes to extend a schoolrecord playoff streak to 15 seasons.

The Eagles began this season with only eight lettermen – four starters on offense and four on defense – from last year’s 4-7 team. The four wins were Goldthwaite’s lowest total since 2003.

Three freshmen already were playing with the varsity during preseason practices. If injuries occur to veteran players, the number of varsity freshmen will grow, and Goldthwaite probably would have to disband its JV season.

The other key statistic to follow this season is the turnover margin. In 2014 and

2017 when Goldthwaite finished with losing records, the Eagles had minus-5 and minus-10 turnover margins, respectively. In 2015 when the Eagles won 10 games, they were plus9 in turnovers.

“Turnovers will have a lot to say about how we do this year,” said Greg Proffitt Greg Proffitt, GoldthGOLDTHWAITE HEAD COACH waite’s fifth-year head coach. “On defense, we’re working on creating more turnovers. On offense, we have to take care of the football.”

The outlook for Goldthwaite’s 2018 season could vary greatly. Stay healthy and avoid turnovers, and the Eagles figure to extend their playoff streak and notch a winning record. If injuries and turnovers

become factors, it could become a long season.

“I’m not a big fan of comparing teams from one year to the next, but we won four games last year and we’re capable of doing that again,” Proffitt said. “I feel like we’re capable of competing with everybody in our district. We’re not scared of anybody on our schedule.”

In District 7-2A Division I, defending champion De Leon is the overwhelming favorite, and Crawford is picked second.

That likely leaves Hico, Goldthwaite and San Saba vying for the final two playoff berths. The Eagles lost to Hico 16-3 last year, and San Saba is optimistic with players from last year’s 9-0 JV arriving on the varsity.

Offensively, the Eagles’ top returning skill players are quarterback Drew Hermesmeyer and receiver TJ Watson. The SEE GOLDTHWAITE, 46

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 23

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

San Saba better armed for playoff push in Fikac’s second season ARMADILLOS GLIMPSE • District: 7-2A Division I • Head coach: Jerod Fikac (2nd season at school, 3-7 record) • 2017 record: 3-7, 1-5 in district • Last district title: 2012 • Last playoff appearance: 2012 • Starters returning: 9 on offense/9 on defense • Players to watch: TE/ DL Joseph Watson, QB/ DB Sean O’Keefe, RB Eli Salinas, DL/TE Abel Martinez, WR/DB Logan Glover, OL/DL Clayton Pierce, QB/LB Risien Shahan

By Mike Lee Special to the Bulletin

SAN SABA — A school that drops a classification in the UIL realignment is typically greeted with at least some short-term success, especially in a numbers-driven game like football. Not so for the San Saba Armadillos.

San Saba dropped to the current Class 2A after winning a playoff game for three consecutive seasons (2009-2011) in the larger classification for the first time in the Armadillos’ history. Seemingly primed for success in the lower classification, San Saba lost in bi-district in its first season in 2A in 2012. In the five years since, the Armadillos have lost 41 of 50 games.

But this year, there’s reason for optimism.

San Saba starts its second season under head coach Jerod Fikac, who improved the Armadillos’ win total from zero in 2016 to three in 2017. They also improved their offense from eight points per game in 2016 to

20 points in 2017.

Another reason for optimism is the arrival on the varsity of players from last year’s 9-0 JV team. Fikac kept the younger players together on the JV last year for a reason.

“We wanted to build a winning mindset with those kids. We wanted Jerod Fikac to let them play together SAN SABA HEAD COACH and win together. Sometimes the JV program gets put on the backburner. But if you’re going to build and sustain a program, you’ve got to do it through the JV,” Fikac said.

“We’re going to play some sophomores this year so we’re going to have to overcome our youth. But once they catch up to the speed of the games on Friday night, I think

they’ll be very successful and play a big part in our season.”

The four sophomores drawing the most preseason attention are 6-foot-5 Logan Glover, a receiver and free safety; Risien Shahan, a 5-10, 195-pound linebacker who also figures to play some at quarterback; and offensive linemen Bryan Reza (5-10, 260) and Landon Short (6-2, 250).

San Saba’s optimism is not just about the young players, though. Fikac has nine returning starters on both offense and defense from last year’s 3-7 team that ended a 13game district losing skid.

On offense, 6-2 Sean O’Keefe is a thirdyear starter at quarterback – and he’s still just a junior. Junior Eli Salinas (5-8, 185) is a proven running back, and he’ll be joined by senior Erik Argote, who moved from receiver to the backfield.

The receiving corps is led by tight end SEE SAN SABA, 46

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 25

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS

New coach Simpson seeking to spark resurgence at Santa Anna MOUNTAINEERS GLIMPSE • District: 14-A Division I • Head coach: Austin Simpson (1st season at school, 0-0 record) • 2017 record: 0-10, 0-3 in district • Last district title: 2016 • Last playoff appearance: 2016 • Starters returning: 3 on offense/3 on defense • Players to watch: QB Alex Crowder, OL/DL Jayton Perry, WR/DB Rance Railsback, Trevor Evans, Jaxson Diggs

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

SANTA ANNA — Following an 0-10 campaign in 2017, Santa Anna has turned to former Lohn head coach Austin Simpson, who helped breathe life back into that football program, to help reinvigorate the Mountaineers.

“We worked to rebuild that team and that program over there,” Simpson said of his time at Lohn. “There were a lot of hurdles we had to overcome and we had some minimal success there. Overall, it was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. But when Santa Anna offered me the opportunity to come here I jumped because I grew up in this area and I’m familiar with the school and I love the people and atmosphere. It was a good opportunity and I couldn’t pass it up.”

Simpson inherits three starters on each side of the ball from last year’s squad, as the Mountaineers are determined to put the

2017 season in the past.

“Last year was rough,” Simpson said. “Anytime you don’t have any wins at all it’s not just hard to overcome, it’s a mental thing, too.

You start wondering if you can win games, is it something that’s even possible. So far, we’ve overcome that. The guys Austin Simpson have come out and been SANTA ANNA HEAD COACH real positive. They’ve come out and worked really hard. Summer workouts we had kids showing up, getting bigger, getting stronger, getting faster.

They want to win and overcome the adversity they had to suffer through last year.

Overall the character of the team has been pretty remarkable. I wasn’t expecting that kind of response.”

Assessing the squad in the preseason, Simpson was impressed by the amount of team speed the Mountaineers possess, though size is lacking.

“We have a lot of speed but we don’t have a lot of size,” Simpson said. “We’re going to try and take advantage of our speed as much as we can, at least early on, until we can start building on our size and getting a little more weight on our guys.”

Players to watch for Santa Anna include Alex Crowder, Jayton Perry and Trevor Evans.

“Our returning quarterback, Alex Crowder, is one of our biggest strengths,” Simpson said. “He’s familiar with the reads and the people. He’s going to be a big asset to us. Our returning center, Jayton Perry, he’s also another asset. He’s been here several years and understands the blocking schemes. He’s also a really good motivator

SEE SANTA ANNA, 44

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 27

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES

New era begins at eight-time state champion Richland Springs COYOTES GLIMPSE • District: 16-A Division II • Head coach: Thomas Tipton (1st season at school 0-0; 0-0 career record) • 2017 record: 10-2, 3-0 in district • Last district title: 2017 • Last playoff appearance: 2017 • Starters returning: 1 on offense/2 on defense • Players to watch: SB/DB Cameron Parham, SE/LB Jaren Martin, OL/DL Chago Valdez, ME/DL Kelton Tippie, SE/LB Josiah Beam, SE/DB Wade Appleton

By Mike Lee Special to the Bulletin

RICHLAND SPRINGS — To suggest this will be a transitional season at Richland Springs may be the understatement of the preseason.

Not only did the six-man powerhouse Coyotes lose nine of 12 starters from last year’s 10-2 team, they also lost legendary head football coach Jerry Burkhart to 11man. Burkhart guided the program to eight state championships and posted an incredible 192-10 record in the last 15 seasons.

“I’m not trying to match what he did because that’s unheard of. I just want to make sure we’re successful,” said Thomas Tipton, who was promoted from assistant coach to follow Burkhart as head coach. “We’re still shooting for state. That doesn’t change.

“On the outside, people are saying we’re not going to be as good because we lost Coach Burkhart and a lot of good players.

Our kids are taking that as a challenge. They want to keep the tradition.”

In the 2016 ESPN television documentary “6-Man,” it was suggested that anything less than a state championship in Richland Springs is a wasted season. Tipton embraces

those high expectations.

“I don’t mind the pressure,” he said. “What better place to coach than somewhere that expects to win?

“We’ll be OK. Our kids work hard. That hasn’t changed. We lost some star players, but we have more depth than we’ve had. We’ll rely more on Thomas Tipton the whole six more than RICHLAND SPRINGS HEAD COACH one or two stars.”

Tipton has moved some players to new positions to facilitate the transition. Cameron Parham, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior, has moved from tight end, where he caught five touchdown passes last year, to spread back. Newcomer Matthew Rigdon, whose dad Jamey is a new Richland Springs assistant coach, is transitioning from 11-man quarterback to six-man running back. K.J. Simon, a 5-9, 170-pound junior, will become part of the backfield mix.

“We’ve traded out some kids at some positions, looking for the right spots and where they fit in best,” Tipton said. “We’re rela-

tively young. We’ve got 24 kids – the most we’ve had in a while – but half are freshmen and sophomores. We’ve got some depth and quickness, plus the tradition of the program.”

The offense starts with Parham at spread back and Rigdon and Simon at running back.

Senior Jared Martin (6-1, 175) will lead the receiving corps once he returns from a rope burn injury. He’ll be joined at end by junior Wade Appleton, freshman Chase Rigdon and receiving center Josiah Beam, a junior.

The line will be anchored by senior Chago Valdez (5-8, 225) and junior Kelton Tippie (6-0, 250).

Offensive coordinator John Cherry, a former head coach at six-man rival Calvert, has tweaked the Coyotes’ offense.

“It’s the same scheme,” Tipton said.

“We’ve just added some wrinkles and formations. We want to establish the run, but we’d like to throw a little more. We want to put the defense in a bind with our alignments.”

Defensively, Parham leads the way after making 55 tackles last year from his secondary position. Martin, Beam and Simon lead SEE RICHLAND SPRINGS, 43

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 29

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MULLIN BULLDOGS

Sunday, August 26, 2018

New Mullin head coach Regis Idemudia faces recurring obstacle BULLDOGS GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division II • Head coach: Regis Idemudia (1st season at school, 0-0 record) • 2017 record: 5-5, 2-2 in district • Last district title: 2004 • Last playoff appearance: 2014 • Starters returning: 5 on offense/5 on defense • Players to watch: RB/LB Bobby Salinas, DL/OL Skyler Smith, E/DL Cody Knight, RB Dontrell Dale, DL/RB, Trenton Coston, DL/OL Brian Moore, DL/E Cody Holland, DL/E Travis Lyle

By Mike Lee Special to the Bulletin

MULLIN — The Mullin Bulldogs have a new head football coach, but Regis Idemudia faces an old challenge. The Bulldogs must overcome a lack of numbers.

Mullin, which finished 5-5 last year and missed the playoffs because of a 48-46 loss to Brookesmith, has four experienced players in seniors Bobby Salinas and Dontrell Dale, junior Skyler Smith and sophomore Cody Knight. Also, Alex Porter is back with the program after last playing for Mullin in 2016. However, the Bulldogs have just four other players – all varsity newcomers, including three freshmen.

“Obviously, we have a lack of numbers, but we still expect to have a good team and make it to the playoffs. All our players will have to learn to play multiple positons,” said Idemudia, who previously was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Class 6A De Soto. Idemudia also started

from scratch a six-man program at Stephenville Huston Academy and finished 12-17 in three seasons.

A former defensive lineman at Tarleton State, Idemudia hopes to bring a defensive mindset to Mullin, which allowed an average of 63 points in its Regis Idemudia five losses last year.

MULLIN HEAD COACH “We want to go get the ball on defense,” Idemudia said. “I’m not talking about blitzing all the time, but I want us to be ball hawks. Everybody can make a play on every play if they’re running to the ball.

“I know six-man has a lot of high-scoring offenses, but you need some defense mixed in there, too, especially if we want to get to

the playoffs.”

Salinas, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior, was a first-team all-district selection last year at linebacker. Dale, the Bulldogs’ fastest player, will play either defensive end or linebacker. Smith (6-1, 185) is a returning starter at defensive end, and the 6-3 Knight is penciled in at cornerback.

Porter (6-2, 185) and newcomer C.J. Ferris (6-2, 280) will anchor the line. The freshmen will be led by nose guard Trent Coston. Fellow freshmen Brian Moore (5-10, 160) and Travis Lytle (5-8, 160) are expected to fill line and linebacker roles.

Offensively, Salinas returns at running back after scoring 10 touchdowns and earning first-team all-district honors last season. Smith returns at center after making first-team all-district last year. Knight, a second-team all-district selection, is moving to quarterback. Dale was a state

SEE MULLIN, 43

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 31

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

RISING STAR WILDCATS

Rising Star looks to overcome numbers in Greenfield’s first season WILDCATS GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division II • Head coach: Adrian Greenfield (1st season at school, 0-0 record at school) • 2017 record: 2-8, 0-3 in district • Last district title: 2015 • Last playoff appearance: 2015 • Starters returning: 3 on offense/3 on defense • Players to watch: RB Korbin Bass, RB Johnny Sanchez, DB Lars Brennen, DL Jarrison Taylor, DB Colton Edwards

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

RISING STAR — After two seasons of venturing north to face their league opponents — including Class A Division II state champion Strawn last season — the Rising Star Wildcats are headed south for District 15-A Division II games in 2018.

The Wildcats are also under the direction of a new head coach this year, as Adrian Greenfield makes the move to Rising Star after four years in Evant. But numbers are a problem for the Wildcats, with an estimated 42 girls in the high school compared to just 15 boys — and at times as few as six at preseason football practice.

“This year our numbers are really low, we’re girl heavy in the high school,” Greenfield said. “At any small school it’s a numbers game. Some schools are going to have big numbers and some schools won’t. You just have to see how the year plays out there. But if everything goes right, we think we can be

competitive.”

Rising Star has won just three games over the last two seasons after reaching the second round of the playoffs in 2015. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football tabbed the Wildcats to finish fifth in their new district behind Blanket, Brookesmith, Mullin and Sidney.

Adrian Greenfield “We’re coming into a RISING STAR HEAD COACH new district with some teams they haven’t played in a while, so you never really know with small schools, but we’ll find out,” Greenfield said. “You have Blanket coming down from Division I to Division II and they were in our district at my last school. They’re going to be pretty tough. I’ve seen the kids they have. The other schools, I really don’t know a whole lot about.”

What Rising Star is lacking in numbers, Greenfield believes the Wildcats make up for in team speed.

“The biggest strengths for us I do think is our speed, that and our athletic ability,” Greenfield said. “We think we can use some of our speed as an advantage in a downfield passing game to open things up for the boys.”

Greenfield stated he’d like to see the Wildcats gain a better grasp of the terminology of the offensive and defensive schemes, and touch up on their fundamentals as well.

“One thing we have to get used to is new terminology,” Greenfield said. “The last couple of years they really haven’t developed that so they’re starting off fresh from a terminology standpoint. And from a fundamental standpoint they’re kind of behind, but they’re smart and working hard to get there.”

SEE RISING STAR, 43

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 35

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36

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

SIDNEY EAGLES

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Seeking first playoff berth since 2012, Salinas takes over at Sidney EAGLES GLIMPSE • District: 15-A Division II • Head coach: Waylon Salinas (1st season at school 0-0 record; 0-0 career record) • 2017 record: 1-8, 1-3 in district • Starters returning: 2 on offense/3 on defense • Last district title: 2010 • Last playoff appearance: 2012 • Players to watch: ATH Joshua Kennard, RB/LB Dennis Morales, OL/DL Triston Kelly, E/DL Will Caffey, QB/LB Jordan Scheringer, E/ DL Brayden Scheringer, QB/ DB Hayden Brawley, DL Cory Scantling

By Derrick Stuckly dstuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

SIDNEY — As the Sidney Eagles target their first postseason berth since 2012, a former player has taken over the reins of the program in an attempt to return it to prominence.

After three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Sidney, 2004 graduate Waylon Salinas is the Eagles head coach for the 2018 campaign.

“This is my sixth year in coaching,” Salinas said. “I was defensive coordinator at Gustine for three years and spent three years as defensive coordinator here at Sidney. I’m used to the small school environment. I grew up here in Sidney, went to school here and graduated.”

While numbers have been an issue at Sidney in recent years, the Eagles suited up 16 players during preseason practices.

“We’ve had 16 out, which is a huge improvement compared to what we’ve had the

last few years,” Salinas said. “My first year here we had four kids the first Monday and by the end of the week we got six.

The first year we didn’t get to finish the season because of numbers.

The second year we had five report the first week and we eventually got up to 11. This year with Waylon Salinas 16, we’re returning four SIDNEY HEAD COACH out of six on defense and three out of six on offense.”

Along with the new luxury of depth this season, Salinas listed other strengths for the Eagles as, “their relationships with one another. They all like each other. It’s a brotherhood with them. With the numbers in each class, small schools usually have one or two boys come out from each class.

This year we have four or five in each class.

The only small class is our junior class and there’s two in there coming out.”

Experience is another plus for Sidney this season.

“The last two years we were a bunch of underclassmen, but they’ve basically learned our defense, and I think our defense is going to be top notch this year,” Salinas said. “They’re going to be more improved than they were last year. Offensively, they’re learning a bunch of new skills and I think they’re going to enjoy the offense we’re going to be running. There’s a lot of action for them and we have some pretty fast kids. We’re very quick, and our line for the most part is going to be very strong.”

Among the players to keep an eye on for Sidney are Dennis Morales, Triston Kelly, Joshua Kinnard and Shadan Cheatham, among others.

SEE SIDNEY, 43

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 37

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 39

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: TEXAS A&M AGGIES

High expectations face Fisher in first season at Texas A&M

By Kristie Rieken Associated Press

COLLEGE STATION (AP) — Texas A&M lured Jimbo Fisher away from Florida State with a huge contract to bring the Aggies their first national title since Franklin Roosevelt was president.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see how the team stacks up against college football’s elite with 2016 national champion Clemson visiting College Station on Sept. 8 and the Aggies trekking to Tuscaloosa to play defending champion Alabama in Week 4.

“It gets your attention, I’ll say that,” Fisher said. “It definitely makes your kids wonder. I think when you have those kind of games in the early parts of the season, I think it makes your summer that much better.”

The Aggies signed Fisher to a 10-year, $75 million contract to replace Kevin Sumlin after he was fired in November following a 7-5 season where the team went 4-4 in the Southeastern Conference. Texas A&M reached double-digit wins just once in Sumlin’s six seasons and that came in 2012 when Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Trophy-winning campaign led the Aggies to an 11-2 mark.

Fisher, who won a national title and three Atlantic Coast Conference championships in eight seasons with the Seminoles, knows he’ll be judged on how his team fares against the country’s top teams, but insists that the key to winning is focusing inward.

“The great teams I’ve ever been a part of, as crazy as this sounds, you prepared for your opponent, but that wasn’t what it was about,” he said. “It was more about the culture in which you created from within yourself and the way you wanted your team to play ... it’s not that your opponent becomes faceless, it’s not that you disrespect them; it’s just that you understand how you want to prepare.”

FOR STARTERS Before the Aggies can focus on Clemson they’re preparing for their opener Aug. 30 against FCS school Northwestern State. It’s the first of three consecutive home games for Texas A&M, which won’t go on the road until its meeting with the Crimson Tide on Sept.

22. Northwestern State is coming off a 4-7 season and was picked to finish in a preseason media poll to finish eighth out of 11 teams in the Southland Conference.

Since the opener is on a Thursday, it will give the Aggies a couple of extra days to get ready for a much bigger test from the Tigers in Game 2.

After the two tough early games Texas A&M has another tough stretch with three straight road games against South Carolina, Mississippi State and Auburn from Oct. 13-Nov. 3 before wrapping up the season with home games against Ole Miss, UAB and LSU. QUARTERBACK COMPETITION With just two weeks until the opener Fisher has yet to divulge who will start at quarterback against Northwestern State. Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond, who both started games last season, have been splitting first-

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE FILE PHOTO

Texas A&M Aggies running back Trayveon Williams (5) scores near the end of the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017 in the Southwest Classic in Arlington.

team snaps in practice so far.

Starkel started A&M’s opener last year, but he broke his ankle in the third quarter of the loss to UCLA, and the Aggies moved on to Mond, who was a true freshman. The mobile Mond showed some promise early, leading the Aggies to wins over South Carolina and Florida, and his performance helped Texas A&M stick around against Alabama before losing 27-19. But he struggled in consecutive losses to Mississippi State and Auburn with Starkel healthy, he got his job back to finish the year.

The two say that the competition so far this year has made them better as the season approaches.

“There’s no anger or anything toward each other,” Starkel said. “We know it’s a competition and we know we’re just going to put our head down and work. We know collectively we have to lead this offense and this team.”

Starkel threw for 1,793 yards with 14 touchdowns and

six interceptions in five starts last season and Mond had 1,375 yards passing with eight touchdowns and six interceptions and ran for 340 yards and three touchdowns in nine starts.

“The competition has forced them to be consistent,” Fisher said. “Both guys are pressing each other very well. I feel comfortable with both guys, I really do.”

LINE CHANGES

Whoever is at quarterback will be working behind an offensive line with a new left tackle after veteran starter Koda Martin transferred to Syracuse in the offseason.

Martin, who started most of the season at left tackle last year, made the move to play for his father-in-law Dino Babers, who is the head coach at Syracuse and his father Kirk Martin, who is an assistant on the staff.

Sophomore Dan Martin looks to be the likely replacement for Martin to protect the quarterback’s blind side.

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: TEXAS LONGHORNS

Texas looking for more in Year 2 of Tom Herman’s rebuild

By Jim Vertuno Associated Press

AUSTIN (AP) — The frustration at Texas is visible in — of all places — the flowing golden curls of senior defensive end Breckyn Hager.

Hager was a freshman when he vowed he wouldn’t cut his hair until Texas won the Big 12 Conference. His hair now stretches down to his sternum.

Yep, it’s been that long — much longer, really — since Texas mattered in the Big 12.

“I wanted something tangible that could always remind me to go after such a simple goal,” Hager said.

“And now I’m realizing, wait, it’s not that simple.”

Coach Tom Herman is facing higher expectations in his second year at Texas. His first season got the Longhorns back on the winning side of the ledger as Texas went 7-6 and got its first bowl win since 2012.

“It was a promising feeling,” said senior wide receiver Jerrod Heard. “Winning the Texas Bowl was a huge step ... Winning, finishing the season out with a win, what a good feeling that was.”

Now it’s time to see if Texas can be a Big 12 contender again. The Longhorns have been full of promise before, with big-time recruiting classes and recommitted and refocused veterans full of “buy in” for the storied program. Yet Texas has been the Big 12’s biggest disappointment for a decade now.

Herman must navigate those expectations with a team that lost a ton of NFL-caliber defensive talent, is still shaky on offense and faces a front-loaded schedule. Four of the first six opponents beat the Longhorns last season. Texas opens the 2018 season at Maryland on Sept. 2.

“We had a tremendous amount of growth last season,” Herman said. “ I think that anybody that has watched us play, anybody that’s been around our program, understands that we’re playing harder, we’re playing more physical, we’re playing more cohesive than our program has in quite some time.”

Hager, meanwhile, would like to end all the upkeep it takes for his epic curls.

“I hate it,” he said. “Do you know how many tears have soaked into this after losses? ... I’m ready to get this off.”

TEXAS QUARTERBACKS Another season means yet another quarterback question. Sophomore Sam Ehlinger was raw as a freshman, erratic as a thrower and prone to costly late turnovers that figured big in three losses. He’s also a bruising runner who led the Longhorns in rushing, but also missed a game with a concussion. Junior Shane Buechele, the starter in 2016, would probably benefit the most if Texas improves a poor running game because the offense would rely less on Ehlinger to run for first downs. Buechele’s toughest job is convincing Herman he’s the “alpha male” the coach craves at the position.

PLAY-CALLING Texas’ lackluster offense has Herman facing regular

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE FILE PHOTO

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) throws under pressure from Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray (9) in the first quarter during the annual Red River Showdown at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

questions on why he doesn’t take over play calling from offensive coordinator Tim Beck. Herman was a national championship winning-coordinator at Ohio State but he’s been reluctant to call plays as a head coach at Texas. If he has to do it, it will likely mean Texas’ season has gone south and fans will wonder why he waited.

SCHEDULE Texas has no time to ease into its schedule. The first month includes the opener at Maryland and a Sept. 15 home matchup with Southern California. Then comes TCU, which has won five of the last six games against Texas before a trip to Kansas State, where the Longhorns haven’t won since 2002. And up next? Big 12 favorite Oklahoma. A 3-3 start and another 7-6 finish are a real possibility.

DEFENSE

The Longhorns defense was among the Big 12’s best last season and kept Texas in every game. It also surrendered fourth-quarter leads in four losses. The Longhorns must replace a bunch of departed talent at nearly every position. Pass rush should be a strength with Hager and Charles Omenihu on the edges. Nose tackle Chris Nelson should be a disruptive force in the middle.

RUBIK’S CUBE A woeful offensive line has been the biggest problem for Texas for several seasons and Herman has his work cut out trying to solve this puzzle again. Tackle and coveted Rice graduate transfer Calvin Anderson once solved a Rubik’s Cube behind his back and he’ll be performing similar wizardry if he can shore up the line to protect the Texas quarterback this season.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 41

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Kingsbury not nervous about Texas Tech’s QB uncertainty

By Stephen Hawkins Associated Press

LUBBOCK (AP) — Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury was asked if he was nervous about the uncertainty at quarterback for the Red Raiders.

“Just because they’re young or inexperienced, to me you never know how they’re going to respond,” Kingsbury said. “I wouldn’t say nervous. I think excited to not really know who it is and be able to work with those guys and try to have one guy really step up.”

Sophomore Jett Duffey is a dual-threat option with some similarities to Patrick Mahomes, who bypassed his senior season at Tech for early entry into the NFL draft and was succeeded last year by Nic Shimonek (3,963 yards passing, 33 TDs) in his final season. Shimonek finished the regular season-ending win over Texas that solidified Kingsbury’s return as coach after McLane Carter got his first start in that game.

Along with Duffey and junior Carter, the Red Raiders have talented true freshman Alan Bowman, who was there for spring drills.

“We’ll stress them, put them in a lot of high-stress situations over camp to see who responds,” said Kingsbury, who threw for 12,429 yards and 95 TDs in 43 games for the Red Raiders from 1999-2002, and is 3033 overall (16-29 in Big 12) in five seasons as their coach.

While making no wild predictions about his current quarterbacks, Kingsbury brought up his first year as head coach in 2013 with freshmen Baker Mayfield and Davis Webb, now with the New York Giants after ending his college career at California.

“Those two true freshmen that we didn’t know, and those guys turned out to be pretty decent,” said Kingsbury, who before that was offensive coordinator at Texas A&M with Heisman Trophy-winning freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel.

In Kingsbury’s first game as Tech’s coach, Mayfield became the first walk-on true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for a BCS school. Mayfield was at Tech only one season before transferring to Oklahoma, where he led the Sooners to three consecutive Big 12 titles, won the Heisman Trophy last season and was the top overall pick in the NFL draft.

With David Gibbs going into his fourth season as defensive coordinator, and the defense greatly improved in that time, Kingsbury can put more attention into the quarterback situation. The defense could also take some pressure off of the offense.

“I think with the younger quarterback, hopefully you’re not (feeling) you’ve got to out and score every possession to try to keep up,” Kingsbury said. “If your defense is keeping you in the game, that alleviates some of that pressure on a young quarterback.”

Texas Tech opens the season at a neutral site for the first time ever, Sept. 1 against Ole Miss in Houston.

RARE FOURTH Gibbs is the first Texas Tech defensive coordinator in two decades to stay four consecutive seasons. Gibbs is under contract through 2019. The last defensive coordinator to stay that long was John Goodner, the DC from

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE FILE PHOTO

Texas Tech Red Raiders running back Tre King (24) makes it to the Bears’ 3-yard line on this third quarter play as Texas Tech beat Baylor 38-24 on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

1995-99 while on Spike Dykes’ staff.

“We have a chance to be a better defense than we’ve been,” Kingsbury said. “I think just the continuity has a lot to do with that.”

WHERE PROS PLAY Texas Tech will open and close its regular season in NFL stadiums. The opener against Ole Miss is in NRG Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, and the finale is Nov. 24 against Baylor at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where the Dallas Cowboys play their home games.

SCHEDULE The Red Raiders have four Big 12 games at home, and three of them come in a four-week span. They

host Kansas on Oct. 20, then go to Iowa State before back-to-back home games against Oklahoma and Texas. After the neutral site opener, Tech’s other two non-conference games are at home, against Lamar and Houston.

HEALTHY KICKER Clayton Hatfield made 27 of 30 field goal attempts his first two seasons for Tech, but was only 6-of-10 in six games last year while dealing with nagging injuries. He missed inside of 40 yards (31-yard attempt) for the first time in his career.

Kingsbury said he felt Hatfield “was trying to kind of overcompensate and do some different things because he was injured and didn’t get back into a rhythm until after the season when he was fully healthy.”

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: TCU HORNED FROGS

TCU’s new QB will have talented skill players around him

By Stephen Hawkins Associated Press

FORT WORTH (AP) — Shawn Robinson won his only start last season, making the sophomore TCU’s most experienced quarterback.

Coach Gary Patterson has always said he judges quarterbacks by what they do on Saturdays. Robinson, filling in that mid-November day at Texas Tech for injured Kenny Hill, got a key victory that helped the Horned Frogs get into the Big 12 championship game on way to another 11-win season.

While Patterson brought Robinson to Big 12 media days this summer, a rare move by the coach with a younger player with limited playing time, he still hasn’t declared Robinson as the starter over fellow sophomore Michael Collins, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Penn who redshirted last season.

“The quarterback competition is a lot closer than you thought it was in the spring,” Patterson said. “Mike actually did a lot of good things.”

Whoever is at quarterback for TCU will be surrounded by talented skill

players. Speedy receivers Jalen Reagor and KaVontae Turpin have both shown their big-play ability, while Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua may be the best running back duo in the Big 12.

The big concern for the Horned Frogs is replacing four starting offensive linemen, and tight ends that provided additional protection.

TCU’s defense also took a big hit when 6-4, 329-pound athletic tackle Ross Blacklock suffered a season-ending Achilles injury during non-contact work in fall practice. Blacklock and Corey Bethley stood out as freshmen on the defensive line last season.

Linebacker Travin Howard, the only player in TCU history with three consecutive 100-tackle seasons, and Big 12 sacks leader Mat Boesen were among Frogs seniors who finished their careers in the Alamo Bowl victory over Stanford last December.

But big Ben Banogu is back. The 6-4, 249-pound defensive end, who had 16 1/2 tackles for loss and 8 1/2 sacks in

TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor (18) scores on a 30yard third-quarter touchdown catch in front of Baylor cornerback Jameson Houston (11) at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017.

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE FILE PHOTO

SEE TCU, 43

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: BAYLOR BEARS

Baylor has to learn how to win after progress under Rhule

By Stephen Hawkins Associated Press

WACO (AP) — Baylor made a lot of progress in coach Matt Rhule’s first season despite that 1-11 record.

“We’re tackling issues and tackling character development. We’re mentoring, developing, educating and I’m proud of the things we’re doing as a college football program,” Rhule said. “I know we’re trying to move away from the past and learn from the past, but part of that is being really proud about what you’re doing in the present.”

Rhule took over in the aftermath of a sexual assault scandal that happened at the school before he got to the Waco campus. So much of his time in the first year was away from the game. Now the coach can put some more focus on football.

The Bears have 52 returning lettermen, including nine starters on each side of the ball. But there is a different level of experience in that group.

“We have youthful experience,” Rhule said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who have played in a lot of ball games but they’re still young.”

That includes sophomore quarterback

Charlie Brewer, who after not playing the first four games started the last four. Zach Smith decided after the season to transfer to Tulsa. Brewer was among 33 different freshmen or sophomores to start a game last season. Only two FBS teams had more first-time starters than the 27 for the Bears. They played 17 true freshmen.

Even with all of that youth, the Bears were within one score in the fourth quarter of eight of their losses. They led after halftime against Big 12 champion Oklahoma before falling 49-41.

“We’re at a point where we have to learn how to win,” said Rhule, who had backto-back 10-win seasons at Temple before getting to Baylor. “We found a way to lose a bunch of close ball games down the stretch. We’re a year older, a year more mature and really our challenge is not to worry about anybody else but to find a way to learn how to win.”

The season opener is at home Sept. 1 against Abilene Christian.

PLATT BACK Speedy receiver Chris Platt led all FBS players with four catches of at least 70

yards or more last season — and that was in only four games. Platt already had 16 catches for 401 yards and five TDs when he suffered a season-ending left knee injury against Oklahoma in the Big 12 opener.

Platt got hurt only minutes after he had a 72-yard TD. The senior has 62 catches for 1,123 yards (18.1 per catch) and 10 TDs in 30 games at Baylor.

OTHER PASS CATCHERS With Platt healthy and joining returning standout Denzel Mims and Tennessee transfer Jalen Hurd, the Bears could have one of the Big 12’s top receiver groups.

Mims had 61 catches for 1,087 yards and eight TDs, three of them against Oklahoma. Hurd was closing in on Tennessee’s career rushing record when he left midway through his junior season in 2016. Hurd made the switch to receiver during a redshirt season. He ran for 2,660 yards and 20 TDs in 2 1/2 seasons with the Vols, but also had 67 catches with six more scores.

THE SCHEDULE The Bears play the opener of their

round-robin Big 12 schedule at home Sept.

22 against Kansas, the only team they beat last season. That is a week before going to three-time defending conference championship Oklahoma. Baylor’s first road game is Sept. 8 in the Alamodome against UTSA, which beat a Power Five team for the first time when it won last year at Waco, a week after Liberty pulled off the same feat against the Bears in the season opener. Duke visits Sept. 15.

LONE RECRUIT When Rhule was named Baylor’s coach in December 2016, linebacker Jalen Pitre was the only recruit still committed to sign with the Bears. Pitre played in all 12 games as a true freshman, starting eight of them and finishing with 37 tackles last season.

GIVING IT UP Baylor ranked 123rd out of 129 FBS teams last year with a minus-11 turnover margin. The Bears recovered eight fumbles and had only three interceptions, while giving the ball away 25 times (11 lost fumbles, 14 interceptions.)

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 43

RICHLAND SPRINGS CONTINUED FROM 28

the linebacker candidates. Valdez, Tippie and Matthew Rigdon figure to anchor the line with their size.

Help in the secondary will come from Appleton and Chase Rigdon.

MULLIN

CONTINUED FROM 30

qualifier last spring in the Class A 100 meters.

“Bobby and Dontrell are both leaders for us,” Idemudia said. “They set the tone. Sometimes when I’m about

to say something in practice, they beat me to the punchline. They hold the other players accountable.”

Porter and Ferris, a junior, will give the Bulldogs size and an upperclassmen presence in the line. The freshmen Coston, Moore and Lytle will help at end and in the line.

“One thing we need to do is run the

RISING STAR CONTINUED FROM 34

Among the players to watch for the Wildcats, according to Greenfield, are juniors Johnny Sanchez and Jarrison Taylor.

“Johnny Sanchez will really help us,” Greenfield said. “He’ll play quarterback and safety for us. He’s an extremely hard-working kid, comes out for everything.

Jarrison Taylor also works hard and will play middle

SIDNEY

CONTINUED FROM 36

“Dennis Morales is our tailback, outside linebacker and he’ll also play some nose,” Salinas said. “Triston Kelly is 6-foot-6 and he’ll be our strongest receiver. Joshua Kinnard, we didn’t have him the last two years because of injuries. He’s recovered from a knee injury and before we lost him last year we were playing solid defense.

Once he went down it was hard to

TCU

CONTINUED FROM 42

his TCU debut after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe, bypassed early entry into the NFL draft despite the potential to be a high pick. He instead returned to TCU to finish his degree and get better on the field.

“Being in the NFL, getting drafted, all of that will come,” Banogu said. “My biggest thing is I want to learn as much I can, expand on my game so whenever I get there, I’m hitting everything in stride.”

Richland Springs remains the popular pick to win District 16-1A Division II over Panther Creek (9-2 last year), Cherokee, Rochelle and Lohn. The Coyotes’ non-district schedule includes May, a highly regarded Division I team, Aquilla and Evant, along with private schools Austin Royals Home School, San Marcos Hill Country Christian and Fort Worth THESA. Tipton is taking the teachings of Burkhart and seek-

ball,” Idemudia said of his offense.

“We want to set up plays where people can block and we can run downhill.

Dontrell is our speed guy. We need to get the ball to him in the open field, either running or on dump-off passes.”

Most preseason polls have picked Mullin to finish third in District 15-A

linebacker and running back. Those two boys I think can really help us on the offensive and defensive sides.”

In pre-district action, Rising Star is slated to face Bronte, Moran, Bluff Dale, Robert Lee, Rochelle and Trent — teams that for the most part, on paper at least, match up fairly evenly with the Wildcats.

“We’re just looking for them to understand the terminology, the blocking scheme, who they’re supposed to get, know things when they’re coming to the line of scrimmage rather than getting confused when the play starts,” Greenfield said regarding his pre-district goals

recover at that spot. Shadan Cheatman, it’s his senior year and he’s pretty quick.

We’ve got some runners and with our speed we’re going to make vast improvements on offense.”

Sidney, coming off a 1-8 record a year ago, starts the season against Walnut Springs, Robert Lee, Moran, Cranfills Gap, Three Way and Gustine prior to the District 15-A Division II opener.

As for Salinas’ objectives for the Eagles prior to the start of district, he said, “I want to see discipline, working on the

TCU opens the season Sept.

1 at home against SWAC team Southern.

SENIOR SUMMERS Ty Summers is an impact player whether he is lining up as a linebacker or defensive end. As a sophomore linebacker two seasons ago, his 121 tackles ranked second in the Big 12 behind only Howard. Splitting between two positions last year, Summers’ 64 tackles included eight for loss, three more than 2016.

“Linebacker-slash-defensive end, let’s keep it at that,” he

ing to make his own way as the Coyotes’ new coach.

“There are so many things I learned from Coach Burkhart like discipline and the relentless film-watching and scheming,” Tipton said. “I’ve never seen anyone watch film so closely and go over details like he did.

We’ve watched film together for eight hours straight.

He’d eventually spot some running back with his socks rolled up a certain way that would give the play away.”

for the Wildcats.

District 15-A Division II action begins Oct. 19 at home against preseason league favorite Blanket, followed by an Oct. 26 date at Mullin, the Nov. 2 home finale versus Sidney and the Nov. 9 regular season finale at Brookesmith.

Looking ahead to a potential run at a postseason berth, Greenfield said, “In order to realize our potential, I think they’re going to have to develop the fundamentals and the terminology — and have some lucky breaks here and there.”

small things. Make sure we’re taking care of what we’re supposed to be taking care of and doing our jobs, not necessarily someone else’s. If we rely on each other and trust in each other, the rest will come.”

League play for the Eagles begins at Mullin on Oct. 12. Following a bye on Oct. 19, Sidney closes district action at home against Brookesmith on Oct. 26, at Rising Star on Nov. 2 and at home against Blanket on Nov. 9.

“We’re picked fourth right now, so

said about his role as a senior.

“Versatility is a big thing, and I’m the kind of guy that I’m going to do what the team needs to be successful.”

BEFORE THE BIG 12 SCHEDULE The marquee non-conference matchup is Sept. 15 against Ohio State, the only team with more 11-win seasons than TCU over the past 15 seasons. That game will be played in the home stadium of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, about 20 miles from the TCU campus. That is also the home of the Big 12 championship game, and where

Division II behind former Division I team Blanket and Brookesmith. Sidney and Rising Star complete the district.

None of the district’s five teams managed a winning record last year, and only Brookesmith made the playoffs.

The Bulldogs are seeking their first playoff berth since 2014 and their first district title since 2004.

we’re the sleeper team,” Salinas said.

“I feel like we’re going to be better than that fourth spot. This year most of our kids have two or three years of experience, especially the seniors who are good leaders. I’m not going to say we’re going to be the greatest, but we’re gunning for a playoff spot.

“We’re working on that and based on day one the way we entered, with the numbers we have, I think at the end of the year, if we stay healthy, we’ll be shocking a few teams.”

Ohio State won the national championship four seasons ago.

TCU has won at least 11 games 10 times in the past 15 seasons — the Buckeyes have 11. That is a week before the Frogs open their round-robin Big 12 schedule at Texas. Iowa State, which beat TCU last season, then is in Fort Worth on Sept. 29.

FIRST FOR GP Robinson, who appeared in six games, was the first true freshman quarterback to start a game under Patterson, who is in his 18th season as head coach.

On a windy day in Lubbock,

Robinson ran 10 times for 84 yards and completed 6-of-17 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in a 27-3 win.

COACH HILL Hill, who initially pursued a pro career, is back at TCU as a student coach while working to finish his degree. After two years as the Frogs starter, he will now help the former teammates competing to replace him.

“I think Kenny will be big,” Patterson said. “It’s good to get an older person that was part of the group.”

44

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

SANTA ANNA CONTINUED FROM 26

and keeps all the guys together and motivated. That’s invaluable and an intangible you have to have. “One of the guys I’ve been most impressed with during the summer workouts is Trevor Evans. He’s been up here everyday hounding me about the gym or the weight room being open. He’s always asking what he can be doing, and that’s what you want to see out of all your players. If we can keep him doing that, that’s going to help keep the others motivated and they’ll keep doing it.�

Santa Anna kicks off its season against Brookesmith followed by pre-district outings against

Rochelle, Robert Lee, Bronte, Mullin, Blanket and Blackwell. “I want to see them pulling together as a team, working together,� Simpson said in regard to his pre-district goals for the Mountaineers. “I want to see fundamentals. I’m a fundamentals guy and I want to see them understand what positioning is, what angles are, making sure they have leverage when they need it. Those are the things I’m going to be looking for. To me that’s success, whenever you start seeing improvement in those areas. You don’t have to have a ton of talent to win if you’re fundamentally strong. That’s your foundation and what you’re going to build off of.�

The District 14-A Division I slate features the Oct. 26 league opener at home against May, a Nov. 2 trip

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to Lingleville and a Nov. 9 visit from Gorman in the regular season finale. “It’s tough, those guys are good and have been for years,� Simpson said in regard to Santa Anna’s district foes. “They’re going to bring it every year, it doesn’t matter who graduates. They have great coaching staffs, they work really good together and that’s going to be tough to overcome.�

As for how good the Mountaineers can be coming off a winless season, Simpson said, “The sky’s the limit. They could win every game or lose every game. It’s really up to them. We’ve been working on getting past those mental blocks that they can’t win a game. As long as they keep focused and keep working hard, there’s no reason why they can’t advance past district.�

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with a 7-5 record with their season ending on a second-round playoff loss. Rio Vista (4-6) ended 2017 with a first-round playoff loss to Hearne. The only

GOLDTHWAITE CONTINUED FROM 22

6-foot-3 Hermesmeyer passed for 1,440 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

The 6-3 Watson, who had 18 catches but just one TD last year, leads a group of tall receiving targets. He’ll be joined by newcomers Grayson Moore and Jaxon Wootton, who also stand 6-3.

Freshmen Jackson Patrick and Dusty Partin, the two fastest players on the team, could also figure into the passing game.

SAN SABA

CONTINUED FROM 24

Joseph Watson (6-0, 205), who caught three touchdown passes last year. Se-

Sunday, August 26, 2018

District 6-3A Division II team not to make the playoffs was Dublin, but that may be a misnomer because the Lions (3-7) spoiled District 6-3A Division I champion Breckenridge’s homecoming night with a win last season. “We’re excited about our new district. There are some new faces and people we’re not familiar with

so it’s fun when you play teams you’re not familiar with,� Hermesmeyer said. “It’s kind of different.

We’re excited about that. It’s a good district. Jacksboro went three rounds deep last year. Dublin has been in the playoffs, Tolar has been good. I don’t know much about Rio Vista or Millsap, but Millsap has some good athletes so it should be a good district.�

“We need to throw the ball. We’ve got a quarterback with experience and a solid group of receivers. We’ll run enough to keep teams honest,� Proffitt said.

At running back, the Eagles face the unenviable task of replacing four-year workhorse Quaid Seward, who finished his career with 3,659 yards and 31 TDs rushing. Josh Butterfras, a 190-pound junior, will be counted on heavily this year, along with senior Josue Sanchez, who played linebacker last year. Help should come from Partin and junior Nick Jones.

Goldthwaite lists three returning

starters in the offensive line in seniors Zabreigh Odom (6-1, 205) and Devon Arndt (5-9, 210), along with junior Dalton Goodman (5-11, 250). Newcomers in the line include seniors Gonzalo Gallegos and Adrian Garcia (6-0, 200), sophomore Slade Sutherland (6-0, 180) and freshman Kody Roberts (5-9, 180).

Defensively, the secondary should be the strength with Watson returning after logging 44 tackles and three interceptions last season. He’ll be joined by Moore, Wootton, Jones and Patrick.

Butterfras returns at inside linebacker after making 65 tackles last year, the most of any returning defender. Top

candidates for the other inside linebacker spot are Hermesmeyer, Roberts, senior newcomer Ricky Keener and junior newcomer Daylin Wiedebusch.

Sanchez returns at outside linebacker after making 19 tackles last year. He’ll be joined by Partin and junior Jaden Biehl.

The Eagles’ three-man defensive front will include a rotation of Odom (22 tackles last year), Goodman, Garcia, Gallegos, Arndt and Sutherland.

Goldthwaite’s defense allowed 299 yards and 28 points per game last season, but forced just 12 turnovers in 11 games.

nior Ruben Parra is a returnee at wide receiver, and he’ll be joined by Glover.

Senior Clayton Pierce (5-8, 225) is a returning all-district selection from last year in the offensive line. Senior Junior Jaimes (5-10, 250) and junior

Jett Hibler (6-0, 225) are also returning veterans in the line. They’ll be joined by the sophomores Reza and Short. The Armadillos will have size in the line, but not much depth.

The Armadillos must improve a defense that last year allowed 36 points per game in five district losses. “It was a new scheme with them last year with our 4-2-5,� Fikac said. “The players weren’t playing at full speed because they weren’t sure where they were going. Now, they know where to be and where to go. We should be playing defense at full speed this year.�

Jaimes and Pierce, also an all-district selection on defense, return at tackle to anchor the defense. Watson, who made 40 tackles last year, and junior Abel Martinez are veteran defensive ends.

Argote (5-7, 170) returns at inside linebacker, and he’ll be joined by Shahan. Outside linebackers include returning starter Sakima Herrera and junior Juan Ramirez, another player from last year’s undefeated JV. O’Keefe and Glover give the Armadillos plenty of height in the secondary.

In District 7-2A Division I, defending champion De Leon is the consensus favorite to repeat. Crawford is picked second based on posting 29 winning records in the last 30 seasons.

That likely leaves Hico, Goldthwaite and San Saba vying for the final two playoff berths. “Yes, we’ve set our sights on the playoffs, but I’m a firm believer in going out and giving yourself a chance to win every Friday night,� Fikac said. “If you do that, the playoffs will take care of themselves.�

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Santa Anna to close out the pre-district slate.

“We’re preaching improvement every day,” Tabor said of the early season goals. “Even though I’ve been here before, there was a different coach here last year, and a different defensive coach here last year, so we’re learning and it’s a process. The kids have to respond to

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

that. We’re just trying to improve and gain knowledge and retain it day to day so we’re improving every day. We’re keeping it simple.”

The Tigers kick off District 15-A Division II competition on Oct. 12 with their homecoming game against Brookesmith, followed by a road trip to Rising Star on Oct. 19. After their bye week on Oct. 26, the Tigers host Mullin on Nov. 2, then close out the regular season at Sidney on Nov. 9 “Being out for the year and with us up

BROOKESMITH CONTINUED FROM 13

skill players, four or five people that can handle and run the ball, and that’s going to be a real plus for us.”

Brookesmith opens the season in Rochelle against Santa Anna, followed by pre-district outings against Panther Creek, Evant, Veribest, Paint Rock and Lometa.

“We just want to improve every week,”

MAY

CONTINUED FROM 14

Cherokee and Lometa before hosting Fort Worth THESA and Zephyr. May then wraps up pre-district play with games at Newcastle and defending Class A Division II state champion Strawn.

“Two games will be good litmus tests for us in non-district,” Steele said. “One is the first game of the year against Richland Springs, and I’m sure they’ll show us what we need to work on. And then we play Strawn in Week 7 and to me that will show us how far

in Division I, we haven’t seen some of these teams face to face in three years,” Tabor said of the district schedule.

“We take it that they’re all formidable opponents and that we’re all kind of equal, and that’s what the experts who are writ-

Edmondson said of the Mustangs’ early season goals. “We want to make sure we are better than we were the week before. We have to make sure we learn the schemes and the wins and losses will take care of themselves if we get the fundamentals down.

Early on we have to learn the fundamentals and that’s what we’re going to be focusing on.”

The revamped District 15-A Division II schedule begins at preseason favorite Blanket on Oct. 12, followed by an Oct. 19 home

we’ve come and what we didn’t get accomplished in nondistrict that we have to get fixed for district.

“I just want to see constant improvement and for them to grow into their positions.

We’re looking for people to step up and take some spots and step up and be the depth players we’ve got to have as the season goes.”

The District 14-A Division I schedule

ZEPHYR

CONTINUED FROM 16

does a great job,” Williamson said. “J.P. Gowin has done a great job the last few years. Mason Rogers is returning and will help us out tremendously. Another young man who is a senior this year, and last year didn’t get to play on varsity, is Jerrick Woodock and we’re looking for big things out of him. Micheal Seider is stepping in to the quarterback role this year after being the back up last year and we’re also expecting big things out of him this year.

“We’re senior heavy and sophomore heavy. We have to have some younger guys step up along with some of the seniors that didn’t get a whole bunch of playing time last year. They’ve got to be able to step up and fill the roles from the guys we lost last year.”

Zephyr opens the season against Coolidge, ranked No. 5 in Class A Division I by Dave Campbell’s Texas

Sunday, August 26, 2018

ing the articles are saying. I would think teams are looking at us thinking we may have an advantage, I just know our mindset needs to be we’re going to win the district championship.”

As for what it will take for the Tigers to earn their first district title since 2014, Tabor said, “Besides health, just staying focused and getting better. Learning to play fast and minimizing mistakes, that’s what we’re going to focus on, and trying to play a little cleaner brand of football than we have in the last few years.”

date with Mullin and an Oct. 26 road date with Sidney. Brookesmith’s bye falls on Nov. 2, then the Mustangs host Rising Star in the Nov. 9 regular season finale.

“Blanket’s going to be tough, Sidney’s going to be tough, along with Mullin,” Edmondson said. “It’s going to be a battle, but we’ve got good numbers, so we’re expecting to have a shot at the playoffs again.

“We just have to cover the pass, we have to block and if we do those two things everything else should fall into place.”

features a trip to Santa Anna on Oct. 26, another road game at Gorman on Nov. 2 and the home and regular season finale against Lingleville on Nov. 9. According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, May is ranked No. 7 in Class A Division I and projected to capture the District 14 title.

“I think Gorman is going to be very difficult,” Steele said. “Coach (Jeb) Dixon’s done a great job over there, he’s really got them going in the right direction. They’re going to be a tough test for us in district. Santa Anna has numbers out like they haven’t had in recent years. They have a new coach and will probably be invigorated. Lingleville is

Football, followed by games against Granbury NCTA, Water Valley, Gorman, May, Gordon and Stephenville Faith.

“Our non-district schedule is pretty brutal,” Williamson said.

“We start right off the bat with Coolidge and they’re ranked. May is going to be ranked, Stephenville Faith is ranked, and the list goes on. What I want to see out of these guys is consistency and intensity. I want to see them get better at what we’re doing.

They’re learning the system but they’re going to have to get better and understand the system. If we come out of our non-district schedule healthy I think we’ll hopefully be ready to make a run through district and into

the same as they have been, they have talent, they have athletic ability and if they put it all together they can be dangerous on any given night.”

As for how good the new look Tigers can be in 2018, Steele said, “This can still be a very good team even though we lost a lot of kids from last year. We don’t have a lot of margin for error, though, so we’re going to have to eliminate turnovers. If we stay away from the injury bug and have kids develop the way we think they can, by the end of the regular season schedule, if we’re fortunate enough to make the playoffs, we’ll have an opportunity to make a run.”

the playoffs.”

The Bulldogs host Evant in the Oct. 26 district opener, travel to Jonesboro on Nov. 2 and close out the regular season at Lometa on Nov. 9.

“Jonesboro’s a powerhouse year in and year out and Evant and Lometa have been successful over the last few years,” Williamson said. “Lometa’s made the playoffs the last three or four years and Evant’s always on the bubble sitting just outside and always chomping at the bit for that second playoff spot. It’s going to be tough.”

The key to a lengthy season for Zephyr, according to Williamson, is successfully blending the newcomers with the returnees.

“These young guys have to be able to step up,” Williamson said. “I’ve told them from day one the sky’s the limit for them and they don’t really realize yet how good they could be. If we get some young guys to step up and have some growth through our non-district schedule I think we’ll be ready to rock and roll come district.”

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 49

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does start early and you have to be ready. With us installing a new system it puts us behind the eight-ball as far as being ready for that first district game.”

The Dragons open the season at home against archrival Early, then visit Hawley and Winters before diving into district competition.

“I just want to see improvement, not only week to week but on a daily basis,” Maxfield said of his pre-district goals. “We have to stay healthy and we have some key components to our team and the goals we want to achieve. Every team worries about injuries but the smaller the classification the more it’s magnified.

“What’s going to be interesting is seeing how they react when something bad happens, whether they keep playing no matter what the score is. That to me is still a big question mark. We do have some athleticism and some size up front, so it’s going to be interesting to see how those guys match up.”

After a bye week, the Dragons head to Anson for the league opener on Sept. 28 followed by the homecoming game against Grape Creek, a visit from Ballinger, a road trip to Merkel, a home game with Coleman, a drive to San Angelo TLC and the regular season finale at home with Cisco.

“Common sense tells everybody that Cisco will be the big dog on the block,” Maxfield said. “I know Merkel has some tremendous players and Coach (John) Cornelius does a great job. To be honest, I haven’t looked at how the district’s picked. I know Coach

(Chuck) Lipsey, since this is second year over there at Ballinger, he did a great job here in Bangs and he’s a very good coach so they’re going to be a lot better just because it’s his second season. I think all the teams in the district are very well-coached. I don’t know much about the San Angelo area schools. We’re just trying to take it one day at a time.”

As for the Dragons’ roster, several positions were still up for grabs in the preseason.

Justin Wilson and Seth Anderson had split time at quarterback, while Colton Martin is another valuable weapon out of the backfield. Other skill players include Kolt Bradley, Wesley Mitchell, Evan Belez, Corbin Freeland, Josh Valdez, Jacob Howell, Kaleb Painter, Brandon Robinson, Ethan Sanchez, Riley Taylor, Tyler Brooks, Trevor Lorah and Shawn Rainey.

“Seth and Justin have both been working at quarterback,” Maxfield said. “They are two different types of players, but both bring strengths to our offense. And Colton Martin is one of better athletes. We want to be able to be multiple on offense.”

Battling for time in the trenches are Brock Bettis, Holdyn Hoffman, Devon McCarty, Charlie Smith, Hayden King, Hunter Lawrence, Michael Francois, Cael John, Hunter Perez, Donald Ivey and Bradley Wright.

“We’ve got some size, Coach Medulla’s been coaching their tails off,” Maxfield said. “Probably from the from first practice until now they’ve been the most improved group. They’ve got some tools to work with.

We have a couple of new faces that help us depth wise.

I’m anxious to see if they can maintain their blocks and move people around.”

The defensive side of the ball held the biggest question marks for the Dragons.

“Out of 11 positions, we probably have five or six that are pretty solid,” Maxfield said. “The other half, a lot of guys will get a lot of snaps to see who fits what position. We may be moving a lot of people after these scrimmages.”

As for how successful the Dragons can be in 2018, Maxfield said, “It depends on how much they can believe in themselves. Once they figure that out I think they could really raise some eyebrows. As coaches with experience, that first year is always challenging because you have so many different aspects coming at you. I’ve taken over a lot of programs and some of them have been in good shape and some of them have struggled, but everybody has a good vibe right now.

Of course everybody’s undefeated right now too. It’s going to be interesting to see how we react to adversity because it’s not an if it’s going to happen, it’s a when.”

COLEMAN

CONTINUED FROM 18

Ballinger (Nov. 2) and the regular season finale at Merkel (Nov. 9).

“We’ve got three games then we’re right in the fire, but we’re excited about it,” Elder said. “Any time you’re in a new district it changes your expectations.

We’re hoping we can get in there and compete and at the end of it, be fighting for a playoff spot.”

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figure out what it is they’re wanting the most — trading what they want right now for what they want the most. If they can do that and keep their eyes on the prize, there’s no telling what we can do.”

The Longhorns open the season at Bangs, then follow with non-district outings at Coleman, home against Tolar and Hamilton, and at Hico. Early’s nondistrict foes combined for a 22-32 overall record. With Bangs and Coleman going a combined 3-18 last season, on paper, the Longhorns could be in position for a hot start.

“Obviously we want a fast start with all of our games to get ready for district, and we certainly want to win our opening week,” Sandford said. “Everybody wants to win opening week, but we don’t want to win opening week and then that’s it. We want to win all of those pre-district games and play to the best of our ability and continue to get better as we go on so that when we do get to that open week we’re ready and primed for the first district ball game, which is what we’re really working hard for, to give ourselves a good opportunity to make a district run.”

As for the District 3-3A Division I race, the Longhorns open at home against Eastland, visit Clyde, host Breckenridge, travel

to Jim Ned, and welcome Wall.

“Everybody’s in a tough district,” Sandford said in regard to Early facing five playoff teams in league play. “The pre-district teams we’re playing against are well-coached and our district opponents are very well-coached. One thing we have to do is continuously get better and not worry about what someone else has or doesn’t have, it’s what we do and what we’re in control of, which is turnovers, penalties, making great tackles, converting third downs, keeping the chains moving, things like that. Those are the things that will help us win — a consistent high level of play.”

Early will be looking to improve on a 2017 offense performance that featured 20 points and 301 yards — 197 passing and 104 rushing — per game, with 18 turnovers.

Quarterback Ryan Trompler (2,054 yards, 13 TDs passing; 566 yards, 10 TDs rushing) returns to guide the offense, with Jesson Tarrant and Jose Pesina in the backfield. The receiving corps will feature combinations of Ty Schafer, Jonathan Morales, David Shields, Timmy Smithson, Jerry Fowler, Austin Reveille and Ryan Hicks, among others.

“Ryan’s a great quarterback that’s back for his senior year and he’s worked very hard throughout the whole offseason and summer and has certainly looked pretty good during fall camp,” Sandford said.

Sunday, August 26, 2018

“Jesson had a lot of yards and has game breaker type speed and Jose is our big bruising running back. We have a lot of guys at receiver we can go to and we feel good about any of them that are in the lineup.”

Up front, Logan Gillem, Patrick Valencia, Jadyn Lehde, John Griffin and Ethen Portillo will man the trenches, with Diego Crader, Adrian Elizondo, Bailey Jones, Jaden Vazquez and Riley Richards rotating in as well.

“All those guys we feel comfortable with,” Sandford said. “They’ve got good size and a good concept of what it takes to move the line of scrimmage.”

Defensively, the Longhorns yielded 39 points and 407 yards — 272 on the ground

and 135 through the air — per outing, with 16 takeaways.

The secondary will likely feature a combination of Johnny Clubb, Smithson, Tarrant and Shields, while the linebacker corps will include Brandon Lombrano, Carlos Moreno, Griffin and Lehde. Manning the trenches will be a combination of Schafer, Jones, Crader and Elizondo at the ends, and Gillem, Portillo, Valencia and Richards as down linemen.

“With all those guys up front in the box, we’re trying to stop the run,” Sandford said. “We’ve got speed in the back end, but our goal this year is stop the run. With those guys out there I feel like we have a good opportunity to do that.”

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 53

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

HPU

CONTINUED FROM 4

letically we’re a better football. Our bodies are bigger, our speed is faster.

Will that result in winning more football games? We’ll have to wait and see about that. But overall I think we’re better.”

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets will attempt to improve on their 19 points and 294 yards per game from a year ago with new quarterback Gage McClanahan, a transfer from Campbell University. Brett Martinez and Kaidrion Latson return in the backfield, while Dentavion Gross anchors a revamped receiving corps. Up front, linemen Robert Evans, Abraham Centeno, Travis Folmar and Tyler Howard are back, as is H-back Eric Haverstock.

The defense gave up 56 points and 535 yards per game last year, but is the most experienced unit.

In the trenches are Brady Wade, Collin Wright and Jaylon Jeffery, among others. Middle linebacker Britt Boler returns at linebacker after an injury-plagued 2017, as do Austin Kilgore at the weakside linebacker and Anthony Lindsey on the strong side. The secondary is anchored by all-conference selection Tevin Dawson along with Elijan Washington,

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Tray Baker and Trishawn Townes.

“We’re still a young football team, absolutely, but we’re a year older than we were last year and that’s the exciting thing, getting those guys back on the field,” Harris said.

The Yellow Jackets open the season Sept. 8 in the state of Oregon against George Fox University, HPU’s lone game before the start of American Southwest Conference action Sept. 15 at Gordon Wood Stadium against McMurry.

“The first game we’re getting on a plane and going to Oregon and that’s an exciting time and our kids have been looking forward to that for a while,” Harris said. “But the challenging part of that is you’re getting on a plane and going to Oregon which is something we haven’t done as a program in 14 years.

“George Fox was a top 25 team last year. Their brand of football is a little bit different than ours, a little bit bigger guys, not as fast, but really disciplined at what they do so we’ll have our challenges with that. But the challenge is the same part that excites you, getting on a plane and traveling and how your guys handle that situation.”

Harris pointed to the conference opener against McMurry as possibly the most pivotal point in the season.

“The next week we turn around and

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All-conference safety Tevin Dawson (22) returns to anchor the Howard Payne defense.

it’s McMurry at home and that’s going to be a big game for us,” Harris said.

“Getting them at home to start conference is an opportunity for us to be able to start the season off right at home. We haven’t won a home game here in a long time (Oct. 31, 2015), so we have a big circle around that game and we have to be focused on that.”

The rest of the ASC slate includes a trip to Hardin-Simmons (Sept. 22), a home date with Belhaven (Sept. 29), at East Texas Baptist (Oct. 6), home against Mary Hardin-Baylor (Oct. 13), at Sul Ross (Oct. 20), at Texas Lutheran (Oct. 27), homecoming against Southwestern (Nov. 3) and the regular season finale at Louisiana College (Nov. 10).

“The conference in my opinion is the best in the nation from top to bottom. In my opinion if you take the middle teams in this conference and take them to any other conference in the nation those are playoff teams,” Harris said. “You have

to be able to compete with the big dogs and Mary Hardin-Baylor and HardinSimmons are the upper echelon teams and we have to scrap and claw to get in the middle. That’s where we’re at right now. We have to fight our tails off to get in the middle. We were picked to finish ninth in the conference, one point over Belhaven, so I think our guys have a little chip on their shoulder, feel like they’re a better football team than that and they’re excited for the chance to be able to go out and prove that.”

Along with remaining healthy, Harris stated the biggest key for Howard Payne to make a jump in the ASC ranks is “trusting the process.”

“I truly believe if we trust the process and fall in love with the process that the results will come,” Harris said. “That’s the same thing we’ve said since we started this program back in January of 2017 when we got here, we had to build that first and foremost.”

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 55

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018

BROWNWOOD CONTINUED FROM 2

more you get in return in some form or fashion.”

Optimism is high with Burnett back in Brownwood, but the new head coach reiterated what the Lions do off the field is just as important as what happens under the lights Friday nights — again pointing to discipline as being the backbone of the program going forward.

“It’s all I knew coming up,” Burnett said. “I knew I was going to get disciplined if I stepped out of line. I was ADD, hyper active and ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. But what kept me under control were my mother and my coaches and knowing I would be disciplined if I made poor decisions. It made me think about things and make good decisions. We tell our kids all the time every decision you make affects the program in a positive way or a negative way, so make sure you’re affecting the family in a positive way. Our kids are buying into it and understanding what I’m trying to teach them and that I’m not going to change. It’s going to be that way constantly from your work ethic to your language to the way you conduct yourself in a group, to how you conduct yourself around smaller kids, know that eyes are always on you.

Character reveals itself when no one else knows. I believe that’s the roots to a good program.”

With the season opener against Class 3A Division I top-ranked Brock looming — at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 at Gordon Wood Stadium and broadcast live on Fox Sports Southwest — Burnett feels the Lions have taken the strides necessary to be prepared for the first outing of 2018.

“We’re right where we need to be, to be honest,” Burnett said. “I have high expectations and I always want to be a step ahead, but I have to be patient and understand that our kids are learning.

Some of our kids haven’t played at this level before. The majority of our kids on the front line have never played in this position before. We have skill kids that haven’t seen Friday night, and if they have it’s been from the sideline.

Expectation-wise, they’re always going to be high, but our kids are responding to what we’re asking, it’s just going to take repetition after repetition for us to get to where I want us to be, and I don’t know when that day’s going to come.

“When you’re starting a program, when you include the character part to installing a new offensive and defensive system and special teams, our kids are

PHOTO BY DERRICK STUCKLY

A.J. McCarty and the Brownwood Lions offense will attempt to improve on last year’s 38 points and 401 yards of total offense per game.

ahead of where they probably should be because of their desire to want to learn, to embrace the discipline and to try to figure out how they have to work to be successful. Am I pleased? Yes. Are there areas where we need to get better? Yes. We still have some areas on the field that we need to figure out and we will.

We’re working on those daily and over the course of time it will happen because the expectations will never change.”

The strength of the Lions coming into the season rests in the skill players as returning quarterback Tommy

Bowden (143 of 228 for 2,194 yards with 26 touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 548 yards and nine scores) was named the preseason offensive player of the year in District 5-4A Division I by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. Receivers A.J. McCarty (39785, TD), Braden Jetton (34-568, 7 TDs), Grayson Swanzy, Ben Kallman and Hunter Leonard all return, while Reece Rodgers and Christian DeHart are new additions. Joseph Johnson and Khyren Deal will take over in the backfield.

Up front lies the question mark for the

Lions, as the offensive line is the most inexperienced unit on the roster. Heading into the final scrimmage, Brandon Farrow was on track to be the starting center with Jacob Ruiz at right guard, Theo Bryant at right tackle, Jayln Jones at left tackle and Ulysses Villarreal at left guard.

Defensively, Santanna Espinoza, Jones and Bryant will likely comprise the three-man front line, with Ian Moreno, Rowdee Gregory, Hayden SEE LIONS, 57

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 57

LIONS

CONTINUED FROM 56

Tunnell and Leonard positioned at linebacker. Tunnell (71 tackles including 13.5 for loss and five sacks) and Leonard (56 tackles with 11 for loss, six sacks and a safety) were defensive ends last season in a 4-3 set.

The secondary will feature Zach Strong at strong safety, Anthony Larrea at free safety and Grayson Swanzy and Jetton at the corners. Rodgers, Deal, Clayton Bertrand and George Nicholas will also rotate into the mix.

Cooper Swanzy, who Burnett considers the best cover corner, is out until at least the start of district after breaking his collarbone in the Liberty Hill scrimmage.

“The No. 1 most important thing for our season is we have to stay healthy,” Burnett said.

Following the Brock contest, the Lions’ non-district schedule features road trips to Snyder, Graham and Wichita Falls Rider in succession before wrapping up the pre-district slate against Abilene Wylie for homecoming.

“I want to see a winner’s heart, period, in everything that we do — how we conduct ourselves in success and in adversity,” Burnett said of his pre-district goals.

“I want to see our kids understand the complexity of the situation. When you’re facing adversity, are you going to rise to that or are you going to fall apart?

“We open with Brock which is No. 1 in the state in its classification and we have an opportunity to be successful with them. Week 2 I need to see more growth.

We play Snyder and we’re going to travel to their place and that’s an opportunity to get better. Then we turn around and go to Graham, which is ranked No. 6 in their division. Then we face Wichita Falls Rider on a short week, and they’re pretty good right now. Then we come home and play our next home game against 5A Wylie which is rival game for us.

“Do I want to win the games? Yes. But we have to see continued growth. Work on us, do what we do and let the wins fall where they may. But if we do that and get better, we’ll be stronger. Then by the time we get to our break and start facing district opponents, now we ought to be in a position to see where our team is.

What will help that is some wins because the more you win the more the kids buy in and the harder they work. If you start off 0-3, it’s harder to get those kids and you don’t want the wheels to fall off the wagon. Barring injuries, I think we’ll grow and have opportunities to be successful.”

PHOTO BY DERRICK STUCKLY

The Brownwood Lions defense will attempt to cut down on the 30 points per game allowed a season ago.

Following their first of two bye weeks, the Lions venture to Gatesville for their District 5-4A Division I opener. After another bye, Brownwood welcomes Stephenville, travels to Waco La Vega and hosts China Spring in the regular season finale — seeking its first district championship since 2010.

“Gatesville’s a good football team and a must-win game for us,” Burnett said.

“If you look at it on paper, if you win one game in district you have an opportunity to get in the playoffs. That’s not our goal, of course, but it’s just the facts of it and that is a big game for us that we need to be successful in. If we can do that, then we have another week off, which is not something I wanted, but it’s how the cards fell. It gives us a little extra time to prepare for Stephenville, which I know our kids will show up and play for, and I

think that will be a great football game.

You start winning those and then the kids start getting that belief we had in the old days that it didn’t matter who you played, it’s how you played. We’re not afraid of anybody. We fear none but we respect all.

“I like the fact that we’re picked fourth in the district because it gives us fuel. I don’t want to be picked first, I want to go earn first. That’s a long way ahead, but you have goals and our goal is to win a district championship and I don’t think that’s above our reach. When we get to district I think we’ll be in a spot where we can go out and compete and be successful and hopefully make a decent run in the playoffs.”

Though the Lions are competing in what many consider to be the most competitive 4A district in the state, Burnett

welcomes the challenge.

“People still ask me all the time about coming to Brownwood and the pressures of winning,” Burnett said. “No. 1, I don’t believe the Lord put me in this position to fail. I don’t know what the season has in store, we may be 0-9, but there is something to come out of it and whatever lesson the Lord is teaching us, we need to learn and see that. If it’s great successes let’s embrace those and understand why that’s happening. Humble yourself and you’ll be praised or praise yourself and you’ll be humbled. We’re not going to go around beating our chest, telling people to look at us and this is who we are. We’re going to show people that we’re going to be humble and work hard and give credit where credit is due. If we do that, then we’ll be rewarded in some way.”

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

2018 NFL SCHEDULE

WEEK 1 Thursday, Sept. 6 Atlanta at Philadelphia Sunday, Sept. 9 Buffalo at Baltimore Jacksonville at NY Giants Tampa Bay at New Orleans Houston at New England San Francisco at Minnesota Tennessee at Miami Cincinnati at Indianapolis Pittsburgh at Cleveland Kansas City at LA Chargers Seattle at Denver Dallas at Carolina Washington at Arizona Chicago at Green Bay Monday, Sept. 10 NY Jets at Detroit LA Rams at Oakland

WEEK 2 Thursday, Sept. 13 Baltimore at Cincinnati Sunday, Sept. 16 Carolina at Atlanta Indianapolis at Washington Houston at Tennessee Philadelphia at Tampa Bay Kansas City at Pittsburgh Miami at NY Jets LA Chargers at Buffalo Minnesota at Green Bay Cleveland at New Orleans Detroit at San Francisco Arizona at LA Rams New England at Jacksonville Oakland at Denver NY Giants at Dallas Monday, Sept. 17 Seattle at Chicago WEEK 3 Thursday, Sept. 20 NY Jets at Cleveland Sunday, Sept. 23 New Orleans at Atlanta Green Bay at Washington Indianapolis at Philadelphia Buffalo at Minnesota Oakland at Miami Denver at Baltimore Cincinnati at Carolina NY Giants at Houston Tennessee at Jacksonville San Francisco at Kansas City LA Chargers at LA Rams Dallas at Seattle Chicago at Arizona New England at Detroit Monday, Sept. 24 Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay WEEK 4 Thursday, Sept. 27 Minnesota at LA Rams Sunday, Sept. 30 NY Jets at Jacksonville Miami at New England Philadelphia at Tennessee Houston at Indianapolis Buffalo at Green Bay Detroit at Dallas Tampa Bay at Chicago

7:20 p.m.

Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon

Cincinnati at Atlanta Seattle at Arizona Cleveland at Oakland New Orleans at NY Giants San Francisco at LA Chargers Baltimore at Pittsburgh Monday, Oct. 1 Kansas City at Denver BYE WEEK: Carolina, Washington WEEK 5 Thursday, Oct. 4 Indianapolis at New England Sunday, Oct. 7 Tennessee at Buffalo Atlanta at Pittsburgh Denver at NY Jets Jacksonville at Kansas City Green Bay at Detroit Baltimore at Cleveland NY Giants at Carolina Miami at Cincinnati Oakland at LA Chargers Arizona at San Francisco Minnesota at Philadelphia LA Rams at Seattle Dallas at Houston Monday, Oct. 8 Washington at New Orleans BYE WEEK: Chicago, Tampa Bay

WEEK 6 Thursday, Oct. 11 Philadelphia at NY Giants Sunday, Oct. 14 Tampa Bay at Atlanta Carolina at Washington Seattle at Oakland Indianapolis at NY Jets Arizona at Minnesota Pittsburgh at Cincinnati LA Chargers at Cleveland Buffalo at Houston Chicago at Miami LA Rams at Denver Baltimore at Tennessee Jacksonville at Dallas Kansas City at New England Monday, Oct. 15 San Francisco at Green Bay BYE WEEK: Detroit, New Orleans

Noon 3:05 p.m.

3:05 p.m.

3:25 p.m.

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Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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WEEK 7 Thursday, Oct. 18 Denver at Arizona 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 21 Tennessee vs. LA Chargers (London) 9:30 a.m.

Cincinnati at Kansas City Noon Cleveland at Tampa Bay Noon Carolina at Philadelphia Noon Minnesota at NY Jets Noon Detroit at Miami Noon New England at Chicago Noon Buffalo at Indianapolis Noon Houston at Jacksonville Noon New Orleans at Baltimore 3:05 p.m.

Dallas at Washington 3:25 p.m.

LA Rams at San Francisco 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 22 NY Giants at Atlanta 7:20 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Green Bay, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle WEEK 8

Thursday, Oct. 25 Miami at Houston 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 28 Philadelphia at Jacksonville (London) 9:30 a.m.

Denver at Kansas City Noon Cleveland at Pittsburgh Noon Washington at NY Giants Noon Seattle at Detroit Noon Tampa Bay at Cincinnati Noon NY Jets at Chicago Noon Baltimore at Carolina Noon Indianapolis at Oakland 3:05 p.m.

San Francisco at Arizona 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at LA Rams 3:25 p.m.

New Orleans at Minnesota 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 29 New England at Buffalo 7:15 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Atlanta, Dallas, LA Chargers, Tennessee

WEEK 9 Thursday, Nov. 1 Oakland at San Francisco 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4 Chicago at Buffalo Noon Tampa Bay at Carolina Noon Kansas City at Cleveland Noon NY Jets at Miami Noon Pittsburgh at Baltimore Noon Detroit at Minnesota Noon Atlanta at Washington Noon Houston at Denver 3:05 p.m.

LA Chargers at Seattle 3:05 p.m.

LA Rams at New Orleans 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at New England 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 5 Tennessee at Dallas 7:15 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Arizona, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, NY Giants, Philadelphia WEEK 10 Thursday, Nov. 8 Carolina at Pittsburgh 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11 New Orleans at Cincinnati Noon Atlanta at Cleveland Noon Miami at Green Bay Noon Jacksonville at Indianapolis Noon Detroit at Chicago Noon Arizona at Kansas City Noon New England at Tennessee Noon Washington at Tampa Bay Noon Buffalo at NY Jets Noon LA Chargers at Oakland 3:05 p.m.

Seattle at LA Rams 3:25 pm.

Dallas at Philadelphia 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 12 NY Giants at San Francisco 7:15 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Minnesota WEEK 11 Thursday, Nov. 15 Green Bay at Seattle Sunday, Nov. 18 Cincinnati at Baltimore Minnesota at Chicago Carolina at Detroit Tennessee at Indianapolis Dallas at Atlanta Tampa Bay at NY Giants Philadelphia at New Orleans Houston at Washington

7:20 p.m.

Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon

Denver at LA Chargers 3:05 p.m.

Oakland at Arizona 3:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 19 Kansas City at LA Rams 7:15 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Buffalo, Cleveland, Miami, New England, NY Jets, San Francisco

WEEK 12 Thursday, Nov. 22 Chicago at Detroit 11:30 a.m.

Washington at Dallas 3:30 p.m.

Atlanta at New Orleans 7:20 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 25 Cleveland at Cincinnati Noon Seattle at Carolina Noon Jacksonville at Buffalo Noon Oakland at Baltimore Noon Miami at Indianapolis Noon San Francisco at Tampa Bay Noon NY Giants at Philadelphia Noon New England at NY Jets Noon Arizona at LA Chargers 3:05 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Denver 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Minnesota 7:20 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 26 Tennessee at Houston 7:15 p.m.

BYE WEEK: Kansas City, LA Rams WEEK 13 Thursday, Nov. 29 New Orleans at Dallas Sunday, Dec. 2 Baltimore at Atlanta Carolina at Tampa Bay LA Chargers at Pittsburgh Chicago at NY Giants Buffalo at Miami Denver at Cincinnati LA Rams at Detroit Arizona at Green Bay Cleveland at Houston Indianapolis at Jacksonville NY Jets at Tennessee Kansas City at Oakland Minnesota at New England San Francisco at Seattle Monday, Dec. 3 Washington at Philadelphia WEEK 14 Thursday, Dec. 5 Jacksonville at Tennessee Sunday, Dec. 9 NY Jets at Buffalo NY Giants at Washington New Orleans at Tampa Bay New England at Miami Baltimore at Kansas City Indianapolis at Houston LA Rams at Chicago Carolina at Cleveland Atlanta at Green Bay Denver at San Francisco Cincinnati at LA Chargers Philadelphia at Dallas Detroit at Arizona Pittsburgh at Oakland Monday, Dec. 10 Minnesota at Seattle WEEK 15 Thursday, Dec. 13 LA Chargers at Kansas City

7:20 p.m.

Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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Saturday, Dec. 15 Cleveland at Denver Houston at NY Jets Sunday, Dec. 16 Green Bay at Chicago Detroit at Buffalo Tampa Bay at Baltimore Arizona at Atlanta Oakland at Cincinnati Tennessee at NY Giants Miami at Minnesota Washington at Jacksonville Dallas at Indianapolis Seattle at San Francisco New England at Pittsburgh Philadelphia at LA Rams Monday, Dec. 17 New Orleans at Carolina WEEK 16 NY Giants at Indianapolis Jacksonville at Miami Washington at Tennessee Baltimore at LA Chargers Sunday, Dec. 23 Houston at Philadelphia Green Bay at NY Jets Cincinnati at Cleveland Tampa Bay at Dallas Minnesota at Detroit Buffalo at New England Atlanta at Carolina Chicago at San Francisco LA Rams at Arizona Pittsburgh at New Orleans Kansas City at Seattle Monday, Dec. 24 Denver at Oakland WEEK 17 Sunday, Dec. 30 Cleveland at Baltimore Miami at Buffalo Philadelphia at Washington Indianapolis at Tennessee Detroit at Green Bay Jacksonville at Houston Oakland at Kansas City Chicago at Minnesota NY Jets at New England Carolina at New Orleans Dallas at NY Giants Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Atlanta at Tampa Bay LA Chargers at Denver San Francisco at LA Rams Arizona at Seattle

TBD TBD Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

3:25 p.m.

7:20 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

TBD TBD TBD TBD Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m.

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Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:25 p.m.

3:25 p.m.

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PLAYOFFS Wild Card Round Saturday, Jan. 5 and Sunday, Jan. 6 Divisional Round Saturday, Jan. 12 and Sunday, Jan. 13

7:15 p.m.

Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 20

7:20 p.m.

SUPER BOWL 53 Sunday, Feb. 3 Mercedez-Benz Stadium: Atlanta, Georgia

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 59

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

WEEK-BY-WEEK

WEEK 1

THURSDAY, AUG. 30 Brookesmith vs. Santa Anna (at Rochelle) FRIDAY, AUG. 31 Brock at Brownwood Early at Bangs Cherokee at Blanket Richland Springs at May Comanche at Eastland Coleman at Jim Ned Goldthwaite at Winters San Saba at Johnson City Mullin at Evant Walnut Springs at Sidney SATURDAY, SEPT. 1 Zephyr vs. Coolidge (at Gorman) Rising Star vs. Bronte (at Rochelle)

WEEK 2

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7 Brownwood at Snyder Early at Coleman Bangs at Hawley Lometa at Blanket Panther Creek at Brookesmith May at Cherokee Zephyr at Granbury NCTA Comanche at Breckenridge Junction at Goldthwaite Harper at San Saba Moran at Rising Star

Rochelle at Santa Anna Richl. Springs at San Marcos Hill Co. Christian Mullin at Trent Robert Lee at Sidney SATURDAY, SEPT. 8 Howard Payne at George Fox

WEEK 3

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14 Brownwood at Graham Tolar at Early Bangs at Winters Blanket at Lingleville Brookesmith at Evant May at Lometa Water Valley at Zephyr Clyde at Comanche Coleman at Goldthwaite San Saba at Junction Bronte at Santa Anna Aquilla at Richland Springs Rising Star at Bluff Dale Cranfills Gap at Mullin Sidney at Moran SATURDAY, SEPT. 15 McMurry at Howard Payne*

WEEK 4

THURSDAY, SEPT. 20 Brownwood at Wichita Falls Rider Lometa at Mullin FRIDAY, SEPT. 21

Hamilton at Early Three Way at Blanket Veribest at Brookesmith Fort Worth THESA at May Zephyr at Gorman De Leon at Comanche Goldthwaite at Tolar San Saba vs. Snook (at Georgetown) Bronte at Santa Anna Austin Royals at Richland Springs Sidney at Cranfills Gap SATURDAY, SEPT. 22 Robert Lee at Rising Star Howard Payne at Hardin-Simmons*

WEEK 5

FRIDAY, SEPT. 28 Abilene Wylie at Brownwood Early at Hico Bangs at Anson* Blanket at Gordon Brookesmith at Paint Rock Zephyr at May Comanche at Mason Coleman at Grape Creek* Goldthwaite at Hamilton Ingram Tom Moore at San Saba Santa Anna at Mullin Richland Springs at Evant Rising Star at Rochelle Three Way at Sidney SATURDAY, SEPT. 29 Belhaven at Howard Payne*

WEEK 6

FRIDAY, OCT. 5 Grape Creek at Bangs* Blanket at Santa Anna Lometa at Brookesmith May at Newcastle Gordon at Zephyr San Angelo TLC at Coleman* Rising Star at Trent Rochelle at Mullin Sidney at Gustine SATURDAY, OCT. 6 Howard Payne at East Texas Baptist*

WEEK 7

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Sunday, August 26, 2018

Local Schedule FRIDAY, OCT. 19 Early at Clyde* Bangs at Merkel* Blanket at Rising Star* Mullin at Brookesmith* Comanche at Millsap* Anson at Coleman* Goldthwaite at Crawford* San Saba at Hico* Panther Creek at Richland Springs* SATURDAY, OCT. 20 Howard Payne at Sul Ross*

WEEK 9

FRIDAY, OCT. 26 Stephenville at Brownwood* Breckenridge at Early* Coleman at Bangs* Brookesmith at Sidney* May at Santa Anna* Evant at Zephyr* Rio Vista at Comanche* Hico at Goldthwaite* Valley Mills at San Saba* Richland Springs at Lohn* Rising Star at Mullin* SATURDAY, OCT. 27 Howard Payne at Texas Lutheran*

WEEK 10

FRIDAY, NOV. 2 Brownwood at Waco La Vega* Early at Jim Ned* Bangs at San Angelo TLC* Mullin at Blanket* May at Gorman* Zephyr at Jonesboro* Dublin at Comanche* Ballinger at Coleman* Goldthwaite at De Leon* San Saba at Crawford* Santa Anna at Lingleville* Richland Springs at Cherokee* Sidney at Rising Star* SATURDAY, NOV. 3 Southwestern at Howard Payne*

WEEK 11

THURSDAY, OCT. 11 Stephenville Faith at Zephyr FRIDAY, OCT. 12 Brownwood at Gatesville* Eastland at Early* Ballinger at Bangs* Brookesmith at Blanket* May at Strawn Jacksboro at Comanche* Coleman at Cisco* San Saba at Goldthwaite* Santa Anna at Blackwell Fort Worth THESA at Richland Springs Sidney at Mullin* Saturday, Oct. 13 Mary Hardin-Baylor at Howard Payne*

FRIDAY, NOV. 9 China Spring at Brownwood* Wall at Early* Cisco at Bangs* Blanket at Sidney* Rising Star at Brookesmith* Lingleville at May* Zephyr at Lometa* Comanche at Tolar* Coleman at Merkel* Valley Mills at Goldthwaite* De Leon at San Saba* Gorman at Santa Anna* Rochelle at Richland Springs* SATURDAY, NOV. 10 Howard Payne at Louisiana College*

WEEK 8

* DISTRICT / CONFERENCE GAMES

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 61

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Thursday, Aug. 30 Missouri State at Oklahoma State 7 p.m. (FS1) Saturday, Sept. 1 Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma 11 a.m. (FOX) Ole Miss at Texas Tech 11 a.m. (ESPN) Southern at TCU 11 a.m. (FSN) Texas at Maryland 11 a.m. (FS1) West Virginia at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. (CBS) Nicholls at Kansas 6 p.m.

South Dakota at Kansas State 6 p.m.

Abilene Christian at Baylor 7 p.m.

South Dakota State at Iowa State 7 p.m.

TCU at SMU

Friday, Sept. 7

7 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday, Sept. 8 Mississippi State at Kansas State 11 a.m. (ESPN) UCLA at Oklahoma Noon (FOX) Kansas at Central Michigan 2 p.m.

Lamar at Texas Tech 3 p.m. (FSN) Iowa State at Iowa 4 p.m. (FOX) Youngstown State at West Virginia 5 p.m.

Baylor at UTSA 6 p.m. (CBS Sports) South Alabama at Oklahoma State 7 p.m. (FSN) Tulsa at Texas 7 p.m. (LHN) Saturday, Sept. 15 Oklahoma at Iowa State* 11 a.m. (ABC) Rutgers at Kansas 11 a.m. (FSN)

Boise State at Oklahoma State Duke at Baylor West Virginia at N.C. State Houston at Texas Tech UTSA at Kansas State USC at Texas Ohio State vs. TCU

2:30 p.m. (ABC) 2:30 p.m. (FS1) 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) 3 p.m. (FOX) 3 p.m. (FSN) 7 p.m. (FOX) 7 p.m. (ABC) — at AT&T Stadium

Saturday, Sept. 22

TCU at Texas* Texas Tech at Oklahoma State* Kansas State at West Virginia* Kansas at Baylor* Akron at Iowa State Army at Oklahoma

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Saturday, Sept. 29 Texas at Kansas State* Baylor at Oklahoma* West Virginia at Texas Tech* Oklahoma State at Kansas* Iowa State at TCU*

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Saturday, Oct. 6 Iowa State at Oklahoma State* Kansas at West Virginia* Kansas State at Baylor* Texas vs. Oklahoma*

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Sunday, August 26, 2018

— at Cotton Bowl, Dallas

Thursday, Oct. 11 Texas Tech at TCU 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Oct. 13 Oklahoma State at Kansas State* TBA Baylor at Texas* TBA West Virginia at Iowa State* TBA Saturday, Oct. 20 Kansas at Texas Tech* Oklahoma at TCU* Thursday, Oct. 25 Baylor at West Virginia* Saturday, Oct. 27 Texas at Oklahoma State* TCU at Kansas* Texas Tech at Iowa State* Kansas State at Oklahoma* Saturday, Nov. 3 Oklahoma State at Baylor* Oklahoma at Texas Tech* Kansas State at TCU* Iowa State at Kansas* West Virginia at Texas*

TBA TBA 6 p.m. (FS1) TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Saturday, Nov. 10

TCU at West Virginia* Texas at Texas Tech* Oklahoma State at Oklahoma* Kansas at Kansas State* Baylor at Iowa State*

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Saturday, Nov. 17 West Virginia at Oklahoma State* Kansas at Oklahoma* Iowa State at Texas* TCU at Baylor Texas Tech at Kansas State*

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Friday, Nov. 23 Texas at Kansas* 11 a.m. (FS1) Oklahoma at West Virginia* 7 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Nov. 24 Oklahoma State at TCU* TBA Kansas State at Iowa State* TBA Baylor at Texas Tech* TBA — at AT&T Stadium Saturday, Dec. 1 Big 12 Championship Game TBA — at AT&T Stadium, Arlington

* Big 12 Conference Game

TEXAS NCAA FBS SCHEDULES TEXAS A&M AGGIES (SEC)

A30 Northwestern State S8 Clemson S15 Louisiana-Monroe S22 at Alabama* S29 Arkansas*# O6 Kentucky* O13 at South Carolina* O27 at Mississippi State* N3 at Auburn* N10 Ole Miss* N17 UAB N24 LSU* # at AT&T Stadium, Arlington * Conference Game

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN (CONFERENCE USA)

S1 SMU S8 Incarnate Word S15 at Arkansas S22 at Liberty S29 Louisiana Tech* O6 at UTEP* O13 Southern Miss* O20 at UAB* O27 Rice* N10 at Old Dominion* N15 Florida Atlantic* N24 at UTSA* * Conference Game

HOUSTON COUGARS

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)

SMU MUSTANGS

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)

TEXAS STATE BOBCATS (SUN BELT)

S1 at Rice S8 Arizona S15 at Texas Tech S22 Texas Southern O4 Tulsa* O13 at East Carolina* O20 at Navy* O27 South Florida* N3 at SMU* N10 Temple* N15 Tulane* N23 at Memphis*

S1 at North Texas S7 TCU S15 at Michigan S22 Navy* S29 Houston Baptist O6 at Central Florida* O20 at Tulane* O27 Cincinnati* N3 Houston* N10 at UConn* N16 Memphis* N24 at Tulsa*

S1 at Rutgers S8 Texas Southern S15 at South Alabama* S22 at UTSA O6 Louisiana-Lafayette* O11 Georgia Southern* O20 at Louisiana-Monroe* O27 New Mexico State N3 at Georgia State* N10 Appalachian State* N17 at Troy* N24 at Arkansas State*

* Conference Game

* Conference Game

* Conference Game

RICE OWLS

(CONFERENCE USA)

A25 Prairie View A&M S1 Houston S8 at Hawaii S22 at Southern Miss* S29 at Wake Forest O6 UTSA* O13 UAB* O20 at Florida International* O27 at North Texas* N3 UTEP* N10 at Louisiana Tech* N17 at LSU N24 Old Dominion* * Conference Game

UTEP MINERS

(CONFERENCE USA)

UTSA ROADRUNNERS (CONFERENCE USA)

S1 Northern Arizona S8 at UNLV S15 at Tennessee S22 New Mexico State S29 at UTSA* O6 North Texas* O20 at Louisiana Tech* O27 UAB* N3 at Rice* N10 Middle Tennessee* N17 at Western Kentucky* N24 Southern Miss*

S1 at Arizona State S8 Baylor S15 at Kansas State S22 Texas State S29 UTEP* O6 at Rice* O13 Louisiana Tech* O20 at Southern Miss* N3 at UAB* N10 Florida International* N17 at Marshall* N24 North Texas*

* Conference Game

* Conference Game

Sunday, August 26, 2018

PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018 63

TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULES BANGS DRAGONS

BLANKET TIGERS

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

BROWNWOOD LIONS

COLEMAN BLUECATS

A31 Early S7 at Hawley S14 at Winters S21 OPEN S28 at Anson* O5 Grape Creek*# O12 Ballinger* O19 at Merkel* O26 Coleman* N2 at TLCA San Angelo* N9 Cisco*

A31 Cherokee S7 Lometa S14 at Lingleville S21 Three Way S28 at Gordon O5 at Santa Anna O12 Brookesmith*# O19 at Rising Star* O26 OPEN N2 Mullin* N9 at Sidney*

A30 Santa Anna (at Rochelle) S7 Panther Creek S14 at Evant S21 Veribest# S28 at Paint Rock O5 Lometa O12 at Blanket* O19 Mullin* O26 at Sidney* N2 OPEN N9 Rising Star*

A31 Brock S7 at Snyder S14 at Graham S20 at Wichita Falls Rider S28 Abilene Wylie# O5 OPEN O12 at Gatesville* O19 OPEN O26 Stephenville* N2 at Waco La Vega* N9 China Spring*

A31 at Jim Ned S7 Early S14 at Goldthwaite S21 OPEN S28 at Grape Creek* O5 TCLA San Angelo*# O12 at Cisco* O19 Anson* O26 at Bangs* N2 Ballinger* N9 at Merkel*

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

COMANCHE INDIANS

EARLY LONGHORNS

GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES

HPU YELLOW JACKETS

MAY TIGERS

A31 at Eastland S7 at Breckenridge S14 Clyde# S21 De Leon S28 at Mason O5 OPEN O12 Jacksboro* O19 at Millsap* O26 Rio Vista* N2 Dublin* N9 at Tolar*

A31 at Bangs S7 at Coleman S14 Tolar S21 Hamilton# A28 at Hico O5 OPEN O12 Eastland* O19 at Clyde* O26 Breckenridge* N2 at Jim Ned* N9 Wall*

A31 at Winters S7 Junction S14 Coleman# S21 at Tolar S28 at Hamilton O5 OPEN O12 San Saba* O19 at Crawford* O26 Hico* N2 at De Leon* N9 Valley Mills*

S8 at George Fox S15 McMurry* S22 at Hardin-Simmons* S29 Belhaven* O6 at East Texas Baptist* O13 Mary Hardin-Baylor* O20 at Sul Ross* O27 at Texas Lutheran* N3 Southwestern*# N10 at Louisiana College*

A31 Richland Springs S7 at Cherokee S14 at Lometa S21 Fort Worth THESA S28 Zephyr# O5 at Newcastle O12 at Strawn O19 OPEN O26 at Santa Anna* N2 at Gorman* N9 Lingleville*

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * Conference Game

# Homecoming * District Game

A31 at Evant S7 at Trent S14 Cranfills Gap S20 Lometa S28 Santa Anna O5 Rochelle# O12 Sidney* O19 at Brookesmith* O26 Rising Star* N2 at Blanket* N9 OPEN

A31 at May S7 at San Marcos Hill Country S14 Aquilla S21 Austin Royals S28 at Evant O5 OPEN O12 Fort Worth THESA# O19 Panther Creek* O26 at Lohn* N2 at Cherokee* N9 Rochelle*

S1 Bronte (at Rochelle) S7 Moran S14 at Bluff Dale S22 Robert Lee# S28 at Rochelle O5 at Trent O12 OPEN O19 Blanket* O26 at Mullin* N2 Sidney* N9 at Brookesmith*

A31 at Johnson City S7 Harper S14 at Junction S21 Snook (at Georgetown) S28 Ingram Tom Moore# O5 OPEN O12 at Goldthwaite* O19 at Hico* O26 Valley Mills* N2 at Crawford* N9 De Leon*

A30 Brookesmith (at Rochelle) S7 Rochelle S14 at Robert Lee S21 Bronte S28 at Mullin O5 Blanket# O12 at Blackwell O19 OPEN O26 May* N2 at Lingleville* N9 Gorman*

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

A31 Walnut Springs S7 Robert Lee S14 at Moran S21 at Cranfills Gap S28 Three Way# O5 at Gustine O12 at Mullin* O19 OPEN O26 Brookesmith* N2 at Rising Star* N9 Blanket*

S1 Coolidge (at Gorman) S7 at Granbury NCTA S14 Water Valley S21 at Gorman S28 at May O5 Gordon# O11 Stephenville Faith O19 OPEN O26 Evant* N2 at Jonesboro* N9 at Lometa*

# Homecoming * District Game

# Homecoming * District Game

MULLIN BULLDOGS

SIDNEY EAGLES

RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

RISING STAR WILDCATS

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS

Supporting Comanche Indians!

Hospital 254-879-4900 Clinic 254-879-4910

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2018

Sunday, August 26, 2018