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Fayette County Football 2021 Bravion Rogers is the Leps’ Next Big Time Recruit With Offers from Michigan, TCU, SMU and Baylor – And He’s Just a Junior!

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Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood

La Grange’s Bravion Rogers Heads into his Junior Season Ready to Dominate

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

To say La Grange junior Bravion Rogers has had an exciting last few months would be a real understatement.

Back in May at the tail end of his sophomore year, Rogers qualified for three events at the state track meet – the high jump and as anchor leg on two state runner-up relays.

Then this summer the college football scholarship offers started rolling in – TCU, Baylor, SMU and Michigan have all made offers to the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Leopard.

“This summer was pretty fun,” said Rogers, whose given first name is Johnathan, but he goes by Bravion, his middle name.

But now he turns his attention to leading La Grange back to the playoffs after the Leps stumbled to a 1-4 finish last season to miss the postseason. And Rogers is going to be a huge part of the puzzle for the Leps.

“His potential is as high as anybody we’ve had here since J.K. (Dobbins),” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates.

Dobbins of course went on to become a star running back at Ohio State and now is a standout rusher for the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL. There’s a long way for Rogers to go before he can think about that kind of success, but the tools are there.

“He’s got so much upside - size, speed, sheer athletic ability. He can high jump six-foot-five,” Kates said.

Who else just decides to just try to do a backflip for the fun of it – and is successful?

“We were at the field working out one day and somebody did one and I just went over and tried it, I did it and have been doing them ever since,” he said.

“I nearly have a heart attack every time he does one,” Kates said.

How all that athleticism ends up translating on the football field this season for the Leps remains to be seen.

Rogers has been a standout defensive back, wide receiver and punter for the Leps since he made the varsity as

La Grange wide receiver Bravion Rogers looks back as he leaves this Gonzales defensive back in the dust on his way to a touchdown last season.

Photo by Grace-Anne Matocha

a freshman. But this summer he’s been working out some at quarterback too.

The Leps have an experienced senior quarterback in Clay Wolff (who had to play a lot of snaps last year when La Grange’s two seniors QBs were sidelined).

Wolff will play a lot of quarterback this season, backed up by junior Andrew Faske.

But Rogers will almost certainly get some time under center too.

“He’s got to make plays, whatever that looks like,”

k c u L ! s Good d r a Leop

Kates said. “The question for us is how do we get him the football? If he’s at receiver and the opponents take him out of it (with double and triple teams) we’ll put him at quarterback, we’ll put him at slot (receiver). We just need to get him the football in space.”

And then let Mr. Rogers take over the neighborhood.

“Back when I was a freshman on varsity I was nervous.

I was the youngest on the team. Last year I got a little more confident,” Rogers said.

“Now I feel like I’m the best player on the field.”

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Fayette County Football 2021: The Snapshots La Grange’s District 13-4A Giddings Buffaloes

Cuero Gobblers

2020 record: 8-4 Starters back (Off/Def): 5/5 H.S. Enrollment: 609 Of Note: Star QB Holden Jatzlau returns for the Buffs after passing for 1,326 yards and running for 557 last year.

2020 record: 5-6 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/7 H.S. Enrollment: 638 Of Note: QB Jerry Rossett threw for 1,500yards a year ago. Only graduated 12 from last year’s team.

La Grange Leopards

Gonzales Apaches

2020 record: 4-6 Starters back (Off/Def): 5/7 H.S. Enrollment: 611 Of Note: Several explosive offensive playmakers in Bravion Rogers, Ryder Imhoff, Jakobe Wilkerson, Clay Wollf.

Shiner Comanches

Ganado Indians

2020 record: 6-5 Starters back (Off/Def): 6/7 Of Note: QB Kyle Bures-Guerrero returns after he threw and ran for a combined 32 TDs last season for regional semifinalists.

Weimar Wildcats

Schulenburg Shorthorns

Schulenburg 40, Stockdale 0 Schulenburg 58, Brazos 6 Schulenburg 28, Yorktown 7 Schulenburg 21, Flatonia 18 Weimar 27, Schulenburg 12 Ganado 28, Schulenburg 21 Shiner 48, Schulenburg 21

2020 record: 4-3 Starters back (Off/Def): 9/9 Of Note: Loss to Weimar kept Shorthorns out of the postseason. Expect Schulenburg to be on a revenge tour this season.

2020 record: 5-4 Starters back (Off/Def): 8/9 Of Note: Bulldogs won six less games last year than in 2019, but still made the playoffs in a brutal district and made it to second round of the postseason

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2020 record: 8-4 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/5 H.S. Enrollment: 830 Of Note: Dual threat QB Ja’Mar Jessie is the preseason offensive MVP. He threw for over 2,000 yards last season.

Team Shiner Ganado Flatonia Schulenburg Weimar

Flatonia Bulldogs

The Fayette County Record

Navasota Rattlers

13-2A in 2020

2020 record: 2-7 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/7 Of Note: QB Joey Ramirez is a big-time playmaker for a Wildcats team looking to bounce back from a rough 2020.

2020 record: 14-0 Starters back (Off/Def): 5/4 Of Note: Comanches graduated a lot from state title team a year ago, but dynamic Brooks brothers are back.

4

2020 record: 5-6 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/6 H.S. Enrollment: 558 Of Note: Tigers have lots of speed returning this season.

2020 record: 1-9 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/9 H.S. Enrollment: 833 Of Note: Biggest school in the district enrollment-wise, but struggled last year and will probably do so again this season.

Schulenburg and Flatonia’s District 13-2A

979.968.5813

Smithville Tigers

District 4-0 3-1 1-3 1-3 1-3

Overall 14-0 6-5 5-4 4-3 2-7

Horns in 2020

FHS in 2020 Flatonia 27, Runge 6 Flatonia 25, Stockdale 6 Flatonia 34, Falls City 7 Schulenburg 21, Flatonia 18 Shiner 49, Flatonia 0 Flatonia 42, Weimar 2 Ganado 28, Flatonia 10 Flatonia 15, Ozona 6 Refugio 55, Flatonia 5

13-4A in 2020 Team Navasota Giddings Smithville Cuero La Grange Gonzales

District 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 1-4 0-5

Leps in 2020 Rockdale 40, La Grange 14 Canyon Lake 61, La Grange 23 La Grange 32, La Vernia 28 La Grange 48, Taylor 20 La Grange 42, Lago Vista 26 Cuero 38, La Grange 27 Navasota 42, La Grange 21 La Grange 49, Gonzales 25 Giddings 31, La Grange 7 Smithville 31, La Grange 13

GO LEOPARDS!

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Overall 8-4 8-4 8-4 5-6 4-6 1-9

Fayette County Football 2021: The Coaches Matt Kates: 71-50 in 11 seasons as La Grange head coach

Chris Freytag: 66-58 in 11 seasons as Flatonia head coach

Walt Brock: 4-3 in One Season as Schulenburg head coach

Good Luck Leopards!

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La Grange Varsity

#1 Bravion Rogers QB/DB Jr.

#2 Devon Johnson RB/DB Sr.

#3 C.J. Davis RB/DB Jr.

#4 Dana Baker WR/DB Sr.

#5 Gerald Rodriguez WR/DB Sr.

#6 Clay Wolff QB/DB Sr.

#7 Jaxon Cooper WR/DB Jr.

#8 Ryder Imhoff RB/LB Sr.

#9 Jakobe Wilkerson RB/LB Jr.

#10 Jacob Chovanetz WR/DB Jr.

#11 Andrew Faske QB/LB Jr.

#12 Eli Roberts WR/DB Jr.

Justin Lewis RB/LB Sr.

#14 Carson Kemp WR/DB Sr.

Mon-Thurs 11-11 • Fri-Sat 11-11 • Sunday 10-10 • Sunday Brunch 10am-3pm 6

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#15 Kadyn Hall RB/LB Sr.

La Grange Varsity

Brendan Maddox WR/LB Sr.

#17 Garrison Bage WR/DB Sr.

#19 Phillip Arceneaux WR/DB Jr.

#21 Dillon Robbins RB/LB Sr.

#25 Landon Little RB/LB Jr.

#30 William Bundick RB/LB Jr.

#42 Clayton Knapik WR/LB Jr.

#44 Trevor Gaertner RB/LB Sr.

#50 Gavin Noak OL/DL Sr.

#52 David Lopez OL/DL Sr.

#54 Ben Arnold OL/DL Jr.

#55 Walker Hightower OL/DL Sr.

#56 Garrett Harris OL/DL Jr.

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La Grange Varsity

#62 Chase Krnavek OL/DL Sr.

#64 Billy Joe Batten OL/DL Sr.

#66 Jayden Pearson OL/DL Sr.

#71 Anthony Weikel OL/DL Jr.

#75 Hayden Splawn OL/DL Jr.

#77 Hayden Meng OL/DL Sr.

La Grange High School has several volunteer athletic student trainers under the direction of Victoria McGee (back, center). Those students, some of which are shown here include: Julia Aymond, Hannah Burnham, Natalie Conard, Brynna Mikulenka, Elia Scott, Jackson Owens, Leela Lopez and Avery Marshall.

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#67 Cooper Imhoff OL/DL Jr.

#70 Travis Stokes OL/DL Sr.

LEOPARD FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF Athletic Director / Head Coach - Matt Kates Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks - Jason Meng Defensive Coordinator / Safeties - William McGonagle Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line - Robert Barber Special Teams Coordinator / Inside Linebackers - Justin Fierro Running Backs - David Cooper Offensive Line / JV Head Coach - Carlos Guevara Quarterbacks / Freshmen Head Coach - Kyle Adams Inside Receivers - Patrick Walker Outside Receivers - Eric Amick Defensive Line - Heath Golan Outside Linebackers - Brock Otto Corners - Kyle Tidwell Athletic Trainer - Victoria McGee Filmer - Allen Wenke

Photo by Brian Pierson

La Grange Junior Varsity Football Team No. 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10

Player Jaden Williams Cody Krupala Thai Scott Josiah Zamora Austen Diggs Bennett Barber Matthew Garza Jhase Scott

Pos. QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB QB/LB WR/DB WR/DB

12 13 15 27 42 50 56 59 60

Nathan Scott Chris Vasut Josh Little Jeremiah Dillard Austin Roe Austin Williams Doryan Fenix Zachuri Riojas Favian Gutierrez

WR/LB K WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

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65 66 68 72 74 75 77

Jordan Bargas OL/DL Orlando Sanchez OL/DL Miles Leonard OL/DL Shawn Skoruppa OL/DL Grant Hollek OL/DL Anthony Rumbaugh OL/DL Lakeith Williams OL/DL

Coaches: Carlos Guevara, Justin Fierro

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Photo by Brian Pierson

La Grange Freshman Football Team No. 2 3 4 5 6 8 12 13 14 15 17 18 20

Player Bryant Meng Max Dixon Kameron Leonard Julian Sherman Lakavion Broussard Cordale Knapik Orlando Solorzano Sage Walter Jaylances Johnson Orien Fenix Corey Powell Holdyn Cooper Jordan Murray

Pos. QB/LB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB

No. 21 25 30 33 34 44 50 51 52 54 55 56 58

Player Conner King Tye Johnson Collin Landis Elijah Haardt Austin Grooms Cole Krnavek Braden Prasek Wesley Kulhanek Luke Chovanec Aiden Lopez Ethan Tarnowski Grayson Bage Camden Coltrain

Pos. RB/DB RB/DB RB/LB RB/LB RB/LB RB/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB

No. 60 63 64 65 66 68 74 78 80

Player Jaiden Scott Devonte McKenzie Elmer Saldierna Hudson Corn Ely Glisson Dalton Landis Gavin Hollek Walker Finch Taylor Cook

Coaches: Kyle Adams, Heath Golan .

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Pos. OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL WR/DB

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Fayette County Football 2021

Leps Looking to Bounce Back

By JEFF WICK

The Fayette County Record

For only the second time in the past decade, the La Grange Leopards missed the playoffs last season.

The team that played the final game of the season in 2020 hardly resembled the one that started the year with real hopes of a long playoff run.

La Grange finished non-district play on a three-game winning streak, but had four senior captains suffer season-ending injuries between the last half of the Lago Vista game and the first half of the district opener against Cuero.

“Injuries are a part of football, you can’t dwell on them,” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates. “We’re not about excuses, we’re about solutions. But at the same time any time you lose four captains at any level, it gets tougher. The great thing about high school football, when things like that happen it gives someone else the chance to step

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Speedy Dana Baker (shown here batting down a pass in the game against Gonzales last year) is projected to be a starter at receiver and defensive back for the Leps after being part of La Grange’s two state silver medal winning relays this spring.

Photo by Grace-Anne Matocha

Leps Football By The Numbers

8

This is the number of La Grange’s opponents this season who made it to the playoffs last year (Lockhart and Gonzales are the only exceptions).

5-0

This was the record of the Leps’ JV team last season in district as they won the district title. Most of those guys are now varsity players.

3

This is the number of 100+ yard receiving games Bravion Rogers had last season, including a high of 206 against La Vernia. The Leps won all three of those games.

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 in district Returning starters: 5 offensive, 7 defensive Last playoff appearance: 2019, lost to West Orange Stark in second round.

Reason to be confident: Bravion Rogers has the ability to take over a game. The JV won the district title last season Lingering concerns: La Grange’s district is so tough, there’s little margin for error ...

Have to replace a 1,000-yard rusher.

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GOOD LUCK this 2021 Football Season!

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POLE BARNS • GUTTERS • WINDOWS PAINTING • SIDING

Fayette County Football 2021

La Grange Enthusiasm High in 2021 Continued from previous page

up.”

The Leps ended up finishing 4-6 overall and just 1-4 in district play.

If there was a silver lining to last year’s injury woes, it’s that a lot of last year’s back-ups are now seasoned varsity players.

You add to that a number of contributors from a junior varsity team that won the district title, and the Leps feel good about their chances of success in 2021.

Adding to the enthusiasm is new offensive coordinator Jason Meng. He was the OC for the Leps back in 2010-2011 and is fresh off a stint as head coach of 4A Burkburnett.

“The first criteria to being a great football coach is to love football and he loves football.

He’s brought that enthusiasm into the practice field, the weight room, the coaches office,” Kates said.

Meng also brought with him a senior son, Hayden, who will factor heavily in the Leps’ plans on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Here’s a look at the projected lineup the Leps will field this fall: Offensively, Chase Krnavek will start at left tackle.

The massive duo of Jaren Woods and Jayden Pierson are battling for time at right tackle. Carlos Anaya and Hayden Splawn will start at the two guard spots. Center is a battle between Meng and Garrett Harris.

Travis Stokes, Anthony Weikel and Walker Hightower are also battling for time on the offensive line.

“I feel good about our depth on the line, we got bigger and stronger,” Kates said.

The primary running backs will be senior Ryder Imhoff and junior Jakobe Wilkerson, who both carried the ball some last season – though 1,000-yard rusher D.J. Taylor has graduated. Back-ups at running back will be senior Devon Johnson, junior C.J. Davis and junior Andrew Faske.

Senior Clay Wolff will return at quarterback, after starting there some in 2020 when then-seniors Caden Cooper and Matthew Johnson were sidelined. Faske will play backup quarterback and expect do-it-all junior superstar Bravion Rogers to see some time at quarterback as well in special packages.

Outside receivers will be Rogers and Dana Baker with Jaxon Cooper as an inside receiver.

Back-up receivers include Eli Roberts, Gerald Rodriguez and Carson Kemp.

Jacob Chovanetz and Garrison Bage are battling for time as well. Kadyn Hall will play some fullback.

Defensively for the Leps: Starting cornerbacks are Rogers and Baker.

Safeties will be Rodriguez and Phillip Arceneaux with Wolff able to step in and play some at safety as well, though because of his quarterbacking duties, Kates said he’s like to minimize the need for Wolff on defense.

Inside linebackers will be Ryder Imhoff and Faske, with Justin Lewis also in the mix.

Starting outside linebackers will be Hall and Wilkerson with Clayton Knapik in the mix.

Woods, Cooper Imhoff and Weikel will start on the defensive line with Meng, Knapik, and Billy Joe Batten backing them up.

Backup linebackers include Landon Little, William Bundick, Dillon Robbins, Trevor

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Clay Wolff went from starting safety to starting quarterback when La Grange’s two seniors QBs were sidelined last year. He returns this season.

Gaertner, and Gavin Noak.

Backup defensive backs include Kemp, Roberts, Davis and Cooper.

As far as special teams, Faske will be the deep snapper, Rogers the punter and there’s a three-way battle for the kicking job between Maddox, Bundick and Arceneaux.

In all, it’s a group Kates is excited about, but one that will really be tested by this year’s schedule.

“Eight of our ten opponents made the playoffs last year,” Kates said.

The two lone exceptions are Lockart (which is a 5A school) and Gonzales, which along with the Leps were on the outside of the playoff picture in District 13-4A. Navasota is the defending district champ, but it’s anybody’s race, Kates said.

“In our district anybody can beat anybody this season,” Kates said. “Every win and loss matters, I think it may even come down to tiebreaker situations where points matter.”

Leps Varsity Schedule August 27 – @ Rockdale

7:30 p.m.

September 3 – Canyon Lake (Parent Night) 7:30 p.m.

10 – @ La Vernia 7:30 p.m.

17 – @ Lockhart 7:30 p.m.

24 – Lago Vista (homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

October 1 - Bye 8 – Cuero* 15 – Navasota* 22 – @ Gonzales* 29 – Giddings*

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

November 5 – @ Smithville*

7:30 p.m.

Bold indicates home game * indicates district game

HAVE A GREAT SEASON LEOPARDS!

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SHORTHORNS

Fayette County Football 2021

Host of Playmakers Return for ‘Horns

By ANDY BEHLEN

The Fayette County Record

Last year, the Schulenburg Shorthorns started the season strong with four wins before losing the final three games of a COVID-shortened season. They finished 4-3 overall and 1-3 in district.

Injuries plagued the Horns last year. It was head coach Walt Brock’s first season with the team. He didn’t even see most of his players during the previous offseason due to classes being cancelled at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Plus, he was only able to hire two coaches last year, defensive coordinator Rene Valdez and Justin Lookingbill.

This year, Brock looks to turn that around with a beefier line, an improved secondary and a slate of new coaches on his staff.

“Last year, we only got to play seven games and one scrimmage,” Brock said. “We brought in the 3-4 defense. Valdez was a big part of helping out with the offseason, and he’s doing a really good job.”

Brock coached Lookingbill in high school. He coaches special teams and the defensive line. He also assists as an offensive line coach.

“He’s just a really smart, intellectual, not only with football but with a lot of other things.”

Long-time Schulenburg coach Gilbert Price returns to coach wide receivers and skill players. Schulenburg native Wesley Kutac also returns to coach outside linebackers and assist with wide receivers.

Brock brought in three new coaches this year: Kevin Anderson, Trent Collier and Jason Bourgeois.

Anderson coaches offensive line and coordinates the run game. His last post was in Grapeland, where he served as offensive coordinator, head track coach and assistant basketball coach.

“He’s coming here with a lot of experience even though he’s a young coach.

Collier will handle junior high duties and defensive secondary.

He came over from Taylor, where he was the head girls basketball coach. Bourgeois last coached at Rouse High School in Leander.

He serves as lead coach for the defensive secondary in football and he will serve as head baseball coach.

Concerning the starting lineup, Brock said, “We have a good

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 4-3 overall, 1-3 in district.

Returning starters: 9 offensive and 9 defensive Last playoff appearance: 2019, lost to Comfort in the first round of the playoffs.

Reason to be confident: Most returning starters of anyone in the district.

Lingering question: In a district as tough as 13-2A one bad night can keep you out of the playoffs as the Shorthorns found out last year.

Varsity Schedule August 27 – @ Stockdale

7:30 p.m.

September 3 – Randolph 7:30 p.m.

10 – St. Paul (Homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

17 – East Bernard 7:30 p.m.

24 – @ Hallettsville 7:30 p.m.

October 1– @ Luling 7:30 p.m.

8 – Flatonia* 7:30 p.m.

15 – @ Weimar* 7:30 p.m.

22 – Ganado* (parent night) 7:30 p.m.

29 – Bye

Keisean Johnson returns this season for Schulenburg and will see a lot of carries and also start in the secondary. Photo by Audrey Kristynik

idea, but some things could change.”

On offense, Brock moved senior Nathan Ricicar from center to tackle. He said junior Isaiah Adams will likely take over snapping duties. Hayden Schultz moved to tight end from tackle.

“I use a lot of tight end sets,” Brock said. “Hayden will give us a good outside perimeter blocker. During the offseason he dropped a lot of weight, added muscle and got a lot faster. I think he’ll be a good weapon for us on offense. He’s a really good defensive end as well.”

In the backfield, just about all the Horn’s skill players are returning from last year – except the quarterback.

“Right now we’re leaning towards a sophomore, Tyler Ryba,” Brock said.

Brock said Ryba runs a 4.6 second 40yard dash.

“He can throw the ball, and he’s a good young kid,” Brock said.

Senior wide receiver and defensive back Kenny King returns for the Horns this year. Last year King was named first team

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

November 5 – @ Shiner*

7:30 p.m.

Bold indicates home game * indicates district game

kick returner and second team wide receiver by the Padilla Poll. Brock said King runs a “legit” 4.4 second 40-yard dash.

“He can play anywhere in the secondary,” Brock said. “He only weighed about 129 lbs. last year and right now he’s around 150. We put some muscle on him. We’re very excited about him, and he’s gotten faster.”

Also returning to the defensive backfield is senior Keisean Johnson.

“He’s such a good slot back and running back,” Brock said. “He’s a great corner. We can’t say enough about him. The fact that I get to have (Johnson and King) back again, that’s big for us.”

The Horn’s stable of running backs will include junior Desmond Lewis, sophomore Rodney Walton and senior Jeremiah Houston. All three will also rotate as inside linebackers.

“A big key for us this year is we got Blake Meyer back, who tore his ACL in the first scrimmage last year,” Brock said. “He’s See Shorthorns, page 19

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15

Fayette County Football 2021: Statistically Speaking 2020 State Title Games 6A Division I - Austin Westlake 52, Southlake Carroll 34 6A Division II - Katy 51, Cedar Hill 14 5A Division I - Denton Ryan 59, Cedar Park 14 5A Division II - Aledo 56, Crosby 21 4A Division I - Argyle 49, Lindale 21 4A Division II - Carthage 70, Gilmer 3A Division I - Jim Ned 29, Hallettsville 28 (OT) 3A Division II - Canadian 35, Franklin 34 2A Division I - Shiner 42, Post 20 2A Division II - Windthorst 22, Mart 21 1A Division I - Sterling City 68, May 22 1A Division II - Balmorhea 74, Richland Springs 38

Flatonia’s Fidel Venegas makes a tackle against Ganado last season. Venegas factors heavily into the Bulldogs’ plans this year – on offense and defense.

Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

All-Time Playoff Appearances Flatonia (27 total): 1954, 56, 58, 59, 64, 79, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 2002 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017. 2018, 2019, 2020 Schulenburg (30 total): 1929, 39, 47, 58, 66, 69, 71, 72, 74, 75, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2019 La Grange (25 total): 1938, 46, 65, 74, 75, 79, 86, 87, 88, 96, 97, 99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019

2021 Texas Football Preseason State Poll Class 6A

School 1. Austin Westlake 2. Katy 3. Southlake Carroll 4. GP North Shore 5. Duncanville 6. Humble Atascocita 7. Euless Trinity 8. Lake Travis 9. Arlington Martin 10. Allen

Class 5A Div. I

School 1. Denton Ryan 2. Frisco Lone Star 3. Longview 4. Highland Park

16

5. Lancaster 6. Manvel 7. Richmond Foster 8. Cedar Park 9. Red Oak 10. Amarillo Tascosa

Class 5A Div. II

School 1. Ennis 2. Aledo 3. Lubbock Cooper 4. Fort Bend Marshall 5. College Station A&M 6. Wichita Falls 7. Mansfield Timberview 8. Frisco 9. Barbers Hill 10. Crosby

The Fayette County Record

Class 4A Div. I

School 1. Waco La Vega 2. Argyle 3. Lampasas 4. CC Calallen 5. Port Lavaca Calhoun 6. Springtown 7. CC Miller 8. Dumas 9. El Campo 10. Decatur

Class 4A Div. II

School 1. Carthage 2. Texarkana Pleasant Grove 3. West Orange Stark 4. Wimberley

5. Gilmer 6. Celina 7. Sunnyvale 8. Silsbee 9. Navarro 10. Graham

Class 3A Div. I School 1. Brock 2. Grandview 3. Pottsboro 4. Malakoff 5. Wall 6. Gladewater 7. Rockdale 8. Hallettsville 9. Troy 10. Jourdanton

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Class 3A Div. II School 1. Gunter 2. Canadian 3. Daingerfield 4. Omaha Pewitt 5. Newton 6. Abernathy 7. East Bernard 8. Franklin 9. Eastland 10. Holliday

Class 2A Div. I School 1. Shiner 2. Refugio 3. Post 4. Cisco

5. San Augustine 6. Mason 7. Hawley 8. Ganado 9. Panhandle 10. San Saba

Class 2A Div. II School 1. Mart Panthers 2. Hamlin 3. Stratford 4. Wellington 5. Windthorst 6. Wink 7. Bremond 8. Albany 9. Falls City 10. Muenster

Schulenburg Varsity

#0 Keisean Johnson WR/DB Sr.

#1 Kenny King WR/DB Sr.

#2 Evan Oeding WR/DB Sr.

#3 Misael Cortez WR/DB,K Jr.

#5 Traman Martin WR/DB Sr.

#6 Trent Mendez WR/LB Sr.

#7 Orlando Adame TE/LB Sr.

#8 Tyler Ryba QB/OLB,DB So.

#9 Manny Herrera WR/DB Sr.

#10 Desmond Lewis RB/LB,DB Jr.

11 Keanu Anthony WR/DB Sr.

#13 Kenny Schramek WR,TE/LB Jr.

#22 Kenyon Gardner WR/LB So.

#23 Kaz McBride WR/DB Jr.

#33 Rodney Walton RB/LB So.

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Schulenburg Varsity

#42 Jorge Olvera WR/DB Sr.

#44 Jeremiah Houston RB/LB Sr.

#50 Tommy Granger OL/DL Jr.

#54 Luke Burton OL/DL Jr.

#55 Ray Mitchell OL/DL So.

#56 D’Keenan Thompson OL/DL Jr.

#65 Dalton Demel OL/DL Sr.

#67 Isaiah Adams OL/DL Jr.

#68 Nathan Ricicar OL/DL Sr.

#77 Ignacio Hernandez OL/DL Jr.

Shorthorn Football Coaching Staff Head Coach/Athletic Director: Walt Brock Def. Coordinator: Rene Valdez

#78 Blake Meyer OL/DL Sr.

Asst. Coaches: Justin Lookingbill (ST), Kevin Anderson, Gilbert Price,Jason Bourgeois, Wesley Kutac, and Trent Collier Photos by Andy Behlen

#82 Hayden Schulz TE,OL/DL Sr.

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Schulenburg Junior Varsity Football Team No. 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 20

Name Byron Johnson Brycen Schramek Jerrieon McKnight Zane Brenek Bryce Stoever Cooper Demel Alton Herzick Jose Cortez Aaron Janecek Kavion Houston

Position Class RB/DB 9th RB/LB 9th RB/LB 9th WR/DB 9th RB/OLB 10th WR/OLB 9th WR/DB 9th WR/DB 9th QB/DB 9th WR/DB 9th

No. 21 22 23 24 25 33 34 50 54 64

Name Nich Lopez Adin Beyer Andre Dixon Tyson Wagner John Davis Ethan Vahalik Devin Bradley Adam Thompson Austin Toro Kevin Lara

Position Class TE/DE 10th RB/OLB 9th RB/OLB 11th TE/LB 9th RB/LB 9th TE/OLB 9th RB/DB 9th OL/DE 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DE 9th

No. 65 67 68 70 72 75 79 80

Name Cade Ohnheiser Ruben Najara Jose Cleto Marshall Wellborn Kevondre Houston Calvin Thompson Rogerick Walton Barrett Brock

Position Class OL/DE 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DL 9th OL/DE 9th WR/DB 9th

Shorthorn Varsity Season Preview: High Hopes Continued from Page 15 a senior and he’s a really good lineman. He was the starting defensive end last year, and to lose him that early was really tough.

But that’s where Hayden (Schultz) stepped up, and now we have both of those guys.”

Misael Cortez, a junior, will handle kicking duties. He kicked on junior varsity last year. Manny Herrera and Kaz McBride are competing for the punter spot. The deep snapper will be Dalton Demel, who handled all deep snapping last

GO

year.

Brock’s program begins the season with 27 players on varsity and 25 on JV, including 23 freshmen.

“We’ve got some kids who haven’t played in a while,” Brock said. “They’ve bought into the weights and the offseason program.”

Brock said his team’s biggest weaknesses last year were the defensive secondary and offensive line. Brock said he and the coaching staff have worked ex-

tensively on both areas during the spring and two-a-days to the point where they are now the team’s biggest strengths.

“Last year when we started football we didn’t have a single lineman who could bench 225 lbs,” Brock said. “Now we’ve got four of them pushing 300. Nathan Ricicar and Blake Meyer have been leading (the line) really well. It’s great to have those senior guys leading the way. Same thing for Hayden Schultz.

Brock said the team needs to improve

their passing game before the season starts.

“We’ve got to work on our quarterback play,” Brock said. “If we can. I’d love to throw the ball. We’ve got to work on our quarterbacks – footwork, getting the ball out quickly and those kind of things.”

In addition, he said the team needs to improve at the inside linebacker positions.

“I think the positive this year is we have a decent sized senior group and every one is going to contribute,” Brock said.

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Fayette County Football 2021

FLATONIA BULLDOGS

By JEFF WICK

Flatonia Looks to Keep Rolling

The Fayette County Record

By any measure things are really good in the Flatonia football program.

The Bulldogs have a recent history most teams envy – having made it to at least the second round of the playoffs each of the last six seasons. And the future is equally as bright as 46 high school kids, the most ever, according to longtime head coach Chris Freytag, reported to practice this summer.

The present? That’s exciting too, although a little uncertain.

You’ll find no definitive varsity roster in this preseason magazine for the Bulldogs, that’s because more than a third of those high school football players are sophomores and Freytag was reserving final determination on a lot of varsity spots until after the second scrimmage.

While there are battles for a lot of positions still going on at press time, there are some things pretty much decided for the Bulldogs.

They are changing to a spread offense to take full advantage of stable full of playmakers.

Juniors Jaidyn Guyton and Holden Kloesel will likely start at outside receiver. Alex Hernandez and Keyshaun Green are slotted at inside receiver with Aiden Gonzales at running back.

Green had a breakout sophomore season last year, rushing for

Flatonia’s Alex Hernandez breaks up a pass in the playoff game last season against Refugio.

Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

“Our back seven (defensively) have a chance to be really good,” Freytag said.

The front four of the defense is “a puzzle,” Freytag said.

At defensive tackle, Davon Walles and Coby Burton are the projected starters with Galvan and Alvarado as backups. At defensive end Oscar Ramero, Venegas, Braylon Burton, Zeke Rodriguez and Tate Sullivan are all in the mix.

Venegas will punt. Joaquin Vasquez will kick with Green, Hernandez and Guyton splitting return duties.

Flatonia again plays a brutal non-district schedule, which will prepare them for a tough district schedule. After opening the season against Runge and Stock-

Flatonia Football By The Numbers

7

The number of players returning for the Bulldogs who caught at least one pass last year.

20

a team-high 544 yards, and getting pressed into duty some as a quarterback on 2020.

‘I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win, that’s what it’s all about,” Green said.

Reese Ramirez will play h-back/tight end.

At quarterback Fidel Venegas and Dayton Cliffe are battling for the job. Whoever doesn’t win that job will end up getting the ball in their hands a lot as a running back.

Venegas (last year’s leading receiver on the Bulldogs with 234 yards) throws a better deep ball and is more elusive, Freytag said.

Cliffe (who threw for 294 yards in a part time role as QB) is more accurate passing and powerful as a runner.

“We can win a lot of games with either quarterback,” Freytag said.

Blocking for them will be an offensive line that includes Keston Freytag at center, Kobe Burton at right guard, Jose Galvan at right tackle, Philip Ramirez at left guard and Braylon Burton at left tackle.

Back-up linemen include Taden Alvarado, Arnulfo Ramirez, Zeke Rodrigueg and Tate Sullivan.

Defensively, Hernandez, Guyton and Netro are all in the mix at cornerback. Green and Venegas will play safety with Guyton backing them up. Starting linebackers are Reese Ramirez, Aiden Gonzalez and Cliffe.

The Fayette County Record

82 The number of tackles last season for Reese Ramirez, the leading returning tackler for the Bulldogs.

25 The number of combined wins by Falls City (11-3) and Mart (14-1) which the Bulldogs play in a brutal two game span Sept 10 & 17.

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dale in games Flatonia probably should win, the Bulldogs play Mart, Falls City and Tidehaven back-to-back-to-back.

Falls City was 11-3 last year, Mart was 14-1, and Tidehaven was a playoff team in 3A last season. Then comes the likes of Schulenburg, Shiner, Weimar and Ganado in district play. The Bulldogs went just 1-3 in district last season – but they won the one they needed to, beating Weimar 42-2 and in the process keeping Schulenburg out of the playoffs.

“We know we can compete in this district.” Freytag said.

“I think we have a really great chance to be good in a really tough district,” Green said.

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 5-4 overall, 1-3 in district Returning starters: 8 offensive, 9 defensive Last playoff appearance: Last year, beat Ozona in the first round, lost to Refugio in the second round.

Reason to be confident: The past six years (making the playoffs each time and winning a 1st round game each year) have proved the Bulldogs can always put it together when they need to.

Lingering concerns: Very small senior class, just five of ‘em.

Flatonia Seniors

#79- Keston Freytag

#78- Oscar Romero

#33- Alex Hernandez

#22- Aiden Gonzales

#16- Angel Netro

Flatonia Juniors

*Not pictured #34 Joaquin Vazquez

#84- Jeremiah Miller

#51- Quade Gillum

#77- Tadan Alvarado

#6- Enrique Delgado

#8 Jaidyn Guyton

#24- Holden Kloesel

#10- Reese Ramirez

#7- Dayton Cliffe

#50- Ezequiel Rodriguez

#62- Braylon Burton

#44- Gabriel Venegas

#1- Fidel Venegas

#54- Arnulfo Ramirez

#20- Keyshaun Green

#18- Colt Freytag

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Flatonia Freshmen

#69- Keaton Borgstedte

#50- Robert Perez

#52-Henri Vincik

#54- Tripp Bowling

#56- Uriel Manzano

Flatonia Varsity Schedule August 27 – Runge (Lil Bulldog Night) 7:30 p.m.

#10- Parker Guzman

September 3 – Stockdale (Homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

10 – Mart (Parents Night) 7:30 p.m.

17 – @ Falls City 7:30 p.m.

24 – @ Tidehaven 7:30 p.m.

#5- Luis Vela

Flatonia Football Coaching Staff #3- Titan Targac

#2- Beck Zimmerman

P.O. Drawer B Flatonia, TX. 78941 (361) 865-3544 FAX (361) 865-3666

22

The Fayette County Record

October 1 – Open 8 – @ Schulenburg* 15 – Shiner* 22 – Open 29 – @ Weimar* November 5 – Ganado*

Left to right: Steven Pope, Shane Walker, Head coach Chris Freytag, Brandon Williams and Rodney Stryk. Not picture: Chris Gillum.

Bold indicates home game Photos by Jeff Wick * indicates district game

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7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Flatonia Sophomores

#80- Gentry Doyle

#55 Phillip Ramirez

#11- Kenyon Guyton

#34- Larry Perez

#12- Raymond Toro

#9- Cale Janecka

#28- Chris Ramirez

#64- Allen Torres

#51- Blaine Luckey

#33- Austin Arnett

#56- Jose Galvan

#60- Kobe Burton

#68-Tate Sullivan

#58 Davon Walles

*Not pictured: #23- Aiden Mulholland #63- Eric Vasquez

Did You Know?

Flatonia has made it to the state title game just once in program history, back in 1988, when the Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker, 14-13 to White Deer (which had a freshman star named Zach Thomas, who later played in the NFL). White Deer went ahead on a two point conversion with two minutes left in the game.

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