Footballsection

Fayette County Football 2016

RECORD Section C

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Superstar Running Back J.K. Dobbins Helps Leopards Celebrate Century of La Grange Football

Six-Man’s Back!

Julio Castellano and Flatonia Try to Build on Last Year’s Playoff Run

Brandt Vyvjala and Strong Group of Seniors Lead Schulenburg

We at Vincent’s Roofing wish the La Grange Leopards and all area High Schools

Good Luck

This 2016 Football Season!

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1916 to 2016: A Century of La Grange Football

By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

Buried on an inside page of a September 1916 issue of the La Grange Journal newspaper (right above a story about the introduction for a new cholera medicine) was the story of how local high school football became a reality. The story read: “For many years effort have been made to organize a high school football team, but without success. However, on September 8, 1916, a meeting was held and a team was organized. Also fourteen uniforms were ordered, which have just arrived. The team has undergone from three to four “stiff” practices each week.

The captain has secured several games with the teams of neighboring cities.

As the La Grange team has received coaching from Elmo Turnage, former all-company full-back at the A&M college, who is now in charge of the team, we can promise you a very tight game.

The Athletic Association has had season tickets printed which are good for all high school games played at La Grange during the 1916-1917 session. These tickets are for sale at Hermes Drug Store.”

Coverage of the team that first year was spotty, though it was reported in the Journal that the La Grange beat Smithville in their first game (at home) before losing to Smithville on the road.

From the Oct. 19, 1916 La Grange Journal: “On Thursday our football boys went to Smithville, and there played a game with the team of that city. In fine spirits, having defeated the same team a few weeks previous on the local field, they promised a good game. But alas, they got a severe jolt as the Smithville bunch “put it over them” to the tune of 32 to 7. On behalf of our buys let it be said that a number of the best players were down with the dengue.”

The La Grange football team did not have a great start to their historic rivalry with Giddings that first season: Here’s more from the 1916 La Grange Journal: “This game between the La Grange team and Giddings was the “quickest game ever played” in La Grange.

The final score was 78 to 0 in Giddings’ favor. It is not our

This is the oldest known photo of the La Grange High School football team, a shot of the 1919 squad that appeared in the 1920 school yearbook.

Courtesy of Fayette Heritage Museum and Archives

place to knock the home team, nor yet the visitors, but in all fairness we can say that the Giddings team showed what practice and training will do, and our bunch showed what lack of “condition” will do ... The effect of Saturday’s defeat is a blessing rather than a discouragement.

Our team is practicing with a vim, and it is very probable that in the next game La Grange will render a good account of herself.

After the game the La Grange gang took charge of the Giddings bunch and gave them a good time. At seven o’clock the erstwhile enemies gathered at the school house and supper was served. Toasts were made by La Grange high school students.”

From those rough beginnings the La Grange football team started to get better.

By 1920, La Grange might not have been much better scoring points but they sure had a good defense. The 1920 school yearbook lists five games. La Grange won one, tied one and lost three, but never allowed more than 12 points in a game (though they never scored more than eight).

By 1924 the La Grange High School mascot had officially been made the Leopard.

In the Oct. 22 1936 La Grange Journal it was reported

Continued on next page

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Century of LG Football Continued from previous page

that the first football game under lights was to be played in La Grange against the Deaf and Dumb Institute of Austin.

In 1938 the Leps had their first championship season, going 11-1 and winning the bidistrict title led by head coach Chester “Chatter” Allen.

In 1966 the La Grange School Board issued $37,500 worth of bonds for the construction of the present football field.

In 1975 La Grange won its first state football title, led by future UT star and NFL all-pro Johnnie Johnson.

After that the Leps came back to earth with only one playoff appearance in the next decade before Coach Jack Rushing led the Leps to 30 wins in a three-year span from 1986 to 1988.

When Tony Valastro arrived in La Grange in the mid-1990s, he led the Leps to seven playoff appearances in eight years between 1996 and 2003, including the Leps second-ever state title in 2000 and a state runner-up finish in 2001.

The 2009 Leps made it to the state semifinals under head coach Wayne Walker.

Current head coach Matt Kates led the Leps to back-to-back 13-1 seasons in 2013 and 2014, a span that include a remarkable 23-game regular season winning streak.

When Kates realized 1916 was the first season of La Grange football, he decided to commemorate the first 100 years of local football with a special helmet design, honoring the occasion that the Leps will wear all season.

“From 1916 to 2016, that’s something special,” Kates said. “Not a lot of places have that kind of history.”

Below is a season-by-season look at La Grange high school football varsity history, courtesy of the folks at texashighschoolfootballhistory.com dating back to the first full season for LHS, which happened in 1916.

Key: C= District Champion; CO=Co-Champion; TRI=Tri-Champion; R=Runnerup; ​ T, TH or 3rd=Third Place; F= Fourth Place; Z=Zone Champion YEAR W-L-T PTS-OPP COACH 1916 1-4-0 xxx-xxx 1917 0-2-0 xxx-xxx 1918 3-1-0 xxx-xxx 1919 1-5-1 32-113 E.H. Patton 1920 7-2-0 201- 36 E.H. Patton 1921 3-2-0 xxx-xxx 1922 4-2-0 xxx-xxx 1923 0-5-1 xxx-xxx 1924 7-1-2 124- 57 W.W. Few 1925 4-2-2 103- 43 Coach Whitener 1926 1-5-2 25- 86 Coach Whitener 1927 3-2-2 103- 68 Coach Whitener 1928 6-1-1 xxx-xxx 1929 3-6-0 114-100 R.A. Frenzel 1930 5-3-1 121- 71 George L. Clyburn 1931 4-3-2 134- 51 George L. Clyburn 1932 4-3-1 58- 64 George L. Clyburn 1933 3-4-1 81- 56 George L. Clyburn 1934 5-3-2 116- 75 Chester (Chatter) Allen 1935 5-3-1 131-134 Chester (Chatter) Allen 1936 6-3-1 150- 87 Chester (Chatter) Allen 1937 4-4-1 123- 83 Chester (Chatter) Allen 1938 C 11-1-0 294- 99 Chester (Chatter) Allen 1939 1-8-0 44-198 Doc Mann 1940 0-10-0 7-273 James H. Atkinson 1941 5-5-0 111-185 E.Y. Steakley 1942 5-4-1 123-156 E.Y. Steakley 1943 6-3-0 191- 76 E.Y. Steakley 1944 5-5-0 168-113 E.Y. Steakley 1945 7-1-1 273- 51 Fritz Lobries 1946 C 9-1-0 204- 30 Fritz Lobries 1947 0-9-0 19-312 Fritz Lobries 1948 1-8-0 41-238 Fritz Lobries 1949 4-4-2 78- 81 Leroy A. Bryant 1950 5-5-0 127-194 Leroy A. Bryant 1951 5-5-0 121-164 Charles Junsmichel 1952 3-7-0 113-224 Charles Junsmichel 1953 TRI 7-3-0 198-116 Joe Newbill 1954 3-7-0 153-268 Joe Newbill 1955 6-4-0 179-159 Joe Newbill 1956 6-4-0 228-156 Marvin Dixon 1957 TRI 8-1-1 273-105 Marvin Dixon 1958 2-7-1 56-162 Marvin Dixon 1959 6-4-0 209- 92 Marvin Dixon 1960 7-3-0 303- 76 Tom Hambrick 1961 8-2-0 224- 63 Tom Hambrick 1962 7-3-0 179-120 Tom Hambrick 1963 5-5-0 91-139 Tom Hambrick 1964 CO 8-1-1 270- 70 Tom Hambrick

1965 C 8-2-1 269-126 Jesse Rowland 1966 8-2-0 147- 53 Jesse Rowland 1967 8-2-0 266-127 Jesse Rowland 1968 0-10-0 45-166 Jesse Rowland 1969 3-5-2 101-165 Leslie (Butch) Blume 1970 2-8-0 50-290 Leslie (Butch) Blume 1971 1-9-0 128-338 Leslie (Butch) Blume 1972 Z 8-3-0 229-124 Ben Bloomer 1973 4-5-1 100-142 Ben Bloomer 1974 C 10-3-1 372-140 Ben Bloomer 1975 C 14-1-0 482- 86 Ben Bloomer 1976 6-4-0 264- 95 Jack Narrell 1977 4-6-0 176-159 Jack Narrell 1978 3-6-1 139-208 Pete Hurst 1979 C 7-4-0 279-165 Pete Hurst 1980 2-8-0 131-234 Pete Hurst 1981 4-6-0 180-198 Pete Hurst 1982 3-7-0 189-192 Pete Hurst 1983 6-4-0 170-193 Pete Hurst 1984 2-5-2 83-142 Pete Hurst 1985 1-8-0 97-321 Jack Rushing 1986 R 7-4-0 174-163 Jack Rushing 1987 C 13-1-0 369-140 Jack Rushing 1988 C 10-2-0 244-116 Jack Rushing 1989 1-8-1 119-288 Terry Brewster 1990 4-5-1 217-185 Terry Brewster 1991 5-5-0 230-170 Terry Brewster 1992 6-4-0 199-152 Terry Brewster 1993 4-6-0 191-224 Terry Brewster 1994 6-3-1 254-193 Tony Valastro 1995 4-6-0 167-242 Tony Valastro 1996 R 6-4-0 280-112 Tony Valastro 1997 C 12-3-0 543-195 Tony Valastro 1998 4-5-0 128-188 Tony Valastro 1999 C 10-1-0 296-174 Tony Valastro 2000 C 14-2-0 618-268 Tony Valastro 2001 R 12-4-0 468-147 Tony Valastro 2002 C 11-2-0 375-152 Tony Valastro 2003 C 9-4-0 328-189 Tony Valastro 2004 2-8-0 104-227 Tony Valastro 2005 4-6-0 175-258 Wayne Walker 2006 T 8-3-0 239-174 Wayne Walker 2007 4-5-0 188-203 Wayne Walker 2008 6-4-0 290-228 Wayne Walker 2009 T 12-3-0 503-295 Wayne Walker 2010 4-6-0 278-296 Matt Kates 2011 4-6-0 160-251 Matt Kates 2012 C-8-3-0 360-209 Matt Kates 2013 C-13-1-0 586-260 Matt Kates 2014 C-13-1-0 535-238 Matt Kates​ 2015 T 7-4-0 386-257 Matt Kates ALL-TIME RECORD: 547-414-39; Overall Playoff Record: 44-20-0

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2013

2014

2015

2016

In his three years as a Leopard Dobbins has run for 5,215 yards with 74 rushing touchdowns. La Grange has 33-6 overall record with Dobbins in uniform.

This summer Dobbins travelled to Oregon for a massive showcase of the top 160 high school players in the nation.

After going through various agility, speed and strength drills, Dobbins didn’t just fare well, he was crowned the top recruit of the entire showcase.

“That’s expected from me. That’s the type of pressure I put on myself. Stuff like that isn’t going to surprise me because that’s what I work towards,” Dobbins said. “It’s been a great summer. I want to carry it on

into the fall.”

Every major college football program in the nation has offered Dobbins a scholarship, but Dobbins has verbally committed to play for Ohio State.

A good student, Dobbins actually has enough credits to graduate in December and plans to enroll in January at Ohio State with the hopes of making an immediate impact with the Buckeyes as a true freshman in the fall of 2017.

“It’s crazy that high school has gone by really fast and to think that in four months I’ll be graduating and I’ll be leaving this town,” Dobbins said.

“It was easy for me (to make the deci-

sion to enroll early at Ohio State). I want to get up there early and compete and try to play. It is bittersweet, though The most bittersweet part about it is leaving my close friends.”

At least La Grange fans have one more fall to enjoy this once-in-a-century running back.

“In four months I can go from being his coach to being a fan too and that’s something I’m excited about,” said Kates. “It’s been an honor to coach him for six years.

“I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds for him and also that he gets one more shot to have a great senior season.”

One Last Season in Purple and Gold For Dobbins

By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

It is only fitting that as La Grange celebrates 100 years of its high school football team this season, that a once-in-century type talent is playing his senior season for the Leps.

No matter what praise you’ve heard about Leps superstar running back J.K. Dobbins, he’s even better than advertised said La Grange head coach Matt Kates.

“People say he’s the best running back in Texas,” Kates said. “I think he’s the best running back in the nation.

“He’s earned all the accolades he’s gotten. He’s had every coach in the world coming here to La Grange to recruit him.”

Good Luck Leopards!

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Fayette County Football 2016: The Predictions La Grange’s 10-4A Listed in order of predicted finish.

La Grange Leopards

2015 record: 7-4 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/7 H.S. Enrollment: 627.5 Of Note: If Leps can pass the ball effectively to take heat off superstar running back J.K. Dobbins it could be a special season.

Caldwell Hornets

2015 record: 8-5 Starters back (Off/Def): 8/6 H.S. Enrollment: 538 Of Note: Play-makers galore at the running back and wide receiver positions.

Giddings Buffaloes

2015 record: 12-1 Starters back (Off/Def): 4/7 H.S. Enrollment: 589 Of Note: Superstar QB Jones has graduated, leaving Giddings offense with some growing pains.

Gonzales Apaches

2015 record: 5-7 Starters back (Off/Def): 6/6 H.S. Enrollment: 721 Of Note: Move into Region III will be a rude awakening for Gonzales.

Columbus Cardinals

2015 record: 5-6 Starters back (Off/Def): 8/8 H.S. Enrollment: 481 Of Note: Coaches Valastro and Cauthern leave after offseason of turmoil for CISD.

Smithville Tigers

2015 record: 1-9 Starters back (Off/Def): 3/5 H.S. Enrollment: 563 Of Note: Very little experience returning for a Tigers team that really struggled last year.

6 | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Schulenburg’s 14-3A Listed in order of predicted finish.

Boling Bulldogs

2015 record: 12-3 Starters back (Off/Def): 9/6 H.S. Enrollment: 312 Of Note: Bulldogs boast 3 returnees who all ran for 800+ yards last year.

East Bernard Brahmas

2015 record: 12-3 Starters back (Off/Def): 3/1 H.S. Enrollment: 313 Of Note: Former LG Coach Rusty Cauthern now here as a coordinator.

Schulenburg Shorthorns

2015 record: 5-5 Starters back (Off/Def): 8/8 H.S. Enrollment: 227 Of Note: Horns defense will be dominant.

Key will be scoring more.

Tidehaven Tigers

2015 record: 7-5 Starters back (Off/Def): 4/4 H.S. Enrollment: 248 Of Note: Thousand-yard passer and thousands yard rusher return.

Wallis Brazos Cougars

2015 record: 3-7 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/8 H.S. Enrollment: 233 Of Note: Experienced players, New coach.

Danbury Panthers

2015 record: 2-8 Starters back (Off/Def): NA H.S. Enrollment: 223 Of Note: New coach Michael Mason should start a turnaround.

Bloomington Bobcats

2015 record: 1-9 Starters back (Off/Def): 9/7 H.S. Enrollment: 274 Of Note: Bloomington just always struggles to string wins together.

Flatonia’s 15-2A Listed in order of predicted finish.

Falls City Beavers

2015 record: 12-1 Starters back (Off/Def): 2/5 H.S. Enrollment: 124 Of Note: QB Keyshawn Johnson is most athletic player in the district

Flatonia Bulldogs

2015 record: 7-6 Starters back (Off/Def): 7/6 H.S. Enrollment: 157 Of Note: Bulldogs should be physical enough to push around most district teams.

Louise Hornets

2015 record: 8-3 Starters back (Off/Def): 5/5 H.S. Enrollment: 140 Of Note: Their all-state WR makes the move to QB.

Runge Yellow Jackets

2015 record: 1-9 Starters back (Off/Def): 8/8 H.S. Enrollment: 89 Of Note: Lots of returnees gives a team that went 1-9 last year a shot at playoffs in this district.

Charlotte Trojans

2015 record: 2-8 Starters back (Off/Def): 6/6 H.S. Enrollment: 149 Of Note: Only lost five seniors from last year’s team.

Pettus War Eagles

2015 record: 1-9 Starters back (Off/Def): NA H.S. Enrollment: 148 Of Note: Uphill climb for the War Eagles.

Fayette County Football 2016: Statistically Speaking 2015 State Champs 6A DI – Galena Park North Shore 21, Austin Westlake 14 (OT) 6A DII – Katy 34, Lake Travis 7 5A DI — Richmond George Ranch 56, Mansfield Lake Ridge 0 5A DII — Cedar Park 22, Frisco Lone Star 0 4A DI — Waco La Vega 33, Argyle 31 4A DII —West Orange-Stark 22, Celina 3 3A DI — Brock 43, Cameron Yoe 33 The Schulenburg players run onto the field prior to their game with Van Vleck last season. Photo by Audrey Kristynik 3A DII — Waskom 33, Franklin 21 2A DI — Canadian 61, Refugio 20 2A DII — Bremond 35, Albany 20 Flatonia (22 total): 1954, 56, 58, 59, 64, 79, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 2002 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 1A DI — Abbott 40, Crowell 30 Schulenburg (28 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 La Grange (22 total): 1938, 46, 65, 74, 75, 79, 86, 87, 88, 96, 97, 99, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 1A DII — Richland Springs 72, Follett 26

All-Time Playoff Appearances

2016 AP Preseason State Football Poll Class 6A Pts. 1. Katy (14) 220 2. Lake Travis (5) 195 3. Cedar Hill (3) 182 4. Allen (2) 152 5. Austin Westlake 128 6. DeSoto 96 7. Cibolo Steele 95 8. Galena Park No. Shore 80 9. Euless Trinity 37 10. Converse Judson 34 Others receiving votes: 11, Richmond George Ranch 33. 12, Southlake Carroll 23. 13, The Woodlands 12. 14, Denton Guyer 10. 15, Longview 6. 15, Mansfield 6. 17, Smithson Valley 3. 18, Lufkin 2. 18, Friendswood 2. 20, Pearland 1. 20, Rockwall 1. 20, Tyler 1. 20, Hewitt Midway 1.

Class 5A Pts. 1. Aledo (7) 218 2. Cedar Park (9) 209 3. Denton Ryan (7) 197 4. Manvel 130 5. Temple 116 6. Frisco Lone Star 97 7. Dallas Highland Park 92 8. CC Calallen 60 9. Richmond Foster 58 10. Lancaster 30 Others receiving votes: 11, Crosby 27. 11, Mansfield Lake Ridge (1) 27. 13, Angleton 16. 14, Ennis 6. 14, Lake Dallas 6. 14, Texarkana Texas 6. 17, College Station 5. 18, Boerne Champion 4. 19, Marshall 3.

19, Bryan 3. 21, Colleyville Heritage 2. 21, Mesquite Poteet 2. 21, Frisco Liberty 2. 21, EP Chapin 2. 25, Mansfield Summit 1. 25, Abilene Cooper 1.

Class 4A Pts. 1. Argyle (9) 210 2. West Orange-Stark (12) 195 3. Waco La Vega (2) 138 4. Navasota (1) 135 5. Carthage 119 6. Gilmer 116 7. Celina 88 8. Abilene Wylie 75 9. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau 60 10. Kennedale 54 Others receiving votes: 11, Cuero 52. 12, Liberty Hill 21. 13, China Spring 18. 14, La Grange 13. 15, Bellville 8. 16, Stafford 5. 17, Kilgore 3.

17, Brownwood 3. 19, Henderson 2.

19, Terrell 2. 21, Sweetwater 1. 21, Silsbee 1. 21, Sinton 1.

Class 3A Pts. 1. Brock (9) 210 2. Mineola (10) 184 3. Cameron Yoe (1) 178 4. Canadian (1) 132 5. Waskom (1) 129 6. Newton (2) 115 7. Malakoff 80 8. Franklin 77 9. Wall 46 10. East Bernard 26 Others receiving votes: 11, Sunnyvale 23. 12, La Marque 17.

13, Crockett 15. 14, Boling 14. 15, Cisco 13. 16, Arp 11. 16, Pottsboro 11. 18, Teague 8. 19, Grandview 7.

20, Blanco 6. 21, Mathis 5. 22, White Oak 4. 23, Rockdale 3. 23, Idalou 3.

25, Hallettsville 1. 25, Odem 1. 25, Eastland 1.

Class 2A Pts. 1. Refugio (13) 222 2. Bremond (9) 214 3. Shiner (1) 158 4. Iraan 125 5. Stratford 112 6. Albany 111 7. Mason 102 8. Crawford 61 9. Mart 48 10. Tenaha 39 Others receiving votes: 11, Muenster 32. 11, Lovelady 32. 13, Alto (1) 21 . 14, Post 17. 15, Seagraves 7. 16, Falls City 5. 17, Shelbyville 4. 17, Wellington 4. 19, Weimar 3. 19, Hico 3.

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LA GRANGE LEPS

Fayette County Football 2016

Leps Hoping to Get Back To Long Playoff Runs

By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

After back-to-back 13-1 seasons in 2014 and 2015, the Leps came back to earth a little last season, going 7-4 and losing to Wharton in the first round of the playoffs.

“It’s good to be at a place where 7-4 isn’t good enough,” said La Grange head coach Matt Kates, who begins his seventh year leading the Leps.

This season, led by a team that’s got a whopping 26 seniors, Kates thinks he’s got the squad to return La Grange to the top of the district standings and make an extended playoff run.

That group includes 22 returning lettermen from a year ago and seven offensive and seven defensive returning starters.

Leading those returnees is J.K. Dobbins, who Kates said is the best high school running back in the nation – and lots of col-

leges seem to agree.

Dobbins has gotten scholarships offers from a who’s who of the top football programs, everyone from Alabama to USC to Penn State to Notre Dame, but he’s settled on Ohio State.

With Dobbins leading the way, La Grange’s running game will be strong.

But the greater success or failure of the Leps this season may depend on the passing game – both offensively and defensively.

“Last year we were worst in the district passing the football and worst in the district in defending the pass,” Kates said.

“If we can just average one, one-and-half touchdowns a game in the passing game, we can be really good.”

The brutal start to this season for the Leps (season opener at Liberty Hill, Game 2 vs. 4A No. 1 ranked Argyle followed by

See Leps, Page B10

Leps Football By The Numbers

23.3 5,215 49-21

This is the average number of points the Leps allowed per game last season, a number that has to improve this season in LG wants to better last year’s 7-4 record.

This is the career rushing total for La Grange senior J.K. Dobbins. He has also run for 74 touchdowns as a high schooler.

This is the overall record for Matt Kates through his six years as head football coach in La Grange.

Leps quarterback Colter Siptak returns after starting several games last season.

Photo by Jeff Wick

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 7-4 overall, 2-2 in district Returning starters: Seven on offense, Seven on defense Last playoff appearance: 2015, Lost to Wharton in the first round of the playoffs.

Reason to be confident: The Leps have the best running back in the state in J.K. Dobbins and lots of experienced starters returning.

Lingering question: The ability to stop passing teams hurt LG last year. Have they made the necessary improvements?

Good Luck Leopards!

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Fayette County Football 2016

Leps Will Find Out Early How Good They Are

Continued from front

games versus perennial powers La Vernia and Geronimo Navarro) will go a long way to signaling just how good La Grange might be this season.

“Playing good teams makes you better,” Kates said of the tough schedule.

But those early games won’t tell the whole story.

Many of those teams rely on the running game themselves and it won’t be until district play starts that the Leps face a weekly diet of spread teams.

Still, Kates said “we expect to win the district championship,” even with the likes of Caldwell and Giddings standing in their way.

Winning that district title is especially crucial because it sets up an easier playoff road – unlike last year when La Grange had to open the postseason against a No. 2 seed in Wharton and couldn’t advance, losing 27-24.

Here’s a look at the team Kates said he expects to send out to the field this season.

Starting on the offensive side of things, the Leps Pro-Style “Pistol” attack will be directed by quarterback Colter Siptak, who split time at the position last year with graduated senior Aaron Janda, though Siptak also missed some time due to injury.

Siptak averaged seven yards a carry last season.

“He can hurt you,” said Kates of Siptak’s play-making ability.

Dalton Ward will start at fullback, blocking for Dobbins.

Merville Johnson and Jericho Haardt should see carries in a back-up role to Dob-

bins.

Ryan Cooper and Cruz Cabrera will start as wide receivers, though a host of other players will compete for time at those spots too, Kates said.

Julio Ramirez makes the move from receiver to starting tight end this season.

On the offensive line, Kirkwade Polasek will start at center, Ryan Elles and Jakob Schlemmer will start at the guard positions and Ezequiel Garza and John Garza will start as tackles.

Johnson will start at the cornerback spots and Daven McKenzie and Noah Blackwell will start as safeties.

Julio Ramirez will handle punting duties.

Four sophomores have been called up to varsity. Besides Haardt and Grant, who have won starting spots, sophomore Kayton Powell (receiver) and Tyler Johnson (tight end) could also have an impact this season.

La Grange Leopards August 26 – @ Liberty Hill

7:30 p.m.

September 2 – vs. Argyle (@ Waco Midway HS) 7:30 p.m.

9 – La Vernia (Parents Night) 7 :30 p.m.

16 – @ Geronimo Navarro 7:30 p.m.

23 – Taylor (Homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

30 – Open October 7 – Gonzales* 14 – Smithville* 21 – @ Columbus* 27 – Giddings* (Band Parent Night)

7 :30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

November 4 – @ Caldwell* 7:30 p.m.

John Garza, now a senior, has been a physical force at the linebacker position since he was a sophomore.

Photo by Jeff Wick

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Cruz Cabrera will handle kicking duties. Ivan Ramirez may also do some kicking.

Defensively, the Leps will be led by a front-three of John Villasana at nose tackle and Cordale Ellison and Greg Matocha as defensive ends.

Starters at outside linebacker will be Jericho Haardt and A.J. Grant.

Starters at Inside linebacker will be John Garza and Dalton Ward.

Dameon McKenzie and Merville

Proud We are our to show

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Support

Bold indicates home game * indicates district game

La Grange Varsity Football Team Number Name 2 Daven McKenzie 3 Kayton Powell 4 Albert Benford 5 Ryan Cooper 6 Calvin Davis 7 Weston Aymond 8 Ivan Ramirez 9 Julio Ramirez 10 Zane Deen 11 Cruz Cabrera 12 Noah Blackwell 15 Colter Siptak 16 Travis Ferley 17 A.J. Grant 18 Dalton Ward

Position WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB WR/DB WR/LB QB/DB K TE/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB WR/DB WR/LB RB/LB

Class 12 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 11 12 11 10 12

20 21 22 24 28 30 34 42 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 59

Merville Johnson Dameon McKenzie J.K. Dobbins Jericho Haardt Isaiah Moore Braeden Weltner Trenton Marshall Jorge Rebollar Jakob Schlemmer T.J. Vollbaum John Garza Ty Brooks Zachary Burrow David Kinder John Villasana Cole Ostrander

RB/DB WR/DB RB/DB RB/LB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB TE/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/LB

12 12 12 10 12 11 11 12 11 11 12 11 12 12 12 12

61 63 64 68 70 72 74 75 76 77 80 88

Santiago Galvan Dusty Rhodes Cordale Ellison Greg Matocha Ty Walker Kirkwade Polasek Ezequiel Garza Jeffrey Chilek Ryan Elles Piers Leighton Dylan Dwinell Tyler Johnson

OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/DL TE/LB

12 11 12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 10

Manager: Caleb Strickland Student Trainers: Elana Ledwik, Madison Carpenter, Brooke Naiser, Raeley Polasek, Megan Hoffman.

LOW PRICES & GREAT DEALS With No Surprises LINCOLN

Go Leopards!

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La Grange Varsity

#2 – Daven McKenzie, Sr.

#3 – Kayton Powell, So.

#4 – Albert Benford, Jr.

#5 – Ryan Cooper, Jr.

#6 – Calvin Davis, Jr.

#7 – Weston Aymond, Jr.

#8 – Ivan Ramirez, Sr.

#9 – Julio Ramirez, Sr.

#10 – Zane Deen, Sr.

#11 – Cruz Cabrera, Sr.

#12 – Noah Blackwell, Jr.

#15 – Colter Siptak – Sr.

#16 – Travis Ferley, Jr.

#17 – A.J. Grant, So.

#18 – Dalton Ward, Sr.

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La Grange Varsity

#20 – Merville Johnson, Sr.

#21 – Dameon McKenzie, Sr.

#22 – J.K. Dobbins, Sr.

#24 – Jericho Haardt, So.

#28 – Isaiah Moore, Sr.

#30 – Braeden Weltner, Jr.

#34 – Trenton Marshall, Jr.

#42 – Jorge Rebollar, Sr.

#50 – Jakob Schlemmer, Jr.

#51 – T.J. Vollbaum, Jr.

#52 – John Garza, Sr.

#54 – Ty Brooks – Jr.

#55 – Zachary Burrow, Sr.

#56 – David Kinder, Sr.

#58 – John Villasana, Sr.

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La Grange Varsity

#59 – Cole Ostrander, Sr.

#61 – Santiago Galvan, Sr.

#63 – Dusty Rhodes, Jr.

#64 – Cordale Ellison, Sr.

#68 – Greg Matocha, Sr.

#70 – Ty Walker, Jr.

#72 – KirkWade Polasek, Sr.

#74 – Ezequiel Garza, Sr.

#75 – Jeffrey Chilek, Sr.

#76 – Ryan Elles, Sr.

Tough Start Awaits Leopards This Season

#77 – Piers Leighton, Sr.

#80 – Dylan Dwinell – Sr.

#88 – Tyler Johnson, So.

The La Grange Leopards will start the season with a brutal stretch of games: • Game 1 versus a Liberty Hill team that went 10-3 last season.

• Game 2 versus an Argyle team that went 14-2 last season.

• Game 3 versus a La Vernia team that went 7-5 • Game 4 versus a Geronimo Navarro team that went 11-1 Things don’t get much easier in district with Giddings (12-1) and Caldwell (8-5) waiting later in the season.

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La Grange Coaching Staff Left to right, front row: Trainer: Anna Holland Cornerbacks: William McGonagle Offensive line: Robert Barber Head Coach: Matt Kates Co-Offensive Coordinator/QBs: Trey Payne Assistant Head Coach/Co-Offensive Coordinator: Will Kates Tight ends: Patrick Walker

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Left to right, back row: Safeties: Jeremy Williams Wide receivers: Gage Perry Defensive line: Heath Golan Running backs: David Cooper Outside linebackers: James Magness Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers: Ben Ahrens

k c u L d o o G ! s d r a p o Le

La Grange Freshmen Football Team Number Name 2 Garrett Noak 3 Mikael Eans 4 Luke Arbuckle 5 Jacob Brandt 7 Coy Cason 8 Justin Busby 9 Isidro Carrillo 10 Lester McKenzie 11 Anthony Tisdell 13 Colby Cooper 14 Dalton Caughman 16 Dayton Jarvis 17 Brock Gardiner 18 Kyle Janak

Position WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB WR/DB RB/LB RB/LB RB/LB WR/LB WR/DB WR/DB QB/DB QB/DB

19 21 22 23 25 27 28 34 40 42 44 48 50 51 52

Josue Maldonado Justin Rogers Justin Faldyn Zachary Werner Cade Holmstrom Marcus Darden Dawson Loehr Dillon Curlee Ulises Soto Riley Holub Jack Shearer Devin Wenkebach Coltin Whitaker Jonathan King Sean Cantwell

WR/LB QB/DB WR/DB WR/DB TE/DL WR/DB WR/DB FB/LB FB/DL FB/LB TE/LB TE/DB OL/LB OL/LB OL/DL

55 56 64 66 68 72 74 76 80

Tre Scott Samuel Cox Ariel Vasquez Jose Lopez-Ocon Ryan McCourt Diego Lopez Marcos Tenorio Issac Rodriguez Reece Stevenson

OL/DL OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL TE/LB

Student Trainers: Lauren Heuenefeld, Maddie Stevens, Maggie Mancera, Jaci Dennis, Alexa Zapata Coaches: David Cooper, Heath Golan

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La Grange Junior Varsity Football Team Number Name Position 2 Noe Robles RB/DB 3 Allen Orona WR/DB 4 Weston Haworth WR/LB 5 Reece Kollaja WR/DB 6 Parker Gage QB/DB 7 Ryan Becka FB/LB 8 Berry McNeil WR/DB 9 Connor Doyle WR/LB 10 Angel Cuellar WR/LB 11 Miguel Ramirez WR/LB 12 Jose Carrillo WR/DB 13 Cesar Labrada WR/DB 14 Nick Puerta WR/DB 15 Briley Ward WR/DB 17 Thomas Slauenwhite WR/DB 18 Lloyd Gilmore WR/LB

19 21 23 24 25 27 28 30 33 34 40 48 50 51 52 54 55

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Aden Stackhouse Deviro Yanis Hayden Mach Caleb Friedel Ashlyn Sullivan David Sanches Chris Dobbins Elias Eichler Santana Herrera Alberto Estrada Demeris Taylor Kyle Truss Thomas Borgstedte Cameron Stech Keven Rios Ayreon Zachary Hayden McIntyre

FB/LB RB/DB TE/LB WR/DB FB/LB FB/LB RB/LB TE/LB TE/DL WR/LB RB/DB WR/DB OL/LB OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL OL/DL

56 60 63 64 68 70 72 74 76 78 80 88 99

Tyler Kelly OL/DL Brandon Hutchinson OL/DL John Cox OL/DL Quentin Carter OL/DL Mateo Echavarria OL/DL C. J. Caine OL/DL Kyler Sacky OL/DL Josue Lopez OL/DL Josh Cervantez OL/DL Izaya Sanchez OL/DL Jared Johnson WR/DB Mason Juno TE/LB Louden Coker WR/DB

Student Trainers: Lauren Heuenefeld, Maddie Stevens, Maggie Mancera, Jaci Dennis, Alexa Zapata Coaches: Robert Barber, Jeremy Williams

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La Grange Junior Varsity Cheerleaders La Grange Varsity Cheerleaders

Kneeling left to right - freshman Blayne Bippert, Juniors Ann Marie Baker and Sincerity Holmes, freshman Brittany Davis;

Kneeling left to right - (all seniors) Catherine Foley, Morgan Latham, Malyn Parker, and Victoria Hopson; Middle Row left to right - sophomore Jalisa Johnson, Juniors Grace Sims, Emma Eccher, and Destiny Haywood; Back Row left to right - Juniors Taylor Head, Sh’Leah Benford, sophomore Claire Supak, and junior Kaitlyn Little

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La Grange Trainers, Water Girls Front row (L-R): Yadira Landin, Madison Carpenter Back Row (L-R): Megan Hoffmann (kneeling) Brooke Naiser, Leslie Leija, Anna Holland, Elana Ledwik, Ubaldo Villasana, and Alannah Yeats

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The Mighty Leopard Marching Band

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SHORTHORNS

Fayette County Football 2016

Schulenburg Looks Ready for Move to 3A

By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

For the first time in several years, “Shorty” the cartoon shorthorn makes a return to the helmets of the Schulenburg football team.

The return of the historic logo was voted on by this year’s senior football players and it may be a sign that Schulenburg is ready to return to the glory years that made the program (which won its first state title in 1972 and added two more in 1991 and 1992) the envy of the state at one time.

Last year seemed like it might be the start of a turnaround. A promising 3-0 start last season got everyone really excited about Shorthorn football, but offensive woes really hurt Schulenburg down the stretch as they lost five of their last seven games to miss the postseason for the second consecutive year.

This year, however, there is renewed excitement surrounding the Shorthorns as Schulenburg returns a whopping eight starters on each side of the ball.

Also a new district alignment may suit the ‘Horns better even though that district is a move up in size, from 2A to 3A. “Normally I might be a little scared about going up,” said third year ‘Horns head coach Brandon Brown. “But the teams we’re competing against now we match up with.”

See Shorthorns, next page

Schulenburg’s Jase Hollas tries to fight through a block to get to a Flatonia ballcarrier last season.

Photo by Audrey Kristynik

Quick Hits

Schulenburg Football By The Numbers

2

This is the number of games Schulenburg lost in district last year even when allowing just a touchdown to the other team (7-0 loss to Flatonia and 7-6 loss to Weimar)

0

This is the number of teams that were in Schulenburg’s district last year that moved over with the Shorthorns to the new District 14-3A.

1,245

This is the total yards from scrimmage accumulated last season by third-year Schulenburg quarterback Joshua Brown. He ran for 557 yards last year and passed for 688.

Last year’s record: 5-5 overall, 1-4 in district Returning starters: Eight on offense, eight on defense Last playoff appearance: 2013, Lost to Poth in the second round of the playoffs.

Reason to be confident: With eight starters back on offense (including a third-year QB) and eight more back on defense the ‘Horns are the most experienced team in their district.

Lingering question: Can they score enough points after ‘15 offensive struggles?

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Shorthorns Have a Lot of Experience Coming Back in 2016 Continued from previous page

Gone are district rivals Refugio, Shiner, Weimar and Ganado and replaced by East Bernard, Boling, Tidehaven, Brazos, Danbury and Bloomington.

East Bernard and Boling (who each won 12 games a year ago) are the odds-on favorites to finish first and second in the new District 14-3A, but after that the final two playoffs spots are there for the taking.

Brown thinks he’s got the team to do it.

And it’s going to start with defense.

“I’ve always believed that defense is what will win you ballgames. What I’ve struggled with since I’ve got here is finding the offense to suit our kids,” Brown said.

Last year was proof of that as Schulenburg lost a pair of district ballgames in which they only allowed a single touchdown in (falling 7-6 to Weimar and 7-0 to Flatonia).

“We should have been 7-3 (instead of 5-5),” Brown said.

This year, led by a very strong group of linebacker and defensive linemen, Brown said that “defense will carry us” while a change in offensive philosophy should up their point production after a 2015 season that saw the ‘Horns average just 12.2 points per game.

Schulenburg’s ditching the spread offense and going with a Pro-I look this year.

The ‘Horns are going to try to overpower other teams instead of out-run them.

“Last year we didn’t feel like we could mash people,” Brown said. “This year we’ve got three good running backs, two good fullbacks. We’re set up for the I.” Leading that offense will be quarterback Josh Brown, a third year starter at the position. He ran for 557 yards and threw for 688 last year but his dad/coach said the ‘Horns won’t have to be as reliant on him

running the ball this season, and he’ll throw more play-action passes.

Seeing more of those carries will be those tailbacks Brandt Vyvjala (back from injury that sidelined him last year), Rhett Ahrens and Zach Rast (who returns to the football field after not playing since his freshman year).

Also expect to see physical fullback tandem Caleb Valchar and Cason Brown see carries as well as lots of opportunities to open up holes for those tailbacks.

Other returning offensive starters for the ‘Horns include linemen Michel Cruz (the center who is adjusting to the quarterback lining up right behind him instead of in the

the cornerback positions.

Mario Lara will again handle kicking duties.

It’s a combination of players (including a whopping 14 seniors) that should lead Schulenburg back to where Shorthorn fans feel they belong – the postseason.

“I’m just excited about this group of kids,” Brown said.

Schulenburg Shorthorns August 26 – Hallettsville 7:30 p.m.

September 2 – @ Luling 7:30 p.m.

9 – @ Ganado 7:30 p.m.

16 – Weimar 7:30 p.m.

23 – Open 30 – Bloomington (homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

Schulenburg’s Joshua Brown carries a Luling tackler with him as he runs for yardage last season. Photo by Audrey Kristynik

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shotgun) Juan Reyna, Jake Salem, Steven Burgoon, Davonn Granger and Kiezland Quintero-Davis. Starting receiver Jase Hollas also returns.

Mammoth freshman lineman Jaxson Fietsam (the only freshman currently up on the varsity) will also see a lot of time on the line.

Defensively the ‘Horns will be led by a front-four made up entirely of returning starters (Granger, Valchar, Quintero-Davis and Josh Brown). Starting linebackers will be Casen Brown, Vyvjala, and Reyna, with Rast also seeing a lot of action.

Starting safeties are Ahrens and Hollas with Abriel Garcia and Garrett Wetuski at

October 7 – @ East Bernard* 14 – Weimar*

21 – @ Boling* 28 – Tidehaven*

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

November 4 – @ Brazos *

7:30 p.m.

7 :30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Bold indicates home game * indicates district game

Schulenburg Varsity Football Team Number Name 2 Jack Seyl 4 Abriel Garcia 6 Jonathan Toro 8 Braxton Brown 11 Kolbe Kutac 13 Joshua Brown 15 Caleb Valchar 20 Brandt Vyvjala 21 Jase Hollas

Position WR/DB WR/DB RB/DB RB/LB WR/LB QB/DE RB/DE RB/LB WR/DB

Class 11 12 12 11 11 12 12 12 11

22 23 24 25 34 44 50 51 55 61

Garrett Wetuski WR/DB Rhett Ahrens WR/DB Miles Marburger WR/DB Zach Rast RB/DB Cason Brown RB/LB Ivan Martinez TE/DE Kiezland Quintero-Davis OL/DL Jacob Salem OL/DL Garrett LeBlue OL/DL Blane Sotello OL/DL

12 12 11 12 11 11 12 12 11 12

Good Luck This Season Schulenburg Shorthorns!!

I-10 & 77 at Schulenburg Exit

65 66 68 70 75 79 80 88

Jaxson Fietsam Juan Reyna Michel Cruz Mario Lara Shawn Allen Cristian Tovar Steven Burgoon Davonn Granger

OL/DL OL/LB OL/DT K OL/DL OL/DL TE/DL TE/DE

9 11 12 10 10 11 12 12

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Schulenburg Varsity

#2 – Jack Seyl, Jr.

#4 – Abriel Garcia, Sr.

#8 – Braxton Brown, Jr.

#11 – Kolbe Kutac, Jr.

#15 – Caleb Valchar, Sr.

#20 – Brandt Vyvjala, Sr.

# 13 – Joshua Brown, Sr.

# 21 – Jase Hollas, Jr.

# 22 – Garrett Wetuski, Sr.

# 23 – Rhett Ahrens, Sr.

#24 – Miles Marburger, Jr.

#25 Zach Rast – Sr.

# 34 – Cason Brown, Jr.

#44 – Ivan Martinez, Jr.

#50 – Kiezland Quintero-Davis, Sr.

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Schulenburg Varsity

#51 – Jacob Salem, Sr.

#55 – Garrett LeBlue, Jr.

#61 – Blane Sotello, Sr.

#68 – Michel Cruz, Sr.

#70 – Mario Lara, So.

#75 – Shawn Allen, So.

#65 – Jaxson Fietsam, Fr.

#66 – Juan Reyna, Jr.

Schulenburg Coaching Staff From left to right, above: Shannon Fink, Bob Lantelme, Derrick Neelley, Brandon Brown, Charles Hurst, Madison Redmann, Gilbert Price #80 – Steven Burgoon, Sr.

#88 – Davonn Granger, Sr.

#79 – Cristian Tovar, Jr.

#6 – Jonathan Toro

Best of Luck to all Fayette County Football Teams!

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Schulenburg JV Football Team Number NAME 25 Rigo Marquez 65 Michael Garcia 79 William Ling 61 Francisco Lara 7 Hunter Schulz 68 Cutter Morin 13 Shapiro Jarmon

75 72 4 9 67 34 80 88

Kenley Smith Colby Guzmon Brayden Duarte Justin Stang Caleb Jochen Jaxson Fietsam Jordan Jurena Bobby Smith

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Schulenburg Varsity Cheerleaders VARSITY CHEERLEADERS: Hannah Schulz, Araseli Lara, Shae Winkler, Kacee Fink, Skylar Hinson, Head Cheerleader~Julianna Machac, Rylee Proske, Emily Garza, Kendell Beyer, April Brossmann, Blair Guentert, Hailey Machac, Alyssa Otto. Mascots: Elzora Glover and Cassie Redding.

SHS Twirlers Kelli Zapalac and Alaina Adcox.

FLATONIA BULLDOGS

Fayette County Football 2016

Flatonia Set Up For Spectacular 2016

By JEFF WICK The Fayette County Record

What’s not to like about Flatonia’s chances for a very successful football season in 2016?

Let’s make the case: Last year the Bulldogs survived a brutal 2A Division I district and went three rounds deep.

This year Flatonia drops down in classification to 2A Division II, so they’ll finally be playing teams their size while at the same time returning seven offensive and seven defensive starters from last year’s team.

Plus in the offseason Flatonia goes out and hires a legendary head coach, Tommy Bludau, as their new co-offensive coordinator.

These are indeed good days to be a Bulldog.

“This is a great group. We all have our hearts into this,” said senior Julio Castellano, a player that head coach Chris Freytag calls one of the best offensive linemen in the state.

With all the excitement it is so surprise that Freytag said numbers are up in the Flatonia football program as well, up to 45 players from just 33 last

Continued on Page 33

Flatonia head coach Chris Freytag holds up the Area championship trophy after the Bulldogs beat Junction in the second round of the playoffs last year.

Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

Flatonia Football By The Numbers

5

This is the number of games last season in which the Bulldogs allowed 14 points or less.

Flatonia won all five of those games.

2

This is the number of playoff wins the Bulldogs had last season – tops in Fayette County.

Flatonia beat Corpus Christi London 48-7 and then Junction 31-7.

27-38

This is the overall head coaching record for Chris Freytag at Flatonia in his six years leading the Bulldogs.

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 7-6 overall, 2-3 in district Returning starters: Seven on offense, six on defense Last playoff appearance: 2015, Lost to Shiner in the third round of the playoffs.

Reason to be confident: The Bulldogs went three rounds deeper in a higher classification last year and have a lot of returnees back.

Lingering question: Few of the Bulldogs returnees are guys who were ballhandlers from a year ago.

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Flatonia Dazzlers Dance Team From left to right: McKenzie Saunders, Jr., Celeste Flores-2nd Lieutenant, Jr., Nancy Guerrero-1st Lieutenant, Sr., Kelly Burnham-Captain, Sr., Melody Moreno, Sr., Yasmin Olivares, Soph., Jessica Guerrero, Fresh., Not pictured Cassandra Flores, Fresh.

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Flatonia Varsity Cheerleaders Back row, left to right: Head Cheerleader Karmyn Michalec (Sr), Riley Beck (Sr), Mascot: Miguel Vargas (Jr), Maggie Mica (Sr), LillieAnne Steinhauser (Sr) Front row l to r: Kaitlyn Rowell (Fr), Ashlen Novak (Jr), Janis Greenwood (Jr), Madeline Dornak (Jr), Tanner Tipton (Soph)

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FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 31

Flatonia Varsity Football Team Number Name 2 Lucio Rodriguez 3 Antonio Olmos 4 Lucas Herrera 5 Omar Castillo 7 Enrique Manzano 9 Kyle Etzler 11 San Juan Ramirez 21 Corey Lyons 28 Jonathan Gonzales

Position WR/S WR/DB RB/DB RB/LB WR/DB QB/RB/DE TE/LB QB/DB RB/LB

Class Junior Senior Junior Senior Soph.

Senior Senior Senior Junior

Number Name 33 Samuel Netro 34 Kash Richards 35 Gabe Smith 50 Omar Manzano 52 Ryan Kellis 54 Shane Templeton 56 Orion Ramirez 63 Julio Castellano 64 William Ackermann

Position QB/LB RB/LB RB/DE G/DT G/DT C/DE T/DT T/DT G/LB

Class Senior Junior Senior Junior Senior Junior Senior Senior Soph.

Number Name 68 Javier Torres 71 Jesus Rodriguez

Position G/DT T/DE

Class Junior Senior

Managers: Colt Freytag, Dayton Cliffe, Reese Ramirez, Zeyon Ramirez, Peyton Ellis, Jose Galvan, Trey Satterwhite, amd Coltyn Needham.

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New District, New Coaches Exciting for Flatonia Continued from Page 29 season, likely allowing the Bulldogs to play an entire 10-game JV season – something not a lot of 2A Division II teams can do.

“When you have a season like we had last year after being picked to finish last in the most brutal district ever formed, there is a lot of excitement,” said Freytag. “We’ve got a lot of starters back but we also have a lot of holes to fill.

“We’ve got a good group of seniors leading the way.”

A big addition to the Bulldogs was the hiring of Bludau who has 240 careers wins as a head coach, as the team’s co-offensive coordinator.

“When you have a chance to hire a true difference-maker, that’s what you do,” Freytag said. ““To get to be the football coach I want to be, I want all the knowledge I can get.”

“Every day with him (Bludau) is like a football clinic out here. He’s been doing this 35 years.”

Freytag said he’s been asking Bludau to join the staff at Flatonia ever since Tommy left Schulenburg in the Spring of 2014.

“He finally said yes,” Freytag said.

Joining Tommy Bludau on the staff at Flatonia is his son Kyle, a former star quarterback at Schulenburg.

This year it may be the season opener before Flatonia settles on a quarterback.

Currently Kyle Etzler and Corey Lyons are battling for the job.

Whoever wins the job will have plenty of weapons around them.

Gabe Smith will start at tailback with Omar Castillo at fullback.

San Juan Ramirez returns as a starter at tight end. Samuel Netro will be a tight end/

receiver hybrid that Freytag calls “a dangerous weapon.”

A trio of offensive linemen also return including Shane Templeton at center, and four-year starters Julio Castellano and Jesus Rodriguez.

Omar Manzano is battling Ryan Kellis for a starting offensive guard spot.

The six defensive starters returning include Castillo, Etzler, Ramirez, Lyons, Netro and Castellano.

Ryan Kellis will start on the defensive front, and Jonathan Gonzales has earned a starting spot at linebacker.

Antonio Olmos and Lucas Herrera will start at the cornerback positions.

“Our front seven has a chance to be better than last year, secondary is still a question mark,” Freytag said.

Netro will punt and Rodriguez will kick.

A move-in from Leander, junior Kash Richards, could be an impact player on the offense and defense as could the two sophomores currently up on the varsity – Enrique Manzano and William Ackermann.

Freytag said that by year’s end two or three freshman might be having an impact with the varsity too.

Altogether this 2016 Bulldog team will do battle in District 15-2A, which includes a lot of new foes ranging from Falls City and Louise (very good teams) to Runge, Pettus and Charlotte (three teams who combined to win just four games a year ago).

“We don’t expect any easy games,” Freytag said.

But still, Texas Football magazine and some other online sites predict Flatonia to make it all the way to the regional finals this season.

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“Those predictions are great and it’s an honor to be mentioned like that, but when you start believing you’re good that’s when you go out and get your tail whipped,” Freytag said.

“These guys know it’s all about how they perform on the field.”

“We just have to stay focused and do what we need to do to get as far as we can,” Castellano said.

Flatonia’s San Juan Ramirez, right, snags this interception in last year’s victory over Schulenburg.

Photo by Stephanie Steinhauser

Good Luck Bulldogs!

Have a great season FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 33

Flatonia Junior Varsity Football Team Number Name Position Class 2 Erek Herrera WB/DB Fresh 3 Anthony Tate QB/DB Fresh 4 DaKory Willis RB/DB Fresh 5 Juan Netro RB/LB Fresh 7 Jose Hernandez WB/K Fresh 10 Seth Patton QB/LB Junior 11 Josh Medina WB/DB Junior 16 Seth Janak WB/DB Junior 20 Daniel Willis WB/DB Soph

P.O. Drawer B Flatonia, TX. 78941 (361) 865-3544 FAX (361) 865-3666 34 | FOOTBALL PREVIEW

21 23 28 34 35 50 51 54 56 58

Marco Lopez RB/LB Soph Drew Ellis WB/DB Junior Izak Marruffo TE/DB Soph Trelin Harper TE/DE Fresh Josue Hernandez RB/DE Fresh Ulysses Castillo C/DE Fresh Julian Mendiola OL/LB Soph Matthew Ponewash C/DT Fresh Steven Mancilla G/DT Fresh Dustin Luck T/DT Soph

60 62 69 77 80

Lane Brunner G/LB Soph Chris Espinosa T/DT Fresh Jeremiah Plummer T/DT Soph Eric Cedillo T/DT Soph Christian Mckim WB/DB Fresh

f o t s e B ! s g o d l l u B k c Lu

Flatonia Varsity

#5 – Omar Castillo, Sr.

#4 – Lucas Herrera, Jr.

#3 – Antonio Olmos, Sr.

#11 – San Juan Ramirez, Sr.

#21 – Corey Lyons, Sr.

#28 – Jonathan Gonzales, Jr.

#50 – Omar Manzano, Jr.

#54 – Shane Templeton, Jr.

#68 – Javier Torres, Jr.

#7 – Enrique Manzano, So.

#56 – Orion Ramirez, Sr.

#34 – Kash Richards – Jr.

#2 – Lucio Rodriguez, Jr.

#9 – Kyle Etzler, Sr.

#35 – Gabe Smith, Sr.

Good Luck Bulldogs!

F L AT O N

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IA

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Flatonia Varsity

Flatonia Bulldog Varsity

#33 – Samuel Netro, Sr.

#63 – Julio Castellano, Sr.

#71 – Jesus Rodriguez, Sr.

#64 – William Ackermann, So.

August 12 – @ Poth (Scrimmage vs. Poth/FHS) 6 p.m.

19 – Ganado (Scrimmage) 6 p.m.

26 – @ Tidehaven 7:30 p.m.

September 2 – Sacred Heart (Lil Bulldog Night) 7:30 p.m.

9 – St. Paul (Parents Night) 7:30 p.m.

16 – @ Brazos 7:30 p.m.

23 – Thrall (Homecoming) 7:30 p.m.

30 –Open October 7 – Louise* 7:30 p.m.

14 – Runge* 7:30 p.m.

21 – @ Pettus* 7:30 p.m.

28 – Falls City* 7:30 p.m.

November 4 – @ Charlotte*

7:30 p.m.

Bold indicates home game * indicates district game

Flatonia Coaches Left to right – Bottom row: Steven Pope, Kyle Bludau, Brandon Williams.

Middle Row: Tommy Bludau and head coach Chris Freytag; Back row: Bryan Zimmerman, James Zaruba and Rodney Stryk

Good Luck to all Surrounding Area Football Teams!

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SMITHVILLE

Fayette Co. Panthers Excited About Second Season in 6-Man

By JEFF WICK

F

The Fayette County Record

or the second consecutive season sixman football returns for the kids of Fayetteville and Round Top-Carmine.

Last year’s inaugural season saw the Fayette County Sports Association Panthers play eight games. They went 1-7 (getting a 45-22 victory over Conroe Lifestyle Christian).

But returning head coach C.H. Harvey said that wins and losses weren’t the main focus last season.

“I’ve told the parents from the beginning that it would take three to five years to build this program,” Harvey said.

“Last year the whole season was a learning experience. The whole idea was to get them as much experience as possible.”

And besides winning games, Harvey also had to overcome the obstacles of starting this privately-funded football program from scratch – filled with small town boys who had never really played the game before.

The Panthers didn’t even get their helmets until the day before their first game last year.

This year, however, Harvey said things have gone much smoother.

“On our third day of practice this year we were at the

same level as our third week of practice last season,” Harvey said. “At least they know how to line up now, where to line up. They know the theory of our offense.”

And excitement is growing surrounding this team.

The Panthers started with 14 players last year and have 20 this season.

Leading those returnees is returning quarterback Matthew Sotebier, from Round Top-Carmine, who Harvey calls a great “field general.”

“I give him a lot of authority on the field,” Harvey said.

The Panthers also have several returning running backs including Fayetteville’s Braden Rohde, who scored several touchdowns last season.

For the second year the Panthers will also have a junior high team. Last year that

team won two games.

While interest in the team has increased among the boys in northern Fayette County, Harvey hopes this season brings more fan interest too.

And having eight home games this season compared to just two home games last year should help with that.

“We were travelling all over last year, so we’re excited about the fans getting to see us more,” Harvey said.

#2 – Matthew Sotebier, Sr.

#5 – Reid Kubala, Jr.

The Panthers play their home games at Hohlt Park (2425 N. Park St.) in Brenham.

Ultimately the goal is still for the team eventually to become a school-sponsored squad that can compete in a district.

Until then the team will continue to play an independent schedule.

“It really is a great game,” Harvey said of sixman football. “It’s wide open.”

Quick Hits Last year’s record: 1-7 overall Returning starters: 6 on offense, 6 on defense.

Reason to be confident: The Panthers head into their second year of existence with a good base of returnees and lots more knowledge about the six-man game.

Fayette County Sports Association Panthers

August 26 – vs. Houston Mount Carmel 7:00 p.m.

September 2 – Open 8 – at Prairie Lea 7:30 p.m.

16 – vs. Victoria Home School 7:30 p.m.

23 – vs. Victoria Faith Academy 7:30 p.m.

30 – vs. Houston Sanchez Charter 6 p.m.

October 7 – vs. Buckholts 7:30 p.m.

14 – at Round Rock Christian 7:30 p.m.

21 – vs SA Sunnybrook 7:30 p.m.

28 – vs. SA The Atonement 7:30 p.m.

November 4 – vs. Austin Achieve 6:30 p.m.

Bold indicates home game Home games played in Brenham

#6 – Keelan Daniel, Sr.

#11 – Ty Zapalac, Soph.

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Fayette County Panthers Varsity

#13 – Matthew Daniel, Soph.

#21 – Jason Sotobier, Soph.

#15 – Rodrigo Carillo, Soph.

#4 – Kyler Vasut, Fr.

#66 – Kody Drake, Jr.

#3 – Cole Brackman, Fr.

#95 – David Harvey, Soph.

#99 – Evan Holloway, Soph.

#1 – Jagger Wessels, Sr.

#50 – Mason Hofelmeyer, fr.

#31 – Braden Kubala, Fr.

#10 – Lule Muesse – Jr.

#7 – Arnulfo Carrillo, Jr.

#12 – Braden Rohde, Jr.

#23 – Justin Hickman, Sr.

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Fayette County Sports Association Panthers Number Name 1 Jagger Wessels 2 Matthew Sotebier 4 Kyler Vasut 3 Cole Brackman 5 Reid Kubala 6 Keelan Allen 7 Arnulfo Carrillo

Class Soph.

Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr.

10 11 12 13 15 21 22 23

Lyle Muesse Ty Zapalac Braden Rohde Matthew Daniel Rodrigo Carrillo Jason Sotebier Vincent Mathis Justin Hickman

Jr. Soph.

Jr. Soph.

Soph.

Soph.

Jr. Sr.

31 50 66 95 99

Braden Kubala Mason Mofelmeyer Kody Drake David Harvey Evan Holloway

Fr. Fr. Jr. Soph.

Sr.

Head coach: C.H. Harvey

GOOD LUCK

TO ALL AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL! Round Top

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d o o G Luck ! s p Le