Gameday 2016 by Seguin Gazette

Guadalupe county • 2016 football preview

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guadalupe county gameday – 2016

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GAME DAY STAFF Jeff Fowler Publisher Derek Kuhn Editor, Designer & Photos Tucker Stephenson Contributor Scott Kibbe Contributor Felicia Frazar Photos Melissa Crume Desiree Gerland Hannah Ruiz Graphic Designers

guadalupe county gameday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

Ready for some football?

ere at the Gazette, we’re always looking for ways to improve our products in order to better serve our readers and advertisers. Gameday is a great example of what happens when our team is given a challenge. What was once a little 16-page newspaper pullout has become a beautiful 40-page glossy magazine. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect when we set out on this journey, but I couldn’t be happier with the end result. It was truly a team effort, and I’m proud of everyone. This thing is awesome. But enough with the shameless self-promotion. Football season is upon us! Are

you ready? We are. The Friday night lights are warming up, and areas stadiums will soon be filled with excited fans ready to root their teams on to victory. The start of football season brings the promise of hope and high expectations. Every team is undefeated and has a shot at the

Jeff Fowler Publisher playoffs. New district alignments mean new challenges and new foes. New coaches mean new strategies and new formations. New and returning, developing student athletes mean new skill sets, new opportunities and possibly new positions. It’s still plenty hot outside, but

the thump of that initial kickoff and the cheers that ensue bring to mind that first hint of a cool, crisp tinge in the air. Sure, it may not actually arrive until October or November, but you know it’s coming. Here in Texas, Friday night football is almost a religion. If you don’t get it, you’re probably just not from around here. Whether you’re a Matador, Panther, Falcon or Bulldog, we’ve got you covered. And speaking of Bulldogs, Saturday football is pretty big around here too. How could we leave out our good friends over at Texas Lutheran University? Are you ready for some football?

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GAME DAY

pre-season all-area team

J.D. Raggio, Sr., Marion Quarterback

Tanner Law, Sr., Navarro Runningback

Nathan Newman, Jr., Marion Wide Receiver

Marshall Crabb, Sr., Navarro Offensive Line

Brandon Palomares, Jr., Seguin Runningback

Hunter York, Sr., Seguin Offensive Line

Lucas Haskins, Sr., Seguin Offensive Line

Kory Ussery, Sr., Seguin Wide Receiver

Cole Doerr, Jr., Marion Offensive Line

Duncan Bauer, Sr., Seguin Defensive Line

Jacob Berry, Jr., Marion Wide Receiver

Kenton Spriggs, Sr., Marion Offensive Line

Tanner Whitson, Sr., Navarro Defensive Line

Matthew Gomez, Sr., Navarro Defensive Line

Matthew Dutton, Sr., Marion Defensive Line

Jake Wright, Sr., Navarro Linebacker

Ty Shelton, Sr., Navarro Linebacker

Garrett Luensmann, Jr., Seguin Linebacker

Jared Leal, Sr., Navarro Defensive Back

Garrett Weaver, Sr., Navarro Defensive Back

Anthony Coleman, Sr., Marion Defensive Back

Will Eveld, Sr., Navarro Defensive Back

guadalupe county gameday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2016

most pre-season second valuable team all-area playe rs OFFENSE DEFENSE

J.D. Raggio, QB, Marion Co-Offensive MVP

QB — Mark Garcia, Sr., Seguin RB — Caleb Pruet, Jr., Lifegate RB — Ronnie Goldman, Sr., Navarro WR — Edher Nava, Sr., Marion WR — Hagen Tetzlaff, Sr., Lifegate TE — Logan Garrison, Sr., Lifegate OL — Cody Abrameit, Jr., Marion OL — Tyler Howard, Sr., Navarro OL — Damian Sanders, Sr., Seguin OL — Garrett Dietert, Jr., Navarro OL — Zach Hostetter, Sr., Seguin

DL — JC Castillo, Sr., Seguin DL — Jacob Doerr, Sr., Marion DL — Michael McKinney, Sr., Lifegate DL — Steele Sullivan, Sr., Lifegate LB — Harlan Vick, Sr., Marion LB — Christian Hampton, Sr., Seguin LB — Hunter Stephens, Sr., Navarro DB — Tayler Mills, Soph., Marion DB — Matt Foster, Sr., Lifegate DB — Manuel Canales, Sr., Seguin DB — Austin Griggs, Sr., Seguin

Tanner Law, RB, Navarro Co-Offensive MVP

Jake Wright, LB, Navarro Defensive MVP

GOOD IS being at the top of your game. CELEBRATING

Josh Farrell, K, Navarro Special Teams MVP

2016 – guadalupe county gameday

TEPHENSO

S BY TUCKER

fter spending all of 2015 as a defensive back, senior Kory Ussery could be unleashed on offense this season in a similar role to the one previously occupied by Avion Dora. Coach Bush sees Ussery as an instant difference-maker. “He may be the most dynamic guy with the ball in his hands on our team and I’ve got to have him touch the football,” Bush Kory Ussery delivers a stiff arm to a said. “If we play San Marcos defender in 2015. tomorrow, we’ve got to get that guy the football in many ways.” The coach mentioned using Ussery as a running back, slot wide receiver and even a kick returner in the hopes of giving the Matadors quick-strike ability. Placing him alongside explosive junior RB Brandon Palomares could provide instant fireworks. If Ussery can put up numbers like Dora did a year ago — 1,401 total yards and 16 TDs — Seguin will be thrilled.

Kory Ussery looks to make an impact on offense this season.

guadalupe county gameday – 2016

Duncan Bauer and Garrett Luensmann will look to put a stop to opposing offenses.

seguin high school matadors

nine-year playoff drought can seem like an eternity in the what-have-you-done-for-melately world of high school

football. But the Matadors’ growing postseason slump isn’t much when compared to a neighboring city’s 30 seasons of futility. Yes, from 1967 to 1996, the San Marcos Rattlers were unable to snag a single playoff berth. However, something happened in 1997 — a man by the name of Bruce Bush strolled into town and changed everything. Bruce, now a Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor inductee, guided the once-beleaguered Rattlers to seven postseason appearances and two district championships in eight years at San Marcos, compiling a 68-24 overall record in the 30 minutes down the road. “In no way am I comparing myself to him process. Nineteen years later, Travis Bush — Bruce’s son — is attempting to pull off at all, but the culture of where the state of the same type of historic turnaround just this program is reminds me of when he came

Senior Mark Garcia aims to surpass his 965 yards and 11 scores he amassed through the air in 2015. into San Marcos,” Travis Bush said. “They hadn’t been to the playoffs in 30 years and it was just a culture change and a change of mindset.”

2016 – guadalupe county gameday

The younger Bush has been hard at work trying to establish the same type of seismic shift in attitude at Seguin ever since being introduced as the new athletic director and head football coach on Feb. 26. The first step, he said, was to begin seeing what kind of hand he was dealt. “First you just kind of evaluate,” Bush said. “You look at everything and you try to figure out why they haven’t been successful. The biggest thing is just to look at what we can control in establishing our culture here and what we want to be — what are the core values of the program we want to build? Then really establish that culture — the discipline you want, the work ethic you want and the attitude and the unity.” For Bush, successful football players aren’t born — they’re created. “Winners don’t just play their butt off on Friday,” the coach said. “Winners do the best they can in every single thing they do. Hey, if you’re in the classroom, you want to be the best. You compete in practice, you compete in the weight room and it becomes

BUFFET BUSTERS

Seguin returns all five of its starting offensive linemen in 2016, but a bit of shuffling looks to be in the cards. Senior tackles Hunter York and Lucas Haskins will be back to anchor the Matadors’ front, along with senior center Damian Sanders. Bush said that junior Harley Ullrich and senior Zach Hostetter will open the fall as the starters, with senior guard Andrew Gaitan providing depth. Bush said that he’s seen improvement from the group and expects even more development under new offensive coordinator and O-line guru Jon Luke. “Coach Luke is one of the best O-line technicians that I’ve seen at any level and really you can see the difference with the footwork already,” Bush said. a habit and that’s the culture in it. You win on Friday nights because you won Monday through Thursday.” As an offensive coordinator for Texas State, UTSA and the University of Houston, Bush brought a spread-style attack that lit up the scoreboard. Along the way, though, he learned an important lesson that he aims to apply with the Matadors. “Your personnel really dictates your offense,” Bush said. “You can have a system, but your system better be able to be tailored year in and year out to fit the personnel you have, and I think that’s the big thing,

10 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

especially in high school football, is getting the guys in the right position and then using your offense to best fit their talents. So that will determine how spread we are and how much we throw.” So far, Bush has liked what he’s seen from his players. He does identify one major area of improvement, though. “The kids are great, I love these kids,” he said. “They’re hungry, they’re raw, and like I said the years I’ve recruited this place, it’s got potential. There’s a mental culture part that we have to work on. We’ve got to get a lot better on some details and fundamentals,

especially the mental aspects of the game. Learning to handle adversity is going to be a key thing early in the season.” The 2016 Matadors face an incredibly challenging District 26-5A schedule that features Boerne Champion, Kerrville Tivy, Dripping Springs, Alamo Heights, Medina Valley, Lockhart and Marble Falls. Seguin’s three wins from a year ago came against former district foes that were placed elsewhere in the most recent round of UIL realignment. But even with such a daunting task ahead, Bush is ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work. After all, the Bush family has fought through much tougher situations — including 1997 in San Marcos. “Guys won some games early and got some confidence and they went to the playoffs for the first time in 30 years and were playing Westlake for the district championship in the last game of the year — the same team that went 0-10 the year before,” Travis Bush said. “Am I saying that’s going to happen? No, but I’m just saying I think that when I looked at this job, the potential is there for something like that to be possible.”

MAKING STOPS

scores last year and also ran for 281 yards and two more TDs. Bush said the signal caller is a tireless worker whose mechanics are improving day by day. “Mark had a great spring and the best thing I like about him is his leadership and his work Travis Bush ethic,” Bush said. “We’ve tweaked Seguin Coach some things this spring that have really gotten his release a lot quicker and people in the 7-on-7 league said this is the best he’s looked throwing the football in the years they’ve seen him.” Senior Anthony Macias and sophomore Diego Hernandez will provide depth while looking to push Garcia for the starting role. Whoever has the ball, expect them to look for wideouts Cedric Ward (senior), TAKING THE REIGNS Senior Mark Garcia has starting experi- Hayden Haas (sophomore), Tyler Baker ence and will look to regain his role under (senior) and Brian Cash (junior), to name center. Garcia passed for 965 yards and 11 a few. Bush said that defensive coordinator Steve Thiebaud plans to “really be active with that front seven.” Senior Duncan Bauer will anchor the D-line along with senior JC Castillo, who makes the move from offense to defense. Senior De’Angelo Sutton will also have an opportunity to make his presence felt. The linebacking corps features plenty of experience with senior Christian Hampton, junior Garrett Luensmann and senior Chase Hartmann. Bush said the trio offers “good length.” Junior Jared Gil could be in the mix for playing time as well. In the secondary, senior Manuel Canales moves from corner to safety, while junior Austin Griggs will bring some athleticism with his sub-4.5 40-yard dash speed. Bush also mentioned (year) Jadeveon Clemons and senior Jason Williams as potential starters, saying that Williams has the size to create pass breakups. Sophomores Darren Taylor, Francisco Ledesma and Terrance Brandon are expected to add depth.

! s r o d a t Ma 2016 – guadalupe county gameday 11

Duncan Bauer and Garrett Luensmann should give opposing offenses fits.

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matador football schedule

You know that feeling you get when you work as a team to achieve ultimate success? We do, too.

WEEK 1: Austin Travis

7:30 p.m., Aug. 26 at House Park Stadium

WEEK 2: New Braunfels

7:30 p.m., Sept. 2 at New Braunfels HS

WEEK 3: Austin McCallum 7:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at Matador Stadium *Parent Night

WEEK 4: Lockhart Future

7:30 p.m., Sept. 16 at Matador Stadium *Future Matador Night

WEEK 5: Dripping Springs 7:30 p.m., Sept. 23 at Tiger Stadium

WEEK 6: Open WEEK 7: Alamo Heights 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7 at Matador Stadium *Hall of Honor

WEEK 8: Medina Valley 7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at Panther Stadium

WEEK 9: Marble Falls

7:30 p.m., Oct. 21 at Matador Stadium *Homecoming

WEEK 10: Kerrville Tivy 7:30 p.m., Oct. 28 at Antler Stadium

WEEK 11: Marble Falls

7:30 p.m., Nov. 4 at Matador Stadium

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8/1/16 9:18 AM 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; guadalupe county gameday

University of Houston Photo

Travis Bush previously coached at the University of Houston from 2012 to 2014.

Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Former Alice and Gregory-Portland football coach Bruce Bush spent four decades on sidelines in nearly every corner in Texas, a long career that has earned him induction into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor. Travis Bush played for his dad at Gregory-Portland as a QB and graduated in 1995.

the road to matador country

ALICE AND GREGORY-PORTLAND: Tony Levine, Chris Brasfield and Chad be accountable. He held you accountable — players, coaches, everybody. ‘You get what Glasgow. 1980s to 1995 As the son of Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor selection Bruce Bush, Travis Bush has had the opportunity to learn from one of the Lone Star State’s very best. “Being around my dad’s programs is what sparked by passion for the game of football and coaching,” Bush said. “I’ve also seen how many guys have come back after many years to tell my dad how much he had made an impact on the rest of their lives. That’s why I wanted to be a coach — I want to make an influence on people that lasts a lifetime.” Notable coaches on the staffs: Gary Davenport, Greg Crawford, Jaime Infante, Tony Villareal, Jerry Vance, Les Goad, Randy Rowe, Jimmy Gupton and Billy Butler

TEXAS STATE: 1995 to 2000 As a wide receiver for the Bobcats, Bush was coached and influenced by the likes of Jim Bob Helduser, Mike Hudson, Bob Debesse, David Bailiff, Ken McClintock,

SAN MARCOS: 2000 In Bush’s first year out of college, he coached Goodnight Middle School before joining his father’s staff at San Marcos High School in 2000. The Rattlers went 10-0 and climbed as high as No. 2 in the state. “Great staff,” Bush said. “All these guys including me became head coaches — Jerry Vance, John Hall, Steve Van Nest, Scott Hawkins, Brian Huckabay, Jeff Walker.”

you demand’ is the phrase I still use the most from him.” As a graduate assistant, Bush said he worked for “one of the greatest coaches of all time, the late Dick Winder” at TCU. He also noted that Jarrett Anderson and Dan Sharp taught him “how to recruit at a high level and evaluate talent.”

BACK TO THE BOBCATS: 2004 to 2010

Bush followed Bailiff to Texas State, where he earned his first coordinator job. TCU: 2001 to 2003 “Great years there,” Bush said. “First Bush was a day from signing a contract to conference title and playoff appearance in become the offensive coordinator at San Marcos 2005 since turning Division I. Worked with before Vance left to take over the program at great coaches such as Tom Herman, Craig Liberty Hill. Naivar and Jason Washington.” That’s when Bailiff, currently the head coach at Rice University, stepped in with a new offer. UTSA ROADRUNNERS: 2011 “I was able to come into TCU with Gary Bush then accepted the offensive coordinator Patterson’s first staff,” Bush said. “The thing position at UTSA under head coach Larry about Coach P is you learn how to work, and Coker, who he admires greatly.

14 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

“Can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from him,” Bush said of Coker. “He really taught me a lot about how to treat people. He may be the most kind person in the world. Also learned how to start a program from scratch — you work!”

COUGAR COUNTRY: 2012 to 2014 Bush’s growing credentials led him to Houston, where he took a job coaching running backs and quickly ascended to offensive coordinator and associate head coach from 2013-14. “I wanted to fully learn the air raid offense,” Bush said. “Worked for Tony Levine, who coached me in college. Learned from some great coaches like Doug Meacham, Lee Hays, David Gibbs and Vernon Hargreaves.”

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BUFFALO BILLS: 2015 Bush got the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the NFL’s finest as a coaching intern for the Buffalo Bills last season. It proved to be an invaluable experience. “Last year was amazing,” Bush said. “The biggest thing there was just the details of everything. From coaching, teaching, planning, preparing, working ... you name it. It’s all about details.” Bush coached running backs and said that the influence of spending time with coaches like Rex Ryan and Tony Sparano speaks for itself. He also learned details regarding training and position-specific information from some top-tier players, including LeSean McCoy and Sammy Watkins.

SEGUIN: 2016 to present Bush was hired as the new AD/head football coach at Seguin this past February. In addition to the coaches he’s worked with, he lists Pete Carroll and John Wooden among his major influences. “I’ve always been a ‘pyramid of success’ guy,” he said. “John C. Maxwell has great books on leadership. I’ve read almost everything he’s written. I apply that daily to my job now, as well as Jon Gordon — I’ve read all of his. He’s an amazing author and leader. His books apply to anyone in any faucet of life but can directly relate to being a leader in competitive athletics.” All of his time spent around and in the coaching profession has led to one overall philosophy on winning. “The only way I know how to be successful is to outwork everyone around you,” Bush said.

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B IB

Jake Wright looks to wreak havoc on opposing offenses in 2016.

avarro’s defense rewrote the record books a year ago, surrendering the fewest points in the program’s 45-year history. The strength of the team was undoubtedly its linebacking corps, which will once again feature heat-seeking missile Jake Wright. The senior was named the District 134A-II Preseason Defensive MVP by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and is the reigning two-time Gazette All-Area Player of the Year.

16 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

Wright’s nose for the football and his high motor has led to many plays being made behind the opponent’s line of scrimmage. The senior seems to always be in on the tackle or nearby, as he averaged a team-best 13.5 tackles per game in 2015. The even better news for Panther fans? Senior linebacker Ty Shelton will be back to once again form a tandem of terror with Wright in the middle of Navarro’s defense. Shelton’s toughness is undeniable, as he is returning from a second straight season-ending ACL tear.

navarro high school panthers

ive hundred seats have been added to the home side at Navarro’s Erwin-Lee Field. There should be no difficulty filling those seats for Panther games this fall. Attendance has not been a problem at Navarro in recent years, mainly because the Panthers win. And win. And win. Navarro has made the playoffs for the last eight years and has not had a losing season since 2004. It has won 35 of its last 38 regular season games and put together four straight seasons of 10 wins or more. It has also won two straight district titles. The Panthers are coming off an 11-1 season in which they won their district before bowing out of the playoffs in the third round. All of their wins were by 31 points or more. That season will be a hard act to follow, but the Panthers should not drop far, if at all. The main reason for that is a defense that returns seven starters from a unit that pitched five shutouts last year and allowed barely two rushing yards per carry in the regular season. Among those returning is senior linebacker Jake Wright. The two-time district MVP

COACHING CHANGES

The Navarro coaching staff, long a model of stability, finally underwent some changes during the offseason. Longtime defensive coordinator Jeff Jones, who had been on staff since 1996, retired and was replaced by outside linebackers coach Donnie Slatter. Nicholas Lopez will take Slatter’s place. Also, the departure of offensive backs coach Matt Luddeke for LaVernia brought Michael Rios to Navarro to coach that position. And Hunter Harrison will take over from John Schluter as defensive line coach. Leadership of that coaching staff, however, remains stable. Les Goad will start his 10th year as Navarro’s head coach, which is longer than any head coach in school history. Goad has won 83 games, reached the playoffs eight times, and won four district championships in his tenure at the school. Despite the coaching changes, Goad said Navarro’s schemes should look very similar to what they have run in years past. led the team with 162 tackles last season. Wright has given opposing coaches in the district nightmares since his freshman year, disrupting offenses with his aggressiveness, quickness and bone-rattling hits. He’ll be joined in the backfield by fellow linebacker Ty Shelton. The 2014 District Defensive MVP, Shelton might be the toughest and most determined player on the team as he is battling back from ACL injuries that ended each of his past two seasons. Defensive end Tanner Whitson will be a force up front. Whitson was the district’s

Newcomer of the Year in 2015 with 75 tackles. Some valuable cogs in the defensive machine from last season have been lost to graduation but the unit should be dominant again. There is a little more concern on offense, where the Panthers return just five starters. They will have to rebuild their line, where they lose four first team all-district starters, and find new targets to pass to as they seek to replace their leading receiver from last year, Sam Marbach. But the backfield should not be a concern.

2016 – guadalupe county gameday 17

District 13-4A-II’s returning Offensive MVP, Tanner Law, looks to best his mark of 16 TDs last season.

NEW AND OLD FACES

The Panthers’ schedule this season will feature five new non-district opponents. Navarro will face Giddings, La Grange and San Antonio Central Catholic for the first time ever. After a two-year absence, area rival Marion returns to their schedule in Week 2. Panther fans will find themselves making the long drive to Refugio in Week 5 for the first meeting between Navarro and the Bobcats since the 2001 Class 2A playoffs. The only non-district opponent returning to Navarro’s schedule from last year is Gonzales. On the other hand, the Panthers’ district, 13-4A-II, will remain almost identical to the last two years. Wimberley will likely again be their main competition for the district crown. Hondo and Llano also remain in the district. The only change is that Lytle moves to another district and is replaced by Bandera. The Panthers and Bandera competed in the same district from 2010-13. 18 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

The Offensive MVP of the district, Tanner Law, will be back for his fourth year on varsity. He ran for 1,359 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Law may find himself chasing a few school rushing records as the season progresses. Another Panther who has started since his freshman year will line up next to Law. Jared Leal was Navarro’s third leading rusher last year with 658 yards and 10 touchdowns. Navarro will also feature experience at the quarterback position with junior Will Eveld, who has started in the Panthers’ last 16 games. Eveld took advantage of a more wide-open offense last year to pass for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. To fill holes on both sides of the ball, Navarro head coach Les Goad says he will “play it by ear from day one.” He expects to bring several sophomores up to varsity with

the hope they will mature quickly. The Panthers will get a measuring stick for where they stand early in the season. Navarro enters the season ranked 13th in the state in Class 4A, Division II, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. But they will open the season with ninth-ranked Giddings and face fifth-ranked La Grange in Week Four. District rival Wimberley, who will come along later in the year, is ranked 15th. All three games will be played in Geronimo. It remains to be seen whether the 2016 squad will live up to its ranking or match last season’s utter domination over its opponents. But there is plenty on the roster for Navarro to see its winning ways to continue this year. Fans who fill the additional 500 seats should have plenty to enjoy.

THE CUERO HUMP

The Panthers’ past three seasons have all ended the same way: with a playoff loss to Cuero. Last year’s loss may have been the most frustrating — a 25-13 defeat played in a downpour that affected everything the teams tried to do. Over those three years, Navarro has lost just five games. But three of those five losses were to Cuero. They are certainly not the first team to find a big green wall when it faces Cuero. The Gobblers are a traditional power with three state championships and 16 trips to the semifinals or beyond since 1970. Will this be the year the Panthers finally get over the hump against their recent tormentors? It is likely they will have to do so in order to make a serious playoff run. Cuero enters the season ranked third in the state and is the highest ranked team in Navarro’s region.

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panther football schedule WEEK 1: Giddings

7:30 p.m., Aug. 26 at Panther Stadium *Parents night

WEEK 2: Marion

7:30 p.m., Sept. 2 at Bulldog Stadium

WEEK 3: Gonzales

7:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at Panther Stadium *Homecoming

WEEK 4: La Grange

7:30 p.m., Sept. 16 at Panther Stadium *Faculty Night

WEEK 5: Refugio

7:30 p.m., Sept. 30 at Button Stadium

7:30 p.m., Oct. 21 at Panther Stadium *Lil Panther Night

WEEK 7: Llano

WEEK 10: Hondo

7:30 p.m., Oct. 7 at Yellowjacket Stadium

7:30 p.m., Oct. 28 at Owl Stadium

7:30 p.m., Sept. 23 at Bobcat Stadium

WEEK 8: Open

WEEK 11: Bandera

WEEK 6: Central Catholic

WEEK 9: Wimberly

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2016 – guadalupe county gameday 21

KER BY T U C S O N N STEPHE

J.D. Ragio is a dual threat QB who should have a good year with the talent around him.

arion senior quarterback J.D. Raggio enters his third varsity season as the trigger man of the Bulldogs’ fast-paced and high-scoring spread attack. Before getting hurt prior to Marion’s playoff game last season, Raggio passed

22 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

for 1,743 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for an additional 387 yards and seven scores. Raggio’s presence in the pocket while surveying opposing defenses led to head coach Bruce Salmon calling him “one cool cat.” Raggio will likely be even more effective this season — mostly because he isn’t forced

to be a one-man band. Salmon said athletic junior Nathan Newman will see some snaps at QB and may also serve as a “Wildcat” style runner. Sophomore Tayler Mills could receive some action behind center as well to help the Bulldogs build depth while trying to remain healthy.

Jacob Berry looks to have a breakout season in 2016.

marion high school bulldogs

he Marion Bulldogs enter the 2016 IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG … campaign with the strongest team Salmon and his players recognize the fact that they aren’t going to win any they’ve had on paper since 2013. games with sheer intimidation given their relatively diminutive size as a ballclub. That was the year that Marion — led by “Very rarely do we ever roll out there and are the bigger guys,” Salmon said. standouts like Jourden Stanley and Raphael “But with the style of play — the ambush, fast-pace, slug-it-out, go-get-it, can’tput-your-heart-on-a-scale type of attitude that we’ve been able to instill in these DeHoyos — claimed the program’s first guys — it helps us.” district championship since 2013. But a year Marion has grown by leaps and bounds in terms of controlling the line of later, the Bulldogs struggled through a 1-9 scrimmage, which is a credit to its offensive and defensive linemen. Two-year campaign, which led to a change from head all-district performer Kenton Spriggs returns at center for the ‘Dogs, while Cole Doerr and Cody Abrameit will occupy the right side of the O-ilne. The commitcoach Bruce Salmon and his staff. tee of Jacob Abrameit, Robert Ganyer, Chris Abrameit and Brandon Stanley is “After that (2014) season coming out of fighting to earn the other two starting positions on the left side. the evaluations, one of the things we talked Matthew Dutton and Tyler Daigle are set to share time at H-back, while Jackabout was numbering our teams,” Salmon son Allen and Samson Montoya will look to revive the tight end position. said. “Last year was team 48 and this is 49. Along the D-line, Dutton, Tucker Walters and Cole Doerr will likely all play some at defensive end, while Jacob Doerr, Montoya, Anthony Sotelo and Ganyer The point being, every year is a different will rotate in at defensive tackle. year. If you had success the year before, Salmon says it’s all about matchups now that the team has a little more depth. then there’s no guarantee — you have to “We’ll be able to put in some speed packages during passing situations and establish your own legacy.” against pass teams,” the coach said. Team 48 made the most of its opportunity, sharing the District 13-3A-I crown with to defeat the Bulldogs 35-29 on the game’s proper mindset when it comes to bouncing Luling and Comfort. Unfortunately, injuries final drive. back from tough losses. prevented Marion from competing at full But throughout these past several season, “The kids, they’re not afraid of going strength in the playoffs. Hitchcock held on Salmon said his players have learned the out and competing,” Salmon said. “One of 2016 – guadalupe county gameday 23

Edher Nava looks to turn in a solid 2016 season.

the things we’ve stressed this offseason is you’ve got to get better competitively, which is against that guy you’re going against, but you’ve also got to get better comparatively, which is you’ve got to be a better person and a better player than you were yesterday.” That collective attitude has led to more depth than the Bulldogs have enjoyed in a very long time. “This senior class, they don’t have one or two standouts like Jourden (Stanley) or Raphael (DeHoyos), but we’ve got a lot of kids that can play,” Salmon said. Marion hopes to field three football teams this year, which bodes well for the future with the area growing and a brand new playing surface set to be revealed during Week 3 against Devine. The game against Navarro had to be moved to Geronimo, though, which leaves the Bulldogs in the role of “road warriors” in 2016. “This year we play four at home and six on the road and next year we’ll slip that,”

BUILDING UP LBs AND DBs

Playing in Class 3A means that there are some players that are going to have to play on both sides of the football — it’s largely unavoidable. But the Bulldogs have been hard at work building depth so that rotations can be used in as many spots as possible. In fact, Marion’s linebacking corps has a group of at least nine individuals who are in the mix for playing time. Tyler Daigle, Joshua Rodriguez, Kyler Spriggs and Chris Abrameit were all listed by Salmon as inside linebacker candidates, while the outside will likely feature Nava, Armstrong, Matt Quigley, Harlan Vick and perhaps Peyton Murdoch. The secondary will also use plenty of substitutions, with Newman, Berry, Mills and Anthony Coleman looking like mainstays. Raggio may also mix in at safety. “We’ve got some options on all sides of it,” Salmon said. The Bulldogs will again be a split defense that will load the box with eight men in an effort to both stymie opponents’ running games and defend the pass. Salmon said. Marion will be a part of the new District 13-3A-I this season and is picked to win the outright crown against a field that includes Luling, Ingram Moore, Lago Vista, Randolph and San Antonio Cole. Lago Vista is the lone newcomer of the group after replacing Comfort in the most recent UIL realignment.

24 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

Salmon said the Vikings appear to have a bright future. “They’ve got a pretty good little program coming out of a good district,” the coach said. “They’ve got some good young groups coming and great numbers.” The Bulldogs are in the rare position of being one of the more experienced teams

GO FOR 2!

in 13-3A-I. That means that Marion can focus on more detailed-oriented aspects of the game this season — like hidden yardage. “We want to net 30 (yards) on a punt and 30 on our kickoffs,” Salmon said. “Anything less is a negative and anything more is a positive. We want to try and make it a game within a game.” The Bulldogs’ non-district schedule which once again be difficult, as tests against Austin Eastside Memorial, Navarro, Goliad and Florence are waiting — as well as the home opener against Devine. But don’t expect Marion to back down from any fight. “You never want to feel entitled or just that it’s an expected deal,” Salmon said. “With that we try to challenge and play as tough of a nondistrict schedule as we possibly can.”

Coach Bruce Salmon looks to continue the Bulldogs’ success this season.

give your home

Marion leads all area teams in attempting and converting 2-point tries in recent years. While some of it is due to the Bulldogs’ gameplan, Salmon said it’s also out of necessity. “I think consistency has been the bigger thing,” the coach said. “If you look at us offensively, we’ve been able to move the ball 4 to 5 yards on average pretty easily, whereas the last time we kicked a field goal at Marion High School was when Coach (Myles) Duelm was a senior here.” Last year, potential placekicker Cage Armstrong was injured prior to the season, which forced Cullen “Porkchop” Gonzalez into PAT and kickoff duty. The only problem was that Gonzalez was the holder for field goals, which opened up a whole new can of worms. However, seeing as Armstrong is due to return, more conventional extra points could be attempted this season. Or will they? “The 2-point conversion around here has almost become an attitude as much as anything else,” Salmon said. “If we could get some consistency in the kicking game, it would make it a whole lot easier on me making decisions, but with the confidence that we have, we’ve felt like if we lined up three times (to go for 2), we would make it twice, and if you look at the Canyon Lake game last year, that’s one of the reasons why we won it.”

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bulldog football schedule WEEK 1: Austin Eastside Memorial

7:30 p.m., Aug. 26 at Panther Park Stadium

WEEK 2: Navarro

7:30 p.m., Sept. 2 at Panther Stadium

WEEK 3: Devine

7:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at Bulldog Stadium

WEEK 4: Goliad

7:30 p.m., Sept. 16 at Matador Stadium

WEEK 5: Florence

7:30 p.m., Sept. 23 at Buffalo Stadium

WEEK 6: Open WEEK 7: Ingram Tom Moore 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7 at Warrior Stadium

WEEK 8: Randolph

7:30 p.m., Oct. 14 at Bulldog Stadium *Homecoming

Nathan Newman returns for his junior season. 7:30 p.m., Oct. 28 at Viking Stadium

WEEK 9: Luling

7:30 p.m., Oct. 21 at Eagle Stadium

WEEK 10: Lago Vista

WEEK 11: Cole

7:30 p.m., Nov. 4 at Bulldog Stadium *Parent’s Night

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BY T

HENSO

STEP UCKER

ifegate’s senior combo of Michael McKinney and Steele Sullivan gives the Falcons physicality and quickness on both sides of the ball — not to mention experience. Both will block and carry the football out of the Falcons’ run-heavy pistol formation, with McKinney being the more bruising runner and Sullivan the more elusive. The tandem will also start on defense and special teams, with Rabon saying they’re two of the most important players for Lifegate in 2016. “Whether or not they want to get out there and rah-rah lead or not, how they play is going to make a difference for everybody on the team,” the coach said. “They’re a third of our offense and our defense.” McKinney will play both defensive end and inside linebacker, while Sullivan will come off the edge as a defensive end most of the time. Both are returning TAPPS All-State performers who come into 2016 hungry for a state championship.

Steel Sullivan rounds the corner as he advances the football. 28 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

Cayden Pruet looks to branch out from spreadback in 2016.

lifegate christian school

n each of the past five seasons, a team from Lifegate’s district has won a TAPPS Six-Man state championship. The streak was started in 2011 by longtime rival Fredericksburg Heritage before fate smiled on the Falcons during their unbeaten and dominant run to the title in 2012. San Antonio Castle Hills claimed the crown in 2013

before Heritage again climbed to the top of the mountain in 2014. Last year, it was San Marcos Hill Country’s turn. The Falcons, who fell 48-20 to Hill Country in the 2015 state semifinals, are determined to cap this season with a much happier ending. “They’ve been working really hard in the summer and so we’re looking forward to a

good one,” Lifegate head coach John Rabon said. “I’ve talked to them all summer and the difference between us and Hill Country last year wasn’t lack of desire or lack of want to. A lot of it was attention to small details — getting the small stuff done, focusing on the details, because we made a lot of mistakes. Hopefully we’ll be much better at that and we won’t turn the ball

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over as much and shoot ourselves in the foot.” With seven seniors on the roster and a total of six all-district performers due back, Lifegate looks poised to compete right away. All signs may point to a rematch with Hill Country down the road, but Rabon also sees some tough challengers emerging from throughout TAPPS Six-Man Division II. “They lost two and we lost two,” Rabon said of the now-graduated seniors from Hill Country and Lifegate. “Athens Christian had a pretty good ballclub and they lost three games by a total of 20 points and they’ve got most of their people back. I expect them to improve. Wichita Falls (Notre Dame) is always good too.” The Falcons are set to make a change in offensive philosophy this year, as Rabon hopes to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible. “I’m not going to make any bones about it, we’ll probably run the ball 70 percent of the time,” Rabon said. “I’ve got some kids that can run it. That’s why we went to the pistol set because I’m an old option coach. I’ve run the wishbone, I’ve run the veer out of the (I-formation) and also out of split backs, so out of our pistol set, we’re going to run the heck out of our option.” But Rabon did mention the possibility of some play action passes in order to keep

RETURNING STARTERS

Speedy junior Cayden Pruet will be the team’s starting spreadback and is also set to get some reps at receiver and running back. Defensively, Pruet may see time at safety and defensive end while also serving as a placekicker on PATs. Senior Matt McKinney is set to split time at center with junior Barry Osborne on offense and also play defensive end. Senior Hagen Tetzlaff, an honorable mention all-state selection a year ago, will likely step into a dual-starter role as both a wide receiver and a cornerback. Fellow senior Logan Garrison is slated to start as a tight end on offense and a nose guard/linebacker defensively. Senior Matthew Foster looks ready to contribute at wide receiver and in the secondary. Rabon said that senior Jonathan Reneau and sophomore Jake Garrison are battling to try and earn the starting QB spot out of the team’s pistol set. opposing defenses on their toes. “We’re going to make (the other team) get up and put five in the box, four in the box and then we have patterns we can run our of the play action that will make them get out of that,”

30 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

FRESH FACES

The Falcons have five freshmen set to make the move up to varsity this season. Given the program’s strong history of giving newcomers some playing time, this year likely won’t be any different. “They’re all good kids and they all work hard,” the coach said. Rabon identified Zachary McCulloch and Myles McCord as two potential freshmen with potential to earn playing time from day one. McCulloch’s strength is his size, while McCord has the speed to make an impact in the wide open six-man game. In fact, Rabon already has a plan for McCord. “We’re going to put him out at corner probably,” the coach said. “He’ll get burned some, but he can make up some with his speed and we’re also going to put him as a receiver. As a freshman he can make some plays for us, but he’s not in a pressure position as such.” Rabon also mentioned David Brewer as a freshman to keep an eye on. Rabon said. “So I’m real excited about that.” Lifegate will compete in the new-look TAPPS Six-Man Division II District 5 against Hill Country, New Braunfels Christian Academy and Cedar Park Summit. Meanwhile, Heritage

falcon football schedule WEEK 1: Atonement Academy

7:30 p.m., Aug. 26 at Lifegate

WEEK 2: Castle Hills First Baptist 7:30 p.m., Sept. 2 at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex

WEEK 3: FEAST HomeSchool

7:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at Lifegate

WEEK 4: Faith Academy

7:30 p.m., Sept. 16 at Faith Academy

WEEK 5: Capital Christian HomeSchool

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WEEK 6: Giddings State 7:30 p.m., Sept. 30 at Lifegate

WEEK 7: Summit Christian Academy 7:30 p.m., Oct. 7 at Lifegate

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makes the move to TAPPS Six-Man Division II District 6 alongside Bulverde Bracken Christian, Spring Branch Living Rock Academy and Victoria Faith Academy. In addition to the Falcons’ tough district schedule, Rabon expects a few good battles to come from the non-district slate as well. “We’ve got some pretty tough folks on there,” Rabon said. “We’re going to play FEAST this year and they’re always excellent. We’re going to play First Baptist Castle Hills, we’re going to play Cap City and they beat us last year by a touchdown.” 2016 – guadalupe county gameday 31

BY TUCKER STEPHENSON AND TIM CLARK

exas Lutheran senior running back Marquis Barrolle has made a name for himself in Division III football by combing incredible athleticism with a diminutive 5-foot-2, 150-pound frame. Just ask Louisiana College defensive back Anthony Hargrave about Barrolle’s ability. When Hargrave seemingly had Barrolle lined up for a tackle at the goal line last season during a game in Seguin on Sept. 19, the TLU RB went to the air and hurdled the defender, leaping right over his shoulder pad and into the end zone for a Bulldog touchdown. The play made the rounds on the internet, brining Barrolle a bit of instant fame — viral style. Barrolle led all of DIII in rushing during his sophomore season and will look to rebound from an injury-plagued junior year in 2016. Despite his size, Barrolle has shown that he can handle an increased workload that includes receiving duty out of the backfield. Barrolle has rushed for 2,884 yards and 25 touchdowns during his time at TLU and is currently 653 yards shy of Royce Johnson’s career TLU rushing mark of 3,537 yards. Tre Scallion, a 5-foot-4 sophomore, is slated to serve as Barrolle’s backup this season. Call it “The Muggsy Bogues Backfield.”

Marquis Barrolle proves that big things come in small packages. 32 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

Christopher Bennett is expected to make a greater contribution this season.

texas lutheran bulldogs

inners of three straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) championships, the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs enter 2016 looking for a four-peat â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as well as another trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. TLU fell 8 points short against HardinSimmons last year, which proved to be the difference between a postseason berth and an early start to basketball season. Texas Lutheran starts this year at No. 21 in the D3football.com Top 25. The Bulldogs have been ranked in the D3football.com or the AFCA Top 25 in each of the last four consecutive years. The Bulldogs are 38-22 in the last six seasons, all under Danny Padron, who begins his seventh year at TLU. Padron is tied for the career wins lead with TLU Hall of Famer Jim Wacker, who went 38-16 from 1971 to 1975 and won two national championships in five seasons. In the last three seasons alone, TLU is 25-5 overall. For 2016, the Bulldogs welcome back 57 lettermen and 12 starters. TLU will have six returners on offense, four on defense and

Broderick Sargent looks to be a force along the defensive line. two on special teams. Texas Lutheran is 9-0 all-time in SCAC competition, having never faltered within the league since joining in 2013 after its departure from the American Southwest Conference. The Bulldogs will rejoin the

ASC beginning in 2017. TLU played football as an affiliate member with the ASC in 1998 and in 1999 and competed in the ASC in football and in all collegiate sports as a full conference member from the 200001 to 2012-13 athletics seasons. The ASC

2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; guadalupe county gameday 33

Jekovan Holmes looks to have another stellar season this year.

is a conference in the NCAA Division III. Once again, TLU will look to navigate a conference field that includes Trinity, Austin College and Southwestern. There will be a twist this season, though, as each SCAC team will play one another twice in a home-away series. The 2016 season will be the final year of SCAC football for the foreseeable future. TLU opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3 with a 6 p.m. home game against East Texas Baptist University, who received votes in the D3football.com Top 25. The Bulldogs also have preseason No. 5 Mary Hardin-Baylor (Sept. 10 in Seguin) and No. 10 HardinSimmons (Sept. 24 in Abilene) on the 2016 schedule. Louisiana College (Sept. 17 in Pineville, Louisiana) rounds out the nonconference slate.

O’CONNOR CONNECTION

Head coach Danny Padron left San Antonio O’Connor High School to take the reins at TLU prior to the 2010 season. Needless to say, it’s worked out pretty well. Last year, TLU wide receiver Jekovan Holmes — an O’Connor product — burst onto the scene as a true freshman to break the school’s single-season touchdown reception record with 14 TD grabs. The newcomer also made a conference-high 45 receptions on the year. Holmes’ familiarity with Padron’s offensive system paid big dividends, as did his time in the 2015 offseason working with former O’Connor quarterback Zach Galindo, who comes into 2016 as the Bulldogs’ projected starter. A junior, Galindo was 28 of 34 passing last season for 223 yards and two scores in limited action, but he looks to direct a fastpaced and high-scoring TLU attack in his first season as the No. 1 QB. One thing is for sure — his instant chemistry with Holmes won’t hurt. Neither will having experienced and talented wideouts Caleb Oliver (senior), J.B. Brown (junior), Reggie Jackson (sophomore) in the lineup — as well as a host of others.

34 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

NEW STARTERS

While TLU is loaded with returning skill players, the offensive and defensive lines — as well as the secondary — look to be among the biggest question marks coming into 2016. The left side of the Bulldogs’ O-line looks solid, as senior tackle Tyler Howlett and junior guard Johnny Garcia are slated to hold down those spots. Sophomore Andy Day is the preliminary starter at center, while fellow sophomores Garrett Garza and Bradley Sweet appear primed to slide into roles as the new right guard and right tackle, respectively. Seguin’s own Travis York, a sophomore, will fight for playing time at right tackle as well. On the other side of the ball, senior defensive end Broderick Sargent, sophomore defensive tackle Hunter Kinzie and junior defensive tackle Dantrel Hargers are projected to start along the defensive line. Senior defensive end Brandon Stephens is the lone returning starter, but Hargers and Sargent have plenty of playing time under their belts. Former Matador Hunter Ullrich, now in his junior year, will also attempt to earn some playing time at defensive tackle.

bulldog football schedule WEEK 1: East Texas Baptist 6 p.m., Sept. 3 at Bulldog Stadium

WEEK 2: Mary HardinBaylor 6 p.m., Sept. 10 at Bulldog Stadium

WEEK 3: Louisiana College

6 p.m., Sept. 17 at Wildcat Stadium

WEEK 4: Hardin-Simmons 6 p.m., Sept. 24 at Shelton Stadium

WEEK 5: Open WEEK 6: Trinity

6 p.m., Oct. 8 at Bulldog Stadium

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WEEK 7: Austin College

1 p.m., Oct. 15 at Apple Stadium

WEEK 8: Southwestern

6 p.m., Oct. 22 at Birkelbach Field

WEEK 9: Trinity

1 p.m., Oct. 29 at Trinity University Football Stadium

WEEK 10: Austin College 1 p.m., Nov. 5 at Bulldog Stadium

WEEK 11: Southwestern 1 p.m., Nov. 12 at Bulldog Stadium

2016 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; guadalupe county gameday 35

All part of the team

ith Gameday, we’ve taken a good long look at the players who will be keeping us on the edge of our seats (or bleachers) for the next several months.

It’s some well deserved recognition for these players as football season kicks off. These talented young men work hard on and off the field for the right to don a jersey and represent their schools and communities on the gridiron. In the spectacle that is Friday night football, these are the stars of the show. But just as student-athletes must be students first, so too are teams made up of more than just players. There are the coaches of course, men and women who shape young minds with knowledge of more than just sports. Lessons about teamwork, determination and sportsmanship that will serve these players well the rest of their lives. And just like any stage production or Hollywood movie, there’s a whole cast of supporting characters and backstage crew waiting in the wings that make sure the show goes on. There are students who decorate campuses and volunteers who help keep players healthy and hydrated. There’s the teacher who takes

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Travis Webb Managing Editor some extra time to help a struggling student, and the parent who shakes off a long day of work to gear up for the big game. These are the folks who give up their time and effort to support each and every player on each and every team: Trainers, cheerleaders, booster clubs, parents teachers and many, many more. It’s part of what makes those Friday night lights such a community event. Whether it’s attending games, raising funds or a simple ride to or from practice, in a very real sense, communities line up to put their own efforts into play for their teams. So let’s hear it for the supporters, too. The folks out in the stands. The fans. This one’s for them.

36 guadalupe county gameday – 2016

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