Football preview 16 by GateHouse Southwest

’16

PIGSKIN PREVIEW

Lions’ pursuit of eighth state title now under Maxfield’s direction PAGE 2

Sims out to reverse HPU’s fortunes

PAGE 4

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Season previews:

Brownwood • Early • Bangs • Howard Payne • Blanket • Brookesmith • May • Zephyr • Victory Life Comanche • Coleman • Goldthwaite • San Saba • Richland Springs • Santa Anna • Rising Star • Sidney • Mullin

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BROWNWOOD LIONS

Lions intend to build on state quarterfinal campaign in Maxfield’s first season BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

DERRICK STUCKLY | BULLETIN FILE PHOTO

Devonte Evetts (32) is one of seven defensive starters returning for a Brownwood defense that allowed just 18 points and 322 yards — 178 passing and 144 rushing — per game in 2015.

• HEAD COACH Kyle Maxfield (1st season at school, 0-0 record; 19th season overall, 123-68 career record) • ASSISTANT COACHES John Contrucci (offensive coordinator), Sam Gillispie (defensive coordinator), Bryan Clark (running backs), Cy Cowart, (secondary), Mark Wilson (secondary),

The Brownwood Lions restored the roar in 2015, posting an 11-win season with a trip to the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals. With five offensive and seven defensive starters back from that squad, and ranked as high as No. 6 in the state by one preseason publication, new head coach Kyle Maxfield begins his chase for the program’s elusive eighth state championship. Maxfield comes to Brownwood from Class 3A Shallowater, where he posted a 72-18 record in seven seasons with six trips to the playoffs. Maxfield’s squads at Shallowater posted a winning record every year and won at least 10 games in each of the last five seasons. Now he’s ready to lead one of the most storied programs in Texas high school football history. “Everyone’s excited about what lies ahead,” Maxfield said. “The kids really seem focused about it. Their attitude and the team morale has really been a big positive. We’ve been through the grind and we’re ready to hit someone else.” Maxfield is not the only new face on staff as he brought with him his defensive coordinator from Shallowater, Sam Gillispie, while former Lubbock Roosevelt head coach John Contrucci is the new offensive coordinator. “Coach Contrucci came in the spring with me,” Maxfield said. “He’ll be coaching the offensive line along with being offensive coordinator. He played for Coach (Bob) McQueen in Temple, who’s one of the legends of high school football in Texas. He went from there to Hardin-Simmons. He has a great

background as a lineman and as a coach. He brings a lot to the table, a lot of energy, and he’s exciting to be around. “Coach Gillispie was with us in KYLE Shallowater. MAXFIELD He’s got a motor that won’t stop. The kids really play hard for him. They’re starting to get his personality and the players have responded well to all the new coaches.” The remainder of the coaching staff includes Bryan Clark as running backs coach; Aaron Keesee as quarterbacks coach; Brad Bowden and Shawn Cullins coaching receivers; Tucker Cromer assisting Contrucci on the offensive line; Kirk Chastain as defensive tackles coach; Blandon Hancock as defensive ends coach; Shay Easterwood and Steve Fanara as linebacker coaches; and Mark Wilson and Cy Cowart as secondary coaches. “With our coaching staff, we have some new guys mixing with the old but it seems like everyone is meshing together well,” Maxfield said. “We’ll continue to get better the more we work with each other.” Brownwood’s defense is expected to be the team’s greatest strength this season with the bulk of a unit that allowed just 18 points and 322 yards — 178 passing and 144 rushing — returning. BROWNWOOD, 28

Lions Glimpse Brad Bowden (receivers), Kirk Chastain (defensive tackles), Aaron Keesee (quarterbacks), Shay Easterwood (linebackers), Tucker Cromer (offensive line), Shawn Cullins (receivers), Blandon Hancock (defensive ends), Steve Fanara (linebackers) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

District 3-4A Division I

2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 23 • LETTERMEN LOST 15 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 7

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Jeremy Brown (WR/DB), Devon Jefferson (DL), Crystan Wright (DB/WR), Harley Price (RB), Gavin Jefferson (RB/LB), Hayden Donahoo (LB), Hayden Tunnell (DL), Devonte Evetts (DL), Blaize Infinger (G), Corleone Pressley (LB/WR), McLane Moore (QB), Blaine Hughes (WR/DB), Carson Benedict (DL), Xavier Armenta (RB)

2015 Record: 11-3, 3-1

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New head coach Sims, veteran coaching staff out to change HPU’s fortunes

HPU YELLOW JACKETS

BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

As Hunter Sims embarks on his first season as a head football coach, the man who doubles as Howard Payne athletic director has loaded the coaching staff with assistants rich in experience as the Yellow Jackets look to reverse a decade’s worth of struggles. “We are staffed stronger than we’ve ever been before,” Sims said. “As of right now we have six full-time coaches including myself, four graduate assistants and six student assistants — guys helping us out that are in the later stages of schooling here at Howard Payne, either juniors or seniors. We’ve never been anywhere close to that coaching-wise.” Among the new additions are offensive coordinator Scott Clough, defensive coordinator Cody Gilbert and recently hired defensive assistant Cary Fowler — the former head coach at Division II Tarleton. “Scott Clough has been a college offensive coordinator the last 24 years at all levels — Division I, Division I-AA, Division II, NAIA and most recently Division III the last three years,” Sims said. “He’s been a wonderful addition to our staff and one of my mentors. He actually hired me for my first job as a graduate assistant at Angelo State. He was offensive coordinator then. His last year they had the best offense in school history. He’s been extremely successful wherever he’s been. “We also added Cody Gilbert, who is a Howard Payne alum, as our new defensive coordinator.

He brings so much energy and enthusiasm to our defense, and we’ve changed up our scheme there as well. He gets the HUNTER kids to SIMS play so hard. He’s a guy that everybody loves and a guy that gets respect. “The biggest home run is our most recent hire, Cary Fowler, who has been the head coach at Tarleton the last five or six years. He’s been a part of two conference championships as a defensive coordinator and as a head coach. He saw we had a job opening and Stephenville to Brownwood is definitely commutable, so that definitely helped us. One of the things I’m doing is leaning on him for some guidance and some mentorship. He’s been in the Lone Star Conference the last 15-18 years.” New coordinators also means new schemes, both offensively and defensively. “The last few years we’ve been pretty much a tempo offense and we’re going to trail that back a little bit and be a lot more 20 and 21 personnel and a lot more of an NFL style of offense,” Sims said. “We feel that’s a good change for us and something the kids feel

DERRICK STUCKLY | BULLETIN FILE PHOTO

Caisson Monteith (10) and the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets open their first season under new head coach Hunter Sims on Sept. 3 as they host Southwestern HPU, 37 Assemblies of God.

Jackets Glimpse • HEAD COACH Hunter Sims (1st season as head coach at school, 0-0 record; 1st season overall, 0-0 career record) • ASSISTANT COACHES Scott Clough (offensive coordinator), Cody Gilbert (defensive coordinator), Lance Unger (offensive line), Cary Fowler (linebackers), Guy Ament (defensive line), Brandon Helm (defense)

• LAST CONFERENCE TITLE 1995 • LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE 1995 • PLAYERS RETURNING 62 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5

American Southwest Conference

• DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Cyle Johnson (LG), William Rangel-Alfaro (WR), Arnoldo Nandin (FB), Tracy Morrison (WR), Jason Disney (LB), Justin Willis (DE), Kris Mack (DB), Britt Boler (SS), John Cummings (KR), Isaac Sanchez (LB), Abner Reyes (DL)

2015 Record: 1-9, 1-4

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

EARLY LONGHORNS

Sandford, ’Horns looking for first playoff berth since ’08 BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

EARLY — Bidding for their first postseason berth since 2008, the Early Longhorns take their second crack at the playoffs under head coach Blake Sandford. Sandford inherited the job of head football coach and athletic director in the summer of 2015 with little time to prepare for his first campaign, and the Longhorns finished with a 2-8 overall record and 1-5 mark in District 3-3A Division I action. With a full year as head coach under his belt, and a revamped staff as well, Sandford is eagerly embracing the challenge of the 2016 season. “We had a great offseason,” Sandford said. “The weight training was great, the speed development was great. They’re quicker, faster and stronger than they were before. We started implementing some offense and defense in the spring. It was nice going into 7-on-7, the little bit we played this summer, and showing off the offense and a little bit of the defense and just the general awareness of what we’re trying to

do as a program. It’s also been nice during two-a-days because the learning curve is not as big as it was last year.” Dale Trompler returns as the offensive coordinator for the Longhorns while Josh Lehde has taken over as defensive coordinaBLAKE tor. Sandford has SANDFORD also made other alterations to the staff. “Coach Trompler was here last year but now he’s really able to dive in to the things he likes doing with the spread offensive attack,” Sandford said. “Coach Lehde was also on staff last year and this will be an opportunity for him to get his feet wet on the defensive side. “We were able to hire Todd Hatton from Eastland and he’ll be our receivers coach

District 3-3A Division I

and Todd Palmer from Nacogdoches High will be our O-line coach. We’ve added Rusty Clippinger as a defensive coach along with Mark Callison, Jacob Spivey and Doug Kent. Coach (Mike) Sharp is coaching running backs and he’s done a great job with those guys and Coach (Justin) Moore is still working with our linebackers and doing a good job. It’s been a good staff of guys banding together. They’re working well together. That’s what’s exciting to me, to watch them work with our kids and the passion they have. You can only go so far without passion and that transcends to the kids and they feed off that energy.” The coaching staff has also modified the base schemes for the Longhorns. “The basic premise on offense is the same, we’re just adding more tweaks to it, trying to perfect the throwing and catching end of it on the passing game,” Sandford said. “But the basic premise of the zone option and all that stuff is still there. “The defense is going to be a little bit different. We’re going to try and work more man coverage into secondary. The

Longhorns Glimpse • HEAD COACH Blake Sandford (2nd season at school, 2-8 record; 2nd season overall, 2-8 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2007 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2008 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 15 • LETTERMEN LOST 21 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Drew Sessler (WR/DB), Griffin Ehlers (WR/LB), Christian Alcorta (RB/LB), Trace Evans (QB/DB), Hayden Barker (OL/DL), Miguel Elizondo (RB/LB), Tyler Kirkland (QB/DL), Eric Diehl (OL/ LB), Ty Shafer (WR/DL), Devyn Barnes (WR/DB), Hayden Turner (RB)

EARLY, 32

2015 Record: 2-8, 1-5

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BANGS DRAGONS

Dragons aim for improvement in Bird’s second season BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BANGS — For nine months, the Bangs Dragons have attempted to forget the struggles of an 0-10 campaign, while working to ensure the same fate never happens again. Afforded more than a few weeks to prepare for the 2016 season, and with a better grasp of the talent at his disposal, second-year head coach Jim P. Bird is eager to rebuild the program. “It’s a lot easier in the sense that you know the kids’ names and faces and they know yours,” said Bird, who was hired a little more than a month before the 2015 season commenced. “That familiarity is helpful. Then you throw in a year’s worth of work that you got in prior to the season starting, so it’s been a lot easier from that perspective. We feel a lot more settled in at this point than we were last year.” Bird has brought in a crew of new assistants to help turn around the program, including his father — Jim E. Bird. “I’m super pleased and excited about the staff that we’ve got, “ Bird said. “We were

JIM P. BIRD

able to bring on some guys, my dad being one of them who brings almost a half century of experience to the table. He’s been to the state finals five times and won a couple of them, one as a head coach and one as a coordinator. I’ve grown up watching him and his staff and how they’ve done things. He helps us tremendously in a bunch of

different areas. “We also brought on Beau Burnett, he coached at Seymour when they went to the finals. He’s a hard-working go-getter. And Logan Galloway, me and my dad coached him at Groveton in 2010 and watched him grow up. We know exactly where he comes from and what he’s made of.” Bird added the cohesion within the

District 4-3A Division I

coaching staff has improved, which could lead to better results on the field. “We needed to add proven guys to the staff that we were familiar with and we knew were going to work real hard, care a lot and love the kids,” Bird said. “The guys that are still here from last year and the new ones have melted together really nice. That’s one of the hard things when you come in late, it’s very unsettling for everybody and because of that you don’t really have the unity that you would like to have, so at this point we’re super excited and having a good time together. We enjoy being around one another and that’s enormous. You can’t put a price on that.” The Dragons return just three starters on each side of the ball from last season, which allows for a fresh start in many ways. But those players who are returning have taken ownership of the team. “The thing that’s the most encouraging about this group is we have a really good group of leaders stepping up, older kids who are taking the reins and that’s something every team has to have in order BANGS, 34

Dragons Glimpse • HEAD COACH Jim P. Bird (2nd season at school, 0-10 record; 3rd season overall, 3-17 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 8 • LETTERMEN LOST 12 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Colton Brewer (QB/DB), Tanner James (TE/DE), Brian Sterling (RB/LB), Jack Tomme (DE), Terick Flores (RB/DB), Zach Zink (OL/DL), Kadon Richards (WR/DB), Trett Mitchell (WR/DB), Kadon Allen (WR/DB), Chase Phelps (RB/ LB), Ethan Gravell (OL/DL)

2015 Record: 0-10, 0-6

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BLANKET TIGERS

Blanket moves up, still eyes fifth straight playoff trip

BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BLANKET — The Blanket Tigers are in the midst of a string of four consecutive postseason appearances. Returning to the playoffs for the fifth year in a row will be a considerable chore, however, with a pair of Top 5 teams residing with the Tigers in the new District 10-A Division I. The Tigers are back in Class A Division I after spending the last four seasons in the Division II ranks, where Blanket earned a district championship as recently as 2014. Greeting the Tigers in their district upon their Division I return are the No. 1 Jonesboro Eagles and No. 3 Zephyr Bulldogs, along with the Evant Elks. “We have four good football teams in this district, two of them exceptional, and we’re going to have to beat a great team to get in the playoffs,” said Blanket head coach Tyler Tabor. “And we accept that challenge. Our expectations are always to get in the playoffs and have a chance to keep playing.”

TYLER TABOR

Blanket welcomes back four starters on each side of the ball from a 4-8 team that advanced to the second round of the playoffs, stunning Loraine by a 101-99 count in the bi-district round. Key contributors back from that squad include Eddie Hernandez, Luke Kinkade, Noah Vanecek, Blake Hood, Mark Lopez and Quinton Alexan-

der, among others. “Eddie was an all-state linebacker that’s returning, Blake was an all-region tight end and Luke was an all-district linebacker,” Tabor said. “Noah is a tight end/defensive end that’s returning, Mark is back at center and Quinton was an all-district defensive

District 10-A Division I

back and receiver last year. “We’ve got some good returning players and we expect a lot out of them, and we also have some up and coming speed guys.” Tabor added that the strength of the Tigers is their quickness and speed, along with the experienced players returning, while areas of concern included a lack of size, lack of depth and the search for a quarterback. “We lost our quarterback and our backup quarterback, so we have to find someone who is going to be our trigger guy,” Tabor said. “That worries me. To lose two quarterbacks in the same year, either we have to use someone real young there or move someone around, and right now we’re looking at moving an experienced guy who hasn’t played quarterback into that spot. We have to find the trigger man on offense that’s going to be consistent, take care of the ball and distribute the ball. So we’ll be doing some things differently on offense. BLANKET, 39

Tigers Glimpse • HEAD COACH Tyler Tabor (6th season at school, 2828 record; 45-41 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 14 • LETTERMEN LOST 2 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Eddie Hernandez (RB/LB), Luke Kinkade (RB/DB), Blake Hood (TE/ DE), Quinton Alexander (RB/CB), Mark Lopez (C/LB), Justin Wilson (QB/DB)

2015 Record: 4-8, 2-1

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

MAY TIGERS

Steele expects May to be in ‘dogfight’ for playoff berth BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

MAY — The May Tigers again received no favors in the UIL’s biennial realignment as another stellar field awaits head coach Craig Steele’s squad in the revamped District 11-A Division I. Coming off back-to-back Class A Division I state championship game appearances in 2013 and 2014, the Tigers finished 6-5 a year ago and second in the district race. With three offensive and four defensive starters back from that squad, the Tigers will again square off with familiar opponents in the Gordon Longhorns and Lingleville Cardinals in District 11-A Division I competition. May will also face a new challenge in the Gorman Panthers, who went 9-0 with an outlaw schedule last year in their first season at the six-man level. “It’s going to be a dogfight,” said Steele, who carries a 90-46 record into his 13th season at May. “Gorman, from an athletic standpoint, from what I’ve seen on film they probably have the upper hand. We saw them in 6-on-6 and they’re very athlet-

CRAIG STEELE

ic. Gordon is going to be very wellcoached and playing that game at Gordon is going to be difficult. Lingleville is as physically talented as anyone around, they just haven’t put it together yet. If they put it together, teams are going to be in trouble.” While a district championship would always be welcome in May, that’s not the pri-

mary goal. “We’ve got most of our kids back from last year so I would say our expectations are we’d like to win a district championship, but that’s not a must,” Steele said. “A must is getting to the playoffs. We have to peak at the right time and see where we go from there.” Among the early tasks for May will be

District 11-A Division I

replacing the production of Christian Scott and Zach Davis in the ground game, where the Tigers have thrived in recent seasons. Cameron King, Wyatt Mote, Jacob Brown and Cotton Bane are among the players who will be asked to take on an expanded work load in 2016. “Our defensive leader and also our leading receiver is coming back in Cameron King, and we expect big things from him,” Steele said. “Wyatt Mote is at quarterback and Jacob Brown is taking over that spot Zach Davis played for us on offense and defense, so he has his work cut out for him but he’s up to the challenge. Cotton Bane has worked extremely hard this summer and he looks better than he ever has before.” But the aforementioned players aren’t the only ones expected to make significant contributions throughout the season. “All our kids that are juniors played varsity at some point, so we have lots of experience,” Steele said. “We had to mix and match through injuries last year and had to use lot of kids off JV. There are not

Tigers Glimpse • HEAD COACH Craig Steele (13th season at school, 90-46 record; 13th season overall, 9046 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 8 • LETTERMEN LOST 5 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Cameron King (LB), Wyatt Mote (QB), Jacob Brown (RB), Cotton Bane (C), Rylee Baker (DE), Daniel Salinas (RB), Kaleb Simpson (CB), Dalton Self (S), Weston Chambers (RB), Austin McAbee (ATH)

MAY, 39

2015 Record: 6-5, 3-1

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

Cline takes over as Mustangs look to end playoff drought BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BROOKESMITH — Seeking its first postseason berth since 2006, Adam Cline is the latest head coach who will attempt to turn around the recent fortunes of the Broookesmith Mustangs football program. Cline spent four years as an assistant at Rankin and three years as the head coach at Hedley before arriving in Brookesmith. Cline is the 10th head coach for the Mustangs in the last 13 seasons. “The biggest challenge here has been the revolving door of coaches,” Cline said. “They have new coaches every year and it’s hard to get that buy-in. You have to gain trust before you can do anything else. That’s what I’m trying to do, while slowly implementing what we’re going to do and trying to get better every day.” The Mustangs snapped a 20-game losing streak in Game 2 of the 2015 campaign, but finished with nine straight setbacks en

ADAM CLINE

route to a 1-9 overall record. Brookesmith returns seven of 12 players from last year’s squad, and have five varsity newcomers. “Our team strength is leadership,” Cline said. “We have a good group of seniors and they were here just about every day in the summer and have worked hard. They’re doing the right things and saying

the right things. “Our biggest weakness is depth. We don’t have a lot of numbers and we’re really young after that first group. After that we have to scramble to find somebody.” Among the players to watch for Brooke-

District 12-A Division II

smith are Phoenix Burns, J.W. Smith, Cade Stephens and newcomer Mason Brummett. “Phoenix is a senior and he’s going to carry a lot of the load offensively,” Cline said. “He was all-district last year at running back. Mason came in from Richland Springs and he’s going to be our quarterback and should have a good year. J.W. will also be a senior and carry some of the load. “Defensively, we’re going to rely a lot on those two seniors and Cade, who is going to play middle linebacker for us and have a big year.” Prior to the start of district, the Mustangs will tangle with Trent, Blackwell, Veribest, Lohn, Blanket and Paint Rock. “I really want to see a grasp of the offensive and defensive systems,” Cline said of his pre-district goals. “We’re going to make mistakes, we know that. More than anything I want to see a competitive drive, see them playing hard no matter the situation — up 40 or down 40 — and doing BRROKESMITH, 39

Mustangs Glimpse • HEAD COACH Adam Cline (1st season at school, 0-0 record; career record n/a) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE n/a • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2006 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 7 • LETTERMEN LOST 5 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING n/a • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING n/a • PLAYERS TO WATCH Phoenix Burns (RB), J.W. Smith (DL), Ryder Nelson (TE), Cade Stephens (E/ LB), Mason Brummett (QB/DB)

2015 Record: 1-9, 0-3

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

‘Super high’ expectations in Zephyr after semifinal run BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

ZEPHYR — The Zephyr Bulldogs fell one victory shy of competing for the Class A Division I state championship in 2015. With five offensive and four defensive starters back from last year’s 11-3 state semifinalist squad, head coach Shannon Williams and company are eyeing the program’s first trip to a state championship game since 1988. “Expectations are super high,” Williams said. “The kids have expectations, the coaching staff has expectations, the town has expectations. That was last year’s team, though, and this year’s team is totally different and that’s something we keep talking about in the locker room. Last year was last year and this is a new year. We still have to take care of business and stay healthy, be lucky and have the breaks go our way.” Zephyr enters the season ranked No. 3 in Class A Division I by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, but the Bulldogs are not District 10-A Division I favorites. That honor was bestowed upon the No. 1

Jonesboro Eagles, who are moving up to Division I after spending the last few seasons in Division II. “Jonesboro is a pretty tough opponent,” Williams said. “We play them every year so we know what they do. SHANNON We like to play them because they play WILLIAMS our style of football. They’re going to be huge and have about 29 kids out. I expect their offensive and defense to be very disciplined and wellcoached.” Blanket, a playoff team a year ago, and Evant also comprise 10-A Division I. “Blanket lost some kids and they’re going to be little, quick and throw the ball around,” Williams said. “But if you can throw and catch in six-man you’re going to be pretty hard to stop.

District 10-A Division I

“I don’t know a whole a lot about what Evant has coming back. Coach (Phillip) Martin over there will have them ready to roll. They’re always pretty good and come into district undefeated and something always happens during district. But I expect this district to be tough.” To prepare for a deep playoff push following a potential showdown at Jonesboro Oct. 28 for the 10-A Division I title, Williams has loaded the schedule for the Bulldogs. Zephyr’s pre-district opponents include Oakwood, Granbury NCTA, Richland Springs, Santa Anna, Lingleville, Cherokee and Gorman. “Our schedule is pretty tough,” Williams said. “It starts real tough with Oakwood, which is probably a top 15 team, then Granbury NCTA is a top 3 team in their division. Richland Springs is always at the top, and we played Santa Anna last year so we know what they’ve got with a spread back that’s super quick. Lingleville is a lot better than people give them credit for. They’re like us in that they have a lot of kids that have played a long time together and they’re

Bulldogs Glimpse • HEAD COACH Shannon Williams (4th season at school, 24-12 record; career record, n/a) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2015 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 13 • LETTERMEN LOST 4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Bishop Norman (RB), Nicholas Moody (RB), Devin Williams (TE), Kason King (QB), Brayden Malloy (LB), William Simpson (DE), Kaleb Williams (C), A.J. Blackwood (LB), J.P. Gowin (FB), Robert Clark (ATH), Zack Miller (LB), Colton Edgar (G), Hayden Clark (K)

ZEPHYR, 39

2015 Record: 11-3, 3-0

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

VLA WARRIORS

Victory Life battling low numbers, stiff competition

BY RICK PHELPS

SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

After finishing the 2015 campaign with a 3-7 overall record, the Victory Life Academy Warriors are looking to rebound, despite a decrease in numbers. VLA lost several players to graduation and are heading into the season with six players. “It is not going to be easy,” said VLA head coach Christian McDaniel. “We have been drilling into their heads that a big focus is not making mistakes. It is important for them to know that they can trust themselves and each other.” Senior Montana Early, along with juniors Cody Simmons and Justin Tobias, are providing the leadership for a team that lost 25 percent of its roster. “Their leadership styles are different,” McDaniel said. “Where Cody leads by his

actions on the field, the others are on the field and off the field fired up and getting everyone in place.” McDaniel said despite a smaller team, working as a single unit will determine the outcome of this season. “They know CHRISTIAN that if they work together, as a team, McDANIEL they will be successful. Like I said, I know, and they know it is not going to be easy, but they have been working hard and will continue to work hard.”

TAPPS Six-Man Division II District 2

Victory Life opens its season Aug. 26 against Gustine at Warrior Stadium. The remainder of the Warriors’ nondistrict schedule includes a road game at Killeen Memorial (Sept. 3) followed by four straight home contests — Victory-Life Durant (Sept. 16), homecoming against Mullin (Sept. 23, and visits from Fredericksburg Heritage (Sept. 30) and Weatherford Christian (Oct. 7). TAPPS Six-Man Division II District 2 action begins Oct. 21 at Waco Live Oak followed by an Oct. 28 trip to Temple Holy Trinity. The only district home game for the Warriors is the regular season finale against Granbury NCTA on Nov. 4. Only two teams will advance to the playoffs from TAPPS Six-Man Division II District 2 as the Warriors are attempting to earn their first postseason berth since 2013.

Warriors Glimpse • HEAD COACH Christian McDaniel (2nd season at school, 3-7 record; 2nd season overall, 3-7 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2011 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2013 • LETTERMEN RETURNING n/a • LETTERMEN LOST n/a • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING n/a • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING n/a • PLAYERS TO WATCH Montana Early, Cody Simmons, Zack Frink, Steven Chambers, Justin Tobias, Josiah Noble

2015 Record: 3-7, 0-4

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

COLEMAN BLUECATS

Despite elite competition, Coleman targets historic season BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

COLEMAN — Reaching the third round of the playoffs a year ago, the Coleman Bluecats matched their deepest postseason run in program history. In 2016, the goal is to rewrite history as the Bluecats look to improve on back-to-back 11-win seasons. Head coach John Elder, who possesses a 22-3 record in his first two seasons with the Bluecats, has another loaded roster as eight offensive and nine defensive starters return from last year’s 11-2 squad. “This is the first senior-heavy team we’ve had in Coleman since I’ve been here and we’re real excited to have those guys,” Elder said. “We have a lot of returning starters, including veterans on the O-line which is going to be the anchor to our program. We’re bringing back four out of five linemen and some of those have started three years in a row. We also have some good skill kids in Bryson Hammonds, Terren Holloway, Denton Allen and Riley Harris.” The Bluecats averaged 39 points and surrendered 21 per game a year ago. Ham-

monds, at quarterback, rushed for 1,452 yards and 22 touchdowns while passing for 1,211 yards and 19 scores. Meanwhile, the defense was led by Harris’ 117 tackles, six sacks and two interceptions from his linebacker position. JOHN Based on the success of the last two ELDER seasons, and the number of starters returning, expectations are as high as they’ve ever been in Coleman — and the Bluecats are the ones leading the charge. “There’s always pressure once you make a good run and you bring a lot of kids back,” Elder said. “But to us, we were kind of disappointed in the way last year ended. The kids feel like they could have showed up better (in a 37-0 third-round loss to Idalou), but it is what it is. They’ve been

District 4-3A Division II

hungry all year. They’ve put the pressure on themselves, but with the senior leadership we have they can carry a lot of pressure. It’s not a nerve racking pressure, it’s more of a hunger.” Before the Bluecats can focus on the playoffs they must first survive District 4-3A Division II, which has been considered by many as the toughest league in the state for that particular classification. Coleman, Cisco, Eastland, Tolar and Dublin all made the playoffs a year ago, while Bangs is also in the mix. In Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, Cisco — which fell to Coleman, 34-28, in double overtime in the second round of the playoffs — is considered the district favorite. But in TheOldCoach.com’s Friday Night Football magazine, Coleman gets the nod and a No. 7 state ranking. “It’s a very tough district and we have a tough pre-district schedule as well,” Elder said. “Maybe we’ll be bulked up enough to be able to handle a brutal district, but we’re up for it. That’s where you want to be, right in the mix of it every week with a chance

Bluecats Glimpse • HEAD COACH John Elder (3rd season at school, 22-3 record; 3rd season overall, 22-3 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 21 • LETTERMEN LOST 10 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 8 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 9 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Bryson Hammonds (QB/LB), Walt Arnold (C), Dylan Robles (OL), Riley Harris (LB), Trey Sartain (DE), Terren Holloway (RB), Denton Allen (DB), Dave Wakefield (DL), Cayden Stefley (LB), Jose Cruz (LB), Saul Garza (DB), Ian Tinkersley (OL) Darrian Hunter (WR)

COLEMAN, 34

2015 Record: 11-2, 4-1

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

COMANCHE INDIANS

Comanche eyes continued success with return to Region I BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

COMANCHE — Chasing the program’s first district championship since 2000, the Comanche Indians return to a neighborhood they’re familiar with after venturing east the past two seasons. Despite qualifying for the playoffs both seasons in a district that featured Glen Rose, Grandview, West, Hillsboro, McGregor and Whitney, head coach Stephen Hermesmeyer is pleased to be back in Region I. “We saw some talented players, and no disrespect to the other district we were in, but this district is a little more like us,” Hermesmeyer said, referring to the revamped District 3-3A Division I that includes Brady, Clyde, Early, Jim Ned and Merkel. “There will be tough challenges every week in this district. We’re happy to be back in this area and to play the style of West Texas football we’re accustomed to.” While the Indians have reached the postseason three years in a row, a playoff victory has eluded Comanche. The Indians fell to Rockdale in the bi-district round each of the last two seasons, while Bangs ended Comanche’s campaign in the first round of

the playoffs in 2013. The Indians — who are picked to place third in 3-3A Division I behind Brady and Clyde by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine — return just three offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s 5-6 squad. STEPHEN “We’ve got a HERMESMEYER bunch of young kids coming up off a JV bunch that was successful last year,” Hermesmeyer said. “We’re hoping to fill some holes but they’re going to have to grow up in a hurry. We’re excited about the attitude the kids showed up with. We had a great summer, the kids worked hard, and they’ve shown up in good shape, looking great. They’ve been up tempo with a great attitude and we’ve loved what we’ve seen so far.” Among the returners to watch are sophomore safety Kade Mercer, who as a fresh-

District 3-3A Division I

man tallied 104 tackles, including three for loss, with two interceptions, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups and a safety. Linebacker Bryce Massingill is back after recording 62 tackles and two sacks a year ago, while Ty McCullogh picked off three passes. Offensively, Mercer will likely lead the ground attack while top receiving targets for the Indians will be tight end Angel Garza and McCullough at receiver. Quarterback Bronte Hermesmeyer will likely be behind center in the opener, while Pedro Bernal will anchor the offensive line. The Indians averaged 26 points and yielded 22 points per outing a year ago. “Angel is a returning starter at tight end and defensive end,” Hermesmeyer said. “Pedro is a great offensive lineman as well as a defensive lineman, and Ty McCullough is a great wide receiver and defensive back. Kade was a freshman last year and was on the all-Big Country team, so we’re excited about the kids coming back.” While the defensive side of the ball possesses the most experience, adapting to a new scheme will be critical to the success of the unit. COMANCHE, 32

Indians Glimpse • HEAD COACH Stephen Hermesmeyer (5th season at school, 20-23 record; 45-44 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2000 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 14 • LETTERMEN LOST 12 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Pedro Bernal (OL/DL), Ty McCullough (DB), Zach Williams (RB/DB), Bronte Hermesmeyer (QB/DB), Emiliono Jimenez (OL/DE), Kade Mercer (RB/S), Ezequerel Campos (OL), Angel Garza (TE), Michael Constancia (WR/DB), Ethan Wilson (RB/DB)

2015 Record: 5-6, 4-2

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Supports all area athletes and students. WALMART - BROWNWOOD 643-9727 • 401 West Commerce WALMART.COM

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GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES

Goldthwaite must stay healthy to continue playoff streak BY MIKE LEE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

GOLDTHWAITE — Staying healthy is always a requirement for success for smalltown football teams simply because they don’t have much depth. It’s especially true for the Goldthwaite Eagles this year. Junior tailback Quaid Seward missed most of last season with a broken leg, and missed half of the 2013 season with back and shoulder ailments. Senior fullback/Hback Kendel Hopper has missed the last two seasons with shoulder and knee injuries. Defensive back Jacob Williams missed practically all of last season with a broken collarbone. Senior lineman Gus Perez missed last season with a back injury, and junior lineman Hagen Hohertz started the 2015 season late because of an injury. Also, with a half-dozen younger players choosing not to play football this year, the Eagles opened practices with 35 players. “Last year we had 30 players just on the varsity. This year we’re cutting it down to 22 in order to keep our JV team going. So

there’s not a lot of depth,” said thirdyear head coach Greg Proffitt. “If we stay healthy, we’ll have a chance. We won’t have to shuttle players around to different positons.” If the Eagles can remain healthy, they could enjoy GREG similar success to PROFFITT last year, when they finished 10-3, won the District 7-2A Division I championship and advanced to the regional round of the postseason. Goldthwaite returns 13 starters from 2015. There was no struggling transition last year despite installing a new offense with a new quarterback and welcoming a new defensive coordinator. After a 2-2 start, Goldthwaite reeled of eight straight wins before falling to Crawford in the playoffs.

District 7-2A Division I

New quarterback Hunter Parrish ran the new pistol offense effectively, amassing 3,223 yards and 39 touchdowns combined rushing and passing. After allowing 44 points to Mason in Week 4, new defensive coordinator Andy Howard’s unit allowed only 11 points per game during the eightgame win streak. Now the job is to keep the momentum going and gain a 13th consecutive playoff berth. Parrish, the District 7-2A DI MVP last year, was a senior. So was middle linebacker Jansen Head, the district’s Defensive MVP. “We lost some seniors that had played in a lot of games. A lot of guys are going to have to step into starting roles and fill the holes, but the cupboard is not bare,” Proffitt said. “More than anything, we’ve got to develop some leaders. “We are farther ahead this year because the players are familiar with the offense and defense.” A key reason the Eagles doubled their win total last year was a plus-9 turnover ratio. They had a minus-5 turnover ratio

Eagles Glimpse • HEAD COACH Greg Proffitt (3rd season at school, 15-9 record; 3rd season overall, 15-9 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2015 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 15 • LETTERMEN LOST 8 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 7 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 6 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Quaid Seward (RB), Jaydon West (RB/ LB) Zac Gaspar (WR/LB), Aris Shelton (LB), Christian Valencia (WR/DB), Hagen Hohertz (OL), Leo Garcia (DB), Ryan Elderton (OL), Trevor Horton (OL), Coleton Watson (DL)

GOLDTHWAITE, 34

2015 Record: 10-3, 5-0

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

San Saba counting on improved defense in playoff quest BY MIKE LEE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

SAN SABA — The San Saba Armadillos hope better depth, a veteran line and an improved defense will help them contend for a Class 2A Division I playoff berth. The Armadillos dropped a level in the UIL realignment in 2012 after establishing a school record by winning a playoff game in three consecutive seasons in the former Class 2A, currently Class 3A. But since dropping in 2012, San Saba has lost 30 of 40 games and not made the playoffs. San Saba returns six offensive and six defensive starters from last year’s 2-8 team that didn’t win a district game. The Armadillos lost their final six games after a 2-2 start. To earn one of the four playoff berths from District 7-2A Division I this year, the Armadillos will have to contend with Crawford, a state semifinalist last year; Goldthwaite, a 10-win team last year; Hico, which has made the playoffs four consecutive years; and De Leon, which has the brightest young star in the district in sophomore quarterback Kevin Yeager. “Any time you add Crawford and Valley Mills to an already tough district, it makes it very tough,” eighth-year San Saba head coach Jeff Pannell said. “Crawford, Hico, Goldthwaite and De Leon are probably the

favorites. We’d like to be in that playoff mix with those guys.” A big key for San Saba is improving a defense that last year allowed 34 points per game and allowed 31 or more points seven times. The potential JEFF improvement begins up front with PANNELL nose guard Daniel Aragon, a 5-foot-9, 215-pound senior who last year logged 88 tackles and four fumble recoveries. He’ll be joined in the defensive line by senior tackles Zayne Rhodes (6-4, 250) and AJ Cazares. Rhodes made 33 stops last year. “Our defense has a chance to be as good as it has been in a while,” Pannell said. “We have pretty good speed on defense.” The two projected defensive ends — Joseph Watson and Clayton Pierce — are sophomores. Two of the three projected starters at linebacker — Erik Argote and Carter Turner — also are sophomores, and will be joined by senior Nick Branham. Junior linebacker Josh Lambert (6-0, 170)

District 7-2A Division I

will eventually start on defense for the third straight year, but not until he recovers from a broken foot suffered during the summer. Pannell hopes to have Lambert, who made 58 tackles last year, back before the district opener Sept. 23 at Valley Mills. An all-senior secondary will include cornerbacks Payton Gage and Dalton Pierce, along with safeties Bryce Lewis and Chase Turner. Gage intercepted four passes last year while Pierce made 33 tackles. “The key to our team is how our offensive and defensive lines perform,” Pannell said. “We’re deeper, bigger, faster, stronger and more experienced in our line. We’re keeping things pretty basic on offense, and our linemen are very knowledgeable.” Aragon at center, Rhodes at right tackle and Cazares at left tackle will anchor the Armadillos’ offensive line. Aragon is a third-year starter. Junior Ernesto Aguirre is the projected starter at left guard while sophomores Clayton Pierce and Junior Jaimes will play at right guard. The top three wide receivers — Lewis, Dalton Pierce and Chase Turner — are seniors. Watson is the projected starter at tight end. Lambert will play tailback when he returns. Until then, Gage and senior Ian Saint will see time at tailback. Gage, who caught SAN SABA, 34

Armadillos Glimpse • HEAD COACH Jeff Pannell (8th season at school, 3345 record; 8th season overall, 33-45 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2012 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2012 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 18 • LETTERMEN LOST 6 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 6 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 6 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Daniel Aragon (OL/DL), Kadyn Saiz (TE/DB), Jose Guerrero (FB/LB), Payton Gaige (WR/DB), Josh Lambert (RB/LB), Ernesto Agguire (OL/DL), Eric Argote (FB/LB), Chase Turner (QB), Bryce Lewis (WR/DB), Zayne Rhodes (OL/DL), Ian Saint (RB/DB), A.J. Cazares (OL/DL), A.J. Paidez (OL/DL), Dalton Pielle (WR/LB), Joseph Watson (OL/DE)

2015 Record: 2-8, 0-5

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS

Experienced Mountaineers seek third straight playoff trip BY MIKE LEE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

SANTA ANNA — The Santa Anna Mountaineers hope four returning starters on each side of the football, minus the head-coaching transition of last year, will produce a third consecutive six-man playoff berth. Tom McVey is entering his second season as head coach and thinks his program is more established than a year ago. “I definitely know who the hard workers are and what kids I can count on,” said McVey, whose first Santa Anna team finished 7-4 last year. “The kids are more confident with the offense and defense, and they know what to expect from the coaches. It was hard for them to believe in our system last year when they didn’t really know us. “Last year we ran and ran and ran to the point that the kids thought I had lost my mind. But six-man is a fast game, and you’ve got to be in good physical condition. When we beat Mullin (108-96 in Week 2), they saw what I was talking about and

began to believe in our conditioning program.” Santa Anna finished second to Zephyr in district last year, but lost to Rochelle in bidistrict. The Mountaineers are 31-14 over the last four seasons. TOM Despite the overall returning experiMcVEY ence, holes in the lineup left by graduation must be filled by sophomores or players with little or no varsity experience. The Mountaineers’ offense that averaged 52 points per game last year returns key players in senior running backs/spreadbacks Jacob Herrod and Guy Watts. Herrod rushed for 1,612 yards and 35 touchdowns last year, giving the 170-pounder 3,662 yards and 70 TDs over the last two seasons. Herrod also passed for 519 yards and

District 8-A Division I

20 TDs on just 32 completions last season. The 180-pound Watts added 1,087 yards and 16 TDs rushing last year. D.J. Mattes, a 140-pound junior, will provide experience at receiver and running back. Senior end/center Carson Keeney (60, 185) was a part-time starter last year. The remainder of the offensive lineup will be filled by newcomers. Sophomore Alex Crowder is the top quarterback candidate. He was called up to the varsity after the JV completed its 2015 season. Junior center Mateo Lara and junior end Luis Olguin will likely step into starting roles this season. Defensively, Mattes returns at cornerback after making 92 tackles last year. Herrod is back at linebacker, and Watts also returns, although he may move from linebacker to cornerback Crowder is projected to start at cornerback while Keeney could fill a defensive line spot. Santa Anna allowed 42 points per game last year, including 104 points to Zephyr and 96 to Mullin.

Mountaineers Glimpse • HEAD COACH Tom McVey (2nd season at school, 7-4 record; 14th season as a head, career record, n/a) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2012 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 15 • LETTERMEN LOST 4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Jacob Herrod (RB), Guy Watts (QB), D.J. Mattes (DB), Mateo Lara (OL), Alex Crowder (QB)

SANTA ANNA, 37

2015 Record: 7-4, 2-1

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RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES

Coyotes target program’s eighth state championship BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

RICHLAND SPRINGS — Adding to their state record with a seventh six-man state championship in 2015 — all of which have been earned since 2004 — expectations are as high as ever in Richland Springs. With another preseason No. 1 ranking and one of the deepest rosters of head coach Jerry Burkhart’s tenure, the Coyotes are in prime position to compete for an eighth state crown. But Burkhart, who possesses a 170-8 record at Richland Springs, and the rest of the Coyotes are taking nothing for granted. “One thing we’ve been really focusing on is staying humble and staying hungry,” Burkhart said. “We tell them just because you have Coyotes across your chest doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again. God blessed us last year, we won the state championship and were very excited, but as soon as spring hit we knew it was a new season and our kids have been busting their tails since then and had a great summer program. ”

JERRY BURKHART

Richland Springs boasts a 19-player varsity roster, and almost all are expected to contribute throughout the season. “This is a good crew,” Burkhart said. “We have 19 kids out and as far as backups go, this is one of the best years we’ve had. We can take one kid out and put another one in and we don’t fall off

very much.” Burkhart also believes the 2016 edition of Coyotes is one of the closest teams he’s coached. “We started an FCA group last year and it’s been very good for the morale of our school and the morale of the team,” Burkhart said. “They’ve really come together. They go to church together, they’re having Bible studies together, they’re doing

District 13-A Division II

everything together. Everything they do is team-oriented and that’s a good thing. They’re like a band of brothers that have each other’s back.” The Coyotes again enter a season with a bulls-eye on their backs, which is nothing new for a program that has spent the majority of the last 12 years atop the state rankings. “We know teams are coming after us and want to knock us off,” Burkhart said. “We’re playing some top-ranked teams early in the season. We know we have to prepare each week like it’s a state championship. We tell the kids we’re not asking for perfection, but we are asking to get better every day.” Richland Springs’ pre-district schedule features Paducah, Zephyr, Austin Hill Country, High Island, Sterling City and Trinidad. “My big deal is complacency,” Burkhart said. “Everybody is talking about us being No. 1 and picked to win a state championship, but nothing is guaranteed. We have to make sure we prepare, study film a lot

Coyotes Glimpse • HEAD COACH Jerry Burkhart (14th season at school, 170-8 record; 15th season overall, 174-14 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2015 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 10 • LETTERMEN LOST 2 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Walker Tippie (RB), Jordan Burkhart (QB), Hutton Lusty (LB), J.B. Salinas (C), Colt Carlisle (OL), Cameron Parham (ATH), Traven Day (C), Brandon Tharp (LB), Jeremy Martin (DT), Cody Pardy (WR), Jared Martin (WR)

RICHLAND SPRINGS, 37

2015 Record: 15-0, 4-0

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RISING STAR WILDCATS

In pursuit of district encore, Rising Star hits reset button BY DERRICK STUCKLY BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

RISING STAR — The 2015 season resulted in the Rising Star Wildcats earning their first district championship since dropping down to the six-man ranks — but the majority of last year’s roster has graduated. As the 2016 campaign arrives, almost everything — league rivals, starters on both sides of the ball, the head coach and the logo — has changed except the overall goal of winning a second consecutive district title. Randy Jones enters his 34th year as a coach — with 16 years experience as a head coach in 11-man to go along with eight seasons in six-man — as he has taken over a Rising Star program that posted a 7-5 record a year ago, while also serving double duty as the principal.

“I came here to Rising Star because they offered me both the principal’s job and the head coaching job,” Jones said. “I’m close enough to retirement where I want to put five years into doing something I enjoy that’s fun. They gave me the opportunity RANDY and we’re going to JONES see what we can do with it.” Jones most recently coached for three seasons as an assistant under his son, Bryan Jones, at Coolidge where the Yellow Jackets posted an 8-2 record last season.

District 11-A Division II

“We lost to the (Class A Division I) state champions (Abbott, 46-32) and the only team to beat the state champions (Milford, 45-43),” Jones said. “It was one of those years, but we had three kids go off to college. “We averaged almost 55 points a game and gave up only 187 points the whole year, which was second in the state, but we had 31 kids.” Rising Star will likely suit up 15 players and very few have played significant snaps in a varsity game. “We do have a bunch of kids that are just as green as green can be, but their attitudes are good,” Jones said. “We changed our logo a little bit so the kids can have their own brand. They don’t have to live in the past of the old brand, and there’s nothing RISING STAR, 32

Wildcats Glimpse • HEAD COACH Randy Jones (1st season at school, 0-0; 24th season as head coach, career record, n/a) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2015 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2015 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 6 • LETTERMEN LOST 8 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 1 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 1 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Micah Carney (C/DE), Daniel Martinez (RB), Gavin Brumley (E/DE), Christian Lebron (RB/ CB), Ernesto Reyes (RB/CB)

2015 Record: 7-5, 3-0

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

MULLIN BULLDOGS

Mullin seeks postseason return in new district BY MIKE LEE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

MULLIN — A wide-open district and improved numbers should help the Mullin Bulldogs in their quest to end a one-year absence from the Class A Division II playoffs. Even with a dozen players — about three more than usual — staying healthy is always a key to success in six-man football. “We would have made the playoffs last year if we had stayed healthy. We were leading Cherokee (in the playoff-deciding game) 30-6 before we got two of our running backs injured,” veteran Mullin coach Benny Weaver said. Mullin eventually lost to Cherokee 75-36, and the Bulldogs were forced to forfeit a district game because injuries led to a lack of players. Mullin eventually finished 4-6 last season. Weaver has witnessed both sides of the injury situation in six-man football, where depth is a rare asset. In 2014 he had only seven players, but they all remained healthy and the Bulldogs ended a five-year

playoff drought. Mullin lacks experience this season with just five returning starters, but the UIL realignment improved the Bulldogs’ playoff hopes by moving Richland Springs to another district. Richland Springs is the defending BENNY Class A Division II WEAVER state champion with seven state titles in the last 12 years. Instead, Mullin is now in District 12-A Division II with Panther Creek, Sidney, Gustine and Brookesmith. Those five teams combined for a 15-35 record last year and none made the playoffs. The only one of the five to finish with a winning record (Sidney) has a new coach. “With Richland Springs in the district, the rest of us were playing for second place,”

District 12-A Division II

Weaver said. “Now it’s wide open. We feel pretty good about our situation if we can develop five or six players. “We’re still young. We’ll start four freshmen and sophomores on offense and three on defense. We’ll work slowly to develop them and come on strong at the end, I hope. It’ll be a learning experience, but we hope to be where we need to be by district.” The Bulldogs have six non-district games in which to develop the younger players. Offensively, 140-pound junior Ricky Dela Rosa is expected to take over at quarterback after overcoming injuries to make alldistrict at defensive back last year. Jacob Lavy, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound senior, is a big target at tight end, and he may help in the backfield. Newcomers will fill out the backfield, including freshman Kameron Spivey and sophomore transfer Jiles Wooton. “Our quarterbacks and running backs are pretty much interchangeable. I like to do that so if we get somebody hurt, we can move somebody in there with some experi-

Bulldogs Glimpse • HEAD COACH Benny Weaver • LAST DISTRICT TITLE n/a • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 3 • LETTERMEN LOST 4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Ricky Dela Rosa (QB/DE), Kameron Spivey (RB/DB), Bryer Williams (C/ NG), Jiles Wooton (RB/DB), Jackson Wooton (TE/LB), Jace Porter (E/DE), Jacob Lavy (TE/DL), Skyler Smith (L/ DL) Alex Porter (C/DE), Bobby Salinas (C/LB)

MULLIN, 34

2015 Record: 4-6, 2-2

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

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SIDNEY EAGLES

New coach, new district raise Sidney’s playoff hopes BY MIKE LEE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

SIDNEY — New Sidney coach Darin Barrow will field a young team this season, but he hopes a wide-open district will help the Eagles end a four-year absence from the six-man playoffs. The Eagles finished 7-3 last season, but missed the playoffs after district losses to Blanket, 51-12, and Rising Star, 98-50. Despite the playoff miss, the seven wins under former coach Gary Beam were an improvement, especially considering the Eagles were forced to cancel their 2013 season after injuries depleted an alreadythin roster. Barrow, who spent the last five years on the South Plains at Cotton Center but has coaching ties to the Brownwood area, will inherit a young team that lost half its starting lineup from last year. Numbers again could be a problem, but on the optimistic side, Barrow hopes to have a dozen or so

DARIN BARROW

players. The new coach didn’t arrive at Sidney until early July. “We are very young. We’ll be relying on a lot of freshmen,” said Barrow, who previously served as head coach at Blanket for seven years and Mullin for four years. “Everybody told me numbers could be low this year, but they’re hoping a new coach will help that

situation.” It will if for no other reason than Barrow’s son, junior Austin Barrow, will join the Eagles this year. The younger Barrow is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds and figures to play running back and linebacker. “He’s

District 12-A Division II

a fullback type and a good lead blocker,” Coach Barrow said of his son. The biggest factor that should help Sidney is the realigned District 12-A Division II that lost perennial state power Richland Springs and now includes five teams that combined for a 15-35 record last year. None of the five made the playoffs in 2015 so realignment left a wide-open district race for the two playoff berths. “The district alignment is a good situation for all the teams to be competitive,” Barrow said, referring to Sidney, Brookesmith, Gustine, Mullin and Panther Creek. “If we can stay healthy, we feel like we can compete in the district. “We lost a lot of athletic talent with last year’s senior class. My understanding is that the junior high teams here have had success the last couple of years. We’re hoping those kids can continue to be successful and even build on that.” Mixed in with the youth, the Eagles hope SIDNEY, 32

Eagles Glimpse • HEAD COACH Darin Barrow (1st season at school, 0-0 record; career record, n/a) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2012 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 4 • LETTERMEN LOST 3 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Aubry Millweed (E/DE), Colton Limmer (E), Troy Sieder (C), Dennis Morales (RB), Austin Barrow (QB), Josh Kinnard (RB)

2015 Record: 7-3, 1-2

26 26

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16 PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

2016 BROWNWOOD Head Coach Kyle Maxfield 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21

Grant Fanara Dylan Hickey Jordan Ortega Tristin Revada Hunter Mares Manuel Vega Braden Jetton Caleb Hernandez McLane Moore Blaine Hughes Corleone Pressley Scout Fragua Preston Johnston Clayton Bertrand Patrick Nash Kirk Vickers Nick Salazar Crystan Wright Gavin Jefferson

GO L

Better rat

A smA mtfcu.or

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PREVIEW | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16 PIGSKINPIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 |‘16 BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

HIGH SCHOOL LIONS

ONS!

er service

hoiCe 646-4571

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 32 33 34 36 44 48 50 51 54 55 56 58 60 64 65 70 72 74 75 76 77 78

Harley Price Marlwin Perez Paul David Quillin Jeremy Brown Carson Barham Caydon Vara Joe Zapata Xavier Armenta Devonte Evetts Quincin Eagle Hunter Leonard Devon Jefferson Hayden Tunnell Hayden Donahoo Eduardo Castillo Liam McCraw Blaize Infinger Colby Coppic Chris Rangel Mitchel Doud Carson Benedict J.T. Jones Wyatt Jacobs Santanna Espinoza Dylon Sharp Kollin Seaton Paula Hinojosa George Vela Arnulfo Zacate Rylan Reagan

BROWNWOOD

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

CONTINUED FROM 2

“It was pretty obvious the first day we put on pads that we have some speed and quickness on the defensive side of the ball,” Maxfield said. “We probably have a little more experience on that side of the ball, especially up front. We’re pretty well rounded as far as team speed on defense. That’s a big strength, our quickness to the ball.” Key returnees for the Lions include defensive tackles Devon Jefferson (70 tackles, 9 for loss, 6 sacks) and Devonte Evetts (79 tackles, 8 for loss, 7 sacks, 1 INT), defensive end Corleone Pressley (34 tackles, 1 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 FR), linebackers Gavin Jefferson (78 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT) and Hayden Donahoo (61 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 1 FR), and secondary members Jeremy Brown (91 tackles, 2 for loss, 2 INTs, 2 FRs) and Crystan Wright (60 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT, 1 FR). Rounding out the defense will likely be Hayden Tunnell at the other end, Hunter Mares and Dylan Hickey at the linebacker positions and Blaine Hughes and Grant Fanara in the secondary. The Lions will be shifting from an odd front to an even under Gillispie. “Coach Gillispie runs a numbers defense and bases out of a 4-3,” Maxfield said. “A lot of the techniques are the same,just different alignments. But we’re very flexible on defense, especially with our personnel.” Offensively, the Lions are replacing four linemen, the top two receivers and the starting quarterback from last year’s unit that generated 36 points and 379 yards — 242 rushing and 137 passing — per outing. McLane Moore has emerged as the starting quarterback and has pleased Maxfield with his play during the offseason and in scrimmages. “McLane’s going to be fine,” Maxfield said. “He’s been a great leader and he’s taken it upon himself to be the quarterback that we need. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him.” Blaize Infinger is the only starter from Week 1 last season back on the offensive line, while 2015 part-time starter Wyatt Jacobs, J.T. Jones, Colby Coppic, Santanna Espinoza, Rylan Reagan and Carson Benedict have been among those vying for time. Receiver candidates include Wright and Brown, along with Pressley, Hughes, Braden Jetton, Nick Salazar, Tristan Revada and Jordan Ortega. The strength of the offense lies in the backfield where Harley Price (688 yards, 4 TDs) and Gavin Jefferson (620 yards, 12 TDs) return after stellar seasons, and could see an even heavier workload in 2016. Evetts, Devon Jefferson and newcomer Quincin Eagle could see time in the LIONS, 29

DERRICK STUCKLY | BULLETIN FILE PHOTO

Crystan Wright (right) and the Brownwood Lions defeated Graham twice last season and will visit the Steers again in Week 2.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

DERRICK STUCKLY | BULLETIN FILE PHOTO

Harley Price (22) and the Brownwood Lions averaged 36 points and 379 yards — 242 rushing and 137 passing — per game a season ago and will run a similar offense in 2016.

LIONS

CONTINUED FROM 28 backfield at fullback. “We have enough skill guys that make plays so we can spread the ball around,” Maxfield said. “We have Gavin and Harley in the backfield with a lot of experience, but at the same time I think we’re going to be able to keep people honest. McLane’s had a really good camp and he’s gaining more confidence every day, making plays and good decisions with the ball. We have a good foundation, we just have to continue to improve daily.” The Lions were primarily a run-first team last season, and Maxfield stated that won’t change. “Offensively, we’ll run a lot of the same stuff and same formations,” Maxfield said. “The terminology’s new for them but it’s basically the same plays out of different looks, a few more formations. “We’re also going to try and play fast. I’m not sure how fast they played in the past, but hopefully that’s something that will be a plus for us, how fast we’re able to run plays and getting a lot of snaps.” Though the Lions’ varsity roster is pushing close to 50 players, depth and the development of the offensive line are Maxfield’s greatest concerns heading into the season opener. “We’re lacking in depth at some positions, but there’s really nothing glaring as far as weaknesses, knock on wood, if we can stay healthy,” Maxfield said. “The guys up front are young, but we have enough size and

strength up there to eventually have a great offensive line. If you win the trenches on both sides of the ball you’re in good shape. We feel like they’re not there yet, they’re not nearly as experienced as our defensive linemen, but they’re getting better every day and they’ll eventually get there.” The Lions only have nine games on the schedule this season and no opponent is a pushover. Brownwood starts the season Aug. 26 against Class 5A Canyon at Lubbock Cooper, followed by a road trip to Graham, home games against Liberty Hill and Alvarado and the pre-district finale against Giddings at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. “Those first five games really jump out at you,” Maxfield said. “We’ve taken the philosophy from the scrimmages on that we just want to get better each week. I think that should be our goal. Canyon to Graham to Liberty Hill to Alvarado to Giddings, there’s no place to hide against those guys.Those are physical teams, athletic teams and very well-coached teams. The biggest thing is staying healthy and getting better each and every week.” District 3-4A Division I remains the same as the last two seasons with Abilene Wylie, Stephenville, Snyder and Big Spring standing between the Lions and their first district championship since 2010. “Wylie is the front-runner for obvious reasons,” Maxfield said. “They’ve been that way for a long time. Coach (Hugh) Sandifer is one of the best in the business and I have a lot of respect for him and what they’ve been able to accomplish. It seems like they’re able to reload every year and keep it rolling. “Stephenville, with Coach (Greg) Winder, they have

as much tradition as anybody. You know they’re going to get after it. I’m starting to understand how big of a rivalry that is. I knew it was, but until you get into it you really don’t know. “And there’s also new coaches at Big Spring and Snyder, so they’ll have a new look and I’m sure they’ll be playing well.” Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and TheOldCoach. com’s Friday Night Football magazines both predicted the Lions to finish second to Wylie in district competition, but again advance to the state quarterfinals — this time to face newcomer Argyle in the Region I championship game. Maxfield, meanwhile, has not put a limit on how successful he believes the Lions can be in 2016. “I feel like we can’t put a cap on it and the kids will tell you the same thing,” Maxfield said. “It’s still early enough in the season where most teams feel really good about themselves for good reason. I think the run they made last year will do nothing but help us. There’s residue left from that. “I know Brownwood has high expectations every year and I think this senior class has something to prove. Maybe they’ve been in the shadow of the class that graduated last year a little bit and some guys that haven’t had to be leaders in the past are stepping up. Sometimes it makes you nervous about filling that void, but so far our guys have risen to the challenge. They practice like it’s important to them, that’s very obvious. They’re holding each other accountable and hopefully they’ll continue to do that on the field and off on the field because that’s where leadership can really help a team.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

GRANT FANARA

DYLAN HICKEY

JORDAN ORTEGA

TRISTIN REVADA

HUNTER MARES

MANUEL VEGA

BRADEN JETTON

CALEB HERNANDEZ

McLANE MOORE

BLAINE HUGHES

CORLEONE PRESSLEY

SCOUT FRAGUA

PRESTON JOHNSTON

CLAYTON BERTRAND

PATRICK NASH

KIRK VICKERS

NICK SALAZAR

CRYSTAN WRIGHT

GAVIN JEFFERSON

HARLEY PRICE

MARLWIN PEREZ

PAUL DAVID QUILLIN

BROWNWOOD LIONS

JEREMY BROWN

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

CARSON BARHAM

CAYDON VARA

JOE ZAPATA

XAVIER ARMENTA

DEVONTE EVETTS

QUINCIN EAGLE

HUNTER LEONARD

DEVON JEFFERSON

HAYDEN TUNNELL

HAYDEN DONAHOO

EDUARDO CASTILLO

LIAM McCRAW

BLAIZE INFINGER

COLBY COPPIC

CHRIS RANGEL

CARSON BENEDICT

JT JONES

WYATT JACOBS

DALTON FAGUNDES

SANTANNA ESPINOZA

DYLON SHARP

BROWNWOOD 74

KOLLIN SEATON

PAULO HINOJOSA

LIONS

ARNULFO ZACATE

RYLAN REAGAN

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

EARLY

CONTINUED FROM 6 big emphasis with the defense was a different mindset, a more aggressive mindset.” Early returns five offensive and four defensive starters from last year’s squad. Players to watch on the offensive end include quarterbacks Trace Evans and Tyler Kirkland, running backs Hayden Turner, Miguel Elizondo, Christian Alcorta and Teddy Ozuna, receivers Drew Sessler, Devyn Burns, Abe Morris and Griffin Ehlers, and Chase Claussen, Hayden Barker, Connor Murphy and Will Donaho up front. “Trace and Tyler are fighting it out and the one that’s not at quarterback will certainly be on the field somewhere,” Sandford said. “Both have done a great job of leading the offense, directing traffic, getting people lined up and delivering the ball where they need to with our receiving corps, and we’ve got some guys that can catch very well. They get out in the open and make some plays. “Our running backs, they each have their own strengths and complement each other, and they all want the ball. And the offensive line has gotten a lot better and been a cohesive unit.” The defensive front will likely consist of Tre Hernandez at a defensive tackle, Xavier Yebra and Josh Graves at the ends, Elizondo, Ozuna and Alcorta at linebacker with a secondary featuring Turner, Sessler, Christian Mills and Mason Flippin. As for the Longhorns’ team strengths, Sandford said,

COMANCHE

CONTINUED FROM 16 “We do have a new defensive coordinator so there will be a little bit of difference in our defense because of what he

RISING STAR

CONTINUED FROM 22 wrong with it, they just need their own spot. But they’ll have to grow. You can’t get peaches off a tree when you first plant it.” Gavin Brumley is the most experienced player for the Wildcats, while Micah Carnley was tabbed the preseason defensive player of the year in District 11-A Division II by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine. Other players to watch include David Martinez, who returns to the program after a one-year hiatus, along with Ernesto Reyes and Christian Lebron. “Micah’s going to be good,” Jones said. “I’ve just known him a few weeks, but he

SIDNEY

“We have about 15 or 16 seniors that are really ready to try and turn things around here at Early. They worked real hard in the offseason and the summer to get themselves ready and to become better leaders. The leadership of our seniors is one of our plusses. “Team speed is a little bit better and our team strength is a lot better. Another year of maturity has helped our kids and I think that’s going to help us up and down the board.” When it comes to concerns, Sandford stated, “Our weakness obviously is depth. You can’t afford to lose anybody on any team anywhere in the state to injury, and that’s certainly one of our concerns. We want to make sure and keep our kids safe and healthy throughout the course of the season, especially in the early part of the season.” The Longhorns open the regular season at archrival Bangs, then face four new non-districts foes in Roscoe, Bruceville-Eddy, Tolar and Paradise. “The first few games we obviously want to come out on top, that’s a no-brainer for us, we want to win at everything we do,” Sandford said. “But I want to see us not blowing any assignments and making sure we execute everything we need to. The special teams have to do the things they’re supposed to do, the offense has to hold on to the ball and the defense has to overcome the trials and tribulations of what the other teams are doing. I want to see us answer some questions about the definition of what our football program needs to be, which is a tough mindset, grit and determination. “We’re going to start off with Bangs and honestly we want to get after them. Then we added some new teams

that Early hasn’t played in a long time if ever. We just wanted to see some different teams, go a different route. Roscoe, Bruceville-Eddy, Tolar and Paradise are teams the kids won’t have any premonitions about, just another high school team. We’re going into it blind a little bit but we’ll get good scouting reports on them and have a little fun.” The District 3-3A Division I slate then features contests against Brady, Clyde, Jim Ned, Merkel and Comanche. Four of the six teams in the district will advance to the postseason. “Brady and Clyde have been picked by a lot of people to win a lot of ball games and they were very good last year,” Sandford said. “Comanche was mighty salty last year as well, so I think our whole district, for us, it’s hard every week. I like our chances as far as getting better and giving ourselves a chance to be successful and get in the playoffs. I think we’ve closed the gap on a lot of these teams and we’ll put ourselves in position to fight for a playoff spot.” In order to the end their postseason drought, the Longhorns, according to Sandford, must, “learn how to finish ball games and not get too upset if some things don’t go our way right off the bat. We’ll need to overcome things cause the other teams will have good players and they’re going to make some plays. We’re going to have to be able to stop them and halt the damage. If the defense will play the way I think they’re capable of playing and if our offense will execute, anything can happen. I like our kids and the work ethic they’ve shown during two-a-days. They’re determined to get after it this season.”

wants to do,” Hermesmeyer said. “We’ll be close to what we’ve been doing offensively.” Among the greatest team strengths for the Indians, according to Hermesmeyer, is the camaraderie among the players. “We have great team chemistry,”

Hermesmeyer said. “The kids get along, they believe in our system and they work hard for us. We just have to stay healthy like every other team our size does. We have to get better each week and be ready when district rolls around.” Comanche will challenge Ballinger,

Coleman, Cisco, Little River-Academy and Eastland prior to the start of district action. The 3-3A Division I slate then features contests at Jim Ned, home against Merkel, at Clyde and Brady in successive weeks, then the regular season finale at home against Early.

has a great attitude. Christian is a young tailback who has battled with eligibility the last few years but he’s promised me he’s going to get it done and then some, and he can run. Ernesto is going to be a split end and he has good hands. David is back after he didn’t play last year, and Gavin is a blue-chipper. He’s almost too big for six-man but he does have good enough feet.” For the last few years, the Wildcats have been pass happy on offense, but Jones plans to use the ground game as often as possible. “I don’t mind throwing the ball, but I was a wing-T guy for a lot of years,” Jones said. “We run to throw. Last year we gained a lot of yards on the ground but scored more touchdowns through the air

because we set it up.” In the revamped 11-A Division II, the Wildcats will face Strawn, Moran and Woodson — teams that, like Rising Star, lost considerable talent to graduation. “Our district is a district we need to be in because everybody else is doing the same thing,” Jones said. “Strawn, Moran and Woodson are the same way we are — rebuilding — and that helps us. Other than that, I don’t know a lot about the district. I haven’t been out here in this area. “Dave Campbell says it’s supposed to be Strawn, us, Woodson and Moran and then someone told me Moran has some good looking kids. Woodson beat me twice in the playoffs back in 2008 and 2009 and all I remember is big ole’ boys knocking our heads off. Strawn always has a good

program, Dwain Lee does a good job over there.” Prior to district, the Wildcats will test their mettle against opponents such as Blanket, Mullin, Panther Creek, Lingleville, May, Abilene Christian and Gustine. “We have a couple of salty dogs in predistrict, Blanket and May are supposed to be good this year and we have them at the front part of the schedule before we get to district,” Jones said. “We’ll see how we come out of that mentally, physically, whatever else. Hopefully they don’t get disillusioned or hurt, just build their confidence. The biggest thing is the kids feel important in the program and not live in the past of what the kids did last year, even though that was fantastic for Rising Star.”

CONTINUED FROM 25 to have a couple of veterans in senior center Troy Seider (5-11, 225) and junior end Colton Limmer (6-0, 175). A pair of sophomores — running back Dennis Morales and end Aubry Millweed — should add some experience to the lineup. Morales made all-district last year as a special team player. Offensive help will come from four freshmen — run-

ning backs Josh Kinnard (5-10, 170) and James Tucker (5-10, 170), end Will Caffey and center Jonathon Crim. Scoring points wasn’t a problem last year as Sidney averaged 55 points per game. The Eagles scored 48 or more points eight times. Defensively, the Eagles allowed 39 points per game last season. Millweed averaged 14.5 tackles per game last year at end and was named the district’s preseason Defensive MVP by Texas Football magazine. Morales averaged 9.5 tackles per game last year at linebacker. Seider at end and Limmer at linebacker could solidify

the defense. Freshmen help will come from Kinnard, Tucker and Caffey at linebackers, and Crim at end. Sophomore Tristan Kelly, a 6-3, 180-pound guard and linebacker, is expected to miss this season because of an offseason injury. Even with a more winnable district, Sidney needs to gain some quality wins. None of the Eagles’ seven victories last year came against a team with a winning record. Their most impressive win was a 51-50 decision over Cherokee, which eventually made the playoffs but finished 5-6.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BRANDON NEWMAN

ABE MORRIS

TYLER KIRKLAND

CONNOR MURPHY

DREW SESSLER

DEVYN BURNS

ASA WELKER

CHASE KEILERS

TRE HERNANDEZ

CHRISTIAN MILLS

ZACH BURLESON

JIM FOWLER

HAYDEN TURNER

MIGUEL ELIZONDO

MASON FLIPPIN

WILL DONAHO

JOSHUA GRAVES

CHRISTIAN ALCORTA

XAVIER YEBRA

CHASE CLAWSON

EARLY

ERIC DIEHL

LONGHORNS 84

GRIFFIN EHLERS

TRACE EVANS

TEDDY OZUNA

HAYDEN BARKER

ETHAN RHODES

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BANGS

CONTINUED FROM 7 to improve on a weekly basis,” Bird said. “What we lack in experience, and we’re a little green in some areas and have some kids out that didn’t play last year, our leadership will help to cover up. The kids work hard, they’re coachable and they want to do what you tell them to do. Those things early on have been very evident.” Among the players to watch for Bangs this season are junior Colton Brewer, who begins his third season as starting quarterback. Brian Sterling, Tanner James and Trett Mitchell return at the skill positions while Zach Zink is a returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines. Newcomers to keep an eye on include Zach Allen and Kobey Hoffman. “We have a lot of new faces, we’re only returning three starters on each side from last year’s team so a lot has yet to be determined,” Bird said prior to preseason scrimmage action. “We’ve got a few faces back, but we don’t have any superstars and we don’t have to have any superstars. What we have is 25 or so guys that trust each

COLEMAN

CONTINUED FROM 15 to win a football game Friday night and that’s what we strive to do. Having a tough district, we want to hang in there, compete, stay injury-free and possibly come out with our heads above water at the end of it.”

GOLDTHWAITE

CONTINUED FROM 18 during a 5-6 finish in 2014. Goldthwaite again must find a new quarterback between junior Christian Valencia and senior Jaydan West. They were the top two receivers last year, combining for 63 catches and six touchdowns. Another delicate position is running back since Seward missed significant time last year with the leg injury. The 170-pound junior ran for 448 yards and three TDs last year when healthy. Hopper,

SAN SABA

CONTINUED FROM 23 ence at handling the ball,” said Weaver, whose offense averaged 62 points per game last year. Joining Lavy at end will be freshman Jackson Wooton, a transfer who has played 11-man ball at Goldthwaite. Soph-

ule this year is we feel like every week when we go out early on in the season we’re going to have a chance to be competitive and have a chance to win those ball games. That’s what we need is a little traction. None of them are automatic wins by any means, we’re going to have to work hard for every single win we’re able to get, but we know going in that we have a chance and that’s exciting.” When District 4-3A Division II action arrives, the Dragons are facing a more daunting challenge than they did as a member of District 3-3A Division I in 2015. League foes include Coleman, Tolar, Cisco, Eastland and Dublin — in that order — and all five opponents reached the playoffs last season. “Going into district, our schedule gradually gets tougher which is the way I’d rather have it at this point — not start out super hard and finish super hard,” Bird said. “The schedule keeps getting better as we keep getting better. We have a tough district, a lot of good teams in there, but that’s a long way from now. We’re not ready to focus on that at all. We’re focused right now on the Early Longhorns and getting ready for Week 1. Everything that we do from the first day of two-a-days until we play that first game is getting ready for that game.”

Prior to the start of 4-3A Division II action, the Bluecats will tune up against Jim Ned, Comanche, Post, Brady and Clyde. The league slate kicks off at Bangs followed by a visit from Cisco, a trip to Eastland, the home finale against Dublin and the drive to Tolar. While most teams in Class 3A Division II are an injury away from seeing their sea-

son derailed, Coleman enjoys the luxury of an uncommon amount of depth. “Our team strength is numbers,” Elder said. “Having numbers at this level is big and we’re two-deep everywhere. At every position you’ve got to have someone else that can go at any time and we do.” As impressive as Coleman looks on paper, the Bluecats aren’t flawless.

“Any weakness we have would be some kids learning new positions,” Elder said. “We also lost some impact players last year and we have to replace those and some kids are learning on the run right now. I think they’re smart enough to handle it because they’ve been in some big games and they’re mature enough to take a new position and handle it.”

junior Leo Garcia, senior Aris Shelton and sophomore Trey Patterson are other running back candidates. Whoever doesn’t play quarterback will lead the receiving corps, along with 6-foot1, 190-pound senior Zac Gaspar, who had 25 catches and five TDs last year. Varsity newcomers Kyle Schwartz, McKennon Jones (6-2, 180) and JP Gibbard (6-3, 185) are receiver prospects. The offensive line returns veterans Henry Valencia (5-10, 220), Ryan Elderton (6-0, 195), Trevor Horton (6-1, 250) and Hagen Hohertz (5-11, 200). Perez, a 220-pound senior, also returns after missing last sea-

son. Line depth, though, is a problem. Defensively, linebacker West earned all-state mention last year after making 86 tackles, including 15 for losses, forcing four fumbles and intercepting two passes. Shelton, another veteran linebacker, logged 106 tackles and three fumble recoveries last year. Hopper and Patterson figure to step into the lineup at linebacker, with help from Gibbard. The defensive line must be rebuilt around returning letterman Coleton Watson, along with Henry Valencia, Elderton, Perez, Gaspar, Horton and Hohertz. An experienced secondary is led by

Christian Valencia, who intercepted three passes last year. Garcia made 53 tackles last year as a sophomore, and Williams was starting last year before his injury. Seward has started the last two seasons when healthy. Jones and Schwartz will provide secondary depth. To defend its district title, Goldthwaite must beat Crawford, which has eliminated the Eagles from the playoffs the last two years. Crawford, a state semifinalist last year, and Valley Mills joined District 7-2A DI this year along with returning members De Leon, Goldthwaite, Hamilton, Hico and San Saba.

CONTINUED FROM 19 10 passes last year, can also play receiver. Saint ran for 123 yards and a touchdown in a limited role last year. Sophomore Ruben Parra and freshman Sean Okeefe spent the preseason vying for the starting quarterback

MULLIN

other and work hard together. We’re not going to go out and win games on account of what one kid does. We’re going to be forced to win games with what the group does, and I prefer it that way. “The motivation to be successful eternally is coming from them and that’s a positive. We still have a long way to go and the kids know that. What we sold to them and what they bought into is that we’ve got to get a little bit better every day from one week to the next. If we do that we’ll be where we want to be at the right time.” The Dragons begin their season against the Early Longhorns, who edged Bangs by an 18-16 count a year ago — a loss the Dragons haven’t forgotten. “(Early) Coach (Blake) Sandford and I got together and figured out the best way to start the year is to have a lot of intensity right off the bat,” Bird said. “We set that game for the first game of the season so that will be a fun week. We go from there to Hawley, followed by Winters, Coahoma and Jim Ned. “One of the things from last year’s schedule to this year’s schedule is last year we played a 4A school and teams that were really good earlier in our schedule. Then when the injury bug jumped on us we really didn’t have much of a chance. The thing we like about our sched-

role. “We’re a Multiple-I formation team on offense,” Pannell said. “We want to establish the run with the good offensive linemen we have and because of our inexperience at quarterback. We want to use the play-action pass to hopefully take advantage of the defense.” The Armadillos averaged just 12.9 points per game last year.

omore Bobby Salinas and freshman Alex Porter (5-11, 165) are the top candidates at center. On defense, Dela Rosa returns in the secondary, along with senior Bryer Williams at nose guard and Lavy in the line. Jackson Wooton and Alex Porter will also help in the line. Kameron Spivey and Jiles Wooton are the projected starters at linebacker.

San Saba had 50 players during the preseason, giving Pannell about 25 on the varsity instead of the usual 18 or so. Still, he lists nine two-way starters in the projected lineup. “We have more depth than we’ve had in years, but we still can’t afford many injuries,” the coach said. “Our next-man-up players need to come through to decrease the number of snaps by some of our two-way starters.”

Help also could come from Salinas and sophomore Mason Spivey at linebacker, as well as freshmen Skyler Smith (6-0, 185) and Nicholas Allyn (5-9, 175) in the line. Junior Jace Porter also is a line prospect. The Bulldogs need to improve a defense that allowed 69 points per game last year. “It seemed like we gave up 80 points a game,” Weaver said. “It seemed like it was

a basketball game every time we stepped on the field. So far we’re looking better on defense. “Not being able to go six-on-six in practice really causes a problem because we can’t show the kids exactly what they’re going to see on Friday night and how to react to it. If we have 12 players this year, we can do a better job of teaching them defensive techniques.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

STEVEN MONTGOMERY

TRETT MITCHELL

TERICK FLORES

COLTON BREWER

JUSTIN WILSON

TANNER JAMES

CASON TAYLOR

KADON RICHARDS

KEVIN BLAINE

KADEN ALLEN

ZACH ALLEN

BRIAN STERLING

MICAH EMERSON

KOBEY HOFFMAN

JOSH JOHNSON

ZACH ZINK

COLTON CLEERE

CHAD TAYLOR

PAYDEN EASON

CHASE PHELPS

EVAN GRAVELL

CASEY KETTERHAGEN

JB EOFF

CLINTON MOORE

BANGS

DRAGONS

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

HPU

CONTINUED FROM 4 strongly about and have done a good job with. “Defensively, we’re switching from a 4-2-5 to a 3-4 as our base. The 3-4 will help us because we have a lot of good athletes who are about 5-10 and 185 to 210 pounds and the more of those athletes we can get on the field the better off we’ll be.” Players to watch for the Yellow Jackets include linebackers Jason Disney, Isaac Sanchez and Britt Boler, cornerback Kris Mack, defensive tackle Abner Reyes, offensive tackle Cyle Johnson and quarterbacks Caisson Montieth and Brandon Fisk, who were in a preseason battle for the starting spot. “Isaac and Britt are both going to be sophomores but they’ve got about 18 to 20 starts between them and Disney’s started every game since he’s been here,” Sims said. “Kris Mack was a first-team all-conference player as a sophomore last year. He was second in the nation in broken up passes, somewhere in the low 20s. Abner Reyes, he’s one of our defensive lineman who’s really stepped up into a leadership role that I didn’t know he had. “The most interesting battle is going to be quarterback between Caisson Montieth and Brandon Fisk as returners and there’s also some guys coming in that can push them. I’m not necessarily concerned, I’m just interested to see how that plays out. A guy you won’t see much but is very crucial to our team is Cyle Johnson. He’s one of our tackles and he’ll be a junior this year and he’s played in every game since he’s been here. He’s our undeniable leader on the offensive line and has the most experience in game reps. We’ve also got some speed at outside receiver, more speed than we’ve had in a while, at least since I’ve been here.” Sims has been in the role of head coach since November and prior to that spent six seasons as an assistant,

RICHLAND SPRINGS CONTINUED FROM 21

harder, outwork our opponents and prepare. That’s the key. The team that prepares the best is usually the one that wins. We’re stressing a lot of fundamentals and we’re going to push them hard like we do every year. The thing about these kids is they want to get better.” The Coyotes return five starters on each side of the ball from last year’s 15-0 team. Richland Springs will have to replace Class A Division II state player of the year Bryan Salinas along with placekicker Justin Hallmark. “We lost Bryan and Justin, but a lot of kids are coming back,” Burkhart said. “Our strengths offensively are that we’re

SANTA ANNA

the last three as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Sims, a McMurry graduate, is trying to resurrect a Yellow Jacket football program that last tallied a winning season in 2005 (7-3), while their last non-losing season came in 2006 (5-5). Since 2007, Howard Payne owns a 20-70 record topping out with a trio of 4-6 campaigns. “It’s been interesting for sure seeing it from this perspective, just running a whole program with all the ins and outs,” Sims said. “Having started in November and going through a spring, it’s been good. I don’t think it’s been overwhelming by any stretch of the imagination. It’s been a really fun journey. “We have a lot of really good, experienced coaches who have worked at levels above us. They’ve made me feel more comfortable in the role I’m in now, knowing I have so many guys I can lean on and look to for advice.” A total of 165 players reported to the first preseason practice for Howard Payne, all with the goal of turning the Yellow Jackets back into a contender in the American Southwest Conference. “Our biggest strength is probably going to be their togetherness,” Sims said. “They went through a grueling spring football practice. They want to really embrace Team 111 — the 111th edition to play football at Howard Payne — and that’s something they’ve enjoyed and taken ownership of. That confidence is our biggest factor. Being honest, that was probably our biggest weakness last year. We weren’t a confident football team after the first couple of games.” Howard Payne is looking to start the season on the right foot in non-conference games against Southwestern Assemblies of God, Austin College and Wayland Baptist. “We’ve got to see them fighting as much as anything and building confidence, however those first three games shake out,” Sims said. “Football is one of those fickle games where how you start a lot of times determines the rest of your season. You don’t very often see

going to be a lot more powerful and we can move the ball really well. Defensively, we’ve gotten quicker, bigger, faster and stronger.” Richland Springs welcomes back Walker Tippie and Hutton Lusty, the offensive and defensive players of the game, respectively, from the Coyotes’ state championship victory over Follett. Jordan Burkhart, the trigger man on offense for much of the 2015 campaign, also returns and will see an expanded role on offense this season. Tippie rushed for 1,988 yards and 44 touchdowns and added 499 receiving yards and nine trips to the end zone last year. Burkhart finished with 578 yards and 11 touchdowns passing along with 263 yards and three scores on the ground. Lusty, meanwhile, recorded 74 tackles

CONTINUED FROM 20 The Mountaineers were sent westward in the new District 8-A Division I, where Water Valley is the heavy favorite. Santa Anna is the consensus pick for the other playoff berth while Paint Rock and Veribest complete the four-team district. “Being picked second is fine with me. I hate being

teams start off poorly the first few games and end up good. A lot of that is mental and confidence so we really need to come out of the first three games before conference with a winning record.” The ASC schedule then features Louisiana College, Mary Hardin-Baylor, Hardin-Simmons, East Texas Baptist, McMurry, Sul Ross and Belhaven — in that order. Even more challenging than the top heavy conference slate is a 10-game schedule that features only four home dates. “I don’t think our schedule is very favorable for us in the fact that we have six road games,” Sims said. “Our first game is at home and then we go five weeks without being at home again with two on the road, a bye week and then another one on the road. That’s tough and something I don’t love by any stretch of the imagination. “Then we start conference against really strong teams that are traditionally ranked. I love having McMurry back on the schedule more so for personal reasons, and Belhaven is a natural fit because Mississippi College had been there and those schools are virtually in the same town, so it’s no different than what the conference is normally used to.” Returning to contention in the ASC might not happen overnight, but Sims certainly believes the Yellow Jackets can improve on their 1-9 record from a season ago. “Our team has a chance to be good and be competitive and that’s what we want — to compete in every game,” Sims said. “If we can do that, the sky’s the limit and our confidence will be good. As long as we can be in games in the third and fourth quarter, that’ll tell the story for us. If we’re not, then the record will speak for itself in terms of how good we can be moving forward. “We have to stick together and our seniors have to do a good job of controlling the team, but that’s really hard at our level because they’re so outnumbered. On bad teams nobody has good leadership, on good teams the coaches lead and on great teams the players lead. If we can get to that model as fast as possible, that’s exactly what I think it will take for us to reach our potential.”

including 8.5 sacks. “Walker is a great spread back and Hutton is a great player on defense,” Burkhart said. “Jordan has put a lot into this year and I look for him and Walker to switch out at spread back and make a dual threat.” As talented as those three players are, the greatest strength for the Coyotes lies in the offensive line, according to Burkhart. “Our offensive linemen are just monsters right now,” Burkhart said. “We’ve got J.B. Salinas, Colt Carlisle and Cameron Parham, plus Traven Day can come in at center and we have Brandon Tharp at receiver. We also have solid backups like Cody Pardy and Jeremy Martin.” Richland Springs averaged 70 points and 362 yards — 268 rushing and 94

picked to win,” said McVey, who has eight playoff appearances in 13 years overall as a head coach. “We have good senior leadership. We just have to have some inexperienced guys step up. We have a lot of questions to answer in the first few games.” Santa Anna opens with perennial state powers May and Garden City and catches defending state semifinalist Zephyr in Week 4. “That’s a pretty tough schedule, but we needed some games and those coaches (at May, Garden City and

passing — per contest, with only seven turnovers during the 2015 season. Defensively, the Coyotes yielded 23 points and 217 yards — 151 passing and 66 rushing — per game with 26 turnovers forced — 15 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. The Coyotes have just three District 13-A Division I games on the schedule — Rochelle, Lohn and Cherokee. Richland Springs has reeled off 64 straight district victories and captured 14 consecutive district titles. “We lost Brookesmith and Mullin and gained Rochelle to go with us, Cherokee and Lohn,” Burkhart said. “Rochelle’s been doing a good job the last few years and last year Coach (Wayne) Stigler at Cherokee got his team in the playoffs. We know we just have to take it a week at a time.”

Zephyr) all run good programs. It’ll be good for us to play some tougher teams,” McVey said. “We’ve got some big holes to fill, but the kids are more comfortable with our offense and defense this year. Plus, one of my assistant coaches, Travis Rhoten, has been with me for four years now. He came with me from Trinidad, and his experience in our program is a big advantage.” Santa Anna has six playoff wins in its history, but four of those have come since 2005 after the Mountaineers joined the six-man ranks.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BROOKESMITH

MUSTANGS

CADE STEPHENS

PHOENIX BURNS

HOLDEN BOLT

ALERIC PETROSS

RUSTY ROBERTS

JW SMITH

CD SHIELDS

JUSTIN BOLT

KODI TURNER

MASON BRUMMETT

RYDER NELSON

JACKIE TEMPLETON

VICTORY LIFE ACADEMY

WARRIORS

CODY SIMMONS

JOSIAH NOBLE

STEVEN CHAMBERS

JUSTIN TOBIAS

MONTANA EARLY

ZACK FRINK

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

ZEPHYR

BROOKESMITH

now juniors and seniors. And Gorman is right before district so that will test us to see where we’re at.” Bishop Norman returns to again spark the Zephyr offense that averaged 54 points and 496 yards — 354 rushing and 142 passing — per game last season. Norman rushed for more than 2,500 yards with 40 touchdowns. He also passed for more than 900 yards with 13 scoring strikes and hauled in 13 receptions for 200 yards with a touchdown. Other key contributors back on offense include Nicholas Moody (1,020 yards rushing, 14 TDs), Kason King (826 yards passing, 14 TDs) and Devin Williams (33 catches for 991 yards, 15 TDs). Defensively, Kaleb Williams, Zack Miller and Brayden Malloy will be among those who lead the way. The Bulldogs yielded 28 points per game in 2015. “We feel like we have a lot of kids on the same level,” Williams said. “We don’t have anybody above and beyond. Bishop is as good as our offensive line and if our offensive line does a good job it’s going to make everybody look good. If not, our backfield is not going to look good. “We have an all-state receiver back in Devin Williams and we have to be able to get the ball to him. Zack Miller had a great summer and he’s stronger and faster than he’s ever been. Brayden Malloy is coming off ACL surgery and he’s getting around pretty good. We just have a slew of kids and if we can stay healthy and get better each week, it’s going to be fun.” When it comes to weaknesses for the Bulldogs, Williams stated his squad is not necessarily fleet-footed.

everything they can to make plays. I want us to be a group of kids that fights no matter what.” Joining Brookesmith in the revamped District 12-A Division II are Mullin, Sidney, Gustine and Panther Creek. “I really think the district is pretty open,” Cline said. “A lot of those teams that were successful last year lost kids. And losing Richland Springs obviously helps. It’s a five-way race for two spots and anyone can win on any given Friday night. “Our expectations are the same as everybody else. We want to be competitive and as good as we can. I feel like we’re in a situation where we can compete in our district and make a push for a playoff run and that’s something that hasn’t happened here in a long time.” The biggest keys in regard to making a run at the postseason, according to Cline, are improved defense and making the most of offensive chances. “We have to play defense,” Cline said. “Looking at last year’s team we struggled defensively. We have to buy in that defense comes first and stop other teams from scoring. “Offensively, we have to take advantage of every opportunity we have to put the ball in the end zone.”

CONTINUED FROM 12

CONTINUED FROM 13

Bishop Norman “There’s not a whole lot of team speed,” Williams said. “We’re not real quick or real fast. What we do we have to do to perfection because we don’t have a running back that’s super quick or linemen that are quick-footed. We have to do things right.” On the other hand, the leadership that comes with the varsity experience the Bulldogs possess is among Zephyr’s greatest strengths. “This group has played together a long time now and they’ve got a lot of experience together as a unit,” Williams said. “The locker room leadership is great right now. They’re all hungry, they all have the same goal and that helps us out a lot.” So what will it take for the Bulldogs to achieve their state goal? “We can be a pretty decent football team, a team everybody’s going to have to watch out for, but in order for that to take place we have to do the small things right,” Williams said. “We have to gel when it’s time to gel. Last year we wanted to play in December and we did, but everybody was just happy to be at the Abbott game. Everybody wrote down their goals and our goal is to play past that and not just be there, but to represent.”

MAY

CONTINUED FROM 11 many kids on the varsity this year that didn’t play some varsity last year.” While the experience has increased, May will likely lose some team speed — which is to be expected when a three-time state gold medalist in the hurdles (Davis) graduates. “We don’t have that one kid that can really fly,” Steele said. “We have some kids that can run OK, but we miss the speed of Christian Scott and Zach Davis, those type of kids. You can’t teach that kind of speed.” The Tigers kick off their campaign at Santa Anna and Eden, then host Throckmorton and Blanket before visiting Rising Star. A home date with Water Valley is next before the drive to Knox City for the pre-district finale. District games follow at Gorman, home against Lingleville and at Gordon, as the schedule is anything but easy. Along with staying healthy, Steele stated the key to the season for the Tigers was

Jacob Brown steady, gradual improvement. “I want to see us get better and peak at the right time,” Steele said. “I don’t want to peak too early. I don’t want to play our best ball in Week 3. I also don’t want to see us go up and down. Last year we had a lot of peaks and valleys. I’d rather it be a slow ascent up rather than one good game and then one poor game. “And we have to stay healthy. I’ve it said before, but I mean it even more this year.”

Phoenix Burns

BLANKET CONTINUED FROM 8

“We also have to find a way to stop people and come up with stops. We aren’t very big, so we’re going to do some things on defense differently. We just have to find the right people for the right spots and get them there. We have to find that mesh of people that works well together. We have good players, they’ll just be playing different roles.” Prior to district, the Tigers will attempt to find their rhythm with a schedule that includes Rising Star, Sidney, Rochelle, May, Brookesmith, Strawn and Lometa. “We don’t look at wins in pre-district as being as important as getting better every week,” Tabor said. District 10-A Division I action begins at home against Jonesboro and Evant and ends with a trip to Zephyr. “We’ve got the No. 1 team in the state in Jonesboro and the No. 3 team in the state in Zephyr,” Tabor said. “Both have lots of numbers, size and speed, but our kids are not scared to play either one of them. We play Zephyr year in and year out and they beat us pretty handily last year, but we played with them up until the half. Then we just fell apart and the depth got us.

Luke Kinkade “Jonesboro is obviously very good and very well-coached, but we haven’t played them since I’ve been here. We’ll do our homework on them. We feel like it’s a great challenge. We also have Evant, who we haven’t played for a couple of years but we’ve scrimmaged them and they’re a quality team as well. It’s a very, very tough district.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

GABE CARDENAS

LUKE KINKADE

NOAH VANECEK

LOGAN WHEELER

BLANKET TRENTEN VARNER

PHILLIP LOPEZ

JJ ALEXANDER

EDDIE HERNANDEZ

TIGERS

BLAKE HOOD

DEVIN GOMEZ

JOSH SCHWAB

QUINTON ALEXANDER

ADAN LOPEZ

TANNER ISOM

MARK LOPEZ

GEORGIO MARTINEZ

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

DALTON SELF

BRADLEY FREELAND

LANE PARKER

COTTON BANE

WYATT MOTE

CAMERON KING

JACOB BROWN

WESTON CHAMBERS

AJ MARTIN

TRENTON SHIRK

JT MCDEWELL

GAGE KECKLER

KALEB SIMPSON

RYLEE BAKER

JOSH CARBAJAL

TYLER WHEELER

DANIEL SALINAS

JADEN BAKER

AUSTIN McBEE

BLAKE WELLS

MAY

TIGERS

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

ZACK MILLER

MICHAEL SEIDER

BISHOP NORMAN

HADLEY

SPIECKERMAN

DEVIN WILLIAMS

JERREN MORRIS

WILLIAM SIMPSON

BRAYDEN MALLOY

ELLIOT GOWIN

KASON KING

ZEPHYR

NICHOLAS MOODY

COLTON EDGAR

ELIAN SANDOVAL

STERLING SELLARDS

BULLDOGS 55

AJ BLACKWOOD

ALEX MUELLER

JP GOWIN

HAYDEN CLARK

KALEB WILLIAMS

ROBERT CLARK

TANNER JONES

WALTER SIMPSON

PJ ARETZ

MICHAEL DIXON

SHON PATRICK REEDY

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE WEEK 1 Thursday, Sept. 8 Carolina at Denver Sunday, Sept. 11 Tampa Bay at Atlanta Minnesota at Tennessee Cleveland at Philadelphia Cincinnati at N.Y. Jets Oakland at New Orleans San Diego at Kansas City Buffalo at Baltimore Chicago at Houston Green Bay at Jacksonville Miami at Seattle N.Y. Giants at Dallas Detroit at Indianapolis New England at Arizona Monday, Sept. 12 Pittsburgh at Washington Los Angeles at San Francisco WEEK 2 Thursday, Sept. 15 N.Y. Jets at Buffalo Sunday, Sept. 18 San Francisco at Carolina Dallas at Washington Cincinnati at Pittsburgh New Orleans at N.Y. Giants Miami at New England Kansas City at Houston Tennessee at Detroit Baltimore at Cleveland Seattle at Los Angeles Tampa Bay at Arizona Jacksonville at San Diego Atlanta at Oakland Indianapolis at Denver Green Bay at Minnesota Monday, Sept. 19 Philadelphia at Chicago WEEK 3 Thursday, Sept. 22 Houston at New England Sunday. Sept. 25 Arizona at Buffalo Oakland at Tennessee Washington at N.Y. Giants Cleveland at Miami Baltimore at Jacksonville Detroit at Green Bay Denver at Cincinnati Minnesota at Carolina Los Angeles at Tampa Bay San Francisco at Seattle N.Y. Jets at Kansas City San Diego at Indianapolis Pittsburgh at Philadelphia Chicago at Dallas Monday, Sept. 26 Atlanta at New Orleans

7:30 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 9:15 p.m.

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

WEEK 4 Thursday, Sept. 29 Miami at Cincinnati 7:25 p.m. Sunday. Oct. 2 Indianapolis vs. Jacksonville (at London) 9:30 a.m. Tennessee at Houston Noon Cleveland at Washington Noon Seattle at N.Y. Jets Noon Buffalo at New England Noon Carolina at Atlanta Noon Oakland at Baltimore Noon

Detroit at Chicago Denver at Tampa Bay Los Angeles at Arizona New Orleans at San Diego Dallas at San Francisco Kansas City at Pittsburgh Monday, Oct. 3 N.Y. Giants at Minnesota BYES: Green Bay, Philadelphia

Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

WEEK 5 Thursday, Oct. 6 Arizona at San Francisco 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 New England at Cleveland Noon Philadelphia at Detroit Noon Chicago at Indianapolis Noon Tennessee at Miami Noon Washington at Baltimore Noon Houston at Minnesota Noon N.Y. Jets at Pittsburgh Noon Atlanta at Denver 3:05 p.m. Cincinnati at Dallas 3:25 p.m. Buffalo at Los Angeles 3:25 p.m. San Diego at Oakland 3:25 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Green Bay 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10 Tampa Bay at Carolina 7:30 p.m. BYES: Jacksonville, Kansas City, New Orleans, Seattle WEEK 6 Thursday, Oct. 13 Denver at San Diego Sunday, Oct. 16 San Francisco at Buffalo Philadelphia at Washington Cleveland at Tennessee Baltimore at N.Y. Giants Carolina at New Orleans Jacksonville at Chicago Los Angeles at Detroit Pittsburgh at Miami Cincinnati at New England Kansas City at Oakland Atlanta at Seattle Dallas at Green Bay Indianapolis at Houston Monday, Oct. 17 N.Y. Jets at Arizona BYES: Minnesota, Tampa Bay

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

WEEK 7 Thursday, Oct. 20 Chicago at Green Bay 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23 N.Y. Giants vs. Los Angeles (at London) 9:30 a.m. New Orleans at Kansas City Noon Indianapolis at Tennessee Noon Minnesota at Philadelphia Noon Cleveland at Cincinnati Noon Washington at Detroit Noon Oakland at Jacksonville Noon Buffalo at Miami Noon Baltimore at N.Y. Jets Noon Tampa Bay at San Francisco 3:05 p.m. San Diego at Atlanta 3:05 p.m. New England at Pittsburgh 3:25 p.m. Seattle at Arizona 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 Houston at Denver 7:30 p.m. BYES: Carolina, Dallas WEEK 8

Thursday, Oct. 27 Jacksonville at Tennessee 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 Washington vs. Cincinnati (at London) 9:30 a.m. Kansas City at Indianapolis Noon Oakland at Tampa Bay Noon Seattle at New Orleans Noon Detroit at Houston Noon N.Y. Jets at Cleveland Noon Green Bay at Atlanta Noon New England at Buffalo Noon San Diego at Denver 3:05 p.m. Arizona at Carolina 3:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Dallas 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31 Minnesota at Chicago 7:30 p.m. BYES: Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco WEEK 9 Thursday, Nov. 3 Atlanta at Tampa Bay 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6 Detroit at Minnesota Noon Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants Noon N.Y Jets at Miami Noon Jacksonville at Kansas City Noon Dallas at Cleveland Noon Pittsburgh at Baltimore Noon New Orleans at San Francisco 3:05 p.m. Carolina at Los Angeles 3:05 p.m. Indianapolis at Green Bay 3:25 p.m. Tennessee at San Diego 3:25 p.m. Denver at Oakland 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 7 Buffalo at Seattle 7:30 p.m. BYES: Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington WEEK 10 Thursday, Nov. 10 Cleveland at Baltimore 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 Houston at Jacksonville Noon Denver at New Orleans Noon Los Angeles at N.Y. Jets Noon Atlanta at Philadelphia Noon Kansas City at Carolina Noon Chicago at Tampa Bay Noon Minnesota at Washington Noon Green Bay at Tennessee Noon Miami at San Diego 3:05 p.m. San Francisco at Arizona 3:25 p.m. Dallas at Pittsburgh 3:25 p.m. Seattle at New England 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14 Cincinnati at N.Y. Giants 7:30 p.m. BYES: Buffalo, Detroit, Indianapolis, Oakland WEEK 11 Thursday, Nov. 17 New Orleans at Carolina Sunday, Nov. 20 Pittsburgh at Cleveland Baltimore at Dallas Jacksonville at Detroit Tennessee at Indianapolis Buffalo at Cincinnati Tampa Bay at Kansas City Chicago at N.Y. Giants Arizona at Minnesota Miami at Los Angeles New England at San Francisco Philadelphia at San Francisco

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Washington 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21 Houston vs. Oakland (at Mexico City) 7:30 p.m. BYES: Atlanta, Denver, N.Y. Jets, San Diego WEEK 12 Thursday, Nov. 24 Minnesota at Detroit 11:30 a.m. Washington at Dallas 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Indianapolis 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 Tennessee at Chicago Noon Jacksonville at Buffalo Noon Cincinnati at Baltimore Noon Arizona at Atlanta Noon N.Y. Giants at Cleveland Noon Los Angeles at New Orleans Noon San Francisco at Miami Noon San Diego at Houston Noon Seattle at Tampa Bay 3:05 p.m. Carolina at Oakland 3:25 p.m. Kansas City at Denver 3:25 p.m. New England at N.Y. Jets 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 Green Bay at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. WEEK 13 Thursday, Dec. 1 Dallas at Minnesota Sunday, Dec. 4 Kansas City at Atlanta Detroit at New Orleans Los Angeles at New England Denver at Jacksonville Houston at Green Bay Philadelphia at Cincinnati Miami at Baltimore San Francisco at Chicago Buffalo at Oakland N.Y. Giants at Pittsburgh Washington at Arizona Tampa Bay at San Diego Carolina at Seattle Monday, Dec. 5 Indianapolis at N.Y. Jets BYES: Cleveland, Tennessee WEEK 14 Thursday, Dec. 8 Oakland at Kansas City Sunday, Dec. 11 Pittsburgh at Buffalo Denver at Tennessee New Orleans at Tampa Bay Washington at Philadelphia Arizona at Miami San Diego at Carolina Cincinnati at Cleveland Chicago at Detroit Houston at Indianapolis Minnesota at Jacksonville N.Y. Jets at San Francisco Atlanta at Los Angeles Seattle at Green Bay Dallas at N.Y. Giants Monday, Dec. 12 Baltimore at New England WEEK 15 Thursday, Dec. 15 Los Angeles at Seattle Saturday, Dec. 17 Miami at N.Y. Jets

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7:25 p.m. 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 18 Green Bay at Chicago Noon Tampa Bay at Dallas Jacksonville at Houston Cleveland at Buffalo Philadelphia at Baltimore Tennessee at Kansas City Detroit at N.Y. Giants Indianapolis at Minnesota New Orleans at Arizona San Francisco at Atlanta New England at Denver Oakland at San Diego Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Monday, Dec. 19 Carolina at Washington WEEK 16 Thursday, Dec. 22 N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia Saturday, Dec. 24 Miami at Buffalo Tampa Bay at New Orleans N.Y. Jets at New England Tennessee at Jacksonville Minnesota at Green Bay San Diego at Cleveland Washington at Chicago Atlanta at Carolina Indianapolis at Oakland Arizona at Seattle San Francisco at Los Angeles Cincinnati at Houston Sunday, Dec. 25 Baltimore at Pittsburgh Denver at Kansas City Monday, Dec. 26 Detroit at Dallas WEEK 17 Sunday, Jan. 1 New Orleans at Atlanta Baltimore at Cincinnati N.Y. Giants at Washington Houston at Tennessee Carolina at Tampa Bay Green Bay at Detroit Jacksonville at Indianapolis New England at Miami Chicago at Minnesota Buffalo at N.Y. Jets Dallas at Philadelphia Cleveland at Pittsburgh Arizona at Los Angeles Oakland at Denver Kansas City at San Diego Seattle at San Francisco

Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7:25 p.m. Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon Noon 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. 7:25 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

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

WILD CARD ROUND Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 DIVISIONAL ROUND Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017 SUPER BOWL LI Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 at Houston’s NRG Stadium AFC Champ vs. NFC Champ

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

Brownwood Lions

Cell: 642-9222 • 24 Hours: 646-6147 1814 Third Street • Brownwood, TX

2300 Crockett Dr. Brownwood 646-7625 reedmemorial.com

1701 Magnolia St. • Brownwood, TX • 643-2092 schultzsteamwayofbrownwood.com

Longhorn Auto Sales

903 W. Commerce 325-643-2994

Bangs dragons

ApArtments 2001 Slayden • Brownwood, TX • 325-643-4591

American Legion Lynn Snow Post No. 308

GO DRAGONS!

205 W. Hall • 325-752-9971

Go, Fight, Win DRAGONS!

Buy Sell Trade Cynthia Johnson 325.203.0146

802 W. Hall St. Bangs, TX 76823

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

BIG12 FOOTBALL SCHEDULES

Friday, Sept. 2 Northwestern State at Baylor 6:30 p.m. (FSN) Kansas State at Stanford 8 p.m.(FS1) Saturday, Sept. 3 Missouri at West Virginia 11 a.m. (FS1) Oklahoma at Houston 11 a.m. (ABC) SE Louisiana at Oklahoma State 2:30 p.m. (FSN) Rhode Island at Kansas 6 p.m. South Dakota State at TCU 7 p.m. (FSN) Stephen F. Austin at Texas Tech 7 p.m. (FSN) Northern Iowa at Iowa State 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 Notre Dame at Texas 6:30 p.m. (ABC)

Saturday, Sept. 10 Central Michigan at Oklahoma State 11 a.m. (FS1) Youngstown State at West Virginia 1 p.m. Ohio at Kansas 1:30 p.m. (FSN) SMU at Baylor 2:30 p.m. (FS1) Arkansas at TCU 6 p.m. (ESPN) UTEP at Texas 6 p.m. (LHN) Louisiana-Monroe at Oklahoma 6 p.m. Iowa State at Iowa 6:30 p.m. (BTN) Texas Tech at Arizona State 9 p.m. (FS1) Friday, Sept. 16

Baylor at Rice

7 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Sept. 17

Iowa State at TCU* Florida Atlantic at Kansas State Pitt at Oklahoma State Louisiana Tech at Texas Tech Ohio State at Oklahoma Texas at California

11 a.m. (FS1) 1:30 p.m. (FSN) 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) 6 p.m. (FSN) 6:30 p.m. (FOX) 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Friday, Sept. 23 TCU at SMU

7 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Sept. 24 San Jose State at Iowa State Missouri State at Kansas State BYU vs. West Virginia (at FedEx Field) Oklahoma State at Baylor*

11 a.m. (FSN) 6 p.m. TBA TBA

Thursday, Sept. 29 Kansas at Texas Tech* 7:30 p.m. (FS1) Saturday, Oct. 1 Texas at Oklahoma State* TBA Oklahoma at TCU* TBA Kansas State at West Virginia* TBA Baylor at Iowa State* TBA Saturday, Oct. 8 Iowa State at Oklahoma State* TBA TCU at Kansas* TBA Texas Tech at Kansas State* TBA Texas vs. Oklahoma (at Cotton Bowl, Dallas)* TBA (FS1)

Saturday, Oct. 15 Kansas at Baylor* Kansas State at Oklahoma* West Virginia at Texas Tech* Iowa State at Texas*

TBA TBA TBA TBA (LHN)

Saturday, Oct. 22 TCU at West Virginia* Oklahoma State at Kansas* Texas at Kansas State* Oklahoma at Texas Tech*

TBA TBA TBA TBA

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

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Thursday, Nov. 3 Oklahoma at Iowa State* 6:30 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Nov. 5 Texas at Texas Tech* TBA Oklahoma State at Kansas State* TBA TCU at Baylor* TBA Kansas at West Virginia* TBA

Saturday, Nov. 12 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State* Baylor at Oklahoma* West Virginia at Texas* Iowa State at Kansas*

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Saturday, Nov. 19 Oklahoma State at TCU* Texas Tech at Iowa State* Texas at Kansas* Kansas State at Baylor* Oklahoma at West Virginia*

TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

Friday, Nov. 25 TCU at Texas*

2:30 p.m. (FS1)

Baylor vs. Texas Tech* (at AT&T Stadium) 5 p.m. (ESPN)

Saturday, Nov. 26 West Virginia at Iowa State* Kansas at Kansas State*

TBA TBA

Saturday, Dec. 3 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma* Baylor at West Virginia* Kansas State at TCU*

TBA TBA TBA

* Big 12 Conference Game

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

S3 UCLA S10 Prairie View A&M S17 at Auburn* S24 Arkansas*# O1 at South Carolina* O8 Tennessee* O22 at Alabama* O29 New Mexico State N5 at Mississippi State* N12 Ole Miss* N19 UTSA N24 LSU* #at AT&T Stadium, Arlington * Conference Game

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN (CONFERENCE USA)

HOUSTON COUGARS

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)

S3 Oklahoma# S10 Lamar S15 at Cincinnati* S24 at Texas State S29 UConn* O8 at Navy* O15 at Tulsa* O22 at SMU* O29 Central Florida* N12 Tulane* N17 Louisville N25 at Memphis* #at NRG Stadium, Houston * Conference Game

RICE OWLS

(CONFERENCE USA)

SMU MUSTANGS

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)

TEXAS STATE BOBCATS (SUN BELT)

S3 at North Texas S10 at Baylor S17 Liberty S23 TCU O1 at Temple* O7 at Tulsa* O22 Houston* O29 at Tulane* N5 Memphis* N12 at East Carolina* N19 South Florida* N26 Navy*

S3 at Ohio S17 at Arkansas S24 Houston O1 Incarnate Word O8 at Georgia State* O15 at Louisiana-Monroe* O22 at Louisiana-Lafayette* N5 at Appalachian State* N12 Idaho* N19 at New Mexico State* N26 Troy* D3 Arkansas State*

* Conference Game

UTEP MINERS

(CONFERENCE USA)

UTSA ROADRUNNERS (CONFERENCE USA)

S3 SMU S10 Bethune-Cookman S17 at Florida S24 at Rice* O1 Middle Tennessee* O8 Marshall* O22 Army O29 at UTSA* N5 Louisiana Tech* N12 at Western Kentucky* N19 Southern Miss* N26 at UTEP*

S1 at Western Kentucky* S10 at Army S16 Baylor S24 North Texas* O1 at Southern Miss* O15 UTSA* O22 Prairie View A&M O29 at Louisiana Tech* N5 Florida Atlantic* N12 at Charlotte* N19 UTEP* N26 at Stanford

S3 New Mexico State S10 at Texas S17 Army S24 Southern Miss* O1 at Louisiana Tech* O8 Florida International* O22 at UTSA* O29 Old Dominion* N5 Houston Baptist N12 at Florida Atlantic* N19 at Rice* N26 North Texas*

S3 Alabama State S10 at Colorado State S16 Arizona State S24 at Old Dominion* O8 Southern Miss* O15 at Rice* O22 UTEP* O29 North Texas* N5 at Middle Tennessee* N12 at Louisiana Tech* N19 at Texas A&M N26 Charlotte*

* Conference Game

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

Early longhorns GO LONGHORNS! Little Creek Auto Sales USED CARS

325-643-8116 702 Early Blvd. • Early, TX

9500 CR 270 • Zephyr TX • Office: 325.739.5821 www.ryanconstructioninc.com

BlankEt tigErs Jeff Meadow Construction

Go tiGers!

Jeff Meadow 325 / 647-9430

Wayne Meadow 325 / 647-5882

Justin Meadow 512 / 968-1027

Longhorn Campers, Inc. Hwy 377 & 67 • Blanket, TX • 325-748-5741 Backing the Tigers Since 1965 Pick Up Camper Shells • RV Parts Hours: 8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri • 8:00-12:00 Sat

Friday, Nov. 4 Brownwood at Snyder Early at Comanche Bangs at Dublin Blanket at Zephyr May at Gordon Granbury NCTA at Victory Life Coleman at Tolar De Leon at Goldthwaite Hamilton at San Saba Cherokee at Richland Springs Woodson at Rising Star Santa Anna at Paint Rock Panther Creek at Mullin Sidney at Gustine Saturday, Nov. 5 Howard Payne at Sul Ross

Water Valley at May Zephyr at Cherokee Fredericksburg Heritage at Victory Life Valley Mills at Goldthwaite Sterling City at Richland Springs Rising Star at Abilene Christian Santa Anna at Evant Rochelle at Mullin Lometa at Sidney Saturday, Oct. 1

WEEK 4

Friday, Oct. 28 Big Spring at Brownwood Merkel at Early Eastland at Bangs Evant at Blanket Brookesmith at Sidney Lingleville at May Zephyr at Jonesboro Victory Life at Temple Holy Trinity Comanche at Brady Dublin at Coleman Goldthwaite at Hico San Saba at De Leon Richland Springs at Lohn Rising Star at Moran Water Valley at Santa Anna Saturday, Oct. 29 McMurry at Howard Payne

Brookesmith at Paint Rock

Friday, Sept. 16 Alvarado at Brownwood Tolar at Early Coahoma at Bangs Blanket at May Lohn at Brookesmith Zephyr at Santa Anna VLA-Durant at Victory Life Little River-Academy at Comanche Brady at Coleman Junction at Goldthwaite Cross Plains at San Saba Richland Springs at Austin Hill Country Rising Star at Lingleville Mullin at Veribest Sidney at Cranfills Gap Saturday, Sept. 17 Howard Payne at Wayland Baptist Friday, Oct. 14 Brownwood at Stephenville Clyde at Early Tolar at Bangs

WEEK 8

WEEK 3 WEEK 7

WEEK 2

Howard Payne at Louisiana College

Friday, Oct. 7 Abilene Wylie at Brownwood Brady at Early Coleman at Bangs Lometa at Blanket Gustine at Brookesmith May at Knox City Weatherford Christian at Victory Life Comanche at Jim Ned Coleman at Bangs Goldthwaite at San Saba Richland Springs vs. Trinidad (at TBD) Santa Anna at Blackwell Mullin at Sidney Saturday, Oct. 8 Mary Hardin-Baylor at Howard Payne

Friday, Sept. 30

WEEK 6

LOCAL SCHEDULES

Friday, Sept. 9 Liberty Hill at Brownwood Bruceville-Eddy at Early Bangs at Winters Blanket at Rochelle Veribest at Brookesmith Throckmorton at May Richland Springs at Zephyr Comanche at Cisco Coleman at Post Goldthwaite at Little River-Academy Johnson City at San Saba Panther Creek at Rising Star Santa Anna at Robert Lee Cranfills Gap at Mullin Morgan at Sidney Saturday, Sept. 10 Howard Payne at Austin College

WEEK 11

Friday, Oct. 21 Early at Jim Ned Bangs at Cisco Jonesboro at Blanket Panther Creek at Brookesmith May at Gorman Evant at Zephyr Victory Life at Waco Live Oak Comanche at Clyde Coleman at Eastland Goldthwaite at Crawford Hico at San Saba Rochelle at Richland Springs Strawn at Rising Star Veribest at Santa Anna Mullin at Gustine Saturday, Oct. 22 Howard Payne at East Texas Baptist

Friday, Sept. 2 Brownwood at Graham Early at Roscoe Bangs at Hawley Sidney at Blanket Brookesmith at Blackwell May at Eden Granbury NCTA at Zephyr Comanche at Coleman Goldthwaite at Jim Ned San Saba at Harper Mullin at Rising Star Santa Anna at Garden City Saturday, Sept. 3 Victory Life at Killeen Memorial SW Assemblies of God at HPU

Blanket at Strawn

WEEK 10

WEEK 1

Friday, Sept. 23 Brownwood vs. Giddings (at Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton) Early at Paradise Bangs at Jim Ned Brookesmith at Blanket May at Rising Star Lingleville at Zephyr Mullin at Victory Life Comanche at Eastland Clyde at Coleman Goldthwaite at Hamilton San Saba at Valley Mills Richland Springs vs. High Island (at TBD) Cherokee at Santa Anna Lohn at Sidney

WEEK 9

Friday, Aug. 26 Brownwood vs. Canyon (at Lubbock Cooper) Early at Bangs Trent at Brookesmith May at Santa Anna Oakwood at Zephyr Gustine at Victory Life Ballinger at Comanche Coleman at Jim Ned Mason at Goldthwaite San Saba at Winters Lometa at Mullin Sidney at Moran Saturday, Aug. 27 Blanket vs. Rising Star (at Zephyr) Richland Springs vs. Paducah (at Borden County)

WEEK 5

WEEK-BY-WEEK

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

Brookesmith at Mullin Zephyr at Gorman Merkel at Comanche Cisco at Coleman San Saba at Crawford Gustine at Rising Star Sidney at Panther Creek Saturday, Oct. 15 Howard Payne at Hardin-Simmons Friday, Nov. 11 First round of high school playoffs (TBD)

WEEK 12

Saturday, Nov. 12 Belhaven at Howard Payne

Bulletin B R O W N W O O D

BROWNWOODTX.COM

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

zephyr Bulldogs

Diamond

Store & Cafe

Hwy 183-84, Zephyr, Texas • 739-2068 7 Days a Week • Cody Rogers

ComanChe IndIans

Good Luck Zephyr BuLLdoGs!

ComanChe County abstraCt Company 106 N. Austin • Comanche, TX 76442 • (325) 356-2564

“We Support The Indians”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

TEAM-BY-TEAM SCHEDULES

BANGS DRAGONS

BLANKET TIGERS

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

BROWNWOOD LIONS

COLEMAN BLUECATS

A26 Early S2 at Hawley S9 at Winters S16 Coahoma# S23 at Jim Ned S30 OPEN O7 Coleman* O14 Tolar* O21 at Cisco* O28 Eastland* N4 at Dublin*

A27 Rising Star (at Zephyr) S2 Sidney S9 at Rochelle S16 at May S23 Brookesmith# S30 at Strawn O7 Lometa O14 OPEN O21 Jonesboro* O28 Evant* N4 at Zephyr*

A26 Trent S2 at Blackwell S9 Veribest S16 Lohn# S23 at Blanket S30 at Paint Rock O7 Gustine* O14 at Mullin* O21 Panther Creek* O28 at Sidney* N4 OPEN

A26 Canyon (at Lubbock Cooper) S2 at Graham S9 Liberty Hill S16 Alvarado# S23 Giddings (at UMHB, Belton) S30 OPEN O7 Abilene Wylie* O14 at Stephenville* O21 OPEN O28 Big Spring* N4 at Snyder*

A26 at Jim Ned S2 Comanche S9 at Post S16 Brady# S23 Clyde S30 OPEN O7 at Bangs* O14 Cisco* O21 at Eastland* O28 Dublin* N4 at Tolar*

* District Game # Homecoming

COMANCHE INDIANS A26 Ballinger S2 at Coleman S9 at Cisco S16 Little River-Academy# S23 at Eastland S30 OPEN O7 at Jim Ned* O14 Merkel O21 at Clyde* O28 at Brady* N4 Early* * District Game # Homecoming

MULLIN BULLDOGS

EARLY LONGHORNS A26 at Bangs S2 at Roscoe S9 Bruceville-Eddy# S16 Tolar S23 at Paradise S30 OPEN O7 Brady* O14 Clyde* O21 at Jim Ned* O28 Merkel* N4 at Comanche* * District Game # Homecoming RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES

GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES

HPU YELLOW JACKETS

MAY TIGERS

A26 Mason S2 at Jim Ned S9 at Little River-Academy S16 Junction# S23 at Hamilton* S30 Valley Mills* O7 at San Saba* O14 OPEN O21 at Crawford* O28 at Hico* N4 De Leon*

S3 SW Assemblies of God S10 at Austin College S17 at Wayland Baptist S24 OPEN O1 at Louisiana College* O8 Mary Hardin-Baylor* O15 at Hardin-Simmons* O22 at East Texas Baptist* O29 McMurry#* N5 at Sul Ross N12 Belhaven

A26 at Santa Anna S2 at Eden S9 Throckmorton S16 Blanket S23 at Rising Star S30 Water Valley# O7 at Knox City O14 OPEN O21 at Gorman* O28 Lingleville* N4 at Gordon*

* District Game # Homecoming

* Conference Game # Homecoming

* District Game # Homecoming

RISING STAR WILDCATS

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS

A26 Lometa S2 at Rising Star S9 Cranfills Gap S16 at Veribest S23 at Victory Life S30 Rochelle# O7 at Sidney* O14 Brookesmith* O21 at Gustine* O28 OPEN N4 Panther Creek*

A27 Paducah (at Borden County) S2 OPEN S9 at Zephyr S16 at Austin Hill Country S23 High Island (at TBA) S30 Sterling City O7 Trinidad (at TBA) O14 OPEN O21 Rochelle*# O28 at Lohn* N4 Cherokee*

A27 Blanket (at Zephyr) S2 Mullin S9 Panther Creek S16 at Lingleville S23 May S30 at Abilene Christian O7 OPEN O14 Gustine# O21 Strawn* O28 at Moran* N4 Woodson*

A26 at Winters S2 at Harper S9 Johnson City S16 Cross Plains# S23 at Valley Mills* S30 OPEN O7 Goldthwaite* O14 at Crawford* O21 Hico* O28 at De Leon* N4 Hamilton*

A26 May S2 at Garden City S9 at Robert Lee S16 Zephyr S23 Cherokee# S30 at Evant O7 at Blackwell O14 OPEN O21 Veribest* O28 Water Valley* N4 at Paint Rock*

* District Game # Homecoming

SIDNEY EAGLES

VICTORY LIFE WARRIORS

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

A26 at Moran S2 at Blanket S9 Morgan S16 at Cranfills Gap S23 Lohn S30 Lometa# O7 Mullin* O14 at Panther Creek* O21 OPEN O28 Brookesmith* N4 at Gustine*

A26 Gustine S3 at Killeen Memorial S9 OPEN S16 VLA-Durant S23 Mullin# S30 Fredericksburg Heritage O7 Weatherford Christian* O14 OPEN O21 at Waco Live Oak* O28 at Temple Holy Trinity* N4 Granbury NCTA*

A26 Oakwood S2 Granbury NCTA S9 Richland Springs S16 at Santa Anna S23 Lingleville# S30 at Cherokee O7 OPEN O14 at Gorman O21 Evant* O28 at Jonesboro* N4 Blanket*

*District Game # Homecoming

* District Game # Homecoming

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

santa anna

mountaineers

Good Luck Mountaineers

coleman county electric coop “Owned By Those We Serve” Since 1938

Coleman County Telephone Co-op, Inc.

P.O. Box 860 • 3300 N. Hwy 84 • Coleman, Tx 76834 Phone: 325-625-2128 • Fax: 325-625-4600

215 N. 2nd St. • Santa Anna • 325-348-3124

Sharon’s Beauty Salon

Celebrating Sharon Guthrie, Owner/Stylist • 1.3 miles south of Santa Anna on US 283 34 Years 325-348-3433 • Specializing in Matrix & Redken

Go Mountaineers!

Santa Anna National Bank

Thank You to all my customers

610 Wallis Ave. • 325-348-3108

GO MOUNTAINEERS!

Coleman BlueCats

Stevens Funeral Home

Go Bluecats! 400 W. Pecan • 325-625-2175

coleman county electric coop “Owned By Those We Serve” Since 1938

P.O. Box 860 • 3300 N. Hwy 84 • Coleman, Tx 76834 Phone: 325-625-2128 • Fax: 325-625-4600

rising star wildCats Star Grocery 112 E. College Street 254-643-2221

Go Wildcats!

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;16 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.21.16

The Kia Soul and Sportage received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact MPVs and Small SUVs, respectively, in the J.D. Power 2016 Initial Quality Study. 2016 study based on 80,157 total responses, evaluating 245 models, and measures the opinions of new 2016 vehicle owners after 90 days of ownership, surveyed in February-May 2016. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

817-573-0400 vgkia.com

4301 Highway 377 E. in Granbury

Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.