T UESDAY, A UG . 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM C LASS 4 A , 5 A , 6 A , T A PP S
TELEGRAM ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
“When I get on the field, I change into a different person. I don’t get hot-headed or anything like that, but just do my assignment and know if I have to get a little rough out there I can,” he said. He might not have as much experience in the blue front, white back as others in the senior class, but that approach will fit in just fine with the Wildcats’ hard-hat mentality.“Deshaun’s a smart kid. He’s eager. He’s a learner like me. He’s the me that ya’ll have never heard of. He wants to find different ways to get better and is always asking questions, and that’s the best way you can be,” said York, a four-year starter at linebacker and a Baylor commitment.
“His work ethic is through the roof as well, so it must run in the family.”
Brundage eager to be Cats’ featured back
“I told him, coming here, I promise you, you are going to go through stuff you’ve never been through before. And he said that during summer workouts, ‘Man, I’ve never been through something like this before. Coaches demand the best of you, care for you and want to see you excel,’” York shared. “That’s credit to the coaches we have here and the culture. This place is different in many different facets.”
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
After moving to Temple from North Forney last fall, Deshaun Brundage put in the work to become the Wildcats’ primary ball carrier this season.
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The results at the end of the leveled-up summer regimen guided in parts by York
ByJOSHUA WEAVER
2 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
Deshaun Brundage considers himself laid back. Fitting, considering how quietly and seamlessly the Temple senior arrived on campus last October. He jokes that most people only know him as the cousin of senior Taurean York, one of the Wildcats’ most visible and accessible stars. But Brundage, by all accounts, is poised to make some noise and a name for himself this season as he slides into the starting running back spot vacated by a program record-holder.
“I think he’s going to be a bruising-type running back, and we’re really going to use him,” Temple offensive coordinator Robby Case said. That sounds like a plan to Brundage, whose calm demeanor stays in the locker room on game day, replaced by a contactseeking ball carrier with the intent of lowering the boom.
Brundage — whose dad, Darnell, was a two-way player at Mary Hardin-Baylor after a high school career at Dallas Lincoln, and mom, Krystal, played softball at Temple (they met while working at the HE-B in Belton) — transferred from North Forney midway through the fall of 2021. After paperwork was processed, he suited up twice for Temple’s JV squad then the Wildcats’ varsity regular-season finale and their two playoff games versus Waxahachie and Rockwall-Heath. It was a subtle but useful return to the town in which he was born then left prior to elementary school. He registered five tackles in a backup linebacker role last season, then went from the gridiron to the court and earned a spot on the basketball team.Soon enough, focus shifted back to football, and rigorous offseason training served as an eye-opening endeavor.
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Skilled Crews grows into leader for Broncos Ray Swindle/Special to the
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 3FOOTBALL 2022
“Most of them are designed runs, and I’m kind of a bigger quarterback,” he said. “If it’s a third-and-2 or third-and-1 situation, ‘Hey, give it to Connor.’ I’m not a big juking guy. I just like dropping my shoulder and going through people. Our line does a great job of giving me a gap, and then I’m like, ‘I’ve already got my 2
Lake Belton quarterback Connor Crews threw for 1,797 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions last season, when he also led the team in rushing.
To watch Connor Crews throw a tightly spiraled pass or tuck the ball under his arm and charge through a would-be tackler, it would be natural to assume that he dreamed of playing football since he was old enough to walk. Turns out, that’s not the case at all. Tough to believe. “When I was little, I despised football. I was a big baseball kid,” said the Lake Belton senior, who still competes on the diamond every spring. “The first time I played football was in the fourth grade, just to try it out. I have an older brother who’s four years ahead of me and was in middle school. The whole time I was little he was saying, ‘You have to try football. I love it.’ “I kind of followed him. When I got to middle school, I was having fun playing it because I was with my friends and enjoying it. I still am. Bonding with all of these guys has been great, and winning has really made me develop a strong passion for the game.” That’s easy to believe.
With a seemingly tireless work ethic, Crews has turned himself into a 6-foot-2, 225-pound quarterback who can confound opponents with his arm and his powerful running style. Last season, he completed 102 of 164 attempts for 1,797 yards and 16 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. He also happened to be the Broncos’ leading rusher with 455 yards and nine scores.
ByERIC DRENNAN TELEGRAM SPORTS EDITOR
Underwood had surgery in October then rehabbed with school trainers and doctors through the Tigers’ spring drills, which ended in May, before returning for summer strength and conditioning workouts and the start of fall camp.
4 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
The two runs were part of his team-best 93 yards rushing that night, 66 of which came in the second half, to help propel Belton to a 35-31 win in a game that had five lead changes, including four in the finalUnderwoodquarter.
Tigers’ Underwood puts injury behind him
“I was having a good game and then something tragic happened the first game of the season, so it was a rough time through the nine months. But I’m back and it’s my senior season, so I have to make the best of it.”
ByJON BROOKS TELEGRAM SPORTS WRITER BELTON — It was nearly a year ago on a mild Friday night when LJ Underwood was hitting his stride just as his team made its move on an eventual seasonopeningUnderwood,win. a junior at the time, had scampered 16 yards up the middle for a touchdown to provide the Tigers with a 28-24 lead over Georgetown with 6:12 remaining. He had set up the scoring run with an 18-yard dash on the previous play.
“I was having a good game and then something tragic happened the first game of the season, so it was a rough time through the nine months,” he said. “But I’m back and it’s my senior season, so I have to make the best of it.”
It took much discipline through hours upon hours of rehabilitation, but Underwood is now ready to pick up where he left off Aug. 27, 2021. After progressing through some rigorous months of rehab, which most days included working out twice, Underwood is confident in his knee and is primed to capitalize on his final varsity season.
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While he admitted the journey was tough at times, especially early in the process, he also credited his teammates and coaches for rallying around him.
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also had two receptions for 17 yards, one of which went for a first down to extend a first-half scoring drive by the Tigers. By all accounts, it looked like Underwood’s coming-out party. But then it wasn’t, because by the time the game ended, he was on the sideline and did not return for the remainder of the season.“Ijust scored a touchdown the drive before, and then a couple plays later, that’s when it happened,” said the now-senior tailback, who tore his left ACL. “I was able to jog off the field and I thought it’d be fine until the adrenaline let down and then my knee started buckling and then I knew it was something serious.”
— Belton running back LJ Underwood
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Belton senior running back LJ Underwood spent several months working to rehab his injured left knee so he could play one more season with the Tigers.
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Indeed, it is a mental and physical transition as the Eagles overhaul their offense from the slot-T to the spread and make the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 set defensively under new coach Tom Westerberg.
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Salado senior defensive back and receiver Drew Bird is a leader among the Eagles’ upperclassmen, whose final season will be much different with new schemes.
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“It’s a tough schedule of teams we’ve never seen before,” Bird said. “Those games will get us ready for the district and the playoffs, and hopefully we’ll make a run.”
6 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
Bird suffered a torn meniscus early in the first game last season. It didn’t require surgery, but he missed most of the regular season. The physical effects still linger in the fact that he is no longer able to be the Eagles’ kicker. “I do miss kicking,” he said. “I wish I could still do it. I gave it a try, but I just can’t.”When not involved with football, Bird can usually be found swinging the lumber or flashing the leather as the Eagles’ topnotch shortstop. He said he is a solid fielder, hits in the gaps and runs out hits. He has drawn some attention from small colleges and said he will accept the right baseball offer, but otherwise he will likely attend Texas A&M or Oklahoma. He’s not worried with being labeled a baseball player playing football or vice versa.“Whatever the season is, that’s what I am,” he said.
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“We’re catching balls all day,” he said. “We just have to adjust to what is new. We like the more up-pace tempo. It’s a lot of work, but it’s more fun and less military routine.”Theschedule will be largely new as well, with the Eagles facing non-district foes Fredericksburg, Bryan Rudder, Malakoff, Academy, Boerne and Hitchcock before the start of District 11-4A-II action.
Bird helps guide Eagles through transition
Westerberg said Bird is the kind of athlete all coaches want on their team, regardless of the sport. “Drew’s an awesome kid,” Westerberg said. “I got to know him when he was playing baseball. He brings a lot of energy and a lot of knowledge. He’s been very accepting of me and the changing of the staff.”Like many of his senior teammates, Bird is a Salado lifer who always longed to play for the Eagles and looked up to those who played before him. He patterned his work as a safety after recent Salado graduate Wrook Brown, who now plays football for Wyoming.“Iwantto lead by example like all the great seniors who graduated before,” he said. “They let us know how to act.”
“We’ll just take that slot-T mentality into the spread,” the 5-foot-7, 160-pound Bird said. “There’s not a single play we had with (previous head coach Alan Haire). But it’s still football. I mainly play safety and there will be a lot more man coverage. Switching to man, it’s hard but we’re learning. I feel like it will beBirdgood.”may be on the field more than any other Eagle because of his abilities on both sides of the ball and on special teams. He wants to savor every moment as long as it lasts. He knows what it’s like to watch from the sideline.
Bird will spend some time as a receiver to give other players a breather, and he’s glad that the quarterback position is manned by 6-6 Luke Law, who can more readily spot the smaller receiver.
ByTIM WAITS TELEGRAM SALADO — For the entirety of the athletic careers of Drew Bird and his senior teammates at Salado, they had a set way of doing things offensively and defensively.Their final ride, though, will look much different than it ever has, and they are banking on the results being even better than“It’sbefore.certainly a different change of pace,” said Bird, a starting safety and parttime receiver. “We’ll have that same dog mentality and outwork everybody. We don’t have any three-star or five-star players. We all play for each other.”
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n jweaver@tdtnews.com
“I learned from my old coaches that the best thing you can do is put the ball in your playmakers’ hands in space as many times as possible. So, that’s my number one goal. We have great playmakers here at Temple and my job is to put it in their hands in space as much as possible.”
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Endrei Sauls, Jeremiah Mungia and Agustin Silva started every game during the Wildcats’ 9-3, district-title winning season in 2021, and vying for the left tackle spot are Armando Gonzales and Koran Lumpkins, who played plenty of snaps, too. Back-ups in 2021, Seth Martinez and Logan Ash competed at left guard during fall camp.
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 7FOOTBALL 2022
Coach: Scott Stewart 2021 record: 9-3 District: 12-6A Venue: Wildcat Stadium Offensive players to watch: QB Reese Rumfield, RB Deshaun Brundage, WR Mikal Harrison-Pilot, WR Pharrell Hemphill, WR Christian Tutson, OL Endrei Sauls, OL Jeremiah Mungia, OL Agustin Silva
Mikal Harrison-Pilot has played defensive back, wide receiver, running back and quarterback during a varsity career already full of highlights. The standout Temple senior said earlier this month to expect more of the same from him — here, there, everywhere — this season. Except, Harrison-Pilot won’t be the only player utilized multiple ways if new offensive coordinator Robby Case has his way.
“I learned from my old coaches that the best thing you could do is put the ball in your playmakers’ hands in space as many times as possible,” said Case, who was promoted in June to replace Josh Sadler as the Wildcats OC. “So, that’s my number one goal. We have great playmakers here at Temple and my job is to put it in their hands in space as much as possible.”
Whatever concoction Case and Co., come up with, the purpose is simple — high-powered potency.
Deshaun Brundage, who moved to Temple last fall and played basketball, replaces record-holding running back Samari Howard. Jer’Vonnie Williams and Adrian Scott also will see their share of carries. Landon Halvorson shifts into the starting spot at tight end.
“We’re going to keep a lot of the roots of what we do here at Temple,” Case said. “I think the Art Briles fast-and-wide offense has been very effective around the country at a lot of levels. So, the root of that offense is going to be still the same and I’m going to bring some of my college experience into the quarterback run game, moving some people around and making it look a little bit different pre-snap than it might have in the past.”
“You can tell it’s a whole different game plan. You can tell Coach Case knows what he’s talking about. He knows the players he wants to get the ball to,” said HarrisonPilot, who returns as the only receiver with a catch as a Wildcat. “I think everybody is getting a hang of it. We’re going to get it clicked in and we’re going to be us.”
The options are once again plentiful for an offense that averaged 44 points and 377.3 yards per game a year ago. But what Case can’t help but be thrilled about is the experience Temple returns in the trenches.
ByJOSHUA WEAVER TELEGRAM ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
“It’s the best offensive line that I’ve seen since I’ve been here. It’s deep, they’re athletic, they’re very-well coached,” said Case, who enters his third season overall with the Wildcats. “I’m extremely excited about the five guys up front.”
Among those joining the receiving corps this season are Cameron Yoe move-in Pharrell Hemphill (27 catches, 656 yards, 12 TDs), a senior, and sophomore newcomer Christian Tutson. It’s a trio suited for Rumfield, who showed his deep-ball accuracy during a solid sophomore season in which he completed 95 of 190 passes for 1,768 yards and 24 touchdowns, with sevenRumfieldinterceptions.hadabusy summer, adding bulk and know-how, and said he feels more comfortable with a year under his belt.“Ifeel a lot more confident going into my junior season,” he said. “I feel way more confident in the pocket. I trust my Oline way more and that will help me a lot.”
The highly touted Harrison-Pilot had 28 receptions for 461 yards during a firstteam all-district campaign in 2021 when he totaled six touchdowns receiving, eight rushing and three passing.
Moving parts might include linebacker Taurean York and defensive backs Damarion Willis and O’Ryan Peoples taking turns on offense. They also might include designed keepers for junior, second-year starting quarterback Reese Rumfield. And surely they will include Harrison-Pilot going every which way.
Temple offense stocked with talent again
“Offseason, it was a lot of mental work. It was a lot of breaking down what we do and it was also a little bit of tweaking our stuff,” Sauls said. “It was a lot of slowing it down, breaking it down, making sure you understand the fundamentals, and eventually speeding it up and getting back to game speed.”
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Deshaun Brundage (6), Reese Rumfield, Mikal Harrison-Pilot and Pharrell Hemphill are key players for a Temple offense that averaged 377.3 yards per game last year.
Senior linebacker Zion Moore (54 tackles) also was to return this season, but an injury may sideline him for the time being.
As far as filling shoes left by Samari Howard, who exited Temple as its all-time leading scorer with 57 touchdowns and 360 points, Brundage said he spoke with Howard before he set off for Army-West Point and received a vote of confidence.
Brundage Continued from 2
“The coaches made a great scheme for us,” Mitchell said. “We are really focused
just the tackles — 141 of them a year ago — or the forced fumbles and recoveries, sacks and interceptions that make up what goes into York’s value as a four-year starter. It’s what happens prior to practice and at practice, whatever the hour. The work-ethic trickle down is real.“These seniors are really focused. They are coming with a lunch-pail mentality, and they have Taurean leading the way,” Temple defensive coordinator Dexter Knox said. “(Naeten Mitchell) is the same way. I mean, those guys have been working their whole lives to have a shot at getting better each day and have a shot to play at the next level. They want to do it right. There isn’t much goofing around. They are a pretty serious group.”
Temple defense ready for work to pay off
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Naeten Mitchell (4), Taurean York, Damarion Willis and Steven Jackson are instinctive players for a Temple defense that is all business when it steps on the field on Friday nights.
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“I started at 211 (pounds) and I just worked on speed and getting my body trimmed to be in the best shape to perform,” Brundage said. “It was definitely a grind. Being here with Taurean and my dad, both of them are big on just working hard. I had a lot of guys tell me to put in the work and work hard and don’t let anybody work harder than you. So, that played a big part.”
Please see TEMPLE, Page 22
Defensive players to watch: LB Taurean York, DB Naeten Mitchell, DB Steven Jackson, DB O’Ryan Peoples, DB Damarion Willis, DE Jaylon Jackson
“Just having Samari tell me that I could be the guy for the job and not really worry about the outside hype, that was really big,” said Brundage, who added that he quickly developed a sturdy bond with fellow running backs Jer’Vonnie Williams and Adrian Scott — both of whom are expected to see a share of touches — and running backs coach Bryant“We’reKing.always in the group chat,” Brundage said. “And Coach King, I like him because he really brings a good vibe.” Brundage won’t just lean on family genes, speed, strength and good vibes this season. He also said his faith is important. When deciding which number to wear this season, he considered the No. 2 because of its tie to the religious-based phrase “I am second.” He ultimately landed with No. 6, which “is cool, too, because every time I score I can point to it.” “I try to stay in my Bible. Pray every night, every morning. If I ever have anything bothering me, I just go into the Word and pray about it,” Brundage said. “That’s always the go-to.” And when it comes to needing tough yards in crunch time, Brundage might just be the go-to this“I’mseason.definitely excited,” he said. “I’m playing with my cousin, and you have guys like Mikal (Harrison-Pilot) and Nate (Mitchell). Fun guys to be around. The whole team, really. Just love being around the guys.” n jweaver@tdtnews.com
8 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022 and Darnell have the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Brundage better equipped to shoulder his backfield responsibilities.
York, senior Mitchell (73 tackles, three interceptions in 2021), a New Mexico State pledge who is moving from Temple’s ‘Boom’ safety spot back to cornerback, senior defensive end Jaylon Jackson (six sacks) and junior defensive tackle Ayden Brown (49 tackles) are starters back for the Wildcats, who allowed 25.75 points and 340.7 yards per game during a 9-3 showing in 2021 that included a second straight undefeated league championship and second-round playoff exit.
ByJOSHUA WEAVER TELEGRAM ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Word association when it comes to Temple’s defense is a game that won’t last long, and nine times out of 10 the answer will be the same — linebacker Taurean York.York, the Baylor commitment coming off a second consecutive District 12-6A defensive MVP season, again will be the heart of the Wildcats defense in 2022, which kicks off at noon Saturday against McKinney.Butitisn’t
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It’s a daunting task for the Broncos, but it’s one for which head coach Brian Cope has been preparing his troops for going on three“Fiveyears.teams are going to miss the playoffs and only four are going to make it, and you only have two non-district games to get ready for it,” Cope said. “That’s one of the reasons we chose not to have spring ball, because it allows us to have an extra scrimmage against some really good programs. And then we’ll go face Leander Rouse and Buda Johnson (at home Sept. 2), so we’ll kind of know where we are early on and what we need to improve on.
Whether it was on Thursday or Friday nights, against junior varsity teams, established programs or anyone else it could find to challenge, Lake Belton was up to the task the last two years. A total of 18 wins against only one loss was proof of that.Now the Broncos have something else to prove — that they can compete for a playoff berth in Class 5A Division I.
10 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
Senior quarterback Connor Crews threw for 1,797 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while also leading Lake Belton in rushing with 455 yards and nine TDs on
Please see LAKE, Page 21
ByERIC DRENNAN TELEGRAM SPORTS EDITOR
“The goal and hopes for every single team is a state championship. If you’re not striving for that, you’re not doing something right,” senior tight end Christian Kunz said. “The goal is to go undefeated and make a run in the playoffs.
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Dominic Simpson (70), Micah Hudson and Christian Kunz are some of the leaders of a Lake Belton offense that put up 33 points per game last season.
Aiding the Broncos’ chances of surviving the 11-week gauntlet of the regular season is an offense that returns all of the vital players from last year’s team that averaged 401.7 yards and 33 points per game while going unbeaten through its nine-game schedule.
:
Lake Belton offense set to pile up points
Brett
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Lake BeltonLakeBroncosBroncosBelton Coach: Brian Cope 2021 record: 9-0 District 4-5A-I Venue Tiger Field Offensive players to watch: QB Connor Crews, WR Micah Hudson, RB D’Arius Wilkerson, TE Christian Kunz, OL Challen Ma’lleoi, OL Dominic Simpson, OL Logan Gandara, OL Kaden Bradshaw, OL Harmon
“The goal is to get into the playoffs. In a nine-team district, it’s probably going to come down to Week 11 to sort it all out.”
“I think everyone understands that this is our chance to make a run, and our coaches did a really good job the last couple of years of keeping the intensity the same as if we were competing for a playoffThespot.”intensity level rises a notch with Friday’s season opener at Leander Rouse and again Sept. 9 for the kickoff of the District 4-5A-I schedule at Red Oak — the inaugural league game for Lake Belton’s third-year program and the first of eight district games that will determine the four playoff qualifiers from the nineteam league.
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Broncos defense likes aggressive style
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 11FOOTBALL 2022
Compiling a record of 18-1 over its first two years of existence would serve as an initial boost for almost any football program, and Lake Belton is no different.But despite brimming with confidence, the Broncos know that a couple of seasons spent playing an independent schedule comprised primarily of smaller schools might not garner the respect they seek.So as kickoff of the 2022 season approaches Friday, Lake Belton has not only an eagerness to get started on its first quest to reach the playoffs but also a decent sized chip on its shoulder.
“I think other teams look down us because they say we really didn’t play any competition,” said senior safety Javeon Wilcox, who also sees some time on the offensive side of the ball as a receiver.
“But I feel like no matter who we played, we went out and did what we had to do to win. We have athletes to make it work in anyThedistrict.”Broncos finally get a chance to compete for a league title and chase a playoff berth, and the play of their defense will go a long way toward determining their finish in nine-team District 4-5A Division I. They have most of the key ingredients
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Keuntaye Williams (left), Conner Brennan, Selman Bridges and Javeon Wilcox are always looking to make big plays for the Lake Belton defense. Wilcox,
Please see BRONCOS, Page 20 Lake BeltonLakeBroncosBroncosBelton Defensive players to watch: DB Javeon
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ByERIC DRENNAN TELEGRAM SPORTS EDITOR
Though the Tigers must replace their leading rusher and top two receivers from a year ago, they still have plenty of options, some of whom are newcomers who stepped up in spring practices and others who return from prior varsity roles.
“I think the kids have really come in with a blue-collar mentality,” offensive coordinator Barry Campbell said. “I think they’re all determined to make this the best year that they can make it and they don’t want to waste any opportunities. We’ve had some really crisp practices. I think we’re on track to put ourselves in position to at least have the opportunity to do some things.”Inaddition to Brown, Belton also returns starting linemen Zach Erickson and John Roach as well as do-everything senior Slade LeBlanc — who can line up in the backfield, under center, out wide or in the slot — and senior running back LJ Underwood, who led the Tigers in rushing in last year’s season opener at Georgetown but missed the remainder of the season because of a knee injury.
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
Ty Brown (11), Zach Erickson, Slade LeBlanc and Garrett Oliveira are part of an experienced offense for Belton, which seeks a second straight playoff berth.
“Our goal is to go farther than last year,” said returning starting quarterback Ty Brown, a junior who threw for 1,604 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. The Tigers now bring those expectations with them into their new league. And though changes abound, their offense — with eight returning starters — will give them at least some sense of stability.
Throw in a deep group of receivers that includes returners Garrett Oliveira, Mason Ramm and Angel Guerrero, among others, and Belton is excited about what it has brewing on offense.
Experienced offense should anchor Belton
ByJON BROOKS TELEGRAM SPORTS WRITER BELTON — Change is inevitable in all aspects of life, football included. Such is the case this fall for the Tigers. Not only must Belton replace 52 seniors from last year’s Class 6A bi-district playoff team, but it will do so on a newly turfed Tiger Field and in a new district full of new opponents. It’s safe to say, the Tigers are eager for the opportunity.
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“Football is a quarterback-driven game,” Sniffin said. “Whether you’re running or throwing, you have to have a good, experienced trigger man and Ty gained a lot of experience last year.”
“I think the offensive line will determine a lot of that stuff, how they’re mixing and working together and coming off the ball. We’ll be as good as our O-line,” Campbell said. “We have good skill kids. It comes down to execution and taking care of the football and doing all that throughout the year.”Then there’s Brown, who gives Belton an experienced option at arguably the most crucial position on the field.
Campbell added that the work Brown did with receivers during the spring and summer is already showing.
“Right now, he’s right where he left off last year, if not better,” Campbell said. “I think, mentally and execution-wise, he’s seeing the plays and he’s doing a good job of coaching the receivers. He has a really good relationship with the guys he’s throwing to. He can talk to them and they can talk to him and I think that will be a good asset for us.”
Coach: Brett Sniffin 2021 record: 6-5 District: 11-5A-II Venue: Tiger Field Offensive players to watch: QB Ty Brown, RB LJ Underwood, RB/WR Slade LeBlanc, WR Garrett Oliveira, OL Zach Erickson, OL John Roach
“I’m really excited about our receiving corps,” Brown said. “It’s looking really good at all four positions. We have good backups, and we have good starters. We can switch them whenever we want. If they get tired, we can bring in someone that’s just as good.”
“I think the kids have really come in with a blue-collar mentality. I think they’re all determined to make this the best year that they can make it and they don’t want to waste any opportunities.”
“We want more,” said Belton head coach Brett Sniffin, whose team drops from District 12-6A — where it finished third last season to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in three years — into District 11-5AII, where it will compete against Elgin, Killeen Chaparral, Leander Rouse, Pflugerville, Pflugerville Connally and Waco University.
— Belton OC Barry Campbell
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The Tigers employed a mostly balanced attack last year but found a bit more success throwing (176 yards per game) than running (122 yards per game). However those numbers play out this season, Belton feels confident it will be able to excel in each.
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“We want to continue to go past that first round,” Sniffin said. “And playing teams that are relatively your same size, I think, gives you a better opportunity to do that. It gives us a little bit more of a level playingThefield.”Tigers fell to eventual state runnerup Duncanville, 63-7, in last year’s first round, but the experience of being in the postseason for the first time since 2018 is one that Belton’s returning players have carried with them.
ByJON BROOKS TELEGRAM SPORTS WRITER BELTON — The Tigers’ defense last year made routine an environment of outmaneuvering opponents and outperforming expectations.Astheseason progressed, the undersized unit produced oversized results, setting the tone down the stretch as Belton won its final three District 12-6A games and made a move toward its playoff berth.
linebacker Donovan Thompson is the Tigers’ lone returning starter. He led the team with 80 tackles, including 12 for losses, and five sacks a year ago. Perhaps
Belton defense just wants to make plays
Please see BELTON, Page 25 BeltonBeltonTigersTigers
Defensive players to watch: LB Donovan Thompson, DL Aidan Stock, DB Sam Babcock, DB Alton McCallum
While most of those defenders — including 10 starters — are now gone, that doesn’t mean Belton won’t find a way to repeat the process again this fall, if it has its“Weway.have a lot of leaders coming back, not a ton on defense, but the ones we have are ready to step up and ready to be players,” Harbin said. “Everybody wants to play and be good and just take that next step.”Outside
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Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram Aidan Stock (55), Alton McCallum, Donovan Thompson, Sam Babcock and the rest of the Belton defense steadily improved throughout last season.
In Weeks 8 and 9, the Tigers combined for 25 tackles for losses in wins against Killeen Ellison and Killeen Shoemaker. In the 24-15 decision over Shoemaker, Belton held an offense that averaged 450 yards per game to 148 total yards, stopping Shoemaker for a loss on 32 percent of its plays. It sealed the program’s first postseason bid since 2018 and marked a culmination of a season-long goal. Now it’s time to move on — or maybe not.“I think they’re building on what we did last year,” defensive coordinator Christopher Harbin said. “I think we turned a corner in making the program better last year and these kids bought into it in the offseason. And they’ve been busting their tail to be better this year.”
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Salado ready
Tom Westerberg, who guided Allen to four state titles, is in his first year in charge of a Salado program that has become accustomed to playoff success.Please see SALADO, Page 19 Coach: Tom Westerberg 2021 record: 7-4 District: 11-4A-II Venue: Eagle Stadium Players to watch: QB Luke Law, DB Drew Bird, DB Darius Wilson, WR Seth Revis, OL Dray McLane, QB Kase Maedgen, LB Dusty Rhiddlehoover
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ByTIM WAITS TELEGRAM SPORTS CORRESPONDENT SALADO — Despite being rebuffed a few times before, Tom Westerberg is proving that a person can indeed go home again.This time, he wants to make Salado his final landing spot with a resume most high school coaches can only dream about.“It’s the job I’ve always wanted and tried to get, but for whatever reason didn’t,” said the 58-year-old Westerberg, a 1982 Salado graduate who spent last year as the athletic director at Hays ISD. “I’m excited to be back. This is where I’m comfortable, coaching kids.” Salado kids, like he once was. Westerberg made a couple of attempts to get Salado’s head post early in his career and tried again in 1999 before being edged out by Jeff Cheatham. In the interim, Westerberg took over Allen’s program in 2004 and guided it to Class 6A state championships in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the final three fueled by Heisman Trophy winner and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. In 12 years there, Westerberg compiled a staggering 148-17 record. He then left for Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill, where his teams went 38-17 in five seasons. When fellow Salado alum Alan Haire departed for newly opened Killeen Chaparral after last season, Westerberg seized for debut under Westerberg Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
Gatesville will try to punch its ticket to the playoffs for a third straight year. The last time the Hornets did that was during a string of four appearances from 2014-17.GATESVILLE, Page
23 GatesvilleGatesvilleHornetsHornets Coach: Aaron Hunter 2021 record: 4-7 District: 11-4A-II Venue: McKamie Stadium Players to watch: DB Lawson Mooney, LB Thiele Alvarado, CB Kason Herbelin, WR Trevor Smith, WR Aydan Necessary, OL Lucas Garcia, WR/DB Sean Aguillar Good Luck to all of our area teams! Good TexasCentralLuckTeams! 254-933-5243 GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA TEAMS!! Good Luck to all of our area teams! Gatesville High School Go Hornets!Go Hornets!
Earning victories is only part of Hunter’s long-term plan, though.
Gatesville building confidence, culture
Please see
“We have to be brothers and we have to be a family, so we’ve done a lot of leadership meetings and a lot of character development to show them where we are at as a program, where we want to go and how to bridge that gap.”
ByCLAY WHITTINGTON TELEGRAM SPORTS CORRESPONDENT GATESVILLE — Aaron Hunter is coaching a team, but he is also building a culture.
Dennis Knowlton/FME News Service
Although Hunter understands the
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 15FOOTBALL 2022
Prior to inheriting the program during the offseason, Gatesville’s new head coach understood the Hornets were in a transitional period. After 11 seasons of stability under former head coach Kyle Cooper, who departed in 2019, Gatesville was under the direction of Luke Howard for three years. Now, Hunter takes over his alma mater where he intends to eclipse the tenure of his predecessor and potentially equal the standard set by Cooper, who led Gatesville to the playoffs six times, including a trip to the state quarterfinals in 2012.
“We always talk about the things that are going to flip this program,” Hunter said. “We can lift weights all we want or run as fast as we want, but if we don’t have the right mentality when we take the field or we don’t have the right confidence in our abilities, it doesn’t matter.
“There’s a lot of excitement this year,” he said. “The community wants the program to be successful. We’ve got the things here in place to really kind of turn this football program around, which is what we want to do, and that’s really where the excitement comes from.”
“He just knows the offense better. He knows our staff better. He knows what we’re looking for in certain situations, so this year, I think he’s probably improved just in his knowledge of what we want to do,” he Defensively,said.
the Cougars will employ a 3-3-5 scheme, one that Murr said he expects his team to be more comfortable playing in for a second year in a row.
Knebel threw for 1,793 yards and 22 touchdowns in his first year in the spread scheme that Murr brought to Jarrell. Knebel will provide a steady hand for an offense that must replace standout running back Derrick Warren Jr., whose 1,684 yards rushing and receiving accounted for more than half of Jarrell’s 2,990 total yards from scrimmage last year.
Murr also said that lineman Lord Basnight and sophomore linebacker Hayden Dotson stepped up in fall camp to earn likely playing time.
seniors include returning starting quarterback Andrew Knebel as well as linebacker Ethan Martone, defensive back Jalani Price and running backs Malik Davis and Brayden Bolyard.
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“I think the expectations are clearer, and I think they’re being met,” Murr said of his upperclassmen. “I think they really have a chance to set the foundation for a pretty goodSomeprogram.”ofthose
“Replacing Derrick, it’ll be a tough job but I think we have players who can step in,” Murr said, adding that junior running back JaMarion Nibblett has stood out in fall camp, including in the Cougars’ first scrimmage against Rockdale, and will provide another solid option in the backfield.
Murr also said the experience that Knebel gained last year should prove invaluable as this season moves forward.
“I think quickness and speed will be two things we’ll be really good at,” he said. “I think we’ll be fast to the ball. I think we did a great job (in the Rockdale scrimmage) of having everybody running to the ball, so I was really excited about that.”
And no matter the opponent, Murr wants to see the positive energy continue.
Defensively, the Cougars will count on the aforementioned Martone and Price along with lineman Isiah Fundeburg and defensive backs Jacques Spradley and Kammari Fisher, among others.
16 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022 Jarrell more prepared in Murr’s second year CougarsCougarsJarrellJarrell Coach: Marty Murr 2021 record: 2-8 District: 13-4A-II Venue: Cougar Field Players to watch: QB Andrew Knebel, LB Ethan Martone, DB Jalani Price, DB Jacques Spradley, DL Isiah Fundeburg, DB Kammari Fisher, RB JaMarion Nibblett, LB Hayden Dotson Cougars!GoGo Jarrell High School Good TexasCentralLuckTeams! 254-933-5243 GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA TEAMS!! Affordable After School Care, Summer Programs & Sports Leagues “We’rehereforyourkids!” TTPJVMMN=√=NRNR=pçìíÜ=ORíÜI=qÉãéäÉ=√=êïóÅâáÇëKçêÖ Servin Central Texas youth since 1965g Supporting our Central Texas Teams2116 W Avenue H Te m ple, TX 76504 Office: (254) https://agents.far773-8872 m ers.co m / m reid2 m reid2@far m ersagent.co mProud to Support Our Hometown Teams! 2116 W Avenue H Te m ple, TX 76504 Office: (254) https://agents.far773-8872 m ers.co m / m reid2 m reid2@far m ersagent.co m ReidScott
ByJON BROOKS TELEGRAM SPORTS WRITER JARRELL — The Cougars are moving into the second year of head coach Marty Murr’s tenure and by all indications, they are pointed in the right direction. Murr arrived at Jarrell after a six-year stay at San Augustine in East Texas, where he guided the Wolves to 15 playoff wins. Now the Cougars hope to work toward similar“Theysuccess.knowthe expectations now and I think these kids really want to be successful, and it’s really about getting them to do the things they need to do in order to get that success,” Murr said. So far, Murr said he has seen the type of buy-in he hoped to witness, most notably from a group of about 20 seniors that will be counted on to provide leadership to the nearly 110 players who reported for workouts this fall.
Since their inception, the Lions have always practiced and competed on the same grass as their predecessors. Along with soaking up immeasurable amounts of sweat during intense workouts, the field has witnessed some of the program’s most exhilarating victories and disappointing defeats.While decades of history can help strengthen the unique bond between a player and his home field, CTCS is cutting ties with part of its past.
During the offseason, the installation of an artificial turf field was approved, ushering in a new era for the Lions, who are taking pride in the opportunity to set a standard for upcoming classes, according to head coach Leif Johnston.
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
“They are taking ownership of this new field,” he said. “There are a lot of men and women in the community who think this program is important enough that they want to do something like this. The intensity and the level of commitment within the team has increased going into this season because people believe in us, and we want to match that.”
Central Texas Christian has a new source of motivation.
raising
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The Lions will get their first opportunity to do so Sept. 9, when they host Milano in their home opener.
Although there is additional emphasis to perform during the new field’s debut season, CTCS simply wants to win after falling in five of its final seven games last year. While it will be easier said than done, the Lions possess the personnel to turn around their fortunes.
CTCS returns 12 seniors and brings back a total of 15 starters, including eight onTalent,defense.however, is only part of their contributions.“Myseniors understand the expectations here,” Johnston said. “They know what it takes to win big ballgames and how to have longevity both individually and as a team. We want to have a player-led team so the coaches can just throw things out there and they can pick it up and run with it. When you look around the state, the best teams have players who have bought into the program. It is vital to our success that the players be an extension of the coaching staff.” And it will be necessary at times as the Lions usher in freshman Cooper Smith as the starting quarterback after Alec Gonzalez’s graduation.
CTCS intensity, commitment level
Coach Leif Johnston Frazee Field Players to watch RB/LB Reagan RagsQB Cooper Smith, Allerkamp, Tristan Eanes, OL Matt Rose, WR Evan Allerkamp
The Central Texas Christian Lions won’t be kicking up dirt on their field this season after the installation is finished on a new artificial surface. CTCS,
RB Ethan
ByCLAY WHITTINGTON TELEGRAM SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Page 19 LionsCTCSCTCSLions
:
Please see
:
2021 record: 4-6 District: TAPPS 2-IV Venue:
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 17FOOTBALL 2022
The inexperience at the QB position
TE/DL
Prior to last year, Kelly was approached by Holy Trinity’s then-head coach James Shelton, who asked him to join the Celtics staff. Almost immediately, Kelly accepted.
Holy Trinity learning fast under new coach
Then there was a realization. “I thought it was 11-man football,” Kelly said. “I had no idea it was six-man football. Once I got there, he had to teach me about six-man and how it works. So, I was working and learning at the same time. I had to learn the rules.”
After learning the ropes of six-man football as an assistant last year, J.B. Kelly moved up the ladder to become the head coach at Holy Trinity Catholic.Please see CELTICS, Page 24
Holy TrinityHolyCelticsCelticsTrinity Coach: J.B. Kelly 2021 record: 6-6 Players
18 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
ByCLAY WHITTINGTON TELEGRAM SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
J.B. Kelly is not only new to Holy Trinity Catholic, he is new to the entire game of six-man football. Growing up in Woodway, Kelly attended high school at Hewitt Midway, where he experienced a trip to the 2008 Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals before graduating in 2010. He then played for NCAA Division III powerhouse Mary Hardin-Baylor as a receiver and was part of more lengthy postseason runs.
Hopefully, one year later, the intricacies of the game have become second nature, because Kelly replaced Shelton as head coach during the offseason.
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
District: TAPPS Six-man 3-II Venue: Matous Field
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“I’m so excited because I have always wanted to coach football,” he said. “I didn’t even know about six-man, but football is football, and this is what I’ve always wanted to do with my life. Having one year of experience and then being a head
While some of the rule are different from the game Kelly played, his passion remains the same.
makes it critical for players surrounding him — including fouryear starter Reagan Ragsdale, a fullback and middle linebacker, and senior running back Ethan Allerkamp, who rushed for 1,489 yards and 12 touchdowns last season — to ease the transition.“Cooper is a very talented kid,” Johnston said. “But there is a lot on his plate as a freshman quarterback. He has to be a leader just based on his position, but those two guys who are in the backfield with him have taken a lot of the pressure to drive the team off his back. Now, he can just focus on what he is capable of doing, and it is because of the leadership we have on this team that he can play more care-free.”
Law will be backed by junior Kase Maedgen to provide a rushing alternative. Law’s top targets will be inside receivers Brendan Wilson and Seth Reavis and wideouts Morgan Adams, Roman Law and Jesse Salado’sMaskunas.lineismade up of solid size and experience, led by center Dray McLane, guards Jaxson Leiskau and Kade Hayes, and tackles Ethan Van De Plaus and Owen Crisp. Defensively, the Eagles will be in attack mode under new coordinator Joe Lepsis.
Garrett Combs and Cavahn Wilson will be the ends up front, with Dillon Combs at nose tackle. The linebacker corps will be made up of Dylan Wigley and Phoenix Flores on the inside, with Nolan Miller and Dusty Rhiddlehoover on the outside. Drew Bird and Darius Wilson return as the safeties. Andrew Young and A.J. Fach will be the cornerbacks. “We are learning a whole new system and we are trying to put as much on them as we can,” Westerberg said. “We’re putting them in as many game situations as we can to learn to adjust.”
There is still a lot of work to do before CTCS can claim a sixth consecutive playoff berth, but Johnston is confident his players are prepared for the challenge.“Everyday, these guys just keep getting a little bit better,” he said. “In the past, part of our Achilles’ heel was that we would peak fairly early in the season, but I’m excited about the trend that is developing. This year, we want to be playing our best football late in the season. Hopefully, we will get all the way into December.” the opportunity to get back on the sideline and out of the administrative office. Salado is coming off a 7-4 campaign and moves into newly formed District 11-4AII with Gatesville, Robinson, Waco Connally and Madisonville.
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 19FOOTBALL 2022
Salado
Continued from 14 Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
Salado totaled only 680 yards through the air last year, but the Eagles will open up their passing game under new head coach Tom Westerberg.
“We’re going to transform the offense a little bit,” Westerberg said. “We had to find the right quarterback and receivers. Most kids grow up throwing and catching the football. We’ve got guys who can catch, and we found our trigger guy.”
Luke Law, a 6-foot-6 junior, has the reins of the Eagles’ offense after spending one year on Temple’s junior varsity squad before returning to Salado. “(Luke) can throw the football and has great vision,” Westerberg said. “That’s something not all kids have. He’s picked up on the things we’re trying to do.”
CTCS Continued from 17
One of the goals for Central Texas Christian is to be playing its best when the playoffs arrive. Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
“I want to show coaches there is a balance between coaching and family,” Westerberg said. “A lot of younger coaches are getting out of it because there are still a lot of old-school coaches who view this as a seven-day-a-week grind. That’s not what I do. I want to mentor young coaches so that they don’t have to doThethat.”transition from Haire to Westerberg is far from subtle. Haire enjoyed huge success in Salado employing the runheavy slot-T offense and a four-man front on defense. Westerberg brings a wideopen spread attack on offense, and the defense will move to a 3-4 set.
One thing is for sure, their defense is chomping at the bit to get the season started.“Thecoaches have been getting us ready with all the drills that we do, and I believe all the training that we’ve been doing will really help us in games,” Williams said. “We’re special. We can shut things down, and I believe we’re going to be really good thisSelf-beliefyear.” and confidence are beneficial on Friday nights, but Cope does his best to help his players block out what people outside of the program say about the Broncos — positively or negatively.
Like the rest of their defense, the Broncos have veteran players on special teams, with quarterback Connor Crews doing the punting while Cole Jackson or Tommy Stephens handle the kicking duties.Two-way players Wilcox, Legg and junior Micah Hudson are in the mix to return punts and kicks, and senior Tristan Robin also is likely to see time on both sides of the“Weball.have a really good practice plan that we feel like gives some of our kids an opportunity to play both ways,” Lake Belton head coach Brian Cope said. The Broncos’ initial opportunity comes Friday night at Leander Rouse before their first home game against Buda Johnson and the District 4-5A-I opener at Red Oak.
It’s an experienced group that’s wellversed in the battle in the trenches.
20 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022 yards, so I’m going to get an extra 10.’ All of that happens because of the line.
Continued from 3 back from a defense that held opponents to 322.9 yards and 18.7 points per game during last season’s undefeated campaign, and the unit’s biggest strength will be in theSafetiessecondary.Wilcox and junior Ty Legg were among Lake Belton’s top tacklers a year ago, when seniors Bruce Onchweri and Keshawn Baptiste and junior Selman Bridges proved to be capable cover men at the cornerback positions.
“Everybody in the secondary improved over the summer, got mentally and physically better,” Wilcox said. “Everybody learned a lot about technique, and that’s a big part of it. If you take a false step, you’re out of place and might miss the game-winning interception.
“In middle school, I didn’t play much quarterback. I played pretty much everything but quarterback,” he said. “They’d put me in every once in a while to throw some corner routes. Throwing has always come natural to me.” Once he got to high school for his freshman season at Belton High — the year before Lake Belton opened — and an offensive coordinator by the name of Brian Cope caught sight of that natural throwing ability, Crews quickly became a full-time signal-caller.“Notonly is he one of the top quarterbacks I’ve ever been able to coach, he’s also a tireless worker and is on our leadership council,” said Cope, now the third-year head coach of the Broncos. “He means a lot to this program, to say the least.”
Crews
“Our line has perfected their craft. We’ve moved a couple of guys around, and they’re all doing their job. We have a center now who’s a sophomore, Brett Harmon, and he’s a dog. He knows what’s up and can throw some people around.” Easy going and quick to share praise with his teammates, Crews has always stood out on the baseball diamond and the football field. He wasn’t always a quarterback, though.
A long run in the postseason is the Broncos’ goal, and Crews and his teammates believe they have a chance to make it happen after chalking up an 18-1 record over the last two years while playing as an independent. No matter the outcome, though, Crews wants to savor every moment of his final season with his teammates.“Thebest part of playing is the small things, hanging out with the guys, smiling and laughing and having a good time at practice,” he said. “Winning is nice, but just being with the guys is great. This is my last year, so I have to enjoy it with my people before it’s all over.”
n edrennan@tdtnews.com
“We have some guys with speed and length, and some other guys who aren’t as fast but have the footwork and technique to make up for it.”
The group up front has a chance to be just as strong. Among the returning players in the rotation to man spots in the front seven are junior Adam Walden at nose tackle, seniors Keuntaye Williams and Teevon Jones and junior Isaiah Koonce on the ends, seniors Connor Brennan, Collin Espinosa and Kyle Dalton at inside linebacker, and senior Manuel Herrera and junior Tre Phillips as outside linebackers.
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“The coaches get us all ready to do our jobs, and that’s played a main part in why we’ve been successful,” Williams said. “I feel like if we keep doing what we’ve been doing the last two years, we’ll be able to go to the playoffs.”
Being a leader is something Crews has worked toward. For him, it’s more natural to let his teammates do most of the talking. It doesn’t work that way for quarterbacks, though. And to be the type of QB who can lead the Broncos in their first chase for a playoff berth, he knew he had to grow into as a leader. “I love being the quarterback. I’m a type-A person,” he said. “I always like being in control and I feel like quarterback is a good position for that type of personality, but I’ve never been a real vocal person.“Ithink I’ve changed a lot since my sophomore year. I’ve always thought actions speak louder than words. But the coaches have taught me that you also have to be vocal and communicate with the guys so you can bond as a unit. You can go a lot farther as a family than as an individual. So if everybody can work together and communicate, it helps in the long run.”
“We don’t worry about expectations. We worry about ourselves,” he said. “It’s our job to go out and answer the bell when it’s rung.” edrennan@tdtnews.com
n edrennan@tdtnews.com
“For us to accomplish what we want, it takes effort. You need to work hard to get what you want. What we want is to go to the playoffs and go as far as we can. To do that, we just have to put our best foot forward every step we take, and that’s something we’ve all been good at doing.” Kunz agreed with his teammate.
Waging the battle up front will be another experienced group that includes a talented newcomer. Seniors Dominic Simpson, Challen Ma’lleoi and Logan Gandara and junior Kaden Bradshaw are back along the line and will be joined by sophomore center Brett Harmon, whose size and strength gave the coaching staff the confidence to move Kunz from center to tight end.
“I think we’re going to play at a higher tempo on offense because our kids are very confident in our schemes,” Cope said. “I also think we’ll become more multiple in a lot of different ways, whether it be personnel packages or run schemes or pass schemes. I think we’ll be able to be more multiple than we have been in the past.
“If we can win the battle up front, we want to run the ball first and foremost. When you’re able to run the ball, it opens windows in the passing game.”
“The backbone of this offense is the line, as it should be with every team,” he said. “I played on it for a few years, so I may be a little biased. But we have some really good guys up front, and we also have some other stars and talent all around.”Thekey for the Broncos will be getting those stars to align during the eight-game district slate that continues after the trip to Red Oak with matchups against Killeen Shoemaker, Waco, Cleburne, Killeen, Granbury, Midlothian and Killeen Ellison.“Regardless of whether it’s a district game or not, we’re always ready to go,” Simpson said. “We’re always ready to do whatever we need to.”
Lake Belton wants to have the same balanced production on offense that it had a year ago, when the Broncos ran for 1,774 yards and threw for 1,841.
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Lake Continued from 10 Jon Farrow/Special to the Telegram
“I’m kind of biased when I say this, but the offense can’t do anything if we don’t do our jobs first,” Simpson said of the offensive line. “You can’t run if we don’t block. If our pass protection isn’t good, the ball goes nowhere.
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TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 21FOOTBALL 2022 the ground, and he will be joined in the backfield by senior running back D’Arius Wilkerson (401 yards rushing, seven TDs).The rest of the skill positions are stocked as well, with junior Micah Hudson (45 catches, 824 yards, six TDs) heading up a receivers corps that includes seniors Daud Khan and Jaydon Leza and senior twoway standout Javeon Wilcox.
“The hardest part was really motivating myself to get up and do the actual rehab because the first couple of months, it was really hard to move, stretch it out, bend it, doing all that type of stuff,” he said. “So it was really pushing past the pain and doing what’s best for my knee and my health. I had really supportive teammates, and coaches came to see me and made sure I kept my head up, so I appreciate them for that.”
Now Underwood’s experience will be counted on in Belton’s backfield.
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Jon Farrow/Special to the Telegram Temple’s gang-tackling defense is under the direction of coordinator Dexter Knox, who believes this year’s group has more overall speed than last year’s unit.
“I don’t know how to guess what our record is going to be. I don’t know how to guess where we are going to finish. I do know that if we can stack up those days, if we can get better tomorrow than we were today, enough times in a row, this team should have a chance to be in those conversations.”
Temple Continued from
n jweaver@tdtnews.com 8
“I think we have some older guys in the right spots, and we probably have a little more team speed than last year. So, I think we’ll move around a little bit better,” Knox said. “We just have to keep getting better each and every day.”
22 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022 and ready to show people what we can do.
Mitchell is the veteran among a revamped secondary that will include O’Ryan Peoples at Boom. Peoples, a sophomore, is considered in the words of head coach Scott Stewart as “the best athlete in Temple.”
“We have a long season and a lot of competitiveness ahead, but we practice hard out here to get prepared for the teams that we have coming up.”
Underwood Continued from 4
The 5-foot-9, 188-pounder is a natural at the position. Underwood has played running back since he began the sport at age 4. He doubled as a linebacker until he reached varsity in his sophomore year, when he made the full-time switch to offense.“LJ’s coming back after last year and he’s looking great,” offensive coordinator Barry Campbell said. “He’s a smart guy and he knows football. He can figure things out and understand things and what we’re trying to do.” Campbell said not only does Underwood present a threat as a ball carrier, but also as a pass-catcher. Not to mention, he gives the Tigers a nice mix of power and quickness when he has the ball in his hands.“Ithink power is more his thing. But if he gets in the open field, he’s going to be really good there, too,” Campbell said. “As we progress, I think he’s a guy that can move around to other places if we need him to, just because he picks things up so Headquickly.”coachBrett Sniffin agrees, and likes what he saw from the senior early in camp.“He put in his time,” Sniffin said. “He was starting to hum there at the end (of the Georgetown game) and we’ve seen that confidence carry over. Sometimes guys can have surgery like that and it takes a little while to mentally get over it. You have to test it and make sure it’s alright and fall down a few times. But LJ just seems to have taken right off.”
Expected to start opposite Mitchell at the other cornerback spot is Steven Jackson, a senior move-in from Troy, and at free safety is junior Damarion Willis, who played some quarterback last season.
After McKinney, Temple hosts Willis, is on the road against Class 5A Division I state runner-up College Station and home versus Arlington Martin. Those non-district foes went a combined 34-16 a year ago and feature multiple FBS Division I commitments.Thenit’son to 12-6A, which will look different than the previous four years. Out are Belton, Killeen, Killeen Ellison and Killeen Shoemaker, all of which now are 5A programs. In are Pflugerville Weiss, Hutto and Hewitt Midway. Still around are Bryan, Copperas Cove and Harker“ChemistryHeights.is real. The locker room chemistry is real. So we spend a lot of time on that,” Stewart said. “But, my deal is, can you be the best version of yourself every day and stack enough of those up?
n jbrooks@tdtnews.com
Kevin Stockton and Julian White are candidates at defensive end, and Stewart said a committee approach that includes returner Aiden Malsbury and Ka’Morian Carter at nose tackle could be the solution there. Deavonte Carr also will see time in the secondary.
“Now, because of him, we are laying the foundation for what is coming.”
“He did a great job of pointing this program in the right direction,” Hunter said.
The Hornets graduated a wealth of senior talent at key positions last spring, but some all-district representatives return.
Additionally, senior captains Aydan Necessary, a receiver, cornerback Kason Herbelin and lineman Lucas Garcia, along with junior captain Sean Aguillar, a receiver and cornerback, are expected to take on increased workloads.
Gatesville Continued from 15 Dennis Knowlton/FME News Service Aaron Hunter is back at his alma mater as the head coach of the Gatesville Hornets and has guided his players through leadership meetings to build their bond.
If Gatesville returns to the postseason, it would be the program’s first time to qualify in three consecutive years since going four times between 2014 and 2017.
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Texas High School Records
All-time victories — Dallas Highland Park, 864; Amarillo, 808; Mart, 805; Temple, 793; Plano, 775; Refugio, 762; Brownwood, 758; Longview, 755; Cuero, 750; Cameron Yoe, 741 All-time title game appearances — Katy, 15; Mart, 13; Aledo, 12; Celina, 11; Converse Judson, 11; Cuero, 11; Odessa Permian, 11; Richland Springs, 11; La Marque, 10; Refugio, 10; Wichita Falls, 10 Career coaching victories — Phil Danaher, Corpus Christi Calallen, 490; G.A. Moore, Celina, 426; Randy Allen, Dallas Highland Park, 424; Gordon Wood, Brownwood, 394; Tom Nolen, Houston Lamar, 364; Jim Streety, San Antonio Madison, 343; Dennis Alexander, Troup, 340; Denney Faith, Albany, 330; Curtis Barbay, Newton, 317; Charlie Johnston, Childress, 315 Career yards rushing — Kenneth Hall (195053), Sugar Land, 11,232; Johnathan Gray (2008-11), Aledo, 10,889; Traylon Shead (2006-09), Cayuga, 10,298 Career rushing attempts — Johnathan Gray (2008-11), Aledo, 1,218; Jacquizz Rodgers (2004-07), Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated, 1,134; Robert Strait (1985-88), Cuero, 1,131 Career yards passing — Grant Gunnell (201528), Houston St. Pius X, 16,108; Hunter Lile (2011-14), Booker, 14,408; Travis Quintanilla (2011-13), Refugio, 14,223 Career completions — Hunter Lile (2011-14), Booker, 1,047; Grant Gunnell (2015-18), Houston St. Pius X, 1,024; Drew Tate (1999-02), Baytown Lee, 970 Career touchdown passes — Grant Gunnell (2015-18), Houston St. Pius X, 195; Travis Quintanilla (2011-13), Refugio, 186; Graham Harrell (2000-03), Ennis, 167 Career yards receiving — Marvin Mims (201619), Frisco Lone Star, 5,485; Jordan Shipley (2000-03), Burnet, 5,424; Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2016-19), Rockwall, 5,403 Career receptions — Jared Reagan (2011-14), Booker, 391; Hunter Hawthorne (2014-17), Bells, 350; Jake Oliver (2009-12), Dallas Jesuit, 308 Career touchdown receptions — Tren’Davian Dickson (2012-15), Navasota, 76; Jordan Shipley (2000-03), Burnet, 73; Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2016-19), Rockwall, 63 Career points — Johnathan Gray (2008-11), Aledo, 1,232; Hayden Martinez (2011-14), Iola, 924; Kenneth Hall (1950-53), Sugar Land, 899 Career interceptions — Donald Moore (197679), Splendora, 59; Jim Linnstaeder (195658), Brenham, 55; Plez Atkins (1989-92), Bartlett, 41 Career field goals — Cole Hedlund (2011-13), Argyle, 58; Tomas Sanchez (1995-98), Fort Worth Arlington Heights, 48; Juan Carranco (2010-12), Dayton, 42; Garrett Hartley (200103), Southlake Carroll, 42process will take time to complete, he also believes the Hornets are capable of immediate success after reaching the postseason in each of Howard’s final two years, including last season when they were 47.After an 0-10 showing in Howard’s debut, Gatesville followed with a fourwin season that concluded by forfeiting its first-round playoff game amid the pandemic then won four games again in last year’s campaign that ended with a 35-0 defeat to two-time defending state champion Carthage the playoff opener.
Junior safety Lawson Mooney, who was second on the team in tackles with 118, was a first-team all-district selection, and receiver Trevor Smith and linebacker Thiele Alvarado were second-team picks.
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 23FOOTBALL 2022
After suffering through consecutive nine-loss seasons, Shelton helped rebuild Holy Trinity, guiding it to a 6-6 record last season when the Celtics advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
24 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
The Celtics are in District 3 of TAPPS Six-man Division II this season. Last season, Holy Trinity rebounded from a 2-3 start to return to the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Extending the streak will not be easy, but Kelly sees specific keys to success.
Along with a large crop of unrefined freshmen, Holy Trinity returns two seniors in standouts Neri Navarro, a receiver and linebacker, and quarterback Austin Belbeck. While Kelly will rely on their skills, their value extends beyond the field.
Despite losing numerous contributors, including running back Zaylin Blackwood and lineman Trent Lockhart among others, talent remains on the roster.
“I’m focusing on my team’s physicality and conditioning,” he said. “Staying healthy is a big part of it and, with us having a lot of new kids and being kind of undersized, we have to be physical. Also, we have to be well-conditioned. We want to be in a good position when the fourth quarter comes around.”
Perhaps nothing will prove more valuable than Kelly’s experience with the program.“Ialready know what these guys are used to,” he said. “Now I can intertwine that with my personality. It’s not like they don’t know what they are going to get from me. They got a taste of my style last year, and that bond is already there.”
coach is a little nerve-wracking, because I know what Coach Shelton has done for this team over the last few years. An expectation has been set.”
By the time the coaches reach the field for practice each day, everybody is already good to go, because they are doing their jobs and leading the team.”
Celtics Continued from 18 NOW REGISTERING 2022-2023 Over 17 sports - No tryouts necessary • Serves an area of Central Texas comprising three counties • Average Class Size: 20 • 100% Graduation • All Faiths are Welcome • Average SAT: 1137 Average GPA: 87.41 • Tuition Assistance Available • Award Winning Drama and Forensics Department Come Experience the Spirit Within! enter to win $1,000 scholarship TO HTCHS https://holytrinitychs.org/enter-to-win Holy Trinity Catholic High School seeks to form the Christian Leaders of Tomorrow; we strive to develop the intellect, educate the heart, and form the character of each student by giving witness to Gospel values. MISSION STATEMENT Guided by the Holy Spirit in a Catholic environment Holy Trinity seeks to empower every student to graduate with superior academic knowledge, maturity, and confidence founded in Christian values for the achievement of life long success. viSION STATEMENT Faith • Excellence • Service www.holytrinitychs.org 6608 W. Adams Avenue, Temple | (254) 771-0787 Renee Morales, Director of Admissions | morales@holytrinitychs.org
“Those two have really taken it upon themselves to show the newcomers how we do things here,” Kelly said. “They are grooming guys to be the next leaders of the team by showing them how to do it.
Belton Continued from
As the Tigers transition from Class 6A to District 11-5A-II this season, expectations are high among players and coaches to get the program back into the postseason for a second straight year, and this time to advance past the first round.
He added that it took the Tigers four days to force their first turnover in fall camp. “It’s one of those things where right now I’m frustrated beyond belief,” Harbin said. “But some of the other coaches help me calm down. We have some of the best receivers in the area and probably one of the best quarterbacks in the area, and it’s only going to make us better.”
Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
Belton limited opponents to less than 300 yards per game last year and wants to pick up where it left off. PLACE 12:00 pm pm pm pm pm
9/24 hARDIN-SIMMONS UNIV. abilene, tx 6:00
And he remains confident that the turnovers will come eventually.
n jbrooks@tdtnews.com 13
Date Opponent
“My goal is always to have six secondary guys that you feel confident you can throw back there,” he said. “At linebacker, you want two at each position. But as far as play, we’re going to play the best 11. If you’re (in) the best 11, we’re going to find a spot for you.”
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 25FOOTBALL 2022 more importantly, the senior has shown no signs of slowing down since.“Donovan looks really good again, too,” head coach Brett Sniffin said. “He’s playing with a lot more confidence and knows what he’s doing and he definitely looks like a leader backOtherthere.”players
10/01 AUSTIN COLLEGE belton, tx 2:00 pm 10/08 EAST TEXAS BAPTIST MARSHALL, tx 1:00 pm 10/15 TEXAS LUTHERAN UNIV. SEGUIN, tx 1:00 pm 10/22 sul ross state univ. BELTON, tx 1:00
11/05 HOWARD PAYNE UNIV. bROWNWOOD, tx 1:00
“Right now we’re not tackling, so the stripping of the ball is not there,” Harbin said. “I told them, ‘That’s what we build on.’ We have to have turnovers or we’re not going to be successful. It’s just trying to get them back to that mentality. It’ll come.”
Harbin added that practicing against Belton’s offense, which features returning skill players such as quarterback Ty Brown and the multipositioned Slade LeBlanc among others, also provides a good testing ground for his players, though it may not lead to many of those aforementioned turnovers.
11/12 MCMURRY UNIV. belton, tx 1:00 pM
Belton coaches expect to make an impact include lineman Aidan Stock, defensive backs Sam Babcock and Alton McCallum, and Giani Zecca and Wyatt Butler, who each man the hybrid Tiger position.Babcock played in 10 games, notching 30 tackles as part of Belton’s deep stable of defensive backs last year. If nothing else, that group, along with the remaining Tigers defenders, plan to adopt the same mindset as last year’s unit — a meet-the-ball approach that stresses turnovers.
9/17 SOUTHWESTERN UNIV. BELTON, tx 6:00
“We preach run around, fly to the ball and good things will happen,” Harbin said. “We haven’t changed a whole lot concept-wise in what we’re doing, but it’s one of those deals where we took a look at what fit our kids here at Belton. And this type of defense does.”
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Sniffin said the early portion of the season, including Belton’s three non-district games, will be used to figure out where each player fits within the scheme.
26 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022 2022 Area Composite Schedule
WEEK 4 Friday, Sept. 16 District 4-5A-I Killeen Shoemaker at Lake Belton Red Oak at Killeen Ellison Non-district Arlington Martin at Temple Belton at San Angelo Central Waco University at Copperas Cove Harker Heights at Odessa Permian Bryan Rudder at Killeen Chaparral Pflugerville Connally at Lampasas Academy at Salado Gatesville at Mexia Hillsboro at Jarrell Cameron Yoe at Bellville Rockdale at Tuscola Jim Ned Troy at Early Rogers at Palmer Holland at Bremond Bartlett at Itasca Granger at Goldthwaite Buckholts at Waco Eagle Christian Bryan Brazos at Central Texas Christian Centex Homeschool at Holy Trinity CatholicIdle:Killeen, Bruceville-Eddy, Moody, Rosebud-Lott
Thursday, Oct. 13 District 11-5A-II Killeen Chaparral at Leander Rouse Friday, Oct. 14 District 12-6A Hutto at Temple Hewitt Midway at Copperas Cove District 4-5A-I Granbury at Lake Belton Killeen at Killeen Ellison Waco at Killeen Shoemaker District 11-5A-II Belton at Pflugerville Connally District 13-4A-I Taylor at Lampasas District 11-4A-II Gatesville at Salado District 13-4A-II
Thursday, Oct. 20 District 4-5A-I Red Oak at Killeen Friday, Oct. 21 District 12-6A Temple at Harker Heights Copperas Cove at Hutto District 4-5A-I Lake Belton at Midlothian Killeen Ellison at Granbury Killeen Shoemaker at Cleburne District 11-5A-II Pflugerville Connally at Killeen Chaparral District 13-4A-I Lampasas at San Antonio Davenport District 11-4A-II Salado at Waco Connally Madisonville at Gatesville District 13-4A-II Austin Achieve at Jarrell District 11-3A-I McGregor at Academy Rockdale at Cameron Yoe District 13-3A-II Rogers at Buffalo District 8-2A-I Marlin at Bruceville-Eddy Moody at Riesel Valley Mills at Rosebud-Lott District 13-2A-I Hearne at Holland District 13-2A-II Bartlett at Iola Granger at Chilton District 11-1A-II Buckholts at Calvert TAPPS District 2-IV Central Texas Christian at Shiner St. Paul TAPPS Six-man District 3-II Holy Trinity Catholic at Waco Live Oak Idle: Belton, Troy WEEK 10 Friday, Oct. 28 District 12-6A Harker Heights at Copperas Cove District 4-5A-I Killeen at Killeen Shoemaker Midlothian at Killeen Ellison District 11-5A-II Killeen Chaparral at Belton District 13-4A-I Lampasas at Marble Falls District 11-4A-II Gatesville at Robinson District 13-4A-II Jarrell at Manor New Tech District 11-3A-I Academy at Rockdale Cameron Yoe at Franklin Lorena at Troy District 13-3A-II Lexington at Rogers District 8-2A-I Bruceville-Eddy at Moody Rosebud-Lott at Marlin District 13-2A-I Holland at Schulenburg District 13-2A-II Bremond at Bartlett Granger at Milano District 11-1A-II Dime Box at Buckholts TAPPS District 2-IV New Braunfels Christian at Central Texas Christian TAPPS Six-man District 3-II Round Rock Concordia at Holy Trinity CatholicIdle:Temple, Lake Belton, Salado WEEK 11 Friday, Nov. 4 District 12-6A Copperas Cove at Temple Bryan at Harker Heights District 4-5A-I Killeen Ellison at Lake Belton Waco at Killeen Killeen Shoemaker at Granbury District 11-5A-II Belton at Waco University District 13-4A-I Fischer Canyon Lake at Lampasas District 11-4A-II Madisonville at Salado District 13-4A-II Lago Vista at Jarrell District 11-3A-I Franklin at Academy Troy at Cameron Yoe Rockdale at McGregor District 13-3A-II Rogers at Elkhart District 8-2A-I Crawford at Bruceville-Eddy Moody at Rosebud-Lott District 13-2A-I Flatonia at Holland District 13-2A-II Bartlett at Granger District 11-1A-II Oglesby at Buckholts TAPPS District 2-IV Hallettsville Sacred Heart at Central Texas Christian TAPPS Six-man District 3-II Holy Trinity Catholic at Marble Falls Faith Idle: Killeen Chaparral, Gatesville
WEEK 6 Friday, Sept. 30 District 12-6A Pflugerville Weiss at Temple Bryan at Copperas Cove Hewitt Midway at Harker Heights District 4-5A-I Cleburne at Lake Belton Killeen at Midlothian Waco at Killeen Ellison Killeen Shoemaker at Red Oak District 11-5A-II Belton at Elgin Killeen Chaparral at Pflugerville District 11-3A-I Lorena at Academy Franklin at Rockdale Troy at McGregor District 8-2A-I Bosqueville at Bruceville-Eddy Moody at Marlin Riesel at Rosebud-Lott Non-district Gatesville at Mineral Wells Mount Calm at Buckholts Central Texas Christian at Austin St. DominicHolySavioTrinity Catholic at San Antonio Castle Hills Saturday, Oct. 1 Non-district Salado vs. Hitchcock at Bryan Idle: Lampasas, Jarrell, Cameron Yoe, Rogers, Holland, Bartlett, Granger WEEK 7 Friday, Oct. 7 District 12-6A Temple at Hewitt Midway Copperas Cove at Pflugerville Weiss Harker Heights at Hutto District 4-5A-I Lake Belton at Killeen Killeen Ellison at Cleburne District 11-5A-II Leander Rouse at Belton Elgin at Killeen Chaparral District 13-4A-I Lampasas at Burnet District 11-4A-II Salado at Robinson Waco Connally at Gatesville District 13-4A-II
Brentwood Saturday, Aug. 27 Non-district Temple at McKinney WEEK 2 Thursday, Sept. 1 Non-district Killeen Ellison at Pflugerville Hendrickson Friday, Sept. Non-district2 Willis at Temple Buda Johnson at Lake Belton Belton at GeorgetownBrenhamEastView at Copperas Cove Harker Heights at Smithson Valley Round Rock Stony Point at Killeen Killeen Chaparral at Killeen Shoemaker Lampasas at Austin Northeast Salado at Bryan Rudder Glen Rose at Gatesville Giddings at Jarrell Lago Vista at Academy Yoakum at Cameron Yoe Taylor at Rockdale Troy at TexasThorndaleAxtellRosebud-LottHicoFlorenceValleySchulenburgLexingtonatRogersMillsatHollandatBruceville-EddyatMoodyatWorthamatBartlettatGrangerWindHomsechoolat Buckholts Central Texas Christian at Dallas Shelton Waco Vanguard at Holy Trinity Catholic WEEK 3 Friday, Sept. 9 District 4-5A-I Lake Belton at Red Oak Killeen at MidlothianCleburneatKilleen Shoemaker Non-district Temple at College Station Huntsville at Belton Copperas Cove at Manor Round Rock Cedar Ridge at Harker Heights Killeen Chaparral at Marble Falls Lampasas at Georgetown East View Salado vs. Malakoff at Hewitt Midway Gatesville at McGregor Jarrell at Caldwell Academy at Hillsboro Waco Connally at Cameron Yoe Lexington at Rockdale Rogers at Troy Holland at Bruceville-EddyGrangeratMalakoff Cross Roads Hubbard at
WEEK 5
Thursday, Sept. 22 District 12-6A Harker Heights at Pflugerville Weiss District 11-5A-II Waco University at Killeen Chaparral Non-district Bartlett vs. Woodsboro at Yoakum Granger vs. Bruni at Kenedy Friday, Sept. 23 District 12-6A Temple at Bryan District 4-5A-I Lake Belton at Waco Granbury at Killeen Killeen Ellison at Killeen Shoemaker District 11-5A-II Pflugerville at Belton District 11-3A-I Academy at Troy Cameron Yoe at Lorena District 8-2A-I Bruceville-Eddy at Riesel Valley Mills at Moody Rosebud-Lott at Crawford District 13-2A-I Holland at Weimar Non-district Wimberley at Lampasas Salado at Boerne Godley at Gatesville Jarrell at Taylor Rogers at Johnson City LBJ Prairie Lea at Buckholts
WEEK 8
Magnolia Legacy at Central Texas Christian San Antonio Lutheran at Holy Trinity CatholicIdle:Copperas Cove, Rockdale
Jarrell at Geronimo Navarro District 11-3A-I Cameron Yoe at McGregor Lorena at Rockdale Troy at Franklin District 13-3A-II Florence at Rogers District 8-2A-I
Bruceville-Eddy at Valley Mills Crawford at Rosebud-LottMoodyatBosqueville District 13-2A-I Holland at Thorndale District 13-2A-II Chilton at Bartlett Bremond at Granger
Idle:HolyMilanoRoundBartlettGoldthwaiteMoodyatRosebud-LottatMeridianRockConcordiaatBuckholtsatCentralTexasChristianTrinityCatholicatBynumKilleenEllison
Thrall at Holland District 13-2A-II Milano at Bartlett Granger at Iola TAPPS Six-man District 3-II Round Rock Christian at Holy Trinity Catholic Non-district Taylor St. Mary’s at Buckholts Plano John Paul at Central Texas Christian Idle: Killeen Shoemaker
Idle: Harker Heights, Academy, Buckholts, Central Texas Christian, Holy Trinity Catholic WEEK 9
Jarrell at Wimberley District 11-3A-I Academy at Cameron Yoe Rockdale at Troy District 13-3A-II Clifton at Rogers District 8-2A-I Rosebud-Lott at Bruceville-Eddy Moody at Bosqueville District 13-2A-I
WEEK 1 Thursday, Aug. 26 Non-district Harker Heights at Killeen Ellison Friday, Aug. Non-district26
Lake Belton at Leander Rouse Pflugerville Hendrickson at Belton Georgetown at Copperas Cove Killeen at Killeen Chaparral San Angelo Central at Killeen Shoemaker Lampasas at CentralBuckholtsGrangerBartlettJewettMoodyBruceville-EddyBurtonWhitneyRockdaleCameronRogersLlanoGatesvilleFredericksburgElginatSaladoatTayloratJarrellatAcademyYoeatLagoVistaatTeagueatTroyatHollandatHicoatAxtellLeonatRosebud-LottatFrostatHubbardatHolyTrinityCatholicTexasChristianatAustin
Kason Goolsby, Cameron Yoe4548210.73
Ryder
Reese Rumfield, Temple95-190-7176824
Wesley
Blaydn Barcak, Rockdale113-195-8170218 Hohhertz, Moody152-259-13160513
Jaidyn Sanchez, Yoe3544312.73
Zaylin Blackwood, Holy Trinity2641516.08
Daud Khan, Lake Belton1836020.04
Riley Dolgener, Rogers58-116-2102213 Brown, Gatesville87-180-69765
Bryan Henry, Belton3651014.26
Trayjen Wilcox, Cameron Yoe2347520.76 Mikal Harrison-Pilot, Temple2846116.56 DJ McClelland, Granger2945915.84
Connor Crews, Lake Belton102-164-4179716
Robert Owens, Rockdale4077119.38 Seth Morgan, Belton5069413.97
Tucker Staton, Mody3642511.84 Kobe Mitchell, Rockdale2442317.65
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Yards
Jamarquis Johnson, R-Lott3978520.15
Pharrell Hemphill, Cameron Yoe2765624.312
Johnny Ryder, Granger108-196-7154420
TUESDAY, August 23, 2022 TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM / 27FOOTBALL 2022 2021 Area Season In Review Class 6A Division I Bi-district — Duncanville 63, Belton 7; DeSoto 65, Harker Heights 28 Class 6A Division II Bi-district — Temple 28, Waxahachie 14Area — Rockwall-Heath 45, Temple 33 Class 4A Division I Bi-district — Pleasanton 28, Lampasas 27 Class 4A Division II Bi-district — Carthage 35, Gatesville 0; Rusk 49, Salado 42 Class 3A Division I Bi-district — Academy 28, Yoakum 22; Hallettsville 42, Cameron Yoe 38; Columbus 42, Rockdale 21 Area — Academy 42, Winnie East ChambersRegional33semifinals — Diboll 37, Academy 34 Class 3A Division II Bi-district — El Maton Tidehaven 42, Rogers 29 Class 2A Division I Bi-district — Holland 40, Jewett Leon 7; Centerville 34, Rosebud-Lott 7 Area — Holland 27, Shelbyville 16 Regional semifinals — Centerville 28, Holland 0 Class 2A Division II Bi-district — Granger 41, Miles 10 Area — Granger 56, Yorktown 48 Regional semifinals — Burton 57, Granger 27 Statistical Leaders Playoff Scores Team TeamRushPassTotalAvg.Offense Bartlett13069112217221.7Gatesville148011942674243.0Moody113217482880288.0Troy21577532910291.0Holland33944713865297.3Belton134419373281298.3Rockdale169618393535321.4Academy131929784297330.5Rogers261310913704336.7CTCS25798613440344.0Granger281816144432369.3CameronTemple246320644527377.3LakeRosebud-Lott186125624423402.1Salado40506804730430.0Belton177418413615401.7Yoe179323474140376.4 Team TeamRushPassTotalAvg.Defense CameronGatesville245417924246386.0Rogers239617624158378.0Rockdale206617263792344.7Temple211319754088340.7LakeAcademy281112694080313.9Belton198612213207291.6Granger158813532941245.1Holland160712852892222.5Belton156413422906322.9Yoe260118104411401.0 Yards PlayerAtt.YardsAvg.TDsRushing Samari Howard, Temple25417176.820 Ethan Allerkamp, CTCS23714896.312 Aidan Wilson, Salado15711627.411 Phaibian Bynaum, Yoe16510756.517 Wesley Brown, Gatesville21210214.823 Christian Riley, Rogers8293311.49 Steve Jackson, Troy1199277.813 DJ McClelland, Granger7885210.911 Clayton Baggerly, Holland1478505.84 David Thang, Holy Trinity958148.64 Donnie Cantwell, Granger7178411.011 Zaylin Blackwood, Holy Trinity6377112.214 Seth Reavis, Salado7272310.07 Dawson Haney, Holland6769110.35 Johnny Ryder, Granger1426824.813 JC Chaney, Holland1196315.34 Elijah Warner, Belton1406284.52 Alec Gonzalez, CTCS686129.012 Korey Gibson, Troy1205904.95 Davioun Scott, Rockdale865806.72 Caden Strickland, Salado715758.16 Ryder Hohhertz, Moody1385734.211 Yards PlayerComp.-Att.-Int.YardsTDsPassing Kasey Mraz, Academy209-288-8292634 Zane Zeinert, Rosebud-Lott147-263-14253721 Ryan Muniz, Cameron Yoe142-229-9220225 Jace Martin, Holy Trinity138-226-4180228
Cooper Staton, Moody7892511.98
Scout Brazeal, Academy74140419.018
Jase Carr, Troy48-93-37086 PlayerRec.YardsAvg.TDsReceiving
Darion Franklin, Academy6987812.712
Breon Lewis, Rosebud-Lott3787223.610
Ty Brown, Belton115-212-16160419
Micah Hudson, Lake Belton4582418.36
Devan Williams, Temple3577622.211
28 / TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM TUESDAY, August 23, 2022FOOTBALL 2022
