KICKOFF 2013 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KICKOFF 2013 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» IndEX

LOOKING FOR YOUR TEAM? CREDITSclass 5a

Carroll 6

King 8

class 4a

Beeville 10

Gregory-Portland 11

Calallen 12

Tuloso-Midway 14

Port Lavaca 14

Alice 15

Moody 16

Miller 17

Flour Bluff 18

Ray 20

class 3a

West Oso 21

Ingleside 22

Orange Grove 23

Robstown 24

Rockport-Fulton 26

Sinton 27

Kingsville 28

class 2a

George West 30

Aransas Pass 31

Mathis 32

Bishop 33

Falfurrias 33

Odem 34

San Diego 35

Refugio 36

Banquete 37

Skidmore-Tynan 38

Santa Gertrudis 39

Riviera 40

Taft 40

Hebbronville 41

Freer 41

TaPPs

John Paul 44

sPORTs EDITOR

Greg Rajan

sTaFF WRITERs

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Kenny Ryan

George Vondracek

sPEcIal cONTRIBUTERs

Javier Becerra

Stuart Duncan

Matt Young

sTaFF PHOTOGRaPHERs

Todd Yates

Michael Zamora

DEsIGNERs

Daniel Prekopa/Matt Weber

ON THE cOVER

We salute some of the best players, coaches and things in South Texas football entering the 2013 season.

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3CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW »

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4 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» COVER STORY

With another season about to start, here are some of the top things about South Texas football in 2013.

COACHES1. Phil Danaher, Calallen: With 389 career victories, Danaher leads all active Texas coaches and is 11 away from joining G.A. Moore (426) as a 400-game winner. Danaher’s sixth win this season will tie him with Gordon Wood, and the seventh will put the Wildcats’ sideline leader in sole possession of second place. With 10 trips to the state semifinals and one trip to the final, Danaher has set a high standard for area coaches. And when you have a field named after you, it’s often for good reason.2. Jason Herring, Refugio: He has earned a reputation nationally as a polarizing and controversial coach for running up the score. But Herring wins, and he wins big. Two years ago, his Bobcats brought home South Texas’ first state championship in nearly 30 years. They’re once again on the short list for Class 2A Division II favorites this year.3. Darrell Andrus, Flour Bluff: Entering his ninth season in Hornets country, Andrus led the team to unprecedented heights (13-1) last season. His job now is to build upon that success and make the program a year-in, year-out stalwart.4. Wade Miller, Woodsboro: Andrus’ former assistant at Flour Bluff didn’t exactly raise the dead, but taking the Eagles to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1980 in his first season was no small feat. That makes Miller a coach to watch moving forward.5. Bo Ochoa, San Diego: San Diego is a little out of the way, but the Vaqueros have played some good football in recent years, and it starts with Ochoa. The program went 18 years without an outright district championship, and he’s led them to two in as many seasons.

RIVALRIES1. Calallen vs. Gregory-Portland: Calallen has been involved in some good rivalries over the years, but the annual clash with G-P seems to bring out the best in both sets of Wildcats.

We’ve already circled our calendars for Oct . 18, when G-P’s standout running back, Devin Bisby, goes against the stout Calallen defense.2. Ray vs. Miller: This is more a nod to history than the current state of the rivalry, which dates to 1950. This rivalry was so great these teams packed 20,000 fans into Buc Stadium on Thanksgiving for must-see games. And don’t forget that Ray (1959) and Miller (1960) are the only CCISD teams to win state football titles.3. George West vs. Three Rivers: You know this is a heated rivalry when before a recent game, the PA announcer stressed the teams are friendly rivals, not enemies. In the early 1990s, things got so heated the teams stopped playing each other. But the towns located 10 miles from each other are back on each other’s schedules, and that’s a good thing for South Texas football.4. Refugio vs. the world: You’d be hard-pressed to find a South Texas team that’s more notorious and disliked by fans and opponents than Refugio right now. Not that it bothers the Bobcats in the least. And their lopsided victories and methods don’t go forgotten. Need proof? Just look at 2011, when Refugio QB Travis Quintanilla was the Class 2A player of the year yet was voted second-team QB by the other coaches in District 16-2A Division II.5. Ingleside vs. Sinton: This is an underrated rivalry from the 3A ranks. And it’s an even rivalry, as each team has won twice in their past four meetings. The fact they’ve been competing for District 30-3A supremacy only makes things better.

NON-DISTRICT GAMES1. Calallen at Flour Bluff, Sept. 13: The Hornets won a squeaker at Calallen last year, so you know the Wildcats will want to repay the favor. This is the epitome of an early-season statement game, for Flour Bluff to show it is for real and Calallen to assert its alpha dog status.2. Ingleside at Refugio, Aug. 30: If you go, plan on being there a while. Last year’s game only featured 89 total points and 839 total yards. Refugio’s Travis Quintanilla and Ingleside’s Tristen Barajas are two of the area’s top QBs and should be chucking it all night.3. Flour Bluff at King, Aug. 30: Zero week at Buc Stadium will bring a nice season-opening test for each of these teams. It also will be the first chance to see how the Hornets replace Kolton Mims at quarterback.4. Lago Vista at Refugio, Sept. 13: Lago Vista provided Refugio its stiffest test of the regular season last year, a 28-12 game in Central Texas. Fox Sports Southwest tabbed this as its Game of the Week for Week 2.5. Aransas Pass at Orange Grove, Sept. 20: This 2A/3A matchup went down to the wire last year, and this season’s matchup could be similar. Both teams will be replacing key personnel, so that should keep the playing field level.

DISTRICT GAMES1. Port Lavaca Calhoun at Calallen, Sept. 27: District 30-4A’s championship game may come in the first week of the league slate. Calhoun coach Richard Whitaker was on the receiving end of lopsided losses from Calallen while at Kingsville, so you know he savors any victory over the Wildcats. Calhoun is the defending district champion, and what better way for Calallen to make a statement than with a victory in the 30-4A opener?2. Ingleside at Sinton, Oct. 11: Fox Sports Southwest selected this as its Game of the Week, and we cannot think of a reason to dispute it. The teams have split their previous four meetings, and the quarterback duel between Ingleside’s Tristen Barajas and Sinton’s Tyler Handson will be

worth the price of admission.3. Gregory-Portland at Calallen, Oct. 18: This matchup late in the regular season is bound to have playoff and possibly 30-4A championship ramifications. The teams played an overtime thriller that Calallen won 13-7 at G-P last year, so the visitors will be itching for payback this season. 4. Ray at Flour Bluff, Oct. 25: Ray has District 31-4A championship aspirations, and the road to the league crown will go through defending champion Flour Bluff. Both teams have new quarterbacks, but they should be settled in by the time this game rolls around.5. Carroll at King, Oct. 18: This makes the list because it’s a grudge match. King humiliated Carroll 36-0 last season, and don’t think the Tigers have forgotten. Anyone who knows this rivalry understands King has no intention of giving up bragging rights.

BIGGEST SHOES TO FILL1. Flour Bluff’s QB: Replacing Kolton Mims is no easy task, particularly after a program-best 13-1 season. Sophomore Cody Brewer or senior Josh Solarek are vying to be the Hornets’ new field general.2. Flour Bluff’s CB: If replacing Mims wasn’t hard enough, the Hornets were dealt another blow when cornerback Jalen Campbell, a Texas commit, suffered a severe

knee injury in the spring that will sideline him this season. That leaves a big void in the secondary.3. San Diego’s RB: At 5-foot-8, 210 pounds, Luis Lopez wasn’t exactly big, but he leaves one giant void after rushing for 2,792 yards and 41 touchdowns last year. Good luck trying to replace that production.4. Miller’s QB: Tyrell Clay was a four-year standout for the Bucs, a dual threat who made the offense go. Miller will be hard-pressed to find an equivalent.5. G-P’s offensive line: The Wildcats have arguably the best back in South Texas in Devin Bisby, but the line in front of him must be rebuilt. How that fares will go a long way toward how the team does.

PROGRAMS ON THE SPOT1. Carroll: When you are a team that went 1-9 and has a demanding fan base, that means a long offseason. The Tigers and coach Tony Trevino are out to rebuild from last year’s rubble. The brutal nondistrict schedule will test the patience of Carroll fans.2. Ray: The Texans have 16 starters back and some nice skill-position talent. Can they turn that into a District 31-4A title? It may be time to turn the corner from just being a playoff team.3. Flour Bluff: A 13-1 season and regional final appearances gets you praise. It also raises the bar for future seasons. The Hornets must prove they are not a flash in the pan, but an upper-echelon program for the long term.4. Riviera: The Seahawks’ field house has been a revolving door, with three coaches in as many

GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES

Carroll coach Tony Trevino and his team are trying to rebound from a 1-9 season.

STEVE NURENBERG/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES

When George West and Three Rivers get together, expect an intense, hard-hitting game.

STEVE NURENBERG SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES

Former Flour Bluff QB Kolton Mims led the Hornets to the best season in program history.

SOUTH TEXAS TOP THINGS TO KNOW

See top thingS, 5

TOP THIngS from 4

years. Former Bishop baseball coach and first-time football head coach Nathan Borden is trying to bring stability.5. Robstown: After winning a playoff game in 2010, the Cotton Pickers have gone winless in consecutive seasons. The word out of Robstown is the program is ready to rebound. It has to happen soon.

QUARTERBACKS1. Travis Quintanilla, Refugio: It seems like he has been at Refugio for a decade, but that is what happens when you are a starter for one of the state’s top teams since your sophomore year. Quintanilla has posted eye-popping numbers and helped deliver a state championship in 2011.2. Tristen Barajas, Ingleside: Another three-year starter, Barajas has thrown for a boatload of yards and once again should be one of the area’s most productive QBs. Atop his to-do list is undoubtedly an extended playoff run.3. Bronze Jackson, King: The Mustangs’ field general for three seasons, Jackson is a slippery playmaker. Coaches are effusive in their praise of him, and the offense has been his to command the past two seasons.4. Michael Cantu, Moody: He has committed to play baseball at Texas, but the fiery Cantu loves football just as much. An intense competitor, he seems determined to get the Trojans into the playoffs his senior year.5. Tyler Handson, Sinton: Another dual-threat QB who is just a junior, Handson figures to take on a bigger leadership role for the Pirates as they again vie to be the top team in District 30-3A.

TRADITION-LADEN PROGRAMS1. Calallen: The Wildcats have set the standard for Coastal Bend football with 10 trips to the state semifinals, one championship game appearance and countless double-digit victory seasons.2. Refugio: The Bobcats wear the villain’s black hat well but have earned respect with their play during several decades. Long playoff runs are expected by the natives, and the players and coaches understand this.3. Gregory-Portland: One of the area’s flagship programs,

G-P generally fields solid teams that will vie for playoff spots. The program has also been home to some stalwart coaches.4. Ray: The Texans are one of the few local schools to win a state title, and their mantra “Victory begins at Ray” is well-known in the region. Toss in the old-time uniforms for even more tradition.5. Alice: Football is king in the Hub City, and the locals can be a demanding lot. That only raises the bar for players and coaches, which is never a bad thing.

PLACES TO WATCH A GAME1. Buc Stadium: It’s one of the oldest stadiums in the area, but the sightlines are terrific and the turf replacement a couple of years ago brought a much-needed upgrade. Plus, this stadium has lots of history to it.2. Pirate Stadium, Sinton: The recent renovation makes this a great place to catch a game. It’s clean and comfortable, and there is no lack of friendly people to help you. This facility is a frequent locale for playoff games, and for good reason.

3. Memorial Stadium, Alice: They love their Coyotes in Alice, so you better get there early to make sure you have a parking spot. How early? Try a good hour before the game. The atmosphere is always among the best in South Texas for high school football.

4. Akins Wildcat Stadium, Gregory-Portland: The game-night atmosphere is always good, and the stands on the home side are filled pretty well. The recent renaming of the stadium after legendary coach Ray Akins adds a touch of history.

5. Vaquero Stadium, San Diego: There’s just something enchanting about Friday night football in small Texas towns, and San Diego folks come out to support their Vaqueros. Last year’s district title-deciding game against Aransas Pass was an electrifying night.

5CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW COVER STORY »

MICHAeL ZAMORA/CALLeR-TIMeS

With 10 trips to the state semifinals under Phil Danaher, Calallen fans are used to going to the playoffs.

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6 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT 28-5A

CARROLLTIGERS

Head coach: Tony Trevino

Career record: 27-36 (5-16 at Carroll)

2012 record: 1-9

Last district title: 2005

Last playoff appearance: 2011

Returning lettermen: 25

Returning off/def starters: 4/4

Base offense: Multiple

Base defense: 4-3

TOP RETURNEES

Isaiah Clay, LB, 5-8, 175, sr.; Herk Dennis, DB, 6-0, 175, sr.; Philip Franco, LB, 6-3, 210, sr.; Anthony Huerta, DL, 6-2, 262, sr.; Jesse Jones, QB, 5-10, 155, soph.; Michael Pompa, OG, 6-0, 250, sr.

Tigers aim To earn back respecTBy George [email protected] 361-886-3731

No one needs to remind Tony Trevino of the chilling realities of coaching at Carroll.

Losing equates with fanatical criticism. Losing doesn’t cut it, period.

Yet in the inner sanctum of the Carroll locker room, away from the furor, there was no de-spair, no frustration. There was no overloaded negativity from the Tigers after they checked in with a 1-9 record following the 20-15 win over South San Anto-nio in the 2012 season finale.

Instead, a new resolve was fostered, one that a proud

Carroll program previously hadn’t had to embrace. There are no givens, no guarantees. Returning to the top means earning you way back to the top.

“I think for a long time Car-roll was at the top of the ladder, or was at least perceived to be at the top of the ladder,” said Trev-ino, who begins his third season with the Tigers. “And I’ll admit this readily, sometimes at Car-roll we perceive ourselves to be at the top of the ladder whether we are or not. But after what happened last year you cannot deny that, no, we’re not at the top of the ladder.”

So the climb to regain re-spectability begins this season. Despite being pummeled by some nasty point margins last season, the Tigers went into the spring and summer with a purpose.

“They want to show the Corpus Christi community what they’re made of,” Trevino

Carroll on a mission in 2013

GEORGE GONGORA/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES

Linebacker Philip Franco (right) will be called upon to play a big leadership role on the Carroll defense this season.

See CARROLL, 7

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said. “There’s a hunger there. I think they’re ready to go out and prove some people wrong. They’re sick and tired or hear-ing people call them losers. There is a singular, conscious effort to remove that label and prove some people wrong. You’re asking me about a dif-ference, I sat here last year and I (said) the attitude’s different, and it was different. I think our attitude’s different this year, too, but in a different way.

“I’m pointing out what the difference is and there’s a hun-ger there. They’re ready for the competition and they want to sneak up on some people and beat some people and they think they can.”

The Tigers will make that attempt with eight starters and 25 lettermen returning to a squad that was the first in seven consecutive seasons to not earn a playoff berth.

“We’re going to surprise some people,” the 39-year-old Trevino said. “I have a great

deal of confidence in this group of young men. I’m not trying to sound cocky, but you’re not going to get ‘Woe is me’ out of me. That’s not going to do any good.”OFFENSE

The number of starters is negotiable. Michael Pompa is a

three-year starter at center but moves to guard. Senior Gerry Montelongo returns at run-ning back, and he will be joined there by junior Neil Campbell and sophomore Noah Lisk. Charles Miles, one of the Ti-gers’ top runners a year ago, no longer is at the school.

Junior Brian Mendez started

2012 at quarterback but was injured three weeks before district started and then-fresh-man Jesse Jones stepped in. The two shared the load late. Junior David Segura also is fig-uring in the quarterback mix.

Another starter, lineman Anthony Huerta moves to the defensive side. In return,

Andrew Auzenne, a starter at defensive tackle, shifts to the offensive side. Also returning are tight ends Ethan Engle-brecht and David Page.

Trevino also said receivers Andrew Wilson, Matt Salinas and T.J. Kassner have chances to contribute.

DEFENSEIn addition to Huerta’s

move, first-team 28-5A end Philip Franco moves to line-backer for his senior season.

“We just felt like it allows Philip to be the quarterback of the defense,” Trevino said. “It puts him in the position to better lead our team on the field, and off the field, really, by moving to that position.”

Three other seniors, line-backer Isaiah Clay, lineman Zach Guerrero and defen-sive back Herk Dennis also return.

Junior defensive lineman Devante Gibson, a backup on the Tigers’ basketball team, ju-nior defensive back Josh Wil-son and senior lineman Ricky Banuelos also are projected to make contributions.

7CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT 28-5A »


After a baptism by fire as a freshman, Carroll quarterback Jesse Jones (12) is in the mix to be the Tigers’ starter this season.

cARROLL from 5

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By George [email protected] 361-886-3731

A first look at the numbers, and one may be surprised that 190 King players reported for the opening day of preseason football drills.

Surprising, considering the Mustangs were a combined 22-22 in coach Eddie Hesseltine’s first four years at the helm.

But a glance at some other numbers has Hesseltine enthu-siastic about this season’s pros-pects — especially if being big-ger, faster and stronger equates to coming home with a better record in a tough District 28-5A.

“I feel like we’re very blessed,” Hesseltine said. “It’s so hard from one year to the

next, you know, but I do know we’re bigger, faster, stronger than we’ve ever been. This says nothing negative about the other teams we’ve had. But the proof is in the pudding. I’ve got the stats, and we are faster and stronger than we’ve ever been.

“With that, and the amount of starters or returners we have and the lettermen we have, we have very high hopes and are very optimistic about it.”

Another number worth

considering is three — as in the consecutive years the Mustangs have made the playoffs. King hasn’t made it past San Anto-nio Brandeis in those seasons. But Hesseltine said making the playoffs has been a step toward molding the Mustangs’ outlook and fueling the increase in the aforementioned numbers.

“I feel good that we’ve been in the playoffs,” Hesseltine said. “Now, there’s no kid in our program that remembers

anything else. They only know that getting into the playoffs is the only expectation. Before I got here, they didn’t know what the playoffs were, be-cause they hadn’t been to the playoffs in 11 years.

“Now that we have that men-tality that the playoffs is not something that we’re hoping to get to. It’s the first step we have to get to to be a bi-district

King has strength in numbersSucceSS in RecenT YeARS BOOSTS TuRnOuT


Third-year starting quarterback Bronze Jackson (right) is a versatile dual threat for King and the Mustangs’ leader on offense.

See KING, 9

champion, to be an area cham-pion, to play into December. The attitudes are changing.”

So is the Mustangs’ on-field approach. King switches to a no-huddle, spread/multiple of-fense under new coordinator Jake Escobar, who came from Midland Lee, and a multifac-eted defense under coordinator Lamont Mayberry. The schemes may be changing, but the under-lying message is one Hesseltine hopes steels his players.

“We have touched those guys, the juniors and seniors, since they were in junior high. So now they’ve been in our pro-gram,” Hesseltine said. “Now we’re changing our offense and defense, but the mentality of our program is the same, and I think that this year is a real big key to us to see where we finally have evolved.”

OFFENSEQuarterback Bronze Jack-

son headlines the list of eight returning starters on offense.

Now in his third year guiding the offense, Jackson was close to a 2,000-yard total offensive performance in 2012, earning first-team all-district honors.

“It’s pretty amazing when your quarterback might be your best blocker on the team — he’s that

unselfish,” Hesseltine said of Jackson. “He doesn’t care wheth-er he scores a touchdown. He doesn’t care whether somebody else scores a touchdown. He just wants to do anything to make our team win. That’s a quality and a trait you don’t find in many kids.”

The fleet Jackson will have solid skill support in first-team junior running back Tristian Price, the All-South Texas New-comer of the Year, and second-team seniors Dominique Lane (receiver) and Kevin Dawson (fullback).

Up front, tackles Phuoc Mai and John Suarez and guard An-thony Ghillowe return. King also was counting on second-team guard Garrett Garcia, but he tore a knee ligament in a pickup basketball game. Penn-sylvania move-in Daniel Bonds (6-3, 250) will man that spot.

DEFENSEThe six returning starters

are paced by strong safety Davieon Boyer and end Nick Reynolds. Boyer was third on the team in tackles last season.

The other returnees are tackle Angel Garcia (who started 11 games last year as a sophomore), tackle Jordan Matic, linebacker Ryan Za-rate and nose guard Devante Price. A backup running back a year ago, Price moves to the defensive line to use his 4.4 speed against the swift of-fenses that the San Antonio schools possess.

Hesseltine also likes the fact his place-kicker and punter, ju-nior Justin Aminzadeh returns. Aminzadeh has held those po-sitions for King since his fresh-man season.


KINGMUSTANGS

Head coach: Eddie Hesseltine

Career record: 44-30 (22-22 at King)

2012 record: 5-6





Base offense: Spread/multiple

Base defense: Multiple

TOP RETURNEES

Justin Aminzadeh, PK/P, 6-1, 160, jr.; Davieon Boyer, SS, 5-10, 175, sr.; Angel Garcia, DT, 6-0, 210, jr.; Bronze Jackson, QB, 5-11, 175, sr.; Tristian Price, RB, 5-9, 170, jr.; Nick Reynolds, DE, 6-2, 245, sr.


Running back Tristian Price (6) had an impressive varsity debut season for King and will be counted on to help carry the load for the Mustangs this year.

KING from 8

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VICTORIA EAST TITANSHead coach: Roland Gonzalez

2012 record: 3-8



Returning Off/Def starters: 8/9

TOP RETURNEES

Bo Pullin, OL, 6-4, 300; Deondric Lofton, WR, 6-0, 175; Brian Hickner, DE, 6-0, 200; Steven Carreon, DE, 6-1, 195; T.J. Cleveland, LB, 5-11, 200; Jonathan Ortega, QB, 5-10, 160

OUTLOOK

While their record was unsightly, the Titans rallied to make the playoffs. Ortega is a dual threat under center, and he has a talented wideout to throw to in Lofton, who snagged 10 TD passes and also is dangerous on kick returns. The defense needs an upgrade, though.

VICTORIA WEST WARRIORSHead coach: Leonard McAngus

2012 record: 5-5




TOP RETURNEES

Jacob Armstrong, WR/DB, 6-1, 175; Anthony Navarro, WR/DB, 5-10, 160; Qualian Bryant, RB, 5-10, 170; Nathan Hermes, LB, 5-11, 190; Malcolm Peoples, WR/CB, 5-11, 165; Corbin Perez, QB, 5-10, 175

OUTLOOK

Armstrong figures to be a force on both sides of the ball and will be leaned on to lead the way. Bryant (13 TDs last year) knows how to find the end zone and should get his fair share of touches. With a healthy amount of returning starters on both sides, West should be in the playoff mix.

By Coy SlavikSpecial to the Caller-Times

BEEVILLE — Jimmie Mitchell is no stranger to high school football in the Coastal Bend, but he has spent much of the preseason trying to become familiar with his first group of Beeville Trojans.

“I got in here so late, and I’m still getting to know the kids,” Mitchell said. “We still don’t know who’s going to be on the varsity and who’s not. I do know our weakness will be experience. We’re only going to have four or five kids who have ever played on a Friday night. They were a very senior ballclub last year.”

Mitchell compiled a 48-19 record as head coach at Sealy from 2007-12. Before going to Sealy, Mitchell was 43-17 in five seasons (2002-06) at Sinton.

“We had a lot of success at Sinton and Sealy,” Mitchell

said. “This job was open and I was looking for a change and a chance to get back into this area. Beeville was interested in me and we were able to get together and make it happen.”

OFFENSEMitchell will use the same

spread offense that brought him success at Sinton and Sealy.

“Kids are kids,” Mitchell said. “We ran the same offense at Sealy as we did at Sinton and will run here. Whatever you do, as long as kids work hard and buy into getting good at it, you can make it be good for you.”

Most starting spots are wide open. Cameron Kremers, who passed for 786 yards and six touchdowns last year, ap-pears to be top candidate at quarterback.

Tristan Pelitire, who rushed for 410 yards and four touch-downs last season, should again get plenty of carries.

The line spots are up for grabs.

DEFENSEBeeville gave up 30.2 points

per game last season. Mitchell knows the defense will have to improve greatly if the Trojans are to compete.

“It’s going to be a process,” Mitchell said. “It’s going to take time, but the kids are respond-ing well and working hard and doing everything we’re asking of them.”

Mitchell said he has been impressed with the play of lineman J.D. Cuevas and line-backer Jacob Flores.

Beeville lost its first five Dis-trict 30-4A games last season. Mitchell said he hopes his team can learn quickly and be able to compete for one of 30-4A’s postseason berths.

“It’s one of the better dis-tricts in this region and maybe the state,” he said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

Beeville coach getting to know teamBEEVILLETROJANS

Head coach: Jimmie Mitchell

Career record: 91-36 (first year at Beeville)

2012 record: 3-7





Base offense: Spread

Base defense: 5-2-4

TOP RETURNEES

QB Cameron Kremers, RB Tristan Pelitire, DL J.D. Cuevas, LB Jacob Flores

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By Kenny [email protected] 361-886-3747

Fueled by 17 returning start-ers, the Gregory-Portland Wildcats had a monster sea-son last year, winning 10 games and advancing to the regional round of the playoffs.

This year, they return only seven starters, but they’re not about to let that be cause for lowered expectations. Among the returners is Devin Bis-by (2,302 yards, 29 rushing touchdowns), Class 4A’s top returning tailback according to Texas Football. With Bisby in the backfield, the Wildcats feel they have the potential for another deep playoff run.

“When you can give a ball to a guy and he gets three yards if they’re blocking or not, it’s big,” coach Matt Anastasio said of Bisby. “He’s an extremely hard worker on and off the field, in academics and every-thing else he does, but he’s also a guy that will make even an old coach sit back and go ‘wow’ with the things we can do with the ball in his hands.”

For the Wildcats to get bet-ter, Anastasio said greater consistency must be found on offense, which averaged 45 points per game in the team’s 10 wins, but only 10 points per game in its three losses.

“Those three games we lost were pretty dang good defen-sive teams: Calhoun, Calallen and Leander,” he said. “You just have to be consistent to both run and throw the ball and in the losses we couldn’t do one or the other.

“I’ve been here two years but the kids are still learning the offensive system and the coaches are still learning and getting better at it, so we’ll find some more ways and we’ll get smarter.”

OFFENSEWhile Bisby’s return is a

cause for optimism among the Gregory-Portland faithful, the departures of nearly everyone

else on offense is cause for con-cern. Only one other listed re-turner is quarterback Tanner Geiser, who spent most of 2012 at the receiver position, but if a passing game emerges to bal-ance the offense out, he’ll be a big reason why.

The bigger question about

the passing game is who Geiser will throw the ball to.

“In the spring and fall, (re-ceivers are) going to be the group I’m really watching to see who steps up and wants the ball thrown to them,” Anasta-sio said. “We’re working on the passing game (and) it should

be better.”The offensive line must also

be rebuilt, which Anastasio said will lead to some bumps and bruises along the way.

DEFENSEFive starters return on de-

fense, including most of the

Wildcats’ linebackers, which is just where Anastasio likes to see experience showing its head in his 3-4 alignment.

“Marco Navarro (106 tack-les), Tristen McCormick (84) and Gilbert DeLeon (137) re-turning this year really brings some stability to that side of the ball,” he said. “Just having that presence out there of hav-ing those guys starting a lot of games — games we won and games we lost — it brings back that they won’t panic if some-thing doesn’t go right.”

Navarro will spin down to play defensive end this year, where he’ll line up opposite returner Albert Barrientos (73 tackles). The secondary will need some work, but a solid front seven should make Gregory-Portland a nightmare for opposing running backs to go up against.

“We’ll be young,” Anastasio said. “But we’ll be good.”


Bisby a big building block for G-PGREGORY-PORTLANDWILDCATS

Head coach: Matt Anastasio

Career record: 16-8 (16-8 at G-P)

2012 record: 10-3





Base offense: Two-back gun

Base defense: 3-4

Top ReTuRnees

Devin Bisby, RB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Tanner Geiser, QB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Marco Navarro, LB, 6-0, 165, sr.; Albert Barrientos, DE, 5-10, 223, Sr.; Tristen McCormick, LB, 5-9, 173, sr.; Gilbert DeLeon, LB, 5-10, 187, Jr.


Gregory-Porltand’s Devin Bisby (4) often left a slew of fallen defenders in his wake last season.


CALALLENWILDCATS

Head coach: Phil Danaher

Career record: 389-94-4 (321-60-2 at Calallen)

2012 record: 9-3





Base offense: Spread/Wing-T

Base defense: 50

Top ReTuRnees

Kade Young, LB, 6-0, 220, sr.; Trevor Moses, LB, 6-0, 185, sr.; Austin Revels, LB, 5-11, 210, sr.; Sheldon Bammert, LB, 6-1, 210, sr.; Creyton McDermett, NG, 5-11, 215, sr.; Ricky Martinez, OG, 6-3, 310, jr.; J.D. Savanich, CB, 5-4, 148, jr.


Most programs would be happy with a 9-3 record.

Not Calallen.“Last year was a little disap-

pointing,” Wildcats coach Phil Danaher said. “We didn’t win 10 like we normally do. That’s the break.

“Sometimes we’ve had those years you expect big things (and don’t get there) and the next year you think you’re re-building and you have a great year, you never know.”

This year, Danaher is hold-ing his expectations close to the vest, but he’s not shy about where he’d like to be.

“State championship,” Da-naher said. “We played for the title in 2005. We went to the semis 10 times. So you see, last year was not a real great year

for us, especially coming off two back-to-back state semifi-nals years.”

While Danaher feels last season’s defense was good enough to carry his team a long way toward that goal, his offense wasn’t up to snuff. He knows that’s where the Wildcats must show the most improvement if they’re to reach the semifinals an 11th time in Danaher’s 28-year tenure at Calallen.

“To be honest, we got whipped quite often on the of-fensive line,” Danaher said. “I don’t care how great a running back is, if there’s no holes, you’re not going to go anywhere.

“I’m not putting the season on them, it’s just we need to execute better offensively and block better and throw the ball better. The backs have to block, too, so they have to get better, too. It’s a matter of executing.

Calallen looks to bounce backCalallen quarter-

back Derek Scheible will be looked to

for leader-ship during

his senior year with the

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They made too many mental mistakes last year.”OFFENSE

While the offensive line returns only one starter from 2012, the skill players that sur-round it are in place. Quarter-back Derek Scheible (68 for 127, 773 yards, 5 passing touch-downs), running back Rob-ert Maldonado (80 carries, 402 yards, seven rushing TDs) and receiver Triston Cross-land (32 catches, 469 yards, 3 TDs) all return.

“(Scheible) is just a good athlete all-around,” Danaher said. “He’s smart, throws the ball well, rushes well, has pretty good speed, he under-stands the offense a lot bet-ter this year. We need more leadership out of him and, as a senior, he’ll lead the team offensively. Good leadership is very important.”

While a rebuilt offen-sive line is Danaher’s chief concern on offense, he said

there’s work to be done across that side of the ball to reach the level of play he wants.

“It’s execution on the of-fensive line and backs and receivers,” he said. “We just need to execute better than last year.”DEFENSE

If the offense was Calal-len’s Achilles’ heel last year, the rest of the team was, well, like the rest of Achil-les — elite.

Seven starters return from a defense that held 10 opponents to fewer than 20 points in 2012.

“Our linebacker crew is probably the heart of our de-fense,” Danaher said. “Our two inside linebackers and two outside linebackers, all four of them are great football players and we feel like they’re good leaders and they have a good-sized young men.”

The defensive line also returns a trio of stout start-ers, but the secondary will be a fresh crop of new faces.



Running back Robert Maldonado (left) should be a central figure in the Calallen ground game once again.

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PORT LAVACA — The Port Lavaca Calhoun Sandcrabs’ football program was supposed to take a step backward in 2012.

The Sandcrabs lost virtually all of their top offensive play-ers, including four 1,000-yard rushers, and returned only six starters from their 2011 team that reach the Class 4A region-al semifinals.

But all Calhoun did was run the table in the regular season en route to a District 30-4A title.

“Last year was amazing to us,” Calhoun coach Richard Whitaker said. “We graduated so many kids and really didn’t know what to expect. We had a lot of youngsters who really stepped up for us.”

OFFENSECalhoun’s lone question

mark offensively is in the in-terior line.

“We graduated four offen-sive linemen, so we’re again rebuilding our line,” Whitak-er said. “That has kind of been the topic around here the last couple of years.”

Calhoun has plenty of expe-rience in the skilled positions. District 30-4A MVP Hunter Boerm returns at quarterback, and the Sandcrabs also wel-come back their top running back, fullback Cory Williams, who rushed for 1,118 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and all-district running back Brandon Smithwick. Tight end Colton Kveton and split end Cameron Boerm also received postseason honors.

“Skill-wise, we feel really good,” Whitaker said. “We just have to get some kids out in front of them who will come on and give us a chance.”

DEFENSEThe Sandcrabs are almost

starting from scratch again defensively.

“We only have two return-ers on defense,” Whitaker said. “We have a cornerback and safety returning, so we have to remake our whole front seven. For us to have any chance to be successful, we have to have a lot of young kids grow up quickly, especially in that front seven area.”

Williams and Taylor Lee re-turn in the secondary. Whita-ker said he is expecting big things from inside lineback-ers Skyler Blinka and Garrett Wehmeyer.

“If our front seven does not play well, it’s going to be a long season for us,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker’s Calhoun teams have compiled a 68-18 record over the past seven seasons. The Sandcrabs open District 30-4A play Sept. 27 at Calallen in a game that could decide the league front-runner.

Sandcrabs looking to reload again

PORT LAVACASANDCRABS

Head coach: Richard Whitaker

Career record: 103-55 (70-26 at Calhoun)

2012 record: 10-1





Base offense: Double-slot option

Base defense: 5-2

Top ReTuRnees

QB Hunter Boerm, FB Cory Williams


When Brian Boone was pro-moted from offensive coordina-tor to head coach of the Tuloso-Midway Warriors on the heels of a winless 2011 campaign, he said he saw potential in the pro-gram, comparing it to the Texas A&M of 2011, which had blown so many halftime leads.

Boone didn’t get Johnny Football and a Cotton Bowl win in his first season at the helm, but he did get a three-game improvement over the year before and a sense that the Warriors are pointed in the right direction.

“We attributed a lot of that last year to the kids having a new attitude, offseason prepa-ration and the mentality that we we’re going to go out and play to win and not just to be in the game,” he said. “Com-ing into last year, it had been a long time since the kids won a ballgame, so winning two pre-season games and winning a district game was big. It car-ried it through the year.”

In order for that success to carry though into this year will be easier said than done. Only nine players return and, because of low participation numbers, last year’s backups won’t bring much experience

back with them.On the plus side, Boone feels

very good about the new faces he’s bringing up from a junior varsity program that went 9-1 in 2012.

“This class coming up is a group of kids that’s won all the way through from seventh grade,” he said. “They’re used to winning and excited. It will be a fun year.”

OFFENSEThe Warriors improved

significantly on offense last year, upping their production from 14.1 points per game to nearly 25. Only five starters return, and most of them are skill positions, highlighted by junior quarterback Caleb Ro-zypal (47 for 108, 638 yards, five passing TDs).

“He started all 10 games as a sophomore and didn’t re-ally play like a sophomore,” Boone said. “He played above his head and didn’t make a lot of mistakes. (Now with) an-other year of experience, he’ll be well-rounded and ready to take charge of the team.”

Fullback Matthew Dickson (119 carries, 620 yards, one TD) also returns, as does receiver Marc Reyes (16 catches, 269 yards, 2 TDs), but four of the offensive linemen must be re-placed, putting a premium on quick learning in the trenches.

DEFENSEOnly one team in District

30-4A allowed more points per game than the Warriors last year, so T-M will look to new de-fensive coordinator Alan Witte to turn things around with his change to a split defense.

“It’s like a 4-2-5,” Boone said. “Personnel-wise, it helps us out, especially with a lot of the offens-es we face being spread (teams).”

In the secondary and at linebacker, Boone said he feels good about his starters, but he pointed to depth and defensive-line play as areas of serious concern.

“We’ve only got two kids that started on the defensive front coming back so we need new kids in there, new blood,” he said. “We’re not where we want to be yet, but we’re heading in the right direction.”

T-M hopes to keep trending upward

TULOSO-MIDWAYWARRIORS

Head coach: Brian Boone

Career record: 26-36 (3-7 at T-M)

2012 record: 3-7




Returning off/Def starters: 5/4

Base offense: Slot-T

Base defense: 4-2-5

Top ReTuRnees

Caleb Rozypal, QB, 6-0, 165, jr.; Matthew Dickson, FB, 5-8, 200, jr.

According to his coach, Tuloso-Midway quarterback Caleb Rozypal (8) didn’t look like a sopho-more playing his first year of varsity football last year.

GEORGE GONGORA/SPE-CIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES



Alice took a big step toward the top last year with a 9-4 sea-son that ended at the hands of eventual state champion Cedar Park, but the Coyotes still fin-ished tied for second in district with a 5-2 record.

This year, they want to do better.

It won’t be easy, though, as the Coyotes return only eight starters, including kicker Alex Castillo.

“Every year is a challenge,” coach Chris Soza said. “That’s the beautiful thing about coach-ing high school football. You can’t recruit kids; you have to coach the kids you have in your school district.”

For most programs, a dias-pora of talent like that is cause for serious headaches. At Alice, Soza thinks his Coyotes are on the cusp of a youth movement that’s more about reloading than rebuilding.

“Our subvarsity teams had good seasons,” he said. “Junior varsity was undefeated, and so were freshmen, so that’s a thing you look forward to. We’re real

excited about this next season.”

OFFENSEFour of Alice’s returning

starters hail from the offense. All-district fullback Robert Ramos (130 carries, 730 yards, 7 rushing touchdowns) high-lights the bunch, but Soza likes to spread the ball around, so there will be plenty of carries for the rookies in the backfield.

Even better news, the Coy-otes return several starters on the line to block for them.

“Our tight end, B.J. Gonza-lez — he was a starter last year, (and) we have a guard in Kevin McKelvey and another guard, Isaul Arismendez, back,” Soza said. “That’s three linemen we feel good about, and we have kids to step up and fill the rest of the shoes nicely.

“The truth is our offensive line, they’ve done a good job in the offseason. They’re stronger and agile, and that will be the key to any offense, especially in our case.”

DEFENSEThe bigger challenge for the

Coyotes will be rebuilding a sti-fling defense.

“We lost a lot of our secondary,

(and) we lost our linebackers, but we have our front five linemen — for the most part they played quite a bit — they’re back,” Soza said..”

Among those familiar faces looking for an increase in playing time in the secondary are Victor Soliz (16 tackles) and Blake Starr (25 tackles, 1 INT).

The linebacker position will be a trickier fix, but the defensive line looks stout.

“Defensive line will be a strength,” Soza said. “Michael

Pena is back. We have John Ri-vera. We have the other tackle, Mike Castro — he’s back.”

Soza can name names he feels good about all up and down the Coyotes’ starting 22, but the greatest weakness, he admits, is depth behind them.

“Just like anyone else, we have to stay away from the injury bug,” he said. “If we can stay injury-free at key positions, the kids worked real hard, and I have a lot of faith in them so the kids are excited.”

Alice looking to build upon strong season last year

photos by toDD yAtEs/CALLER-tIMEs

bruising Alice fullback Robert Ramos (44) is back to dole out more punishment to opposing defenders.

ALICECOYOTES

Head coach: Chris soza

Career record: 128-75 (27-19 at Alice)

2012 record: 9-4





Base offense: slot-t

Base defense: 50

TOp ReTuRnees

Alex Castillo, K, 5-6, 140, sr.; Victor soliz, Db, 5-8, 165, sr.; Mark Alaniz, Db, 5-11, 175, sr.

DISTRICT 31-4A CAPSULES

LAREDO CIGARROATOROSHead coach: Jesse Esparza2012 record: 1-9Last playoff appearance: 2006Returning lettermen: 11Returning Off/Def starters: 7/4

TOp ReTuRnees

Jose Mosqueda, WR, 5-10, 185; Isael Claudio, DL, 6-0, 215; Jose Flores, oL, 5-9, 285; Julio terrones, WR, 5-8, 165; Eddie Guzman, Qb, 6-1, 210

OuTLOOK

Guzman, who threw for 880 yards and seven tDs in eight starts last season, figures to be more comfortable under center.

LAREDO MARTINTIGERSHead coach: David Charles2012 record: 3-7Last playoff appearance: 2006Returning lettermen: 18Returning Off/Def starters: 6-5

TOp ReTuRnees

David Reyes, Lb, 5-10, 175; Albert Estrada, Qb, 5-9, 145; Juan Valdivia, Rb/Db, 5-6, 155

OuTLOOK

Anybody who saw Martin close the season last year wouldn’t know the tigers weren’t a playoff team. Martin shredded the defenses of Miller and Moody in slasher-film fashion en route to finishing the year with three straight road wins.

LAREDO NIXONMUSTANGSHead coach: tommy Ramirez2012 record: 5-5Last playoff appearance: 2007Returning lettermen: N/AReturning Off/Def starters: N/A

TOp ReTuRnees

Ralph perez, Qb; Jorge Fraga, WR; Cristian Camarillo, Lb; Cesar Cortez, Lb; Nico Ramirez, K

OuTLOOK

For the second straight year, Nixon couldn’t get it done at crunchtime and missed the playoffs. perez, who threw for 2,000 yards last year, returns to lead the offense and figures to connect often with Fraga.

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The Moody Trojans were good for some district thrills last year but struggled to convert that to wins with a 2-8 finish.

Luckily, they know exactly what it will take to get better: An improved defense.

“That was our weakness last year and we’ll have to really improve there,” second-year coach Mike Cantu said. “De-fensively, the core of our team is coming back but, we’ll put the best players on the field.”

That means a lot of two-way players, said Cantu, but if it will give a unit that was torched for a district-worst 46 points per game a shot in the arm, then the team will just have to grin and bear it.

“It’s all the learning process.” Cantu said. “We’re just trying to build a foundation where the kids can be successful and en-joy playing football and other sports. We’re working hard at it to improve every day.”

OFFENSEThe good news is Moody

returns the triggerman of a successful offense in a dis-trict that graduated half its quarterbacks. Michael Cantu (2,600 yards passing, 25 TDs), the coach’s son, again will lead the offense, where he’ll provide valuable experience.

“He makes a lot of the calls,” the coach said. “We just give him an opportunity to get out of a bad play and into a good play. Having someone who understands the system takes pressure off us because he sees things we don’t see or feels things we don’t feel and he has a lot of say-so in what we do.”

Michael Cantu’s favorite tar-get returns in Isaiah Patterson (28 catches, 556 yards, eight receiving TDs), but other faces like Johnny Gonzalez and Bran-don Cantu (no relation) will surely step up as Moody’s quar-terback showed a penchant for balanced distribution last fall.

The bigger concern is re-tooling an offensive line that returns three starters but was hit-or-miss in 2012.

“That’s one of our

weaknesses,” Mike Cantu said. “We’ll probably use other sets to protect him more, (but) we’re not going to change our stripes, we’re going to throw

the football all over the place and see how it goes.”

DEFENSEEight starters return from

Moody’s beleaguered defense, where Mike Cantu hopes an-other year of seasoning will spice them up.

“Our biggest hole we’ve worked on all spring (was) putting emphasis on defense,” Mike Cantu said. “We’re trying to improve our defensive team and give ourselves a chance to be in the ballgame at the end.”

Linebacker Elizar Dana, defensive linemen Juan Car-rion and defensive back Eli-jah Smith will be looked at to anchor their respective units. If they can limit opponents’ trips to the red zone, Moody might be able to surprise some people.

“We feel we’ll score points, but (we need to) come up with some more stops do a better job tackling and assignment foot-ball,” Mike Cantu said. “That right now is the top priority at Moody and we’re looking to get that fixed.”


Defense top priority for MoodyMOODYTROJANS

Head coach: Mike Cantu

Career record: 2-8 (2-8 at Moody)

2012 record: 2-8





Base offense: Spread, no-huddle

Base defense: 50

Top ReTuRnees

Michael Cantu, QB, 6-4, 225, sr.; Isaiah Patterson, WR, 6-1, 175, jr.; Brandon Cantu, WR/S, 5-7, 155, jr.; Johnny Gonzalez, WR, 6-0, 170, sr.; Elizar Dana, DL, 5-9, 175. sr.; Juan Carrion, LB, 6-0, 180, jr.; Elijah Smith, DB, 6-0, 175, jr.

MIChaEL ZaMoRa/CaLLER-TIMES fILE

Moody’s Isaiah Patterson (right) brings a big-play threat to the Trojans’ offense after hauling in eight touchdown passes last year.



The Miller Buccaneers were a lesson in the merits of tenacity last year when they rebounded from an 0-3 district start to narrowly clinch a playoff berth.

With 14 starters returning, the Bucs hope to return to the postseason with a less dramatic flair in 2013.

“It’s a great situation to be in,” Miller coach Remy Rodriguez said of having so many returning starters. “We’re los-ing some great athletes, but the young cubs we have grew a lot over the sum-mer. They want to build on what the seniors left them last year and not just be satisfied to reach the playoffs, but try to make a little run in the playoffs.”

What the seniors left behind is post-season expectations. Rodriguez pointed to the preseason publication Dave Camp-bell’s Texas Football picking the Bucca-neers to reach the playoffs and joked he didn’t see that one coming.

“I was hoping we could sneak up on people,” he said. “But that won’t happen.”

The element of surprise might not be needed, though, as the Buccaneers lean on a talented junior class that’s brim-ming with potential.

“We’re going to have a lot of juniors and some good senior leadership, but yeah, the last couple of years these guys have developed,” Rodriguez said. “They work hard and that’s one thing we try to establish is a good work ethic. Whatever happens, happens, but lay everything on the field.”

OFFENSEGone is four-year signal caller Tyrell

Clay, setting the stage for a three-way quarterback battle between juniors Juan Alvarez, Chris Lucio and Carlton Cana-da that will be determined in fall camp.

“Competition is the best thing for us to get better,” Rodriguez said. “In the offense we run, we like a running quar-terback, so we’re looking for an athletic QB who can run with the ball and be one of our main threats on offense. All three (candidates) fit that skill set.”

Whoever earns the nod at signal call-er, their job will be made a lot easier by

junior right tackle John Porter.“We have four guys back on offensive

line who played significantly for us last year and we’ll be running behind Porter, he’s 6-foot-5, 350 pounds and he’s come a long ways,” Rodriguez said. “He’s really blossomed in this offseason.”

DEFENSEWhile an offense that averaged

nearly 30 points a game was a strength for the Buccaneers, a defense that sur-rendered 33 points per game was fre-quently their undoing.

The bulk of the front seven returns, though, highlighted by linebackers El-lis Johnson (85 tackles), Anthony Evans and Juan Delgado (103 tackles).

“The good thing about those guys is all of them can run,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully that will be our strength on defense is our speed.”

Three linemen also return as well as cornerback Tray Grant (two intercep-tions). For a team that saw five games determined by a touchdown or less in 2012, every ounce of improvement is a good omen for 2013.

Miller hopes to build off playoff berth

MILLERBUCCANEERS

Head coach: Remy Rodriguez

Career record: 21-41 (21-41 at Miller)

2012 record: 5-6






Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp ReTuRnees

James Whiteside, RB, 5-10, 165, sr.; Daitchoin Bryant, WR, 6-0, 170, sr.; Ellis Johnson, LB, 5-10, 185, sr.; Tray Grant, CB, 6-2, 175, sr.; Chris Thomas, DE, 5-11, 195, sr.; John Porter, RT, 6-5, 350, jr.; Juan Delgado, LB, 6-0, 210, jr.

GEORGE TULEY/CALLER-TIMES fILE

Ellis Johnson (right) and his Miller teammates will be looking to shore up a defense that found itself in a lot of high-scoring games last season.

PAUL IvERSOn/CALLER-TIMES fILE

Wide receiver Daitchoin Bryant (middle) is back and figures to be a contributor to the Bucs’ offense and kick-return game.


Michael ZaMora/caller-TiMes file

Tommy Martin should be a go-to guy in flour Bluff’s ground game this season after rushing for 696 yards and six touchdowns in 2012.


It’s often said that the only thing more difficult than build-ing a successful program is maintaining one.

This year, Flour Bluff coach Darrell Andrus will discover how difficult it can get.

His Hornets are coming off their best season in school

history, a 13-1 mark and the program’s first appearance in the Region IV-4A final.

“The standards are set con-siderably higher, which I’m happy for,” Andrus said. “You want to set higher and higher standards. There’s definitely that sense of understanding and knowing that 5-5 and 6-4 is not something we’re looking to do around here.”

Playing consistently is part

of those higher standards. Flour Bluff won the turnover battle in every game but one last year — something Andrus is hoping to repeat to maintain the program’s level of success — but he said there’s still room to get better.

“One thing we worked real hard on this spring is mental toughness,” he said. “There were times in games we were winning by a touchdown or two and dropped off our focus and execution. Mental mis-takes led to negative plays. We’re looking for solid execu-tion and consistency through the game. No possessions should cost you a game.”

OFFENSETwelve players return from

last year’s team, six on each side of the ball, but among the missing is quarterback Kolton Mims (3,533 total yards, 43 touchdowns), the man who made the engine go.

Competing to replace him are sophomore Cody Brewer and senior Josh Solarek.

“They’ve both had good springs and are working hard this summer in conditioning, but to say one has a spot, no sir,” Andrus said. “Both quar-terbacks are very similar, (pos-sess) sound decision-making, (but) not the same running ability we’ve had in the past.”

The team’s most-produc-tive running back returns in Tommy Martin (696 yards, six rushing TDs), and Andrus

Flour Bluff looks to maintain following watershed season

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FLOUR BLUFF HORNETS

LEFT: Adrian Hynson (12), a UTEP commit, will be even more important to Flour Bluff’s defense after second-ary mate Jalen Campbell’s season-ending injury.TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES FILE

praised the returning offen-sive linemen, but the Hornets also graduated their top five receivers. Martin and the of-fensive line will have to carry the load as the passing game coalesces around them.

DEFENSEEveryone knew Mims

would leave the team because of graduation, but elite-level cornerback Jalen Campbell was a defensive linchpin the Hornets were looking forward to having back for his junior year.

Instead, Campbell tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in the spring game, and the Hornets will have to truck on without him.

“As a team we have to col-lectively regroup and pick up for missing him and get guys to step up,” Andrus said. “I know Jalen will be there and be sup-portive and he’s doing every-thing he can to be back and ready to go his senior year.”

Safety Adrian Hynson, who committed to UTEP in July, will be counted on to help hold the secondary together, and the Hornets return most of their players

who load the box.“On our defensive line,

pretty much returns every-body but one player with nu-merous guys who rotated in, so our line should have good

depth,” Andrus said. “Ma-son Carrell is a three-year starter, first team all-district two years in a row, so he has a good chance to lead a front four as good as we’ve had.”


Head coach: Darrell Andrus

Career record: 76-30 (76-30 at Flour Bluff)

2012 record: 13-1






Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp RETuRnEEs

Adrian Hynson, S, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Mason Carrell, DT, 6-0, 250, Sr.; Tommy Martin, RB, 5-10, 155, Jr.

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On paper, Ray appears poised for a breakout year.

Coming off an 8-4 season in which the Texans lost three games by a combined 15 points, Ray welcomes back more start-ers than anyone else in District 31-4A. Sixteen are coming back, including the district’s most productive receiver and running back.

“I don’t think we have a lot of question marks as far as our team is concerned,” Ray coach Cody Simper said. “A number of these guys have started since their sophomore year, so there’s a lot of experience on the team. That’s probably our strength.”

Despite boasting the largest enrollment (2,058) in the dis-trict, Simper said depth will be a concern this year.

But, if his team can stay healthy, watch out.

“I think we have a chance to be, if not as good, better of-fensively than last year,” Sim-per said. “Last year, we scored around 43 points per game, (but) our focus is winning games. We’ll score as many as it takes to win and I think we’ll be improved on defense this year.”

Improving the defense is a good idea. Ray gave up 30.5 points per game last year and was torched for 72 in a season-ending loss to Gregory-Portland.

“We put a lot of focus in spring football patching up those holes,” Simper said. “If we do that, we can score some points and slow some offenses down this year.”

OFFENSEThe Texans bring back the

district’s leading receivers in Matthew Merino (75 catches, 1,334 yards, 13 touchdowns) and Ben Brooks (51, 1,207, 19), plus its top returning running back in Tristan Barrera (148 carries, 884 yards, nine TDs), but they don’t bring back their quarterback.

That’s prompted one of the most closely watched moves of

the offseason as Merino transi-tions from pass catcher to pass thrower to try his hand at run-ning the Texans’ prolific offense.

“He has big-play potential,” Simper said of Merino. “It will be his first season as full-time

quarterback, so there will be a little learning curve we’ll have to minimize, but he’ll also make his share of big plays and move the ball down field.”

Simper isn’t too concerned with losing Merino’s production

at wideout thanks to the return of Brooks, who was a surprise sensation last year.

“Anyone who lines up next to Ben will have a good year because he’ll draw so much attention to himself,” Simper said. “It really leaves spots open in the defense for other receivers to slide in.”

DEFENSEWhile the Texans’ offense

was among the top 20 in all of Class 4A, the defense was lackluster. With eight starters returning, Simper says its time for that side of the ball to take the next step.

“I’m excited about our de-fense this year,” he said. “We

have a lot of experience com-ing back, a lot of seniors in the secondary. Our middle line-backer Ivan Flores is a three-year starter, we’ve got a couple all-district linemen coming back, our strong safety (Eric Estrada) was honorable men-tion all-state last year and I think it’s about time for us to put it together defensively.”

Estrada, who scored three defensive TDs last year, will be a pivotal piece of the Texans’ puzzle in a pass-happy district.

“He as a great nose for the ball and is always around it,” Simper said. “When given an opportu-nity to make a big play, he does, and that doesn’t happen by ac-cident — it happens by effort.”

Ray poised for big things in ’13


ray’s Ben Brooks provided a gamebreaker element to his game last season and will be counted on again this year.RAY TEXANS

Head coach: cody simper

Career record: 17-16 (17-16 at ray)

2012 record: 8-4 Last district title: 2006




Base offense: spread, no-huddle

Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp ReTuRnees

Ben Brooks, Wr, 6-3, 185, sr.; Matthew Merino, QB, 5-10, 175, sr.; collin Breckenridge, ol, 6-2, 250, sr.; eric estrada, DB, 5-8, 160, sr.


By Jose [email protected] 361-886-3745

One statistic from last sea-son remains fresh in Eric Lus-ter’s mind.

His West Oso defense al-lowed 38.6 points per game during district play, which has forced the third-year head coach to do something about it himself.

“When that stat is staring you in the face, there’s some-thing you have to do,” Luster said. “So, I took over the de-fense myself. I’m going to call the defense myself. If we give up 40 points, there’s nobody else at fault but myself.”

The Bears surrendered at least 21 points in every dis-trict game, beating only Rob-stown. District tri-champions

Ingleside, Orange Grove and Sinton each scored more than 40 points on West Oso.

“It was like playing Tecmo Bowl last year,” Luster said. “You could just score at will on us. But this year, the defense is trying to take some pride in not letting up and just getting after it.”

OFFENSECoaching will be of utmost

importance this season, as the Bears lose a lot of speed at skill positions.

To counter that, Luster looks to lean on a veteran offense line to make things easier for the influx of new running backs and wide receivers.

Cousins Christian and Jacob Lopez, along with Rolando Gutierrez and Cory Davis, all have experience up front.

Sophomore De’Quinten

Perry is one of the more expe-rienced returnees at running back, where he faces the task of replacing the 1,584 yards Jus-tin Perez rushed for last year. Perry has 25 carries and 100 yards to his name.

West Oso also has to replace its top two receivers from last season, a challenge Luster said his players are making easy.

“There’s no egos, there’s no guys who think he’s a super-star, that he has to have the ball,” Luster said. “There’s no

animosity between quarter-backs and receivers. This year, the kids have all come together. They all have a common goal. It’s not about the stats.”

Ruben Saldivar returns at quarterback, where he will com-mand a new two-back set Lus-ter has installed to replace the I-formation the Bears ran in 2012.

DEFENSEJuan Martinez returns at

middle linebacker to give Lus-ter an on-field coach, leading

what Luster expects to be a much different unit.

“Man, my middle linebacker, he’s my glue on defense,” Lus-ter said. “He really doesn’t say much, but when he does, the kids listen. He leads by his play.”

Martinez has John Tijerina, who also spends his time as the No. 2 quarterback, to rely on in the secondary. Davis returns on the defensive line, where Gutierrez could also see some action. De’Quillian Lindsey should see time at running back and defensive back.

Luster said the size of his roster makes it difficult to avoid starting some players on both sides, but he and his play-ers don’t seem to mind.

“This is the most fun I’ve had coaching since I’ve been here,” Luster said. “The kids just bought in and they’re just

Coach hopes to bring new Luster to ‘D’TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES fILE

Christian Lopez (right) and West Oso will be looking to play stingier defense after foes feasted on the Bears in 2012.

WEST OSO BEARS

Head coach: Eric Luster

Career record: 7-13 (7-13 at West Oso)

2012 record: 4-6





Base offense: Two-back set

Base defense: 4-3

TOp ReTuRnees

DeQuillian Lindsey, RB/DB, 5-8, 160, sr.; Ruben Saldivar, QB, 5-8, 160, sr.; John Tijerina, QB/DB, 5-5, 135, sr.; Cory Davis, OL/DL, 5-10, 230, sr.; Ishmael Ramirez, WR/DB, 5-6, 140, sr.; Rolando Gutierrez, OL/DL, 5-6, 195, sr.; Christian Lopez, OL, jr.; De’Quinten Perry, RB/DB, soph.

It was lIke playIng tecmo Bowl last year. you could just score at wIll on us. But thIs year, the defense Is tryIng to take some prIde In not lettIng up and just gettIng after It. Eric LustEr, WEst OsO hEad cOach



Although his Mustangs earned a share of the District 30-3A title in 2012, Ingleside coach Graig Hesseltine is not ready to focus on being out-right champion just yet.

Such is the case not because he doesn’t believe in his play-ers, but because he wants to be sure they are in one piece com-ing out of a tough non-district schedule.

That slate — which features the likes of Refugio, Cuero and Beeville — could rival the dif-ficulty of district play.

“I don’t know if it’s so much who you play, but about how healthy you come out of (non-district),” Hesseltine said.

“Sometimes, it can be a mat-ter of whether or not you were tested in those games, and we’re definitely going to be tested. There’s no doubt about it.”

OFFENSEStopping Tristen Barajas has

been a priority for opposing defenses for three years.

Many teams have failed, and Hesseltine expects that to continue as the district’s reign-ing Offensive Back of the Year embarks on his senior season and fourth as the starting quar-terback.

Barajas threw for 2,951 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2012 and will have a speedster at wide receiver in Terrance Robinson, who caught 22 passes for 593 yards and nine scores last year.

“Obviously, on offense, it’s

going to go through (Barajas),” Hesseltine said. “He’s a big part of that. I wouldn’t say he’s the only key. Hell, you’ve got 11 guys out there that have got to do their part.”

Among those anchoring the line will be Ross Porter and Bobby Salinas, who bring the most experience, along with Frankie Robles, who was a part-time starter in 2012.

“I think if we can fill those spots and add quality people to play those positions, we have as good a chance as anybody at winning the district,” Hes-seltine said.

DEFENSEWhile a lot of attention

directed toward Ingleside likely will revolve around its star quarterback, linebacker

Christian Britt returns as the district’s Defensive Player of the Year to lead a unit that brings back seven starters.

Britt, Kyle Rodriguez and Steve Garza, among others, could form what is likely to be the strength of the defense.

Hesseltine expects the back end of his defense to be stout but retains some concern about the state of his defensive line. Jolly DeLeon will be tasked with grooming a young line as the lone returnee with starting experience.

“I think we’ve just got to continue to do what we’ve done over the past nine years,” he said. “Just work hard at practice, continue to get better with each day. Winning seems to take care of itself when you take care of the little things.”

Prolific Mustangs should contend againGEORGE TULEY/CALLER-TIMES fILE

MIChAEL ZAMORA/CALLER-TIMES fILE

ABOVE: Ingleside quarterback Tristen Barajas, a three-year starter, figures to once again be one of the Coastal Bend’s top signal-callers.

INGLESIDE MUSTANGS

Head coach: Graig hesseltine

Career record: 98-42 (70-29 at Ingleside)

2012 record: 9-4

Last district title: 2012 (three-way tie)




Base offense: Shotgun spread

Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp RETuRnEEs

Christian Britt, LB, 6-2, 180, sr.; Tristen Barajas, QB, 5-11, 155, sr.; Terrance Robinson, WR, 6-2, 170, sr.; Jolly DeLeon, DL, 6-0, 215 jr.; Kyle hernandez, LB, jr.

LEFT: Spectacular catches like this one make Ingleside’s Terrance Robinson (20) a go-to guy in the Mustangs’ offense.



Jerry Bomar, entering his third season as Orange Grove’s head coach, has not wasted much time redefining success.

Bomar and the Bulldogs im-proved on their 8-4 record in 2011 by going 9-1 through the 2012 regular season, with its only loss coming in Week 7 at Sinton.

Orange Grove proceeded to beat Devine and Raymondville in the playoffs by a combined score of 75-8, before exiting in the third round following a 42-0 loss to Bellville.

“Solid team, but we’re not a team full of superstars,” Bomar said. “They’re just a bunch of good kids that play hard. They believe they can win. They’ve been a part of two really good years of success, so mentally, they really believe they can compete. But we know, on the other hand, how tough it is.”

OFFENSEThat December playoff game

against Bellville was not what Bomar had in mind when de-ciding to throw then-freshman Hondo Harris into the fire.

The Bulldogs lost Ruben Lopez to injury after one pass attempt, paving the way for Harris to make his debut at quarterback. His inexperience, given that he came straight from the junior varsity level, resulted in five interceptions.

“Any experience is positive for a young player,” Bomar said. “I think that he’ll build on that. He’s had the whole spring to work extremely hard, and summer.”

First-team all-district run-ning back Ricky Martinez leads the way in the backfield after rushing for 1,100 yards last season, but may not be the biggest standout on offense.

Wide receiver Matthew Priddy, a unanimous first-team all-district selection, comes off a 49-catch, 631-yard season to give Harris a potent No. 1 tar-get. Because of the abundance of skill-position talent, Bomar said Harris will not be limited

to game-managing plans, even if he is just a sophomore.

“We’re going to play like we always play,” Bomar said. “He’s going to have to perform and execute. There’s no managing to it. I think the kids will have rallied around him, so I expect him to play well.”

DEFENSEJosh Herrera is expected to

lead the linebackers, where the losses of Julian Salas and Dylan Herschap are going to be felt the most.

“Now, those two areas, for us, would be the highlights,” Bomar said. “Everything else, we got enough people back that we can be solid.”

Herrera collected 92 tackles last season and should receive a lot of help from Gunner New, an all-district player on the defensive line. New will team with Kolton Kubala and Randy Gonzales to help form a sizable unit up front.

Dolan Vollmering is an ex-perienced leader in the second-ary at free safety.

Armed with past success, Orange Grove seeks more

Orange Grove’s Ricky Martinez ran for 1,100 yards last year and figures to be a go-to guy again for the Bulldogs.

PHOTOS BY MicHael ZaMORa/calleR-TiMeS file

acrobatic catches like this one make Orange Grove’s Matthew Priddy (right) a key cog in the Bulldogs’ offense, especially with a new starting quarterback this season.

ORANGE GROVE BULLDOGS

Head coach: Jerry Bomar

Career record: 204-132 (19-6 at Orange Grove)

2012 record: 11-2

Last district title: 2012 (three way-tie)




Base offense: Multiple spread

Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp ReTuRnees

Matthew Priddy, WR, 6-1, 170, sr.; correy Wallace, OT, 6-4, 220, sr.; Myles Rodriguez, OG, 5-10, 300, sr.; Gunner New, DT/De, 5-11, 215, sr.; Ricky Martinez, RB/DB, 5-10, 160, jr.; Garrett Gallagher, OG, 6-3, 280, jr.; Randy Gonzales, DT, 6-4, 280, jr.



Winning immediately was not a talking point of Ricky Gonzalez’s after he took over as Robstown’s football coach in 2011.

Having lost 32 seniors to graduation, Gonzalez began laying down the groundwork for a long-term plan. A plan that now, two winless seasons later, is primed to come to fruition.

“We’ve been hanging our hat on, ‘This is the year for us,’” Gonzalez said. “Right now, our kids are actually really excited and so is our coaching staff.

This is a really resilient group.”The plan, though, exceeds

just winning a game. After all, one victory in 2013 would technically be an improve-ment. Gonzalez and the Cotton Pickers have their eyes set on something grandiose.

“We want to finish with a winning record, and we want to finish in the playoffs,” Gon-zalez said.

OFFENSEA glaring example of Gonza-

lez’s patience in developing his program was his will to start three freshmen on the offen-sive line last season.

“Physically, we had a bunch

of 15-year-olds trying to block 18- and 19-year-olds,” Gonzalez said. “We couldn’t get it done. We couldn’t get a push on peo-ple. That’s going to change this year. Quite a bit.”

The interior will be an-chored by center Andrew Pena and guard Eduardo Silva, lead-ing a young group that is set to improve after taking a beating last year.

Riley Ramos and Luis Ro-driguez return to battle for the starting quarterback job, as the two try to put an end to any lingering controversy that may have surfaced after both received time as starters in 2012.

Ramos, Gonzalez said, has the edge to this point, but the coach would not rule out the possibility of Rodriguez win-ning the job.

“Luis is our big arm,” Gon-zalez said. “He throws a pretty ball. He’s more of our pocket passer. Riley is our athlete that we’ll get out of the pocket and run the ball with. He does

more of that (Robert Griffin III) type of stuff.”

The trio of Jason Mungia, David Molina and A.B. Rubio return at wide receiver with their combined total of 21 catches and 715 yards.

DEFENSEAlthough the defense has

experienced its fair share of growing pains, Gonzalez is excited about the progress it made last season.

“One of the things we did last year from two years ago was cut the amount of points in half that we gave up,” Gon-zalez said. “Still wasn’t enough for us to get in the win column, but we closed the (gap) on our opposition.”

An even more encouraging prospect for Gonzalez is the fact that two of his best defend-ers are not seniors. Defensive tackle Kasey Hosey, a starter as a freshman, joins 6-foot-4, 300-pound junior Lance Mc-Donald to serve as strength of the defense.

“Kind of what we’re go-ing to try to hang our hat on is that we’re going to play tough defense and stop the run,” Gonzalez said. “Just like everyone else.”

After growing pains, Pickers hoping this is the year ROBSTOWN

COTTON PICKERS

Head coach: Ricky Gonzalez

Career record: 0-20 (0-20 at Robstown)

2012 record: 0-10






Base defense: 3-4

TOp ReTuRnees

Riley Ramos, QB, 5-8, 160, sr.; Rodney Mungia, LB, 5-8, 195, sr.; Lance McDonald, DT, 6-4, 305, jr.; Jason Mungia, WR, jr.; Kasey Hosey, DT, soph.; Pete Hernandez, DB, soph.; Andrew Pena, C, soph.

After two winless seasons, Robstown is looking to take a big step forward this year.CALLER-TIMES FILE

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If coach Huey Chancellor had his way, Rockport-Fulton would skip nondistrict play altogether.

At least that way, he would have his No. 1 quarterback healthy enough to play against district opponents.

“Our big goal is to come through (nondistrict) healthy,” Chancellor said. “Last year, from scrimmages and our predistrict (games), we came out of that just so beat up. We had lost so many kids. It was tough for our kids to continue. Our kids did a great job of stay-ing together and continuing to fight the fight.”

In district play, the Pirates were without the services of

quarterback Anthony Resen-dez, who suffered a broken collarbone in Week 5 against Vanderbilt Industrial.

Chancellor believes his team has a chance to make signifi-cant strides if it can steer clear of injuries.

“If we can just stay healthy and continue to progress from Week 1 to Week 2 to Week 3, I think we’ll be in the hunt at the end of the season,” he said.

OFFENSEResendez’s 2012 season

may have been cut short, but that did not prevent him from making a good impres-sion as the starting quarter-back. In limited action, the junior passed for 455 yards and three touchdowns.

His impact was so great, in fact, that Chancellor has decided

to mold the offense around Re-sendez’s dual-threat abilities.

“We’re going to run it a lit-tle bit more, I would say, with zone-type stuff,” Chancellor said. “We’re going to use the quarterback a little bit more, make people account for the quarterback, and that’s some-thing that we’ve done little of in the past, but because of An-thony’s abilities, we’re going to really try to do that — factor him into the offensive scheme a little bit more.”

The Pirates have a chance to pose one of the district’s faster attacks with Resendez in the backfield. He will have Alex Fahrenthold, a state qualifier in the hurdles, available at wide receiver.

DEFENSEWith only four returning

starters on defense, Rockport-Fulton could have its hands full in a district that features some of its most productive players at skill positions.

It will be trial by fire for some of the newcomers.

“I think we got some good athletes that can jump out there and fill some spots,” Chancellor said. “They’ll have to grow up, technique-wise, responsibility-wise, that you have to have on defense.”

Because of the lack of return-ing experience, Chancellor is

tapping into his best players, regardless of other responsi-bilities, to try and fortify the defense.

The best example of this will be the linebackers, where runnings back Domingo Gon-zalez, Logan Jasek and Bran-don Ngo all will start. When on offense, the three will ro-tate in and out.

Chancellor said he could have up to five players start on both sides of the ball. The sec-ondary will be spearheaded by Marcelino Barajas.

After injury-ravaged 2012, R-F looking to stay healthy

LEFT: Domingo Gonzalez (right) will be counted on to be a defensive leader for Rockport-Fulton.

PHOTOS BY MicHael ZaMORa/calleR-TiMeS

ABOVE: Rockport-Fulton quarterback anthony Resendez (18) is back after missing most of last season with an injury.

ROCKPORT-FULTON PIRATES

Head coach: Huey chancellor

Career record: 136-100 (10-11 at Rockport-Fulton)

2012 record: 4-6





Base offense: One-back formation

Base defense: Odd stack

TOp RETuRnEEs

alex Fahrenthold, WR, 5-11, 165, sr.; Domingo Gonzalez, RB/lB, 6-0, 195, sr.; Marcelino Barajas, DB, 5-11, 180, sr.; Matt Berckmoss, 5-11, 185, sr.; anthony Resendez, QB, jr.; logan Jasek, RB/lB, jr.



Rebuilding phases have had little effect on Sinton’s ability to get in the win column in re-cent campaigns.

This season is different. Not different in the sense that the Pirates should brace for a downward spiral, but different as far as the rebuilding goes.

“Well, the old saying, ‘You’re only as good as your offensive line is,’ is pretty true,” Sinton head coach Tom Allen said. “You can be a dy-namic player, like our quarter-back Tyler Handson is, but if you don’t have good enough protection up front and you’re not creating some seams and holes, then he’s just a good player with the football that’s getting tackled.”

If Sinton is going to repeat as a district champion and keep

pace with co-champions Ingle-side and Orange Grove, the Pi-rates will need to successfully replace four starters from last year’s offensive line.

It may or may not be easy, but Sinton returns enough tal-ent to allow it to keep its wave of success going.

OFFENSETackle Jacob Brown is the

lone returning starter on the offensive line, but is a solid piece to build around coming off a second-team all-district selection in 2012.

“(Brown) will be the one we lean on for a while,” Allen said. “But like I said, they’re only as good as they are to-gether. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got one really good lineman. If you’ve got a cou-ple beside him that aren’t very good, (the entire line is) just not very good. It’s going to be important that they learn how

to jell together.”Handson, a District 30-3A

Co-Offensive Player of the Year, led the district in rushing last season with 1,502 yards to go with 19 touchdowns.

Through the air, Handson lit up defenses for 1,877 passing yards and 23 scores.

At running back, Sinton welcomes back John Gabriel Guzman for his fourth year as a starter, who rushed for 552 yards and five touchdowns while playing on defense as well.

Wide receiver Nick Zepeda helps create a formidable trio for the Pirates, which have to make up for the losses of Keith Garcia and Derek Shedd to graduation.

DEFENSEAs one of two players se-

lected as District 30-3A’s Most Valuable Linebacker, Tracker Conn assumes the role of

leader for a Sinton defense that will lack some depth.

“I think our defense has a chance to be good,” Allen said. “We’re going to be pret-ty thin at some key positions. A kid that hasn’t taken a Fri-day night snap is a kid that doesn’t exactly know what it is like.”

Defensive tackle Homer Sepeda looks to improve on a 2012 season that rewarded him with a selection as a second-team all-district player.

When not on offense, Zepeda and Guzman will lend themselves to the linebacker and defensive end spots, re-spectively, where the two earned all-district honors.

Pirates’ success will be decided in the trenches

PHOTOS BY GEORGE TULEY/SPECIAL TO THE CALLER-TIMES

ABOVE: Ball-hawking displays like this make Sinton’s Nick Zepeda (21) a key figure on the Pirates’ defense.

LEFT: Sinton quarterback Tyler Handson (10) has proved to be as much of a threat with his legs as he is with his arm.

SINTON PIRATES

Head coach: Tom Allen

Career record: 52-18 (52-18 at Sinton)

2012 record: 9-3

Last district title: 2012 (three-way tie)



Returning Off/Def start-ers: 5/7


Base defense: 4-2-5

TOp RETuRnEEs

John Gabriel Guzman, RB, 5-10, 215, sr.; Nick Zepeda, WR/LB, 5-8, 165, sr.; LB Tracker Conn, 5-8, 170, sr.; Jacob Brown, OT, sr.; Tyler Handson, QB, 6-0, 175, jr.; Mike Huerta, DE, jr.; Colton Cohea, RB, soph.

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RGC GRULLA GATORSHead coach: Abel Gonzalez

2012 record: 3-7




TOP RETURNEES

Brandon Solis, OL, 6-0, 230; Troy Trillayes, WR, 5-6, 155; Aaron Barrera, OL, 6-1, 260; Rey Penablanca, QB, 5-9, 170

OUTLOOK

Gonzalez, the former Texas A&M-Kingsville quarterback and Rio Grande City native, took his team to the playoffs in their second season before missing out last year. Solis and Barrera should provide ample protection up front for Penablanca, who has been an all-district selection two years in row. With four teams per district now in the 3A playoffs, expect Grulla to contend for the postseason.

LYFORD BULLDOGSHead coach: Jaime Infante

2012 record: 5-6



Returning Off/Def starters: 3-5

TOP RETURNEES

Scot Arnold, QB, 6-1, 165; Edgar Cepeda, C, 5-10, 210; Jorge Reyes, LB, 5-9, 175; Michael Cervantes, OL, 5-7, 235; Andres Infante, WR, 5-11, 160

OUTLOOK

The Bulldogs sneaked into the playoffs a year ago before being bounced in the first round. Lyford likes to fling it, and Arnold has a 2,000-year passing season under his belt. He has some sturdy linemen in front of him and a nice target in Infante. The expanded 3A playoff field gives the Bulldogs more than a puncher’s chance in this district.

RAYMONDVILLEBEARKATSHead coach: Joe Gonzales

2012 record: 6-6




TOP RETURNEES

Jesse Vallardes, RB, 5-10, 185; Romeo Rosales, FB, 5-10, 185; Edward Chavez, LB, 6-1, 185; Christopher Trevino, QB, 5-10, 165

OUTLOOK

No team in this district has more returning lettermen. They won a playoff game for the second consecutive year, no small feat considering Raymondville’s postseason woes of years past. Vallardes and Rosales each cracked 1,000 yards rushing last year and should provide a nice one-two punch for Gonzales to lean upon.

ZAPATA HAWKSHead coach: Mario Arce

2012 record: 2-8




TOP RETURNEES

Miguel Alvarez, FB, 5-8, 165; Roman Rodriguez, K, 5-10, 170; Eddie Sanchez, OT, 5-11, 295; Raul Ruiz, QB, 5-7, 155

OUTLOOK

It’s been two years since this border town saw playoff football, but there are enough experienced returnees coming back to help the Hawks get over the hump. Alvarez churned out more than 1,400 yards and found the end zone 16 times last season, making him a nice cornerstone. Arce must get his standout runner some more help, though. With the playoff field expanding, Zapata can’t help but be in the playoff mix.

DISTRICT 31-3A CAPSULES


Kingsville coach Robert Wilcox knows replacing John “Bam” Houston III at quarter-back is easier said than done.

But by investing in the devel-opment of several young quar-terbacks, the Brahmas know things could always be worse.

“You can’t lose kids like ‘Bam’ Houston and not have it affect you,” Wilcox said. “But, the one thing we’ve tried to do since I’ve been here is develop quarterbacks in our system. Even though he’s not here, hopefully we’ll be OK filling that.”

The unexpected part of the equation comes with the ab-sence of Mason Copeland, the junior who was slated to fill the void left by Houston.

“He’s not here,” Wilcox said, declining to elaborate.

Copeland, who spent the majority of last season at run-ning back, completed 27 of 52

passes for 507 passing yards in two starts at quarterback.

But with 15 returning start-ers in tow, Wilcox isn’t letting any concern surrounding one position take hold of his out-look on 2013.

“I think the strong point is the fact that we have a good number of returning starters that are experienced with winning.”

OFFENSEOf the numerous gunsling-

ers at his disposal, De’Andre Bergen is at the front of the line to take the starting job.

Despite being a linebacker in the past, Wilcox expects Bergen to make his transition to quarterback a smooth one.

“He’s been a quarterback in our system now for three years,” Wilcox said. “This will be his fourth year. So, he knows our offense. He knows how to run it. He has a very strong arm.”

Bergen will be accompanied by David Cavazos, a returning starter at running back, while

commanding a scheme that shies away from complexity.

“We’re one of those teams where we take what the defense gives us,” Wilcox said. “If they

allow us to run the football, we’re going to run the football. If they try to put a bunch of peo-ple near the line of scrimmage, then we’re going to throw the ball. That’s just what we do.”

DEFENSEReturning to the core of the

defense is Rey Ferrer, a junior linebacker who missed signifi-cant time because of an injury.

“(Ferrer suffered) a ruptured spleen in practice and was out for the year,” Wilcox said. “We expect to have good things out of him this year.”

Ferrer’s return is one of many Wilcox said he hopes to see.

“Hopefully, we’re a lot healthier,” Wilcox said of his defense, “and I feel like we’ve got a chance to be a lot better because of that.”

Defensive backs Andre Wil-son and Darius Wallace return to the secondary from last year’s squad. Justin Wickham and Michael Rodriguez are ex-pected to be major contribu-tors on the defensive line.

Brahmas hope depth trumps losses KINGSVILLE BRAHMAS

Head coach: Robert Wilcox

Career record: 115-93 (12-21 at Kingsville)

2012 record: 7-5





Base offense: One-back spread

Base defense: Odd-man front, 3-4

TOP RETURNEES

David Cavazos, RB, 5-3, 140, sr.; Justin Wickham, DE, 6-3, 200, sr.; Andre Wilson, DB, 5-3, 140, sr.; De’Andre Bergen, QB, 6-0, 190; Darius Wallace, FS, 5-10, 165, jr.; Adrian Rivera, WR, 6-0, 180, soph.

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES

Defensive back Darius Wallace again will be counted on to be a reliable presence in the Kingsville secondary.

DISTRICT 15-2A DIVISION I CAPSULES

GoliadtiGersHead coach: John Mares

2012 record: 6-4




TOP RETURNEES

Dalton Sturm, QB, 6-2, 170; Austin Speed, OL, 6-1, 260; Trey Moya, DB, 5-5, 140; Joseph Burns, LB, 5-10, 160; Ty Ross, DE, 6-1, 205

OUTLOOK

Golaid posted a four-game improvement last year, but it wasn’t enough to get the Tigers into the postseason. They should have a crack at the playoffs this year with the expanded field. Sturm can beat defenses with his legs or his arm, while Moya is a workhorse on defense.

JoUrdaNtoNiNdiaNsHead coach: Wayne Johnson

2012 record: 4-6


Returning lettermen: N/A

Returning Off/Def starters: N/A

TOP RETURNEES

Ricky Guerra, LB; Isaac Oropeza, FB; Nick Lopez, TE/LB; Ryan Everett, OL/DE; Enrique Lugo, OL/LB; Alex Aguero, DB; Chase Harrison, QB

OUTLOOK

Jourdanton suffered quite a fall, going from district champion to out of the playoffs. The Indians do have some talent, such as Guerra, the district’s newcomer of the year last season. He’ll be helped out by Lopez and Everett. Offensively, Harrison will be leaned upon.

lUliNGeaGlesHead coach: Colby Hensley

2012 record: 7-5



Returning Off/Def starters: 8-7

TOP RETURNEES

Tyler Gibson, DT, 6-2, 250; Keeton Coe, DB, 6-1, 170; Zach Lawton, LB, 6-0, 185; Josh Alvarez, WR, 6-0, 160; Tryaden Station, QB, 6-0, 215

OUTLOOK

Hensley’s debut season in Central Texas went well, and he has enough pieces back to more than build upon it. Staton and Alvarez were a potent duo and again will be a handful for opposing defenses. Gibson, Coe and Lawton are some nice core pieces on defense.

MarioNBUlldoGsHead coach: Bruce Salmon

2012 record: 6-6




TOP RETURNEES

Rafael DeHoyos, RB, 5-10, 225; Jourden Stanley, QB, 5-10, 185; Lorenzo Washington, DE, 6-2, 220; Miguel Vega, LB, 5-10, 225

OUTLOOK

Salmon is another coach who had a nice first season in his new digs, with the Bulldogs putting together a strong district campaign to make the playoffs. Stanley is a playmaker, as he ran for 1,000 yards and threw for 1,000 last year. Vega and Washington bring it on defense.

s.a. colecoUGarsHead coach: Tim Duncan

2012 record: 1-9




TOP RETURNEES

Joshua Jennings, OL, 5-8, 255; Jacob Kelly, FB, 5-8, 165; Armonis Russ, LB, 5-11, 165; Jerren Scott, RB, 5-8, 165

OUTLOOK

Basketball fans will find it amusing that Shaquille O’Neal’s alma mater is coached by someone named Tim Duncan. There wasn’t much else to laugh about last year for the Cougars. Cole will need its returning starters to turn a corner if it is to return to playoff contention.

s.a. BrooKsBeNGalsHead coach: Eric Hernandez

2012 record: 0-10

Last playoff appearance: None



TOP RETURNEES

Robert Albury, LB; Damien Mellieon, DE; William Blohn, QB; Adam Chavez, DE

OUTLOOK

Hernandez succeeds Gabriel Luna, who went 1-39. Clearly, there is plenty of room for improvement. The Bengals were shut out in their final seven games last season, so it’s safe to say improving the offense is a top priority.

29CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW STATEWIdE/dISTRIcT 15-2A dIVISIOn I »

AP PRESEASON POLLCLaSS 5a

School Points Prv1. Allen (14) 227 62. Katy (6) 205 13. Cibolo Steele (2) 176 34. DeSoto 139 25. Southlake Carroll 129 76. Euless Trinity (1) 124 NR7. Austin Westlake 75 NR8. Galena Park N.Shore 62 NR9. Houston Lamar (1) 49 NR10. Coppell 34 4Others receiving votes: 11, Cedar Hill 33. 12, Dallas Skyline 19. 13, Lake Travis 14. 14, Arlington Martin 7. T15, Converse Judson 5. T15, Arlington Bowie 5. T17, SA Northside O’Connor 3. T17, Lufkin 3. T17, Tyler Lee 3. T20, SA Northside Brandeis 2. T20, SA Madison 2. T20, Abilene 2. T23, Abilene Cooper 1. T23, Longview 1.

CLaSS 4a

School Points Prv1. Denton Guyer (17) 224 72. Cedar Park (6) 211 NR3. Aledo 136 34. S.A. Brennan 119 95. Lancaster 106 NR6. Whitehouse 92 NR7. Humble Summer Creek 73 108. Tyler 58 29. Georgetown 39 NRT10. WF Rider 38 NRT10. Texas City 38 NROthers receiving votes: 12, Dallas Highland Park 34. 13, Pearland Dawson 25. 14, Mesquite Poteet 15. 15, Leander 13. 16, Elgin 12. T17, Manor 6. T17, Nederland 6. 19, Leander Rouse 5. 20, Wolfforth Frenship 4. T21, N. Richland Hills Birdville 2. T21, Ennis 2. T21, Fort Bend Marshall 2. T21, Calallen 2. T25, Amarillo 1. T25, Brenham 1. T25, FW Southwest 1.

CLaSS 3a

School Points Prv1. Stephenville (10) 203 32. Carthage (10) 202 93. Gilmer (1) 177 10 4. Navasota (1) 134 15. Argyle (1) 133 76. Kilgore 119 NR7. La Marque 97 58. Graham 49 NR9. Bellville 29 NR10. Abilene Wylie 25 2Others receiving votes: 11, Silsbee 19. 12, Celina 15. 13, West Orange-Stark 13. 14, El Campo 9. T15, Jasper 7. T15, Gatesville 7. 17, Henderson 6. 18, Shallowater 5. 18, Wimberley 5. T20, Port Isabel 4. T20, Gainesville 4. 22, Tyler Chapel Hill 2. 23, Kennedale 1.

CLaSS 2a

School Points Prv1. Newton (13) 205 32. Cameron Yoe (7) 195 23. East Bernard (2) 180 44. Refugio (1) 115 15. Canadian 95 NR6. New Boston 93 57. Daingerfield 89 NR8. Wall 79 NR9. Tatum 55 NR10. Cisco 38 9Others receiving votes: 11, Franklin 25. 12, Hallettsville 17. 13, Sonora 16. 14, Callisburg 9. 14, Grandview 9. T16, Corsicana Mildred 7. T16, Lexington 7. 18, Rogers 6. T19, White Oak 5. T19, Elysian Fields 5. T21, Arp 3. T21, Hempstead 3. T23, Hughes Springs 2. T23, Lago Vista 2. T23, Littlefield 2. T26, Teague 1. T26, Godley 1. T26, Centerville 1.

CLaSS a

School Points Prv1. Mart (8) 197 10 2. Tenaha (10) 191 NR3. Alto (1) 162 NR4. Mason (1) 154 25. Stamford (2) 120 46. Wellington 109 37. Shiner 97 68. Stratford 40 89. Munday 39 110. Anson (1) 37 NROthers receiving votes: 11, Chilton 30. 12, Falls City 16. 13, Albany 14. T14, Pineland West Sabine 11. T14, Bosqueville 11. 16, Hubbard 9. T17, Muenster 8. T17, Burton 8. T19, Ganado 3. T19, Goldthwaite 3. T19, Italy 3. 22, New Deal 2. 23, Frost 1.

Here is The Associated Press preseason high school poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, points based on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1, and the team’s ranking in last year’s final regular-season poll:

30 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT 15-2A dIV. I

By Matt YoungSpecial to the Caller-Times

Jay Newberry has stepped out of the principal’s office and into what some outsiders might call a rebuilding project. Newberry would say there’s no such thing at George West.

When Tim Holt resigned from George West after last season, Newberry switched jobs from high school princi-pal to the school’s athletic di-rector and football coach. It’s a familiar job for Newberry, who coached Class A Falls City from 1989-95 and the Long-horns from 1998-2000.

He’ll be coaching in front of a fan base that has experi-enced just one district loss in the past five years and doesn’t anticipate a down year in Live Oak County.

“At George West, the ex-pectations are always high,” Newberry said. “We have high expectations for ourselves. We’re going to work hard to win a district championship and win a playoff game or two or however many we can. That part hasn’t changed.”

OFFENSENothing will change on of-

fense either as the Longhorns will run the Slot-T they have perfected over the years. Gary Davenport, who left Aransas Pass last season, is back at George West as an assistant and will make sure the ground game is on point.

The only two starters back on offense are tackle Eli Gar-cia and tight end Trae Smith. Fortunately, both of those guys are huge and will help pave the road for the ground game.

“Eli and Trae bring leader-ship,” Newberry said. “What they also bring is, on 3rd and 2, we know who we’re going to

run behind.”Avery Pawelek will be the

beneficiary of those blocks as he moves into a full-time role at tailback. Mason Moore looks like he’ll get the call at quar-terback and will use his legs to pick up plenty of yards on the ground for the Longhorns.

DEFENSEGeorge West gave up just 13

points per game during district last year, but the Longhorns have plenty of holes to fill on that side of the ball.

The defensive backfield fig-ures to be strong with Pawelek returning at cornerback and Josey Blevins back at free safety. The bulky Garcia and Smith also will get plenty of work along the defensive front to try to stop the run.

“We’re going to need some guys to step up,” Newberry said. “We don’t have a lot of starters returning, but we have some guys that played last year, and we’re hoping they’ll be able to step right in and help us out.”

Faces change, expectations still same for George West

GEORGE WEST LONGHORNS

Head coach: Jay Newberry

Career record: 52-50-1 (16-16 at George West from 1998-2000)

2012 record: 8-3






Base defense: Split

TopReTuRnees

Eli Garcia, OT/DT, 6-2, 290, sr.; Trae Smith, TE/DE, 6-2, 240, sr.; Avery Pawelek, RB/CB, 5-10, 170, sr.; Josey Blevins, FS, sr.

MiCAh DEBENEDETTO/SPECiAl TO ThE CAllER-TiMES

George West’s Avery Pawelek will see double duty for the longhorns as the starting tailback on offense and in the secondary on defense.

CAL236091

Go George WestLonghorns!

102 S. Front St.Mathis, Tx361-494-0352

CAL236091

31CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT 16-2A dIV. I »


ARANSAS PASS — First-year Aransas Pass coach Antonio Villalon isn’t anti-holidays. But he surely would like to toss a wrench into the family dining plans of his Panthers come No-vember.

“I tell the boys they’ve got two goals,” Villalon said. “One is to be undisputed district champs, have a district cham-pionship that we don’t have to share. The other is that I want to screw up Thanksgiving meal because we have football practice during Thanksgiving. So I want our Thanksgiving meal to have to be postponed because we’re in the playoffs.”

Though this will be his first head-coaching job, Villalon is no stranger to AP. He coached there from 1998-2000 and again last season as the Pan-thers’ offensive coordinator under Gary Davenport, sand-wiched around stints in Fort Bend, George West, Van Vleck and Taylor.

So he is familiar with the psyche and the players. While the cupboard hardly teems with experienced starters, Villalon said he thinks the Panthers have more than a puncher’s chance to turn the Thanksgiving season into more than just an occasion to line their bellies with turkey and dressing.

“I do believe that our kids have the work ethic and the talent and all the intangibles of community and all that other fun stuff that comes into it,” Villalon said. “I think ev-erybody’s pulling in the same direction right now, and if that happens, we could be play-ing past Thanksgiving. And I really hate saying that now that it comes out of my voice, because now that’ll be every-body’s expectation.”

The Panthers are seeking their second consecutive play-off spot out of District 30-2A Division I. They will have to

do it with just three starters returning on each side of the line — including quarterback Victor Gonzalez, an all-district pick at running back last year.

OFFENSEGonzalez rushed for 700

yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago but will be entrusted with operating AP’s Slot-T offense. He will be joined by senior returnees Steven Vela, who moves from tackle to guard, and first-team tight end Tyler Terry.

The balance of AP’s pro-jected starters logged time and some starts but weren’t consid-ered full-time starters.

The Panthers also should get

a boost from wideout Kiki Hill, who transferred from King and also will play in the secondary.

“The transition for them shouldn’t be a big deal, because not only were they working hard in practice, (but) some times that transition is tough to go from middle school or from a JV game to a Friday night,” Villalon said. “Most of our boys won’t go through that.”

DEFENSEFirst-teamers Vela at tackle

and linebacker Aaron Jongema — the latter also is penciled in at fullback — and senior Jor-dan Cole are back on a unit that allowed a tick fewer than 278 yards per game.

Villalon admits the Panthers are thin on experience in the defense — especially in the secondary, where Justin Gallo, Terry and Jalen Hill are pro-jected to replace three starters. But the talent pool gives Vil-lalon hope.

“One key injury to the wrong kid, and you’re re-ally scrambling,” Villalon said. “But if folks stay rela-tively healthy, we’ve got good enough ballplayers where we can compete with anybody on our schedule.”

AP has different holiday plans in mind

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES fILE

Aransas Pass’ Victor Gonzalez (12) is shifting from running back to quarterback this season for the Panthers. He was an all-district performer at running back last year.

Aransas Pass’ Aaron Jongema (33) once again is expected to be a two-way stalwart for the Panthers.

ARANSAS PASS PANTHERS

Head coach: Antonio Villalon

Career record: 0-0 (first year at Aransas Pass)

2012 record: 7-4






Base defense: Split

TOP RETURNEES

Jordan Cole, OLB, sr.; Victor Gonzalez, QB, 5-9, 175, sr.; Aaron Jongema, HB/ILB, 5-11, 190, sr.; Tyler Terry, TE/S, 6-2, 185, sr.; Steven Vela, OG/DT. 5-6, 210, sr.


SANTA ROSA WARRIORS

Head coach: Arturo Garcia

2012 record: 1-9




TOP RETURNEES

Orlando Garcia, OL, 5-11, 250; Wally Olivarez, RB, 5-8, 170; Joe Lara, OL, 6-1, 200

OUTLOOK

After last year’s struggles, Garcia is in as the new Warriors’ new coach. He has a handful of seniors to lead the offense, including linemen Garcia and Lara. Needless to say, there needs to be massive improvement across the board for the Warrors to be playoff contenders.

By Javier BecerraSpecial to the Caller-Times

Tim Holt’s late arrival in Mathis doesn’t exactly make for the ideal situation. A change in offensive and defen-sive schemes means the Pirates have some catching up to do before the regular season, but that doesn’t mean Holt is going to speed up the process.

That’s because the founda-tion is more important than the immediate outcome to Holt and the coaching staff.

“We got here so late there are a lot of things we didn’t get to implement,” said Holt, who spent the past four seasons at George West. “We’re still look-ing at setting up some founda-tional things. We didn’t have the opportunity to go through an offseason, so we’ve been hitting the weights like it’s the offseason.

“We’re just trying to be

pretty simple and let our kids grasp everything and not try to move too fast. The chang-es are pretty drastic, but it’s nothing that can’t be achieved by working hard and being disciplined.”

Although the Pirates missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons, Holt believes the goal remains possible now that four teams from each district are eligible for the playoffs.

“They’ve done some pretty good things here before,” Holt said. “They just have some bad habits we need to get rid of.”

OFFENSEOne thing Holt hasn’t had to

deal with is attitude, even as the offense tries to adjust from the Spread to the Slot-T.

“It’s kind of like going from figure skating to the UFC,” Holt said. “It’s just a timing kind of deal. The kids ran something similar in junior

high and have had success with it before. It’s not what you run, but how well you run it. As of now, it’s really only been about eight days. We hope to get an accurate benchmark about our progress soon.

“We just have to see how much we improve so that maybe when district comes around, we can scare the heck out of somebody. We have the kids to be competitive, but still have a long way to go.”

Oscar Flores is the top re-turning rusher with 500 yards and three touchdowns, while Tim Esquivel returns to an-chor the offensive line. Jason

Gonzalez will join Flores in the backfield and is likely to have a more prominent role after rushing for only 51 yards a year ago.

“We have the personnel to be successful,” Holt said. “Once we get past the bad habits and get the kids taught, it’ll just be a matter of getting better each week.”

DEFENSEEsquivel, Flores and Gonza-

lez are also likely to start on defense, with Esquivel and Flores up front and Gonzalez in the secondary. Jon Echa-varria will lead the way at

linebacker while also playing tight end on offense.

“We have a good attitude on defense,” Holt said. “We’ll be able to play if we just show up.”

Still, the Pirates have some holes to fill and are likely to end up with a mix of old and new faces.

“We’re still trying to evalu-ate what we have,” Holt said. “We have about 10 kids on the bubble between varsity and the JV. It’s obvious we still have some questions, but hope to find the answers soon.”

Holt not fazed by short turnaroundMATHIS PIRATES

Head coach: Tim Holt

Career record: 168-105-5 (First year at Mathis)

2012 record: 5-5



Returning lettermen: n/a



Base defense: Split

TOP RETURNEES

Jon Echavarria, TE/LB, sr.; Tim Esquivel, OL/DE, sr.; Oscar Flores, RB/DE, so; Jason Gonzalez, RB/DB, sr.

MicHAEL ZAMORA/cALLER-TiMES

Mathis’ Jason Gonzalez is slated to undertake an increased role in the Pirates’ offense after seeing limited action on that side of the ball last year. He’ll also see time in the secondary.

CAL236089

Go MathisPirates!

102 S. Front St.Mathis, Tx361-494-0352


By Stuart DuncanSpecial to the Caller-Times

With a combined 15 return-ing offensive and defensive starters, Bishop coach George Luna’s fourth season figures to be his best one yet.

Finishing with a .500 record or better is almost expected in the Badgers’ camp this season, even if at least one statewide publication disagrees with that assessment.

“We’re picked last (in our district) by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, and I love it,” Luna said. “(Our) guys are really motivated. They are on a mission.”

Bishop made strides last sea-son by going 4-6 after winning a total of one game in the previ-ous two campaigns combined.

The Badgers won their sea-son finale last year to stop a five-game losing streak in Dis-trict 16-2A, Division I.

Bishop is looking to carry that momentum into this season.

“We want to make the play-offs — it has been quite a while,” said Luna, whose program last reached the postseason seven years ago. “The kids want to get that gold ball, just like every-one else, and they’re shooting to win district. They want to finally get over that hump.”

Luna said the Badgers are prepared to put in the work to turn their program around.

“They’re going to try to prove something and build a winning tradition while get-ting Bishop football back to where it used to be,” said Luna, whose program last won its district in 1997.

OFFENSELuna expects the Badgers’

Veer offense to flourish behind senior fullback Roy Saenz (first team all-district in 2012) and senior tailback Nate Gant (sec-ond team all-district).

Luna said the speedy Gant — the nephew of former Ma-jor League Baseball player Ron

Gant — is determined to become a 1,000-yard rusher this season.

“He put on 10 pounds of muscle over the summer, and he has a great shot to do it,” Luna said.

According to Luna, sopho-more running back Richard Caldera is another strong can-didate to get some playing time in the backfield.

Either senior Dillan Gonza-les or junior Austin Munoz is expected to be Bishop’s start-ing quarterback this season.

The Badgers also are stocked at wide receiver thanks to the return of seniors Montana Garcia, Jared Garcia and Jamin Lira. Sophomore wide receiver Mike Herrera and senior tight end Chad Hayes are expected to be other options for Bishop in its passing game.

Junior tackles Erik Martinez and Jose Barrientos return to anchor the Badgers’ offen-sive line, which also will fea-ture sophomore guard Lauro Garcia. Luna said sophomore

guard Nick Zapata also is ex-pected to contribute up front after missing last season with a broken foot.

DEFENSELuna said Bishop’s biggest

losses to graduation on defense were on the line and in the sec-ondary.

Safeties Garcia and Lira — a second-team all-district selec-tion and the team leader in in-terceptions last season — and cornerbacks Jared Garcia and Gant will lead the secondary.

The 6-foot, 250-pound Za-pata is another two-way player who could help out at defensive tackle. Luna said junior line-backer Ray DeLaGarza may also see some playing time at defensive end to complement Hayes, the other defensive end.

Junior Carlos Charles, DeLaGarza and Saenz — a 2012 second-team all-district selec-tion on defense — should give the Badgers plenty of depth at linebacker again this season.

Badgers out to prove pundits wrong


New Falfurrias coach Max McGehee has a strong track record of taking programs to the playoffs.

After previously guiding Class 5A and Class A teams to the postseason, McGehee now is looking to help the 2A Jerseys take that step.

If last season’s 6-4 record is any indication, that is a highly attainable goal.

McGehee, who was Falfur-rias’ defensive coordinator the past two seasons, will attempt to help the Jerseys improve upon their 2-4 finish in Dis-trict 16-2A Division I last year and make it to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

“We had things going our way the last couple of years, and we’re hoping to build on

that,” said McGehee, whose Falfurrias program rebound-ed to win a combined nine games in 2011 and 2012 after going 0-10 in 2010.

McGehee said the Jerseys are determined to make up for missing the playoffs last season.

“Any time you get close and don’t get over the hurdle, it’s a little disappointing,” McGe-hee said. “At the same token, we did a lot of good (things). We asked (the players), ‘What do we have to do to make up for those things and win one or two more games?’ That has to come from within.”

OFFENSEFalfurrias will switch from

the spread to the Wing-T of-fensive formation this season, as McGehee prefers using more than one running back in the backfield.

Running backs Darren Saenz, a senior, and Brandon Lopez, a junior, will try to help the Jerseys compensate for the loss of Marcus Cortez, a first-team all-district running back last season. Senior wide receiv-er Gilbert Alegria Jr. — another first-team all-district selection — also is expected to see time at running back, McGehee said.

Junior quarterback Mario Chavera, the team’s backup last season, is expected to start this season, according to McGehee.

“He has a chance to be an outstanding player,” McGehee said of Chavera.

Senior tackles Bobby Garza (6-1, 230 pounds) and Ryan Hofstetter (6-1, 230) and ju-nior center Bobby Pulido (6-2, 260) return to give the Jer-seys plenty of experience up front. Juniors Andrew Garza

and Stephen Pena also are expected to bolster Falfur-rias’ offensive line this season, McGehee said.

DEFENSEFalfurrias will lean heav-

ily on returning first-team all-district senior safety An-thony Garza to lead its defense again this season. Alegria, an-other defensive back, also is expected to play both ways to complement Garza.

Saenz and senior Derek Sanchez will be counted on to make plays at linebacker.

Pena also is expected to see playing time on the Jerseys’ defensive line, McGehee said.

“In the secondary, we’ve got some kids back with experi-ence,” McGehee said. “Our front seven doesn’t have as much experience, but they’ll be just fine.”

New coach looks to put Jerseys over hump

BISHOP BADGERS

FALFURRIAS JERSEYS

Head coach: George Luna

Career record: 6-24 (6-24 at Bishop)

2012 record: 4-6





Base offense: Veer

Base defense: 4-2-5

Top ReTuRnees

Nate Gant, sr., RB/DB; Jamin Lira, sr., DB/WR; Jared Garcia, sr., DB/WR; Montana Garcia, sr., WR/DB; Roy Saenz, sr. LB/FB; Chad Hayes, sr., TE/DE.

Head coach: Max McGehee

Career record: 84-85-1 (first year at Falfurrias)

2012 record: 6-4





Base offense: Wing-T

Base defense: Multiple/3-4

Top ReTuRnees

Anthony Garza, sr., FS/WR; Gilbert Alegria Jr., sr., WR/DB; Bobby Garza, sr., OL; Ryan Hofstetter, sr., OL; Bobby Pulido, jr., OL; Darren Saenz, sr., RB/LB, Derek Sanchez, sr., LB; Mario Chavera, jr., QB.



The numbers don’t necessarily look good on paper, but that’s not where the game of football is played. It all comes down to what happens on the field, something the Odem Owls plan to learn before the regular season begins.

“We have to spend a lot of the pre-season growing up and learning how to play football fast,” third-year coach A.J. Martinez said. “We have a lot of youth and a lot of inexperience. That’s the biggest obstacle right now. We have to get our younger guys used to playing at the varsity level.”

Although Odem returns 17 letter-men, only two starters are back on of-fense. That leaves several holes to fill, but Martinez is hopeful the success of an undefeated junior varsity squad translates into another playoff run.

OFFENSEMartinez said the offense is shap-

ing up to feature more of a passing game, mostly because of sophomore quarterback C.J. Romero’s progress.

Since Romero is part of the influx of newcomers, the signal caller was set for a busy preseason.

“Those guys are going to be taking a lot of reps, a ton of reps,” Martinez said. “Our JV worked with us a lot last year so we could start developing them so that C.J. could be our guy along with the skill players coming up with him.”

Senior wide receiver Zach Morales and junior guard Ivan Rodriguez are the only holdovers on offense, but Martinez thinks Romero will be able to adapt despite all the inexperience.

“He’s a smart kid, more than any-thing,” Martinez said. “Not only is he a good runner, but throws a good ball, too. He’s a playmaker and an edge factor. Plus he’s the first varsity quarterback that’s been in our system for more than a year.”

That leaves the offensive line as the biggest concern.

“It really is,” Martinez said. “Our biggest question is, how fast can the line learn to work together? We have a senior lineman that started one game

last year and the other guys are JV starters. We’ll just have to see how quickly we can develop.”

DEFENSEIt helps to have five starters back,

particularly senior defensive tackle Sammy Jasso.

“That dude is an animal,” Martinez said of Jasso, who recorded 70 tackles a year ago. “He’s a real hard-nosed player. He tells his teammates some-thing if they’re not doing it right. He’s not afraid to get in their face, and they respect him for that.”

Jasso anchors a defense that re-turns four players up front, including John Pesek, who is back after notch-ing 64 stops. Running back/defensive back Aaron Naranjo, meanwhile, re-turns after recording 83 tackles while also rushing for 269 yards and two touchdowns last season.

“Our whole front line is back and we have four pretty good ones,” Martinez said. “The question mark is middle line-backer. We have some guys in the sec-ondary, but not middle linebacker. The good thing is we’ve been running the same system for three years, so there’s a lot less thinking and more reacting.”

Odem will need to get varsity newcomers acclimated quickly

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES fILE

Odem’s Zach Morales (88) is one of only two returning starters on offense for the Owls, mak-ing him a cornerstone on a young squad.

ODEM OWLS

Head coach: A.J. Martinez

Career record: 12-11 (12-11 at Odem)

2012 record: 6-5






Base defense: 4-2-5

Top ReTuRnees

Sammy Jasso, DT, sr.; Zach Morales, WR, sr.; Aaron Naranjo, RB, sr.; John Pesek, DE, sr.; C.J. Romero, QB, soph.



Tradition is a word that only recently has become as-sociated with the San Diego football program. A string of three straight district cham-pionships helped make that happen.

Although the roots aren’t very deep, Vaqueros coach Bo Ochoa hopes they’re strong enough to keep the team in the hunt for another title.

“We’re hoping tradition will take over,” said Ochoa, in his sixth year at the helm. “We have a lot of young guys, but at least they’ve been in the system for a while. We just have to play it a game at a time, and if we have the opportunity to play for the district championship, that’ll just be icing on the cake.”

The Vaqueros will have to do it without running back Luis Lopez and a host of other key playmakers, including linemen Reno Perez and Zak Pizzini.

Despite attracting most of the attention from opposing defenses, Lopez rushed for nearly 2,800 yards and reached the end zone 41 times. Even though Lopez, Perez and Piz-zini were among the 14 letter-men lost to graduation, the trio spent part of the summer still leading the way for the varsity newcomers.

“During the summer a lot of those kids that graduated still came by to lift weights,” Ochoa said. “The young guys still look up to them and they still make sure the younger ones are still coming to the weight room.”

OFFENSEReplacing Lopez won’t be

easy. The primary back out of a multi-set scheme, Lopez finished with 2,792 yards and averaged a whopping 12 yards

per carry in helping the Vaque-ros to a 10-1 record.

Opponents will have to focus on more than one ball carrier this season, however, with the Vaqueros switching to a Slot-T offense.

“We hope it’s a more bal-anced attack,” Ochoa said. “Teams won’t be able to focus on stopping just one guy. Now they’ll have to focus on stop-ping four. A lot of guys are

going to get a lot of carries. We also want to be able to throw the ball, of course.”

The task is formidable con-sidering the offense returns only two starters, linemen Pete Guerra and J.D. Lopez. The se-nior duo at the very least give San Diego two solid blocks around which to build a cohe-sive front wall.

“If you ask me if what our strength is on offense, it’s the

offensive line,” Ochoa said. “We still have quite a bit of work to do to get synchro-nized, but having those two guys definitely helps.”

DEFENSEThe entire secondary re-

turns from a year ago, which accounts for the four holdovers on defense. John Herrera is back after snagging three in-terceptions as a sophomore

and is also expected to take over under center on the other side of the ball.

Mikey Gomez leads the way at linebacker, a player Ochoa is counting on to help the unit develop.

“We were pretty young on defense last year so having all the secondary back is a big plus,” Ochoa said. “Gomez is a guy we’re looking at to make plenty of tackles.”

Ochoa also wouldn’t mind having the services of Rolly Torres for more than one game. The junior tight end/de-fensive end scored the team’s first touchdown last year be-fore missing most of the season with a knee injury.

“We really look forward to him being out there,” Ochoa said.

After personnel losses, San Diego looking for tradition to take over

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES

San Diego running back Johnathan Gonzalez will see an increased role in the offense after the departure of standout fullback Luis Lopez.

SAN DIEGO VAQUEROS

Head coach: Bo Ochoa

Career record: 41-15 (41-15 at San Diego)

2012 record: 10-1






Base defense: 4-3

Top ReTuRnees

Pete Guerra, OL, sr.; J.D. Lopez, OL, sr.; Rolly Torres, TE/DE, jr.; Johnathan Gonzalez, RB, jr.; Matt Valdez, RB, jr.; John Herrera, DB, jr.,

36 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT 16-2A dIV. II


REFUGIO — There will be few, if any, tears shed for the boys and coaches wearing orange and black.

Refugio is a youthful team this season. That is especially true on the offensive line, the team’s foundation the previous two seasons, when the Bobcats posted unprecedented point totals, drawing rage and dis-gust from their detractors.

One must remember: Refu-gio is still Refugio. That means the Bobcats still have prolific skill players, an unforgiving defense and a coach that still believes that to prepare his troops for deep postseason runs, he must play his front-line players deep into — if not the entire — games.

This time, though, coach Ja-son Herring is being forced to play his top players, especially the young offensive front, for four quarters by necessity.

“I’m going to have to, hoss,” said Herring, who begins his seventh season with the Bob-cats. “We’re pups. We are young, young, young. Talented, but young,” We’re as young as I’ve ever been as a head coach, no doubt, and for sure younger than we’ve ever been in Refu-gio since I’ve been here. It’s been a very rare talent that has started for us as a freshman.

“Now we’re talking about starting two or three in one sea-son. The only way they’re going to be ready to play by Week 10 or 11 is they’ve got to play.”

So play, they shall, and with the usual heightened bar of expectations. Refugio scored a state-record 891 points in win-ning the Class 2A Division II ti-tle two years ago, and followed that by scoring 789 points last

season, which is tied for ninth all-time.

Ironically, Herring said, there wasn’t near the outcry from critics about Refugio’s scoring penchant last season, perhaps, he mused, because the Bobcats were run off the field by eventual state champ East Bernard 54-23 in the re-gional final.

It should be noted, as well, that those select freshman that

will play didn’t lose a game or allowed a point during their seventh- and eighth-grade sea-sons. That speaks to the talent, but doesn’t supplant varsity ex-perience.

OFFENSEThe proven commodities are

well-documented. Senior Tra-vis Quintanilla threw for 4,005 yards and 57 TDs last season, setting a single-game state

record with 10 scoring tosses. He has a chance at setting all-time state career marks for passing yards and TD passes. He also has proved receiving targets in Dana Franklin, Tyler Castellano and J.B. Brown.

Junior center J.R. Castellano is the lone starter returning on the line. Herring is looking at two freshmen — tackle and son Kobie Herring and Trace Mas-corro — sophomore guard Nick

Villarreal and senior letterman Jonathan Cantu at guard.

DEFENSEThe defense is Refugio’s

strength with seven starters back. Senior outside lineback-ers Devon LaFrance and Alex Coronado and junior nose guard Devin Tagle “have to be the bell cows,” Herring said.

Also returning are Brown, the defensive quarterback at corner, Tyler Castellano and Dalton Klare in the second-ary and end Jim LaFond. Two freshmen, lineman Kobie Her-ring and Jalon Mascorro in the secondary, will be part of the starting equation as well. And that defensive play is going to be key for the Bobcats early.

“There’s still going to be a learning curve. Losing’s not ac-ceptable, rebuilding’s not ac-ceptable and being average is not acceptable, so somebody’s going to have to pick up the slack,” Jason Herring said.

“I’ve made no bones about it. That’s what I expect our defense to do. I expect our de-fense to keep us in games and our offense needs to be real op-portunistic, especially early in the season until we grow up a little bit.”

Rare youth movement underway for Refugio

Michael ZaMora/caller-TiMesfile

alex coronado (22) and Devon lafrance (7) are among the seven returning starters on defense for refugio, which once again has high expectations for its defenders.

REFUGIO BOBCATS

Head coach: Jason herring

Career record: 149-43 (80-5 at refugio)

2012 record: 12-1





Base offense: spread

Base defense: 3-4

TOP RETURNEES

J.B. Brown, Wr, sr.; J.r. castellano, c, jr.; Tyler castellano, Wr/DB, sr.; alex coronado, lB, sr. Devon lafrance, lB, sr.; Travis Quintanilla, QB, sr.

37CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT 16-2A dIV. II »


Banquete isn’t hurting for motivation.

The Bulldogs reached the playoffs for the third straight season a year ago and made it one round further than the two previous trips. They also held defending district champion and state power Refugio to only a first-half field goal be-fore eventually succumbing to the Bobcats.

Kevin Hermes knows Ban-quete once again is in position for another solid campaign. It’s just a matter of how quickly things fall into place.

“We’re going to have to grow up and in a hurry,” said Hermes, in his 11th year at the school. “We’re going to

be young in some spots. We have to really come together as a team offensively and defensively.

“Losing seven guys on each side of the ball leaves a lot of holes to fill. The preseason is the time to find the right guys and get everybody in the right position. We just have to grow up fast and start playing some varsity football.”

Last season’s achievements provide fuel for the fire.

“When you have some suc-cess, the kids start to expect it,” Hermes said. “Hopefully, it carries over into the season. The kids know the expecta-tions. They’re not satisfied be-ing bi-district champs. They want more.

“The kids understand what they need to do and are

always working for it. We want to get better and get further than we have before and win it all one day.”

OFFENSEGraduation left a void under

center, where Ben Benavides set some lofty standards after passing for 1,489 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushing for another 775 yards and 11 scores. Last year’s No. 2 signal caller, O.J. Ramirez, is the top candidate to take over at quar-terback.

Also gone is running back Jacob Gonzalez, who rushed for 1,326 yards and 18 touch-downs last year. Hermes isn’t sure who might step in to carry the load, but does have a crop from which to pick from.

“The sophomore class is

a very athletic group and a great bunch of competitors,” Hermes said. “I feel comfort-able with those guys. They just have to learn to play at the next level. The game speed is a lot faster than last year, so it might take a ballgame or two to get used to it. They’re a tal-ented bunch with great com-petitiveness. It’s going to pay off for us in the long run once they figure it out.”

The return of four expe-rienced linemen — Brendan Breland, Jesse Cedillo, Daniel Herrera and Christian Leal — should help.

“The line is going to keep us stable and might make us or break us,” Hermes said.

DEFENSEHermes said it’s a familiar

tune on defense.“It’s going to be like always

— the defense is going to have to win some football games for us at first,” he said. “We pride ourselves on defense and the kids understand that. They’re going to hit you when you’re coming through. It’s hard waiting for someone to adjust to playing at the var-sity level, but the defense will probably have to be the back-bone until the offense gets moving like we know their capable of.”

Linebacker Ross Sullivan is the top returning tackler with 129, including nine sacks. Marcos Suarez recorded 48 tackles last season, while Ramirez had 44 and an inter-ception playing in the defen-sive backfield.

Plenty of fire in Bulldogs’ bellyCALLER-TIMES FILE

BANQUETE BULLDOGS

Head coach: Kevin Hermes

Career record: 68-42 (68-42 at Banquete)

2012 record: 10-2






Base defense: 50

Top ReTuRnees

Smiley Almaguer, WR/DB, sr.; Roger Delapaz, TE/DE, sr.; Marcus Suarez, OL/DL, sr.; O.J. Ramirez, QB/DB, sr.

LeFT: Banquete has set the bar high with three straight playoff trips and a victory in last year’s postseason.

38 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT 16-2A dIV. II


SKIDMORE — John Livas plans on bringing stability to a Skidmore-Tynan football pro-gram that has seen three head coaches come and go the past two years.

Livas was named the Bob-cats’ head coach in May af-ter Alice assistant coach Stephen Silva turned down the job. Livas follows Rus-sell Joy, who was at the helm of the S-T football program last season and had replaced Dan Garza, who left after the 2011 season to be the coach at Class A Pettus.

“Continuity is very impor-tant for these kids,” said Livas, who was the offensive coordi-nator last season at 2A Goliad and served as head coach at 4A Uvalde in 2011. “That’s some-thing they’ve lacked the last couple of years. They’ve had some changes here for what-ever reasons.”

OFFENSELivas is implementing the

Slot-T offense. He has an ex-perienced line consisting of center Jakob Martinez, guards Alex Acosta and Bobby Quiro-ga and tackle Ryan Jimenez.

“I feel like our offensive line will be our strength this year,” Livas said. “We’re pretty big up front.”

Running backs Donovan En-cina, Ryan Lasko and Nathan Magana should get the bulk of the carries.

“We are going to run a lot of misdirection, so timing in the backfield is very important,” Livas said.

Livas entered preseason with two quarterback candi-dates: senior Aaron Hughes and sophomore Wyatt Scott.

“Wyatt is looking pretty good right now,” Livas said.

“Aaron hasn’t played the last couple of years, so he is kind of behind, but he’s very coach-able and has a lot of leadership qualities that we’re looking for in that position.”

DEFENSES-T returns four starters on

defense. Livas expects outside linebacker Adrian Castaneda and defensive end Seth Phillips

to step up as possible all-dis-trict candidates along with Encina in the secondary.

“We have to establish things on both sides of the ball that we can hang our hat on,” Livas said. “The kids have to believe in it. The kids have bought in to what we’re doing. They’re very coachable.

“The biggest thing is having to learn a new offensive system and a new defensive system. We’re just taking baby steps right now and making sure they understand the base of our offense and the base of our defense.”

Livas is one of four new head coaches in District 16-2A Di-vision II. He expects the Bob-cats, who were 3-7 last year and missed the playoffs with a 3-4 league mark, to be in the race for second place behind peren-nial power Refugio.

“Banquete is always tough, and we have teams like Taft, Riviera who look like they’ll be good this year,” Livas said. “I know all the other new head coaches, and I know they will all do a good job. Refugio is No. 1, and everybody else will be fighting for everything else. I think it will be a competitive district this year.”

Livas hopes to have more answers about his Bobcats by their Aug. 30 opener at Three Rivers.

“The kids are looking for something they can have con-fidence in,” Livas said.

“We all know that confi-dence breeds confidence. I believe the kids are really confident in what we’re do-ing offensively and defen-sively. We’re just trying to put all the pieces of this puzzle together.”

After revolving door, new coach hopes to return stability to S-T


running back Donavan encina (44) is among the most experienced on the offensive side for skidmore-Tynan.

SKIDMORE-TYNAN BOBCATS

Head coach: John livas

Career record: 4-6 (0-0 at skidmore-Tynan)

2012 record: 3-7





Base offense: slot T

Base defense: 50

TOp ReTuRnees

De seth Phillips, rB Donovan encina, Te T.J. amador, rB ryan lasko, ol Bobby Quiroga, rB Nathan Magana

39CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT 16-2A dIV. II »


Santa Gertrudis Academy wants to do more this year than just set the school record for wins in a season.

The Lions also want to ac-complish another first for their program and make the playoffs.

With the UIL expanding its Class 2A playoff format this season to include an additional team from each district, Santa Gertrudis is setting the bar much higher than just winning three games in a season for the first time since the program’s inception in 2007.

“They’re taking four teams to the playoffs this season and we’re shooting for one of those spots,” said Lions first-year coach Stuart Burleson, who previously had head coaching stints at Rockport-Fulton and Palacios and also previously served as Carroll’s defensive coordinator.

Despite coming off a 1-9 sea-son, Santa Gertrudis has good reason to be optimistic about the postseason. That’s because three of the Lions’ six District 16-2A, Division II losses this past season were by seven points or fewer.

“(The kids are) pretty ex-cited about it,” Burleson said of the season. “They know how close they were last year and they want to get over that hump and finish games.”

OFFENSEDespite switching from the

Spread to a one-back “Pistol” offensive formation this sea-son, don’t expect Santa Ger-trudis to be pass-happy.

Burleson said the Lions want to get their tight end, 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior Jacob Castro, on the field as much as possible while establishing more of a running game.

Senior running back Nick Labanino, a first-team all-dis-trict selection last year, returns to lead Santa Gertrudis’ strong cast of skill position players.

Running backs A.J.

DeLaRosa, a senior, and Eric Garcia, a junior, also are back, as are wide receivers Carlos

Rocha — a senior and a 2012 first-team all-district selection — and Michel Orozco, a junior.

The Lions also have two starting quarterbacks return-ing in junior Adam DeLaney and sophomore Alvaro Saenz.

DeLaney suffered a torn an-terior cruciate ligament injury last season, and Saenz started at quarterback in his place.

Burleson said DeLaney’s specialty is throwing, while Saenz is more of a running quarterback.

DeLaney — who appears healthy again after competing in 7-on-7 passing league com-petition this summer — and Saenz will compete to be the starter.

“Both kids have experience, and they did a good job last season,” Burleson said.

Senior Colton Strubhardt (6-1, 280) and junior Ricardo Per-ez (5-11, 245) are back to bolster Santa Gertrudis’ offensive line.

DEFENSEThe Lions will play with one

less defensive back this season, as they are moving from a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 defensive alignment.

“We wanted seven people in the box on defense,” Burleson said. “We’re going to gear up and try to stop the run.”

Defensive linemen Perez and Strubhardt and end Castro are expected to play a big part in helping Santa Gertrudis try to contain its opponents.

Labanino, a second-team all-district selection, and Orozco will lead the Lions’ lineback-ers, Burleson said.

Senior Christian Garcia — a second-team all-district safety — returns to help solidify San-ta Gertrudis’ secondary, which will also feature junior Angel Diaz and Rocha.

Lions hunting elusive playoff spot

Michael ZaMora/caller-TiMes

santa Gertrudis running back Nick labanino (21) is back and figures to be a key cog in the lions’ offense.

SANTA GERTRUDIS ACADEMY LIONS

Head coach: stuart Burleson

Career record: n/a (First year at santa Gertrudis)

2012 record: 1-9

Last district title: None




Base offense: Pistol/1-Back

Base defense: 4-3

Top ReTuRnees

Nick labanino, sr., rB; carlos rocha, sr., Wr; ricardo Perez, jr., Dl/ol; Jacob castro, sr., De/Te.


After several down years, Pete Guajardo has Taft as a playoff mainstay. The Grey-hounds have made the post-season four straight seasons, and with six starters returning on each side of the ball, No. 5 looks like a good bet.

Taft was considered an ex-tremely young group in 2011, when it finished second in Dis-trict 16-2A Div. II. That group made bigger strides last season by rallying to win its final four district games. Now, the Grey-hounds feature a core group of seniors with high expectations.

“We have a little more expe-rience, so the kids have picked up on everything pretty easily,” Guajardo said. “This is one of the bigger senior groups we’ve had since we’ve been here. A lot of these kids played varsity as freshmen or sophomores, so there’s a lot of consistency.”

OFFENSEA key piece of that senior

class is missing as Trent Selby, last year’s third-leading rusher, transferred to Ingleside when his mom, Stacy, got the volley-ball coaching job there in the summer. However, the linchpin of the offense still will be quar-terback Jestin Flores.

Flores led the team last year with 823 rushing yards and 1,027 passing yards. His seven inter-ceptions a year ago came as a re-sult of inexperience under cen-ter, and Guajardo expects to see an improved Flores as a senior.

“He’s grasped the concept of playing quarterback a lot better,” Guajardo said. “Last year, he was just being handed the ball and he was running with it. Now, he’s understand that he’s getting the ball and he’s making choices with what to do with it. I think it was the second to last district game last year, he came up to me and said, ‘Hey coach, I think I finally

understand what it is I’m sup-posed to be doing out there.’ He’s going to be a force for us.”

Selby’s replacement in the backfield will be sophomore Josh Vasquez, who is only about 170 pounds, but has enough speed to break some runs.

Flores will have familiar faces at receiver with 6-foot-3 Richard Nanez, Jon Montez and Phillip Martinez all returning.

The offensive line will be an-chored by returning starters Joe Castillo, Joe Saldana and Mike Flores, who all rank in the top 10 percent of their class.

DEFENSETaft doesn’t have the depth

of some Class 2A schools, so the Greyhounds will rely on a lot of two-way players, but Guajardo hopes to find enough players on defense to give his offensive players some rest.

“Our defensive coordinator wants all our offensive play-ers on defense, but we can’t do

that,” Guajardo said. “We have talented kids, and we need to find ones that can fill in our de-fense and give us some depth.”

Flores has been a two-way all-district player since he was a freshman, but Guajardo took him away from the defense a lot last year to give him more time to rest and focus on his quarterback role. That won’t be the case this year.

“He’s one of our best defen-sive players and a really good safety,” Guajardo said. “If you ask him what position he’d rath-er play, he’d tell you defense. He’s a senior, so I want him to

go out the way he’d want to go out. We’re going to turn him loose, and he’s going to be on the field as much as possible.”

Juan Cantu, who could also see some time at quarterback to give Flores a break, will be another key defender in the secondary.

Vasquez is just a sophomore, but he appears to be on the verge of a breakout season at linebacker.

The big question for the Greyhounds will be along the defensive line, where they could be vulnerable to strong running games.


Hired in July, Nathan Borden has been scurrying to complete Riviera’s coaching hires, move into different offices and coor-dinate the plethora of other ad-ministrative tasks facing a new athletic director.

Borden barely has found time to learn the names of his football players and what kind of talent is on campus. What he has learned is giving him hope that the Seahawks can contend for a playoff spot out of District 16-2A Division II.

“We’re pretty quick. We have some fast kids. They have a good work ethic, and they’ve accepted change really well,” Borden said. “We’ve got a bunch of good se-nior leaders. They’ve picked up a lot of things.”

The former successful

Bishop baseball coach returns to Riviera as the Seahawks’ third football coach in as many seasons. The deck is stacked against the Seahawks slightly, with only seven lettermen and four starters returning on each side of the line and only one player — second-team senior middle linebacker Hunter Meyer — who received all-district mention a year ago.

The challenge will be more on offense, where Borden plans to shift to a more multiple set.

“Our work is cut out for us. I just want to be in the running for a playoff spot once district comes; that’s what I want to do,” said Borden, who coached at Riviera for nine years before moving to Bishop. “We have Refugio — that’s our first dis-trict game. Once we get rolling into district, I want our kids to have an opportunity to be play-ing for a playoff spot.

“I think if we can get through this rough patch at the begin-ning of our schedule and learn a lot of lessons and play a lot of kids and keep getting better week to week that we can be in the running for a spot. That’s what I think we can do.”

OFFENSESenior tackles J.D. Quintanilla

and Michael Acevedo, junior guard Gabriel Rivera and senior running back Jay Garcia are the returnees.

From there, the starting spots are tentative. Seniors Cody Gray and Meyer are battling at tight end, although Meyer’s time fig-ures to be spent mainly on de-fense.

Either senior Mike Montoya or sophomore Jon Dickey will start at quarterback, and Dickey will be the Seahawks’ place-kicker and punter, the latter two posi-tions being ones that Riviera’s

holdover coaches told Borden were a cinch. Senior Tres Longo-ria and sophomore Haden Bor-den are at receiver, juniors Carlos Flores and Michael Acevedo — Riviera has two players with the same name — are at fullback and senior Luis Serna and sophomore Sebastian Lerma are battling Garcia at running back.

DEFENSEBesides Meyer, Montoya (cor-

nerback), Quintanilla (tackle) and Garcia (strong safety) are

the returning starters. As is the case with most 2A programs, many of the starters will spill over from offense. Hunter Douglas (center) and Gray are expected to be at ends, joined by sophomore Jonathan Kolties at tackle.

Junior Cody McFall and soph-omore Zach Gonzales are tabbed to flank Meyer at linebacker, with Flores, Longoria, Serna, Borden, Garcia, Dickey and An-drew Edlin manning secondary positions.

40 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT 16-2A, dIVISIOn II

RIVIERA SEAHAWKS

TAFT GREYHOUNDS

New Riviera coach catching upHead coach: Nathan Borden

Career record: 0-0 (First year at Riviera)

2012 record: 3-7






Base defense: 4-3

TOP RETURNEES

RB/S Jay Garcia; MLB Hunter Meyer; QB/CB Mike Montoya; OT/DT J.D. Quintanilla; OG Gabriel Rivera

Head coach: Pete Guajardo

Career record: 38-46 (38-46 at Taft)

2012 record: 6-5






Base defense: Split

TOP RETURNEES

Jestin Flores, QB/S, 5-10, 170, sr.; Richard Nanez, WR/DB, 6-3, 170, jr.; Phillip Martinez, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, sr.; Josh Vasquez, RB, 5-10, 170, soph.; Joe Saldana, OL, 5-10, 230, jr.

Taft has high expectations

41CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT 16-2A, dIVISIOn II »


Jake Hofstetter never has been a head coach, but he spent the previous 11 years as the of-fensive coordinator at Port Isabel. When he was named the new Freer coach in May, he tabbed two of Port Isabel’s top two assistants to move with him and become his offensive and defensive coordinators.

Now, he’s hoping the Tar-pons’ tradition of making the playoffs makes the move with them.

The Buckaroos have made slow but steady strides in the past few years. After a 2-8 sea-son in 2010, Freer improved to 4-6 the next season and went 5-5 last year. Although the Buckaroos are trending up, a new staff means new schemes and lots of learning before Freer can taste the postseason again.

“Things have been going

well so far,” Hofstetter said. “The kids are picking up on it, but we made a lot of changes, so it’s going to take some time to have everyone on the same page.”

OFFENSEThis is where fans will no-

tice the most change. Freer ran a spread offense last season, but Hofstetter is implementing the same Multiple I formation offense Port Isabel has run for years.

“We only have 44 kids on the varsity and junior varsity, so I just don’t know that we have the depth you need to run a spread offense,” Hofstetter said. “No disrespect to the coaching staff or the players that were here previously, but I think this change will give us a better opportunity to be in the playoffs.”

Freer will have a familiar face pulling the new offense’s trigger. Jacob Cantu, who

started at quarterback as a freshman in 2010 before being moved to receiver in the spread offense, will be back under center for his senior year.

“He’s picked up the offense quite well; he’s doing a good job with it,” Hofstetter said. “He’s a real smart kid and a leader, and that’s what you want out of your quarterback.”

Cantu will rely heavily on his backfield of Orlando Balboa and Jeremy Alaniz. When he goes to the air, Cantu will have a reliable target in 5-foot-11 Al-fredo Zapata and a water bug target in 5-5, 135-pound Adrian Aguillon.

The offensive line will be anchored by left tackle Cort-land Cammer, who Hoffstetter said came in and immediately locked down the line’s blind-side position.

DEFENSEFreer is changing from a 4-2-5

alignment to a more aggressive

4-3 that will be led by a strong corps of linebackers. When Alaniz isn’t serving as a wreck-ing-ball fullback on offense, he’ll lead the defense at middle linebacker. Robert Arredondo will line up as the strongside linebacker with Arnold Bednorz on the weak side.

“Jeremy is a vocal leader on defense and kind of came in and has taken charge of things,” Hofstetter said. “Rob-ert has done a really good job and is a hard-nosed type of

player. Arnold is a really good linebacker that has us pretty excited about that part of our defense.”

The Buckaroos plan on fixing a defense that gave up 33 points or more in four district games last year by becoming more of an attacking unit.

“We’re going to be aggressive and attack on defense,” Hofstet-ter said. “We’re going to try to go hit you before you ever get started. We’re going to hit you and play hard-nosed football.”

Freer undergoes some changes


Joe Rios knows a little bit about rebuilding projects. This time, he’s putting his hard hat on and working to rebuild his hometown team.

Rios spent five years at struggling Premont, where he managed a respectable 23-27 record. After spending time as an assistant at Refugio, he took over a Falfurrias team that had won just two games in its previous three seasons. After a rough 0-10 debut, Rios went 3-7 in Year 2 and 6-4 last season.

Then, home called. Rios, who played on Hebbronville’s 1986 and 1987 playoff teams, took the job of rebuilding the Longhorns in April. After a

long stretch of playoff appear-ances, Hebbronville went through three head coaches in three seasons and went 2-8 in 2011 before hitting rock bottom with an 0-10 thud last season.

“They were down, but ev-eryone’s attitude is good now,” Rios said. “Our numbers are up (68 kids are in the football program), so that’s a good sign. Our seniors are being leaders. We just have good kids here in Hebbronville. They’re working hard, so we’re expecting a good season.”

OFFENSEHebbronville fans will no-

tice a big change in offense. After running the old-school Double Wing last year, Rios is bringing the same Spread

offense he used with success at Falfurrias. He thinks he has the perfect trigger man for the offense, too.

Rios compares junior Elias Alaniz to the Washington Red-skins’ Robert Griffin III. When a reporter chuckled at the com-parison, Rios stood his ground.

“I’m serious — he’s legit,” Rios said. “He can run it, and he can throw it. He’s for real. We just hope he doesn’t break, since he’s only about 5-9, 150 pounds.”

Rios will get some help in the backfield from sophomore Artie Huerta and junior Albert Alaniz. Rios says both under-classmen are excellent athletes who will play tailback but also motion out to receiver.

The Longhorns’ offensive

line features four seniors, which should benefit the younger guys on Friday nights.

“We have a lot of varsity ex-perience on the line, so we’re hoping that will help,” Rios said.

DEFENSEAlong with the new head

coach comes a new defensive coordinator and a change in defensive philosophies. Defen-sive coordinator Kyle Freeman, who was an assistant at Snyder before moving to Hebbronville, is switching the Longhorns from

a 3-3-5 formation to a more con-ventional 4-3.

“We expect them to hustle to the ball, be hard-hitting and out-hustle and outwork their op-ponents,” Freeman said. “We’re going to be a hard-hitting de-fense, but we’re also going to be sound.”

The new defense will be led by a pair of seniors with Austin Garza heading up the linebacker corps, and Danny Barrera get-ting a rush off the edge at de-fensive end. Huerta has locked down a spot in the defensive backfield at free safety.

Rios comes home to reverse Hebbronville’s fortunes

FREER BUCKAROOS

Head coach: Jake Hofstetter

Career record: First season

2012 record: 5-5





Base offense: Multiple I

Base defense: 4-3

Top ReTuRnees

Jacob Cantu, QB, 5-8, 170, sr.; Orlando Balboa, RB, 5-9, 150, jr.; Jeremy Alaniz, FB/LB, 5-10, 200, sr.; Alfredo Zapata, WR/DB, 5-11, 165, sr.; Adrian Aguillon, WR/DB, 5-5, 135; Cortland Cammer, LT/DT, sr.; Robert Arredondo, LB, jr.; Arnold Bednorz, LB, 5-8, 160, sr.

HEBBRONVILLE LONGHORNS

Head coach: Joe Rios

Career record: 32-48 (First year at Hebbronville)

2012 record: 0-10





Base offense: Multiple Spread

Base defense: 4-3

Top ReTuRnees

Elias Alaniz, QB, 5-9, 150, jr.; Artie Huerta, RB/WR/FS, 5-7, 160, soph.; Albert Alaniz, RB/WR/DB, 5-9, 180, jr.; Austin Garza, LB, 5-6, 200, sr.; Danny Barrera, DE, 5-11, 200, sr.

42 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» CLASS 1A

DISTRICT 15-A, DIVISION I CAPSULES

DISTRICT 16-A, DIVISION I CAPSULES

GANADO INDIANSHead coach: Jimmy Thompson

2012 record: 8-4




TOP RETURNEES

RB/DE Brayden Andel (5-11, 205); RB/DB Billy Jones (5-7, 160); OL/DL Will Malek (6-1, 275); QB/LB Ray Salazar; FL/DB Kameron Smith (5-11, 160); RB/DB Clay Vesely (5-11, 165)

OUTLOOK

The Indians return the district’s top statistical passer in Salazar (745 yards, 11 TDs), rusher in Vesely (1,405-16) and receiver in Smith (635-6), so they could make a strong bid for another playoff spot. Malek and Vesely were honorable-mention all-state picks.

KENEDYLIONSHead coach: Lin Havron

2012 record: 5-4




TOP RETURNEES

QB/DB Dominic Cruz (5-10, 170); C Ray Jay Garza; OT/DT Robbie Gutierrez; RB/LB Graham Lawrence; RB Cedric Mejia

OUTLOOK

Don’t be fooled. Half of the Lions’ offensive returnees are up front in Garza, Gutierrez and G Devyn Schultz. That should help facilitate Cruz’s efforts as he moves under center after earning all-district honors as a wideout. The defense has holes to fill, but Lawrence provides a steadying influence.

SHINERCOMANCHESHead coach: Steve Cerny

2012 record: 12-2




TOP RETURNEES

DE Caleb Kalich (6-2, 215); P Hunter Mraz (5-10, 165); WR Tyler Patek (5-5, 145); MLB/OB Jacob Stafford (6-0, 210)

OUTLOOK

The Comanches made another deep postseason run in 2012, losing in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Mart. That snapped an 11-game winning streak. With a healthy cast of returning starters, including four offensive linemen and all-state honorable-mention picks in Stafford (district defensive MVP) and Mraz, the Comanches should be playoff-bound again.

THREE RIVERSBULLDOGSHead coach: Randy Palmer

2012 record: 6-5




TOP RETURNEES

RB Paul Almendarez (6-0, 165); PL Tanner Johanson (6-0, 240); QB/DB Hagan Johnston (6-0, 180); Jesse Perez (5-7, 200)

OUTLOOK

Almendarez and Johnston were offensive and defensive first-teamers in 15-A a year ago, with Almendarez and Perez providing ample production in their freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Johnston will be in his third year of running TR’s Slot-T offense, which averaged almost 31 points per game.

YORKTOWNWILDCATSHead coach: Trey Alexander

2012 record: 6-4




TOP RETURNEES

QB Jacob Garcia (5-10, 160); OL Caleb Lemke (6-0, 240); OL Joe Ragusin (5-10, 240); LB Trever Reed

OUTLOOK

The Wildcats’ string of postseason appearances ended at four with last season’s 1-3 district finish. Garcia steps into the QB role after rushing for 600 yards. He and RBs Logan Romans, Caleb Schendel and Brandon Smith will have some big boys up front leading the blocking in Lemke and Ragusin.

BEN BOLT BADGERSHead coach: Jeff LeFevre

2012 record: 8-3




TOP RETURNEES

CB Scott Gafford (5-6, 170); QB/DB Ryan Galvan (6-0, 160); OL Matt Garcia (5-7, 200); WR/DL Nick Gonzalez; DE Louie Lopez

OUTLOOK

A district runner-up finish pushed the Badgers to their fourth consecutive playoff berth a year ago. An all-district pick in the secondary, Galvan takes on the QB role as well in place of graduated all-district first-teamer Albert Gonzalez. Gafford and DLs Steven Pena, Lopez and Christian Del Real anchor BB’s strength on defense, which lost district MVP Eric Salinas to graduation. Garcia was a first-team all-district pick.

LA VILLA CARDINALSHead coach: Jose Salinas

2012 record: 9-2




TOP RETURNEES

LB Ramiro Cantu; MLB Arturo Garza; DT Ramon Serna; QB Robert Serna; WR Adrian Trevino

OUTLOOK

The Cardinals have reached the playoffs in seven of the previous eight seasons. With the district offensive MVP returning in Serna, LV is a good bet to make it eight of nine. Serna accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards in his junior year. Cantu, Garza, Ramon Serna and Trevino were honorable-mention district picks.

MONTE ALTO BLUE DEVILSHead coach: Cesar Castillo

2012 record: 4-6



Returning off/def starters: n/a

TOP RETURNEES

WR/LB Jorge Guajardo; RB/LB Angel Oseguera; OL/DL Omar Reyes

OUTLOOK

The fledgling program didn’t win a district game but managed four wins against private schools and JV programs. Castillo comes in from an assistant’s role at PSJA. Guajardo was a two-way, all-district first-team selection, while Reyes and Oseguera were first-team picks on defense and offense, respectively.

SANTA MARIA COUGARSHead coach: Rolando Aguirre

2012 record: 4-6




TOP RETURNEES

TE/CB Jose Carreon; DB/WR Felix Cantu; OL/DE Alan Gonzalez; WR Orlando Gonzalez; QB Isaac Ortiz

OUTLOOK

One district win will get you in the playoffs these days, and the Cougars did just that, earning a postseason spot for the second time in school history and first after two seasons of fielding only a JV team. Cantu and Carreon were first-team all-district defenders, and Orlando Gonzalez was a first-team offensive pick.

DISTRICT 14-A, DIVISION II CAPSULES

43CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW cLASS 1A »

FALLS CITYBEAVERSHead coach: Steve Marbach

2012 record: 11-3




TOP RETURNEES

DB/KR Austen Camber (6-0, 165); WR Stephen Harlos (6-0, 170); WR Dean Gaskamp (6-1, 175); DL Devon Lyssy (5-10, 185); LB Eric Wiatrek (6-1, 170)

OUTLOOK

The defending regional semifinalists boast all-state talent in Wiatrek, Camber and Gaskamp. The Beavers will use that base to restock a defense that allowed 11.4 points per game and tossed six shutouts. Falls City has some skill-position players but needs to find a replacement for QB Cameron Soto, last year’s district MVP.

LOUISE HORNETSHead coach: Danny Villanueva

2012 record: 1-9




TOP RETURNEES

DT Raul Gonzalez (6-4, 225); QB Chris Kutac (5-8, 155); RB Noe Puentes (6-1, 190); LB Will Siemens (5-10, 180)

OUTLOOK

It has been dim for a dozen years in Louise, with only one winning season (2007) and seven different head coaches. But in his second season, ex-West Oso assistant Villanueva has a large cast returning, headed by 2012 top district newcomer Kutac. The prospects are brighter, especially with the return of LB Jacob Bill from an ACL injury.

PETTUS EAGLESHead coach: Dan Garza

2012 record: 0-10




TOP RETURNEES

RB/DB John Constante (5-8, 170); DE Diego Delgado (6-0, 225); OL/DL Connor Fox (5-9, 185); OL/LB Matt Gonzales (6-0, 245); WR Anthony Mendoza (5-9, 150)

OUTLOOK

It was a tough year for the Eagles, who surrendered 43.5 points per game. Their closest game was a 20-18 loss at Agua Dulce. Yet the returning number of players, led by Fox, Gonzales, Delgado and Samuel Cano on the lines, should help. Pettus will have to groom a new quarterback.

RUNGEYELLOWJACKETSHead coach: Matt Wright

2012 record: 9-3




TOP RETURNEES

LB Jeric Esparza (6-2, 225); OT Richard Ramirez (6-5, 270); OT/DT/PK Ryan Saucedo (5-7, 180); TE/S/P Darren Torres (6-0, 220)

OUTLOOK

Runge has a lot of skill-position players to replace from the team that ended a 15-year playoff drought. The Yellowjackets will have a solid base on which to build with all-district first-teamers Esparza, Ramirez, Saucedo and Torres returning.

WOODSBOROEAGLESHead coach: Wade Miller

2012 record: 10-3




TOP RETURNEES

FB/LB Robert Arriaga; DL Mike Barraza; QB/CB/P Lionel Brown (6-0, 170); CB David Carmichael (5-11, 165); OL Justin Fierova (6-1, 250); S Jonathan Flores (5-9, 140); TE/DE Jacob Nesloney (6-2, 240); OL Brian Wigington

OUTLOOK

The talent pool is deep on a squad that reached the third round of the playoffs under Miller. The All-South Texas Coach of the Year. Barraza, Brown, Carmichael, Fierova, Flores and Nesloney all earned first-team all-district honors a season ago.

AGUA DULCELONGHORNSHead coach: Robert Beard

2012 record: 5-5




TOP RETURNEES

DL Johnny Cavazos; OLB Jose I. Baltazar (5-11, 205); RB/CB A.J. Jiminian (5-8, 145); FB/MLB Trey Mann (5-10, 220); S Josh Quinney; C Juan Ramirez

OUTLOOK

A 20-14 loss to Charlotte in the finale cost the Longhorns their first playoff berth in seven years. But Agua Dulce has enough returning starters to possibly end that drought this season. Baltazar was an honorable-mention all-state pick. Jiminian topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark, but AD must have a QB step forward.

BENAVIDES EAGLESHead coach: Celso Olivera

2012 record: 0-10




TOP RETURNEES

OB/DB Noe Guzman; OL Rey Ruiz; QB/DB Scott Sanchez; FB/S Fernando Zavala

OUTLOOK

A boatload of returnees didn’t translate into success last year for the Eagles, who are riding a 12-game losing streak and have won just 12 district games since their last playoff appearance. Guzman gives Benavides some hope for the future, as he was the district Newcomer of the Year in 2012, while Sanchez was as first-team defensive pick and Ruiz, Zavala and Sanchez were second-teamers, Zavala both ways.

BRUNI BADGERSHead coach: Arturo Lozano IV

2012 record: 9-2




TOP RETURNEES

RB-S Derly Carrizales (5-11, 170); WR Joel Lopez; OL/LB Joe Valderas (6-1, 220); OL/LB Bryan Vela (5-11, 215)

OUTLOOK

The defending district champions may not have the numbers but can build off successive postseason appearances. Carrizales rushed for almost 1,100 yards in earning district offensive MVP honors. Valderas was a two-way, first-team all-district selection, and Lopez was a first-team offensive pick. Abraham Gonzalez will be among the newcomers expected to help on the offensive front.

CHARLOTTETROJANSHead coach: Jerry Dominguez

2012 record: 2-9




TOP RETURNEES

OL/DL Eric Diaz; WR/FS Cesar Estrada (6-0, 162); OL/DL Isaiah Garcia (5-10, 261); RB/SS Preston Hohenstein (5-10, 170); OL/LB Adrian Martinez (5-10, 198); WR/CB Brandon Rivas

OUTLOOK

The Trojans won only two games, but they were enough to get them into the playoffs. Sixteen returning starters should give Charlotte an edge, with Hohenstein earning two-way, first-team all-district honors and five others earning first-team nods. Dilan Weigag will get the call at QB.

LA PRYORBULLDOGSHead coach: Justin Stephens

2012 record: 5-6




TOP RETURNEES

DL Robert Castillo; RB/CB Chris Gonzalez; DE Miguel Luna; DE Nathan Martinez; C Carlos Perez

OUTLOOK

Stephens inherits a program that has successive playoff appearances. Gonzalez was first-team offense and second-team defense on the all-district squads. Defense will be the Bulldogs’ strength, anchored by first-teamers Luna and Perez.




After graduating 18 seniors from last season’s 2-8 team, no one really knows what to expect from John Paul II this year.

That could work to the young Centurions’ advantage, as they look to sneak up and surprise some teams in coach Mario Vasquez’s first year at the helm.

“We want to have a winning season,” said Vasquez, who coached the quarterbacks and running backs at John Paul the past four seasons. “With the ded-ication that (these kids) have, we should be (able to do that).”

Despite having just one re-turning starter on each side of the ball and five seniors, Vasquez said the Centurions plan to work around that inex-perience.

“They’re excited,” Vasquez said of his players. “They worked real hard this summer. We’re getting there.”

With a freshman- and soph-omore-laden team this season, John Paul II must overcome any fear factors associated with playing at the varsity level once the season starts.

“They can’t be afraid to step out on the field and play with the big boys,” Vasquez said of his team’s younger players. “They’ve got to be prepared and they have taken that first step by working hard this sum-mer.”OFFENSE

Vasquez plans to run the same offense at John Paul II that he used when he coached at Zapata. The Centurions are switching from a Spread to a Wing-T offense this season and will turn to some transfers to help them run it proficiently.

Flour Bluff transfer Andrew Morgan, a junior, is expected to start at quarterback for the Centurions.

Vasquez said Morgan’s abil-ity to run and throw the ball effectively on the run makes him the perfect fit for John Paul II’s offense.

“He’s a natural-born lead-er,” Vasquez said of Morgan. “The kids have started to rally around him. He’s already mak-ing an impact on the team.”

Vasquez is hoping two transfers from King also can immediately become differ-ence-makers for the Centuri-ons. Sophomore running back Jacob Musil and sophomore wide receiver Nwokedma Jack-son could also be a big part of John Paul’s plans on offense this season.

Vasquez said the 6-foot-5 Jackson will make an ideal target for Morgan, particularly when the Centurions try to lob the ball up to him and use his height advantage over oppos-ing defensive backs.

Freshman running back Matthew Sanchez is expected to help John Paul’s running game as well this season, Vasquez said

Junior 5-foot-10, 220-pound offensive tackle Rupert Lu-jan, the team’s lone returning starter on offense, gives the of-fensive line a veteran presence.DEFENSE

The Centurions will look to build around senior 5-foot-9, 220-pound defensive tackle Manuel Lopez, who is the team’s returning starter on defense.

Vasquez said John Paul’s secondary should be the unit’s strength this season thanks to the return of junior cornerback Andrew Serna and senior safety Josh Go-mez, who saw spot duty last season. Morgan and Musil are also expected to play in the secondary, Vasquez said.

The Centurions will need additional underclassmen to step up and help replace the 10 defensive starters lost to graduation.

“We’ve never had a young group like this,” Vasquez said. “If we can keep our freshmen together, we’ll be able to build for the future. That’s where most of our tal-ented athletes are.”

44 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» TAPPS dISTRIcT 2, dIVISIOn I

John Paul II has young lineup

JOHN PAUL II CENTURIANS

Head coach: Mario Vasquez

Career record: Firstseason

2012 record: 2-8

Last district title: None




Base offense: Wing-T

Base defense: 4-3

Top ReTuRnees

Rupert Lujan, jr., OL; Manuel Lopez, sr., DL; Andrew Serna, jr., DB; Josh Gomez, sr., DB.


Senior safety Josh Gomez (bottom) is part of an experienced defensive backfield for the Centurians this year.

45CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW PREdIcTIOnS »

District 28-5A

1. Cibolo Steele2. S.A. East Central3. King4. S.A. Southwest

District 30-4A

1. Calallen2. Port Lavaca3. Gregory-Portland4. Victoria East

District 31-4A

1. Flour Bluff2. Ray3. Alice4. Miller

District 30-3A

1. Sinton2. Ingleside3. Orange Grove4. Rockport-Fulton

District 31-3A

1. Kingsville2. Raymondville3. Lyford4. RGC Grulla

District 15-2A Div. i

1. Luling2. Marion3. George West4. Goliad


1. San Diego2. Aransas Pass3. Odem4. Mathis

District 16-2A Div. ii

1. Refugio2. Banquete3. Taft4. Freer

District 15-A Div. i

1. Shiner2. Ganado3. Three Rivers


1. Ben Bolt2. La Villa3. Santa Maria

District 14-A Div. ii

1. Woodsboro2. Falls City3. Runge


1. Bruni2. Agua Dulce3. Charlotte

Offensive plAyer Of yeAr

Devin Bisby, RB, G-P

Defensive plAyer Of yeAr

Trevor Moses, LB, Calallen

District 28-5A

1. Cibolo Steele2. S.A. East Central3. King4. Carroll

District 30-4A

1. Port Lavaca2. Calallen3. Gregory-Portland4. Victoria East

District 31-4A

1. Flour Bluff2. Ray3. Alice4. Moody

District 30-3A

1. Sinton2. Ingleside3. Orange Grove4. Rockport-Fulton

District 31-3A

1. Kingsville2. Raymondville3. RGC Grulla4. Lyford


1. Luling2. George West3. Marion4. Goliad


1. Aransas Pass2. Odem3. Mathis4. San Diego


1. Refugio2. Banquete3. Taft4. Hebbronville






1. Falls City2. Woodsboro3. Runge




Tyler Handson, QB, Sinton


Austin Revels, LB, Calallen

georgevondracekSportS writer

gregrajanSportS editor

District 28-5A


District 30-4A


District 31-4A


District 30-4A

1. Ingleside2. Sinton3. Rockport-Fulton4. Orange Grove

District 31-3A



1. Luling2. Goliad3. Marion4. George West


1. Aransas Pass2. San Diego3. Falfurrias4. Odem


1. Refugio2. Banquete3. Taft4. Freer




1. La Villa2. Ben Bolt3. Santa Maria


1. Woodsboro2. Falls City3. Runge


1. Bruni2. Agua Dulce3. La Pryor


Tristen Barajas, QB, Ingleside


Adrian Hynson, DB, Flour Bluff

District 28-5A


District 30-4A


District 31-4A


District 30-3A

1. Ingleside2. Orange Grove3. Sinton4. Rockport-Fulton

District 31-3A



1. Luling2. Goliad3. Marion4. George West


1. Aransas Pass2. San Diego3. Falfurrias4. Mathis


1. Refugio2. Taft3. Banquete4. Freer




1. La Villa2. Ben Bolt3. Santa Maria


1. Woodsboro2. Falls City3. Runge Yellowjackets




Tristen Barajas, QB, Ingleside



District 28-5A

1. Cibolo Steele2. S.A. East Central3. King4. Carroll

District 30-4A

1. Calallen2. Gregory-Portland3. Port Lavaca4. Victoria East

District 31-4A


District 30-3A

1. Sinton2. Ingleside3. Rockport-Fulton4. Orange Grove

District 31-3A

1. Kingsville2. RGC La Grulla3. Lyford4. Raymondville


1. Luling2. George West3. Marion4. Goliad


1. Aransas Pass2. Odem3. Mathis4. San Diego


1. Refugio2. Banquete3. Freer4. Taft






1. Falls City2. Woodsboro3. Runge


1. Bruni2. Agua Dulce3. La Pryor


Devin Bisby, RB, G-P



joSerodriguezSportS writer

kennyryanSportS writer

johnallencaller.com

46 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES» dISTRIcT ScHEdULES

DISTRICT 28-5ACARROLL TIGERS

8/29 Port Lavaca % 79/6 at Flour Bluff 7:309/13 Gregory-Portland% 7:309/20 at Calallen 7:309/27 at Converse Judson* 7:3010/11 at S.A. East Central* 7:3010/18 at King*% 7:3010/25 S.A. Southwest*# 7:3011/1 at Cibolo Steele* 7:3011/8 South San*# 7:30

KING MUSTANGS

8/30 Flour Bluff% 7:309/6 at Moody# 7:309/13 at Ray# 7:309/20 at Victoria East 7:309/27 Smithson Valley# 7:30 10/11 at Cibolo Steele* 7:3010/18 Carroll*% 7:3010/25 at South San* 7:3011/1 S.A. Southwest*# 7:3011/8 at S.A. East Central* 7:30

CIBOLO STEELE KNIGHTS

8/30 S.A. Madison 7:309/6 at Converse Judson 7:309/12 Kerrville Tivy 79/20 Austin Westlake 7:309/26 at San Marcos 7:3010/11 King* 7:3010/18 South San* 7:3010/25 at S.A. East Central* 7:3011/1 Carroll* 7:3011/8 at S.A. Southwest* 7:30

S.A. EAST CENTRAL HORNETS

8/30 at S.A. Jay 7:309/6 at S.A. Marshall 7:309/12 at S.A. Brennan 79/20 Converse Judson 7:309/27 at New Braunfels 7:3010/11 Carroll* 7:3010/18 at S.A. Southwest* 7:3010/25 Cibolo Steele* 7:3011/1 at South San* 7:3011/8 King* 7:30

S.A. SOUTHwEST DRAGONS

8/29 at Laredo United 79/6 at S.A. Central Catholic 7:309/13 S.A. Lee 7:309/20 S.A. Brennan 7:309/27 New Braunfels Canyon 7:3010/11 at South San* 7:3010/18 S.A. East Central* 7:3010/25 at Carroll*# 7:3011/1 at King*# 7:3011/8 Cibolo Steele* 7:30

SOUTH SAN BOBCATS

8/30 S.A. Harlandale 7:309/6 at S.A. McCollum 7:309/13 at Victoria West 7:309/19 at S.A. Burbank 7:309/27 S.A. Central Catholic 7:3010/11 S.A. Southwest* 7:3010/18 at Cibolo Steele* 7:3010/25 King* 7:3011/1 S.A. East Central* 7:3011/8 at Carroll*# 7:30

DISTRICT 30-4ABEEvILLE TROjANS

8/30 at Kingsville 7:309/6 Ray 7:309/13 Cuero 7:309/20 at Ingleside 7:309/27 at Gregory-Portland* 7:3010/4 Victoria West* 7:3010/18 at Victoria East* 7:3010/25 Port Lavaca * 7:3011/1 at Calallen* 7:3011/8 Tuloso-Midway* 7:30

CALALLEN wILDCATS

8/30 Mercedes 7:309/6 at Weslaco East 79/13 at Flour Bluff 7:309/20 Carroll 7:309/27 Port Lavaca * 7:3010/11 at Tuloso-Midway* 7:3010/18 Gregory-Portland* 7:3010/25 at Victoria West* 7:3011/1 Beeville* 7:3011/8 at Victoria East* 7:30

GREGORy/PORTLAND wILDCATS

8/30 at Laredo L.B.J. 7:309/6 Alice 7:309/13 at Carroll% 7:309/20 Rockport/Fulton 7:309/27 Beeville* 7:3010/4 at Victoria East* 7:3010/11 Port Lavaca * 7:3010/18 at Calallen* 7:3010/25 Tuloso-Midway* 7:3011/7 at Victoria West* 7

PORT LAvACA SANDCRABS

8/29 at Carroll% 79/6 La Vernia 7:309/13 at Somerset 7:309/27 at Calallen* 7:3010/4 Tuloso-Midway* 7:3010/11 at Gregory-Portland* 7:3010/18 Victoria West* 7:3010/25 at Beeville* 7:3011/1 Victoria East* 7:30

TULOSO/MIDwAy wARRIORS

8/30 Sinton 7:309/6 at Miller% 7:309/13 Mission 7:309/20 at West Oso 7:309/27 Victoria East* 7:3010/4 at Port Lavaca * 7:3010/11 Calallen* 7:3010/25 at Gregory-Portland* 7:3011/1 Victoria West* 7:3011/8 at Beeville* 7:30

vICTORIA EAST TITANS

8/30 Gonzales 7:309/6 at San Marcos 7:309/13 at S.A. Brackenridge 7:309/20 King 7:309/27 at Tuloso-Midway* 7:3010/4 Gregory-Portland* 7:3010/11 at Victoria West* 7:3010/18 Beeville* 7:3011/1 at Port Lavaca * 7:3011/8 Calallen* 7:30

vICTORIA wEST wARRIORS

8/29 Lockhart 79/6 at Cuero 7:309/13 South San 7:30

9/20 at Bay City 7:3010/4 at Beeville* 7:3010/11 Victoria East* 7:3010/18 at Port Lavaca * 7:3010/25 Calallen* 7:3011/1 at Tuloso-Midway* 7:3011/7 Gregory-Portland* 7

DISTRICT 31-4AALICE COyOTES

8/30 Laredo Alexander 7:309/6 at Gregory-Portland 7:309/13 at Kingsville 7:309/27 Flour Bluff* 7:3010/4 at Laredo Cigarroa* 7:3010/11 Ray* 7:3010/18 at Moody*# 7:3010/25 Laredo Nixon* 7:3011/1 Miller* 7:3011/8 at Laredo Martin* 7:30

FLOUR BLUFF HORNETS

8/30 at King% 7:309/6 Carroll 7:309/13 Calallen 7:309/27 at Alice* 7:3010/4 Laredo Martin* 7:3010/11 at Miller*% 7:3010/17 at Laredo Cigarroa* 710/25 Ray* 7:3011/1 at Moody*% 7:3011/8 Laredo Nixon* 7:30

MILLER BUyS

8/30 at Robstown 7:309/6 Tuloso-Midway% 7:309/13 at West Oso 7:309/26 at Laredo Martin* 710/4 Moody*% 7:3010/11 Flour Bluff*% 7:3010/18 at Laredo Nixon* 7:3010/25 Laredo Cigarroa*% 7:3011/1 at Alice* 7:3011/8 Ray*% 7:30

MOODy TROjANS

8/29 West Oso# 79/6 King# 7:309/13 at Rockport/Fulton 7:309/27 Ray*% 7:3010/4 at Miller*% 7:3010/10 at Laredo Nixon* 710/18 Alice*# 7:3010/25 at Laredo Martin* 7:3011/1 Flour Bluff*% 7:3011/7 at Laredo Cigarroa* 7

RAy TExANS

8/30 Rockport/Fulton# 7:309/6 at Beeville 7:309/13 King# 7:309/27 at Moody*% 7:3010/4 Laredo Nixon*# 7:3010/11 at Alice* 7:3010/17 Laredo Martin*% 710/25 at Flour Bluff* 7:3010/31 Laredo Cigarroa*% 711/8 at Miller*% 7:30

LAREDO CIGARROA TOROS

8/30 Zapata 7:309/6 at Laredo United South 7:309/13 at Roma 7:309/27 at Laredo Nixon* 7:3010/4 Alice* 7:30

10/11 Laredo Martin* 7:3010/17 Flour Bluff* 710/25 at Miller*% 7:3010/31 at Ray*% 711/7 Moody* 7

LAREDO MARTIN TIGERS

8/30 at Roma 7:309/7 at Eagle Pass Winn 79/14 Laredo United South 79/26 Miller* 710/4 at Flour Bluff* 7:3010/11 at Laredo Cigarroa* 7:3010/17 at Ray*% 710/25 Moody* 7:3011/2 at Laredo Nixon* 711/8 Alice* 7:30

LAREDO NIxON MUSTANGS

9/6 at Eagle Pass 7:309/13 Eagle Pass Winn 7:309/20 at Zapata 7:309/27 Laredo Cigarroa* 7:3010/4 at Ray*# 7:3010/10 Moody* 710/18 Miller* 7:3010/25 at Alice* 7:3011/2 Laredo Martin* 711/8 at Flour Bluff* 7:30

DISTRICT 30-3AINGLESIDE MUSTANGS

8/30 at Refugio 7:309/6 at George West 7:309/13 Odem 7:309/20 Beeville 7:309/27 Cuero 7:3010/11 at Sinton* 7:3010/18 West Oso* 7:3010/25 at Robstown* 7:3011/1 at Rockport/Fulton* 7:3011/8 Orange Grove* 7:30

ORANGE GROvE BULLDOGS

8/30 at Odem 7:309/6 Raymondville 7:309/13 at George West 7:309/20 Aransas Pass 7:309/27 at Lyford 7:3010/11 Rockport/Fulton* 7:3010/18 Sinton* 7:3010/25 at West Oso* 7:3011/1 Robstown* 7:3011/8 at Ingleside* 7:30

ROBSTOwN COTTON PICKERS

8/30 Miller 7:309/6 Aransas Pass 7:309/13 Banquete 7:309/20 Odem 7:3010/4 Kingsville 7:3010/11 West Oso* 7:3010/18 Rockport/Fulton* 7:3010/25 Ingleside* 7:3011/1 Orange Grove* 7:3011/8 Sinton* 7:30

ROCKPORT/FULTON PIRATES

8/30 Ray# 7:309/6 Kingsville 7:309/13 Moody 7:309/20 Gregory-Portland 7:309/27 Vanderbilt Industrial 7:3010/11 Orange Grove* 7:3010/18 Robstown* 7:30

10/25 Sinton* 7:3011/1 Ingleside* 7:3011/8 West Oso* 7:30

SINTON PIRATES

8/30 at Tuloso-Midway 7:309/6 Yoakum 7:309/13 Rio Hondo 7:309/20 at Raymondville 7:309/27 at Laredo L.B.J. 7:3010/11 Ingleside* 7:3010/18 at Orange Grove* 7:3010/25 Rockport/Fulton* 7:3011/1 West Oso* 7:3011/8 at Robstown* 7:30

wEST OSO BEARS

8/29 at Moody# 79/6 at Riviera 7:309/13 Miller 7:309/20 Tuloso-Midway 7:309/27 John Paul II 7:3010/11 at Robstown* 7:3010/18 at Ingleside* 7:3010/25 Orange Grove* 7:3011/1 at Sinton* 7:3011/8 Rockport/Fulton* 7:30

DISTRICT 31-3AKINGSvILLE BRAHMAS

8/30 Beeville 7:309/6 at Rockport/Fulton 7:309/13 Alice 7:309/20 at Hidalgo 7:309/27 Somerset 7:3010/4 at Robstown 7:3010/11 Zapata* 7:3010/25 at Raymondville* 7:3011/1 Lyford* 7:3011/8 at La Grulla* 7:30

LyFORD BULLDOGS

8/30 B’ville St. Joseph’s 7:309/6 at Port Isabel 7:309/13 at Santa Rosa 7:309/20 at Progreso 7:309/27 Orange Grove 7:3010/4 Rio Hondo 7:3010/18 at La Grulla* 7:3010/25 Zapata* 7:3011/1 at Kingsville* 7:3011/8 Raymondville* 7:30

RAyMONDvILLE BEARKATS

8/30 Hidalgo 7:309/6 at Orange Grove 7:309/13 Port Isabel 7:309/20 Sinton 7:309/27 at Rio Hondo 7:3010/4 at La Feria 7:3010/11 La Grulla* 7:3010/18 at Zapata* 7:3010/25 Kingsville* 7:3011/8 at Lyford* 7:30

RGC LA GRULLA GATORS

8/30 at La Villa 7:309/6 La Feria 7:309/13 at PSJA Southwest 7:309/20 Rio Hondo 7:309/27 at Port Isabel 7:3010/4 Hidalgo 7:3010/11 at Raymondville* 7:3010/18 Lyford* 7:3011/1 at Zapata* 7:3011/8 Kingsville* 7:30

47CALLER-TIMES » SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW dISTRIcT ScHEdULES » Zapata hawks

8/30 at Laredo Cigarroa 7:309/6 Laredo Alexander 7:309/13 at Mission Vets 7:309/20 Laredo Nixon 7:309/27 at Crystal City 7:3010/4 Port Isabel 7:3010/11 at Kingsville* 7:3010/18 Raymondville* 7:3010/25 at Lyford* 7:3011/1 La Grulla* 7:30

district 15-2a, division iGeorGe west lonGhorns

8/30 at Bandera 7:309/6 Ingleside 7:309/13 Orange Grove 7:309/20 at Three Rivers 7:309/27 at Marion* 7:3010/4 S.A. Brooks Academy* 7:3010/18 at S.A. Cole* 7:3010/25 Goliad* 7:3011/1 at Jourdanton* 7:3011/8 Lulling* 7:30

Goliad tiGers

8/30 at Vic. St. Joseph’s 7:309/6 Yorktown 7:309/13 at Edna 7:309/20 Mathis 7:309/27 at Jourdanton* 7:3010/4 Lulling* 7:3010/11 at Marion* 7:3010/18 S.A. Brooks* 7:3010/25 at George West* 7:3011/1 S.A. Cole* 7:30

Jourdanton indians

8/30 Falls City 7:309/6 at Stockdale 7:309/13 at Dilley 7:309/20 Carrizo Springs 7:309/27 Goliad* 7:3010/11 at Luling* 7:3010/18 Marion* 7:3010/25 at SA Brooks Academy* 7:3011/1 George West* 7:3011/8 at S.A. Cole* 7:30

lullinG eaGles

8/30 at S.A. Randolph 7:309/6 Rice Consolidated 7:309/13 Blanco 7:309/20 at Devine 7:309/27 S.A. Cole* 7:3010/4 at Goliad* 7:3010/11 Jourdanton* 7:3010/25 at Marion* 7:3011/1 SA Brooks Academy* 7:3011/8 at George West* 7:30

Marion bulldoGs

8/30 at Poth 7:309/6 Karnes City 7:309/13 at Austin St. Michael’s 7:309/20 Navarro 7:309/27 George West* 7:3010/4 at S.A. Cole* 7:3010/11 Goliad* 7:3010/18 at Jourdanton* 7:3010/25 Luling* 7:3011/8 at SA Brooks Academy* 7:30

district 16-2a, division iaransas pass panthers

8/30 Van Vleck 7:30

9/6 Robstown 7:309/13 at Palacios 7:309/20 at Orange Grove 7:309/27 Bishop* 7:3010/4 at Odem* 7:3010/11 Santa Rosa* 7:3010/25 at Falfurrias* 7:3011/1 San Diego* 7:3011/8 at Mathis* 7:30

bishop badGers

8/30 Riviera 7:309/6 at Santa Gertrudis Acad. 7:309/13 at Bloomington 7:309/20 Benavides 7:309/27 at Aransas Pass* 7:3010/4 Falfurrias* 7:3010/11 at San Diego* 7:3010/18 Mathis* 7:3011/1 at Odem* 7:3011/8 Santa Rosa* 7:30

FalFurrias Jerseys

8/30 Hebbronville 7:309/6 Freer 7:309/13 at Riviera 7:309/20 at John Paul 7:309/27 Mathis* 7:3010/4 at Bishop* 7:3010/11 Odem* 7:3010/18 at Santa Rosa* 7:3010/25 Aransas Pass* 7:3011/8 at San Diego* 7:30

Mathis pirates

8/30 at Banquete 7:309/6 Skidmore/Tynan 7:309/13 John Paul II 7:309/20 at Goliad 7:309/27 at Falfurrias* 7:3010/4 San Diego* 7:3010/18 at Bishop* 7:3010/25 Odem* 7:3011/1 at Santa Rosa* 7:3011/8 Aransas Pass* 7:30

odeM owls

8/30 Orange Grove 7:309/6 Taft 7:309/13 at Ingleside 7:309/20 Robstown 7:309/27 at Santa Rosa* 7:3010/4 Aransas Pass* 7:3010/11 at Falfurrias* 7:3010/18 San Diego* 7:3010/25 at Mathis* 7:3011/1 Bishop* 7:30

san dieGo vaqueros

8/30 at La Feria 7:309/6 Austin Eastside 7:309/13 Freer 7:309/20 Santa Maria 7:3010/4 at Mathis* 7:3010/11 Bishop* 7:3010/18 at Odem* 7:3010/25 Santa Rosa* 7:3011/1 at Aransas Pass* 7:3011/8 Falfurrias* 7:30

santa rosa warriors

8/30 Rio Hondo 7:309/6 at La Villa 7:309/13 Lyford 7:309/20 at La Feria 7:30

9/27 Odem* 7:3010/11 at Aransas Pass* 7:3010/18 Falfurrias* 7:3010/25 at San Diego* 7:3011/1 Mathis* 7:3011/8 at Bishop* 7:30

district 16-2a, division iibanquet bulldoGs

8/30 Mathis 7:309/6 at John Paul II 7:309/13 Robstown 7:309/27 at Taft* 7:3010/4 Hebbronville* 7:3010/11 at Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3010/18 at Santa Gertrudis* 7:3010/25 Refugio* 7:3011/1 at Riviera* 7:3011/8 Freer* 7:30

Freer buckaroos

8/30 at Benavides 7:309/6 at Falfurrias 7:309/13 at San Diego 7:309/27 Santa Gertrudis* 7:3010/4 at Refugio* 7:3010/11 Riviera* 7:3010/18 Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3010/25 at Taft* 7:3011/1 Hebbronville* 7:3011/8 at Banquete* 7:30

hebbronville lonGhorns

8/30 at Falfurrias 7:309/6 Ben Bolt 7:309/13 at Cotulla 7:309/27 Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3010/4 at Banquete* 7:3010/11 Santa Gertrudis* 7:3010/18 at Refugio* 7:3010/25 Riviera* 7:3011/1 at Freer* 7:3011/8 Taft* 7:30

reFuGio bobcats

8/30 Ingleside 7:309/6 at Edna 7:309/13 Lago Vista 7:309/27 at Riviera* 7:3010/4 Freer* 7:3010/11 at Taft* 7:3010/18 Hebbronville* 7:3010/25 at Banquete* 7:3011/1 Santa Gertrudis* 7:3011/8 at Skidmore/Tynan* 7:30

riviera seahawks

8/30 at Bishop 7:309/6 West Oso 7:309/13 Falfurrias* 7:309/27 Refugio* 7:3010/4 at Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3010/11 at Freer* 7:3010/18 Taft* 7:3010/25 at Hebbronville* 7:3011/1 Banquete* 7:3011/8 at Santa Gertrudis* 7:30

santa Gertrudis lions

8/30 Home 7:309/6 Bishop 7:309/13 at Woodsboro 7:309/27 at Freer* 7:3010/4 Taft* 7:3010/11 at Hebbronville* 7:30

10/18 Banquete* 7:3010/25 at Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3011/1 at Refugio* 7:3011/8 Riviera* 7:30

skidMore/tynan bobcats

8/30 at Three Rivers 7:309/6 at Mathis 7:309/13 Kenedy 7:309/27 at Hebbronville* 7:3010/4 Riviera* 7:3010/11 Banquete* 7:3010/18 at Freer* 7:3010/25 Santa Gertrudis* 7:3011/1 at Taft* 7:3011/8 Refugio* 7:30

taFt Greyhounds

8/30 at John Paul II 7:309/6 at Odem 7:309/13 Crystal City 7:309/27 Banquete* 7:3010/4 at Santa Gertrudis* 7:3010/11 Refugio* 7:3010/18 at Riviera* 7:3010/25 Freer* 7:3011/1 Skidmore/Tynan* 7:3011/8 at Hebbronville* 7:30

district 15-a, division ithree rivers bulldoGs

8/30 Skidmore/Tynan 7:309/6 at Nixon/Smiley 7:309/13 at Natalia 7:309/20 George West 7:309/27 Falls City 7:3010/11 Yorktown* 7:3010/18 at Kenedy* 7:3010/25 Shiner* 7:3011/8 at Ganado* 7:30

kenedy lions

8/30 at Karnes City 7:309/6 Pettus 7:309/13 at Skidmore/Tynan 7:309/20 at Woodsboro 7:3010/4 S.A. Hawkins 7:3010/11 at Shiner* 7:3010/18 Three Rivers* 7:3010/25 at Ganado* 7:3011/1 Yorktown* 7:30

district 16-a, division iben bolt badGers

8/30 Agua Dulce 7:309/6 at Hebbronville 7:309/13 Benavides 7:309/20 at Pettus 7:309/27 at Charlotte 7:3010/4 Bruni 7:3010/18 La Villa* 7:3011/1 Santa Maria* 7:3011/8 at Monte Alto* 7:30

district 14-a, division iipettus eaGles

8/30 Shiner St. Paul 7:309/6 at Kenedy 7:309/13 at Sabinal 7:309/20 Ben Bolt 7:309/27 at Yorktown 7:3010/4 Agua Dulce 7:3010/11 at Falls City* 7:3010/18 Woodsboro* 7:3010/25 at Louise* 7:30

11/1 at Runge* 7:30runGe yellowJackets

9/6 at London 7:309/13 at Nueces Canyon 7:309/20 Leakey 7:309/27 at Medina 7:3010/11 at Woodsboro* 7:3010/18 Louise* 7:3010/25 Yorktown 7:3011/1 Pettus* 7:3011/8 Falls City* 7:30

woodsboro eaGles

8/30 at Bloomington 7:309/5 at Leakey 79/13 Santa Gertrudis 7:309/20 Kenedy 7:309/27 at Agua Dulce 7:3010/4 at Benavides 7:3010/11 Runge* 7:3010/18 at Pettus* 7:3010/25 Falls City* 7:3011/8 at Louise* 7:30

district 16-a, division iiaGua dulce lonGhorns

8/30 at Ben Bolt 7:309/6 Bloomington 7:309/13 Monte Alto 7:309/27 Woodsboro 7:3010/4 at Pettus 7:3010/11 at La Pryor* 7:3010/18 Benavides* 7:3010/25 at Lasara 7:3011/1 at Bruni* 7:3011/8 Charlotte* 7:30

benavides eaGles

8/30 Freer 7:309/13 at Ben Bolt 7:309/20 at Bishop 7:309/27 at Monte Alto 7:3010/4 Woodsboro 7:3010/18 at Agua Dulce* 7:3010/25 Bruni* 7:3011/1 at Charlotte* 7:3011/8 La Pryor* 7:30

bruni badGers

9/6 at Monte Alto 7:309/13 Leakey 7:309/20 Lasara 7:309/27 La Villa 7:3010/4 at Ben Bolt 7:3010/11 at Charlotte* 7:3010/18 La Pryor* 7:3010/25 at Benavides* 7:3011/1 Agua Dulce* 7:30

private schoolJohn paul ii centurions

8/30 Taft II 7:309/6 Banquete 7:309/13 at Mathis 7:309/20 Falfurrias 7:309/27 at West Oso 7:3010/11 S.A. Antonian* 7:3010/18 Austin St. Michael’s* 7:3010/25 at SA Central Catholic* 7:3011/1 at Br’ville St. Joseph’s* 7:3011/8 St. Anthony’s* 7:30* — district game# — at Cabaniss Field% — at Buc Stadium

48 SOUTH TEXAS FOOTBALL PREVIEW » CALLER-TIMES»

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