Bulletin FB Preview 2015 by GateHouse Southwest

’15

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SEASONED FOR SUCCESS Most experienced squad of Howard’s tenure seeks Brownwood’s first district title since 2010

Bird takes over in Bangs

Season previews:

Sandford in charge in Early

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

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 3-4A Division I

BROWNWOOD LIONS

2014 Record: 5-6, 1-3

Potential exists for Lions to make run at first district championship since 2010 BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Reigning District 3-4A Division I Newcomer of the Year Harley Price (22) and the Brownwood Lions are targeting the program’s first district championship since 2010.

The 2010 campaign marked the last time the Brownwood Lions hoisted a district championship trophy. And while the Lions have made the playoffs in each of head coach Chuck Howard’s first two seasons — and six in a row dating to 2009 — golden footballs are the ultimate objective of one of the most storied programs in Texas high school football history. Now entering his third season, Howard is in control of a roster seasoned with experienced upperclassmen who have battled through the growing pains of a pair of fourth-place district finishes the previous two years. With 20 lettermen back — including five starters on each side of the ball — from last year’s 5-6 playoff team, and the rest of the teams in District 3-4A Division I suffering significant losses, Howard feels the potential exists for the Lions to make a run at the district crown. “You look at it on paper and the experience we’ve got coming back should pay dividends for us, and that’s what I mean by potential,” Howard said. “I talked to our kids about potential. We have a lot of experience back on both sides of the ball, whether they came in as a starter or played a lot last year. But you can’t just say now we’ve arrived, this is our year. We have to go out there and make it hap-

pen everyday in practice and on Friday nights. “The potential is very good, but we have to stay injury-free first. We also have to be sure on a daily basis that we’re doing CHUCK the things, both HOWARD as coaches and players, to prepare so that potential can become a reality. I’m excited about the way our kids are working, I’m excited about their attitude, we’re having a lot of fun, so the potential to me is very good.” Players who earned time on the field as sophomores in 2013 and 2014 have now become the nucleus of the 2015 Brownwood squad as junior and seniors. For that reason alone, Howard feels big things could be in store. “A lot of these kids that are seniors now started for us as sophomores,” Howard said. “A lot of the juniors started as sophomores, some as freshmen. We expect a lot out of our seniors, as we do every year, and the leadership has been extremely good from those kids. The great attitude at practice each week I think has been a result of our seniors. And our juniors that have now had one year on varsity

SEE BROWNWOOD, 30

LIONS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Chuck Howard (3rd season as head coach at school, 9-13 record; 9-13 career record) • ASSISTANT COACHES Grant Freeman (offensive coordinator), Derrick Stacks (defensive coordinator), Robert Hagey (offensive line), Bryan Clark (running backs), Aaron Keesee (quarterbacks), Marcus Draper (receivers), Herb Rios (tight ends), Kirk

Chastain (defensive line), Shay Easterwood (linebackers), Cy Cowart (cornerbacks), Mark Wilson (secondary) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING

20 • LETTERMEN LOST n/a • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Hayden Day (OL/DL), Kory Owen (OT), Grant

Lewis (QB/LB), Rylee Gregory (WR), Brandon Diaz (RB/LB), Tristan Chesser (OL/NG), Cory Richardson (WR), James Nash (OG), Aaron Jimenez (DB), Garrett Doyal (LB), Connor Howard (WR/DB), Harley Price (RB/LB), Corleone Pressley (TE/LB), McLane Moore (QB/WR), Jeremy Brown (WR/DB), Blaine Hughes (WR/DB), Devon Jefferson (TE/DE), Crystan Wright (WR/ DB), Devonte Evetts (DE), Clayton Hagey (OT)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

American Southwest Conference

HPU YELLOW JACKETS

2014 Record: 4-6, 1-4

Jackets refocusing on ‘the process’ with a goal of being the best they can be BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Colby Mica (80), who caught 73 passes for 1,109 yards with six touchdowns a year ago, and the HPU Yellow Jackets are seeking their first .500-plus record since 2005.

Coming off back-to-back 4-6 campaigns, Howard Payne has tallied the most wins in a two-year stretch since the 2005-06 seasons, when the Yellow Jackets collected a dozen victories. But fourth-year head coach Roger Geise’s goal of finishing a season with a .500 record has yet to be attained. Instead of targeting a number of victories in 2015, Geise and the Yellow Jackets have one simple goal — “be the best we can be.” Howard Payne opened the 2014 season with three consecutive victories, but dropped six of its last seven games. Geise shouldered some of the blame for last year’s fade down the stretch. “Last year, coming into fall camp I kept telling everyone we had a chance to be a very good football team,” Geise said. “As can be the case in Division III, sometimes surprises happen along the way that did not allow it to happen. And during the course of the year, I lost sight of the process. “To me, the process is you get better everyday as a coach, as a player, as a unit and as a team and that’s what you focus on. When we started out 3-0, my focus really switched to winning and I got consumed with winning to the point to where we took some shortcuts in terms of things that had gotten us to that point. We weren’t focusing

on getting better each day, but on what would happen Saturday. If you stay with the process, whatever happens Saturday will take care of itself.” The Yellow ROGER Jackets kick GEISE off the 2015 campaign with the same three opponents they defeated last season — Trinity, Wayland Baptist and Southwestern Assemblies of God. Where Geise felt the season went off the rails a year ago was at Austin College, where Howard Payne suffered its first loss, 19-16. “In talking to some of our older players and getting feedback, that loss at Austin College just put us in some kind of funk,” Geise said. “Some of the older players said nothing seemed the same after that. I don’t know if that’s their feelings or the way we were approaching things, but we allowed a very good opportunity to be better than 4-6 — and I really thought we could have been 6-4 — to get away from us.” The Yellow Jackets return 13 of 22 starters — five on offense and eight on defense — from last year’s squad and Geise feels the veteran

SEE HPU, 32

YELLOW JACKETS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Roger Geise (4th season as head coach at school, 9-21 record; 9-21 career record) • ASSISTANT COACHES Hunter Sims (offensive coordinator), Guy Ament (defensive line), Lance Unger (running backs), Brandon Day (defensive backs), Brandon Helm

(defense), Barry Derickson (offensive line), Vince Davis (volunteer assistant), Dillon Adams (student assistant), Cameron Garcia (student assistant), Michael Watford (student assistant), Bradley Wilson (student assistant) • LAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP 1995

• LAST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE 1995 • PLAYERS RETURNING 75 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 8

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Marcus Muldrow (LT), Colby Mica (WR), Richard Young (QB), Aroldo Nandin (FB), Cyle Johnson (LG), Xavier McFalls (SS), Donald Preston (DE), Jordan Shaw (FS), Jason Disney (LB), Adrian Hopkins (LB), Chris Hickey (LB), Patrick Tobin (LB), Joshua Martinez (PK)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 3-3A Division I

EARLY LONGHORNS

2014 Record: 3-7, 2-4

Positive energy from new coach Sandford fuels ’Horns BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

EARLY — The Early Longhorns have not reached the playoffs since 2008, but you’d never know it thanks to the influx of positive energy generated by new head coach Blake Sanford. Sandford feels the Longhorns, who are coming off a 3-7 campaign, can stand toe-to-toe with any opponent on the 2015 schedule. “This team is capable of beating just about anybody they face,” said Sandford, who served as head coach of the Longhorns baseball program the past two seasons, as well as a football assistant. “Once they see that big time win, that big time moment, that ‘ah ha’ moment, once they realize they really can do something and all their work has paid off, the sky is the limit now because now the confidence level is up.” For the second year in a row, the Longhorns are picked to come in fifth — one spot shy of a playoff berth — in

District 3-3A Division I by both Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and TheOldCoach.com’s Friday Night Football. Early placed fifth a season ago. “I think our chances are tremendous. We have unlimited potential within ourselves,” Sandford said. “Wall and Brady are obviously real good and have a lot of good players. They’re well-coached teams with tradition, and Clyde is also a very good football BLAKE team. But I think it can be wide open SANDFORD for anybody, I really do. “One of the things we’ve talked about with the kids is how are you going to change? In order to do something that hasn’t been done in a while, what are you going to differently to make that happen? I think the kids have bought into that idea. We’re going to roll our sleeves up and pay attention and work real hard every time we step on the field.”

Before the Longhorns can focus on the 3-3A race, they must first navigate their way through a non-district schedule that features San Saba and Brock at home, followed by road contests against Coleman and Hawley. “Something good needs to happen in a game early on in the season,” Sandford said. “There are always turning points and program wins and things like that. Opening up with San Saba and Brock coming to town are big games for us. They’re both good teams, both well coached teams. “I want to see how we adapt to the speed of the game and how we react to seeing what other teams do. We also have to translate the good practices we’ve had into having a good game. It’s always good to practice well, but you need to transfer that into a game performance.” Among the five new assistants on the Early varsity staff is offensive coordinator Dale Trompler, who will put a different spin on the zone read attack the Longhorns

SEE EARLY, 35

LONGHORNS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Blake Stanford (1st season as head coach at school, 0-0 record; 0-0 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2007

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2008 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 18 • LETTERMEN LOST

21 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH

Riley Mitchell (QB), Joaquin Pesina (RB) Abel Hernandez (WR), Abe Morris (WR), Drew Sessler (WR), Logan Thomas (OL), Diesel Ceresini (OL), Grant Fanara (DB), John Allen (OL), Griffin Ehlers (TE/LB), Ryan Reynolds (LB), Brett Shaw (OL)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

WEEK-BY-WEEK LOCAL SCHEDULE

WEEK 1 Friday, Aug. 28 Brownwood at Gatesville San Saba at Early Ballinger at Bangs Brookesmith at Moran May vs. Garden City (at Zephyr) VLA at San Marcos Hill Country Christian Comanche at Clyde at Comanche Coleman at Jim Ned Santa Anna vs. Whitharral (at Zephyr) Richland Springs at Rochelle Cherokee at Sidney Saturday, Aug. 29 Blanket vs. Mullin (at Zephyr) Rising Star vs. Oglesby (at Zephyr) Meadow at Zephyr Howard Payne, OPEN ——— WEEK 2 Friday, Sept. 4 Brownwood at Graham Brock at Early Bangs at Llano Stephenville Faith at Blanket Gustine at Brookesmith Rising Star at May Zephyr at Sterling City Athens Christian at Victory Life Comanche at Tolar Coleman at Hawley Jim Ned at Goldthwaite Harper at San Saba Santa Anna at Mullin Lometa at Richland Springs Sidney at Lohn Saturday, Sept. 5 Trinity at Howard Payne ——— WEEK 3 Friday, Sept. 11 Liberty Hill at Brownwood Early at Coleman Bangs at Goldthwaite Blanket at Gordon Brookesmith at Santa Anna May at Zephyr Cisco at Comanche San Saba at Johnson City San Antonio FEAST at Richland Springs Robert Lee at Rising Star Mullin at Rochelle Sidney at Cranfills Gap Saturday, Sept. 12 Victory Life vs. Miami (at Paducah) Wayland Baptist at Howard Payne

——— WEEK 4 Friday, Sept. 18 Brownwood at Alvarado Early at Hawley Coleman at Bangs Blanket at May Eden at Brookesmith Jonesboro at Zephyr VLA-Durant at Victory Life Comanche at Brady Goldthwaite at Mason Thorndale at San Saba Rochelle at Santa Anna Balmorhea at Richland Springs Gordon at Rising Star Mullin at Oglesby Sidney at Morgan Saturday, Sept. 19 Howard Payne at SW Assemblies of God ——— WEEK 5 Friday, Sept. 25 Burkburnett at Brownwood Early at Jim Ned* Bangs, OPEN Santa Anna at Blanket Sidney at Brookesmith Throckmorton at May Zephyr, OPEN Temple Holy Trinity at Victory Life Comanche at Glen Rose* Anson at Coleman Academy at Goldthwaite San Saba at Valley Mills Richland Springs at Veribest Rising Star at Cherokee Saturday, Sept. 26 Austin College at Howard Payne ——— WEEK 6 Friday, Oct. 2 Springtown at Brownwood Wall at Early* Bangs at Merkel* Blanket at Zephyr Brookesmith, OPEN May at Water Valley Victory Life, OPEN Grandview at Comanche* Coleman, OPEN Goldthwaite, OPEN San Saba, OPEN Eden at Santa Anna Bryson at Richland Springs Evant at Rising Star

Lometa at Mullin Gustine at Sidney Saturday, Oct. 3 Howard Payne at Texas Lutheran ——— WEEK 7 Friday, Oct. 9 Brownwood at Stephenville* Early at Brady* Clyde at Bangs* Lometa at Blanket Lohn at Brookesmith* May at Gustine* Rising Star at Zephyr Killeen Memorial at Victory Life Comanche at Whitney* Coleman at Post* San Saba at Goldthwaite* Santa Anna at Blackwell Mullin at Richland Springs* Sidney at Stephenville Faith Saturday, Oct. 10 Howard Payne, OPEN ——— WEEK 8 Friday, Oct. 16 Abilene Wylie at Brownwood* Bangs at Early* Blanket, OPEN Brookesmith at Panther Creek Strawn at May* Zephyr at Lingleville Victory Life at Granbury NCTA* McGregor at Comanche* Colorado City at Coleman* Goldthwaite at De Leon* San Saba at Hamilton* Santa Anna, OPEN Richland Springs at Lohn* Rising Star, OPEN Sidney, OPEN Saturday, Oct. 17 East Texas Baptist at Howard Payne* ——— WEEK 9 Friday, Oct. 23 Brownwood, OPEN Early at Merkel* Jim Ned at Bangs* Blanket at Sidney* Brookesmith at Richland Springs* May, OPEN Zephyr at Evant* Heath Fulton at Victory Life* Comanche, OPEN Coleman at Stanton*

Tolar at Goldthwaite* De Leon at San Saba* Santa Anna at Lometa* Rising Star at Panther Creek* Mullin, OPEN Saturday, Oct. 24 Howard Payne at Hardin-Simmons* ——— WEEK 10 Friday, Oct. 30 Brownwood at Snyder* Clyde at Early* Bangs at Wall* Panther Creek at Blanket* Brookesmith at Cherokee* May at Gordon* Santa Anna at Zephyr* Richardson Canyon Creek Christian at VLA* Comanche at West* Coleman at Coahoma* Goldthwaite at Hico* San Saba at Tolar* Richland Springs, OPEN Rising Star at Sidney* Mullin at Lohn* Saturday, Oct. 31 Louisiana College at Howard Payne* ——— WEEK 11 Friday, Nov. 6 Big Spring at Brownwood* Early, OPEN Brady at Bangs* Blanket at Rising Star* Brookesmith at Mullin* Lingleville at May* Zephyr at Lometa* Hillsboro at Comanche* Ballinger at Coleman* Hamilton at Goldthwaite* Hico at San Saba* Evant at Santa Anna* Richland Springs at Cherokee* Sidney at Panther Creek* Saturday, Nov. 7 VLA vs. Longview Trinity* (at FW Covenant) Howard Payne at Mary Hardin-Baylor* ——— Week 12 Thursday, Nov. 12 - Saturday, Nov. 14 First week of high school playoffs Saturday, Nov. 14 Sul Ross at Howard Payne* * District/Conference Game

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 3-3A Division I

BANGS DRAGONS

2014 Record: 4-7, 3-3

Bangs’ expectations remain high under new coach Bird BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BANGS — For the first time since the 2008 season opener, the Bangs Dragons will have a new head coach roaming the sidelines. A little less than two months into the job, Jim Bird will attempt to guide Bangs to its seventh postseason berth in an eight-year stretch. Bird — who was 3-7 last year at Ganado in his only season as a head coach — was hired in late June to take over the Dragons program, and spent much of preseason practice implementing a new offensive and defensive scheme, along with instilling a new philosophy. “The first day was a culture shock for them, just the tempo we like to move in practice and how our scheduling runs,” Bird said. “The second day they really responded well and we had a great workout. We’re just working hard to get a little better each day. They’re open to the things we’re teaching them. It’s not just an Xs and Os difference, it’s also a little bit of a philosophy difference. They’ve accepted the challenge and are really trying hard

to get the things done we’re telling them to get done.” The Dragons are coming off a 4-7 playoff campaign as Bangs finished fourth in District 3-3A Division I. Both Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and TheOldCoach.com’s Friday Night Football both project Bangs to finish in the same position this year — behind Wall, Brady and Clyde. “Our goal is to always be a little betJIM ter than people think we’re going to BIRD be,” Bird said. “Seems like most of the experts have picked us in the fourth place spot and we would like to finish better than that, we just have to play a faceless opponent every week. No matter what their name is or what color they wear, they are just another faceless opponent. We have to go out and focus on the things that we do well and get better each week.” Bird and the rest of the Dragons coaching staff has inherited 10 returning starters from last year’s squad —

five on each side of the ball. But the entire senior class buying into the changes in Bangs will determine the direction of the season, according to the new head coach. “It all starts with our seniors,” Bird said. “We have a good group of seniors that are coachable and there’s some great athletes. We don’t have a superstar, but we have a lot of solid kids and it starts with the seniors. I told them they have the ability to impact this group more than the coaches do. Their roles are always big, being seniors, but it’s even more important now. With us getting started and not having offseason work, how the seniors respond to the coaches and how they respond to adversity is the way everyone else is going to go. We’ve really harnessed them with some pretty good responsibility and they seem to be up to the challenge. We’re going to continue to push them in those leadership roles and hold them to a high standard. The biggest thing they have to do is hold themselves to a high standard now. If they’ll do that, and continue to do what they’re already doing, we feel good about that moving forward.”

SEE BANGS, 37

DRAGONS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Jim Bird (1st season as head coach at school, 0-0 record; 3-7 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 14 • LETTERMEN LOST 14

• OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Seth Ross (RB), Mason Reichenau (WR/DB),

Kelton Parson (OT), Curtis Patrick (LB), Trett Mitchell (DB), Colton Brewer (QB), Zach Fuqua (DB), Taylor McDonald (WR), Charlie Bettis (FB), J.P. Salazar (LB), Kolton Jacobs (OL), Matthew Rudd (OL), Olin Blaine (OL)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 8-A Division II

BLANKET TIGERS

2014 Record: 6-5, 3-0

Blanket working toward district repeat ... and beyond

BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BLANKET — The Blanket Tigers have reached the playoffs in four of the last five seasons, but have just one postseason victory in that span. Along with a goal of repeating as District 8-A Division II champions, the Tigers want to make a deep push in the playoffs in 2015. “Our expectations are to win the district championship this year just like we did last year,” said Blanket head coach Tyler Tabor. “I think we’re picked second in our district and Rising Star is picked to win it. They do have a lot of kids back and a good football team, but we feel like that we have a great chance to repeat. “We also have a chance to compete in playoff games;

I think we’re that caliber of football team every year now. I’m not going to sell our kids short. I’m not going to overrate us or underrate us, I just give our kids credit for working hard and thinking that we can compete against the best that there is now. I think we have a chance to win our district and go a couple of rounds in the playoffs.” The Tigers finished 6-5 last season, sweeping all three games in district TYLER competition before suffering a 70-36 TABOR bi-district playoff loss against Loraine. Blanket’s last postseason victory came in the 2013 bidistrict round, where the Tigers edged Oglesby, 44-36.

Blanket welcomes back 12 of 16 lettermen, including three starters on each side of the ball, from last year’s team. “We’ve got two seniors coming back,” Tabor said. “Jordan Chasteen is a tight end/defensive end. He was an all-region player on both sides of the ball. Toby Florence, is our returning quarterback who was all-district. Juniors coming back are Eddie Hernandez, who was honorable mention all-state utility back, all-region and all-district, and he’ll be our running back. He’s also an all-district linebacker for us. Another junior coming back that was an all-district player is Quinton Alexander. He’s a safety/ running back and was an all-district player on both sides

SEE BLANKET, 38

TIGERS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Tyler Tabor (5th season as head coach at school, 24-20 record; 41-33 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 12 • LETTERMEN LOST

4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Eddie Hernandez (RB), Jordan Chasteen (DE), Toby Florence (QB), Luke Kinkade (RB), Blake Hood (E), Mark Lopez (LB)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

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PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 13-A Division II

2014 Record: 0-10, 0-4

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

Donnell aiming to turn around Mustangs program BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

BROOKESMITH — The Brookesmith Mustangs are under new management in 2015 as head coach David Donnell has taken over the reins of a program attempting to halt a 19-game skid. Victories have been hard to come by for the Mustangs in recent seasons, with only two occurring over the past three years. Brookesmith’s last win was a 42-31 triumph over Moran to open the 2013 campaign. Since 2010, Brookesmith is 6-34 and in 2014 the Mustangs were kept out of the win column. But Donnell is determined to change the direction of the program. “We want to turn things around for sure,” Donnell

said. “We have a good group that we’re starting out with. We have 11 kids out and they’re all pretty athletic. I expect nothing but good things from them in the future. We’re senior heavy so that’ll help us, and we’re going to work harder than any team in the state. There’s an old saying, the harder you work the luckier you get.” Donnell is moving east to Brookesmith after coaching West Texas DAVID six-man programs for more than a DONNELL decade. “I started out in Fort Davis and coached there for nine years,” Donnell said. “Then I moved farther west to Sierra Blanca for a couple of years.

The last couple of years I spent at Loop.” In 2013, Loop finished 7-4 and qualified for the playoffs, but the Longhorns fell on hard times last year and posted a 2-8 record with no district victories. Donnell inherits a Brookesmith squad with eight of 10 lettermen returning, including five starters on each side of the ball. “Leadership is a strength,” Donnell said. “We’ve got five seniors and they’ve come out here and are working hard. They’re leading everybody. I use the quarterbacks to throw the ball for conditioning and at the end I make the quarterbacks run and the seniors jump in and run with them.” Players to watch for the Mustangs include brothers

SEE BROOKESMITH, 38

MUSTANGS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH David Donnell (1st season as head coach at school, 0-0 record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE n/a

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2006 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 8

• LETTERMEN LOST 2 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

5 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Phoenix Burns (ATH), Cade Stephens (ATH), Cliffton Leonard (C), Tanner Nunn (QB), Rafael Uvalle (LB), Pedro Uvalle, Ryder Nelson

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

MAY TIGERS

District 10-A Division I

2014 Record: 12-3, 4-0

State return — and title — the goal for revamped Tigers BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

MAY — With two consecutive appearances at AT&T Stadium in the Class A Division I state championship game, the bar has been raised to an extremely high level at May. Despite numerous losses to graduation, the Tigers’ goal of reaching the state final again — and ultimately claiming the championship — hasn’t changed. “I don’t know about the community and the coaching staff, but from the kids’ standpoint they expect to go back,” said 12th year head coach Craig Steele, who has guided the Tigers to a 26-4 record over the past two seasons. “That’s all they’ve talked about since we got beat in the state championship game last year. They want to go back again and they want to win.” The Tigers bring back just four lettermen — one of-

fensive and two defensive starters — from last year’s 12-3 squad, as May is being forced to rebuild due to graduation. “It’s almost like we’re starting over from scratch,” Steele said. “We have two starters on defense and one on offense back, and even the two on defense aren’t playing the same positions they played last year. We’re in a situation where we’re really going to CRAIG have to look at positions during two-aSTEELE days and use scrimmages as evaluation time. I know everybody does that every year, but we’re really going to have to focus on that as a staff to figure out the best place to put the kids.” Returning on offense is Zach Davis — the Class A

110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles state champion — who rushed for 1,683 yards and 24 touchdowns a season ago, while adding 256 receiving yards and five scores. Leading the way on defense will be Cameron King, who tallied 106 tackles, five interceptions and one fumble recovery last season. The Tigers will receive a boost with the return of Christian Scott, who missed the final 11 games of the 2014 campaign with an injury. Matthew Angus is another senior expected to see an expanded workload. “Christian Scott had a nasty injury last year in the fourth game, but he’s going to be back and that’s going to help us a lot,” Steele said. “We weren’t sure what he would be able to bring this year but he seems good.

SEE MAY, 40

TIGERS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Craig Steele (12th season as head coach at school, 84-41 record; 84-41 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 4 • LETTERMEN LOST

8 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 1 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 2 • PLAYERS TO WATCH

Zach Davis (RB), Christian Scott (RB), Cameron King (CB), Bradley Freeland (RB), Wyatt Mote (QB), Matthew Angus (C), Cotton Bane (MLB), Kaleb Simpson (E), Rylee Baker (DE), Jacob Brown (RB)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 11-A Division I

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

2014 Record: 6-6, 3-0

Experienced Bulldogs garnering state-wide attention BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

ZEPHYR — A rash of injuries hindered Zephyr to start the 2014 campaign, but six consecutive victories allowed the Bulldogs to advance to the second round of the playoffs. With 15 of 19 lettermen returning — including four offensive and three defensive starters — the reigning District 11-A Division I champion Bulldogs are garnering attention throughout the state. The Bulldogs, coming off a 6-6 season, were ranked No. 8 by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine and picked to repeat as district champions, while sixmanfootball.com placed Zephyr at No. 13 in its Division I preseason rankings. “Our goal is not just to make the playoffs, but make a deep run,” said Zephyr third-year head coach Shannon Williams. “We feel like have a very good chance if we take care of business, stay healthy and get the breaks. “We had high hopes last year until injuries set us back.

By the time we got all of our kids back and started rocking it was toward the end of the year. We left the playoffs prematurely. The kids are still hungry and their expectations’ are just as high as the coaches’ expectations. They have a bitter taste in their mouth from last year. We play the same teams from last year so hopefully we can get some redemption on some of them.” Williams believes the Zephyr team SHANNON that will take the field in the season WILLIAMS opener against Meadow is better than the one that pushed No. 2 Gordon to the limit in a 24-22 playoff loss a year ago. “Our biggest strength is team unity,” Williams said. “We’re a better football team right now than we were last year because of the unity of the group. We don’t have anyone with blazing speed, but our overall team speed is above average. Most all of our skill kids are back from

last year.” Among the key returnees for Zephyr are Bishop Norman, Rowdy McClain, Nicholas Moody, Kason King, Keifer Vernon and Zach Miller. Freshman Devin Williams is another player expected to step in and make an immediate impact. Norman accounted for more than 3,200 yards and 57 touchdowns last year — including 2,400 yards rushing — but Williams is looking to spread the wealth a little more this season. McClain and Moody are expected to have expanded roles in the offense, while King has made significant strides at quarterback. The Bulldogs scored at least 56 points in each of their six wins last year, while giving up 46 points per outing in the six losses — which has resulted in Williams altering the defensive scheme. “We ran a 4-2 and a 2-3 defense last year and this year we’re going to run a 4-2 and a 3-3,” Williams said. “We’re

SEE ZEPHYR, 43

BULLDOGS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Shannon Williams (3rd season as head coach at school, 13-9 record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 15 • LETTERMEN LOST

4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Bishop Norman (RB), Kason King (QB), Rowdy McClain (ATH), Jacob King (OLB), Keifer Vernon (C), Zack Miller (LB), Nick Moody (RB), Brayden Malloy (S), Kaleb Williams (G)

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TAPPS Six-Man Division III District 2

2014 Record: 4-6, 0-5

VICTORY LIFE WARRIORS

McDaniel looks to lead Warriors back to postseason BY ANDREW VALDERAS

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN avalderas@brownwoodbulletin.com

Lofty numbers posted on the scoreboard of a six-man football game is not uncommon. With all six players eligible to be receivers, along with just an 80-yard-long and 40-yard wide field, the fastpaced, triple-espresso setting has made it tough on defenses and often results in referees signaling a touchdown on nearly every team’s possession. It’s why Victory Life Academy first-year head coach Christian McDaniel is insistent on getting his mere 10 players in the best physical shape as possible to endure the NASCAR paced style of play. “They’re going to have to be conditioned,” said McDaniel, who was the Warriors’ defensive coordinator last year when the team went 4-6. “I’ve got to bust their butt in practice so they’ll be conditioned for the game.” With four subs currently on the roster — thanks to a pair of additional players joining the program during preseason workouts — it’ll be important for the team to get off to good starts against good teams and not be

forced into constant comebacks. District 2 is the largest in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial’s Six-Man Division III, and it will probably repeat as the most competitive in 2015. Last year, four of the six teams finished with an above .500 record, and two finished with double-digit wins. Health Fulton finished 3-7 overall while Victory Life went winless in district play. CHRISTIAN The Warriors dropped two spots McDANIEL to No. 11 in the sixmanfootball.com preseason rankings from last year’s poll. Stiff competition like No. 2 Longview Trinity and No. 6 Granbury North Central Texas Academy will present a challenge to Victory Life during its grueling schedule that also welcomes the Division 1 Miami Warriors and Division II Temple Holy Trinity Christian. “We’re not worried about anybody else,” said McDaniel, whose team opens the season Aug. 28 at San Marcos Hill Country. “We’ll study film and prepare for the oppo-

nents, but my concern and goal for (my players) is to come out and do their best and get better everyday. If these guys can get better every single day, then I think we’ll be competitive with a bunch of teams.” The team lost four players to graduation but welcome back another four to this year’s Warriors, including Marshall Clark. “He’s a mean beast. He sets the tone in practice,” McDaniel said of Clark, who also plays linebacker. McDaniel added that football is more than just playing a game, a method that has marinated with his upperclassmen. “Big thing is leadership,” said senior Roland Aguinaga. “Last year we lost four seniors. We’re striving to be good leaders and let the (underclassmen) know that they’ll be in (our) position next year.” Jadyn Thedford is another senior who attests to his head coach’s mantra. “We need to lift up the other kids, the ones younger than us, because they’re going to be the ones to step up and lead next year,” he said. “We’ve got to let them know how things go down.”

WARRIORS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Christian McDaniel (1st season as head coach, 0-0 record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2011

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2013 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 4 • LETTERMEN LOST

4 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Cody Simmons, Corbin Elison, Jack Haley, Jadyn Thedford, Marshall Clark, Montana Early, Roland Aguinaga

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 9-3A Division I

COMANCHE INDIANS

2014 Record: 5-6, 3-3

Comanche looks to rewrite district script — again BY ANDREW VALDERAS

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN avalderas@brownwoodbulletin.com

COMANCHE — Comanche was in a similar position this time a season ago. After proving predictors wrong by qualifying for last season’s state playoffs, the Indians are doubted yet again and forecasted to finish fifth in District 9-3A, according to Dave Campbell’s 2015 Texas Football magazine. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve never been ranked very high or picked very high, but our kids believe in what we’re doing,” said fourth-year head coach Stephen Hermesmeyer, whose Indians finished 5-6 and won their final two regular season games, including a clutch 35-24 victory over West, to clinch the final postseason spot before falling to Rockdale in the bi-district round. “It’s not what people pick you to do, it’s when all the dust finally settles,” said Hermesmeyer, whose Indians host Clyde in the season opener. “At the end of district, we want to be one of those teams making it into the postseason, and that’s all we’re worried about.” Though the Indians are returning just eight total

STEPHEN HERMESMEYER

starters from 2014, including two on offense, none will be as important as senior quarterback Payton Nance, a 5-9, 185-pound versatile player who also serves as safety and kick and punt returner. Nance, who also returns as the team’s leading rusher and second leading tackler, is one of several Indians who plays nearly the whole game because of the school’s low enrollment figures — Comanche (334) and Grandview (374) are the only two schools in the district that fall below

400. “(Our kids) realize we don’t have the numbers that other schools in our division have, especially in our district, but we just have to get better each day,” Hermesmeyer said. One of the Comanche’s strengths this season will be its defensive front. Defensive tackle Jayton Fizer and linebacker Dylan Thedford are a pair of 6-foot players

expected to help anchor the front seven. Defensive tackle Weston Conine and defensive end Ezequiel Campos will also seek productivity. “We have a bunch of big kids coming back. We don’t have a lot of depth, that’s our concern, but if we stay healthy, we feel pretty good up front,” Hermesmeyer said. The Indians hope to be pretty good in the secondary. After a learning curve last year that included some inexperience with the defensive backs, Nance and Brandon Garcia will look to hold down the back end for a defense that struggled in pass coverage, though showed signs of improvement toward the end of the season. “We hurt on passing defense last year, and we’ve got improve on that bit,” Nance said. “It’ll probably be the most important part to our game.” The young group allowed 33 points per game, including giving up more than 40 points six times and 50 once. “The secondary should be much improved this year,” Hermesmeyer said. “Most of those guys are back from

SEE COMANCHE, 38

INDIANS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Stephen Hermesmeyer (4th season as head coach, 15-17 record; 40-38 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2000 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 15 • LETTERMEN LOST 11 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

Jayton Fizer (DT), Weston Conine (DT), Dylan

• DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

Thedford (LB), Pedro Bernard (OL), Ezequiel Campos (DE), Mason Lorta (LB), Brandon Garcia (DB), Bryson Wright (DB), Robert Brooks (RB), Jose Lombrana (DT)

6 • PLAYERS TO WATCH Payton Nance (QB/DB), Michael Garcia (OL),

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 3-3A Division II

COLEMAN BLUECATS

2014 Record: 11-1, 5-0

Bluecats craving more success after 11-1 campaign BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

COLEMAN — The Coleman Bluecats enjoyed a perfect regular season in 2014 — literally — as they posted an undefeated record en route to the second round of the playoffs. With 19 of 26 lettermen returning — including seven offensive and six defensive starters — second-year head coach John Elder wants to see even greater achievements this season. “Our expectations are to try and stay healthy and do better than we did the year before,” said Elder, whose team is the reigning District 3-3A Division II champion, the first league title for the program since 2000. “We have a target on our backs because of the success we had last year, but that’s expected and the kids know that and are stepping up to the challenge. They have to continue to want to get better every week and keep their eye on the prize.” As one would expect, with 13 of 22 starters returning the Bluecats feel experience is among their greatest strengths heading into the 2015 campaign. Coleman’s

most notable loss is running back Jaquan Hemphill, who racked up 1,564 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground during the regular season. Still, the cupboard is nowhere near bare in Coleman. “We do have some good senior leadership coming back, and a lot of starters,” Elder said. “Our o-line is seasoned and most of them are back. Chase Taylor is the only senior we JOHN have on the line. Our quarterback, ELDER Cord Norris, is back, along with tight end Mason Burkey and fullback Kyle Boyet. All those guys have started before.” Norris passed for 1,177 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago with only three interceptions, while rushing for 565 yards and 11 more scores. Boyet tallied 619 yards on the ground with five touchdowns, while Burkey pulled down 18 receptions for 298 yards with four trips to the end zone. The Bluecat offensive line paved the way for a unit that averaged 43 points and 463 yards per game

during the regular season. Defensively, Coleman yielded only 10 points and 230 yards per game in 2014, and Boyet (109 tackles), at linebacker, is one of the starters returning. Other key contributors on defense will include Trey Sartain at defensive end and Bryson Hammonds and Riley Harris at linebacker, among others. “Coach (Weldon) Thompson has a lot of guys back on the defense and he does a heck of a job,” Elder said. “They’re the backbone to our team. If we continue to get better and keep a solid defense, offensively I think we’ll put up points.” Very little goes wrong during a 10-0 regular season campaign, but Elder was not pleased with the number of penalties the Bluecats committed last season — an area he feels the team must improve upon in 2015. “Our weakness is we have to clean up our game,” Elder said. “We had too many penalties in every phase of the game a year ago and that’s something we want to clean up. We need to be more mature as a team.”

SEE COLEMAN, 38

BLUECATS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH John Elder (2nd season as head coach, 11-1 record; 11-1 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 19 • LETTERMEN LOST

7 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 7 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 6 • PLAYERS TO WATCH

Corder Norris (QB/DB), Mason Burkey (TE), Kyle Boyet (FB/LB), Bryson Hammonds (RB/LB), Trey Sartin (DE), Riley Harris (LB), Walt Arnold (OL), Chase Taylor (OL), Dylan Robles (OL), Cayden Steffey (LB), Quinton Hammonds (DL)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 7-2A Division I

GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES

2014 Record: 5-6, 3-2

Eagles breaking the wishbone for first time in 35 years BY MIKE LEE

SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

GOLDTHWAITE — The Goldthwaite Eagles won’t line up in the wishbone offense this fall for the first time in 35 seasons. They’re also changing defenses to a 3-4 alignment. Why all the changes? Even though Goldthwaite extended its playoff streak to a school-record 11 consecutive seasons in 2014, the Eagles finished 5-6 and suffered their first losing season since 2003. They didn’t win a playoff game for the first time since 2005. They weren’t close to the good teams. The Eagles last year finished 1-6 against playoff teams, with the six losses by an average of 35-16. A 48-6 defeat by eventual Class 2A Division I state runner-up Mason was Goldthwaite’s most-lopsided loss since 2003. The changes weren’t a kneejerk reaction to last season. Since winning state in 2009 and finishing as the state

runner-up in 2010, Goldthwaite has put up a modest 27-22 record over the last four seasons. Even back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances in 2012 and 2013 combined to produce only a 15-11 record. Offensively, Goldthwaite will keep the wishbone for special situations, but the Eagles will base from the shotgun pistol formation, with a tailback behind the quarterback and a fullback GREG often lined up beside the quarterback. PROFFITT The reason is simple: Goldthwaite no longer has the personnel to line up in a double tight end, three-back set and block the nineand 10-man defensive lines it was constantly facing. The pistol, with three receivers split wide, should loosen up opposing defenses. “It will get some of their players out of the box so we don’t have to block all 11 defenders on every play,” said

Greg Proffitt, the Eagles’ second-year head coach. “We can get the ball to some of our better athletes where they have space to make a play. “But we’re still going to be physical and we’re still going to be a power running team. We’re just doing it from a different formation.” The Eagles also plan to pass more after managing only 464 yards and four touchdowns passing last season. “We have to take advantage of what the defense gives us,” Proffitt said. Senior Hunter Parrish — who played four different positions on offense last year, including quarterback – will open as the pistol-formation quarterback. The 5-foot-10 Parrish rushed for 449 yards and seven TDs last year, and has been working on his passing during the offseason. Jansen Head, a 220-pound senior who played quarterback the first eight games of 2014 before an injury, will

SEE GOLDTHWAITE, 40

EAGLES GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Greg Proffitt (2nd season as head coach, 5-6 record; 5-6 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2013

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 14 • LETTERMEN LOST 7

• OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

Travis Head (OL), Dylan Sanders (OL), Jansen

Head (TE), Hunter Parrish (QB/DB), Zac Gasper

• DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

(WR), Jayden West (DB), Quaid Seward (RB),

Adolfo Rodriguez (DT), Aris Shelton (LB), Hagen

• PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hohertz (OL), Landon Wiedebush

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 7-2A Division I

2014 Record: 2-8, 2-3

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS

Early-season success a big key for rebuilding ’Dillos BY MIKE LEE

SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

SAN SABA — One of the biggest factors in the outcome of San Saba’s football season is early success. Coincidentally, the Armadillos open the 2015 season against Early. Success for San Saba, which has finished 2-8 the last two years, is tied to success early this season. Part of that will be determined by how the Armadillos play in their season opener at Early. As well as how the Armadillos play against Harper, Johnson City, Thorndale and Valley Mills prior to opening the District 7-2A Division I schedule. “Early success is so important,” seventh-year San Saba coach Jeff Pannell said. “Our first year here in 2009, the whole key was that we started the season by beating De Leon and Mason. Our kids gained some confidence, and we took off from there. That’s an emphasis for us again this year.” In 2009, Pannell took over a San Saba program that had lost 41 of 50 games. San Saba was an underdog in its first two games, but wins over De Leon and Mason led to a 9-3 season and the Armadillos’ first playoff win in 22 years. Pannell’s Armadillos face a similar challenge this

season, having lost 16 of their last 20 games. San Saba still is a young team this year with only seven seniors but 11 juniors. On one hand, San Saba won district games over Hamilton and De Leon last year, and the Armadillos’ fourth-place finish would have put them in the playoffs — had last year been this year, when Class 2A adds an extra team from each district to the postseason. JEFF On the other hand, the gap between PANNELL San Saba and district frontrunners Hico, Tolar and Goldthwaite was considerable last year. The Armadillos lost to the top three district finishers by a combined 153-20. “If last year had been this year, we would have played (No. 2 ranked) Mart in bi-district. That would have been tough,” Pannell said. “But at the same time, we would be talking now about us getting back to the playoffs last year instead of us trying to end a two-year hiatus from the playoffs.” Pannell’s first four teams in San Saba from 2009-2012 established school history by making the playoffs four

straight times. They also made school history by winning a playoff game three straight times from 2009-2011. “The approach and demeanor of our players in preseason practice has been more like our playoff teams,” Pannell said. Besides early success, staying healthy will be another key — especially in the offensive and defensive lines. The Armadillos’ offensive line will start no seniors this year. The line also is one player deep on the depth chart. “We have to stay healthy and progress in our offensive line. We have some good skill players, but our line has to enable our skill players to make plays,” said Pannell, who had no less than six starters miss multiple games with injuries in 2014. The underclassman line includes returning veterans like 6-foot-4, 249-pound Zayne Rhodes at guard, Daniel Aragon (5-9, 214) at center and Kadyn Saiz at tackle. They’ll be joined by new starters Ernesto Aguirre (5-10, 202) and A.J. Cazares (5-10, 219), who missed all of last season with an injury. Senior Holt Oliver (6-1, 155), an all-district receiver last year, is moving to quarterback and will lead San Saba’s

SEE SAN SABA, 40

ARMADILLOS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Jeff Pannell (7th season as head coach, 31-37 record; 31-37 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE

2012 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2012 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 17

• LETTERMEN LOST 9 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 9 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

9 • PLAYERS TO WATCH John Watson (WR), John Welch (WR), David Valencia (DL), Holt Oliver (QB), Jose Guerrero (RB)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 11-A Division I

2014 Record: 8-3, 2-1

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS

McVey out to build on Mountaineers’ recent success BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

SANTA ANNA — Amassing a 24-10 record with two playoff berths and three postseason victories over the past three seasons, the Santa Anna Mountaineers will attempt to build on their recent good fortune under the tutelage of a new head coach. Tom McVey, a 17-year coaching veteran in the six-man ranks, has taken over the program for the 2015 campaign. McVey coached for seven years in Blum, four each in Milford and Covington and is coming off a two-year stint at Trinidad. Last season, Trinidad posted a 7-4 overall record, including a 3-1 mark against District 15-A Division II competition, and advanced to the playoffs. As for his move out west to Santa Anna, “I saw the job was open and applied for it. I came to interview two or three times and met the kids, met the administrative team and thought it’d be a neat place to work,” McVey said. “A bunch of my coaching friends have already

worked here before and said it was a great place to work and that the kids work really hard.” Santa Anna is coming off an 8-3 record in 2014. After stumbling against Meadow, 46-14, in their season opener at the Zephyr Bulldog Bonanza, the Mountaineers reeled off six consecutive victories. Santa Anna fell to Zephyr, 59-34, in a game that decided the District 11-A Division I championTOM ship. Then, after knocking off RoMcVEY chelle, 71-56, in the opening round of the playoffs, the Mountaineers’ season was ended by May, 70-35, as the Tigers made their way to the state championship game for the second year in a row. Eight of 11 lettermen return from last year’s playoff squad, including three offensive and four defensive starters. McVey believes that level of experience, and success, will serve the Mountaineers well as the 2015 campaign

progresses. “We’ve got five seniors coming back this year and they know what it takes to win,” McVey said. “I’m hoping our junior class will step up. We have 10 or 11 juniors, so we’re expecting to put a lot on their shoulders as well.” Among the seniors for Santa Anna are quarterback/ cornerback Colton Enriquez, fullback/defensive end Jordan Washington and tailback/cornerback Jacob Herrod — who rushed for 2,038 yards and 35 touchdowns on 162 carries, while passing for 480 yards and eight scores a year ago. The Mountaineers averaged 46 points per game a season ago, but a more diversified attack — which was being implemented by McVey in the preseason — could result in even more offensive production. Defensively, Santa Anna is looking to improve on the 33 points per game it surrendered in 2014. “They ran a lot of tight stuff, and I’m more of a tight and a spread guy,” McVey said. “We’re built for both. We

SEE SANTA ANNA, 40

MOUNTAINEERS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Tom McVey (1st season at school, 0-0 record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2012 • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 8 • LETTERMEN LOST 3

• OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 4 • PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jacob Herrod (RB/CB), Jacob Gibson (C/LB), Colton Enriquez (QB/CB), Jordan Washington (FB/DE), D.J. Mattes (TE), Gabriel Armstrong (NG)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 13-A Division II

2014 Record: 12-1, 4-0

RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES

Coyotes chomping at the bit to reclaim state throne BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

RICHLAND SPRINGS — Another season, another preseason No. 1 ranking for the Richland Springs Coyotes, who are in pursuit of their seventh state championship since 2004. The last two seasons have ended in bitter fashion for the Coyotes — the preseason No. 1 team in Class A Division II according to sixmanfootball.com — as they twice squandered double-digit halftime advantages in thirdround playoff losses to Calvert. “What we have to do this year is develop a lot of mental toughness,” said head coach Jerry Burkhart, who owns a 155-8 record at Richland Springs. “Against Calvert in the playoffs the last two years we’ve been ahead by almost 30 points at halftime and they came back and beat us. We have to finish things. We have to start fast and finish strong, that’s what we’re telling our kids this year.” Since 2004, the Coyotes have gone no more than two seasons without a state championship. Based on that trend, 2015 should again be Richland Springs’ year — and that is definitely the goal within the program.

“The expectations are always a state championship, and that’s what we’re focusing on,” Burkhart. “We have about 17 kids out and we’re working hard right now. We’re just going to take it day by day.” Depth was an issue that plagued the Coyotes a season ago with only a dozen players suited. The larger roster for Richland Springs should pay huge dividends for the Coyotes in the long JERRY run, according to Burkhart. BURKHART “We have a lot more depth this year,” Burkhart said. “We only had 12 players last year and we were starting three freshmen, but they got a lot of experience. We have some kids that worked hard all summer, lifting weights and taking part in the strength and conditioning program. They’re excited, but they’re feeling relaxed. They know they have a job to do and they’re coming out here to get it done.” The Coyotes return five starters on each side of the ball from last year’s 12-1 squad, including all-state running back Bryan Salinas (1,999 yards, 45 TDs) and quarterback

Jordan Burkhart. Walker Tippie, a transfer from Mullin, is also expected to contribute immediately. “Bryan is one of our seniors and he’s had some great years,” Burkhart said. “He’s been an all-state player and he’s really put in a lot of work. Walker Tippie is a new addition and he’s going to be a speedster for us. Jordan has another year at quarterback under his belt. We have three or four guys who can throw the ball at spread back, so we’ll be able to rotate a little bit more and not be so one dimensional.” Richland Springs will open the season against Rochelle, Lometa, San Antonio FEAST, Balmorhea, Veribest and Bryson prior to the District 13-A Division II slate. The Coyotes’ pre-district foes combined for a 25-27 record last season as Rochelle, FEAST and Balmorhea finished with winning seasons. When October arrives, the Coyotes will be seeking their 14th consecutive district championship as Richland Springs has won 64 consecutive league contests dating to Week 8 of the 2001 season. Mullin, Cherokee, Lohn and Brookesmith will be attempt to derail Richland Springs.

SEE RICHLAND SPRINGS, 43

COYOTES GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Jerry Burkhart (13th season as head coach, 155-8 record; 159-14 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2014

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 8 • LETTERMEN LOST

2 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Bryan Salinas (RB/FB), Walker Tippie (RB), Jordan Burkhart (ATH), Colt Carlisle (ATH), Hutton Lusty (ATH), J.B. Salinas (ATH), Traven Day (ATH), Brandon Tharp (ATH), Cameron Parham (ATH)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 13-A Division II

MULLIN BULLDOGS

2014 Record: 7-4, 2-1

Despite low numbers, Mullin remains playoff contender BY MIKE LEE

SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN news@brownwoodbulletin.com

MULLIN — The Mullin Bulldogs have developed a knack for fielding a winning six-man football team — even with low numbers. Despite finishing last season with only seven healthy players, the Bulldogs finally climbed over their 6-4 barrier and earned their first playoff berth since 2009. Now they have to figure out how to remain a playoff team while continuing to have few players. “We had 11 players for preseason practice. We hope to add a 12th by the time the season starts,” said veteran Mullin coach Benny Weaver, whose team opens the regular season Aug. 29 against Blanket. After finishing 6-4 and falling one win shy of the playoffs for four consecutive seasons, Mullin broke through

last year with a runner-up finish in District 13-A Division II and a playoff berth. The Bulldogs finished 7-4 after a loss to state-ranked Jonesboro in bi-district. “We had come up short for a few years, so the kids were excited about being in the playoffs,” Weaver said. “Even though we drew Jonesboro in bi-district and lost, it was a good experience for the kids to be in the BENNY playoffs.” WEAVER Despite returning only three experienced players, Mullin is again picked to finish second behind perennial state power Richland Springs in district this season. If the Bulldogs make it back to the playoffs, they’ll be seeking their first postsea-

son win since 1998. Mullin lost to Richland Springs 66-18 last year, but the Bulldogs handily beat Cherokee (64-12) and Brookesmith (53-6) and received a forfeit win over Lohn to finish 3-1 in district. “We have a lot of learning to do,” Weaver said. “Maybe by mid-season we can do some things and come together as a team. We’ll need to be a lot better by district than we’ll be at the start of the season. “We cannot get one person hurt or we won’t reach our potential. Richland Springs is a big favorite in our district. We’ve got to get by the other three teams to make the playoffs. They have about as many players as we do so, if we can stay healthy, we should have a shot.” Mullin averaged 55 points and allowed 38 points per

SEE MULLIN, 43

BULLDOGS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Benny Weaver • LAST DISTRICT TITLE n/a • LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE

2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 4 • LETTERMEN LOST 3

• OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

• PLAYERS TO WATCH

Matthew Weaver (QB), Jacob Lavy (E), Cross

• DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING

Salazar (RB), Angel Facundo (E), Brice Davis

(RB), Joseph Young (C), William Hines (E)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 8-A Division II

RISING STAR WILDCATS

2014 Record: 3-8, 2-1

Veteran Wildcats want another crack at district crown BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

RISING STAR — Overcoming the loss of players to graduation is a challenge every coaching staff usually faces as a new season begins. In Rising Star, however, Caleb Calloway has the luxury of welcoming back 14 of 15 lettermen — including five starters on each side of the ball — as the Wildcats target their first district championship since joining the six-man ranks in 2004. The Wildcats posted a 3-8 mark a year ago, but a 2-1 record in District 8-A Division II action allowed Rising Star to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine has picked the Wildcats to capture the district title over reigning champion Blanket, which knocked off Rising Star by a 60-12 count last season. “Our expectations are to be there again,” Calloway said. “We want that opportunity to play for the district championship like we did last year. We came up short against

Blanket, but we want that opportunity one more time, and I want us to take advantage of it. We’ve been to the playoffs two years in a row and a lot of these kids have been starting since they were sophomores, so the expectations are there. Our goal is to get there and give ourselves a chance.” Rising Star averaged 40 points and 362 yards per game during the 2014 regular season, led by the play of CALEB spread back Ben Boucher who returns CALLOWAY after passing for 2,200 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushing for 638 yards and 10 scores. Other key returnees include receivers Tommy Gann (41-866, 15 TDs) and Krispin Froese (38-679, 9 TDs), along with running back Kyle Jaynes (517 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 29-249, 3 TDs receiving). “We pretty much have the system in place that we want,” Calloway said. “We’ve been running our offense

for two years. We have a lot of veteran players back and they know what they’re supposed to do on every play we run. “We’ve got five or six seniors this year so we have some good kids that have been playing for a few years. We have four guys that have started since they were sophomores and we look for them have big years.” The Wildcats did most of their damage through the air last season, but Calloway is focusing on a more balanced offensive attack in 2015. “We’re going to try and run it a lot more and throw it when we have to,” Calloway said. “We’re going to try and score with the run, not just be a throwing team like everybody thinks we are.” Rising Star’s trouble last season came on the defensive side of the ball as the Wildcats yielded an average of 57 points per game. No opponent scored fewer than 40 points against Rising Star, which also allowed four foes

SEE RISING STAR, 43

WILDCATS GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Caleb Calloway (3rd season as head coach, 9-13 record; 9-13 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE n/a

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2014 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 14 • LETTERMEN LOST

1 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 5

• PLAYERS TO WATCH Ben Boucher (QB), Tommy Gann (WR), Krispin Froese (WR), Kyle Jaynes (RB), Gavin Brumley (DL), Zac Childers (DL), Alex Tepicek (ATH)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘14 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

2015 BROWNWOOD Head Coach Chuck Howard 2 3 5 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 22 23

Brandon Diaz Bruce Sterling Grant Lewis Manuel Vega Connor Howard McLane Moore Blaine Hughes Cory Richardson Scout Fragua Rylee Gregory Jesus Vielma Crystan Wright Gavin Jefferson Harley Price Marlwin Perez

700 Carnegie • Brownwood, Texas

Brownwoo

Your Community u Your Story u Delivered Your W

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HIGH SCHOOL LIONS

ULLETIn

ving the Heart of Texas Since 1886

24 25 27 28 30 32 33 34 36 44 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 60 69 70 72 74 75 77 78 82

Carson Cloy Jeremy Brown Caydon Vara Corleone Pressley Aaron Jimenez Devonte Evetts Garrett Doyal Xavier Armenta Devon Jefferson Carson Barham Eddie Castillo Tucker Roberts Clayton Hagey Danny Mosqueda Blaize Infinger Tristan Chesser Chris Rangel Carson Benedict James Nash Hayden Day Graham Sharpe Kollin Seaton Paulo Hinojosa Kory Owen Josh Newton Mikel Jaynes

brownwoodtx.com • 325-646-2541

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

District 8-A Division II

SIDNEY EAGLES

2014 Record: 5-4, 0-3

Battling numbers, Sidney cast in underdog role BY DERRICK STUCKLY

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN derrick.stuckly@brownwoodbulletin.com

SIDNEY — Coaches at all small schools will more often than not list “staying healthy” among their keys to success for the impending football season. For the Sidney Eagles, that statement holds additional weight. With as few as eight players suited up during preseason practices, a rash of injuries could foil the entire season. If Sidney is fortunate enough to maintain a clean bill of health, overcoming preseason favorites Blanket and Rising Star stand in the way of the program’s first playoff berth since 2012. “We want to get into district healthy and stay healthy if we can, and get to the playoffs,” said third-year head coach Gary Beam. “We think we can do it, we just have to get over that mental hump. We’ll have some growing pains with no numbers. We’re up one year and down the next when it comes to numbers. I think in the future it’s

going to get better, but it’s a challenge this year. For right now we’re going to battle numbers, hope we stay healthy and see what happens.” Sidney posted a 5-4 record last season, but stumbled in District 8-A Division II action, dropping all three contests. The Eagles welcome back five lettermen, including three starters on each side of the ball, from last year’s squad, which has fueled Beam’s GARY optimism. BEAM “The biggest strength is the fact we have those five kids back,” Beam said. “My first year here we didn’t bring back very many starters and last year was kind of the same. But this year is different with five and that’s a plus. The downside to it is after those five we have three or four freshmen playing. “I feel pretty good about this group because there are

a lot of hard workers, but we’re going to be pretty young. They’ve set some pretty lofty goals for themselves. We felt like we were a playoff caliber team last year, we just didn’t get there. We started off pretty good, but we limped through the end of the season.” Among the returnees for Sidney are seniors Beau Cheatham, James Morgan and James Fortney. “Beau Cheatham is a senior and he’s started since he was a freshman,” Beam said. “He was quarterback the first three years and we’re moving him to tailback. He’s probably our fastest athlete and one of the better athletes in the district. “James Morgan was an all-district center that we’re moving over to guard. He has great hands and will be one of our main targets this year. James Fortney is back at fullback and he’s played there for three years. He’s pretty quick, does a good job for us and we’re expecting big

SEE SIDNEY, 43

EAGLES GLIMPSE • HEAD COACH Gary Beam (3rd season as head coach, 6-11 record; 6-11 career record) • LAST DISTRICT TITLE 2010

• LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE 2012 • LETTERMEN RETURNING 5 • LETTERMEN LOST

3 • OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3 • DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING 3

• PLAYERS TO WATCH James Fortney (FB), Colton Limmer (E/LB), Beau Cheatham (RB), James Morgan (C), Troy Sieder (C)

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

Brownwood Lions 2

Brandon Diaz

Bruce Sterling

Grant Lewis

Manuel Vega

Connor Howard

10 McLane Moore

11 Blaine Hughes

12 Cory Richardson

13 Scout Fragua

14 Rylee Gregory

15 Jesus Vielma

20 Crystan Wright

21 Gavin Jefferson

22 Harley Price

23 Marlwin Perez

24 Carson Cloy

25 Jeremy Brown

27 Caydon Vara

28 Corleone Pressley

30 Aaron Jimenez

32 Devonte Evetts

33 Garrett Doyal

34 Xavier Armenta

36 Devon Jefferson

44 Carson Barham

50 Eddie Castillo

51 Tucker Roberts

52 Clayton Hagey

53 Danny 54 Blaize Mosqueda Infinger

55 Tristan Chesser

56 Chris Rangel

60 Carson Benedict

69 James Nash

70 Hayden Day

72 Graham Sharpe

74 Kollin Seaton

75 Paulo Hinojosa

77 Kory Owen

78 Josh Newton

82 Mikel Jaynes

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

BROWNWOOD CONTINUED FROM 2

understand what it’s all about.” The most experienced Brownwood players return at the skill positions, and new offensive coordinator Grant Freeman is looking to improve upon an offense that generated 31 points and 337 yards — 170 rushing and 167 passing — per game last season, but averaged just 22 points in its six losses. “What you’ll see from us is a tempoed offense that spreads the ball out and is very physical — physical running the ball, controlling the line of scrimmage and attacking vertically and horizontally,” Freeman said. “It’s an exciting, fun style of offense. Our kids like moving the speed up and moving the speed down. We’re going to run a lot of formations, we’re going to run a lot of concepts that the kids will understand, and do them out of a lot of different positions and formations.” The Lions are loaded at running back, led by reigning 3-4A Division I Newcomer of the Year Harley Price (858 yards, 13 TDs rushing in 2014). Also returning is Brandon Diaz (380 yards, 7 TDs) and Bruce Sterling, along with varsity newcomers Gavin Jefferson, Xavier Armenta and Devonte Evetts. Depth is also strong at the receiver positions, which are anchored by returnees Connor Howard (38-472, 4 TDs), Rylee Gregory (23-480, 6 TDs) and Cory Richardson (13-165). Jeremy Brown and Blaine Hughes are additional receiving weapons, while tight end Corleone Pressley could create mismatches in coverage. Up front, the line features Kory Owen, James Nash, Tristan Chesser, Clayton Hagey and former tight end Hayden Day among those with varsity experience. New faces vying for playing time include Blaize Infinger, Tucker Roberts, Danny Mosqueda and Graham Sharpe. The least experienced position on offense is quarterback, where Grant Lewis and McLane Moore have shared snaps since the start of 7-on-7. The two quarterbacks combined for two pass attempts during the 2014 regular season. Lewis has seen the most time behind center, while Moore has split out at receiver at various times. “I really like our skill kids,” Howard said. “Whether you’re talking running backs or receivers, we have more depth at the skill positions than we have in the last three or four years. But we’re extremely limited in depth on the line. We looked at some kids during the scrimmages in an effort to create some depth. But I don’t think that’s unique to the Brownwood Lions, that happens to a lot of teams that play.”

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Connor Howard (8) and the Brownwood Lions will attempt to improve upon last year’s 31 points and 337 yards per game under new offensive coordinator Grant Freeman. Defensively, the Lions yielded 25 points and 360 yards — 230 rushing and 130 passing — per outing last year under defensive coordinator Derrick Stacks, who returns. Brownwood also forced 20 turnovers during the regular season — two per game on average — and owned a +4 edge in turnover ratio. Key returnees for the Lions include defensive end Garrett Doyal (40 tackles, 4.5 sacks), safety Crystan Wright (40 tackles,

one fumble recovery), linebacker Carson Cloy (28 tackles), Chesser (27 tackles) on the defensive line, Diaz (22 tackles) and Pressley (9 tackles) at linebacker and Aaron Jimenez (25 tackles, three interceptions), Sterling (15 tackles, one interception), Brown (14 tackles) and Howard (14 tackles, one interception) in the secondary. Nash, Day and Devon Jefferson will see expanded roles on the defensive front. “Our defense will be a mixture of what

we’ve done over the past six years I’ve been here,” Howard said. “As coaches, we never ask kids to do something they can’t do, so we try and evolve what we do to play to the strengths of our athletes. It’s going to be a little more multiple, but early on we’ll be very vanilla and very base. My philosophy is you create an identity for your team and they get good at certain

SEE LIONS, 31

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LIONS

CONTINUED FROM 30 base things, then once you get good at that and gain confidence in that you start adding more and more. We have the potential to be very multiple in what we’re doing and that’s going to really benefit us, but it’s also going to be a growing process as we evolve to that multiplicity.” Looking ahead to the schedule, the Lions face four ranked foes, including two in pre-district action — Graham in Week 2 and Liberty Hill in Week 3. Howard considers the Lions’ schedule — which also includes Gatesville, Alvarado, Burkburnett and Springtown prior to the district opener — to be among the most challenging in the state. “It’s not an easy schedule, but I think you get better by playing good people,” Howard said. “It’s certainly a situation where every Friday night we have to show up to play because I think our schedule from top to bottom is as tough as anybody in the state. “I haven’t read Texas Football magazine, but I can tell you without looking at it that Gatesville’s going to be much better than they were a year ago, Graham is going to be a Top 5 team again and Liberty Hill is going to be a Top 5 team again. Alvarado, probably no one thinks about, but they were a lot like us a year ago with a lot of sophomores and they’ll be a very good football team. Burkburnett and Springtown will also be improved.” The Lions again kick off district action against the two league favorites — Stephenville on the road and Wylie at home — followed by a road trip to Snyder after the bye week and a home date with Big Spring to wrap up the regular season. “We want to be the district champs, to be 10-0, but it’s one of the toughest districts in the state,” Howard said. “We go into every game to win every game, but with that being said, we have our work cut out for us.” As for what it will take for the Lions to live up to their potential and challenge for the 3-4A title, Howard said, “Execution, effort and energy everyday. I love our kids and the way they’re working. We have to play together as a team and put the team first. We have to prepare everyday in DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN the weight room and on the practice Crystan Wright (20) and the Brownwood Lions defense surrendered 25 points and 360 yards per game in 2014, and forced 20 turnovers field, and that has to translate to the during the regular season — an average of two takeaways per outing. field Friday night.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

HPU CONTINUED FROM 4

leadership of the senior class is one of the team’s greatest strengths heading into the season. “We have a great group of seniors and they’re pretty goal-minded,” Geise said. “They’ve told me they want to go out winners. They want to win the last game of the year, which has escaped us. They’ve got some good goals in mind and we’ve had quite a few kids stay in town this summer, more than we have in a long time.” There are holes to be filled, however, as Geise is counting on several junior college transfers and incoming freshmen to stake their claim to a spot on the two-deep depth chart. “Until we get on the grass and actually compete against somebody, we’re not exactly sure of what we have,” Geise said. “We think some of those guys have a chance to be good and very productive. Several of them were transfers out of the junior college ranks. Watching them on film you get excited, but you’re not exactly sure what they’re going up against.” Perhaps the most glaring area of concern for Howard Payne, however, is defense. In 2014, the Yellow Jackets surrendered 45 points and 465 yards — 249 passing and 216 rushing — per game, with only 13 takeaways. Over the last six games, no Yellow Jacket opponent scored less than 51 points as HPU surrendered 59.5 points per outing down the stretch. The struggles of Howard Payne’s threeman front has led Geise to modify the defensive scheme back to a 4-2-5. “When I came here in 2005, Coach (Steve) Fanara was defensive coordinator and we ran a 4-2-5,” said Geise, who will return to calling the defense this season. “It’s very similar to what TCU does. When Steve became the head coach and I took over as DC, we went to a 4-3 and there really isn’t that much difference. We got away from that because we were having a hard time recruiting defensive linemen. “In re-evaluating everything, I think we made a tactical mistake. We should have just stayed in the four-man front because we’ve not had the success in the three-man, whether it was the 3-3 stack for two years or the 3-4 for two years. Statistically, we got worse. When we were a four-man front, we were statistically in the middle of the pack in the ASC. We went to a three-man front and went to the bottom and had a hard time getting the run stopped.” Offensively, the Yellow Jackets are entering the third year of offensive coordinator Hunter Sims’ system, and only

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Will Locke (making the tackle) and the rest of Howard Payne defense returns to a four-man front this season in an effort to improve on the 45 points and 465 yards per game surrendered a year ago. minor tweaks are expected. “The last two years our offense has done a very good job of identifying the things that our football team does best, and that’s what we do,” Geise said. “You’re not going to see significant differences in the plays we run or anything like that. Formation-wise, you may see us in some things that are a little bit different. We’re like everybody else, when some team starts doing something well we try and copy it, but do it within the framework of what we’ve been doing.” The Yellow Jackets return quarterback Richard Young, who will be in his third season behind center. Young completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,847 yards with 16 touchdowns and 23 interceptions

in 2014, as Howard Payne turned the ball over 30 times. HPU also welcomes back one of the premier receivers in the American Southwest Conference in Colby Mica, who grabbed 73 receptions for 1,109 yards with six touchdowns. Other receiving threats back include Tracy Morrison (18-136, TD) and DeAndre Walker (4-25, 2 TDs), who will be used in an H-back role. Also returning are offensive linemen Marcus Muldrow, Cyle Johnson and Luis Robles, who helped paved the way for an offense that averaged 27 points and 425 yards — 295 passing and 130 rushing — per game. The top ground gainer returning for Howard Payne is fullback Justin Acosta,

with 147 yards and a touchdown, so finding a new rotation of backs will be paramount. “The biggest issues are finding some offensive linemen to provide depth, receivers who will step up and take the pressure off the returners and running back, obviously, is going to be an issue,” Geise said. “We have no ASC experience there. We have recruited several JC guys that I’m excited to see in action. I think they’re the real deal. They pass the eyeball test.” Defensive returners include Donald Preston (55 tackles, 12 for loss, six sacks), Will Locke (34 tackles, two sacks) and Austin Williamson up front (20 tackles, SEE JACKETS, 33

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

JACKETS CONTINUED FROM 32

4.5 for loss), along with linebackers Jason Disney (82 tackles, 11 for loss, three sacks, one interception) and Adrian Hopkins (73 tackles, one interception), among others. The secondary returns almost completely intact with safeties Jordan Shaw (87 tackles, two interceptions) and Gage Smith (37 tackles) back, along with cornerback Xavier McFalls (52 tackles, one interception). “One thing we’re going to try and do with the defense is hopefully have four tackles where we can rotate,” Geise said. “We used to do that around here and we’ve gotten away from it. This will keep them fresh and when we get into the fourth quarter the guys who are playing the best will finish the game. “We also have to replace a corner and we have a couple of dudes over there that were on the team last year and got some playing experience that we feel are capable individuals.” On special teams, Josh Martinez returns as placekicker while Geise is looking for both a punter and someone to handle kick off duties. “We’d like to find someone who can kick the ball to the goal line or into the end zone and have them start on the 25 rather than let them return it and start on the 35 or 40,” Geise said. Looking ahead to ASC action, the Yellow Jackets host East Texas Baptist in a rematch of HPU’s 54-53 win last season, then tangle with HardinSimmons, Louisiana College, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Sul Ross. In order to improve on last year’s 1-4 conference mark, and four-win season overall, Geise cited four objectives. “First is injuries,” Geise said. “There are certain areas where injuries could be devastating. Improving statistically defensively is also critical, and I’ve said that the last two years and we’ve gotten worse. “Another area we emphasize but don’t seem to have great success with is creating more turnovers, more takeaways. We have to be able to get the ball for our offense in good field position. And I don’t think we generate what we need to in special teams. We haven’t blocked a punt around here in a long time. As far as returning kicks, we’ve come close, but we haven’t put six points up there. If we can do those things, DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN Quarterback Richard Young returns to guide the Howard Payne offense as the Yellow Jackets churned out 27 points and 426 yards per we have a chance to have a good game in 2014. season.”

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

Early Longhorns 2

Grant Fanara

11 Abe Morris

Drew Sessler

Christian Alcorta

Riley Mitchell

Kylar Mercer

Joaquin Pesina

Xavier Yebra

10 Trace Evans

14 Trevor Brooks

15 Shaib Kang

17 Stephen Brownlee

18 Isaac Martin

19 Logan Gressett

21 Luke Pinkston

Hayden 24 Jose Constancia 25 Turner

28 Tyler Kirkland

33 Kwade Boyd

44 Miguel Elizondo

50 Diesel Ceresini

55 John Allen

57 Brett Shaw

60 Logan Thomas

65 Alex Hamilton

68 Walker Leach

72 Connor Murphy

78 Will Donaho

79 Allan Piri

85 Abel Hernandez

12 Griffin Ehlers

61 Hayden Barker

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

EARLY

CONTINUED FROM 6

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Quarterback Riley Mitchell will be running the offense for the Early Longhorns this season, who seek their first playoff appearance since 2008 under new head coach Blake Sandford.

have run in recent seasons. “Coach Trompler is running our offense and we’re doing a lot of the same stuff, we’re just doing it a different way,” Sandford said. “We’ll have a multiple spread look, but we’ll move the tight end around. The backs have done a good job adapting. It’s going to have a little bit of a different look, but we’re still going to run the zone option stuff. “We’ve started advancing our offense because the kids started getting a little bit better at what they were doing. We’ve advanced past the baby steps and we’re full blown into our offense.” Defensive coordinator Steve Fanara — a former head coach at Howard Payne and assistant at Brownwood — returns with his 4-2-5 base defense. “Coach Fanara has that going and has tailored it to fit our kids,” Sandford said. “It allows us to put our kids in better position to make plays. Coach Fanara and those guys have done a great job as far as putting all of our stuff on. The kids are like a sponge, they keep asking for more stuff and we keep feeding them. They’ve worked hard. I can’t remember too many times when we’ve had to worry about coaching up their effort, which is one of the things we don’t want to have to worry about. Their effort is high, so we’re happy about that.” The Longhorns welcome back just seven starters — three on offense and four on defense — from last year’s squad. Offensive standouts in scrimmage action included quarterback Riley Mitchell (781 yards, 3 TDs passing; 518 yards, 4 TDs rushing in 2014), running back Joaquin Pesina, receivers Abel Hernandez (17-427, 4 TDs), Abe Morris, Drew Sessler and Grant Fanara and the offensive line of John Allen, Diesel Ceresini, Brett Shaw, Logan Thomas and Walker Leach. The Longhorns will attempt to improve on the 21 points and 287 yards — 153 rushing and 134 passing — per game generated a year ago. “Our skill positions — receivers, backs and quarterbacks — are a strength and our o-line is becoming a strength and might become our best unit after a while,” Sandford said. Defensively, Early yielded 38 points and 344 yards — 229 rushing and 115 passing — per game in 2014. Among those who will attempt to improve that number in 2015 are Fanara (75 tackles, three interceptions) and Isaac Martin (39 tackles) in the secondary, Miguel Elizondo and Griffin Ehlers at linebacker and a defensive front consisting of many of the same players who man the offensive line. “The tenacity on defense, the speed of our front, those are going to be strengths for us,” Sandford said. “I think our foot speed has gotten a lot better than it was last year, as far as being in position, and our strength level has gone up. We’ve gotten a little bit stronger.” What could turn out to be the biggest key to an Early revival, however, is the Longhorns’ willingness to accept the new direction of the program — which Sandford raved about during the preseason. “Their loyalty to the program, their commitment to working hard, and their willingness to do whatever it takes are by far the biggest strengths of these kids,” Sandford said.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

Bangs Dragons 1

Taylor McDonald

Trett Mitchell

Zach Fuqua

Colton Brewer

Seth Ross

Tanner James

Zach Zink

10 Joseph McCall

20 Kaden Allen

21 Mason Reichenau

22 Brian Sterling

23 Terrick Soto

24 Kwade Mitchell

25 Kasey Sisson

27 Charlie Bettis

Paul 33 John Salazar

40 Chase Phelps

50 Kolton Jacobs

52 Olin Blaine

54 Cedric Cooper

55 Curtis Patrick

60 Jack Tomme

62 Ethan Hoover

64 Matthew Rudd

73 Kelton Parson

80 Nick Sterling

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

BANGS CONTINUED FROM 8 As for the new offense and defense, a physical style that revolves around the ground attack is the base on each side of the ball. “We have a long way to go but our goal is to establish the run and stop the run,” Bird said. “We want to try and not give up any big plays and we want to try and start crimping off other people’s run game, and that’s hard to do. It takes physicality, you have to be tough, and there’s a lot of football teams around here that run the ball well. That’s the biggest challenge we face. “I feel like we can move the football and throw the football. We have to be tough enough and technical enough to stand toe-to-toe with teams that are going to bring it right at us. ” Offensive standouts for the Dragons during the preseason included quarterback Colton Brewer (1,337 yards, 13 TDs passing in 2014), running back Seth Ross (887 yards, 9 TDs rushing), fullback Mason Reichenau, tight end Brian Sterling and linemen Matthew Rudd, Kolton Jacobs, Olie Blaine, Kelton Parson and Curtis Patrick on the offensive end. Defensively, Reichenau (74 tackles, two interceptions) at corner, Charlie Bettis (44 tackles, two fumble recoveries) at middle linebacker, Blaine and Sterling at the ends and Tanner James at safety have turned heads. But Bird has stated it will take a combined effort from every member of the varsity roster for the Dragons to achieve their goals. “We have 26 kids on our varsity roster currently and we need every single one to contribute,” Bird said. “That’s the approach we’re taking with them. “When you start looking at offense and defense, sometimes the absence of a dynamic superstar can be a good thing. You end up with a bunch of guys who feel like role players, and when you have a bunch of role players you have a good football team. It’s all about assignments, playing assignment football, knowing what their jobs are and perfecting those jobs. That’s the way we approach the game. We don’t have one guy that’s going to go out and take over a game. We plan to use a team approach to try and take over games as a unit, both offensively and defensively.” The Dragons have four games to prepare for the 3-3A slate as they host Ballinger in the season opener, visit Llano and Goldthwaite in consecutive weeks and then welcome Coleman for homecoming. “Our goal is to get a little better each

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Curtis Patrick (55), Mason Reichenau (21) and the Bangs defense surrendered 39 points and 423 yards per game in 2014, numbers new head coach Jim Bird intends to improve this season. week, to play better in Week 2 than we did in Week 1, and to get a little better in Week 3 than we were in Week 2 and continue that process throughout the year and get where we’re peaking at the right time,” Bird said. “We need that time to get where we want to be, the end we want to work toward. We think the effort they’re giving us and the attitude toward everything, we have a good shot to get to a place we’re happy with. We still have a lot of work to do between now and then.” Bangs opens district with Merkel, Clyde, Early and Jim Ned, then closes against Wall and Brady.

“The way our schedule is set up is good for our kids,” Bird said. “We get the favorite and the pick for the runner-up spot for the last two games, so we’ll have a good idea going in. We’d obviously like to be undefeated at that point, but it’s a tall order. It’s not something we feel is unattainable, but we have to work really hard to get to that position. That would be three teams knocking heads at the end of the year, so it’s almost like the playoffs start early.” As for what Bird feels the Dragons can accomplish in his first season, he set no limits.

“They’re going to determine how good they are. That’s something we tell them everyday,” Bird said. “Everyday you take the field out here you tell us how good you want to be without saying a word. We’re not going to listen to your words as much as we’re going to watch your body, and what you do. There’s a lot to be said for a group of guys that believes they can get something done. I’m going to stop short of putting a limitation on them. They’re going to make the decision throughout the year about how good they’re going to be. It’s in their court right now.”

BLANKET CONTINUED FROM 9

of the ball. “We’re looking forward to good things from Luke Kinkade, a sophomore, who was newcomer of the year as a freshman last year at running back/inside linebacker, along with Blake Hood, Gabriel Cardenas and Mark Lopez. They are all sophomores returning that had quite a bit of playing time last year as freshmen.” Despite returning a significant portion of the 2014 roster, there were still some holes for the Tigers to fill — especially defensively — during preseason practices.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15 “I think we might have had a little more depth last year than we do this year, especially on defense,” Tabor said. “We lack some size that graduated last year. We lost four really good defensive players that were seniors and we’re going to have a hard time replacing those guys, so we’ll look a little bit different.” The Tigers will open the season against seven squads who combined to a post a 55-27 record a year ago, five of which made lengthy postseason runs. Blanket faces Mullin at the Zephyr Bulldog Bonanza, followed by TCAL Division II state champion Stephenville Faith, Gordon, May, Santa Anna, Zephyr and Lometa. “The strength of our schedule is one of

our strengths because we play good football teams from the start of the season to the end,” Tabor said. “That allows us to be a pretty good football team at the end of the year. We have Division I opponents throughout the way, almost the entire way. These are teams with a lot of depth and a lot of size and they can power on you a little bit. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be a tough road for us, but we feel like we’re going to sneak some wins in along the way. “One of the cons of that is it can be hard when you don’t have much depth and get beat down a little bit. Sometimes, if you have some injuries, it can put you in a bind, but hopefully that won’t hap-

pen.” In District 8-A Division II action, the Tigers open with Sidney and Panther Creek, then face Rising Star in a rematch of the game that decided the 2014 league champion — which Blanket won by a 6012 count. “We’re missing a few key personnel here and there and obviously everybody wants more, but I like our team and I like them more every day we practice,” Tabor said. “We have kids that work hard and we have a little more quickness than I thought at the start of the year. I definitely think we have a chance to win our district. And if we get in the playoffs, we should be battle-tested by then.”

BROOKESMITH

COMANCHE

CONTINUED FROM 11

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Pedro Uvalle and Rafael Uvalle, along with Cliffton Leonard, Tanner Nunn, Phoenix Burns and Ryder Nelson. “All of them have impressed me,” Donnell said. “What I’m most impressed with is they’re all pretty athletic. Clifton is a big, physical kid, a leader. Tanner will probably be our quarterback and Phoenix is proving to be very handy.” Donnell spent a great deal of preseason practice sharpening the Mustangs’ fundamental skills. “We’re going to have to work on technique, tackling and blocking, just like everyone else,” Donnell said. “These guys need a little more work and confidence. They haven’t had much of that.” The Mustangs begin the season with winnable games against Moran and Gustine, and returning to the win column early could catapult Brookesmith to greater success throughout the season. In order to achieve victory, however, the Mustangs must develop consistency, according to Donnell. “They told me they had 100 plays last year,” Donnell said. “There’s no way you can run 100 plays and that’s why they weren’t consistent. I’m pretty simple, ground and pound, but we might spread it every now and then. I’m looking for consistency and execution, both offensively and defensively.” Following challenging contests against Santa Anna, Eden, Sidney and Panther Creek, the Mustangs open District 13-A Division II action against Lohn. Preseason No. 1 Richland Springs follows, then Brookesmith draws Cherokee and Mullin to conclude the regular season. “Richland Springs is probably No. 1 in the state,” Donnell said. “After that, we plan to compete. It’s anybody’s ball game for a playoff spot. That’s our goal. We can get in the playoffs, I believe that, but they have to believe it. That’s the main thing. It doesn’t really matter what I believe. We just have to be the hardest working little team in Texas.” Brookesmith last reached the playoffs in 2006.

last year. We got exposed and played some really good offenses, so we’ve got things to work on but we feel we should be improved in that area.” Offensively, the Indians will look to build on their potent rushing attack that rendered them success last year. Offensive linemen Michael Garcia and Pedro Bernard, along with running back Robert Brooks and Nance, will be the players who will engineer a formidable running attack. Hermesmeyer spoke highly of his team but knows the Indians’ level of success will be determined highly by his quarterback. “He’s an all-around football player and a tremendous competitor and leader,” Hermesmeyer said of Nance. “I wish we had a whole bunch of them but we’re just lucky to have him. We think he’s going to have an outstanding season.” According to Dave Campbell’s magazine, West quarterback Mason Tobola has been named the preseason offensive Most Valuable Player, while linebacker Alex Parson was tagged has been tagged defensive MVP. McGregor and Glen Rose are predicted to finish first and second in district, while West and Grandview are expected to be the final pair to clinch postseason berths — leaving out Comanche, Whitney and Hillsboro. Like last year, Nance said his Indians are ready to rewrite the season script. “We’ve always kind of been the underdog everywhere, and we just want to prove everybody wrong.”

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Eddie Hernandez (9) and the Blanket Tigers are attempting to defend their District 8-A Division II championship in 2015.

COLEMAN CONTINUED FROM 19 Coleman’s pre-district schedule features Jim Ned, Hawley, Early, Bangs and Anson — who combined for a 1934 record a year ago. Only one of those squads — Hawley, at 7-5 — finished with a winning record. Needless to say, the Bluecats anticipate another quick start out of the gate. “We want to be ahead of where we

were last year,” Elder said. “We put in a new program last year so we were just figuring that out. Now we know what we’re doing and we want to be ahead of where we were. We want to make sure we’re taking the right steps to reach all of our goals.” On paper, the greatest threats to Coleman’s bid for a repeat District 3-3A Division II championship — Post and Colorado City — are on tap the first two league games. The Bluecats

then make lengthy treks to Stanton and Coahoma in consecutive weeks before wrapping up the regular season at home against Ballinger. “The district is going to be a lot tougher,” Elder said. “Post was young last year and they have quite a few of those guys back, and we go to Post. We have three long trips this year. If we can handle the road trips mentally and stay healthy physically, then I think we can come out on top in the district.”

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Blanket Tigers 1

Gabriel Cardenas

Luke Kinkade

Justin Wilson

Noah Vanecek

Eddie Hernandez

10 Josh Baken

11 Chandon Ferguson

16 Quinton Alexander

17 Mark Lopez

18 Adan Lopez

21 Toby Florence

22 Jordan Chasteen

John 23 John Alexander

24 Isaac Pedraza

25 Blake Hood

32 Matthew Mendez

33 Austin Jacobs

55 Jonathan Sifuentes

Brookesmith Mustangs 1

J.W Smith

Cade Stephens

Phoenix Burns

10 Pedro Valle

Cliffton

20 Leonard

Ryder

22 Nelson

Rafael Uvalle

Tanner

25 Nunn

88 Marcos Martinez

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MAY CONTINUED FROM 12

DERRICK STUCKLY | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Zach Davis and the May Tigers are seeking a third straight state berth.

SAN SABA CONTINUED FROM 21 Multiple-I offense. Junior Jose Guerrero and sophomore Josh Lambert, who played tight end last year, give the Armadillos two capable fullbacks. At tailback, junior Elisha Cisneros (5-7, 197) and junior Chase Turner are back after both missed multiple games with injuries last year. San Saba has two proven receivers in seniors John Welch and John Watson, who earned all-district honors last year. Payton Gage, a transfer from Jim Ned, and senior Logan Guidroz are the tight end candidates.

GOLDTHWAITE CONTINUED FROM 20 play multiple positions — fullback, tight end, H-back (a tight end in the backfield) and slot receiver. Sophomore Quaid Seward, who ran for 351 yards and three TDs last year in a limited role, will be the tailback. Receivers include returnees Jaydan West and Zac Gaspar, along with newcomers Christian Valencia, Jacob Williams and Jacob King. West is the most accomplished of the group with two catches for 18 yards and two TDs last year. The offensive line returns a pair of thirdyear starters in 230-pound Dylan Sanders and 235-pound Travis Head. David

“We have another senior, Matthew Angus, he’s a good kid and a hard worker. We’ll be looking for a lot of leadership from that group.” The majority of this year’s roster will be comprised of players who suited up on May’s JV last season — but that squad did post an unblemished record. “We have some kids coming up off the JV that went 8-0 last year,” Steele said. “We had a solid JV and those kids are really going to have to step up. But they can play and we’re excited about it. “Cotton Bane is a junior coming off the JV that’s ready to contribute. Wyatt Mote is a sophomore and Jacob Brown can go. We might even have a freshman, Jaden Baker, play. We’ll have to see.” Despite the lack of varsity experience, Steele feels the Tigers’ deep playoff runs during the past two seasons will benefit the current roster. “It’s going to sound weird, but we have experience,” Steele said. “They The Armadillos are seeking to improve an offense that averaged 9.2 points per game last year. “We’ll have to mix it up on offense between the run and pass,” Pannell said. “We have good skill players and some speed, and our line isn’t big enough to just push people around.” The defense allowed 32.1 points per game last year, but returns seven starters — including the entire linebacking corps of Guerrero, Saiz, Watson and Lambert. Aragon returns in the defensive line, and he’ll be joined by Aguirre and Cisneros. Welch and senior John Faught return in the secondary, and they’ll be joined by Oliver and Gage. Valencia, a 220-pound senior who played for Goldthwaite in 2013 and San Saba in 2014, is back with the Eagles and expected to start in the line. Other line starters figure to be junior center Ryan Elderton, junior guard Henry Valencia and 250-pound sophomore tackle Trevor Horton. Regardless of what offense the Eagles utilize, they must reverse a two-year trend of finishing with a negative turnover ratio. On defense, the Eagles are switching from a four- and five-man front to a 3-4 — with three linemen, four linebackers and four secondary backs. “It gives us the ability to play a base defense no matter what kind of offense we see,” Proffitt said of the 3-4. “Our outside linebackers will be able to clamp down and play the run or go outside and defend

understand what big games are like and what it takes to win big games. The JV kids have seen it done and they understand what is expected of them and what it took to get to where we got the last two years. They understand what they have to do to get back.” May will have six opportunities to prepare for District 10-A Division I action as the Tigers face Garden City, Rising Star, Zephyr, Blanket, Throckmorton and Water Valley in pre-district competition. “Most importantly, we want to see them compete and make sure we have kids in the right spots,” Steele said of the pre-district goals. “Our line is going to be completely different than it was last year. We don’t have one varsity lineman back. We either have kids that played varsity

SANTA ANNA

last year that are having to go to the line or they’re JV kids. I know we have running backs, but the line has to come together.” The Tigers are not projected to reach the postseason by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine, as Gordon and Strawn are the preseason playoff favorites. But May found itself in a similar situation in 2013, and the Tigers responded with a school record 14 victories en route to Arlington. “Gordon’s the favorite and should be, they have the most coming back,” Steele said. “They’re going to be very good. Strawn is going to be extremely wellcoached and they have a great running back coming back. Gustine and Lingleville were both young the last couple of years, but both should be on the way up. It should be interesting.”

have big kids and small spread kids so it’s going to work out pretty well. We’ve worked on some spread and they’ve looked pretty good with it. “Defensively, that’s always a crap shoot to see who you’re going to get and what’s going to happen. If my kids can beat your kids, we’re going to win.” Concerns in the preseason included conditioning, but McVey was impressed with the Mountaineers’ talent level. “Some of the kids came in pretty good shape, some are really out of shape,” McVey said. “Football-wise, watching them throw and catch and handle the ball, I was pretty impressed. We’ve got some good footwork and some good basics, but there’s always stuff we can improve on.” The Mountaineers again open the season at the Bulldog Bonanza in Zephyr, this time facing Whitharral. Games against

Mullin, Brookesmith, Rochelle, Blanket, Eden and Blackwell follow before the District 11-A Division I opener at Lometa. Santa Anna travels to No. 8 Zephyr on Oct. 30 in a game that could again decide the district champion, then close the regular season at home against Evant. “Our pre-district schedule is not weak by any means and it will be challenging, but it’s one where we should be able to go .500 or even a little bit better than that,” McVey said. “From not being out here, I don’t know a lot of the teams, but I do know some of the coaches and what they run. I would expect we should be doing well going into district. “I saw Zephyr’s ranked pretty high, but rankings don’t mean anything to me. Zephyr’s going to be good and I think we’ll be equally as good, so it should be a heck of a ballgame. Lometa and Evant, I don’t know enough about them but I think they’re struggling a little bit. The district championship will probably be between us and Zephyr.”

the pass. The 3-4 also fits our personnel better. We have a lot of linebacker types.” The outside linebackers will be West, who led the Eagles with 99 tackles last year, and Gaspar, who had 70 tackles and three interceptions last year while playing cornerback. The inside linebackers are scheduled to be Jansen Head and junior Aris Shelton, who made 63 tackles last year. Junior Kendel Hopper, who is dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, could help at inside linebacker. The defensive line will include a mix of players, including seniors Landon Wiedebusch, Travis Head, David Valencia, Adolfo Rodriguez and Sanders. Wiedebusch made 74 tackles last year while Sanders had 65.

Goldthwaite has two proven safeties in Parrish, whose 91 tackles and five interceptions earned all-state mention last year, and Seward, who made 69 stops last season. The cornerbacks figure to be Christian Valencia, King and Williams. The Eagles will seek to improve a defense that allowed 26 points and 307 yards per game last year. The unit will be coached by Andy Howard, who was Brady’s head coach the last three seasons. “We’ve got to pursue the football and get more people to the football quicker,” Proffitt said of his team’s defense. Defending champion Hico, Tolar and Goldthwaite are picked as the top three teams again this year in District 7-2A DI, but the order of finish is different is just about every preseason poll.

CONTINUED FROM 22

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May Tigers 2

Dalton Self

Bradley Freeland

Lane Parker

Cotton Bane

Wyatt Mote

Dylan Pruitt

Cameron King

10 Jacob Brown

11 Weston Chambers

12 Zach Davis

13 Trenton Shirk

14 J.T. Dewell

18 Kaleb Simpson

22 Max Bowden

23 Blake Wells

25 Rylee Baker

26 Matthew Angus

33 Daniel Salinas

34 Jaden Baker

44 Austin McAbee

45 Kase Cox

47 Christian Scott

Victory Life Warriors 8

Marshall Clark

13 Cody Simmons

20 Jadyn Thedford

22 Corbin Elison

23 Roland Aguinaga

25 Jack Haley

30 Derek Morris

48 Montana Early

49 Joe Robles

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

Zephyr Bulldogs 1

Zack Miller

15 Nicholas Moody

Brayden Malloy

18 Keifer Vernon

Hayden Clark

A.J. Blackwood

Tanner Jones

Buddy Meador

20 Jacob King

Robert Clark

Sean Reedy

Rowdy McClain

11 Devin Williams

22 Hunter Pitman

24 Bishop Norman

Colten Edgar

Marshall Goins

Michael Dixon

Sterling Sellards

10 Alex Marshall

Walter Simpson

William Simpson

14 Kason King

33 Kaleb Williams

Elliot Gowin

John Wall

John Paul Gowin

Jerrick Woodcock

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

ZEPHYR CONTINUED FROM 13 putting some kids in different positions from what they played in the past, and they’re going to have to learn those positions while playing a hard schedule.” In regard to the tough schedule, the Bulldogs will face Meadow, Sterling City, May, Jonesboro, Blanket, Rising Star and Lingleville — who combined for a 48-33 record — to start the season. Zephyr dropped its first five games of the 2014 campaign, which Williams hopes serves

as motivation to start the 2015 slate. “They know they’re going against some good teams that beat them last year, and hopefully that’ll fuel their fire,” Williams said. “We start off with Meadow, Sterling City, May and Jonesboro. I know Jonesboro is going to be physical and hopefully we’re more physical this year than we were last year — and we were very physical toward the end of the year. With the schedule set up the way it is, I feel like the first four games will be the most competitive before district starts.” In the 11-A Division I race, Zephyr and Santa Anna are projected to repeat as

playoff qualifiers, with Evant and Lometa attempting to play the role of spoilers. “Evant is going to be 7-0 when district starts,” Williams said. “Their pre-district schedule is not real hard and most of their kids have been playing together for four years. I don’t know about Lometa. Last year they played Santa Anna with nine kids on the field and the next week against us they had 15. You don’t know how many kids they’ll have, but they’re well coached. “Santa Anna has a new coach but I don’t know anything about him and I’ve never played against him. But I know the

MULLIN

RICHLAND SPRINGS

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game last season. Offensively, back Matthew Weaver (5-11, 155) rushed for 628 yards and caught 10 passes last year as a junior. He’ll be joined in the backfield by senior Angel Facundo and newcomer Cross Salazar, a junior who didn’t play football last year but was called “a really good athlete” by Coach Weaver. Facundo was sidelined for about two weeks in the preseason with a hand injury. “All three of those backs will probably be interchangeable between quarterback and the running back positions,” Coach Weaver said. “We’ve got some decent linemen, but we’re really slim in our skill positions. We have to develop another back.” Juniors Jacob Lavy (6-0, 228) and William Hines are projected starters at ends. They combined to make six starts last season. Joe Young (5-10, 200), a senior move-in from Brownwood who hasn’t played football since junior high, is the projected starter at center. In the four games the Bulldogs lost last year, they allowed an average of 64 points. This year’s defense will be led by Matthew Weaver and Facundo, who both are penciled into the lineup as linebackers. Weaver logged 38 tackles, three fumble recoveries and two interceptions last season. Facundo made 39 tackles and recovered two fumbles. Lavy and Hines will be counted on as defensive linemen, with Salazar and sophomore Ricky Dela Rosa expected to start as safeties. Help on both sides of the ball will come from seniors Shane Wolcott and Bryer Williams, sophomore Jace Porter, and freshmen Bobby Salinas and Mason Spivey.

“Benny Weaver does a great job over in Mullin and they’re going to have some good kids,” Burkhart said. “I think they’re going to be pretty tough. That’s one of the teams we’re watching out for in the district. “Most of the district has a lot of kids coming back except for Cherokee. Once the scrimmages start and games start, we can start getting film and see where these teams are at.” Assuming the Coyotes again reach the playoffs, Bur-

SIDNEY CONTINUED FROM 28 things from him.” Also returning are junior Troy Sieder and sophomore Colton Limmer. “Troy will be playing center and he’s a sensational blocker,” Beam said. “I think it’s going to be a real good year for him. Colton is coming into his own and he’ll be back at end. He is a tremendous blocker.” Incoming freshmen include Tristan Kelly, who is taking over at quarterback, along with Brandon Morgan and Dennis Morales. Sidney opens the season against Chero-

RISING STAR CONTINUED FROM 25 to score at least 65 points. “Defense is our point of emphasis,” Calloway said. “We want to improve there and be more physical. We want to stop people. Last year I think the games we won we had 80 points on the board three times and we weren’t going home at halftime. We want to shut down people and not have them score as many points against us.” The Wildcats face another challenging pre-district schedule as they open with Oglesby at Zephyr’s Bulldog Bonanza, followed by contests against May, Robert Lee, Gordon, Cherokee, Evant and Zephyr. Rising Star’s non-district foes combined for a 54-24 record, and only Cherokee finished below .500. “It’s a tough schedule, one of the toughest ones around,” Calloway said of Rising Star’s pre-district slate. “It’s a pretty tough pre-district schedule, but I expect to see us compete. Last year we went to Gordon and played half a game with them. We were down 10 points at the

kee, Lohn, Victory Life, Cranfills Gap, Brookesmith and Gustine — who combined for a 12-45 record last year — before facing defending TCLA Division II state champion Stephenville Faith in the predistrict finale. The Eagles started the 2014 campaign with five wins in their first six outings. “Last year we had several games where we came out and 45’ed people and we didn’t finish ball games,” Beam said. “I don’t think that will be the case this year. I think we’ll be pretty equal to everybody we play this year. “One of our focus points as coaches is to keep these kids battling for four quarters

kids from Santa Anna and Jacob Herrod is a stud and a tough kid to contain. Their JV was big last year and if all those kids moved up they’re going to be tough.” The key for Zephyr to repeat as district champion, and improve on last season’s postseason performance, could be as simple as avoiding the injury bug — and having the bounces go the Bulldogs’ way. “With us, it’s a matter of staying healthy and staying hungry and taking one game at a time,” Williams said. “We have to stay healthy, and we have to be lucky.”

khart believes a physically and mentally tougher team is what will be required for Richland Springs to hoist a seventh state championship trophy at season’s end. “We have to be mentally tough, execute, be way more physical on defense and our open field tackling has to get a lot better,” Burkhart said. “We struggled with that a lot last year. One thing that happened to us last year that I haven’t seen in a long time is we got our heads down when things didn’t go our way. We have to change that mentality and that’s what we’re trying to do. As long as we stay focused and execute on offense and get the defense going, stop the run game, take away what the other teams do best, I think we’ll be OK.” half and came out and turned the ball over and wound up getting 45’ed. “We took some knocks last year and I knew we would when we set up the schedule. I knew it would toughen us up when we got to district. In district we were down a couple of games and came back and won. I think the adversity we went through early paid off in the end.” When district rolls around, the Wildcats will open against Panther Creek and Sidney, then close the regular season at home against Blanket in a game most expect to determine the 8-A Division II champion. “I don’t know anything about Panther Creek, but last year was an eight-point game,” said Calloway in reference to Rising Star’s 76-68 district-opening win. “We have to get through that one first. Sidney’s down on numbers, I think they had nine was what I heard and Blanket’s the district champion until someone beats them. “We’re not taking anything for granted. We know we have to go out there and play the games in order to win. We talk about how the games aren’t won on Fridays, they’re won Mondays through Thursdays with preparation.”

early. We have to get our endurance built up a little bit. Some of these kids need to be tested. Last year we started out with 14 players and had a little bit of a rotation going. This year we’re not going to have that so these kids are going to have to get used to playing a lot of snaps both ways. The wins and losses will take care of themselves. We just want to get them out here and get them in the best condition we can.” Sidney draws playoff favorites Blanket and Rising Star in their first two district games before closing at Panther Creek. Beam considers the Wildcats the district favorite, with the second playoff spot up

for grabs. “Rising Star is bringing back a lot of kids from last year, and everybody played them pretty close. But they would have to be the preseason favorite because of the amount of kids they brought back,” Beam said. “Blanket graduated some pretty good kids but they seem to come back loaded every year. Panther Creek graduated pretty heavy, so they’re going to be like us and have a lot of youth. “It’s going to come down to how well you play each Friday night. I think the district’s wide open, really. I think all of us have a pretty legit shot and competing for it.”

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BIG 12 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept. 3 Oklahoma State at Central Michigan TCU at Minnesota Friday, Sept. 4 Baylor at SMU Saturday, Sept. 5 Sam Houston at Texas Tech South Dakota State at Kansas South Dakota at Kansas State Akron at Oklahoma Texas at Notre Dame Georgia Southern at West Virginia Northern Iowa at Iowa State

TBA 11 a.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 12 Kansas State at UTSA Stephen F. Austin at TCU UTEP at Texas Tech Liberty at West Virginia Iowa at Iowa State Oklahoma at Tennessee Memphis at Kansas Lamar at Baylor Rice at Texas

TBA TBA TBA 2 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 5 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19 Tulsa at Oklahoma Louisiana Tech at Kansas State UTSA at Oklahoma State Texas Tech at Arkansas

11 a.m. 2 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.

6 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m.

California at Texas SMU at TCU Iowa State at Toledo

6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26 Kansas at Rutgers TBA Maryland at West Virginia TBA Rice at Baylor 2 p.m. Oklahoma State at Texas* TBA TBA TCU at Texas Tech* * Big 12 Conference Game Saturday, Oct. 3 Kansas at Iowa State* TBA Kansas State at Oklahoma State* TBA TBA West Virginia at Oklahoma* Texas at TCU* TBA TBA Baylor vs. Texas Tech#* * Big 12 Conference Game # at AT&T Stadium, Arlington Saturday, Oct. 10 Iowa State at Texas Tech* TBA TBA TCU at Kansas State* Oklahoma State at West Virginia* TBA Baylor at Kansas* TBA Oklahoma vs. Texas#* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game # at Cotton Bowl, Dallas

Saturday, Oct. 17 West Virginia at Baylor* TBA TBA Oklahoma at Kansas State* Texas Tech at Kansas* TBA Kansas at Oklahoma State* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game Saturday, Oct. 24 TBA Kansas State at Texas* Texas Tech at Oklahoma* TBA Kansas at Oklahoma State* TBA Iowa State at Baylor* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game Thursday, Oct. 29 West Virginia at TCU* 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 Oklahoma at Kansas* TBA TBA Oklahoma State at Texas Tech* Texas at Iowa State* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game Thursday, Nov. 5 Baylor at Kansas State* 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 TCU at Oklahoma State* TBA Texas Tech at West Virginia* TBA TBA Kansas at Texas* Iowa State at Oklahoma* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game

Saturday, Nov. 14 Kansas State at Texas Tech* TBA TBA Kansas at TCU* Texas at West Virginia* TBA TBA Oklahoma State at Iowa State* Oklahoma at Baylor TBA * Big 12 Conference Game Saturday, Nov. 21 Iowa State at Kansas State* TBA TCU at Oklahoma* TBA Baylor at Oklahoma State* TBA TBA West Virginia at Kansas* * Big 12 Conference Game Thursday, Nov. 26 Texas Tech at Texas* 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27 Baylor at TCU* 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 Kansas State at Kansas* TBA Oklahoma at Oklahoma State* TBA Iowa State at West Virginia* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game Saturday, Dec. 5 Texas at Baylor* TBA West Virginia at Kansas State* TBA * Big 12 Conference Game

TEXAS NCAA FBS FOOTBALL SCHEDULES TEXAS A&M AGGIES

HOUSTON COUGARS

(SEC)

S5 vs. Arizona State# S12 Ball State S19 Nevada S26 Arkansas##* O3 Mississippi State* O17 Alabama* O24 at Ole Miss* O31 South Carolina* N7 Auburn* N14 Western Carolina N21 at Vanderbilt* N28 at LSU* # at NRG Stadium, Houston ## at AT&T Stadium, Arlington * Conference Game

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE) 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 11 a.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

RICE OWLS

* Conference Game

7 p.m. 11 a.m. TBA TBA 7 p.m. 8 p.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA

* Conference Game

S5 at Arkansas S12 at Texas Tech S19 at New Mexico State S26 Incarnate Word O3 UTSA* O10 at Florida International* O24 Florida Atlantic* O31 at Southern Miss* N6 Rice* N14 at Old Dominion* N21 Louisiana Tech* N28 at North Texas* * Conference Game

TEXAS STATE BOBCATS

6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. TBA TBA 7 p.m. TBA TBA TBA

(SUN BELT)

S5 at Florida State S12 Prairie View A&M S19 Southern Miss S26 at Houston O10 at Louisiana-Lafayette* O24 South Alabama* O29 at Georgia Southern* N7 New Mexico State* N14 Georgia State* N19 Louisiana-Monroe* N28 at Idaho* D5 at Arkansas State*

UTSA ROADRUNNERS

(CONFERENCE USA)

2:30 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. TBA TBA 11 a.m. TBA TBA 7 p.m. TBA TBA TBA

S12 at SMU S19 Rice S26 at Iowa O3 at Southern Miss. O10 Portland State O15 Western Kentucky* O24 at Marshall* O31 UTSA* N7 at Louisiana Tech* N14 at Tennessee N21 Middle Tennessee State* N28 UTEP* * Conference Game

7 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA TBA TBA 6:30 p.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA 4 p.m.

* Conference Game

NORTH TEXAS MEAN GREEN

(CONFERENCE USA) 2:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. TBA 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.

S4 Baylor S12 North Texas S19 at TCU S26 James Madison O3 East Carolina* at Houston* O8 O24 at South Florida* O31 Tulsa* N6 Temple* N14 at Navy* N21 Tulane* N28 at Memphis* * Conference Game

UTEP MINERS

(CONFERENCE USA)

S5 Wagner S12 at Texas S19 at North Texas* S26 at Baylor O3 Western Kentucky* O10 at Florida Atlantic* O24 Army O30 Louisiana Tech* N6 at UTEP* N14 Southern Miss* N21 at UTSA* N28 UNC-Charlotte*

S5 Tennessee Tech S12 at Louisville S26 Texas State at Tulsa* O3 O8 SMU* O16 at Tulane* O24 at Central Florida* O31 Vanderbilt N7 Cincinnati* N14 Memphis* N21 at Connecticut* N27 Navy*

SMU MUSTANGS

(AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE)

6 p.m. 1:30 p.m. TBA TBA TBA 6:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 2:30 p.m. TBA 11 a.m. TBA

(CONFERENCE USA)

S3 S12 S19 S26 O3 O10 O17 O31 N7 N14 N21 N28

at Arizona Kansas State at Oklahoma State Colorado State at UTEP* Louisiana Tech* at Southern Miss.* at North Texas* Old Dominion* at UNC-Charlotte* Rice* Middle Tennessee State*

* Conference Game

8 p.m. 11 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA 2:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m.

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

Blanket tigers

zephyr Bulldogs John King Housing Moving

Go Bulldogs! 4150 CR 261 • Zephyr 325-642-2087 • 325-739-5711

Mullin Bulldogs Bill Ellis Tire Store 24 Hr. Road Service New & Used Tires

Go Mullin Bulldogs!

206 E. Hudson • 325-985-3474

Longhorn Campers, Inc.

Whistle Stop General Store

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

proudly supports the

Blanket Tigers!

1020 Isham Rd.

748-4012

Diamond

Store & Cafe

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

Good Luck Zephyr BuLLdoGs!

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE

WEEK 1 Thursday, Sept. 10 Pittsburgh at New England 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 Green Bay at Chicago Noon Kansas City at Houston Noon Cleveland at N.Y. Jets Noon Noon Indianapolis at Buffalo Miami at Washington Noon Carolina at Jacksonville Noon Seattle at St. Louis Noon New Orleans at Arizona 3:05 p.m. Detroit at San Diego 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. Tennessee at Tampa Bay Cincinnati at Oakland 3:25 p.m. Baltimore at Denver 3:25 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Dallas 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 Philadelphia at Atlanta 6 p.m. Minnesota at San Francisco 9:15 p.m. ——— WEEK 2 Thursday, Sept. 17 7:25 p.m. Denver at Kansas City Sunday, Sept. 20 Houston at Carolina Noon Noon San Francisco at Pittsburgh Tampa Bay at New Orleans Noon Detroit at Minnesota Noon Arizona at Chicago Noon New England at Buffalo Noon San Diego at Cincinnati Noon Tennessee at Cleveland Noon Atlanta at N.Y. Giants Noon St. Louis at Washington Noon Miami at Jacksonville 3:05 p.m. Baltimore at Oakland 3:05 p.m. Dallas at Philadelphia 3:25 p.m. Seattle at Green Bay 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 7:30 p.m. N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis ——— WEEK 3 Thursday, Sept. 24 Washington at N.Y. Giants 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 Atlanta at Dallas Noon Indianapolis at Tennessee Noon Noon Oakland at Cleveland Cincinnati at Baltimore Noon Jacksonville at New England Noon New Orleans at Carolina Noon Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets Noon Tampa Bay at Houston Noon San Diego at Minnesota Noon Noon Pittsburgh at St. Louis San Francisco at Arizona 3:05 p.m. Buffalo at Miami 3:25 p.m. Chicago at Seattle 3:25 p.m. Denver at Detroit 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28 Kansas City at Green Bay 7:30 p.m. ——— WEEK 4 Thursday, Oct. 1 7:25 p.m. Baltimore at Pittsburgh Sunday, Oct. 4 N.Y Jets vs. Miami (London) 9:30 a.m. Jacksonville at Indianapolis Noon N.Y. Giants at Buffalo Noon Carolina at Tampa Bay Noon Philadelphia at Washington Noon Oakland at Chicago Noon Houston at Atlanta Noon Kansas City at Cincinnati Noon Cleveland at San Diego 3:05 p.m.

Green Bay at San Francisco 3:25 p.m. 3:25 p.m. St. Louis at Arizona Minnesota at Denver 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Dallas at New Orleans Monday, Oct. 5 Detroit at Seattle 7:30 p.m. BYES: New England, Tennessee ——— WEEK 5 Thursday, Oct. 8 Indianapolis at Houston 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 Chicago at Kansas City Noon Seattle at Cincinnati Noon Washington at Atlanta Noon Jacksonville at Tampa Bay Noon Noon New Orleans at Philadelphia Cleveland at Baltimore Noon St. Louis at Green Bay Noon Noon Buffalo at Tennessee Arizona at Detroit 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. New England at Dallas Denver at Oakland 3:25 p.m. San Francisco at N.Y. Giants 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 Pittsburgh at San Diego 7:30 p.m. BYES: Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, N.Y. Jets ——— WEEK 6 Thursday, Oct. 15 7:25 p.m. Atlanta at New Orleans Sunday, Oct. 18 Noon Washington at N.Y. Jets Arizona at Pittsburgh Noon Kansas City at Minnesota Noon Cincinnati at Buffalo Noon Chicago at Detroit Noon Denver at Cleveland Noon Houston at Jacksonville Noon Miami at Tennessee Noon Carolina at Seattle 3:05 p.m. San Diego at Green Bay 3:25 p.m. Baltimore at San Francisco 3:25 p.m. New England at Indianapolis 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia 7:30 p.m. BYES: Dallas, Oakland, St. Louis, Tampa Bay ——— WEEK 7 Thursday, Oct. 22 7:25 p.m. Seattle at San Francisco Sunday, Oct. 25 Buffalo vs. Jacksonville (London) 9:30 a.m. Tampa Bay at Washington Noon Atlanta at Tennessee Noon New Orleans at Indianapolis Noon Minnesota at Detroit Noon Pittsburgh at Kansas City Noon Cleveland at St. Louis Noon Houston at Miami Noon N.Y. Jets at New England Noon Oakland at San Diego 3:05 p.m. Dallas at N.Y. Giants 3:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Carolina 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 Baltimore at Arizona 7:30 p.m. BYES: Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Green Bay ——— WEEK 8 Thursday, Oct. 29 Miami at New England 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1 Detroit vs. Kansas City (London) 9:30 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta Noon Arizona at Cleveland Noon Noon San Francisco at St. Louis N.Y Giants at New Orleans Noon Noon Minnesota at Chicago San Diego at Baltimore Noon Noon Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Tennessee at Houston Noon 3:05 p.m. N.Y Jets at Oakland 3:25 p.m. Seattle at Dallas Green Bay at Denver 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 Indianapolis at Carolina 7:30 p.m. BYES: Buffalo, Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Washington ——— WEEK 9 Thursday, Nov. 5 Cleveland at Cincinnati 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8 Green Bay at Carolina Noon Washington at New England Noon Tennessee at New Orleans Noon Miami at Buffalo Noon St. Louis at Minnesota Noon Noon Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets Oakland at Pittsburgh Noon N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay 3:05 p.m. Atlanta at San Francisco 3:05 p.m. Denver at Indianapolis 3:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Dallas 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 Chicago at San Diego 7:30 p.m. BYES: Arizona, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Seattle ——— WEEK 10 Thursday, Nov. 12 7:25 p.m. Buffalo at N.Y. Jets Sunday, Nov. 15 Noon Detroit at Green Bay Dallas at Tampa Bay Noon Carolina at Tennessee Noon Noon Chicago at St. Louis New Orleans at Washington Noon Miami at Philadelphia Noon Cleveland at Pittsburgh Noon Noon Jacksonville at Baltimore Minnesota at Oakland 3:05 p.m. New England at N.Y. Giants 3:25 p.m. Kansas City at Denver 3:25 p.m. Arizona at Seattle 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16 Houston at Cincinnati 7:30 p.m. BYES: Atlanta, Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco ——— WEEK 11 Thursday, Nov. 19 Tennessee at Jacksonville 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 Noon Oakland at Detroit Indianapolis at Atlanta Noon N.Y. Jets at Houston Noon Tampa Bay at Philadelphia Noon Denver at Chicago Noon Green Bay at Minnesota Noon St. Louis at Baltimore Noon Noon Dallas at Miami Washington at Carolina Noon Cincinnati at Arizona 3:05 p.m. San Francisco at Seattle 3:25 p.m. Kansas City at San Diego 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 Buffalo at New England 7:30 p.m. BYES: Cleveland, New Orleans, N.Y.

Giants, Pittsburgh ——— WEEK 12 Thursday, Nov. 26 Philadelphia at Detroit 11:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m. Carolina at Dallas Chicago at Green Bay 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 New Orleans at Houston Noon Noon St. Louis at Cincinnati Noon Minnesota at Atlanta N.Y. Giants at Washington Noon Tampa Bay at Indianapolis Noon Buffalo at Kansas City Noon Oakland at Tennessee Noon Noon San Diego at Jacksonville Miami at N.Y. Jets Noon Arizona at San Francisco 3:05 p.m. Pittsburgh at Seattle 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. New England at Denver Monday, Nov. 30 Baltimore at Cleveland 7:30 p.m. —— WEEK 13 Thursday, Dec. 3 7:25 p.m. Green Bay at Detroit Sunday, Dec. 6 N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants Noon Arizona at St. Louis Noon Atlanta at Tampa Bay Noon Carolina at New Orleans Noon Seattle at Minnesota Noon Noon Houston at Buffalo Baltimore at Miami Noon Noon Cincinnati at Cleveland Jacksonville at Tennessee Noon San Francisco at Chicago Noon Denver at San Diego 3:05 p.m. 3:05 p.m. Kansas City at Oakland Philadelphia at New England 3:25 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Indianapolis at Pittsburgh Monday, Dec. 7 Dallas at Washington 7:30 p.m. ——— WEEK 14 Thursday, Dec. 10 Minnesota at Arizona 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 Buffalo at Philadelphia Noon San Francisco at Cleveland Noon Detroit at St. Louis Noon Noon New Orleans at Tampa Bay Tennessee at N.Y. Jets Noon Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Noon New England at Houston Noon Indianapolis at Jacksonville Noon San Diego at Kansas City Noon Washington at Chicago Noon Atlanta at Carolina Noon Oakland at Denver 3:05 p.m. Dallas at Green Bay 3:25 p.m. Seattle at Baltimore 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 N.Y. Giants at Miami 7:30 p.m. ——— WEEK 15 Thursday, Dec. 17 Tampa Bay at St. Louis 7:25 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 N.Y. Jets at Dallas 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 Chicago at Minnesota Noon Atlanta at Jacksonville Noon Houston at Indianapolis Noon Arizona at Philadelphia Noon Carolina at N.Y. Giants Noon

Tennessee at New England Noon Buffalo at Washington Noon Noon Kansas City at Baltimore Cleveland at Seattle 3:05 p.m. 3:25 p.m. Denver at Pittsburgh Miami at San Diego 3:25 p.m. Cincinnati at San Francisco 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 Detroit at New Orleans 7:30 p.m. ——— WEEK 16 Thursday, Dec. 24 San Diego at Oakland 7:25 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 Washington at Philadelphia 7:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 New England at N.Y. Jets Noon Houston at Tennessee Noon Cleveland at Kansas City Noon Indianapolis at Miami Noon Noon Jacksonville at New Orleans San Francisco at Detroit Noon Dallas at Buffalo Noon Chicago at Tampa Bay Noon Carolina at Atlanta Noon N.Y. Giants at Minnesota Noon St. Louis at Seattle 3:25 p.m. Green Bay at Arizona 3:25 p.m. Pittsburgh at Baltimore 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28 Cincinnati at Denver 7:30 p.m. ——— WEEK 17 Sunday, Jan. 3 Noon N.Y. Jets at Buffalo Noon New England at Miami Tampa Bay at Carolina Noon Noon New Orleans at Atlanta Baltimore at Cincinnati Noon Pittsburgh at Cleveland Noon Jacksonville at Houston Noon Noon Tennessee at Indianapolis Oakland at Kansas City Noon Washington at Dallas Noon Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants Noon Detroit at Chicago Noon Minnesota at Green Bay Noon San Diego at Denver 3:25 p.m. Seattle at Arizona 3:25 p.m. St. Louis at San Francisco 3:25 p.m. ——— WILD CARD WEEKEND Saturday, Jan. 9 AFC Wild Card Game TBA NFC Wild Card Game TBA Sunday, Jan. 10 AFC Wild Card Game TBA NFC Wild Card Game TBA ——— DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF ROUND Saturday, Jan. 16 AFC Divisional Playoff TBA NFC Divisional Playoff TBA Sunday, Jan. 17 AFC Divisional Playoff TBA NFC Divisional Playoff TBA ——— CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday, Jan. 24 AFC Championship TBA NFC Championship TBA ——— SUPER BOWL 50 Sunday, Feb. 7 at Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif. AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion TBA

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

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

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

Santa anna MountaineerS

Sharon’s Beauty Salon

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

Go Mountaineers!

Thank You to all my customers

Good Luck Mountaineers

Electrical • Air Conditioning

Coleman County Telephone Co-op, Inc. 215 N. 2nd St. • Santa Anna • 325-348-3124

Santa Anna National Bank

24 Hour Service

646-7740 • 752-1020

TECL 17231 • TACLA022662C

gO gEt ‘EM

Mustangs!

610 Wallis Ave. • 325-348-3108

GO MOUNTAINEERS!

richland SpringS coyoteS McKinnerney & Associates Real Estate supports the Richland Springs Coyotes all the way to state!

325-452-3357 • 100 W. Coyote Trail Richland Springs, TX

PIGSKIN PREVIEW â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

2015 TEAM SCHEDULES BANGS DRAGONS

A28 Ballinger S4 at Llano S11 at Goldthwaite S18 Coleman# S25 OPEN O2 at Merkel* O9 Clyde* O16 at Early* O23 Jim Ned* O30 at Wall* N6 Brady* * District Game # Homecoming

COMANCHE INDIANS

BLANKET TIGERS A29 Mullin## S4 Stephenville Faith S11 at Gordon S18 at May S25 Santa Anna O2 at Zephyr O9 Lometa# O16 OPEN O23 at Sidney* O30 Panther Creek* N6 at Rising Star* * District Game # Homecoming ## at Zephyr, 10 a.m.

EARLY LONGHORNS

A28 Clyde S4 at Tolar S11 Cisco# S18 at Brady S25 at Glen Rose* O2 Grandview* O9 at Whitney* O16 McGregor* O23 OPEN O30 at West* N6 Hillsboro*

A28 San Saba S4 Brock S11 at Coleman S18 at Hawley at Jim Ned* S25 O2 Wall* O9 at Brady* O16 Bangs#* O23 at Merkel* O30 Clyde* N6 OPEN

* District Game # Homecoming

MULLIN BULLDOGS A29 Blanket## S4 Santa Anna S11 at Rochelle S18 at Oglesby at Panther Creek S25 O2 Lometa# at Richland Springs* O9 O16 Cherokee* O23 OPEN O30 at Lohn* N6 Brookesmith* * District Game # Homecoming ## at Zephyr, 10 a.m.

SIDNEY EAGLES A28 Cherokee S4 at Lohn S11 at Cranfills Gap S18 at Morgan S25 at Brookesmith O2 Gustine# O9 at Stephenville Faith O16 OPEN O23 Blanket* O30 Rising Star* N6 at Panther Creek* *District Game # Homecoming

RICHLAND SPRINGS COYOTES A28 at Rochelle S4 Lometa S11 San Antonio FEAST S18 Balmorhea at Veribest S25 O2 Bryson# O9 Mullin* O16 at Lohn* O23 Brookesmith* O30 OPEN N6 at Cherokee* * District Game # Homecoming

VICTORY LIFE WARRIORS

BROOKESMITH MUSTANGS

BROWNWOOD LIONS

COLEMAN BLUECATS

A28 at Moran S4 Gustine S11 at Santa Anna S18 Eden S25 Sidney O2 OPEN O9 Lohn#* O16 at Panther Creek O23 at Richland Springs* O30 Cherokee* N6 at Mullin*

A28 at Gatesville S4 at Graham S11 Liberty Hill S18 at Alvarado S25 Burkburnett# O2 Springtown O9 at Stephenville* O16 Abilene Wylie* O23 OPEN O30 at Snyder* N6 Big Spring*

A28 at Jim Ned S4 at Hawley S11 Early S18 at Bangs S25 Anson O2 OPEN O9 at Post* O16 Colorado City#* O23 at Stanton* O30 at Coahoma* N6 Ballinger*

* District Game # Homecoming

GOLDTHWAITE EAGLES A28 at Mart S4 Jim Ned S11 Bangs# S18 at Mason S25 Academy O2 OPEN O9 San Saba* O16 at De Leon* O23 Tolar* O30 at Hico* N6 Hamilton* * District Game # Homecoming

RISING STAR WILDCATS A29 Oglesby## S4 at May S11 Robert Lee S18 Gordon S25 at Cherokee O2 Evant# O9 at Zephyr O16 OPEN O23 at Panther Creek* O30 at Sidney* N6 Blanket* * District Game # Homecoming ## at Zephyr, 1 p.m.

ZEPHYR BULLDOGS

A28 at San Marcos Hill Country S4 Athens Christian S12 Miami (at Paducah) S18 VLA-Durant# S25 Temple Holy Trinity O2 OPEN O9 Killeen Memorial Christian O16 Granbury NCT Academy* O23 Heath Fulton* O30 Richardson Canyon Creek* N7 Long. Trinity* (at Ft. Worth)

A29 Meadow S4 at Sterling City S11 May S18 Jonesboro S25 OPEN O2 Blanket# O9 Rising Star O16 at Lingleville O23 at Evant* O30 Santa Anna* N6 at Lometa*

* Distict Game # Homecoming

* District Game # Homecoming

HPU YELLOW JACKETS S5 Trinity S12 Wayland Baptist S19 at SWAGU S26 Austin College O3 at Texas Lutheran O10 OPEN O17 East Texas Baptist#* O24 at Hardin-Simmons* O31 Louisiana College* N7 at Mary Hardin-Baylor* Sul Ross* N14 * Conference Game # Homecoming

SAN SABA ARMADILLOS A28 at Early S4 Harper S11 at Johnson City S18 Thorndale# S25 at Valley Mills O2 OPEN O9 at Goldthwaite* O16 at Hamilton* O23 De Leon* O30 at Tolar* N6 Hico* * District Game # Homecoming

MAY TIGERS A28 Garden City## S4 Rising Star S11 at Zephyr S18 Blanket# S25 Throckmorton at Water Valley O2 O9 at Gustine* O16 Strawn* O23 OPEN O30 at Gordon* N6 Lingleville* * District Game # Homecoming ## at Zephyr, 8 p.m.

SANTA ANNA MOUNTAINEERS A28 Whitharral## S4 at Mullin S11 Brookesmith S18 Rochelle S25 at Blanket O2 Eden# O9 at Blackwell O16 OPEN O23 at Lometa* O30 at Zephyr* N6 Evant* * District Game # Homecoming ## at Zephyr, 5 p.m.

Thursdays during football season ...

and online throughout the year

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

ComanChe IndIans

We Support the Comanche Indians! Pfingsten Surveyors PC

PF&E Oil Company

Scott Huddleston RPLS 107 South Page • 325-356-2267

Cisco Brownwood Comanche Cross Plains 325-646-1584 254-725-6582 325-356-2888 254-725-6582

Comanche County Abstract Company

For All Your Petroleum And Oil Needs Order Online @ www.pfeoilco.com

106 N. Austin • Comanche, TX 76442 (325) 356-2564

“We Support The Indians”

Coleman BlueCats

Stevens Funeral Home

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

The Petal Patch Supports the Bluecats!

310 S. Commercial Ave. • 325-625-2109

Electrical • Air Conditioning

24 Hour Service

646-7740 • 752-1020

TECL 17231 • TACLA022662C

GO Get ‘eM

Bluecats

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

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

rIsIng star wIldCats Star Grocery 112 E. College Street 254-643-2221

Go Wildcats!

PIGSKIN PREVIEW ‘15 | BROWNWOOD BULLETIN | 08.23.15

LIVE WHERE YOU PLAY

BROWNWOOD’S ONLY GOLF & LAKE COMMUNITY Private, Wooded Homesites starting from

$19,900

Golf Course Homesites starting from New Clubhouse!

$29,900

Lake View and Lakefront Homesites Also Available EASY FINANCING AVAILABLE

Buy in the Next 30 Days and We’ll Pay Your Closing Costs! * Take Advantage of This Exclusive Land Buying Opportunity! 1,400 acre master planned resort and golf community situated on the shores of Lake Brownwood · Clubhouse with restaurant, full service bar, lodging and function room · The Hideout Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course with pro shop and driving range · Resort style swimming pool and hot tub · Water sports and outdoor activities

Call Today and Schedule Your Tour for the Best Selection! (844) 339- 1225 Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS #1228042.