Veribest's Quest for Elusive First District Title Continues in 2018

VERIBEST, TX-- Veribest, as a town, has been around since the late 1800s. Veribest High School has been around since 1996.

In that time, the Falcons have never won a district championship.

They've been close the last two years, finishing as runner-ups to Santa Anna in 2016 and Water Valley last year in the final game of the regular season. The 2016 season was their first-ever playoff appearance. 

But back-to-back playoff appearances has created a mindset in Veribest, where the players are ready to take the next step.

"Now, it's kind of an expectation we have to be successful," said second year head coach Casey Mund. "The kids realize that and have been working hard. That's where we want to be, in a district title run."

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In the UIL's biennial realignment, the Falcons were placed in a very competitive district in Region IV with Bronte, Eden, Paint Rock and Robert Lee. The Falcons are the only team from District 13-1A DI to make it to the playoffs last year. Robert Lee was in a tough district with the likes of Sterling City and Garden City.

"I think anybody can win in any week in this district," Mund said. "I think there's going to be competitiveness from top to bottom all through the district. I've been preaching to [the team] it's going to have to be a week in and week out thing and we're going to have to play well so we're not the ones left out." 

Former Falcon Jayton Warren transferred to Robert Lee at the end of the spring semester and, while that may add fuel to the Robert Lee-Veribest game, it left a leadership role in need of replacement.

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Mund says Issac Oviedo stepped up over the summer to fill that role. The Falcons also return quarterback Hayden Barnes, who threw for 775 yards last season

"He's been a big leader," Mund added of Oviedo. "He's been getting everyone up here this summer. and working. We expect a whole lot from him."

The Falcons also benefited from a transfer with Justin Moreno. Mund says he hopes that Moreno can fill the hole left on the field by Warren's transfer.

In the past, Veribest has been outmatched in size against opponents. Through the offseason, the Falcons have bulked up. In Mund's eyes, that means they should be a lot better at shedding blocks on defense and creating running lanes for their backs.

"I've seen a difference this summer on how the kids have bulked up," Mund added. "Hopefully that helps us blocking-wise."

The Falcons open up their 2018 campaign at Rochelle on Saturday, Sept. 1, where they'll square off with Neuces Canyon.