Reagan County Hopes to End 25-year District Title Drought in Weston's Second Year

BIG LAKE, TX-- The last time the Reagan County Owls won a district title was nearly 25 years ago.

The second year of Blake Weston’s head coaching career begins with the expectation to snap that quarter century drought. The UIL set the Owls up in a favorable position by shipping them out west in the four-team District 1-3A DII with Alpine, Anthony and Crane.

“The community’s support here is amazing,” Weston said. “I think the excitement is running high through the whole town...Everyone says ‘Well, you’re in the playoffs.’ That’s not the goal, to just make playoffs. The goal is to win a district championship every year. That was our goal last year and that’s our goal this year.”

Weston also acknowledged to competitive nature of District 1, but said, “If we do everything right, a district championship is in our sight.”

Last year, the Owls went 5-6 in Weston’s first year with a limited playbook. The former Sonora offensive coordinator likes to pass the ball and Reagan County was used to a run-heavy offense. Last season the Owls rushed for 2,674 yards while throwing for just 1,472. The year before, they rushed for over 3,000 yards while not breaking 1,000 yards passing.

“I think making the playoffs last year really helped us,” Weston said. “Second year, we’re looking to take that further. I think we’ve just got to do what we do and get better each day. The rest will take care of itself.

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The Owls, led by receiver-turned-quarterback Justin Chavez, picked up Weston’s offense toward the end of the 2017 season and the Owls clinched their third-straight playoff berth.

That momentum has carried over into the offseason for the smallest 3A school in the state.

“It’s been awesome this summer,” Weston said. “We had, on average, 40 to 50 kids in the weight room. So, that’s been huge.”

Because the Owls are entering their second season under Weston, the head coach says his team is much further ahead of where they were last year in fall camp.

“The offense has been great because they know what to expect,” Weston added. “This year has been night and day from last year.”

Leading that charge for the Owl’s offense is their senior quarterback Chavez, entering his first full year as the starter.

With the familiarity Chavez has entering year two of the offensive scheme, Weston has high expectations for his signal caller.

“When we line up and he’s checking stuff at the line, it’s amazing,” Weston said. “With the offense we run, we have a lot of checks and reads in our offense. Last year, he played receiver, running back and quarterback. He played everywhere. So, he knows what everyone is supposed to be doing.”

In front of Chavez is a sizable line highlighted by 6-foot-3 Jose Rocha and state powerlifting record holder Tristan Ortiz.

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“[Tristan] is a staple up front,” Weston said. “I think people take for granted what he does defensively. He demands a double team. He’s a big ole’ kid. Not only is he big, he has great feet.”

Weston said Ortiz is also the leader of the offensive line. “To have that leader, that big, imposing power is huge for us,” Weston added.

In the hard-working community of Big Lake, Weston is sure his kids will always mirror that blue collar work ethic on the field. Weston was praised by a coach he played last year for that mindset.

“You don’t have to worry about them being not physical,” Weston was told of his team. “We rely on being a physical spread team.”

The Owls will begin the 2018 season at home on Friday, Aug. 31, against Stanton.