COVER1: Fall Camps Begin for San Angelo Area High Schools

6A CENTRAL BOBCATS

• The Bobcats finished their 2023 campaign with a 5-6 overall record. The ‘Cats showed flashes of brilliance last season, but shaky stretches left Central in 4th place in District 2-6A. The ‘Cats fell in the first round of the playoffs last season to El Paso Eastwood, 61-49. The Bobcats enter 2023 without their star quarterback, Tyler Hill, who graduated in May. Hill accepted a scholarship offer from Angelo State University and will play football for the Rams moving forward.
• Central only managed to win two district games last season, and the road to more victories only becomes tougher this season. The ‘Cats' district opponents only became tougher, and Dave Campbell’s Texas High School Football has Central picked to finish 5th this year in the district, missing the playoffs. While Central is indeed young and experienced this season, the Bobcats might surprise many people this season. Head Coach Kevin Crane added an experienced college defensive coordinator, Coach Jacob Martin, to the coaching staff this year to try and fix some of the ‘Cats’ defensive woes. Look for the Bobcats to struggle early but get better each and every week.

4A LAKE VIEW CHIEFS

• Injuries killed the Chiefs' playoff chances in 2022. Lake View started 3-1 last season with wins over Lamesa, Sweetwater, and a 5A Lubbock High squad before the injury bug took out half the offense. The Chiefs never fully recovered from the initial injuries and rattled off a disappointing 7-game losing streak to finish the year. Lake View finished with an 0-4 district record and missed the playoffs.
• Look for the Chiefs to bounce back in 2023. If Lake View can stay healthy, a playoff berth is certainly an attainable goal. Head Coach Hector Guevara says that the weapons returning on offense can do some damage. Lake View has six players returning on both sides of the ball and should make positive strides this year.

3A WALL HAWKS 

• The reigning District 2-3A Champions took a 45-10 thumping from Canadian last season to bounce the Hawks from the playoffs in the Regional Finals in 2022. Head Coach Houston Guy led a young team to a 12-2 overall record and an outright district championship last season. Look for the Hawks to be even more dangerous in 2023. The Hawks return eight starters on offense and nine starters on defense.

3A TLCA EAGLES

• TLCA welcomes a new head coach Paulo Gonzales this season. The Abilene-native returns to West Texas after spending last season at Maypearl High School. On his resume, Gonzales sports considerable experience at one of the state’s premiere 6-A schools in North Crowley. Gonzales hopes to bring the winning tradition he’s experienced over the last several years to TLCA.
• The Eagles come off a season where they clinched a playoff spot in a tough district. Their road remains as tough as ever this season as Wall is state-ranked, Early is just behind them, Brady returns experience, and Ballinger should be back to its winning ways. Watch for QB Layne Honea and WR Natavian Sykes to light up the scoreboard on offense this season as Coach Gonzales implements his version of the spread.

3A GRAPE CREEK EAGLES

• Grape Creek enters 2023 with high hopes of turning around an 0-10 finish in 2022. Just two seasons removed from a share of the district title in 2021, Head Coach Tanner Thiel thinks that the Eagles are not far off from competing at a high level again. A problem the Eagles faced last year was the school moving up to 3A with teams like the Wall Hawks. Now, with another season under their belts, the Eagles should perform better this year.
• Thiel says there’s been growth on both the offensive and defensive lines and expects to see progress across the board in 2023. Look for Grape Creek to rely on pounding the rock this season as the Eagles try and earn quality wins.

2A CHRISTOVAL COUGARS 

• The Cougars finished 2022 with a 4-7 overall record and a loss to the eventual State Champion Hawley Bearkats in the first round last season. Injuries and position changes late in the year led to a less effective offense than Head Coach Casey Otho is used to putting on the field. RB Manuel Riojas will likely be the anchor on offense this season. Look for the Cougars to try and get this young man the ball in space this year.

2A MILES BULLDOGS

• The Bulldogs shared a district with the State Champion Albany Lions last season. Couple that with a first-round exit to the underdog Sterling City Eagles, and this Miles Bulldogs squad is motivated in 2023. Head Coach Jayson Wilhelm says his guys are rearing to go and to watch out for what they have to offer this season.
• The biggest x-factor returning for the Bulldogs this season has to be QB Hayven Book. Book threw for 2,435 yards and 38 touchdowns while adding 384 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Book has another year under his belt and should lead the Bulldogs to challenge for dominance in the district and then to a deep playoff run.

2A WATER VALLEY WILDCATS

• The Wildcats finished last year with a 3-7 overall record and last place in their district. Head Coach Aaron Whitmire takes the helm for the Wildcats in an official capacity this year. TLCA’s old head coach, Matt Jones, joins the coaching staff as the defensive coordinator. Water Valley was a young team a season ago, and while they still have many underclassmen suiting up, the experience gained from last season’s struggles should propel the Wildcats in a positive direction moving forward.  

1A VERIBEST FALCONS

• The Falcons missed the playoffs last season, going 2-8 on the year. Veribest beat Eden in district play to claim a district win, but they want more. The Falcons return this year with more experience and are hungrier than ever for success. Look for QB Hunter Hallmark to lead the way for the Falcons in 2023.