BALLINGER, TX — The Ballinger Bearcats have been practicing like they have something to prove.
The Bearcats football team went through a winless season in 2023, which followed a 1-9 campaign the previous year.
For a program that brought home a playoff trophy just three years ago, it has been a difficult drop.
This year’s group is determined to turn it back around, said Ballinger head coach Ty Lang.
“Through the offseason, these kids have been working with a chip on their shoulder. There’s nothing about last year they liked,” Lang said. “We learned a lot of lessons and a lot about ourselves.
“In summer workouts and this first week of practice, they’ve had a lot of energy and they’ve been wanting to get out there and get a chance to prove themselves.”
Ballinger will begin play this year in Class 2A Division I after dropping from the 3A ranks.
Ballinger running back Zach Canada breaks away against Clyde's defense in a 2022 game.
Eight starters return on each side of the ball, including two players who saw time at quarterback — senior Cade Strube and junior Kyson Weathers.
Lang said it’s still to be determined who will be the starter this year.
“They both have different tools in the toolkit that they bring to our offense,” Lang said. “But we need them both to take leadership roles and pull guys up with them. Because at the end of the day, regardless of who’s the quarterback, they’re both going to be a big piece of what we’re trying to do to be successful.
“It’s been a fun little battle the first few days of practice. They’re trying to one-up each other, and that does nothing but benefit the team.”
Ballinger will again operate out of the power spread formation on offense.
Jaylen Hernandez and Aiden Pena are both back at running back. Jaylin Washington is a newcomer who could make an impact.
“We may not have that one dude that’s the bell cow, but we’ve got several guys that can get in there and do things to help the offense.”
Manny Gonzalez and Bryce Lopez return at wide receiver and give the Bearcats some breakaway speed.
“Those are two guys who know what to do, and they’re both very vocal leaders,” Lang said.
Other receivers who could contribute in the passing game are Hunter Kresta, Dylan Page, Leo Rangel and Coleman King.
“We’ve really got some guys who can help us spread it out and make us more difficult to defend,” Lang said.
Ballinger and Breckenridge football game from 2020
Lang said he believes the linemen will be a big strength of this year’s team on offense and defense.
Aven Ochoa, a second-team all-district selection last year, will anchor the line with fellow senior Tate Riley. Four juniors — Drew Knickerbocker, Landon Cornutt, Aden Sanchez and Jack Robertson — also return.
“Those juniors all saw significant time as sophomores last year. They’re guys that have been in the system and took their lumps,” Lang said. “We’re thankful to have Isaiah Regeon back as our offensive line coach, and he’ll be our offensive coordinator, too.”
Many of the same players on offense will see time on defense, which also has a new coordinator, Matt McBrayer.
Hernandez, a linebacker, and Gonzalez, a safety, each earned second-team all-district honors on defense last year.
The Bearcats have some unfamiliar opponents in District 5-2A with Hico, Hamilton and De Leon, along with some old foes in Coleman and Bangs.
Coleman, De Leon and Hamilton all won playoff games last year.
Ballinger is picked to finish in fifth place by Texas Football Magazine.
“We know we’ve got out work cut out for us, and we’ve seen where the professionals have us picked,” Lang said. “Hopefully we can build on that experience we’ve been through, and it helps us get ready for what we’re about to go do.”
Ballinger’s season begins Friday, Aug. 30, at Merkel. The Bearcats’ home opener is Sept. 6 against Christoval.
Ballinger Bearcats
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Merkel
Sept. 6 Christoval
Sept. 13 at San Angelo TLCA
Sept. 20 Brady
Sept. 27 Stanton
Oct. 4 Open
Oct. 11 at Bangs*
Oct. 18 Hamilton*
Oct. 25 at De Leon*
Nov. 1 Coleman*
Nov. 8 at Hico*
*District 5-2A Division I game
2023 results
Sonora L 12-46
Coleman L 0-40
Stamford L 0-27
Clyde L 0-56
Mason L 0-69
Early L 0-35
Wall L 6-61
Brady L 27-34
San Angelo TLCA 21-36
Grape Creek L 13-30
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