2024 West Texas Six-Man Football Preview

Pickup trucks parked all around the field. Fans sitting in lawn chairs along the fence. The energy from everyone in town hanging out at a little stadium. 

And the feature attraction is a unique brand of football with 80-yard fields, first-and-15s and four-point field goals.

The vast majority of the players will never get a bit of college interest, but you won’t find a more pure form of football, like a backyard game you played when you were a kid.

If you live in West Texas, you’re in luck because it’s home to some of the best six-man football you’ll find.

Here’s a look at the six-man teams in our area this season (listed in alphabetical order):

Blackwell Hornets

When you’re state-ranked coming off a losing season, your program has earned some respect.

The Blackwell Hornets enter this fall ranked No. 25 in the state in Class 1A Division II despite a record of 4-5 last season.

It’s a nod to Blackwell’s success in recent years. 

The Hornets have won seven playoff trophies since 2017, including a memorable run to the state semifinals in 2019 when they stunned No. 1-ranked Jayton.

First-year head coach Wiley Cummings, who is in his seventh year overall with the program, said last season’s struggles began with a critical injury in Week 1.

“We couldn’t stay healthy. Our guy who was supposed to be the quarterback broke his hand the first game, and we never could get right,” Cummings said. “So we had to start a little freshman guy (Brayden Claborn). It’ll pay off for him this year.”

Claborn is one of four returning starters on offense, along with junior running back Kreed Cummings, who was the district’s Newcomer of the Year last season.

Senior Cooper Claborn, who was a first-team all-district selection as a defensive utility player, is one of three starters back on defense.

Other returners include seniors Eli Drake and Alex Hall, juniors Jacob Rivera, Jaxon Shipman and Ryder Antilley, and sophomore Rennder Gardenhire.

According to Texas Football Magazine, Blackwell is the favorite to win District 6-1A, which includes Loraine, Bronte, Trent and Olfen.

“The main thing is we’re just trying to get back in the playoffs. Then once we get there, anything can happen,” Cummings said. “But we’ve got to stay healthy and keep growing each week.”

Blackwell schedule

Aug. 30   Aspermont

Sept. 6   at Zephyr

Sept. 13   Roby

Sept. 20   at Robert Lee

Sept. 27   at Highland

Oct. 5   Panther Creek

Oct. 11   at Olfen*

Oct. 18   Loraine*

Oct. 25   at Bronte*

Nov. 1   Open

Nov. 8   Trent*

*District 6-1A Division II game

Bronte Longhorns

Bryce Meador played for two football coaches when he was in high school at Aspermont — Kevin Ray and Vance Jones.

Both are in the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Now the head coach at Bronte, Meador hopes to take what those two legendary coaches taught him and apply it to his new team this season.

“I have very, very simple things I do. I don’t try to make it overcomplicated,” Meador said. “I got to learn from the best. And in the words of Vance Jones, ‘Run what you know.’”

Meador inherits a team with four returning starters on each side of the ball. The Longhorns went 4-8 last year and won a playoff game.

Overall, Bronte had 15 boys out for football practices.

Meador said he expects his offensive leaders to be senior tailback Cole Knight, junior quarterback Joel Pena and sophomore fullback Jack Robbins.

“The Robbins kid can go,” Meador said. “And he’s also the kicker. I’ve been to a lot of schools, and this is the first school I rolled up into and they said, ‘Coach, we’ve got a kicker and we’re solid,’ and he’s backed that up.”

Senior Kolten Dyer also returns after being named a second-team all-district tight end last year.

“He’s going to help on both sides of the ball,” Meador said. “He’s not as explosive as those other guys, but he’s a solid, good-sized kid.”

The defense will be led by Knight, Roy Flores and Caleb McIntire, who was a first-team all-district defensive lineman.

Bronte is picked to finish third in District 6-1A Division II by Texas Football Magazine, but Meador likes his team’s chances.

Bronte is joined in the district by No. 25-ranked Blackwell, Loraine, Trent and Olfen.

“It looks good for us, because almost everybody is in the same boat. Four of the teams have new coaches,” Meador said. “So everybody’s in the same mix of whose kids can learn it better, and on top of that, who has the more athletic kids. 

“And in that regard, I’m hoping we have the lead.”

Meador said the goal is to get in the playoffs and keep adding to the trophy case.

“Division II ball is its own beast. It really depends on what part of the bracket you fall in,” Meador said. “Considering this location and district, anybody’s got a chance to make a run. So I’m expecting to succeed and do well in district, and then we want to make a run.”

Bronte schedule

Aug. 29   at Santa Anna

Sept. 6   at Rule

Sept. 13   Veribest

Sept. 20   Menard

Sept. 27   Eden

Oct. 4   at Robert Lee

Oct. 11   at Loraine*

Oct. 18   Open

Oct. 25   Blackwell*

Nov. 1   at Trent*

Nov. 8   Olfen*

*District 6-1A Division II game

Eden Bulldogs

The Eden High School football team is hoping to find some traction this season in the Hill Country.

The Bulldogs are on the move from a Concho Valley-based district to one with Hill Country schools from Medina, Nueces Canyon and Leakey — along with an old rival from Menard.

Considering Eden’s former district now has three Top 25 teams in it, Bulldogs head coach Steven Grigsby is willing to put up with all of the extra driving.

“I don’t like the travel, but I’m glad we slid south where we can at least be competitive,” Grigsby said. “I know there’s still some good teams down there, but we’re hoping to compete.”

Eden went 2-8 last season, but the Bulldogs were better than their record suggests. The Bulldogs lost two games by six points, and they beat a Bronte team that went on to win a playoff game.

Eden also had a respectable showing in a 46-25 loss to a Blackwell team that enters this season ranked No. 25.

“We played with people and hung around with people, and then either their talent took over or our lack of depth killed us,” Grigsby said.

Eden has 17 players out for practices, which could help with depth.

The Bulldogs lost only one senior, but they had a significant move-out, quarterback Ezra Gamboa, who was a first-team all-district player last year as a sophomore.

Junior Julian Morales will take over as the team’s signal caller, with sophomore Gharitt Cogbill backing him up.

“Both are looking pretty good and doing a lot of good things and making good reads,” Grigsby said.

Junior Blake Teeple returns at running back, while junior Avery Condarco is a returning wide receiver. Both were second-team all-district last year.

Sophomore fullback Nate Barba could also make an impact, Grigsby said.

Eden only has one freshman on the roster. 

Grigsby is hoping to see his team push for a playoff spot this year. After No. 23-ranked Medina, the race for second place could be wide open.

“Maybe the experience (from last year) will help us out and we’ll be more competitive, and that’s all I’m asking them to be. When we walk into a game, it doesn’t matter the name on the shirt, just go compete,” Grigsby said.

Eden schedule

Aug. 30   at Paint Rock

Sept. 6   Sidney

Sept. 13   Lometa

Sept. 20   at Midland TLCA

Sept. 27   at Bronte

Oct. 4   Baird

Oct. 11   Open

Oct. 18   Leakey*

Oct. 25   at Medina*

Nov. 1   Nueces Canyon*

Nov. 8   at Menard*

*District 15-1A Division I game

Garden City Bearkats

An almost completely new team will be taking the field for the Garden City Bearkats this fall.

Garden City has only three players on their roster who have seen any significant playing time on varsity.

The Bearkats have inexperience and lots of it.

But the group has hit the ground running in workouts so far, said head coach Jeff Jones.

“It’s been great. I think we’ve been looking pretty fast. We’re playing fast, moving fast, and we’ve had great effort,” Jones said. “The kids are really having fun playing football again, so that’s great to see.”

Garden City had a relatively big senior class last year, but it was injuries that really contributed to the lack of playing time for this year’s players.

“We had a rash of injuries last year. We had five season-ending injuries. It was just one of those years for us,” Jones said.

Garden City went 3-7 last year and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

The Bearkats’ only returning starter on offense is senior Carson Goodwin, who began last year as a tight end but ended it as a running back, where he’ll play this year.

Senior Levi Easterling, who was a starter on defense last year, will take over at tight end.

Senior Preston Dellinger, who took fifth place last year in the 100-meter dash at the regional track meet, will use that athleticism as an offensive lineman.

Jones said Dellinger made a joke about being a lineman once, and Jones took it seriously.

“Don’t joke with coaches about that,” Jones laughed. “We do get our guard involved with a lot of receiving plays and run plays even. We’re going to use him and he’ll be one of the better weapons on the team. He got stronger over the summer and his blocking is really good. Having him blocking up front for Carson, it’s so far, so good on that.”

Junior Presley Jost, who was Garden City’s JV quarterback last year, will now be the starter on varsity.

“We were a little worried about how he’d handle the varsity speed of the game, but the other day at the scrimmage, he looked good,” Jones said. “He’s a lefty and he’s smart, and so he’s doing a good job for us. He was also the point guard on the basketball team last year, and that helps with maturity too.”

Garden City also has an exciting returner in sophomore Brody Walts, who tore his ACL last season against eventual state champion Gordon. 

The carry before he was injured, Walts scored on a 50-yard touchdown run.

“He made them all miss and shrugged off a couple as a freshman. Not many people did that against Gordon,” Jones said.

Garden City will have a strong defensive front with Dellinger and junior Roberto Almazan.

“He’s the last of the Almazan brothers, and all of them were spectacular football players. It’s just his turn now. He’ll be anchoring our line on both sides of the ball,” Jones said.

Junior linebacker Uziel Lopez will also be a leader for the Bearkats’ defense.

“He’s just got a bunch of natural instincts, and it’s fun to watch him play,” Jones said.

Garden City is in District 4-1A Division I, which places the Bearkats with No. 10 Buena Vista and No. 13 Rankin, along with Marfa and Grady, so grabbing one of the two playoff spots will be a task.

With his talented but inexperienced team, Jones said he’s not focusing on long-term goals, but rather short-term ones like trying to minimize mistakes like turnovers and penalties.

“When you do that type of stuff and you’re prepared, the winning pretty much takes care of itself,” Jones said.

Garden City schedule

Aug. 31   Nazareth (at Jayton)

Sept. 6   Robert Lee

Sept. 13   at Sands

Sept. 20   Irion County

Sept. 27   at Midland Trinity

Oct. 4   at Westbrook

Oct. 11   at Rankin*

Oct. 18   Open

Oct. 25   Buena Vista*

Nov. 1   at Marfa*

Nov. 8   Grady*

*District 4-1A Division I game

Irion County Hornets

Irion County has been home to one of the area’s best six-man football teams in recent years.

The Hornets have won at least eight games for four straight seasons, highlighted by the 2022 team that went 12-1 and reached the state semifinals.

Irion County took a step back last year with an 8-3 record and first-round playoff loss, but the Hornets aren’t going anywhere.

Led by all-state linebacker Parker Posey, Irion County is ranked No. 19 in the state and should again be a formidable team.

“It’s cliche, but it’s not rebuilding, it’s reloading,” said new head coach Tell Rutledge. “There are some pretty talented kids here, and we’ve got a really good senior bunch.”

Posey was a menace on defense last year with 151 tackles, 7 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions to earn second-team all-state honors.

“He’s just a beast,” Rutledge said. “And he’s very football smart. He’s a hard worker and just a good kid overall. But he lives and breathes football. He’s probably a little bit more obsessed than we are as coaches.

“We’re going to put a lot on his shoulders. He’s that typical Ray Lewis-like linebacker leader. We’re depending on him to get everybody lined up right and everybody on the same page for us. He’s a coach on the field.”

Posey will also see time at running back after being named a second-team all-region fullback last year.

He’ll be joined in the backfield by another returning starter, senior running back Colton Lawdermilk, along with senior Aidan Taylor and junior Hagen Turman.

Senior Daniel Crutchfield will take over at quarterback.

Kyle Hope, Maison Siller and Luke McDonald are expected to lead the way on the offensive line.

Many of the same players will contribute on defense, including Lawdermilk, who was a second-team all-region defensive utility player last season.

Though Irion County is the back-to-back defending district champion, the Hornets were picked as the runner-up this season by Texas Football Magazine due to Water Valley (ranked No. 12) dropping back down from 11-man.

Irion County also has to worry about No. 23 Robert Lee, along with Veribest (8-2 last year) and Paint Rock (6-5).

“It’s going to be a tough district,” Rutledge said. “It’s going to be a district where you can’t take any weeks off.

“The main thing we emphasize with the boys is we just want to be the best football team we can be each week and get better each week. And then after that, it’s win district, get in the playoffs, and see where it goes from there.”

The Hornets should be well-prepared by the time district rolls around. Their nondistrict schedule includes games against No. 7 May, No. 10 Buena Vista and No. 13 Rankin from 1A Division I, along with No. 4 Klondike from 1A D-II.

Irion County schedule

Aug. 30   Buena Vista

Sept. 6   Rankin

Sept. 13   at Midland Holy Cross

Sept. 20   at Garden City

Sept. 27   Klondike

Oct. 4   at May

Oct. 11   at Robert Lee*

Oct. 18   Open

Oct. 25   Paint Rock*

Nov. 1   at Water Valley*

Nov. 8   Veribest*

*District 8-1A Division I game

Lohn Eagles

For the first time in a while, there’s some real excitement around the Lohn High School football program.

Often struggling with numbers, Lohn has managed only one win in the last nine years. 

With an enrollment of only 29 students, Lohn remains one of the smallest schools in Texas, but the Eagles have 17 boys out for football this fall.

They return five starters on each side of the ball, bring back head coach Walt Brock, and have added some promising newcomers.

“Last year, we learned how to compete. This year, we want to learn how to win,” Brock said.

“This past spring was my first time having an offseason with them. We got to lift. We’d never really had kids in track. Last year, we took 16 boys to the district track meet, so that’s big and it’s getting the kids fired up.”

Brock’s son Barrett, who was named second-team all-district as a quarterback and safety, returns to lead the offense.

He’ll have some playmakers around him, including wide receiver Jase Moreno, the son of new defensive coordinator Jason Moreno, who was at Brookesmith last year.

Fullback Fermin Delarosa, wide receiver Dallas Keller, center Kadin Reeves, defensive end Connor Nuncio and special teams ace Joe Anthony Delafuente are all back after second-team all-district seasons.

Tight end Cal Slatton is a newcomer who could make an impact.

Defensively, Nuncio will lead the team up front.

“He’s a big, tall rancher kid who’s homegrown here in Lohn, and he’s doing some really good things,” Brock said.

Lohn has the misfortune of being in District 15-1A Division II with No. 2 Richland Springs and No. 11 Rochelle, so a run at a playoff spot seems unlikely.

A successful season, however, seems well within reach.

“The goal is you always want to win that first game, and you want to win that first district game. And if you’re able to do those things, anything’s possible,” Brock said.

Lohn schedule

Aug. 30   at Olfen

Sept. 6   Lueders-Avoca

Sept. 13   Paint Creek

Sept. 20   at Olfen

Sept. 27   Three Way

Oct. 4   Mullin

Oct. 11   Panther Creek*

Oct. 18   at Rochelle*

Oct. 25   Open

Nov. 1   Brookesmith*

Nov. 8   at Richland Springs*

*District 15-1A Division II game

Menard Yellow Jackets

Clay Holland is finally back in his neck of the woods.

Holland, who quarterbacked the Junction High School football team to its last district title in 2003, is the new head coach at Menard, about 30 miles up the road from his alma mater.

While Holland grew up playing 11-man football — followed by a college coaching career primarily in track and field, most recently at Tarleton State — he also spent two years as an assistant coach at Gordon, a school with a strong six-man football tradition.

“It’s good to be back here, back in the Hill Country,” Holland said. “I knew that Menard had the numbers to go down (from 11-man) a few years ago, and I was kind of always looking to see if they’d ever go six-man, because it’s something I’d be interested in.

“The tradition of the community and the school, the toughness of the athletes, was something I was always really intrigued by. So I’m excited to be here to continue the athletic tradition at Menard, but also to build on the six-man tradition.”

Menard is about to begin its third season in the six-man game.

Holland, who was also a state champion in the 110 and 300 hurdles, competed collegiately in track at Texas State University.

He then had assistant coaching jobs at Texas State, the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Lutheran and Tarleton State, before spending the last three years as Tarleton’s head coach.

The thought of Holland’s next stop being in Menard, with an enrollment of 92 students in its high school, seemed unlikely.

“I never thought he’d actually take it,” said Menard High School principal Jacob Hand in an interview with the Menard Messenger. “He is way overqualified.”

Holland inherits an inexperienced squad with only one returning starter on defense and two on offense.

However, Menard’s junior high team went 9-0 last year, so there’s some young talent on the rise.

“We have 24 football players out right now, and workouts have been going well,” Holland said. “We have a lot of inexperience … but I’m really excited about some of the guys that have moved up into these positions.

“We’re not where we want to be right now, but I think we can get there.”

Junior Jayden Payton returns at running back and safety, while senior Logan Powell is back at quarterback.

“He’s really stepped up as a blocker at the quarterback position so far, and he has taken on a leadership role, which we need.”

Junior tight end Cado Bannowsky has “really transformed into a good blocker. He’s still got a lot to learn, but he’s going to lead the way on the offensive side,” Holland said.

Junior Tucker Pullen returns after being sidelined by an injury last year and will be a running back and linebacker.

Colby Powell, the twin brother of quarterback Logan, has missed three years due to numerous injuries, but he’s attempting to finish strong his senior year, which would give the team some speed and maturity, Holland said.

Junior Zeke Hernandez could make an impact in the trenches.

“He’s a big, strong guy, and we’re hoping on the offensive and defensives lines that he comes in and has a presence,” Holland said.

Then there’s the incoming class of freshmen who saw overwhelming success in junior high.

Menard has gone 7-4 and 6-4 in its first two years of six-man. The Jackets are picked to finish second in District 15-1A Division I this season by Texas Football Magazine.

Menard is in a district with No. 24-ranked Medina, Leakey, Nueces Canyon and longtime rival Eden.

“A lot of those teams might have not had great records last year, but they were really young, so I feel like it’s going to be a dogfight every week,” Holland said. 

Menard’s season begins with four consecutive road games, so the Jackets won’t make their home debut until Oct. 4 against Laredo St. Augustine, one of their only three home games in 2024.

Menard schedule

Aug. 30   at Blanket

Sept. 6   Open

Sept. 13   at Mullin

Sept. 20   at Bronte

Sept. 27   at Paint Rock

Oct. 4   Laredo St. Augustine

Oct. 11   at Leakey*

Oct. 18   Medina*

Oct. 25   at Nueces Canyon*

Nov. 1   Open

Nov. 8   Eden*

*District 15-1A Division I game

Olfen Mustangs

The Olfen Mustangs have been trying to find their footing as a football program, but numbers remain an issue.

Olfen, which has been playing at the varsity level since 2020, will have only seven boys out this fall.

The Mustangs bring back head coach Jacob Halsell, along with three players from last year’s team that went 0-4 while playing an outlaw schedule.

“It’s going to be a building year for sure,” Halsell said.

Olfen will be led by Ethan Vann, who was the team’s quarterback last year. A promising newcomer is Stetson Coffey, who was a regional track qualifier last spring.

Freshman Grant Halsell could also make an impact after leading the Mustangs’ junior high team last year.

Olfen is back in a UIL district, 6-1A Division II, with Blackwell, Loraine, Bronte and Trent.

The Mustangs currently have an eight-game schedule planned.

“Really what we’re looking for is to establish an identity and try to kind of solidify football as a sport here at the school, because we are a very, very young school. It’s our eighth year as a high school,” Halsell said. 

“So we’re really just trying to get our foot in the door and get the program started. If we can make it through the whole season and play every game and be competitive, I’m happy.”

Olfen schedule

Aug. 30   Lohn

Sept. 6   Open

Sept. 13   Three Way (at TBD)

Sept. 20   Lohn

Sept. 27   Open

Oct. 4   at Brookesmith

Oct. 11   Blackwell*

Oct. 18   at Trent*

Oct. 25   Open

Nov. 1   Loraine*

Nov. 8   at Bronte*

*District 6-1A Division II game

Paint Rock Indians

Don Gibson has been at Paint Rock long enough to know his seniors before they were in kindergarten.

So when a late-year coaching change left the school scrambling for a new head football coach, the longtime assistant knew he needed to step up and take the reins of the program.

Gibson, who has spent 14 of his 16 seasons at Paint Rock as an assistant, also spent one year as the team’s head coach in 2017.

He’ll lead the program again this fall as the Indians move up into the 1A Division I ranks.

Practices have been encouraging with 27 boys out, giving Paint Rock the luxury of having a varsity and JV.

“We’re young, but we’re going to be getting there,” Gibson said.

Quarterback Kolby Rodgers returns to direct the offense, along with center Arnulfo Campos, running back Elijah Rodriguez and fullback Joey Hernandez.

Sophomore running back Angel Briones is a newcomer who could make an impact, along with move-in Trystin Walston.

Paint Rock went 6-5 last year and lost in the first-round of the playoffs.

The Indians will be hard-pressed to make it back after being realigned into a district with three Top 25 teams — No. 12 Water Valley, No. 19 Irion County and No. 23 Robert Lee — along with a Veribest team that went 8-2.

“It’s going to be tough, but the only way to get better is to play people at least as good as you or better, and we’re just looking at it as a challenge,” Gibson said. “I don’t think anyone’s giving us much of a shot at anything, but we’ll probably surprise people.”

Paint Rock schedule

Aug. 30   Eden

Sept. 6   at Loraine

Sept. 13   Gustine

Sept. 20   Rising Star

Sept. 27   Menard

Oct. 4   Open

Oct. 11   at Veribest*

Oct. 18   at Robert Lee*

Oct. 25   at Irion County*

Nov. 1   Open

Nov. 8   Water Valley*

*District 8-1A Division I game

Panther Creek Panthers

Panther Creek is home to one of our area’s most storied football programs. 

The Panthers won three state titles in 1992, 1993 and 2000, securing their place as a six-man dynasty.

As time has gone on, however, Panther Creek’s numbers have slowly dwindled, and the great seasons don’t happen as often.

The Panthers’ last playoff win came in 2016 when they reached the state quarterfinals.

Panther Creek has the will to restore that tradition, said third-year head coach Gary Beam, but the numbers remain a challenge.

Panther Creek has only 10 boys who will open the season Friday, Aug. 30, at Priddy.

“When you look back on those teams that were so dominant from the 90s and early 200s, we were running with 70 to 90 kids in the high school. We’re sitting out here now with enrollment in the upper 40s or low 50s,” Beam said.

“Right now, what’s hurting (football) the most at the high school level is we’re girl heavy. We don’t have a single boy in the junior class. And if you know anything about football, you know that when you don’t have underclassmen, you’re at a disadvantage.

The lack of numbers is an inescapable fact that has limited Panther Creek in recent years.

“Depth is a huge thing for us. We’ve got 10 kids going, and two or three who are playing have absolutely no experience whatsoever. We have a bunch of freshmen who haven’t played a varsity game, so it’s different,” Beam said. “We’d love to bring back that tradition. It’s what we pride ourselves on. We just don’t have those kids like they had then, those homegrown kids, and we don’t have those kind of numbers.”

Panther Creek battled to a 4-4 record last year and had a chance to earn a playoff spot heading into the final game of the season.

The Panthers return three players from that team, all of whom were starters.

Senior Cason Ainsworth plays at running back and defensive end. Sophomore Aidan Patterson plays at center and defensive end, and fellow sophomore Malachi Bentley plays at running back and linebacker.

A couple of freshmen, Caleb Hale and Caleb Story, have been taking snaps at quarterback.

“We’re progressing a little slower than what I’d like, but we’ve got a very young team,” Beam said. “They’re working hard, which is always a good sign. We’re just young and inexperienced.”

Panther Creek was realigned into District 15-1A Division II with No. 2-ranked Richland Springs and No. 11 Rochelle, so the path to the playoffs will be especially difficult.

With a tradition like Panther Creek, however, the playoffs are always the goal, Beam said.

“We’re not using inexperience or any of that as an excuse. The playoffs are the goal still,” Beam said. “I don’t see us being a team that can just dominate people. But I do feel like we have a team that can go out and win some ball games. They’ll have to grow up really fast, and I think they will. And if they do that, maybe we’ll put ourselves in position where we are playing for the playoffs. You just never know.”

Panther Creek schedule

Aug. 30   at Priddy

Sept. 6   Mullin

Sept. 13   at Water Valley

Sept. 20   Open

Sept. 27   Paint Creek

Oct. 5   at Blackwell

Oct. 11   at Lohn*

Oct. 18   Open

Oct. 25   at Richland Springs*

Nov. 1   Brookesmith*

Nov. 8   Rochelle*

*District 15-1A Division II game

Richland Springs Coyotes

Expectations are always high in Richland Springs, where the Coyotes have brought home nine state titles, all of them since 2004.

This year is no different as the Coyotes are ranked No. 2 in the state in 1A Division II.

They return four starters on defense and three on offense from a team that went 13-1 last year and reached the state semifinals.

The Coyotes’ path back will be loaded with landmines.

No. 11 Rochelle is in Richland Springs’ district, No. 8 Cherokee could be waiting in the first round, and Region IV is filled with strong teams, including No. 1 Oglesby, which ended the Coyotes’ season last year.

A potential rematch with Oglesby awaits in the state quarterfinals.

“I think the sky’s the limit, but our region is tough,” Richland Springs head coach Shawn Rogers said. “It’s not going to be easy, but anything worth having is not going to be easy.”

Richland Springs will be led on both sides of the ball by junior Billy Perry, who was first-team all-state as a defensive lineman and the Defensive MVP of his region. 

He was also a second-team all-region running back for the Coyotes last year.

“We’re expecting really big things out of that kid,” Rogers said.

Senior Hutton Rogers returns after being named a first-team all-state wide receiver in 2023.

Two other players who earned honorable mention on the all-state team — senior fullback Gage Behrens and sophomore utility back Cohen Ethridge — are also back.

Senior E.J. Aviles, who rushed for 1,992 yards and 42 touchdowns the last two years at Oglesby, is an exciting transfer to Richland Springs (and a significant loss for the state’s top-ranked team).

Junior Ethan Deeds is another transfer who played quarterback last year for 11-man Goldthwaite.

Perry, Ethridge, Aviles and Deeds could all see time at spread back.

“We can rotate them all in and probably not miss a beat,” Rogers said.

Other players to watch include wide receivers Jim Eckerman and Rush Norris, along with center Bryce Roesler.

Rogers is hopeful all of the offensive talent he has can work on defense as well.

“I feel like if we can get our defense to come together and jell and get the right people on the field healthy, we can have one of the top defenses around,” Rogers said.

Richland Springs schedule

Aug. 30   Leakey Big Springs

Sept. 6   Bryan St. Joseph

Sept. 13   at Nueces Canyon

Sept. 20   at Burkeville

Sept. 27   Giddings State School

Oct. 4   at Anton

Oct. 11   at Brookesmith*

Oct. 18   Open

Oct. 25   Panther Creek*

Nov. 1   at Rochelle*

Nov. 8   Lohn*

*District 15-1A Division II game

Robert Lee Steers

The Robert Lee Steers are a rare team that’s ranked in the Top 25 in the state, and yet they’re picked to miss the playoffs by Texas Football Magazine.

That’s because No. 23-ranked Robert Lee shares a district with No. 12 Water Valley and No. 19 Irion County.

The Steers grabbed the district’s second and final playoff spot last year behind Irion County, but Water Valley joining the district makes the path to the playoffs much more difficult this year.

The district’s other two teams also had winning records last season — Veribest (8-2) and Paint Rock (6-5).

“It’s going to be a tough district,” Robert Lee head coach Lee McCown said. “It’s just going to be one of those deals where we have to work hard and be prepared, and it’s all about who stays healthy throughout the season. But those are going to be some good district ball games.”

Robert Lee held off Veribest 80-54 last year to secure second place. The Steers weren’t far off from Irion County in a 56-36 loss.

Irion County graduated some all-state players, so Robert Lee could certainly catch the Hornets this time. Water Valley is also returning to six-man after two years in 11-man, so it’s a real possibility that Robert Lee can win the district.

The Steers return three starters on offense and four on defense from last year’s team that went 8-3 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Brenner Sherwood was a second-team all-region spread back last season with 868 rushing yards and 779 passing yards. He was also a first-team all-district cornerback with 75 tackles and 2 interceptions.

Wyatt Bosworth was a second-team all-region tight end who is a “great blocker,” McCown said.

Lucas Martinez, a 5-foot-9, 250-pound nose guard, was also second-team all-region last year with 56 tackles.

The other returning starter is Jaxon Tavarez, who was a second-team all-district defensive lineman.

“Those four were big players for us,” McCown said. “Denver O’Dell is a two-year letterman on varsity, and we’re planning on him to make a bigger impact for us as well.”

Anthony Landeros, who battled through injuries last season, is another two-year letterman that could see significant snaps.

Junior Brennen Hood (6-0, 260) is a newcomer who is projected to be the team’s center.

“Looking at the depth chart, we carry about 14, so we’ve still got quite a few that could be surprises for us,” McCown said.

After a nondistrict schedule that includes games against Blackwell (No. 25 in 1A D-II) and the Coke County Championship against Bronte, Robert Lee’s district road begins at home Oct. 11 against Irion County.

“We want to just have a great season and put ourselves in position to go past district and see what happens after that,” McCown said.

Robert Lee schedule

Aug. 30   Loraine

Sept. 6   at Garden City

Sept. 13   at Ira

Sept. 20   Blackwell

Sept. 27   at Sands

Oct. 4   Bronte

Oct. 11   Irion County*

Oct. 18   Paint Rock*   

Oct. 25   Water Valley*

Nov. 1   at Veribest*

Nov. 8   Open

*District 8-1A Division I game

Rochelle Hornets

The secret is out on the Rochelle Hornets.

While Rochelle didn’t make the playoffs last year — due to sharing a district with Top 10 teams Richland Springs and Cherokee — the Hornets enter this season ranked No. 11 in the state in 1A Division II.

They return all six starters on both sides of the ball from that 7-2 team, led by all-region spread back Merek Howell, and they bring back a head coach who has been at the school for six years.

Everything is lining up for a season to remember in the small community about 10 miles northeast of Brady.

“We have a big senior group with nine seniors, and they have a lot of experience. They’ve been playing together since their pee-wee years,” Rochelle head coach Matt Maciel said.

“This is my second year as head coach but sixth year here in total, and so I know the kids and they know our schemes offensively and defensively. Now instead of teaching the basics and Day 1 stuff, we can kind of grow from what we finished on last year. So this is definitely a special group of boys that we’re bringing back.”

Howell produced nearly 3,000 yards of offense last year in only nine games. He had 2,257 passing yards and 30 TDs, and he added 687 rushing yards and 7 TDs. 

“He’s probably one of the most intelligent players on the football field I’ve ever coached,” Maciel said of Howell. “He’s phenomenal in the open field … He’s a lefty and he’s a gunslinger. He can rip the ball 40 or 50 yards in the air and be accurate with his pass.”

Senior running back Kelton Williams should be another playmaker.

“He’s not very big, maybe 5-8, 160, but he’s like a little bowling ball, and he’s fast. He can make the regional track meet in the 100 and 200. And he loves contact,” Maciel said

Rochelle returns three other senior starters — center Gunner King, guard Cole Estes and running back Nate Vasquez.

Junior Jayce McCormick, who could see time at quarterback and running back, also returns.

Despite suffering a torn ACL, senior Justin Lopez will also play.

“If he was healthy, he’d probably be our second-best player,” Maciel said. “Even at his half speed, he’s still pretty darn good.”

Rochelle has a strong nondistrict schedule that includes games against No. 7 May, No. 12 Water Valley and No. 24 Medina, all of which are 1A Division I schools.

Maciel hopes it will prepare his team for its Week 10 showdown at home against No. 2 Richland Springs, which beat Rochelle 56-24 last year.

“We’ve been right with them the last two years, and they just kind of run away with it toward the end of the game,” Maciel said. “This year, with our senior bunch, I think we have a good shot at giving them a run for their money. It’s like David and Goliath, but I think we can compete with them. We just have to stay healthy.”

Rochelle schedule

Aug. 30   at Medina

Sept. 6   Open

Sept. 13   at May

Sept. 20   Lometa

Sept. 27   Water Valley

Oct. 4   Weatherford Christian

Oct. 11   Open

Oct. 18   Lohn*

Oct. 25   at Brookesmith*

Nov. 1   Richland Springs*

Nov. 8   at Panther Creek*

*District 15-1A Division II game

Veribest Falcons

By nearly every measure, the Veribest Falcons had a memorable football season in 2023.

Veribest began the year with seven straight wins — including three against playoff-bound teams — and the Falcons ended the season with an 8-2 record.

Few teams in Texas had that many wins and failed to make the playoffs.

Veribest was in a district with state power Irion County and up-and-coming Robert Lee, and the Falcons were left out in the cold as the third-place finisher.

“We were excited and happy with the season we had and all the things we accomplished,” said Veribest head coach Justin Morris, whose team saw a six-win improvement from 2022.

“We had an opportunity to make the playoffs all the way until the very last week.”

Veribest returns three starters on each side of the ball from last year’s team to make another run at it.

Unfortunately, the road to the playoffs has only gotten rougher.

There are now three Top 25 teams in Veribest’s way — No. 12 Water Valley, No. 19 Irion County and No. 23 Robert Lee.

“I was talking to a coach the other day, and his exact words were, ‘It’s brutal.’ And I would echo that and agree. Our district is pretty brutal,” Morris said. “Whoever comes out as one of the top two teams is going to be a dang good football team.”

Veribest wasn’t far off from Robert Lee last year in an 80-54 loss, and Irion County graduated some all-state players from the team that 45ed the Falcons.

Water Valley, though ranked No. 10, hasn’t played six-man football in two years.

Veribest is an interesting darkhorse in this district for sure.

The Falcons have about 25 players out for practices this year, including 10 returning lettermen.

Veribest will be led by a strong 1-2 punch in the backfield with senior Lane Howard, who had 840 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns last year, and junior Bryce Martin, who had 684 yards and 20 TDs.

Senior fullback AC Natividad also returns, along with senior Hunter Tucker, who primarily played defense last year but will be helping on the offensive line as well this season.

Another senior, Peyton Larson, returns on the offensive line.

All of those players will also be leading the way on defense.

A freshman, Lorenzo Hight, could take over at quarterback. Other newcomers that could be difference makers are junior utility player Xander Colon and junior lineman Colton Schwartz.

Veribest’s season begins at home Friday, Aug. 30, against Zephyr, which is ranked No. 17 in 1A Division II. 

Veribest schedule

Aug. 30   Zephyr

Sept. 6   Santa Anna

Sept. 13   at Bronte

Sept. 20   Baird

Sept. 27   at Medina

Oct. 4   Nueces Canyon

Oct. 11   Paint Rock*

Oct. 18   at Water Valley*

Oct. 25   Open

Nov. 1   Robert Lee*

Nov. 8   at Irion County*

*District 8-1A Division I game

Water Valley Wildcats

Water Valley is dropping back to six-man after a two-year stay in the 11-man ranks, where the Wildcats went 5-14.

The last time Water Valley was in six-man, the Wildcats reached the state quarterfinals.

So it’s easy to see why Water Valley is ranked No. 12 in the state heading into the season. Second-year head coach Aaron Whitmore said it’s not quite so easy, however, to step right back into six-man and be a state power.

“Everyone’s thinking these kids are hugely experienced in six-man,” Whitmire said. “We do have some experience, but it’s been a couple years, and we have several kids that it will be very new to them.”

Texas Football Magazine also predicted Water Valley to win District 8-1A Division I, which includes No. 19 Irion County and No. 23 Robert Lee, along with a Veribest team that went 8-2 last year.

“I know the kids enjoy (being picked first) and the parents love it. Everybody’s talking about it at the coffee shop. But it puts a ginormous target on our shirt,” Whitmire said. “It’s good and bad, because expectations are high, as well they should be. We should be good enough this season to step up and play with them and compete in this district.

“But as far as us winning the district, that’s a bold statement with us having not played a six-man game in two years.”

The Wildcats had 23 players out for the start of football practices.

Water Valley has some exciting returners, including junior quarterback Landon Lacy, who moved back last year after a couple seasons in Wall.

“He’s a big, tall, athletic kid and a great basketball player,” Whitmire said. “We’re very excited about him.”

Anthony Quintana is also back after rushing for about 850 yards last year as an option quarterback. He’ll be at running back this year.

He’ll be joined in the backfield by fullback Boston Wiese.

Cade Manley and Chris Gray are projected as two of the top offensive lineman. Hayden Kolster is set to be the tight end.

“We’ll have a few kids split out here and there, but we’re going to ground and pound it,” Whitmire said.

Brylan Naylor will have a utility role for the team and could see time at numerous positions.

Water Valley’s defense will be run by Trey Sisco, who was Sterling City’s head coach when the Eagles won the state title in 2020.

Quintana and Kolster project as defensive ends, Gray will be a nose tackle, and Weise, Naylor and Lacy will be linebackers.

Water Valley has a nondistrict schedule that includes games against Rochelle (No. 11 in 1A D-II) and Rankin (No. 13 in 1A D-I) right before district play begins at home against Veribest on Oct. 18.

Water Valley schedule

Aug. 30   at Grandfalls

Sept. 6   Hermleigh

Sept. 13   Panther Creek

Sept. 20   Buena Vista

Sept. 27   at Rochelle

Oct. 4   at Rankin

Oct. 11   Open

Oct. 18   Veribest*

Oct. 25   at Robert Lee*

Nov. 1   Irion County*

Nov. 8   at Paint Rock*

*District 8-1A Division I game

Check out more of our season preview coverage here:

• Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in 2024
• Top 10 Running Backs to Watch in 2024
• Top 10 Wide Receivers to Watch in 2024
• Top 10 Offensive Lineman to Watch in 2024
• Top 10 Defensive Players to Watch in 2024
• West Texas Football 2024 District Predictions
• West Texas Football Dream Tour 2024