Lake View Chiefs Return Offensive Firepower for 2025 Season

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Lake View Chiefs head into the 2025 football season with one of the more exciting offenses in West Texas.

Lake View returns nine starters on offense, including quarterback Chris Alvizo, who had a breakout sophomore season last year with 2,106 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in nine games.

The Chiefs ultimately still struggled to a 2-9 record, but the offense was a bright spot that was averaging 30 points per game through the first nine weeks.

With Alvizo back — along with four returning offensive linemen and top wide receiver Braylon White — head coach Hector Guevara is excited about the potential of Lake View’s offense this fall.

“When our starting quarterback got hurt in the first game last year, (Alvizo) came in and never looked back,” Guevara said. “He carries that swagger and that confidence, but in a humble way. He’s a leader through his work ethic, and he can definitely read a defense. We’re excited to have him back.”

Alvizo returns his top target in White, a dynamic athlete who had 49 catches for 714 yards and nine TDs. 

He’ll be joined by fellow wideouts such as Cristian Esparza (14 catches, 308 yards, 3 TDs), Chris Rodela (12-205, 3 TDs), Nick Leyva, Calvin Whitfield, Roman Garcia and DJ Munoz.

“Braylon is going to be our catalyst,” Guevara said. “He’s grown up and matured, and he’s able to handle adversity. … But we’ve got some other kids at receiver, and we’re hoping Braylon doesn’t have to carry the whole load.”

At running back, Lake View returns Izaiah Rios, who earned first-team all-district honors last year at three positions — kicker, punter and running back.

Rios was pressed into starting duty late in the season due to injury and produced solid games against Big Spring (8 carries for 89 yards) and Pecos (14 carries, 96 yards, TD). He also had a game-tying 41-yard field goal against Pecos in the final seconds to force overtime.

“He’s a versatile running back. He can catch, he can run, he has good vision. So we’ve just got to get him the ball and let him make plays,” Guevara said. 

Conner Williams (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) and Jay Roman lead an offensive line that lost only one starter.

“That’s going to be a big plus for us throughout the season if we can stay healthy,” Guevara said. “Games are won on the line of scrimmage, and having that experience is going to help us tremendously.”

Lake View brings back eight starters on defense, though many of those players are the same returners on offense.

Linebackers Isaac Monreal and Abram Rivera will anchor the defense in the middle. Other players include defensive backs Garcia and Kentrell Johnson, along with defensive linemen Joshua Lemos, Jose Vasquez and Rauly Roman.

“We have to go both ways unfortunately, but the good thing is a lot of our kids like it. It’s like old ironman football when you played on both sides of the ball,” Guevara said.

Lake View lost four games last year by eight points or less. Guevara is hopeful the Chiefs can take the next step in their progression this season.

“It was good to see the kids fighting and competing, but unfortunately that’s where experience comes into play. We need to know the importance of protecting the ball and giving that extra effort,” Guevara said. “One play can swing the game around. It’s not necessary that you can lose the game in one play, but it can change momentum.

“I think that experience is going to help us a lot this year. I think we’ll be able to settle down and gather ourselves and regroup and just play football. We’re very fortunate to have a lot of young kids coming back, and we’ve got to grow from that.”

Lake View’s season begins at home Friday, Aug. 29, against Fort Stockton at San Angelo Stadium.

The Chiefs were picked by Texas Football to finish in fourth place in District 3-4A Division I, but second place seems well within reach after close losses last year to Pecos (45-37 OT) and Big Spring (28-21).

San Angelo Lake View Chiefs

2025 schedule

Aug. 29   Fort Stockton

Sept. 5   at Snyder

Sept. 12   at Lamesa

Sept. 19   Lubbock High

Sept. 26   Levelland

Oct. 3   Burnet

Oct. 10   at Brownfield

Oct. 17   OPEN

Oct. 24   at Pecos*

Oct. 31   at Big Spring*

Nov. 7   Andrews*

*District 3-4A Division I game

GRAPE CREEK, TX — Tanner Thiel believes this year's Grape Creek football team has the chance to make school history.

The ninth-year Eagles head coach oversaw the program's first share of a district title in 2021, and he led them to their fourth playoff appearance last year.

One accomplishment that has eluded Grape Creek since it opened its doors 27 years ago, however, is a playoff trophy.

With an exciting group of returning — including six starters back on offense and five on defense — Thiel thinks this could be the year that drought ends.

“We've been to the playoffs, but we haven't won that first one, and so that ultimately is our goal. We think we're good enough that we can get kind of the monkey off our back and get that first playoff win,” Thiel said. 

Leading the Eagles' returners is running back Sire Garcia, who had 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Garcia was also a first-team all-district inside linebacker.

“Our kind of workhorse the last couple of years is Sire Garcia," Thiel said. "He's a two-way starter and he makes our offense go. A big playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.”

Braley Woods (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) will take over at quarterback after being named last year's district Utility Player of the Year.

“A really good arm, and a really big kid," Thiel said. "He’s actually our leading receiver coming back because he played tight end with us previously."

Thiel called outside linebacker Chris Duron "an animal" on defense and one of the team's leaders.

Tight end/safety Gabe Santillan and slot back/defensive back Randy Rodriguez are both two-way standouts.

“We really feel like they’re gonna be special players for us this season," Thiel said. 

Grape Creek went 4-7 last year and finished in a three-way tie for second place in District 4-3A Division II. The Eagles' season ended with a 42-26 loss to Crane in the first round of the playoffs.

“We feel like this year, instead of losing those close games, we feel like we should be able to win those close games," Thiel said. "So we're to the point where we're not satisfied with keeping them close.”

“I think that this is the type of year that basically turns people's heads about Grape Creek.  think our community, our school, our alumni, I feel like this is a year that we can really make them proud. This group of kids that we have coming out this year is some of the best that we've ever had. Talent-wise, top to bottom, it's by far the most talented group that I've had since I've been at Grape Creek.

“I think the main word that comes to mind when I think of our community and our school and our alumni is pride. I think they'll be able to take a lot of pride in the kids that we put out on the field this year.”

Grape Creek Eagles

2025 schedule

Aug. 29   San Saba

Sept. 5   at Reagan County

Sept. 12   at Bangs

Sept. 19   Colorado City

Sept. 26   Tahoka

Oct. 3   at San Angelo TLCA

Oct. 10   at Coahoma*

Oct. 17   Stanton*

Oct. 24   at Wall*

Oct. 31   Merkel*

Nov. 7   OPEN

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