VERIBEST, TX — Last year, the Veribest Falcons again fielded one of the state’s best six-man football teams that didn’t make the playoffs.
Veribest started the season 6-1 before dropping its last three games to fall short of the playoffs for the fifth straight year.
A year earlier, the Falcons went 8-2 and still missed the postseason.
Veribest head coach Justin Morris said that’s just life when you’re in one of the toughest districts in Texas.
“We’ve been pretty successful the last couple years. Unfortunately in six-man, they only take two to the playoffs, because when you’re in a district as tough as ours, sometimes having an 8-2 and 6-4 season just isn’t good enough.”
This year, Veribest will have to get through No. 3-ranked Water Valley and No. 15 Robert Lee to punch its ticket to the playoffs from District 8-1A Division I.
The Falcons hung tough in a 76-63 loss to Robert Lee last year, and they weren’t 45’ed in a loss to eventual state semifinalist Water Valley (53-22).
Veribest returns three starters on both sides of the ball, but the Falcons will be without running back Bryce Martin, who chose to sit out his senior season after rushing for over 1,100 yards last year.
“I can’t be happier with the ones that have come out. They’re busting their butts and filling the void he left,” Morris said. “The younger guys have stepped up since Day 1, and I’m really proud of the way they’ve picked up the slack.”
Veribest returns Lorenzo Hight, who is moving to running back. He played some at quarterback and wide receiver last year.
Brayson Walker returns on the offensive and defensive lines, while Zander Colon returns as a running back and linebacker.
Morris said two promising newcomers are lineman Matthew Mata and quarterback/defensive end Bentley Saladino.
Despite the upcoming challenge in district, Veribest’s goal of making the playoffs won’t change, Morris said.
On a team filled with freshmen and sophomores, the Falcons are also building for the future.
“Our goal is just for these guys to get better each week. We have a lot of underclassmen that don’t have varsity-level experience, and this is new for them. I want them to be the best football players they can right now, and hopefully in two or three years that early varsity experience will have paid off for them,” Morris said.
Veribest’s season begins Aug. 29 at Zephyr. The Falcons’ district road begins Oct. 10 at Paint Rock.
Veribest Falcons
2025 schedule
Aug. 29 at Zephyr
Sept. 5 at Whitharral
Sept. 12 Bronte
Sept. 19 at Baird
Sept. 26 Medina
Oct. 3 at Nueces Canyon
Oct. 10 at Paint Rock*
Oct. 17 Water Valley*
Oct. 24 OPEN
Oct. 31 at Robert Lee*
Nov. 7 Irion County*
*District 8-1A Division I game
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