GARDEN CITY, TX — The Garden City Bearkats’ path to the playoffs has been a difficult one the last few seasons, and it’s not getting any easier this year.
Once again, Garden City is sharing a district with a couple of state-ranked teams.
Only two teams from each district qualify for the playoffs in six-man football, so Garden City will have to get through No. 11 Buena Vista or No. 18 Rankin to get into the postseason.
New head coach Clayton Fryar believes his team has the capability and mindset to do it, and that’s what they’re building toward.
“These kids are not used to not being in the playoffs,” Fryar said. “We’ve missed the playoffs in a very, very tough district the last two years, and it’s been hard and frustrating. But we’ve dealt with a ton of injuries, so when we talk about our goals for the season, we don’t talk about right now as far as wins. We talk about getting better every week and staying healthy, and what that allows us to do is maintain a varsity and JV with the type of numbers we’re at right now, because that experience is crucial.
“So if we can just be fundamental, have fun and stay healthy, I think the wins are going to come when they need to come.”
Garden City lost only three players from last year’s team that went 4-6 and earned impressive wins over Top 25 teams like Robert Lee and Nazareth.
The Bearkats fell short in district, however, with a third-place finish after losses to Buena Vista (60-48) and Rankin (62-26).
With 11 returning lettermen, Garden City could have the ammunition to overtake them this fall.
The Bearkats bring back junior running back Brody Walts, who had 818 rushing yards, 355 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns last year.
Sophomore Miles Colunga also returns in the backfield after rushing for 586 yards and 7 TDs.
Presley Jost returns at quarterback, and Roberto Almazan (6-0, 235) returns to lead the offensive line.
Keegan Landers could be another playmaker on offense after returning from a knee injury that cost him all of last year.
Other returners include lineman Brik Fryar, tight end Rylan Jones and middle linebacker Uziel Lopez, who is expected to anchor the defense.
Coach Fryar said while Garden City has plenty of speed this year, the Bearkats don’t have much size.
“Our goal is to create a little bit more space and use speed to our advantage,” Fryar said. “It’s a different mentality and approach from how we’ve done it in the past, so we’ll see how we adapt to that and if it was the right strategy.”
Garden City Bearkats
2025 schedule
Aug. 30 Bryson (at Jayton)
Sept. 5 at Robert Lee
Sept. 12 Sands
Sept. 19 at Irion County
Sept. 26 Midland Trinity
Oct. 3 Westbrook
Oct. 10 Rankin*
Oct. 17 OPEN
Oct. 24 at Buena Vista*
Oct. 31 Marfa*
Nov. 7 at Grady*
*District 4-1A Division I game
MORE: Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Running Backs to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receivers to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Offensive Linemen to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 20 Defensive Players to Watch in West Texas in 2025
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: