SONORA, TX — A huge matchup that could determine the District 3-2A Division I champion is being played Friday between the Sonora Broncos and the No. 6-ranked Ozona Lions.
It is a little early to have district championship games being played, and a team could always surprise the Concho Valley, but as it stands, Ozona (6-0) and Sonora (5-1) look like the best two teams in this district. Both teams earned victories in their first district game with the Lions dismantling the Reagan County Owls, 94-16. (Yes, you read that right. 94) The Lions' win overshadowed Sonora’s win over the Forsan Buffalos, 42-8.
The Broncos had a very balanced offensive attack with quarterback Aaron Segura going 10-of-27 for 217 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Junior Jayden Welborn only needed one reception, which he took 80 yards for his score, as did junior Angel Diaz, who took his catch 75 yards for a TD. Junior Wyatt Killough, who is usually dropping threes on the hardwood, caught three passes for 27 yards and one TD.
On the ground, eight different players toted the rock for a total of 220 yards and three TDs. Senior Acea Gomez had the workload out of the backfield with 19 carries for 72 yards and a score. Senior Jose Guerra averaged 12.5 yards a carry with six touches for 75 yards and a TD, and sophomore Armani Coronado touched the ball twice for 45 yards and a score.
As for the Lions, senior running back Christian “The Untamed” Villarreal took 16 carries for 296 yards and six touchdowns. This season, Villarreal has rushed 115 times for 2,068 yards and 29 touchdowns, putting him on pace to break the state's single-season rushing record in the second round of the playoffs. With insane numbers like that, one would think the Lions don’t throw the ball at all.
That is not the case even though this game doesn’t really showcase it.
Senior quarterback Michael Preddy completed 5 of 9 passes for 180 yards and three TDs, while sophomore Boston Pitts completed 2-of-2 passes for 19 yards. Over the season, Preddy has gone 47-of-68 for 853 yards, 13 TDs and two interceptions.
Preddy has gotten it done when he’s had to, and Villarreal is Villarreal, but the offensive line deserves just as much credit. Threatening a state record that has stood for 72 years can’t be done alone, and the offensive line returned all five starters from last season. This is an experienced group that has tremendous size for a 2A team.
Of course, defense is just as important as offense, and both the Broncos and Lions have a fierce force on that side of the football. Sophomores lead both teams in tackles as Kaleb Ramon has a team-high 45 stops for Ozona, while Armani Coronado leads the Broncos with 64. Sonora has three players with two sacks (Angel Diaz, Acea Gomez, and Juan Acevado) as part of the total 10. The Lions have 12 total and Christian Treto leads the team with three, while Nolan Martinez has contributed two.
Both teams have secondaries that have contributed nine interceptions. Ozona’s Leo Blanco has been the ballhawk with three, while Sonora’s Welborn and Sergio Mata have two each.
Just as important as the district title is playoff seeding. In the first round, District 3-2A will play 4-2A, which has been a power district of late. The Hawley Bearcats, Cisco Lobos, Stamford Bulldogs, Anson Tigers, Olney Cubs, and Abilene TLCA Eagles are all stuffed into this one district. Last year, this district sent Stamford to AT&T Stadium, and in 2021 and 2022, Hawley represented the district. They are a tough task in the first round for any team.
This possible district championship kicks off at 7 p.m. this Friday in Sonora.
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