GRAPE CREEK, TX — After winning their first-ever playoff game last fall, the Grape Creek Eagles are aiming to make more program history this year.
New head coach Trey Morgan said his team has “lofty goals” for this season, including winning a district title.
Grape Creek shared a district title in 2021, but the Eagles have never claimed it outright.
“We’re young, so we’re going to have to grow these first five weeks of the regular season, and we’ll use the scrimmages to build on that and work from there,” Morgan said.
“But I think we can beat just about anybody with our size if we stay healthy. Our goal is No. 1 to make the playoffs, but we want to be up there. We want to talk of winning a district championship.”
Grape Creek is picked to finish second in District 3-3A Division II by Texas Football behind Coahoma. The Bulldogs beat Grape Creek 33-27 last year on the way to a 9-3 season.
Both Grape Creek and Coahoma return five starters on each side of the ball, and another close battle could be in the cards to determine the district title.
The other four teams in the district in order of projected finish are Crane, Alpine, Stanton and Anthony.
Grape Creek went 7-5 last year, highlighted by a resounding 50-15 win over Crane in the playoffs.
Grape Creek beats Crane in Bi-District Round
The Eagles lost dynamic running back Darrell West, who rushed for 1,965 yards, along with head coach Tanner Thiel, who had overseen the program since 2018.
Morgan, an assistant for seven seasons under Thiel, came out of a one-year retirement to take over Grape Creek.
“I just realized I still had more left,” Morgan said. “I wanted to give it a try for me and for everybody out here.”
Morgan said the excitement level has been high after the momentum of last year.
“They’ve worked hard all summer,” he said. “There’s a lot of focus on what we’re doing. The kids are excited and it’s just a good turnout.”
Replacing West will be a challenge, and it may not be one player that does it. Anthony Saavedra (5-foot-8, 150 pounds) could be first in line to take those carries after a solid sophomore season in which he rushed for 593 yards and five TDs on 108 carries.
Morgan said speedy sophomore Julien Johnson (5-9, 190) could also make an impact.
Grape Creek will still be operating out of the run-heavy single wing, so whoever takes over at quarterback will often be used more as a lead blocker than a passer.
Jose Saavedra and Aiden Anchondo are two of the top candidates to take over at QB.
When the Eagles decide to throw the ball, some of their pass-catching options include Aiden Perez, Cole Haley and Tony Ybarra.
The strength of Grape Creek could be in the trenches, where the Eagles are “bigger, faster and stronger” than last year, Morgan said.
Edgar Torres (6-0, 230) leads the way after a junior year in which he graded out at 91% and earned first-team all-district honors.
Hayden Simpson (5-11, 170) was a first-team all-district defensive lineman last year and a second-teamer on the offensive line.
Other players expected to help pave the way up front are Landry Knight (6-1, 245), Tony Escobar, Brandon Ireland, Stetson Morgan and Logan Weatherford.
Some of those players will be on the defensive line, along with Jayshawn Johnson (6-0, 240). Konner Linebarger returns at linebacker, while Carson Hunter and Perez will help lock down the secondary.
Morgan expects Grape Creek’s district to be “very competitive.” A strong finish is critical as the Eagles’ first-round playoff opponent will be drawn from District 4-3A, which includes three state-ranked teams — Holliday, Jacksboro and Henrietta. Even the projected fourth-place team, Wichita Falls City View, was 9-3 last year.
Grape Creek will open its season at home Friday, Aug. 28, against Coleman. The Eagles’ path to the playoffs begins with their district opener Oct. 9 at home against Crane.
Grape Creek Eagles
2026 schedule
Aug. 28 Coleman
Sept. 4 at Reagan County
Sept. 11 Eastland
Sept. 18 at Colorado City
Sept. 25 Bangs
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 Crane*
Oct. 16 at Stanton*
Oct. 23 Anthony*
Oct. 30 Coahoma*
Nov. 6 at Alpine*
*District 3-3A Division II game
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