PAINT ROCK, TX — The Paint Rock Indians were picked to finish last in their district this fall, but head coach Don Gibson sees a team that is ready to surprise some people.
The Indians lost only three players from last year, and they’ve looked encouraging in recent scrimmages, highlighted by scoring six touchdowns against a Blanket team that won eight games last year.
“The kids know the scheme we’re running, and that makes it a lot better and quicker to pick things up,” Gibson said. “And when you make a change, it’s not a big deal.”
Gibson said Paint Rock also added two new players from Wall and Eden.
Gibson is heading into his 18th season with the school. This will be his third stint as head coach, along with 2017 and ‘24. He takes over for David McAbee, who was 3-7 last year in his one season with the team.
Junior quarterback Jaeden Jackson will lead the Indians’ offense after seeing some playing time last year.
Gibson was also excited by junior wide receiver Ezra Ruiz, a talented athlete who was the MVP of his district in basketball as a freshman.
A knee injury sidelined him last year.
“He has a lot of speed and great hands,” Gibson said.
Other potential playmakers include sophomore Kyle Eimer and freshman Austin Lloyd
Senior Slayton Carpenter is the Indians’ top lineman on both sides of the ball and will anchor the team in the trenches with senior Shawn Halfmann.
Ruiz at safety and Jackson at linebacker are leaders on defense.
Paint Rock hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2015, and playing in one of the state’s toughest districts in recent years hasn’t helped that.
This past realignment, Paint Rock was moved into a new district with Robert Lee, Bronte, Highland, Baird and Santa Anna.
“I think we have a really good chance this year in that district,” Gibson said. “We’ve been really competitive with most of the teams in it.
“Hopefully we can keep everybody healthy and not have injuries. And if everything goes according to plan, we can make the playoffs and then see how far we can get,” Gibson said.
Paint Rock will begin its season at home Friday, Aug. 28, against Concho County rival Eden.
Paint Rock Indians
2026 schedule
Aug. 28 Eden
Sept. 4 at Veribest
Sept. 11 Midland Holy Cross
Sept. 17 at Leakey
Sept. 25 at Menard
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 Robert Lee*
Oct. 16 at Highland*
Oct. 23 Bronte*
Oct. 30 Baird*
Nov. 6 at Santa Anna*
*District 7-1A Division I game
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