Ballinger Hopes to Continue Climb After Last Year’s Breakout Season

BALLINGER, TX — Bryan Gayoso has seen his share of highs and lows during a decade as a football coach at Ballinger High School — from a district title to a winless season and everything in between.

As Gayoso heads into his 11th year with the program, but first as its head coach, things are looking up again.

The Bearcats made a big jump last season, going from an 0-10 team to earning five wins and reaching the playoffs.

With six starters back on both sides of the ball, along with a promising group of newcomers, Gayoso is hopeful Ballinger can continue its momentum.

“That was huge last year. That was a big deal for our guys’ confidence after a down couple of years,” Gayoso said. “And that segued into having a very successful spring. We won the district track meet. We won district in baseball. And I think that’s carried over into a boost of confidence in football.

“My expectations are always high, and I know the players’ expectations are high this year. That being said, each week we’re just going to concentrate on ourselves and getting better at what we do.”

Gayoso said he helped implement the power spread offense the Bearcats have been running since Chuck Lipsey brought it in 2017, and he doesn’t plan on changing that.

There will be an adjustment on defense, however, as new defensive coordinator Matt Jones installs a 3-3 stack. The Bearcats operated out of multiple defensive fronts last year.

Ballinger is already facing some adversity after losing Aiden Pena for the year following a recent diagnosis of spinal stenosis. Pena rushed for 894 yards last season and was also a starting linebacker.

“He was one of the guys to really keep an eye on. … It really stinks because he’s a senior, but we’ll rally around him,” Gayoso said.

The Bearcats have three other options in the backfield in returning senior Braden Belk, speedy sophomore Pierson Nord and Winters sophomore transfer Trey Lopez.

“It’ll be a running back by committee, but all three of those guys have talent and potential,” Gayoso said.

Kyson Burleson was the frontrunner to take over at quarterback after starting half of last season, but the senior tore his ACL during track season.

He may not return until late September or early October, setting up a QB battle between senior Coleman King and junior Wyatt Clemens. 

“Whoever wins the job, we’ll be fine,” Gayoso said. “We have several returners on our offensive and defensive lines. That’ll be one of the strong points of the team. We have a lot of depth there, and we’re fortunate to have a lot of depth at the skill positions. So whoever wins the starting quarterback job, they’ll have good players around them.”

Junior Hunter Kresta, the District 5-2A Division I Newcomer of the Year, is back at wide receiver, along with senior Manny Gonzalez.

Senior lineman Drew Knickerbocker (6-foot, 220 pounds), who was first-team all-district on both sides of the ball, returns to anchor the Bearcats up front.

Jack Robertson and Aden Sanchez are also back on the line.

Gayoso said Gonzalez will be the leader of the defense from his safety position. Defensive linemen Knickerbocker and Landon Cornutt, and linebacker Dylan Page are other impact returners.https://sanangelolive.com/node/add

Ballinger begins its season at home against Merkel on Friday, Aug. 29. The Bearcats begin district play at home Oct. 10 against Bangs.

Ballinger’s district is a formidable one with De Leon ranked No. 11 and Hamilton at No. 13.

Ballinger Bearcats

2025 schedule

Aug. 29   Merkel

Sept. 5   at Christoval

Sept. 12   San Angelo TLCA

Sept. 19   at Brady

Sept. 26   at Stanton

Oct. 3   OPEN

Oct. 10   Bangs*

Oct. 17   at Hamilton*

Oct. 24   De Leon*

Oct. 31   at Coleman*

Nov. 7   Hico*

*District 5-2A Division I game

GRAPE CREEK, TX — Tanner Thiel believes this year's Grape Creek football team has the chance to make school history.

The ninth-year Eagles head coach oversaw the program's first share of a district title in 2021, and he led them to their fourth playoff appearance last year.

One accomplishment that has eluded Grape Creek since it opened its doors 27 years ago, however, is a playoff trophy.

With an exciting group of returning — including six starters back on offense and five on defense — Thiel thinks this could be the year that drought ends.

“We've been to the playoffs, but we haven't won that first one, and so that ultimately is our goal. We think we're good enough that we can get kind of the monkey off our back and get that first playoff win,” Thiel said. 

Leading the Eagles' returners is running back Sire Garcia, who had 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Garcia was also a first-team all-district inside linebacker.

“Our kind of workhorse the last couple of years is Sire Garcia," Thiel said. "He's a two-way starter and he makes our offense go. A big playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.”

Braley Woods (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) will take over at quarterback after being named last year's district Utility Player of the Year.

“A really good arm, and a really big kid," Thiel said. "He’s actually our leading receiver coming back because he played tight end with us previously."

Thiel called outside linebacker Chris Duron "an animal" on defense and one of the team's leaders.

Tight end/safety Gabe Santillan and slot back/defensive back Randy Rodriguez are both two-way standouts.

“We really feel like they’re gonna be special players for us this season," Thiel said. 

Grape Creek went 4-7 last year and finished in a three-way tie for second place in District 4-3A Division II. The Eagles' season ended with a 42-26 loss to Crane in the first round of the playoffs.

“We feel like this year, instead of losing those close games, we feel like we should be able to win those close games," Thiel said. "So we're to the point where we're not satisfied with keeping them close.”

“I think that this is the type of year that basically turns people's heads about Grape Creek.  think our community, our school, our alumni, I feel like this is a year that we can really make them proud. This group of kids that we have coming out this year is some of the best that we've ever had. Talent-wise, top to bottom, it's by far the most talented group that I've had since I've been at Grape Creek.

“I think the main word that comes to mind when I think of our community and our school and our alumni is pride. I think they'll be able to take a lot of pride in the kids that we put out on the field this year.”

Grape Creek Eagles

2025 schedule

Aug. 29   San Saba

Sept. 5   at Reagan County

Sept. 12   at Bangs

Sept. 19   Colorado City

Sept. 26   Tahoka

Oct. 3   at San Angelo TLCA

Oct. 10   at Coahoma*

Oct. 17   Stanton*

Oct. 24   at Wall*

Oct. 31   Merkel*

Nov. 7   OPEN

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