MENARD, TX — The Menard Yellow Jackets had a breakthrough season last year as a six-man football program with their first district title and first playoff win.
Now the secret is out.
Menard enters this season ranked No. 19 in the state in Class 1A Division I.
The Jackets are still entering just their fourth year in the six-man game, but they return all but one starter from last year, so expectations are high for head coach Clay Holland and his team this fall.
“We return a lot of starters and a lot of experience, and now that everyone has a year of experience under their belt with me and our system and what we expect, practice has been going really well,” Holland said.
Leading the way is senior running back Jayden Payton, who ran away with district MVP honors last year with 1,750 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.
“Jayden is a quiet kid. He plays hard and he leads by example for his teammates, and the team really loves him,” Holland said. “They know he’s the guy. They see how hard he plays and the respect he shows his teammates, and they work hard for him, and in turn he puts up some big numbers.”
Payton will run behind a big offensive line that includes Cado Bannowsky (6-3, 190), who was honorable mention all-state last year. Tate Wagner (6-0, 240) and Aidan Ramon (6-5, 260) help give the Jackets some considerable presence up front.
“It’s unconventional with a six-man team having a line like we do,” Holland said. “They’re big guys that take pride in blocking. We return really everyone across the line, and they’re going to be an anchor for us in how we run the ball. They’re really important to the success of the team.”
The one position Menard doesn’t return on offense is at quarterback, where the Jackets are rotating junior Eli Weatherly and sophomore Julius Zamora.
“We lost a senior quarterback (Logan Powell) last year that was really big for us, so they’ll have some big shoes to fill,” Holland said. “But with their athleticism and how hard they’re working, I’m hoping they’ll be able to get there and be able to lead this team the same way.”
Another newcomer who could make an impact is Wesley Compton, who will play at running back and defensive end.
Linebackers Bryce Davis and Hunter Squiers are players who could help on defense.
Menard’s season began last year with a rain-shortened tie against Blanket, followed by a loss to Rochelle. The Jackets didn’t lose again until running into eventual state champion Gordon in the second round.
Menard’s season will begin this year on Friday, Aug. 29, at home against Blanket, which is ranked No. 21 in Class 1A D-II.
The Jackets are picked by Texas Football magazine to defend their title in District 15-1A D-I, but they’ll have some competition.
Medina is just one spot behind Menard in the state rankings at No. 20, and longtime rival Eden looms in the regular-season finale.
“We talked a lot last year about being better than we were the day before, both mentally and physically. We did a lot of mental stuff last year, where we got better with understanding six-man football, it only being our third year last year,” Holland said. “Our goal is to win every game, and our expectation is to win every game. That’s who I am as a coach, and I think the players already had that in them, showing up and expecting to win every game. Now whether that happens or not, we have to prove it, but that’s what we expect every week.”
Menard Yellow Jackets
2025 schedule
Aug. 29 Blanket
Sept. 5 at Rochelle
Sept. 12 Rocksprings
Sept. 19 Bronte
Sept. 26 at Paint Rock
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 Leakey*
Oct. 17 at Medina*
Oct. 24 Nueces Canyon*
Oct. 31 at Rocksprings
Nov. 7 at Eden*
*District 15-1A Division I game
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