Winters Hoping Last Season's Strides Keep them Hot in 2018

WINTERS, TX-- The Winters Blizzards snapped a two-year skid of missing playoffs in 2017.

It was the first playoff berth under head coach Matt McCarty, who enters his fourth year at the post.

The 2018 season promises to provide a few more challenges for the Blizzards after realignment moved them up to Class 2A Division I in District 3. Their new district features three regional blue bloods in Hawley, Stamford and Ozona.

“It’s always going to be tougher with bigger schools,” McCarty said. “There’s not an easy win in our district with Ozona, Hawley, Forsan and Stamford. All of those teams are successful and playoff teams in the past. I think, with our success last year, our kids know what that success feels like and they want some more.”

Their success from making the playoffs and eight starters returning on each side of the ball has made Winters’ start to fall camp a lot smoother.

“It’s about the same every year, you know, just getting the kids going,” the Angelo State University alum McCarty said. “But they definitely understand what it takes to achieve that success, whereas, in the past, none of these kids had a winning season. Us being here for our fourth year now means they know exactly what to expect. So, it does make it easier every year.”

While the Blizzards are happy about making the playoffs, staying stagnant is a cardinal sin in the coaching world.

“If you’re not winning, you’re not going to be here,” McCarty preached. “So, we have to keep building on that success every year. I think this year, with the number of seniors we have and kids that have played varsity the past four years, for some, that really helps. The expectations are high. We want to win district championships and playoff games.”

Three senior offensive linemen, Omar Martinez, Cameron Perkins and Patrick Reyes, along with utility man Jovan Young and running back Nick Brown enter the season with high regards from McCarty. The fourth year head coach said that group was integral to the team’s progress during summer workouts.

“They’ve been our seniors who were there all through the summer,” McCarty said. “We know we can count on those guys.”

The offensive line returns more experience with than most teams with all five having varsity experience. Four have started on varsity for two years according to McCarty.

“Anytime you have stability up front, it’s going to help your run game, especially in an offense like ours,” McCarty added.

The Blizzards face a solid lineup in preseason with Goldthwaite, Eldorado, Iraan, Christoval, Bangs and Ranger on the schedule.

The Blizzards open up with Goldthwaite on Aug. 31 in Winters to begin 2018.