SAN ANGELO, TX — The Lake View Chiefs came out firing to start the 2023 football season.
They scored at least 35 points three times in their first four games, and their offense looked like it was truly taking flight under quarterback Auston Perez.
Injuries limited Perez to only two games after that, however, and the Chiefs struggled to find the end zone the rest of the season.
Lake View finished with a 1-9 record and carries a nine-game losing streak into this fall.
Perez is among six starters back on both sides of the ball for the Chiefs, and he's a big reason for head coach Hector Guevara's optimism about the 2024 season.
"He's the catalyst of our offense. He's a good leader on the field, and he kind of takes the reins and takes over," Guevara said. "Throughout the season, he grew up a lot. And as he gets more experience, he gets less frustrated when he gets on the field. You could just tell he was adapting, and the game was slowing down a little bit for him."
Lake View Takes the Field Against the Brownwood Lions in San Angelo Stadium. (LIVE! Photo: James Bouligny)
Perez led Lake View to a 49-8 rout of Lamesa in the season opener, throwing for 218 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing.
He then tried to help the Chiefs keep pace with Sweetwater in a 62-35 loss. After a 42-6 setback against Vernon, Perez shined with 331 passing yards and 6 TDs on 19-of-27 passing in a 43-41 loss to Lubbock High.
Unfortunately, that was the last time the Chiefs were competitive last year. They lost by at least 19 points the rest of the way, and their offense was limited to 13 points or less except for a 63-43 loss to Big Spring.
It remains to be seen who steps up as Perez's go-to receivers, but Guevara said the program has a lot of players with potential to be big playmakers.
"Realistically, I think we can have a winning season," Guevara said. "I really believe in our kids' attitudes. Throughout the whole summer and spring, they've had selfless attitudes, and they have that 'Give it my best, no-quit' attitude, so I'm excited.
"As a coaching staff, I think we're all excited to see this team on the field."
Players to look for in the receiving game are Francisco Ramirez, Braylon White, Christian Esparza, Nick Leyva, Roman Garcia, D.J. Munoz, Chris Rodela, Calvin Whitfield and C.J. Coombs.
Guevara said Sammy Ramirez and Izaiah Rios are possibilities at running back, along with Diego Paez in more of a utility role.
Players expected to lead the way on the offensive line are Trey Henry, Sebastian Herrera, Jay Roman, Connor Williams, Marcus Aguilar and Misael Rodelo.
Defensively, the Chiefs will have to address a unit that allowed 49 points per game last season.
Guevara said many of his best players on offense will also be playing on defense.
Defensive lineman Damien Luna (6-0, 185) will anchor the Chiefs up front.
"He's probably our leader on the field whenever it comes to getting after it and having a never-quit attitude," Guevara said of Luna.
Middle linebacker Isaac Monreal could also be a difference maker, Guevara said.
Lake View's season begins with a road trip to Fort Stockton, one of many games on the schedule against traditional opponents, with the only exception being a Week 6 trip to Burnet.
Other nondistrict opponents include Snyder, Lamesa, Lubbock High, Levelland and Brownfield.
"I think it'll be very competitive," Guevara said of the nondistrict schedule. "I think it gives us a good look at where we're at in the beginning. We're starting off with a tough Fort Stockton team, and I think it'll be good for us, just as long as we play within ourselves and continue to get better and grow.
"Being a small team, we've got to develop that chemistry and get better at each position."
Lake View is in District 3-4A Division I with Andrews, Big Spring and Pecos. Because the Chiefs are in a four-team district, they'll automatically qualify for the playoffs.
Waiting in the first round, however, will likely be Top 10 teams Stephenville or Brownwood, so finishing in the top half of the district to avoid them will be especially important.
San Angelo Lake View Chiefs
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Fort Stockton
Sept. 6 Snyder
Sept. 13 Lamesa
Sept. 19 at Lubbock High
Sept. 27 at Levelland
Oct. 4 at Burnet
Oct. 11 Brownfield
Oct. 18 Open
Oct. 25 Pecos*
Oct. 31 Big Spring*
Nov. 8 at Andrews*
*District 3-4A game
2023 results
Lamesa W 49-8
Sweetwater L 35-62
Vernon L 6-42
Lubbock High L 41-43
Levelland L 13-32
Greenwood L 6-52
Andrews L 7-63
Brownwood L 0-66
Big Spring L 43-63
Lubbock Estacado L 0-63
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