CHRISTOVAL, TX — The Christoval Cougars struggled to find the end zone last year, but you wouldn’t know it based on how they looked the last time they took the field.
In the Cougars’ season finale, they had their best offensive showing of the season in a 42-13 win over Reagan County.
Christoval missed the playoffs with a 3-7 record, but the Cougars finally saw the capability of their offense.
With nearly every starter back, Christoval hopes to find that offense a little sooner this fall.
“That’s that we’ve been talking about throughout the summer, just kind of picking up where we left off,” Christoval head coach Casey Otho said. “The last couple of games last year, we started really clicking good. In my opinion, we just kind of ran out of games to keep that momentum going.”
Christoval had a remarkable run from 2018 to 2021, when the Cougars compiled a record of 39-10 that included their first state quarterfinal appearance in 28 years in 2020.
The last two years, Christoval has battled to a combined record of 7-14.
“I’m not going to blame it all on inexperience last year, but we had a lot of first-time starters at a lot of key positions,” Otho said. “I think they’re just going to be able to see things better this year. Toward the end of the season last year, we kind of changed some things on offense, and it started clicking with these guys, and they got a lot better at it.”
Christoval graduated only three players from last year’s team, and the Cougars return their entire offensive line, led by first-team all-district selection Kolter Fulk (5-11, 240) and second-teamer Raythen Broadway (6-0, 230).
“We didn’t lose any linemen, and we’re adding a few guys, so I think that’ll be a strong point for us,” Otho said.
Captains for the Brady Bulldogs and Christoval Cougars meet at midfield for the coin toss. (LIVE! Photo)
The Cougars also bring back their biggest playmaker on offense, first-team all-district running back Manuel Riojas, who had 859 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Ethan Bush, who was second-team all-district, and Tristen Alvarado return to lead the receiving corps.
“We have multiple weapons, and we have a big incoming freshman class, so we’re going to be a lot deeper on both sides of the ball,” Otho said. “It’s going to allow these guys to get off the field and catch their breath every now and then.”
Quarterback Stanton McGlothlin returns after throwing for 499 yards and rushing for 371.
Christoval had five defensive players who were named first-team all-district last year, and four of them are back — defensive tackle Eli Burchett, safety Israel Bogs, cornerback Jose Guerra and linebacker Riojas.
Folk and Colt Floyd were named second-team all district on the defensive line, along with Alvarado at cornerback.
Christoval’s defense held half of its opponents to 16 points or less last year.
2021 Christoval Cougars at Llano (LIVE! photo: James Bouligny)
“We’re transitioning to a new defensive scheme,” Otho said. “We’ve got a lot of linebacker-type kids on our team, so we’re transitioning into a 3-4 to be able to put a lot more skill kids on the field.”
Texas Football projected Christoval to finish in third place in District 3-2A Division I behind Forsan and Sonora, and ahead of Ozona, Reagan County and Colorado City.
“I think the district champ could be a 3-2 team in district play. I think it’ll be that competitive week in and week out,” Otho said.
Christoval opens its season at home Friday, Aug. 30, against longtime rival Eldorado.
Christoval Cougars
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 Eldorado
Sept. 6 at Ballinger
Sept. 13 at McCamey
Sept. 20 at Sterling City
Sept. 27 Mason
Oct. 4 Open
Oct. 11 Colorado City*
Oct. 18 at Reagan County*
Oct. 25 Forsan*
Nov. 1 at Sonora*
Nov. 8 Ozona*
*District 3-2A Division I game
2023 results
Eldorado L 12-26
Grape Creek W 14-8
Colorado City L 12-15
Mason L 7-49
Brady W 20-16
Anthony L 0-15
Ozona L 18-40
Forsan L 7-34
Sonora L 0-46
Reagan County W 42-13
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