SAN ANGELO, TX — The Lake View Chiefs have a difficult challenge waiting for them out in the desert against Fort Stockton.
So they prepared with a couple of scrimmages against strong programs in Sweetwater and Comanche.
Lake View head coach Hector Guevara is hoping that experience will pay off at 7 p.m. Friday night in the Chiefs’ season opener.
“I thought we did quite well, but there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Guevara said. “We scrimmaged two really good playoff teams, and they were big and fast, and it kind of gave us an opportunity to reflect after the scrimmage on what we need to improve on.”
Fort Stockton, which is about 165 miles southwest of San Angelo, doesn’t get much media coverage in its remote location.
So the Panthers’ success in recent years has been a bit under the radar.
After years of average seasons, Fort Stockton has put together a combined record of 28-7 the last three years.
The Panthers return most of their starters from last season’s 9-2 team, though they’ll have a new quarterback in Kasch Norman, who saw limited action last year.
“They’re well coached and they’re a well-rounded team,” Guevara said. “They run the ball well, they can throw the ball. Their quarterback is shifty, and their offensive line is strong. They have a strong defensive line too, so it’s going to be a tough game, but the kids are working hard and preparing for Friday.”
Lake View and Fort Stockton have played 40 times over the years, with Lake View holding a 25-15 series advantage.
Fort Stockton won the last meeting 35-32 when the teams met as district opponents in 2021.
Lake View is coming off a 1-9 season last year. The Chiefs had a big win in their season opener, 49-8 over Lamesa.
However, they went winless the rest of the way, despite scoring 35 or more in three of those losses.
Guevara said this year’s group has had a great attitude in workouts, giving him optimism for the fall.
“The coaching staff has been impressed with their leadership,” Guevara said. “The kids have been working hard and taking the initiative to help each other out and get better.”
Lake View returns six starters on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Auston Perez and defensive lineman Damien Luna.
The Chiefs will make their home debut at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, against Snyder at San Angelo Stadium.
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