Lake View Chiefs Turning the Corner on Past Struggles

SAN ANGELO, TX — Lake View High School has opened their football season red hot.  The Chiefs beat Lamesa in a down to the wire contest in week one and followed it up with a resounding victory at Fabens last Friday.  This week, Lake View will try to make it 3-0 and match its win total from the 2018 regular season.

The winning feeling that the north is experiencing is relatively new, however.  This season marks the first time in 22 seasons that the Chiefs have started 2-0.  During that span, they have had three winless seasons, three seasons with only one win, and five with two.  Their best record since that 2-0 start in 1997? 6-5 in 2004. 

This year looks to be different.  Head Coach Hector Guevara has challenged his players to build off the momentum of a playoff victory last season, and they have responded.  The team was very loose during practice on Tuesday cracking jokes and making plays in preparation for Snyder. 

“They’re excited,” Guevara told me. “They’re excited to be 2-0.  They enjoyed the win on Friday, and now we’re getting ready for Thursday.” 

Snyder will limp into San Angelo Stadium on Thursday fresh off a 70-3 shellacking to Brownwood.  Guevara is careful not to overlook them though, and says his team has plenty to work on. On offense, the focus is junior quarterback Albert Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez and his high octane attack put up 27 points and nearly 400 yards against Fabens, but they still need to tighten things up, according to Guevara.

“He’s getting better every game.  We still have a long way to go. He still has to do a better job reading the defense, and he’s got to get a little more comfortable in his position.  Experience is the best teacher.”  

Rodriguez has plenty of time to learn on the fly as Lake View does not play a district opponent until October 25.  Because they are also guaranteed a playoff spot, the Chiefs can focus on the learning moments without the added pressure of making the postseason.  

It is a long season, but all indications point toward Lake View being ready for the competition by November.  “I like the fact that the line is doing a good job,” Guevara added. “The coaches are putting kids in the right position, and the kids are listening to the coaches. It has been really good so far.”