Football Kickoff 2022

KICKOFF 2022 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 • ADVOSPORTS.COM Area’s top prospects look to add to impressive legacies SHINER’S DALTON BROOKS EL CAMPO’S RUEBEN OWENS

2 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com Table of Contents On the Cover ................................................ Page 4 Victoria West Preview ................................... Page 5 Victoria East Preview ..................................... Page 6 District 14-5A, Division I ................................ Page 7 St. Joseph preview ........................................ Page 8 Class 4A Coverboy ....................................... Page 9 Calhoun preview ......................................... Page 10 District 12-4A, Division I .............................. Page 11 Games to Watch .................................... Page 12-13 District 15-4A, Division I .............................. Page 14 TAPPS Div. IV, District 2 ............................... Page 14 District 10-4A, Division II ............................. Page 15 District 15-3A, Division II ............................. Page 15 District 12-4A, Division II ............................. Page 16 District 16-2A, Division II ............................. Page 16 Class 3A Coverboy ..................................... Page 17 District 12-3A, Division I .............................. Page 18 District 15-3A, Division I .............................. Page 19 District 14-3A, Division II ............................. Page 20 District 13-2A, Division I .............................. Page 20 Class 2A Coverboy ..................................... Page 21 District 15-2A, Division I .............................. Page 22 High School Football Schedules .................... Page 23 COVER: KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] Shiner’s Dalton Brooks and El Campo’s Rueben Owens haven’t met on the field but have seen the tapes. KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] El Campo’s Rueben Owens, left and Shiner’s Dalton Brooks,right.

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4 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] El Campo’s Rueben Owens and Shiner’s Dalton Brooks have never had the opportunity to see each other play. But Brooks and Owens have watched tape of each other and came away impressed. “He’s a dog,” Owens said of Brooks. “He really is a dog. I’ve seen highlights of him and his brother. His brother is big and Dalton is really fast.” “I like the way he moves,” Brooks said of Owens, “I like the way he shakes people. The swag he has on the field. You can just tell he’s got it.” Brooks and Owens head into their senior season as two of the top prospects in the state. The 6-foot, 190-pound Owens was named the best senior running back in the nation by MaxPreps after rushing for 2,989 yards and 46 touchdowns last season. Owens is hoping to help El Campo do something it’s never done in football — win a state championship. “I felt like we could have won state last year. We had a very upsetting loss,” Owens said of the Ricebirds, who lost in the Class 4A, Division I regional semifinals. “I had a good performance. But overall, I felt like I could have helped my team do more to get a state championship. I feel I cut a few things short.” The 6-2, 185-pound Brooks played running back and safety and helped Shiner win its second consecutive Class 2A, Division I state championship and increase its winning streak to 30 games. Brooks rushed for 2,615 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also had four interceptions, including a game-saving interception against Timpson in the semifinals. “It was a great season,” Brooks said. “We know we have a lot of things to build on. Now, we know what we can do when we come together as a team and build as a team.” Chad Worrell took over as El Campo’s head coach last season and was impressed by Owens’ ability and attitude. “He obviously has athletic ability, plus his strength and speed and explosion,” Worrell said. “His vision is part of it too. He’s able to put all those things together. “He’s also very coachable and trying to get better. He’s a pretty humble kid for all the accolades he’s had, he’s pretty humble.” Shiner head coach Daniel Boedeker has been around Brooks since he was in junior high school and appreciates his work ethic. “He’s such a humble kid and he’s one of the hardest workers out there,” Boedeker said. “He’s a leader for us even though he doesn’t say a whole lot. He just leads by example. He’s one of those guys who is easy to follow. We know we’re going to get his best every day in practice, or at a game or in the weight room.” Owens committed to Louisville as a running back in June. “When I went up there, it was just all the love from the players,” he said. “I liked how they treated you and the coaches, I really bonded with them, and after that I made the decision.” Brooks committed to Texas A&M as a defensive back on the weekend before practice began. “I love to hit,” Brooks said. “Playing defense, you’re going to hit every single time no matter if you want to or not, you’re going to get to hit.” Owens and Brooks would like to end their high school careers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and will do everything within their power to help their teams reach the state final. “We realize what we have accomplished, but we want to be better than anybody else,” Brooks said. “We want to keep winning and keep playing how we can play. One of my individual goals is to rush for 3,000 yards. I want to get that goal and then we can make the most out of the great team we have.” “I would like to get the same amount of yards I did last year and the same amount of touchdowns,” Owens said. “I just have to come out and play and have fun. Last year, I felt like I had something to prove. This year, I feel like I don’t have anything else to prove to anybody else so I’m just going to come out and play ball.” ON THE COVER Area’s top prospects look to add to gridiron legacies KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] El Campo’s Rueben Owens, left and Shiner’s Dalton Brooks,right. PUTTING UP NUMBERS 2021 statistics for El Campo’s Rueben Owens and Shiner’s Dalton Brooks. Rueben Owens • Rushing: 248-2,989 yards, 46 TDs • Receiving: 15-252 yards, 2 TDs • Passing: 3-7-0 69 yards, 1 TD Dalton Brooks • Rushing: 236-2,615 yards, 39 TDs • Receiving: 12-220 yards, 1 TD • Tackles: 88 • Tackles for Loss: 3 • Passes Broken Up: 8 • Interceptions: 4

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 5 Our sports medicine specialists in Sugar Land can help keep your body in motion At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Sugar Land, we are experts in helping the body do what it was designed to do — stay in motion. Applying our expertise as team doctors for professional athletes, we are focused on helping athletes recover at every level. Using the most advanced treatments and technologies to care for a wide range of injuries, we provide: • Sports injury treatment • Concussion diagnosis and management • Sports-medical clearance and wellness exams • State-of-the-art physical therapy The expertise to KEEP ATHLETES MOVING 281.201.0396 houstonmethodist.org/athlete 19 convenient locations BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Victoria West senior D’andre Fillmore made sure he got plenty of work this summer. Fillmore, entering his senior year, traveled across the state to attend camps while also participating in summer strength and conditioning with the Warriors. He wants to make the most out of his final season. “I was putting in a lot of work this summer,” Fillmore said. “I was just trying to make myself better over the summer so we could be a better team overall.” Fillmore is the top returning receiver for West (6-5 in 2021) after catching 55 passes for 770 yards and six touchdowns. His 55 receptions led the team while his 770 yards were second only to Dion Green, who is currently playing at Concordia University, St. Paul. The 5-foot-11 Fillmore also racked up six interceptions a year ago, and is looking to maintain his presence on the defensive side of the ball. “I want to do better than I did last year, a lot better,” Fillmore said. “My goal is to be better on both sides of the ball this year.” Head coach Courtney Boyce expects him to be an unquestioned leader on the field this year. “I think he does a great job,” Boyce said. “Whoever you are on the team, whatever your role is, he’s always treated every teammate as the most important person. I think that’s reciprocated and he’s a very easy person to follow.” West hopes depth across the field is one of its strengths this season. The Warriors will see plenty of two-way players on the field in 2022, which means Boyce wants to have the ability to rotate players in and out when one needs a break. West returns four offensive starters and five defensive from last year’s bi-district playoff appearance, leading to plenty of competition at every position. “I think it’s gonna be a big thing for us with guys playing both ways,” Boyce said. “I think it’s important to have three guys competing for those spots.” Junior Camden Repper will take over at quarterback after Braden Luedeker moved to Edinburg Vela in the spring. His growth over the summer helped him enter fall practices ready to take the reins. “We faced a little bit of challenges,” Fillmore said. “He got a lot better over the summer putting in the work (at strength and conditioning).” Fillmore and fellow senior Jeremiah Baldwin highlight the weapons around Repper with Kamauri Montogomery and Jaxx Rangnow expected to make an impact from the running back position. Former St. Joseph receiver Carter Nelson will also don West’s colors this year. “I was encouraged to see people know what they’re doing,” Baldwin said on Aug. 8 after the first day of practice. “It looks like we have a lot of talent and a lot of pieces that can be played if they’re played right.” Not much changed for West in February during the UIL’s biennial realignment when it was slotted into District 14-5A, Division I. Flour Bluff and Gregory-Portland dropped down to Class 5A, Division II, while Corpus Christi Miller jumped from Class 4A, Division I into West’s district. The Warriors’ expectations are high in district play. “Nothing short of a district championship,” Baldwin said. VICTORIA WEST Fillmore ready to take on bigger role for Warriors VICTORIA WEST WARRIORS Coach: Courtney Boyce Last Season’s Record: 6-5, 5-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, bi-district Returning Starters: WR/DB D’Andre Fillmore, WR/DB Jeremiah Baldwin, WR Zach Sanchez, OL Eric Bland, OL Victor Corona, OL Luisislas Carlos, DL Truett Rollins, DL Zane Artiaga, LB Clayton Sciba, LB Dayshaun Huerta, LB Kamauri Montgomery, DB Jake Rangnow.

6 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] For three long years Jadon Williams and Ja’Carrien Giles have been waiting for their senior year of football. Williams, East’s starting quarterback, and Giles, the teams starting running back, each had impressive showings during last season’s 6-4 finish. This year, the Titans are hoping to build off of last year’s performance and make a deep playoff run. “Man, this is the class of 2023 right here. This has been our group of guys since we came out of Howell (Middle School), and a lot of people aren’t really expecting what’s going to happen this year,” Williams said. Last season, the dual-threat quarterback led his team to an undefeated home record, while tallying 1,874 yards passing and 1,167 yards rushing. He was also named to the offensive second-team of the 2021 Victoria Advocate All-Area Football Team. Titans head coach Roland Gonzalez hopes that Williams can have another productive season, both with the passing attack, and on the ground. “We always try to be 50/50, but obviously some teams will try to take things away from you, but our coaches do a great job of game planning and utilizing what we have to take advantage of what other teams give us,” he said. Just as important for the Titans this season is the production from Giles. Last season, Giles recorded four games with 100-plus rushing yards, and finished the season with nearly 900 total rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns. “That boy right there is a beast,” Williams said. “That’s my brother, so yeah we’ve been working out, we’ve been training together, and he’s going to have a monster year this year.” In total, the Titans return nine starters on offense, and six on defense. Junior outside linebacker Bryson Ortega, and junior safety Nijahrell Prater will have to step up in their roles to help the defense overcome the loss of former defensive standout Trent Zappe, who graduated and moved on to play for Western Kentucky. “We’ve got some good guys coming in and competing for positions, and competition always makes your team better,” Gonzalez said. “So I feel confident that not only one, but multiple players are going to step up on the defensive side of the ball.” The Titans will be tested early on, with their first three teams that they face combining for a record of 22-13 last season. “We’ve tried to prepare them for tough competition by setting them up with a difficult pre-district schedule in Taft, in Canyon, and in Gregory-Portland, so all three of those are quality programs,” Gonzalez said. “They’re gonna be good competition for us, and hopefully it’ll set us up for success in the district.” Behind Williams, Giles, and the supporting cast, Gonzalez sees his team having an improved season this year. “I see us as having the ability to make the playoffs and play for a district title. Our kids have worked really hard, and we’re really proud of them,” Gonzalez said. The Titans open up their season on Aug. 26, when they travel to San Antonio to take on Taft. VICTORIA EAST East Titans seniors look to build, aim for playff run VICTORIA EAST TITANS Coach: Roland Gonzalez Last Season’s Record: 6-4, 5-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: C Macario Martinez, G John Medrano, G Jeremiah Johnson, OT Zane Thomas, QB Jadon Williams, RB Ja’Carrien Giles, WR Thomas Vargas, WR Matthew Jackson, WR Bryson Ortega, DT Kevin Marin, DE Jayden Smith, LB Dylan Chavez, LB Jastin Wallace, CB Bryson Gardner, S Nijahrell Prater. DUY VU | [email protected] Victoria East’s Ja Carrien Giles runs the ball during football practice at Victoria East High School.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 7 BY JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] Victoria East and Victoria West’s District 15-5A, Division l was highly competitive last season. Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial and Gregory-Portland, both finishing 7-1 in district play, were named co-district champions, while Flour Bluff, which finished third in the district, came just one game short of making it to the state final. And even though this year the two Victoria schools moved into District 14-5A, Division I without Flour Bluff and Gregory-Portland, they will still face high-level competition in six Corpus Christi teams, including Veterans Memorial and Miller. “They’re hungry, too, the Corpus schools,” said West head coach Courtney Boyce. “Everybody in our district has something to prove. It’s a brand new year, brand new team. That’s the exciting part about it. (My team has) already been gelling through the offseason ... There’s nobody that we will take lightly.” However, before West will get to district competition, they will have big tests in their non-district schedule, facing schools the likes of Davenport, Glenn, and Alice. “It’s gonna be a tough non-district. I wouldn’t ask for anything less for our guys and they understand that,” Boyce said. “You can see a different intensity at practice, a different type of focus going into the season.” Boyce and his Warriors will see the return of 12 starters from last year’s team, which advanced to the bi-district round of the playoffs before falling to McAllen Memorial 50-28. Senior wide receiver D’Andre Fillmore highlights the returners from last year’s Warriors team that finished 6-5. During last season’s run to the playoffs, Fillmore had 55 receptions for 770 yards and six touchdowns, which helped him total 1,231 all-purpose yards for the season. East senior quarterback Jadon Williams highlights the returners on the Titans. Last season, Williams was a threat through the air and on the ground, tallying 1,874 passing yards and 1,167 rushing yards. In total, the Titans have nine returning starters on offense, and six on defense from last season’s team that finished 6-4 and narrowly missed the playoffs. “We have a lot of kids back. There’s a lot of experience on both sides of the ball,” said East head coach Roland Gonzalez. “I’m very optimistic about us being very competitive this year.” After finishing last season 12-2 under first-year head coach Ben Bitner, Veterans Memorial is looked as one of the favorites to be named district champion this year. The Eagles have been made it to the state quarterfinals for the past three seasons. DISTRICT 14-5A, DIVISION I How about: East, West see tough district going against 6 tough Corpus Christi schools SAM FOWLER | [email protected] D’andre Fillmore fields a punt during Victoria West’s first day of practice. Good Luck to all the teams in the Crossroads! VICTORIA - KYLE - CUERO - YORKTOWN - NEW BRAUNFELS www.TrustTexas.Bank•800-342-0679 YOUR COMMUNITY BANK GOOD LUCK!

8 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY KEVIN ALSTROM SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE St. Joseph hopes for a return to the playoffs after missing out on the postseason last year. The Flyers finished the 2021 campaign 5-5 overall and 1-4 in district play. They will compete in a larger district in TAPPS Division II, District 3 this year. The district is comprised of Brownsville St. Joseph, Austin Regents, San Antonio Christian, San Antonio St. Anthony, San Antonio T.M.I., Austin St. Michaels, and Hyde Park. Head coach James Duprie sees an opportunity for the Flyers in making a playoff run in this district. “St. Michaels and Regents are the top two teams in the district. After that, I think there is a lot of parity and anyone can compete for the other playoff spots,” said Duprie. The Flyer offense will rely heavily on running backs Gage Barrera and Jace Saddler. Saddler is coming off an injury prone 2021 season and is looking to be a compliment in the backfield for Barrera who led the team in rushing last season. Hayden Garcia, Anthony Rebalais, and Braden Merritt return to their spots on the offensive line. Saddler and Barrera will rely on the trio to create running lanes. Defensively, Marshall Hobbs, Saddler, Sam Harrell, Gavin Trevino, John Cantu, and Gavin Delagarza return. Aiden Aragon and Sam Harrell both saw snaps at the quarterback position during the preseason. They both may see snaps this year. “We will continue to evaluate the quarterback position,” Duprie said. The remainder of the district is up for grabs. “TMI is coming off a good season, Brownsville consistently fields competitive teams, SA Christian is dropping down from class 6A and St. Anthony’s and Hyde Park both have had changes at head coach which could benefit their programs,” said Duprie. As for the Flyers, staying focused and having a week to week mentality will be a key to their success. “We will approach every game with the same mentality, and that is we expect to win and we will let the record take care of itself,” stated Duprie. VICTORIA ST. JOSEPH FLYERS, TAPPS DIV. II, DIST. 3 St. Joseph ready for test in this season CHASE COFIELD | [email protected] St. Joseph football players perform running back drills during practice at St. Joseph High School. Pol. Ad Paid for by Geanie Morrison Campaign. P. O. Box 4642, Victoria Texas 77903 TheMorrison family wishes our localstudent athletes all the bestfor awinning season both on the field and in the classroom! Th M i f il TAPPS DIV. II, DIST. 3 Victoria St. Joseph Flyers Coach: James Duprie Last Season’s Record: 5-5, 1-4 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, area Returning Starters: WR/DB Marshal Hobbs, RB Gage Barrera, RB/LB Jace Saddler, OL Hayden Garcia, OL Anthony Rabalais, OL Braden Merritt, TE/DL Sam Harrell, DB Gavin Trevino, DL John Cantu, LB Gavin DelaGarza.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 9 BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] CUERO — Sean Burks has changed his jersey number from 20 to 4 this season. But that’s not the only difference Cuero opponents will notice about Burks. The 6-foot Burks will play his senior season at 205 pounds after earning first-team all-state and all-area honors at linebacker at 180 pounds last season. “You’ve got to eat a lot,” Burks joked when asked how he put on the weight. The truth is Burks spent much of the summer working out on his own and at strength and conditioning drills, in the weight room and attending college camps. “I got a lot stronger,” he said, “I’m still fast. I’m faster than I was. We’ve been working hard at conditioning.” Burks led a Cuero defense that limited opponents to less than two touchdowns a game during the regular season, and spurred a drive to the Class 4A, Division II state semifinals. “Sean’s a high-motor kid,” said first-year Cuero coach Jerod Fikac. “He’s got a nose for the football all the time. He’s going to be where he’s supposed to be all the time. He’s one of those guys you know when you put him out there you’re going to get everything you got out of him. He leads by his work ethic. He has the respect of his teammates. They see the work that he puts in and that helps him continue to be a great player.” Fikac began installing his offensive system when he moved to Cuero from Georgetown East View in March. But Fikac retained defensive coordinator Michael Blank so the Gobblers, who return eight defensive starters, aren’t likely to make many changes on that side of the ball. “The thing that Sean is really good at is he’s really technical,” Blank said. “He’s a guy who is in the film room all the time with me. The technical play got him where he’s at right now. He’s always been really good. He’s kind of had that ‘it’ factor where he can get to the ball and tackles well.” Burks led the Gobblers with 275 tackles last season, including 83 solo tackles. He also forced four fumbles and had six sacks. “It’s a great defense,” Burks said. “I’m in love with it. It’s great. Our outside linebackers just turn everything into the inside and we make plays and tackles.” Burks moved from outside to inside linebacker as a sophomore, and his familiarity with the defense has been a major factor in his improvement. “He’s learning how to use his teammates,” Blank said. “Our defense is geared around keeping him free. He does a really good job of hiding in the spots that he needs to make plays. Our front does a really good job of keeping him free. “I think the more we understand the basis of what we’re trying to do defensively, the better we get. Right now, he’s probably on top of his game at understanding what we’re trying to do in our defense.” Burks also understands the expectations of playing at Cuero. The Gobblers lost in the bi-district round his sophomore year before making their semifinal run last season. “It’s been a privilege to be able to wear the Cuero Gobblers stuff and the logos,” he said. “Being here with a good team — obviously, we’ve had coaching changes — but every coach who has come in here has been great.” Cuero enters the season ranked No. 6 in the state poll, but will face a challenge from a non-district schedule that includes El Campo, Navarro, Yoakum, Calallen and Beeville, who all made the playoffs last season. “We are in the same defense,” Burks said. “We have a lot of people back. We have a lot more people joining and it’s going to be great.” Burks earned offers from Arkansas-Monticello, Hendrix College and Southwestern Assemblies of God over the summer and more are likely to come. But Burks’ biggest priority is making his final season at Cuero as memorable as possible. “It’s really about the team,” he said. “I accomplished a lot last year. This year, it’s just whatever we need to do to win is what we’re going to do.” CLASS 4A COVERBOY Cuero linebacker Sean Burks determined to go out on top DUY VU | [email protected] Cuero’s Sean Burks changed his jersey number and gained 25 pounds. How’d he do it? “You’ve got to eat a lot,” he said. 1817 Bridge St. Cuero, TX 77954 • 361.275.2329 SALE EVERY FRIDAY BURKS STATISTICS 2021 statistics for Cuero linebacker Sean Burks. • 83 solo tackles • 192 assists • 6 sacks • 12 quarterback hurries • 4 forced fumbles • 2 fumble recoveries

10 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Tony Hensley remembers the quality of play he saw to end the season last year. Hensley, now a senior at Calhoun, saw Austin LBJ outscore the Sandcrabs 37-7 of last year’s 72-42 Class 4A, Division I area-round loss. The two teams were tied at 35 at halftime. LBJ was ranked No. 1 at the time and went on to finish as state runner-up to Stephenville. It motivated Hensley and his teammates to put in more work this offseason. “We knew we had the push,” Hensley said, “but we just needed a little bit more discipline like from ourselves and actually working a little bit harder. I think we can go further and be a lot better than we were last year.” The Sandcrabs (6-5 in 2021) will also have to grow a lot this season with six returning starters. Hensley is the top returning rusher after going for 500 yards and eight touchdowns last year. He will play a much bigger role after alternating on offense and defense a year ago. Head coach Richard Whitaker wants to make sure he gets as many touches as possible. “Well, he’s gonna take on a big role,” Whitaker said. “Last year, he alternated in the backfield and played on defense. This year, he’s going to play both sides of the ball as much as he can play. We’ll get him the rest he needs, but he’s a guy we need to stay on the field for us.” Whitaker understands the need for game experience with the Sandcrabs being aligned in District 15-4A, Division I with Beeville, Pleasanton, Floresville, La Vernia and Rockport-Fulton. It’s the only sixteam district in the state in which all members reached the playoffs last year. So, the 18th-year head coach scheduled games against Houston Stafford, Yoakum and Gregory-Portland in non-district. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us. Our preseason is gonna be a challenge for us,” Whitaker said. “We’ve got five tough preseason games. Our kids have had a great offseason and they worked hard this summer.” Getting through the district gauntlet unscathed could set up another deep playoff run for Calhoun. “It gets me excited,” Hensley said. “If we can get past a lot of these teams, then we did pretty well this year. We want to prove we’re better than what we’re ranked right now.” The focal point for the Sandcrabs, though, will be avoiding injury. Calhoun struggled to stay healthy last year. “You’ve gotta have some luck along the way to stay healthy,” Whitaker said. “Last year, unfortunately, we couldn’t stay healthy and this year that’s a big key for us. Our numbers are not as good as they used to be. Numbers are down a little bit. So the injury bug would be very detrimental to this football team. So hopefully stay healthy and give us a chance when we get there.” CALHOUN Sandcrabs ready to put offseason work on display DUY VU | [email protected] Head coach Richard Whitaker breaks up the huddle to begin football practice at Calhoun High School Largest and Most Efficient Acrylonitrile Plant in the World! 13050 Hwy. 185, Port Lavaca, Texas Good Luck Sandcrabs!

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 11 BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] El Campo began last season as the District 12-4A, Division I favorite and will do the same again this season. The Ricebirds lost some talented players from last year’s team that advanced to the regional semifinals, but will go into the season ranked No. 4 in the state poll. “I feel like we’re ahead of where we were and that’s normal for your second year there,” said El Campo coach Chad Worrell. “You feel like you’re ahead of that first year. I feel like we have a little bit better feel for where people go and where they fit in and where we are offensively and defensively. I like where we are. We have a good group that’s working hard. We have some holes to fill, but we have people stepping up to do that so far.” The district lost Columbia, but added Navasota and Iowa Colony, a new school which is part of the Alvin school district. Stafford and Brazosport, which made the playoffs, return to the district with Needville. “The keys for us will be the line and defense and staying healthy,” Worrell said. “We added a district game to our schedule. You have a six-week run of trying to stay healthy. Everybody is going to be fighting for those four spots.” Bay City hopes to be in the mix after going winless in district play last season. The Blackcats return eight starters on offense and eight on defense. “The young card has gone out the window,” said Bay City coach Robert Jones. “I keep telling the kids that. We were young last year, but we got a lot of experience last year so we should be able to get in there and battle every Friday night.” Jones knows confidence could determine whether the Blackcats are able to reach the postseason and is hoping for a good start in district play. “Those first two district ball games are going to be very important,” he said. “We’ve got to be competitive and try to sneak out of there and get two wins before we get to El Campo. Those first two games I’ve been putting a big emphasis on. We’ve got to get those first two to put ourselves in a good position.” DISTRICT 12-4A, DIVISION I El Campo seeks to repeat as district champions KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] The El Campo Ricebirds put their hands in before breaking the huddle during a practice on at Ricebird Stadium in El Campo. DISTRICT 12-4A, DIVISION I El Campo Ricebirds Coach: Chad Worrell Last Season’s Record: 11-2, 5-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional semifinal Returning Starters: RB Rueben Owens, TE Sloan Hubert, RB/LB Hal Erwin, OL Bryce Rasmussen, OL Taylor Manriquez, OL Luke Wengler, LB Reid Jung, DE Rhenner Spenrath, DE Casen Braden, DE DK Norman, K Diego Gutierrez. Bay City Blackcats Coach: Robert Jones Last Season’s Record: 2-7, 0-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2018, bi-district Returning Starters: Returning Starters: RB Jada Andrews, WR Braylon Williams, WR Brice Turner, WR David Perez, OT Glenn Idhe, OT Marco Mata, C Za’Maryon Bryan, TE/DE Carlon Jones, DL Caden Bradford, DL Josh Williams, OLB Blake MacLennan, OLB Isaiah Gonzales, ILB Karius Luster, ILB Ayden Smith, CB Mack Curtis, S Jah’mari Johnson.

12 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com 2022 Game WEEK 1 CUERO AT EL CAMPO Battle of state-ranked teams at Ricebird Stadium. SHINER AT HALLETTSVILLE Lavaca County foes play for the 20th time. YOAKUM AT INDUSTRIAL Former district foes meet for the !rst time since 2019. EDNA AT EAST BERNARD Cowboys and Brahmas play for the eighth straight season. WEEK 2 NAVARRO AT CUERO Rematch of last season’s regional !nal. INDUSTRIAL AT SHINER Cobras and Comanches meet for the !rst time since 2019. WEEK 3 CUERO AT YOAKUM DeWitt County rivals play for the 113th time. VICTORIA EAST AT GREGORYPORTLAND Titans go on the road to play former district foe. CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL AT EL CAMPO Ricebirds play second consecutive Class 5A opponent. REFUGIO AT EDNA Bobcats and Cowboys combined for 93 points last season. KENEDY AT KARNES CITY Karnes County rivals play for the 103rd time. WEEK 4 WHARTON AT EL CAMPO Wharton County rivals collide for the 97th time. YOAKUM AT CALHOUN Bulldogs continue tough non-district schedule against Sandcrabs. CORPUS CHRISTI CALALLEN AT CUERO Gobblers and Wildcats play for the !rst time since 1999. SHINER AT EAST BERNARD Comanches defeated Brahmas in overtime in the last meeting in 2020. WEEK 5 GOLIAD AT INDUSTRIAL Tigers and Cobras open district play in Vanderbilt. ERNESTO PACHECO/SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE Calhoun’s Darrik Salinas runs past the defender during a Class 4A, Division I area round football game against Austin LBJ at Yoakum’s Bulldog Stadium on Nov. 20.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 12 es to Watch SHINER AT GANADO Shiner and Ganado open district play. WEEK 6 VICTORIA EAST AT CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER Titans travel to Buccaneer Stadium for "ursday night game against Miller. WACO LA VEGA AT YOAKUM Yoakum hosts La Vega, which won state in 2018. WEEK 7 VICTORIA WEST AT CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL Warriors travel to Buccaneer Stadium for a district game against the Eagles. BAY CITY AT EL CAMPO "e 119th meeting and 103rd consecutive game in the state’s oldest continuous rivalry. YORKTOWN AT FALLS CITY Wildcats and Beavers determined the district champion in last season’s game. WEEK 8 GONZALES AT CUERO Apaches and Gobblers play for the 84th time. INDUSTRIAL AT EDNA "e Jackson County rivalry has decided the district champion the last two seasons. SHINER ST. PAUL AT HALLETTSVILLE SACRED HEART Lavaca County rivals play for the 62nd time. WEEK 9 SHINER AT REFUGIO Comanches and Bobcats square o# for the !$h time as district opponents. CALHOUN AT BEEVILLE Sandcrabs and Trojans play for the third straight season as district opponents. EDNA AT GOLIAD Cowboys and Tigers meet for the !$h straight season as district foes. WEEK 10 CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL AT VICTORIA EAST Titans seek !rst win over Eagles. WEEK 11 VICTORIA EAST AT VICTORIA WEST Titans and Warriors play for the 12th time in the regular-season !nale. LA GRANGE AT CUERO Leopards and Gobblers close out district play. HALLETTSVILLE AT YOAKUM Brahmas and Bulldogs play for the 78th time. GANADO AT REFUGIO Indians and Bobcats meet in the !nal district game. KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] D’andre Fillmore makes an end zone reception during Victoria West’s annual spring football game at Victoria Memorial Stadium

14 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Two good football teams in District 15- 4A, Division I will stay home come playoff time. Beeville, Calhoun, Floresville, La Vernia, Pleasanton and Rockport-Fulton each reached the postseason last year. Five of the six reached the area round with La Vernia’s season ending in the bi-district round. Pleasanton had the best showing with a trip to the regional semifinal. Beeville and Calhoun hope to avoid being one of the unlucky few hanging up their cleats after Week 11. “You lose a Calallen or a (Corpus Christi) Miller out of the district, kids tend to think things may get a little easier,” said Calhoun coach Richard Whitaker. “This district is tough, top to bottom. I think parity is great in this district. On a Friday night, anybody can beat anybody.” Calhoun took the biggest hit with 16 starters graduating after last year’s trip to the area round. While Calhoun has reached the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, and 14 of the last 17, Whitaker understands the preparation his team needs to make it back to the playoffs this year. “Over the first several weeks, we’ve got to become as good as we can be,” Whitaker said. “Then hopefully, we’ll step out on the field in district, working on all cylinders.” Beeville coach Chris Soza was excited when he saw the team’s new district in February. After being the smallest school in a district with Calhoun, Alice, Calallen and Miller, the Trojans were almost on level ground in terms of enrollment numbers. Alice and Calallen shifted to 16-4A, Division I while Miller is now in District 15-5A, Division I. “We were in a tough district with Alice, Calallen and Miller,” Soza said. “When you compete against numbers like that, it’s tough.” Soza takes pride in the difficulty of defending his team’s Slot-T offense and hopes it causes plenty of headaches for teams like La Vernia, Pleasanton and Rockport-Fulton who are accustomed to seeing spread offenses. Running back/defensive back Trey Barefield will be a big player in the Trojans’ backfield after rushing for 748 yards and four touchdowns last year. “Those teams up north haven’t faced the Slot-T,” Soza said. “I always think that’s an advantage for us when teams don’t f ace it enough and basically have three days to prepare for it. So we’re excited and ready for the challenge.” BY KEVIN ALSTROM SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE Shiner St. Paul will kick off the 2022 season in search of a fifth consecutive state title. The Cardinals finished the 2021 season 10-1, 4-0. Standing in their way, will be perineal rival Hallettsville Sacred Heart. “Sacred Heart has a new coach, from Boerne Geneva, where they were very successful. They are a school with a lot of tradition. It will be a very tough game for us,” said St. Paul head coach Jake Wachsmuth. Walking the sideline for Sacred Heart this season is new head coach Nick Champion. Champion sees St. Paul as the team to beat in TAPPS Division IV, District 2, which also includes San Antonio Holy Cross, Temple Central Texas Christian, and New Braunfels Christian Academy. “Shiner is in the top class of the district. We’re trying to be there and be a competitor to them. Right now we have two seniors. We’re a pretty young team. We’re just trying to develop unity and chemistry as a team,” said Champion. St. Paul must replace all-state running backs Zach Johnson and Noah Boedeker, who graduated last spring. The offense will be under the leadership of returning quarterback Jacob Wachsmuth. Nate Boedeker will be in the backfield for St. Paul. In all, the Cardinals return thirteen starters from their state championship team. Sacred Heart returns running back Brady Haas along with wide receiver Nic Angerstein. Angerstein was also named to the all state team as a kicker. The Indians are returning a total of seven starters. Sacred Heart went 6-5, 3-1 in district before falling in the state semifinal game. DISTRICT 15-4A, DIVISION I TAPPS DIV. IV DIST. 2 Beeville, Calhoun ready for gauntlet in district play Shiner St. Paul opens quest for fifth state title DUY VU | [email protected] Shiner St. Paul stands for the national anthem during the TAPPS Division III/IV District 3 game against Hallettsville Sacred Heart at Comanche Stadium. DISTRICT 12-4A, DIVISION I Calhoun Sandcrabs Coach: Richard Whitaker Last Season’s Record: 6-5, 3-2 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, area Returning Starters: G Gage Spencer, OT Marquise Stinson, CB Tony Hensley, FS Darrik Salinas, DT Damian Guzman. Beeville Trojans Coach: Chris Soza Last Season’s Record: 5-7. 2-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, area Returning Starters: B/DB Isaiah Gonzales, SR Colin Gomez, K Edward Brako, FB Trey Barefield, TB/DB Darion Perez, G Nick Salazar, OT Hayden Cuevas, OT Jeremy Levine, OLB Gavin Corpus, FS Cameron Vega, DT Jackson Hughes. TAPPS DIV. IV DIST. 2 Shiner St. Paul Cardinals Coach: Jake Wachsmuth Last Season’s Record: 10-1, 4-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, state champion Returning Starters: OL/DL Jacob Seibert, OL/DL Jackson Ulcak, OL/ DL Elliott Peters, OL/DL Carson McNabb, OL/ TE/DL Joseph Twyford, TE/LB Josh Bonorden, WR/DB Trent Brown, WR Carter Novak, WR Vance Lucas, QB Jacob Wachsmuth, RB/LB Nate Boedeker, LB Brayden Slaughter, LB Zane Barta, DB Matthew Wagner. Hallettsville Sacred Heart Indians Coach: Nick Champion Last Season’s Record: 6-5, 3-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, state semifinal Returning Starters: OL/DL Cole Bujnoch, TE/LB Tyler Hawkins, WR/ FS Nic Angerstein, OL/DL Peyton Cull, RB/LB Brady Haas, WR/DB Klayton Chance.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 15 JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] After finishing the 2020 and 2021 seasons 0-10, administration at Wharton knew that a change had to be made to the football program. That is when they decided to bring in new head coach and athletic director Alvin Dotson. “There seems to be more excitement around football this year. Kids are very excited, and we’ve been getting tons of community and fan support,” Dotson said. “The kids come to work every day at practice, and I can see that they are learning and picking up the new offense and defense that we’re putting in.” The Tigers will focus heavily on the run this season. “We’re moving to a more run-oriented offense, and right now the backs are looking good,” Dotson said. “Our backs are coming from being in the spread. But I think we had a capability of having, not just one, but maybe two or three running backs that can actually change the course of the game.” Senior Jared Newsome is one of those receivers who has converted to a running back this season. “(Newsome) is gonna be excellent coming out of the backfield,” Dotson said. “He’s gonna be excellent getting around a corner, really stretching the field vertical and horizontal while he’s in the backfield.” Wharton will have plenty of competition in their seven-team district, with the addition of West Columbia, and schools the likes of Bellville, and Sealy still vying for the district title. Bellville, who is seen as the favorite to repeat as district champions, finished last season 12-1. They return 12 starters from last year’s squad that lost to West Orange-Stark 36-17 in the regional round of the playoffs. “I think it’s gonna be real competitive and it is a very, very physical district with Bellville, West Columbia, Sealy because they play real physical,” Dotson said. “That’s one of the points of emphasis that I’ve been taking control over my team, as far as how physical we can play, how physical we can be, and how fast we can get there.” JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] In 2021, Donnie Dzuik did what a head coach hadn’t done since the 2015 season - take the Badgers to the playoffs. The Badgers advanced to the playoffs, but ended up falling to Odem 59-25, ending their season 4-7. “The mindset is that we pick up where we left off last year,” Dzuik said. “Odem knocked us out last year in the first round. This season we play Odem in the first game, and we say that we’re going in to right the wrongs and fix things up.” The Badgers will return eight starters on offense, and nine on defense, a majority of them seniors. “We have a lot of starters back, and we expect a lot from those starters,” Dzuik said. “We got 13 seniors that were here at strength and conditioning all summer, so we’re feeling good going into the season.” One of those returning seniors is running back Jeremiah Rivera, who had 137 carries for 829 yards and four touchdowns in a season where he earned first-team all-district honors. Dzuik’s goal for Rivera and the rest of his 2022 roster is to have a season where they finish even better than last year. “We do have a tough district, the kids know that, I remind them of that all the time, just to get to the playoffs, of course that’s everybody’s goal, but we want to advance past the first round of the playoffs, because who knows what can happen after that,” Dzuik said. Nixon-Smiley finished last season 4-6, and 1-5 in district play, in a year where they only had four seniors on their roster. “I feel pretty confident right now. We’ve got a bunch of our kids from last year returning,” said Nixon-Smiley head coach Troy Moses. “We got the nucleus of our team returning with years of experience. They understand the program, they understand our philosophies, and they’re starting to believe in what we’re coaching and teaching.” The Mustangs will have ten starters returning on offense, and seven on the defensive side of the ball. “It helps for the camaraderie on the team, and the team atmosphere when you have this many returners because they’ve been together almost two years now,” Moses said. “When you only lose four players from the year before, you just get that sense that they’re more familiar with each other, just because they all played together last year.” One of the leaders from the senior class is tailback and free safety Bradyn Martinez. Martinez is a four year letterman for the Mustangs, starting on the team since he was freshman. “He’s gonna be a big play guy,” Moses said. “I think he’s got a lot of potential to be a district MVP if he wanted to.” Although Karnes City and Nixon-Smiley are hoping to compete for the district title this year, the favorite still remains Poth, which has been the outright district champions for the past five seasons under head coach Jeff Luna. “We feel really good about our football team and where we stand right now, we have a long way to go, and we have some young kids that are going to have to grow up pretty quick,” Luna said. DISTRICT 10-4A, DIVISION II 15-3A, DIVISION II Excitement building in Wharton football program Karnes City, Nixon-Smiley feeling confident in 2022 15-3A, DIVISION II Karnes City Badgers Coach: Donnie Dziuk Last Season’s Record: 4-7, 3-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, bi-district Returning Starters: QB Treyton Clark, WR/S Lisaiah Mendoza, OL Jacob Valdez, OL/DL Marshall Homeyer, OL Kayden Butler, OL Justin Barrientez, RB Jeremiah Rivera, TE/DE Mason Moore, OLB Jason Foley, CB Sean Leal, CB Charlie Foley, ILB Rhett Hodges, ILB James Mejia. Nixon-Smiley Mustangs Coach: Troy Moses Last Season’s Record: 4-6, 1-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, bi-district Returning Starters: HB/S George Rodriguez, QB Luke Moses, SR/CB Kade Dixon, TB/FS Bradyn Martinez, Sebastian Ortiz G/LB, C Kevin Zavala, OT Dakota O’neal, G/DT Jesus Espino, OT Fernando Mejia, SE/DE Holden Canion, OLB John Garza, CB Aiden Flores, DT Christopher Jantes. DISTRICT 10-4A, DII Wharton Tigers Coach: Alvin Dotson Last Season’s Record: 0-10, 0-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2019 Returning Starters: WR Jared Newsome, RB Raymond Hudson, OL Kendon Mayberry, OL Teress Harris, OL Dominique Williams, OL Giovanni Martin, QB Jacorric Allen, DE George Woods, CB Carlton Scott, CB Jakorian Baldridge, LB Jeremy Griggs, S Rayshawn Hood, LB Carlos Murataila.

16 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] Cuero and Gonzales will be with three of the four teams they shared a district with last season. But the District has changed from 13-4A, Division II to 12-4A, Division II, meaning a move from Region IV to Region III. In addition, three of the district’s teams have a new head coach, including Cuero and Gonzales. First-year Cuero coach Jerod Fikac doesn’t expect the level of competition to be any different. “I think every team in our district is talented,” Fikac said. “They’ve all got athletes. You’ve got to come to play every single week. There are a few programs in there that have new coaches just like myself. There’s going to be a lot of guys chomping at the bit to start off strong and get going. We’re going to have to get ourselves ready to go. It’s going to be a very competitive district.” The Gobblers went undefeated in district and advanced to the state semifinals last season before losing to eventual state champion China Spring. La Grange, Navasota and Smithville also made the playoffs. Navasota has been replaced in the district by Caldwell. Giddings, which failed to make the playoffs, also has a new head coach. Cuero returns a majority of starters, but must replace its starting quarterback and receivers. “We want to see effort and execution,” Fikac said. “We want to be able to coach technique. Who’s going to give effort and who knows what we’re supposed to do and where we have weaknesses and how we can hone in on those weaknesses.” Gonzales is coming off a 2-8 season and is seeking its first playoff berth since 2019. “I know it’s a tough district,” said firstyear Gonzales coach Joey Rivera. “Anytime you have Cuero and La Grange in there it’s going to be tough. We’ve got a lot to do.” Rivera and his staff, which includes some late hires, have been doing a lot of teaching in their two-back, no-huddle offense. “We’ve got a good corps of seniors and we’ve got some juniors who played as sophomores,” Rivera said. “It’s just staying together. We’re going to have smaller numbers than normal. As far as the varsity squad, staying healthy and everyone buying into what we’re doing and learning what we’re doing. If we stay the course and do what we’re supposed to do and stay committed to what we’re doing, I see us making the playoffs.” JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] For the past two seasons, Falls City has dominated District 16-2A, Division ll. However, the district was shaken up at realignment with Falls City, Yorktown, and Louise moving to District 14. Woodsboro, who finished in fourth in the district last season (3-7, 3-3), sees it as a great opportunity to move up and contend for the district title this year. “We feel pretty good. We got a lot of returning starters back and I’m going into year three with the program,” said Woodsboro head coach Johnny Lesak. “We’re feeling like we’re not ahead of everybody, but we’re trying to catch up and we feel like we’ve actually made up some ground.” This season, the Eagles have 10 listed returning starters, including sophomore quarterback Layton Niemann. Niemann got the starting job at quarterback on the tail end of last season, only being able to start five games for the Eagles. With a full offseason of knowing he’s the team’s starter, Lesak hopes that Niemann will be able to improve in the role. “Last year, it happened real fast, and he was just basically out there just playing as hard as he could, and being an athlete,” Lesak said. “This year he’s got a little better understanding of the offense and a more consistent execution of what we do. He’s a player, and he’s athletic, and we need him to be the guy that makes plays when it’s time.” This season, the Eagles will face five other district teams, including the additions of Bruni, Benavides, and Lasara. Bruni, which finished last season with a season record of 7-4, 3-1 district, are a big contender for the district title. The Badgers have finished second in their district the past two years, and won it outright in 2019. They have also made it to the playoffs each of the past 11 seasons. This season, the Badgers have six returning starters on defense, and six on offense. Bruni head coach Richard Johnson is hoping that his quarterback, junior Albert Esquivel, who finished last season with 16 total touchdowns, and added 1,156 yards on the ground, can help his team advance to the playoffs once again this season. “We’ve been to the second round of the playoffs the last three years, so that’s our goal at the end of the day, win a district championship, and try to make a run in the playoffs,” Johnson said. Without Falls City, Lesak sees the district being wide open with no clear team ahead of the other. “I think every week is gonna be a competition to see who comes out ahead. I really don’t think that there’s going to be any walkaways in this district, I really don’t,” Lesak said. “That being said, it is 2A football, you never know. Somebody could lose key players and then have a bad couple of weeks, or somebody moved in or somebody grew from last year, so 2A football is hard to predict.” DISTRICT 12-4A, DIVISION II DISTRICT 16-2A, DIVISION II New coaches look for success at Cuero, Gonzales Woodsboro hopes to be competitive in shaken-up district DISTRICT 12-4A, DIVISION II Cuero Gobblers Coach: Jerod Fikac Last Season’s Record: 13-2, 5-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, state semifinal Returning Starters: RB Tycen Williams, RB Zyler Jones, OL Kyle Weghorst, OL Matt Guerrero, OL Camren Body, DB Dayson Varela, DB Jeremiah Wilson, OLB Donavin Jones, LB Brandt Patek, LB Sean Burks, DL Javanee Bacon, DL Christian Holmes. Gonzales Apaches Coach: Joey Rivera Last Season’s Record: 2-8. 0-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2019, area Returning Starters: QB Jarren Johnson, RB/LB Derrick Garza, WR/ LB Josh Esparza, WR TJ Riojas, WR/S Davonte Smith, C Landon Holub, OL Layne Thiele, OL Omar Borjon, OL Brody Borrer, S Kason Tieken, S Mason Navejar, LB Hadley Borrer, LB Blake Wright, LB Kameron Leal, DE Jason Sanchez, DE Jermaine Upshaw. DISTRICT 16-2A, DIVISION II Woodsboro Eagles Coach: Johny Lesak Last Season’s Record: 3-7, 3-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2022, bi-district Returning Starters: QB/DB Layton Niemann, FB/DL Colton Wiginton, TB/DB Glen Giddens, WR/LB TK Morgan, WR Dereck Hatchett, OL/DL Reed Fricks, OL Michael Love, OL Brenner Kurtz, LB Adam Dominguez, , LB Gage Veselka.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 17 KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] Edna lineman Otis Santellana says he’s ready for the coming season while at Cowboy Memorial Stadium in Edna recently. BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] EDNA — Otis Santellana has been the biggest player on the field from the time he began playing football at 4-years old in Florida. But when Santellana moved to Edna in seventh grade and eventually made the varsity as a sophomore, he realized more than size mattered. “It was a big adjustment,” Santellana said. “You’re not playing against kids you’re just bigger than. That’s when I kind of had to get used to using technique. I had to have more of a violent tendency when I was on the field.” Santellana has made good use of his 6-foot-3, 300-pound frame from his defensive tackle position. He had 67 tackles and 10 sacks last season. He was a first-team selection on the Advocate’s all-area team, while helping the Cowboys claim the District 15-3A, Division I championship and advance to the regional semifinals before finishing with a 10-3 record. “He’s been a hard worker,” said Edna coach Jimmie Mitchell. “He’s gotten himself really strong. He’s gotten a lot quicker and a lot faster (5.2-second 40-yard time). He really dominated last year. There are not many people in high school who can block him.” Santellana is far from satisfied despite picking up Division I offers from Marshall and Austin-Peay and a number of Division II offers. “My goal is to improve in every aspect,” he said. “Last year was a good year, but it was full of mistakes so a ton of improvements need to be made.” Santellana figures to be a key component in an Edna defense that returns all but one starter from last season. “We have almost everyone back,” Santellana said. “This defense is violent and fast. I believe we can have the best defense in the state.” “We have pretty high expectations for that defense,” Mitchell added. “They were really good last year. They’re all a year older and had a great offseason so I think they’ve got a chance to be really special.” Santellana knows building a good defense begins with a strong front line. “Having a good defensive line is having an anchor,” he said. “It anchors the whole defense. It stops the run and puts pressure on the pass. If you don’t have a good defensive line, it’s not going to go well.” Santellana is likely to see some time on the offensive line, so he spent most of the preseason workouts attempting to get in playing shape. “I worked on getting my condition down so I can play at full speed all four quarters,” he said. “The biggest improvement I need to make is reading my blocks and being able to go full speed everytime I’m on the field.” Mitchell is anxious to see Santellana improve, but has no doubt he’s ready to play at the next level. “I think he’s there now,” Mitchell said. “He’s got a good future.” Santellana’s mind is on the immediate future and helping the Cowboys have a season to remember. “Right now, it’s mainly about getting better,” he said. “Of course, I’m anxious to get out there to play. But I wouldn’t feel right unless I improved on a bunch of stuff.” CLASS 3A COVERBOY Edna’s Otis Santellana ready to put it all on the line SANTELLANA STATISTICS 2021 statistics for Edna defensive tackle Otis Santellana. • 67 tackles • 10 sacks

18 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com “We know our business so you can focus on yours.” Good Luck Brahmas and Indians! 361-798-4311 361-245-5303 www.leopoldinsurance.com 900 N Texana St. Hallettsville BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Hallettsville coach Tommy Psencik and Yoakum’s Bo Robinson know they’ve got work to do this season. Both teams stayed in Region III in Class 3A, Division I during realignment and will be homed in District 12-3A, DI with Columbus, Hitchcock and Hempstead. Hempstead went 0-10 last year and was the only team to miss the playoffs in this district. Columbus made the deepest run by reaching the regional semifinals. The Cardinals return 18 total starters. “This district is tough,” Robinson said. “If you can be in the top two teams in this district, you’re a top 10 team in the state.” The key to success in this district, according to Psencik, is improvement week in and week out. “We have to have that improvement one game at a time,” Psencik said. “Our preseason is going to be tough. Even our scrimmages are tough this year. Everything that we do has to be with a positive direction and improved performances.” Hallettsville lost to Diboll in the second round of the playoffs last year. The Brahmas (9-3 in 2021) graduated most of their area-round team and have to build around nine returning starters. “Everybody’s aware of what we need to do,” Psencik added. “We’ve got most of our youth, the inexperienced one, on the line except for a couple of them. So we need depth on both sides, offense and defense.” Yoakum (7-4) will have a chance to challenge for the district championship with 12 total starters back after reaching the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. Robinson expects the Bulldogs to find balance on both sides of the ball with Jayden Jones leading the charge after a 1,600-yard rushing performance last season. “He’s our bell cow,” Robinson said. “He’s gonna have to have a good year on both sides of the ball. There are other guys we think can be big time players for us, but Jayden is definitely the ringleader.” DISTRICT 12-3A, DIVISION I Hallettsville, Yoakum ready for work in 12-3A, Division I DISTRICT 12-3A, DIVISION I Hallettsville Brahmas Coach: Tommy Psencik Last Season’s Record: 9-3, 4-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, area Returning starters: WR/DB Layne Gerke, OL/DL Michael McAfee, WR/DB De’Kendris Bedford, OLB Damarion Austin, WR/SS Brandt Trlicek, RB/DB Jashaun Price, RB/LB Cam’ron Alamilla. Yoakum Bulldogs Coach: Bo Robinson Last Season’s Record: 7-4, 3-2 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, bi-district Returning Starters: RB/LB Jayden Jones, FB/DT Tyjuan Garza, C Kenny Long, OT Dane Knocke, WR/CB Kadarius Price, WR/FS Qyion Williams, LB Will Robbins, DT Bruno Gonzalez. DEAN KIBLER/SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE Yoakum’s Jayden Jones runs with the ball during an Oct. 29 District 12-3A, Division I football game against Hallettsville at Bulldog Stadium in Yoakum.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 19 ERNESTO PACHECO | SPECIAL TO THE ADVOCATE Goliad’s Joseph Council reaches up to try and grab a pass over Corpus Christi London defenders in a Class 3A, Division I bi-district game on Nov. 13. BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Edna, Goliad and Industrial each had noteworthy seasons last year after ending various droughts. Edna won its first outright district title in six years and advanced to the regional semifinals. Industrial reached the regional final for the first time since 2005. Goliad snapped a two-year playoff drought with a fourth place finish and six wins one year after a winless season. Those three, and Corpus Christi London which advanced to the area round, headline the seven-team District 15-3A, Division I. The only change was the departure of Orange Grove. “We’re kind of looking at it as the same. London and Orange Grove, those two programs the past two years have been pretty much the same as far as what they’ve been able to do and the talent level,” said Edna coach Jimmie Mitchell. “We’re not seeing it as changing much. London is our first district game and that’s going to be a challenge.” Edna was able to beat Industrial 26-16 in Week 10 last year to win the district championship. Despite having 17 starters back, including 10 defensively, Mitchell knows he can expect a challenge from their Jackson County rivals. “Industrial is always a challenge. It’s not only a big rivalry,” Mitchell said. “(Craig) Nairn is going to do a good job over there. We need to be able to get into that and especially on some of those weeks where we probably should win, stay focused and continue to execute the process day-to-day on a weekly basis.” Nairn was promoted to athletic director and head coach after Jamie Dixon took the same position at Blanco and still expects to challenge for the title. “We preach that every day. That’s why we’re here,” Nairn said. “The expectation is to feed the monster we’ve built. We’ve gotta go to work and show up. We’re chasing a district championship.” Much like Edna, Goliad expects experience to play a big role with 15 starters back for the Tigers from a double-overtime loss to London in playoffs. “I think the biggest thing is they saw how close we were and where we were at, and they were able to compete,” said Goliad coach Kevin Salazar. “Our offseason was great. These guys really came together.” Palacios returns the most starters with 19 and looks to avoid a similar season to its 1-9 mark last year. “We need more consistent play,” said Chad Graves, Palacios’ head coach. “We had a very small senior class year and a very large junior class. With them moving up to seniors, that’s been the brightest point for us.” DISTRICT 15-3A, DIVISION I Edna, Industrial vie for another district title in 2022 DISTRICT 13-2A, DIVISION I Edna Cowboys Coach: Jimmie Mitchell Last Season’s Record: 10-3, 6-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional semifinal Returning Starters: QB Jaiden Clay, OL/DT Otis Santellana, HB/ DE Chris Robinson, TE/DE Jaykub Reyes, ILB Paden Bradley, RB/LB Dreydan Ashford, LB Landon Miller, RB/OLB Karmyne Williams, WR/FS Campton Hicks, RB/WS Paden Vera, WR/CB Kaleb Rodas, OL/DT Andre Brady, OL/DT Pablo Almeda, OL Dylan Buehring, RB/ WR/S Kade Rodas, WR Harrison Smiga, WR/ TE Kevin Robinson. Industrial Cobras Coach: Craig Nairn Last Season’s Record: 11-3, 5-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional final Returning Starters: SR/S Clearance Hosey, TE Kade Kubecka, WR Braxton Warren, OL Cobyn Snyder, OL Jacob Repka, DL Clayton Rountree, DL Dylan Rerich. Goliad Tigers Coach: Kevin Salazar Last Season’s Record: 6-5, 3-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, bi-district Returning Starters: RB/WR/CB Demetrius Steptoe, TE/DE Dasen Tinney-Anderson, RB/DE Joseph Council, RB Justin Livas, FB/LB Braylon Perry, G Ryder Reyes, C Kolton Duval, G/DT Caden Gonzalez, OT/DT Leverius Gage, OT Jacob Guerrero, OLB Eli Luco, S Dalley Salas, FS Colby Rosenquest, OLB Korben Welch, LB Angel Hernandez, LB Jonathon Barraza. Palacios Sharks Coach: Chad Graves Last Season’s Record: 1-9, 1-5 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: QB/CB Anthony White, OL Carson Brooks, OLB Mark Flores, DT Lawrence Garcia, OLB Thomas Garcia, SR Cameron Graves, OL Herasmo Guerrero, OL Mauricio Hurtado, TE/DE Tanner Lev, OL Caleb Malone, DT Eric Ortega, ILB Xavier Perez, SR Donvan Ruiz, WR Matthew Sandoval, OL Dylan Vu, TE Christian Woodard.

20 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] Shiner and Ganado won’t be staring down Flatonia, Schulenburg and Weimar during district play this year. But while the Comanches and Indians are not in District 13-2A, Division I, teams won’t get a reprieve with Hearne, Thorndale and Holland entering the fray this season. All three went two rounds or further in the playoffs. “Everybody in our district is very competitive,” said Flatonia coach Chris Freytag. “It’s going to take a team that’s prepared each week and a very focused team to get through the district and get in the playoffs.” Schulenburg advanced to the regional semifinals, but has nine total starters back and a tough schedule. “We went three rounds. So it’s harder to find opponents that want to play you in non-district,” said Schulenburg coach Walt Brock. “So we have a really tough non-district schedule with (Universal City) Randolph, Rogers, Burton and Poth. And we start district with Thorndale.” Weimar is in its first year under Wade Griffin, who replaced Ryan McIver in the spring. Griffin has been encouraged by the turnout in fall practices and hopes the Wildcats can make some noise despite being picked to finish last by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. “I think we have a bunch of hungry kids that are excited about playing football right now,” Griffin said. “I think we’ve seen the numbers through the summer and coming out for football this year are higher than they have been. I think there’s a little bit of buzz going on right now about football.” DISTRICT 14-3A, DIVISION II DISTRICT 13-2A, DIVISION I Rice Consolidated, Van Vleck, Tidehaven to compete for district title Fresh faces, same difficulty for Flatonia, Schulenburg, Weimar DISTRICT 13-2A, DIVISION I Flatonia Bulldogs Coach: Chris Freytag Last Season’s Record: 5-5, 2-2 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, area Returning Starters: WR/DB Jaidyn Guyton, WR/DB Keyshaun Green, QB/DB Fidel Venegas, TE/MLB Reese Ramirez, WR/DB Titan Targac, OL Phillip Ramirez, OL/DL Kobe Burton, RB/OLB Dayton Cliffe, DT Davon Walles, OL/DE Zeke Rodriguez. Schulenburg Shorthorns Coach: Walt Brock Last Season’s Record: 6-7, 1-3 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional semifinal Returning Starters: QB/DB Tyler Ryba, RB/ILB Rodney Walton, C Isaiah Adams, OT/DT Tommy Granger, G/DE DK Thompson, OT/DT Ignacio Hernandez, WR/S/ OLB Kenny Schramek, K/DB Michael Cortez, TE/G/DE Ray Mitchell, RB/ILB John Davis, WR/P Kaz McBride. Weimar Wildcats Coach: Wade Griffin Last Season’s Record: 2-8, 0-4 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: WR/LB Dillon Stech, TE/DE Hudson Ervin, OL/DL Chris Moreno, RB/LB Waylon Schramek, WR/LB Tanner Konvicka, RB/LB Dreylon McMillian, RB/ DB Wyatt Lacina, OL/DL Emmanuel Gaytan, OL/ DL Jonathon Aramilla, WR/DB Marcus Castillo, OL/DL Juan Hernandez. JEREMIAH SOSA [email protected] Over nine years have passed since the last time that Brad Dumont has been on the sidelines as a head coach at Rice Consolidated. However, that all changes this year as he returns to the school in hopes of improving the team that finished second to last in the district last year at 3-7. “I’ve been out nine years, and it feels great to be back,” Dumont said. “I’m a coach’s kid, and I grew up a coach’s kid and I’ve been around it all my life and I took a break, recharged and ready to go, man. It feels great.” One challenger to Rice Consolidated for the district title this year is going to be Van Vleck, which went 7-4 and 5-0 in district a year ago. “Winning the district was really great, but the unfortunate thing is, we didn’t take care of our business after that, because we were so excited about that,” said Van Vleck head coach Rodney Dowell. “We’ve made some changes in the program for the positive, and one of the things we’ve been preaching to our kids is a work ethic, and commitment.” Another team which looks to compete with Van Vleck and Rice Consolidated this season is Tidehaven, which reached the regional semifinals. “We were a sophomore heavy team, and we got all of them boys back,” said Tidehaven head coach David Lucio. “We got a lot of three-year starters in that group that have DISTRICT 14-3A, DIVISION II Van Vleck Leopards Coach: Rodney Dowell Last Season’s Record: 7-4, 5-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, bi-district Returning Starters: RB/LB Cam Austin, DB Corey Austin, RB Brett Noster, DB Kaleb Brown, LB Sam Brooks, TE Andrew Trevino, TE Charlie Hill, OL Jacob Perez, OL Wade Springfield. Tidehaven Tigers Coach: David Lucio Last Season’s Record: 7-5, 3-2 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional semifinal Returning Starters: RB/S Joseph Dodds, WR Connor Claxton, WR/CB Kevin Rickaway, OT/DE Clyde Griffith, C Sean Colton, G Woody Galvan, OT Gustavo Hernandez, DE Justin Griffith, DT Wyatt Lee, MLB Mathew Rush, OLB Ricky Rubio. Rice Consolidated Raiders Coach: Brad Dumont Last Season’s Record: 3-7, 1-4 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2020, bi-district Returning Starters: WR/DB Jae’Shun Smith, RB/LB Dyren Johnson, K Angel Gonzalez, QB/S Ralph Herrera, RB/LB Roger Gradney, OL/ DL Hunter Kazmir, OL Ethan Luna, OL/DL Luis Caballos, OL Aziel Gonzalez, DL Sean Sims, OL/ DL Gerrin Flowers. DUY VU | [email protected] The Tidehaven Tigers make their way out of the tunnel to start Friday’s non-district game against Industrial in El Maton.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 21 CHASE COFIELD | [email protected] Ganado quarterback Kyle Bures-Guerrero was injured in the first quarter of the regional semifinals against Refugio last year, but said he’s ready to bounce back. BY SAM FOWLER [email protected] GANADO — Ganado quarterback Kyle Bures-Guerrero has seen his season end at the same point against the same team each of the past two years. Bures-Guerrero was injured in the first quarter of the regional semifinals against Refugio last year and suffered the same fate in 2020 against Refugio on the final possession of the first quarter when he sustained a foot injury. Ganado was outscored 108-9 in both games. Bures-Guerrero, now a senior, wants to ensure he finishes the season on the field. “It really upset me going out there and seeing my team like that,” Bures-Guerrero said. “I’d have rather failed with them (on the field) rather than how I went out.” Missing out on last year’s regional semifinals have served as motivation for the 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior. “It’s definitely been tough on him the past few years, having the season end injured and losing to Refugio,” said first-year coach Josh Ervin, who was promoted after Brent Bennett resigned from the position. “He’s used it as motivation going into his last year. His goal is he’s gonna finish the season no matter what. You never want injuries to occur, but he’s put his body in a good position to have success and not get injured.” Bures-Guerrero enters his fourth year as a starter for the Indians. He threw for 2,034 yards, rushed for 1,034 and amassed 46 total touchdowns to help Ganado reach the third round of playoffs for the third consecutive year. He boasts a career completion percentage of 58.4% on 755 pass attempts with 5,539 yards and 59 touchdowns. Ervin sees his senior quarterback as a coach on the field and hopes to utilize that experience. “There’s a lot that we’re able to do offensively that if we didn’t have a kid like him, we wouldn’t be able to do,” Ervin said. “Because we do have him and he’s been starting for four years, we’re able to put the team in a better situation. He’s voted captain. The kids love him. He sets the tone a lot of times at practice and he’s able to help everyone with their responsibilities.” Bures-Guerrero won’t have to wait until the third round of playoffs to face Refugio this year. Ganado was aligned into District 15-2A, Division I with Refugio, Shiner, Bloomington, Kenedy, Skidmore-Tynan and Three Rivers. The Indians and Bobcats will face off on Nov. 4 in the final week of the regular season. “There’s not any uncertainty,” Ervin said. “We know we’re playing Shiner in Week 5 and Refugio in Week 11. It’s just time to go out and compete.” Ganado was picked to finish third in the district by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football behind Shiner and Refugio. With nine starters returning on each side of the ball, the Indians hope they can make some noise this season. “I feel like we should be respected,” Bures-Guerrero said. “But the underdog role is motivation to us. We’re gonna use it and go out there to prove people wrong.” CLASS 2A COVERBOY Ganado’s Bures-Guerrero ready to finish for Indians

22 — VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 VictoriaAdvocate.com BY MIKE FORMAN [email protected] The last time Shiner and Refugio played, over 11,000 fans watched in a regional final game at Memorial Stadium in Victoria. The next time Refugio and Shiner meet, it will be at Jack Sportsman Bobcat Stadium in Refugio. The UIL moved the Comanches and Bobcats into District 15-2A, Division I, and it will be the fifth time the teams play as district rivals. “It’s definitely going to be a battle early in the year, but we’ve been in that situation before so it’s nothing new,” said Shiner coach Daniel Boedeker. “You just have to make sure you get yourself ready to play a really good opponent.” “Call me crazy, call me stupid but that game has morphed so much into a winner-take-all,” said Refugio coach Jason Herring. “It’s blown up into one of the biggest games in the state. There’s so much at risk, I think with a young team, it’s good for us. It’s important because it’s a district championship and a gold ball. But it’s not do or die and you still get to keep playing.” Shiner, which has won 30 straight games, and Refugio have won the last three state championships, but won’t be the only playoff teams in the district. Ganado, Kenedy and Three Rivers each won at least one postseason game. The district will also include Skidmore-Tynan, which dropped from Class 3A, Division II, and Bloomington. “The kids are excited and we’re all excited,” said first-year Ganado coach Josh Ervin. “The district’s out of control in terms of who we play, but one thing I do like is we know we’re going to play Shiner and we know we’re going to play Refugio. The uncertainty is out of it. We’re also excited about the change. It’s fun every two years when you have the opportunity to play new teams.” Kenedy has been to the playoffs for three straight seasons after going winless in 2017 and 2018. The Lions are attempting to reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive year for the first time in school history. “I think we can compete,” said Kenedy coach Shawn Alvarez. “These teams are really good. The good thing is this group were freshmen when we got here. They’re all grown up now. We’ve got some size and we’ve got a little speed. We’ve got some different dynamics we haven’t had in the past. But the biggest thing we have is we’ve built a football program.” Brandon Craus is trying to do the same in his first season at Bloomington. The Bobcats have lost 37 consecutive district games. “We have a great opportunity to see what kind of football team we are,” Craus said. “Everybody talks about how hard it is. The district has a chance to be a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to it because we go in there and get to play the team that’s won the last three state championships. We get to see where we’re at.” DISTRICT 15-2A, DIVISION I UIL realignment sends state champions back to same district DISTRICT 15-2A, DIVISION I Shiner Comanches Coach: Daniel Boedeker Last Season’s Record: 16-0, 4-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, state champion Returning Starters: RB/FS Dalton Brooks, OT Jacob Werner, G Dalton Patton, WR/QB/CB Drew Wenske, DT Haven Stafford, LB Beck Bishop, SS Ryan Peterson. Refugio Bobcats Coach: Jason Herring Last Season’s Record: 13-1, 4-0 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021 regional final Returning Starters: OL JR Moore, RB Jordan King, QB Caleb Hesseltine, RB Eziyan Bland, OL Jayden Wright, WR Ernest Campbell, WR J. Henry Moore, FS Isaiah Avery, LB Kaleb Brown, LB Lukas Meza, OL Cadence Wills, FS Branson Boxell, WR Chai Whitmire, WR Karson Herring, DB Jayden Lewis, DE Braylon Gonzes, OL Brayden Henderson. Ganado Indians Coach: Josh Ervin Last Season’s Record: 7-6, 3-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, regional semifinal Returning Starters: OL/DL Vincent Barajas, OL/DL Michael Bubela, QB/LB Kyle Bures-Guerrero, OL/DL Coltyn Chambless, WR/DB Cain Hayden, WR/LB Dylan Holt, OL/DL Martin Ramirez, RB/LB Vincent Sablatura, WR/DB Ashton Strauss, TE/DL Corbin Teague, OL/DL Adam Tristan, OL/DL Logan Tupa, WR/DB Bubba Webernick. Kenedy Lions Coach: Shawn Alvarez Last Season’s Record: 8-3, 3-1 district Last Playoff Appearance: 2021, area Returning Starters: TE/DL Ryland Reyna, OL/DE Joseph Luna, OL/DL Richard Deleon, RB/LB Owen Espinoza, K Moises Perdomo. Bloomington Bobcats Coach: Brandon Craus Last Season’s Record: 2-8, 0-4 district Last Playoff Appearance: 1999, bi-district Returning Starters: OL/DL Jesus Aguirre, QB/LB Samuel Beraza, OL/LB Cameron Davis, WR/LB Jean Perez, WR/LB Micka Sanchez, OL/DL Luis Castillo, OL/DL Anthony Madrigal, WR/DB Cebron Taylor, QB/DB Jesus Zuniga. REFUGIO BOBCATS on the upcoming 2022 season! (361)526-4280 | www.hcolifield.com 1007 S Alamo Street | 78377 Refugio Texas HARD CORE OILFIELD SUPPLY Good Luck KIT MACAVOY | [email protected] Shiner’s Dalton Brooks breaks through Tidehaven defenders during a scrimmage at Shiner’s Comanche Stadium.

VictoriaAdvocate.com VICTORIA ADVOCATE, August 24, 2022 — 23 (361)526-4280 | www.hcolifield.com 1007 S Alamo Street | 78377 Refugio Texas HARD CORE OILFIELD SUPPLY Woodsboro Eagles for the upcoming 2022 season! GOOD LUCK VICTORIA EAST 8/26 - @ SAN ANTONIO TAFT - 7:00 PM 9/2 - VS NEW BRAUNFELS CANYON - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ GREGORY-PORTLAND - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI CARROLL - 7:30 PM 9/29 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER - 7:00 PM 10/7 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI RAY - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI KING - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI MOODY - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ VICTORIA WEST - 7:30 PM VICTORIA WEST 8/26 - VS SAN ANTONIO DAVENPORT - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ LEANDER GLENN - 7:00 PM 9/9 - VS ALICE - 7:30 PM 9/22 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI KING - 7:00 PM 9/30 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI MOODY - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI RAY - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI CARROLL - 7:30PM 10/28 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS VICTORIA EAST - 7:30 PM VICTORIA ST. JOSEPH 8/26 - VS ARANSAS PASS - 7:00 PM 9/2 - @ LULING - 7:00 PM 9/9 - @ HOUSTON NORTHLAND CHRISTIAN - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS BROWNSVILLE ST. JOSEPH - 7:00 PM 9/30 - @ AUSTIN REGENTS SCHOOL - 7:00 PM 10/7 - @ SAN ANTONIO CHRISTIAN - 7:00 PM 10/15 - VS SAN ANTONIO ST. ANTHONY’S - 11:00 AM 10/21 - @ SAN ANTONIO TEXAS MILITARY INSTITUTE - 7:00 PM 10/28 - VS AUSTIN ST. MICHAEL’S - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS AUSTIN HYDE PARK BAPTIST - 7:00 PM BAY CITY 8/26 - @ SWEENY - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS EDNA - 7:00 PM 9/10 - @ HOUSTON WORTHING - 6:00 PM 9/16 - VS SEALY - 7:00 PM 9/23 - @ FREEPORT BRAZOSPORT - 7:00 PM 9/30 - VS NAVASOTA - 7:00 PM 10/7 - @ EL CAMPO - 7:00 PM 10/21 - VS NEEDVILLE - 7:00 PM 10/28 - @ ALVIN IOWA COLONY - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS STAFFORD - 7:00 PM BEEVILLE 8/26 - VS. SINTON - 7:30 P.M. 9/2 - @ ORANGE GROVE - 7:30 P.M. 9/9 - VS. BISHOP - 7:30 P.M. 9/16 - VS. SOMERSET - 7 P.M. 9/23 - @ CUERO - 7:30 P.M. 10/7 - @ FLORESVILLE - 7 P.M. 10/14 - @ ROCKPORT-FULTON - 7 P.M. 10/21 - VS. CALHOUN - 7 P.M. 10/28 - @ LA VERNIA - 7 P.M. 11/4 - @ PLEASANTON - 7 P.M. BLOOMINGTON 8/26 - VS WOODSBORO - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ LOUISE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ PETTUS - 7:00 PM 9/16 - VS RUNGE - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS REFUGIO - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ SHINER - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS KENEDY - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ GANADO - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ SKIDMORE-TYNAN - 7:30 PM CALHOUN 8/26 - @ HOUSTON STAFFORD - 7 P.M. 9/2 - VS. FORT BEND RANDLE - 7 P.M. 9/9 - @ SINTON - 7:30 P.M. 9/16 - VS. YOAKUM - 7 P.M. 9/23 - VS. GREGORY-PORTLAND - 7 P.M. 10/7 - @ LA VERNIA - 7 P.M. 10/14 - VS. PLEASANTON -7 P.M. 10/21 - @ BEEVILLE - 7 P.M. 10/28 - VS. ROCKPORT-FULTON - 7 P.M. 11/4 - @ FLORESVILLE - 7 P.M. CUERO 8/26 - @ EL CAMPO - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS GERONIMO NAVARRO - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ YOAKUM - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS CALALLEN - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS BEEVILLE - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ GIDDINGS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS GONZALES - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ CALDWELL - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ SMITHVILLE - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS LA GRANGE - 7:30 PM EDNA 8/26 - @ EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ BAY CITY - 7:00 PM 9/9 - @ REFUGIO - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS SINTON - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI LONDON - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ PALACIOS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ GOLIAD - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS MATHIS - 7:30 PM 11-4 - @ ARANSAS PASS - 7:30 PM EL CAMPO 8/26 - VS CUERO - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI MILLER - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI VETERANS MEMORIAL - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS WHARTON - 7:00 PM 9/23 - @ NAVASOTA - 7:00 PM 10/7 - VS BAY CITY - 7:00 PM 10/14 - @ NEEDVILLE - 7:00 PM 10/21 - VS ALVIN IOWA COLONY - 7:00 PM 10/28 - @ STAFFORD - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS FREEPORT BRAZOSPORT - 7:00 PM FALLS CITY 8/26 - @ THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS POTH - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS STOCKDALE - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ FLATONIA - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ BURTON - 7:00 PM 10/7 - VS YORKTOWN - 7:00 PM 10/14 - @ LOUISE - 7:00 PM 10/21 - VS SNOOK - 7:00 PM 10/28 - @ RUNGE - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS SOMERVILLE - 7:00 PM FLATONIA 8/26 - @ SHINER ST. PAUL - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS HALLETTSVILLE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ NIXON-SMILEY - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS FALLS CITY - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS THRALL - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ THORNDALE - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS HEARNE - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ SCHULENBURG - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS WEIMAR - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ HOLLAND - 7:30 PM GANADO 8/26 - @ VAN VLECK - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS PALACIOS - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ DANBURY - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS SHINER - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ KENEDY - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS SKIDMORE-TYNAN - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ REFUGIO - 7:30 PM GOLIAD 8/26 - VS TIDEHAVEN - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ POTEET - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ SAN ANTONIO COLE - 7:00 PM 9/16 - VS JOURDANTON - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS MATHIS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ ARANSAS PASS - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS EDNA - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI LONDON - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS PALACIOS - 7:30 PM GONZALES 8/26 - VS BASTROP CEDAR CREEK - 7:00 PM 9/2 - @ LA VERNIA - 7:00 PM 9/9 - VS MARION - 7:00 PM 9/16 - VS PLEASANTON - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ YOAKUM - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ CALDWELL - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ CUERO - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS SMITHVILLE - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ LA GRANGE - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS GIDDINGS - 7:30 PM HALLETTSVILLE 8/26 - VS SHINER - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ FLATONIA - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ VAN VLECK - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS SAN ANTONIO PIEPER - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS FORT WORTH SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN (AT UMHB) - 7:00 PM 9/30 - @ HOUSTON KIPP ACADEMY - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS COLUMBUS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ HEMPSTEAD - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS HITCHCOCK - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ YOAKUM - 7:30 PM HALLETTSVILLE SACRED HEART 8/26 - @ TOMBALL ROSEHILL CHRISTIAN - 7:00 PM 9/2 - VS BRUNI - 7:00 PM 9/9 - VS HOUSTON NORTH ACADEMY - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ LOUISE - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ RIVIERA-KAUFER - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS LEAGUE CITY BAY AREA CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ MAGNOLIA LEGACY PREP - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS SHINER ST. PAUL - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ NEW BRAUNFELS CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS TEMPLE CENTRAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM INDUSTRIAL 8/26 - VS YOAKUM - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ SHINER - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS BOLING - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ TIDEHAVEN - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS GOLIAD - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ MATHIS - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS ARANSAS PASS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ EDNA - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS CORPUS CHRISTI LONDON - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ PALACIOS - 7:30 PM KARNES CITY 8/26 - VS ODEM - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ STOCKDALE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS KENEDY - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ MARION - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS SAN ANTONIO SOUTH WEST CAMPUS - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ NIXON-SMILEY - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS NATALIA - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ COMFORT - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS DILLEY - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ POTH - 7:30 PM KENEDY 8/26 - VS BEN BOLT - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS BRACKETVILLE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ KARNES CITY - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ SOMERVILLE - 7:00 PM 9/30 - VS GANADO - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ SKIDMORE-TYNAN - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS REFUGIO - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ SHINER - 7:30 PM LOUISE 8/26 - VS DANBURY - 7:00 PM 9/2 - VS BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ BRAZOS - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS HALLETTSVILLE SACRED HEART - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ RUNGE - 7:00 PM 9/30 - VS SOMERVILLE - 7:00 PM 10/6 - VS BURTON (AT FLATONIA) - 7:00 PM 10/14 - VS FALLS CITY - 7:00 PM 10/21 - @ YORKTOWN - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS SNOOK - 7:00 PM NIXON-SMILEY 8/29 - @ SAN ANTONIO CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS FLATONIA - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ BRAZOS - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ COMFORT - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS KARNES CITY - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ DILLEY - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS POTH - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ SAN ANTONIO SOUTH WEST CAMPUS - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS NATALIA - 7:30 PM PALACIOS 8/26 - VS BOLING - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ GANADO - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ TIDEHAVEN - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS RICE CONSOLIDATED - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS MATHIS - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ ARANSAS PASS - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS EDNA - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI LONDON - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ GOLIAD - 7:30 PM REFUGIO 8/26 - @ HITCHCOCK - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ CORPUS CHRISTI LONDON - 7:30 PM 9/9 - @ EDNA - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS BISHOP - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ SKIDMORE-TYNAN - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS SHINER - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ KENEDY - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS GANADO - 7:30 PM RICE CONSOLIDATED 8/26 - VS LULING - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ HOUSTON KASHMERE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS COLUMBUS - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ PALACIOS - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ TIDEHAVEN - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS BRAZOS - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ DANBURY - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS BOLING - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ VAN VLECK - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM RUNGE 8/26 - @ PETTUS - 7:00 PM 9/2 - VS BENAVIDES - 7:00 PM 9/9 - VS CHARLOTTE - 7:00 PM 9/16 - @ BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS LOUISE - 7:00 PM 9/30 - @ SNOOK - 7:00 PM 10/14 - VS SOMERVILLE - 7:00 PM 10/21 - @ BURTON - 7:00 PM 10/28 - VS FALLS CITY - 7:00 PM 11/4 - @ YORKTOWN - 7:00 PM SCHULENBURG 8/26 - VS UNIVERSALE CITY RANDOLPH - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ ROGERS - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS BURTON - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ POTH - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS THORNDALE - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ HEARNE - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS FLATONIA - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ WEIMAR - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS HOLLAND - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ THRALL - 7:30 PM SHINER 8/26 - @ HALLETTSVILLE - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS POTH - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ GANADO - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ THREE RIVERS - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS SKIDMORE-TYNAN - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ REFUGIO - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS KENEDY - 7:30 PM SHINER ST. PAUL 8/26 - VS FLATONIA - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ SAN ANTONIO TEXAS MILITARY INSTITUTE - 7:00 PM 9/10 - VS MUENSTER SACRED HEART (AT FW NOLAN) - 10:00 AM 9/16 - VS MAGNOLIA LEGACY PREP - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS BOERNE GENEVA SCHOOL - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ AUSTIN BRENTWOOD CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS SAN ANTONIO HOLY CROSS - 7:00 PM 10/14 - @ HALLETTSVILLE SACRED HEART - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS TEMPLE CENTRAL TEXAS CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ NEW BRAUNFELS CHRISTIAN - 7:30 PM TIDEHAVEN 8/26 - @ GOLIAD - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ ODEM - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS PALACIOS - 7:30 PM 9/16 - VS INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS RICE CONSOLIDATED - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM 10/14 - VS BRAZOS - 7:30 PM 10/21 - @ DANBURY - 7:30 PM 10/28 - VS BOLING - 7:30 PM 11/4 - @ VAN VLECK - 7:30 PM WEIMAR 8/26 - VS SCHERTZ JOHN PAUL II - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS YORKTOWN - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS SOMERVILLE - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ SNOOK - 7:30 PM 9/23 - VS HOLLAND - 7:30 PM 9/30 - @ THRALL - 7:30 PM 10/7 - VS THORNDALE - 7:30 PM 10/14 - @ HEARNE - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS SCHULENBURG - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ FLATONIA - 7:30 PM WHARTON 8/26 - VS HOUSTON WASHINGTON - 7:00 PM 9/2 - VS HOUSTON WORTHING - 7:00 PM 9/9 - @ HOUSTON YATES - 7:00 PM 9/16 - @ EL CAMPO - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS SWEENEY - 7:00 PM 9/30 - @ LA MARQUE - 7:00 PM 10/7 - VS WEST COLUMBIA - 7:00 PM 10/14 - @ BROOKSHIRE ROYAL - 7:00 PM 10/21 - VS SEALY - 7:00 PM 10/28 - @ BELLVILLE - 7:00 PM WOODSBORO 8/26 - @ BLOOMINGTON - 7:30 PM 9/2 - VS CHARLOTTE - 7:00 PM 9/9 - @ YORKTOWN - 7:00 PM 9/17 - VS SANTA MARIA - 6:00 PM 9/22 - VS BARTLETT (AT YOAKUM) - 7:00 PM 10/7 - @ BENAVIDES - 7:00 PM 10/14 - VS AGUA DULCE - 7:00 PM 10/21 - @ BRUNI - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS PETTUS - 7:00 PM VAN VLECK 8/26 - VS GANADO - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ SWEENY - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS HALLETTSVILLE - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ KATY ST. JOHN XXIII - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ BRAZOS - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS DANBURY - 7:30 PM 10/7 - @ BOLING - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS RICE CONSOLIDATED - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ EAST BERNARD - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS TIDEHAVEN - 7:30 PM YOAKUM 8/26 - @ INDUSTRIAL - 7:30 PM 9/2 - @ CAMERON YOE - 7:30 PM 9/9 - VS CUERO - 7:30 PM 9/16 - @ CALHOUN - 7:00 PM 9/23 - VS GONZALES - 7:30 PM 9/30 - VS WACO LA VEGA - 7:00 PM 10/7 - @ HITCHCOCK - 7:30 PM 10/21 - VS COLUMBUS - 7:30 PM 10/28 - @ HEMPSTEAD - 7:30 PM 11/4 - VS HALLETTSVILLE - 7:30 PM YORKTOWN 8/26 - VS BRAZOS - 7:00 PM 9/2 - @ WEIMAR - 7:00 PM 9/9 - VS WOODSBORO - 7:00 PM 9/16 - @ STOCKDALE - 7:30 PM 9/23 - @ SOMERVILLE - 7:00 PM 9/30 - VS BURTON - 7:00 PM 10/7 - @ FALLS CITY - 7:00 PM 10/21 - VS LOUISE - 7:00 PM 10/28 - @ SNOOK - 7:00 PM 11/4 - VS RUNGE - 7:00 PM

Bette r. Stronger. Better. Faste r. Citizens Physical Rehabilitation Citizens Medical Center has a complete physical therapy department, located inside Citizens HealthPlex, with a focus on getting athletes stronger, better, faster. 361.582.1109 • 9406 ZAC LENTZ PKWY, VICTORIA, TX 77904 (LOCATED IN CITIZENS HEALTHPLEX) WWW.CITIZENSMEDICALCENTER.ORG