FOOTBALL PREVIEW

2013

Community Christian | Strawn | Perrin Mineral Wells | Santo | Millsap | Gordon

R a m s add new wrinkles for 2013 page 3

For GORDON, its time to come home page 8. STRAWN has unfinished business from 2012 page 14. SANTO wants to make a push in 2013 page 16. CCS WARRIORS have a new quarterback page 6. BULLDOGS have a new offense geared to the run page 12. PIRATES want to take next step page 18.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 2

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 3

Rams moves on offense key for success in 13

By TONY EIERDAM
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

Mineral Wells Rams head coach Chuck Lawrence had a serious decision to make last spring in preparation for the 2013 high school football season, which begins Friday. The coach knew he had a now-seasoned quarterback returning in junior Caleb Acosta, but the Rams go-to guy running the ball for the last three years, Gilbert Castorena, was gone due to graduation. Lawrence and his staff knew for Acosta and the offense to be effective the Rams had to have a strong running game, so a huge personnel decision was made. Junior Josh Hardee, who as a sophomore inside linebacker last year led the team in tackles and solo stops, was moved to running back. In spot duty at running back last year, Hardee scored four touchdowns and averaged more than 10 yards a carry. It would be easy to make Hardee play at both running back and linebacker, but with the Rams showing depth at linebacker and not as much at running back, Lawrence has made a decision. We have to have Josh tote the mail, Lawrence said. He is our best ball carrier.

If our offense is going to have the running threat that we need in order to throw the football to be balanced we have to have him back there running the football. Yes, he is probably our best defensive player. But, we feel like that weve got players who can step in at the linebacker position better than we have players who can step into the running back position. Again at that running back position, when you look at Gilbert Castorena the last three years and what he did for us, we think Josh can do the same thing. Offensive Coordinator David Tarver said the offense can do more with an experienced Acosta at quarterback. It is big and it will help our progress that we have Caleb at quarterback with an entire year of experience under his belt, Tarver said. Caleb took some big strides this spring, and he started to understand the offense even more than he did as he progressed throughout the year last season. His decision making improved each game last year. In conversations between us he now tells me what he is expecting, what he is looking for and what he is going to do. Thats a positive step, and it gives me a

lot of confidence in him. The biggest thing about Caleb, with his year of experience and talent everyone knows he has a great arm is also a great leader. Even as a sophomore newcomer to varsity he took control of the huddle. He has that in him and stepped in the huddle and displayed it. That was impressive that he, as a sophomore, looked in that huddle of mainly seniors and took charge. He also shows great leadership. When he needs to be, he is not only a motivator, but a disciplinarian as well. If the guys are doing something wrong or not hustling or concentrating, he lets them know. And when he does something wrong he takes full responsibility. You cant ask much more from a leader than that. Tarver said he can add much more to the offense since Acosta has a great understanding of what the coaches want. Without a doubt I can throw more on Calebs plate, he said. As we started adding things in the spring, because he is familiar with the offense, we can tie new things into already existing schemes and Caleb picks it up right away and does a great job with it. Coming into August practices the Rams

returned just two offensive linemen, right tackle Enrique Gamboa and left tackle Jacob Pilkington. The starting guards are projected to be Trent King and Angel Gutierrez with Aaron Hite at center. Also competing for playing time on the offensive line will be Preston Hoskins, Marcelino Tafolla, Jacob Boyd and Dakota Dahlhauser. We have some guys on the offensive line that have not taken many varsity snaps, but we like who we have there and we will be fine, Lawrence said. Gamboa and Pilkington are our most experienced offensive linemen and proven starters. Both have a full season under their belts. They know the offense and both are helping the young guys. The other guys are strong, smart and it will take a little time for them to gel as a unit. We have had many veterans in the past on the offensive line, but this year it will take a little more time. The Rams will return a starter at tight end, senior Jarrod Bennett, with starting linebacker Toby Almanza spending time as a back up and a second tight end in certain offensive formations. Jarrod and Toby played quite a few See RAMS, page 4

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 4

RAMS

From page 3

snaps at tight end last year, Lawrence said. Jarrod understands the offense and helps with line calls. He also catches the ball well, and we will use him as a control receiver. He isnt a deep threat but is a threat to catch big passes. In addition to Hardee, Kolby Parks and Devon Edmond will also see action at running back. Parks runs hard, Lawrence said. We moved him up from the JV last year and he did a good job on varsity. He is a tough kid who has put on some weight, but it is good weight. Devon Edmond will also help us out. He has looked good lately and we feel like we have good depth there. MWHS will have speed at receiver with returners Colby Kissinger, Kelly Williams and Omery Trevino. We have three veteran receivers, Lawrence said. Those three made a lot of catches last year, and we have some solid backups in Grant Peters, Chris Rapp and Rascellis Williams, who came on strong at the end of last year. We have decent speed, and we are excited about all of our receivers. Without Hardee and his 93 tackles from last year, the Rams 4-2-5 defense will be anchored by strong side inside linebacker Almanza and a newcomer to the varsity will play the weak side inside backer spot, Ty Tarver. The Rams also got a boost

defensively from a move in, defensive end Elajuan Combs, who would have started this year at Class 5A Arlington Lamar. Elajuan and Dale Turner are move ins from Arlington Lamar, Lawrence explained. Elajuans dad is a minister. I talked to his coach at Arlington Lamar and he said they hated losing him because they felt he would start for them. Starting at defensive tackle will be Hoskins and Brandon Hernandez, with Gutierrez and Hite rotating in. Edmond will join Combs as a starter at defensive end, with Lucas Barham and Lee Clark competing for playing time. Hoskins was an all-district performer last year, Lawrence said, and he lost a little weight but gained a little bit of quickness. He has been looking good in practice. Brandon Hernandez is strong and quick, and we think he is going to be a very good player for us. And Devon Edmond has taken over at the strong side defensive end position. Lucas Barham is also right there in the thick of the competition. We have good depth there on the defensive front. Lawrence is extremely satisfied with the inside linebackers and feels the team has depth at the position which includes Bennett and Hardee playing in spot duty. Toby is what we call a downhill player who is a good tackler, Lawrence said. Ty is the son of a coach (offensive coordinator David Tarver) and he understands the defense. He is a smart, tough kid, and we

are really excited about him. Other defensive starters include Parks at the monster position and Chris Rapp at rover. McCain Mason, also a quarterback, will see time at the monster position as will Coy Barrick, with Tristan Seargeant and Barrick backing up at rover. We can do a lot of things with Chris, Lawrence said. Chris plays rover which is a hybrid position that combines what an outside linebacker and weak safety would do. We can do a lot of things with Chris. Tristan Seargeant has come on strong, and he will be huge on special teams for us, and he gives us a good backup for Chris. We also feel McCain Mason can contribute on the outside, along with Coy Barrick, who can play both positions. Coy is another son of a coach (assistant coach Bret Barrick) and he is very smart. Coy can play numerous positions and help us on special teams. The best news for the Rams secondary are returning players at cornerback in Kissinger and Kelly Williams. Grant Peters and Patrick Folkner will also see time at cornerback. Both Kelly and Colby had good years last season, Lawrence pointed out. Colby has worked hard on his technique this year and has really improved. Kelly has good feet, good height, and he also had a good year last year. Omery and Rascellis are nickel backs, so we feel like we have two veteran guys there with speed. We are hoping that our change to

the 4-2-5 will help us take advanMineral Wells High School tage of Football Schedule our speed on Date Opponent Site Time defense. We also Aug. 30 Graham H 7:30 feel this Sept. 6 W.F. Hirschi T 7:00 defense allows Sept. 13 Glen Rose T 7:30 our guys Sept. 20 Iowa Park** H 7:30 to be more successful. Sept. 27 Burkburnett T 7:00 The Oct. 4 Open bottom line is we Oct. 11 Castleberry* H 7:30 have to Oct. 18 Lake Worth* T 7:30 stay healthy. Oct. 25 Diamond Hill* H 7:30 If we Nov. 1 Springtown* H 7:30 have to use a Nov. 8 Kennedale* T 7:30 backup, * District Game ** Homecoming more than likely he is also a starter on the other side of the ball which means we would have someone going both ways, which we want to avoid if possible. The key this year will be to stay healthy, and I feel these guys are going to compete with everybody they play.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 5

2013 Rams varsity

2013 Rams freshmen

Photos by Expressions By Lauretta

Avi Deshmukh, MD, FACS, MBA, MHA Diplomat of American Board of Urology Fellow of American College of Surgeons MBA ,MHA

2013 Rams junior varsity

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218 S.W. 26th Ave. Mineral Wells 831 E. Eureka St. Weatherford 408 Glenwood St. Glen Rose 2003 Rockview Dr. Granbury 561 N. Graham St. Stephenville

817-599-3690

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 6

Warriors hope to inflict Payne on 2013 opponents

By TONY EIERDAM

We are not a big-play offense, Horton said. We have good, big blockers and we want to grind it out. Our philosophy overall is to take time The Community Christian School MW Community Christian off the clock and play solid defense. Warriors will begin the 2013 season with a When we play those dangerous speed Football Schedule new quarterback and new outlook. teams, we want to limit their possesWarriors head coach Bryan Horton will Date Opponent Site Time sions by keeping the ball as long as we welcome back 1,000-yard back Joby Bradshaw, but he will also be faced with a Aug. 30 Johnson Co. H 7:00 can on offense, and play a bend-butdont-break style of defense. tough district schedule as two new, big Sept. 6 Dallas Tyler St.H 7:00 Defensively, we want them to take schools have been added to the league. Bradshaw gained 1,100 yards last season Sept. 14 Ovilla C.@Red Oak TBA as many plays possible to reach the end zone. We hope we can get a pick and will be toting the mail again this season. With Col Van Kirk going out last year Sept. 20 N.C. Texas Aca. H 7:00 (interception) or fumble or just frustrate them. We will employ a few with an MCL tear, that thrust Joby into the Sept. 27 Saint Jo T TBA tricks to shake things up a little bit. But feature back role and he responded well, Warriors head coach Bryan Horton said. Oct. 4 Christian Life Pr. T 7:00 on defense we will have to do many things to overcome our lack of speed. We had some big guys in front of him and Oct. 11 Hill School H 7:00 It will come down to how smart we he progressed every game. are on defense and positioning. But the He only played in six games as a feature Oct. 18 Azle Christian* A TBA biggest thing is the players have to back, but he was the second-leading rusher in the TCAF. So, with that experience gained Oct. 25 Immanuel Ch*.@Midland TBA buy into being smart. They will have to know where they need to be before and the return of Isaiah Brazeal (who missed most of last season with an injury) and with Nov. 1 Trinity Ch.Aca.* H 7:00 they get there. Horton said having Isaiah Brazeal back a new quarterback, Landon Payne who has * District Game allows him to do so much more on a good arm, I expect Joby to have an outboth sides of the ball. standing year. Having Isaiah back is huge, Hortons philosophy on offense will be Horton said. He is the fastest guy on the team and the ball control in hopes of keeping the ball away from most dynamic athlete. He is a great leader, and he is a opponents offenses.
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

guy who we will need to go to when we do need a big play whether it comes from the backfield or the line of scrimmage. I would like to see Joby become the feature running back so we can have Isaiah up front on the line. He can also play receiver. He will play in a lot of different positions, and in big games you will see the ball in his hands. Joby is one of those guys that any coach would like to have. He is a team kid who will do anything you ask. I would like to see him continue to develop as a running back, but having said that he can play quarterback, spread back, and he can catch the football and block. He can do it all. The biggest test for Joby this year is he is going to have to step up on defense. We found a good spot for him at middle linebacker in our spread defense last year, and he took some steps forward. This year, I am looking forward to seeing what he can do defensively. As important as he is to us on offense, we also have to have him perform well on defense if we want to win this year. Isaiahs cousin, Samuel Brazeal, will also be counted on offensively. Samuel is the driver on the offensive side of the ball, Horton explained. The backs will follow him through the holes, and for a guy his size he moves very well and has quick feet. We also have used him as a back in goal-line situations. He also has very good hands and a quick first step. But his blocking will be See CCS, page 7

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 7

CCS

From page 6

what our offense is all about. Also returning is senior Brandon Bolt, who will play end on offense and defense. His first year of six man football was last year. He had played at Class 4A Birdville. Brandon was plagued with injuries last year, but when he did play he show signs of fatigue, Horton said. But he got the message I dont think coming from 11-man football at Birdville he really understood what kind of shape you have to be in to play six man and he had a great off season and he worked extremely hard. I think we will be impressed with the year he will have this season. He is getting bigger and stronger, and he is an outstanding blocker. The Warriors will also be counting on Daniel Timmons, Jonathon Rives and Hamilton Brookshire on the line. Daniel Timmons is not a big guy (5-11, 200), not particularly quick, but he is a bull, Horton said. He is another kid who does anything you tell him. He can also play some end, but he is a bull in the middle and hard to block. I love his attitude, and he is the guy on the team who keeps the other guys loose. He is a great team guy, and he is not afraid to take on anyone. He practices against Sammy every day, and this has made him better. He can handle anyone in front of him. Jonathan Rives can play many positions, Horton continued. He is another good team guy. He played center last year for us in the spread, and he can get off the line and catch passes. He really wants to play quarterback, but his arm is not as strong as Landons. Hamilton Brookshire has really improved the last two years. He is getting bigger and stronger, and this year I am really looking forward to see what he can do. I am hoping he can spell some of our players and not have a drop off. But he has gained confidence over the last year, and that one year of extra experience should help him out tremendously this year. He will definitely help us. Others who Horton is counting on for big contributions in 2013 include Tye Gage and Landon Payne, a newcomer to the CCS football team. Tye Gage is clutch, Horton said. He is there when you need him, and he is a smart player who is rarely, if ever, out of position. Tye understands what we are doing and can take what he learns on the

chalk board and translate that to the field. Tye is a good, tough receiver, and we are working with him on his blocking skills. He is someone who can do a lot of things, but I am especially going to count on him on defense. Landon Payne has pretty good footwork, and he is the first quarterback I have coached that I wont be jacking with his throwing motion. He has nice form and a strong arm. His motion is really good it is nice and quick and he will be a good six man quarterback. We also need to him, as a quarterback, to block. We will be a running offense because of the size we have on the line, but our quarterback is also a blocker in our scheme. A pair of underclassmen, Noah Dowdy and Weston Hollifield, will also see plenty of playing time. Noah Dowdy is sneaky fast with well-above average speed, Horton said. He is smart, and last year he came up with some interceptions on defense. I am really looking for him to contribute on defense this year more so than on offense. He is kind of our running back for the future, but this year we need him on defense. He will get carries here and there, but his main focus right now is defense. Weston Hollifield is a motor guy. He is a team guy, and I do not know how much he will see the field this year as a freshman. But he will be one of those kids who makes everyone better because of what he gives in practice every day. I am looking forward to seeing Weston get a year

2013 CCS Warriors

of football under his belt. He is not a big guy, but he is tough. He got in there with the big boys during spring practice. Horton laid out his goal for the Warriors in 13. Honestly, our goal is to compete hard

in district and finish at least in second place, which would qualify us for the playoffs, he said. But right now our focus is getting better each week in preparation for a tough district schedule.

Kostiha coming home to coach Longhorns

By TONY EIERDAM

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 8

Gordon falling to state-finalist Abbott. is a speI dont know what they did cial place, here last year, Kostiha said. We and I am will just what we do. What we are It is often theorized that you excited to going to focus on is being good Gordon High School cant go home, but new Gordon be with the basics. We are going to Football Schedule head coach Joe Kostiha does not involved get better at blocking and tacksubscribe to that theory. Opponent Site Time in the pro- Date ling. Thats the way you win in After last coaching at Class 3A gram. This Aug. 31 Dallas Coven. Hico football at any level. We work, Alvarado as the Indians defensive 11:00 is a place preach and study the art of tackcoordinator, Kostiha saw not only Sept. 6 Sville Faith H 7:30 that does ling and blocking through various an opportunity to become a head things drills. In six man football, every football coach for the first time, but Sept. 13 Blanket H 7:30 right. tackle is an open-field tackle. also has the chance to give back to Kostiha Sept. 20 Open Kostiha plans to mix a mental the program he got so much out of. said the approach with a physical I feel great about coming back T 7:30 main focus Sept. 27 Strawn approach to prepare the Horns home, Kostiha said. I am excited in August for the season. about coming home, but more excitOct. 4 Waco Live T 7:30 practices Two things that are going to help ed to be part of a really good proOct. 11 Huston Aca.** H 7:30 has been us beat people are mental toughgram and part of a really good to focus ness and physical conditioning, school. Oct. 18 Moran H 7:30 on the he said. Those two things are I think that our school is headed fundamen- Oct. 25 Gustine* what we hang our hats on. in the right direction. T 7:30 tals of We have to be mentally toughI have been coaching 11 man for Nov. 1 Evant* T 7:30 blocking er than our opponents, and we awhile, and I love 11 man football, and tack- Nov. 8 Lingleville* H 7:30 have to be in better shape. but I love six man football, too. ling. The The Longhorns will have two I have wanted to be a head Longhorns * District Game returning starters each on offense coach for awhile, and this was a were and defense: Jake Wigington and good opportunity. Brandon Gonzales on offense and I probably would have not taken strong in both areas last year as Gordon Wigington and Tristan Garman on a head coaching job at another six reached the state semifinals before defense. man school. Kostiha said most of his players play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. We have a lot of kids out (24), but not too many with experience, Kostiha said. I cant tell you who is playing what or anything like that, but I am excited about our talent. Some guys we are excited about on offense are Seth Weaver, Caleb Johnston, Twister Brown, Garrett Collins, Seth Allen, Sam Hernandez and Xavier Castanada. These guys can play well at different positions, and we are still in process of finding the right 100 SE 6TH AVE SUITE 210 MINERAL WELLS 940-325-6768 the combinations. The good thing is we have a lot of kids, but we dont have a lot of game experience. On defense, we really like Chase Kaufman, Collins, Wigington, Chase Barfield, Gonzales, Johnston, Allen, Garman, Castanada and Dylan Birch. The quality of our defense will be toughness and speed. We will be multiple on offense and defense. We will run tight and spread on offense, and on defense we will run multiple looks like a 2-3, 3-2 and a 4-2. We will run a lot of different looks at people, and what we are trying to do is to get people in the right spots.
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

MINERAL WELLS RAMS

ROCK

We want to use a lot of people to keep everybody fresh, but also to be able to be as effective as possible. Before thinking about a repeat return to at least the state semifinals, Gordon fans have one game in mind the Strawn game. The Longhorns defeated Strawn last year at home but have to play in Strawn this year in arguably the biggest rivalry in the state in six man ball. Despite being a former Longhorn, Kostiha said he feels no extra pressure to win the Strawn game. Nobody told me I had to beat Strawn, Kostiha said with a wry smile. It is different now because we dont play in the same district. And it really is a friendly rivalry since folks in both towns know each other and we are so close in proximity. It is a big game, especially this year because Strawn is so good, and it will be a measuring stick for us. But it will not determine district or a playoff spot. Kostiha plans to use the Longhorns scrimmages and first few games to evaluate personnel. With us being in a four-team district (where just two teams advance to the playoffs) we have seven nondistrict games, and we will need each and every game to help us determine who fits best where, Kostiha said. Thats a ton of games. But what we like about it is we have a very tough non-district schedule, and that will prepare us for district and the playoffs. Our non-district schedule will be a great measuring stick to see where we are at. We have Dallas Covenant in zero week, and they beat (two-time defending state champion) Throckmorton last year (in non district play). It will be a great test early on. Kostiha, whose Longhorns are the favorite to win District 10 (Division I), is eager to get the season underway. I am really excited to be back, Kostiha said.I am excited to work with the kids we have despite their inexperience. We have a lot of great kids, and I feel lucky to be working in a place with a great administration. I also have a terrific coaching staff. I cant wait for the season to begin - what I feel will be a very long (into December) season.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 9

2013 Gordon Longhorns

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MWHS trainers 2013

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 11

Millsap puts in new offense as Dogs plan to run

By TONY EIERDAM
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 12

In 2013, in order to run with the big dogs, the Millsap Bulldogs plan to run. While using the spread offense in 2012, Millsap failed to win a game which forced a re-evaluation of the program by head coach Kyle Coker. Coker and staff used the off season to find an offense that best suits its personnel. What they came up with was the slot T, an offense similar to an inverted split T. We have been sputtering in the spread the last couple of years, it had not worked well for us, so we decided to run the slot T, Coker said. We feel it fits our personnel better. The slot T is a deceptive, quick-hitting offense that features a power game, traps, draws, leads and sweeps along with play-action passes. It gets multiple ball carriers involved in the offense. What I like about it is that it is quick hitting and deceptive. I feel that will give us an advantage. You dont have to have big linemen, but they will need to be quick on their feet. The guards are moving a lot, and it is a physical

offense. It is also an offense that most teams are not used to seeing. Coker explained that the slot T is kind of like an inverted wing T. The tailback lines up in the slot, and the halfback is on the strong side, similar to the wing T. Our philosophy is to wear down our opponent and grind down the clock, and our main focus is ball security, Coker said. We feel like we can take the football and move the chains, and that will also help our our defense. The offense will be led by quarterback Nick Lucia, a sophomore. Coker is also happy with the stable of running backs he will

the new offense. Nick is doing a good job of running the offense, Coker said. He is smart, athletic Millsap High School and he is working very Football Schedule hard. Our halfback is Date Opponent Site Time J.D. Richardson, and he can run and block. Our Aug. 30 Alvord H 7:30 fullback, Dylan Burton, is a senior who seems to Sept. 6 Dublin T 7:30 be a good fit in our new Sept. 13 Open offense. Morgan DePriest is Sept. 20 Windthorst H 7:30 our speed guy, and we Sept. 27 Rio Vista* ** H 7:30 will try to get him outside. I like the mixture Oct. 4 Tolar* T 7:30 we have in the backfield. We are excited about Oct. 11 Mildred* T 7:30 this offense. Naturally, it Oct. 18 Rice Cons.* H 7:30 is tougher on the guys at receiver who now have Oct. 25 Dallas Life* T 7:30 to block a lot more, but Nov. 1 Scurry-Rosser* H 7:30 everybody has bought into the offense. That Nov. 8 Blooming Gr.* T 7:30 was the first thing we had to do sell the * District Game offense. But everyone is buying in so we are have to run moving forward. Defensively, Coker also switched defenses. The Bulldogs will line up in a 4-2-5 defense, a defense that is becoming popular in the high school game and made famous locally by TCU Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson. We went away from a 50 defense and are now running a 4-2-5 like TCU runs, Coker explained. It is easier to defend the spread in this defense, and it gives us opportunities to give us different looks in the secondary. We thought the 4-2-5 fits our personnel better than a 50 look. Two of our standouts on defense are Tre Newby (6-3, 245) at strong end, and Timothy Newberry at middle

linebacker, who was a first-team, alldistrict defensive tackle last year. He likes the change, and he is always at the ball. Newberry has a nose for the ball. The Bulldogs defensive line has heavy competition as Robert Newsom, Brock McDaniel, Beau Harrell and Tre Newby are expected to start with Mitchell Coker (offensive line starter) Alex Harlin (starting center), Tyler Barton, Newby, and Newsom will start on offense and defense. We are looking at a lot of people on the defensive line, Coker said. We are still in the evaluation process. We have a lot of guys who play defensive line that also start on the offensive line, and it would be great to establish some depth on the defensive line and use a rotation. We are pretty athletic with a lot of speed in the secondary. Despite an 0-10 season in 2012, Coker said the Bulldogs reported to camp in early August mentally and physically ready to begin the season. Moral is high, he said. We went through a tough year last year, but we have a lot of experience coming back. The excitement is there, and we are ready to start the season. The Bulldogs will once again reside in competitive District 6-2A (Division II). Our district is very competitive, and it seems everyone has a lot of returning players, Coker said. I think each team in the district will be improved. And we feel we are much improved. Travel for us in this district is tough, but it always seems like Millsap never is in the middle of the district and always the furthest away, which ever way they (UIL) send us. We are excited, and we need to have some early success to get the ball rolling.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 13

2013 Millsap Bulldogs

Our philosophy is to wear down our opponent and grind down the clock, and our main focus is ball security. We feel like we can take the football and move the chains, and that will also help our our defense...

Millsap head coach Kyle Coker

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 14

Strawns goal is simple and direct: win state championship

By TONY EIERDAM
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

Strawn head coach Dewayne Lee and his Greyhounds had an extremely deep run in the playoffs in 2012, falling to eventual state champion Richland Springs in the state semifinals. With a lot of the same talent returning in 2013 and the addition of a speedy and talented sophomore transfer from Gordon, Coletyn King the Hounds have but just one goal for the season. No question, our goal for the season is to be the 2013 state champion, Lee said. Thats the only goal. We are looking forward to an exciting season. We do not want to show too much early in the season, and we still have to use those nondistrict games to improve in each area of our football team and as individuals. We will be more black-and-white early in the year and we will add to our packages as the season moves along. But having said that, offensively, we will open it up more than we have in the past. Lee feels the Hounds have unfinished business in 2013. He said it is a team that truly feels through past experiences and

hard work that it has all-state linebacker Ross earned the right to set Alison. But with the addisuch a high goal. tion of King, Lee may have There is no quesa tough time deciding who tion that last years his starting six will be. Strawn High School playoff run gives our The fun part will be getFootball Schedule returning players conting everybody where they Date Opponent Site Time fidence and motivaneed to be and making sure tion for this year, Lee a lot of guys touch the footAug. 31 Ira Hico 3 said. We had a lot of ball, Lee said. We have a Sept. 6 Open freshmen and sophovariety of different packagmores play in the es we can use tight packSept. 13 Bryson T 7:30 state semifinal game, age, spread package, big and they gained a lot package, skill package Sept. 20 Lueders-Avoca H 7:30 of experience going and it is really fun putting Sept. 27 Gordon H 7:30 that deep in the playthat all together. We have offs. some kids that will play in Oct. 4 Newcastle T 7:30 There is no substitwo or three different packOct. 11 Brookesmith H 7:30 tute for the experiages, and we can do that enced they gained. because we have the advanOct. 19 Marfa @Garden City 2:00 The community got tage of having a lot of excited last year and depth. We can move people Oct. 25 Rising Star* T 7:30 it is excited for this to different spots, we can Nov. 1 Sidney* ** H 7:30 year. Our fans know spread you out, and it has when we have a really been fun putting all of that Nov. 8 Moran* T 7:30 good team, and they together. understand when we The key on offense, Lee * District Game ** Homecoming have an average believes, begins with team. Nowak. The Greyhounds return all-state quarHarrison is coming off a 25-game terback Harrison Nowak, a junior, and streak of starting, Lee said. He started

11 games as a freshman and 14 games last year as a sophomore. He has 25 games under his belt, and he worked hard in the summer during six-on-six passing. He is bigger and faster than he was last year, and you throw in Coletyn King a solid player with outstanding speed and add another speedster, Ross Alison, and we have a very fast backfield. We have two big kids, Noel Martinez and Jacob Trujillo, who will be back there blocking, and we feel we have a really solid core of running backs. King gives us outstanding speed, but we will mix it around in the backfield. King has the kind of speed that can make things happen in the open field, and we will use him in other areas in different situations to spread out the defense. We have the personnel where we can be either a big-play offense or a ball-control offense. We will, Lee continued, also be big on the line. Dempsey Dorris is a 300pound lineman who is able to move people around, and Abram Jaramillo is a returning all-state receiver who can catch anything close to him. But we also have other guys like Tyler Bayes, and Nic Miller (brother of former all-state player James Miller) is another receiver coming See HOUNDS, page 15

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 15

From page 14

HOUNDS

on strong. Isaac Velasquez is also one of best blockers. Despite having 26 players on the roster, Lee said he would not automatically use two platoons six separate players on offense and six different on defense and instead play the best people at the positions even if players are going both ways. We try to keep the best six players out there as we can, Lee explained. We will rotate players to give the starters some rest, but we have no plans to go two platoon. Through the years I have changed my defensive philosophy quite a bit, Lee continued. I still like to bring a lot of heat (blitz), but we also have packages designed for the defense to lay back and specifically cover the pass. We have a tot of team speed on defense, and that gives us a lot of options. Our linemen can rush the passer, and our defensive backs can cover a lot of ground. While King is known for his speed on offense, Lee feels the sophomore will make an immediate impact on defense. I think Coletyn King will make our defense a lot better, Lee said. He

may be on the line rushing the passer, and he might play safety or corner. Ross Alison was one of our best defensive players last year, and Noel Martinez has deceptive speed and a lot of power. He will be one of our better defensive players. Our defensive players understand the subtle aspects of defense. They do a good job of cutting down angles, and of course when

2013 Strawn Greyhounds

you have speed on defense you can move personnel around and do some different things. Experience, Lee continued, will also help us. Last year, we didnt want to put too much on the freshmen and sophomores so basically our playbook was cut in half. This year, with experience on defense, we can do so much more.

Another way a Greyhound can make Lee take notice will be on special teams. We will have great competition on our special teams, Lee said. Special teams may be the only way for some of the kids to get on the field. If they shine on special teams they advance their chances of playing on regular downs.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 16

Santo Wildcats hope to continue success in 2013

By TONY EIERDAM
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

With Santo reaching the postseason two years ago for the first time in 17 years and by missing the playoffs by only a game in 2012, Santo Wildcats head coach Randy Thornton believes the program has come far enough to set playoff goals, a reasonable goal for 2013. Without question our program is seen in a different light compared to three or four years ago, Thornton said. We were excited to get in the playoffs two seasons ago, but we knew the work did not stop there. The kids have bought into the program and the work that needs to be done, and we are excited about that. Thornton and staff will have a lot of evaluating to do in the non-district portion of the season as the Cats lost a talented senior class to graduation. Thats how it goes in high school football, Thornton said. Every year there is a graduating class of seniors, and our job as a coaching staff is to get that next group ready. This particular group is hungry and they have been waiting for a long time for their opportunity. It is here and I am excit-

ed to see what they can do. Thornton will keep the staple of the Wildcats offense this season. The Cats will continue to use the triple option as its base attack. The triple option is our identity, Thornton said. We have been in that offense for a few years now, and that will be our bread and butter. But we are going to do what the game dictates, and we want to be multiple offensively. Right now, Kyle Moore is our quarterback. He was our backup last year and was the junior varsity quarterback his freshman year. He is fully capable of leading the offense. Behind him will be Keith Chalker at fullback with Dylan Price behind him,

Santo High School Football Schedule

Date Opponent Site Time

Aug. 30 Ranger Sept. 6 Meridan Sept. 13 Dublin Sept. 20 Olney Sept. 27 Perrin
Oct. 4 Petrolia** Oct. 18 DeLeon* Oct. 25 Open

T H H T T
H T

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

Oct. 11 San Saba* H

Nov. 1 Goldwaithe * H Nov. 6 Hico* T

* District Game ** Homecoming

and Garrett Nemeth and Dylan Sweeney will see snaps at tailback. Jacob Masters has been on varsity since he was a freshman, and we have some experience back on the offensive line. We will have to replace some people in some key places, but that is what this game is all about. Jacob anchors the line, and we have guys willing to get down there and root around. It all starts up front, whether you are in Santo or at Cowboys Stadium. But the Cats, Thornton insists, will not be a one trick pony. We work hard on our passing game every day, he said. Although we run the ball a lot, we certainly want to have the ability to throw the ball. We have three kids on the edge Michael Henderson, Colton Edwards and Grant Read who have

big-play capabilities. I have confidence in those guys in their abilities to catch the ball, but all three are also very capable blockers. In this offense the receivers have to know how to block. They understand that, and they are not selfish players. Its fun to coach them. The Cats base defense will be the traditional 4-3. He stated that how the defensive line progresses throughout the year will determine the overall success of the defense. Price will start at middle linebacker, with Sweeney another standout at linebacker. Nemeth and Chalker will anchor the secondary at their safety spots. Dylan has great instincts and a nose for the ball, Thornton said. Sweeney will also play linebacker, and we will have Nemeth and Chalker at safety. We are solid and experienced up the middle. But our defensive lineman are the ones who will make us or break us on defense. We will have (6-4) Zamorris Cannon up front, along with Masters. Luke Bowling and Colby Carroll both have opportunities to get quality playing time. We will employ a sick em defense. I want the kids to read on the run to play See CATS, page 17

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 17

CATS

From page 16

fast and be aggressive to the football. And we have to be great tacklers. The Wildcats will also have a nice edition to its special teams in senior kicker Edie Valenzuela, a soccer player who will place kick in 2013. Edie plays soccer and we finally got him to come out and play football, Thornton said. He is going to kick for us, and it will be a learning experience for him.

But he has the tools to be a great kicker, and he can be a weapon. Nemeth will be our punter. He has a strong leg and can flip the field for us. We also take pride in our coverage teams. We certainly know special teams can win a game, but more importantly is special teams can also get you beat. We emphasize special teams here, and it is also a chance for (non starters) to get on the field and make an impression and make some plays. Santo will once again play in competitive District 5 (Division I). Goldthwaite and

2013 Santo Wildcats

Hico are the top district favorites with Santo, San Saba and De Leon rounding out the league. I think any team in our district is capable of beating anybody on any given night, Thornton said. Goldthwaite has a strong winning tradition, and they are always going to be tough. Hico has a lot of kids coming back, and De Leon is under the second year of coach (David) Yeager who is doing a great job over there. And of course with San Saba dropping down from 2A a couple of years ago are

going to be tough. I really think the district is up for grabs. I could certainly end up in a three-way tie like it did last year. We have Goldwaithe and Hico as our last two games of the year, and it would be exciting if we were right there near the end of the season. But we have a lot of work to do between now and then. I told the kids we could go 10-0 with our schedule or 0-10. For us, it is a matter of going out and trying to get better every day. If we can do that, we will be happy where we are at the end of this thing.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 18

Near miss in 12 gives Perrin hope for 13

By TONY EIERDAM
sports@mineralwellsindex.com

If the Perrin Pirates can improve by one just play in 2013, their goal of reaching the Class A playoffs could reach fruition. The Pirates missed the playoffs by one game which included an overtime loss to Electra. Although he lost a four-year starting quarterback to graduation, Pirates head coach Brad Hutton feels he has the horses to take that next step in 2013. We had a great season last year, but we got beat by Electra in overtime (to miss the playoffs), Hutton said. If we had won that we would have qualified for the playoffs. We needed to win that game to get in, but we fell a game short. We had a lot of injuries last year, but we almost overcame them. The Pirates offense will be led by a sophomore, Chase Akin. But others who did not see much playing time last year will be called on to fill in. We have some young ones who will have to step up, Hutton said. We lost a four-year starter at quarterback, and we will replace him with Akin. He is a

good athlete and intelguys, and we are faster ligent, but it will take than we have ever been in some time for him to the 11 years I have been get comfortable. We head coach here. Our will be multiple but offensive line will carry Perrin High School base out of an I. We our offense. Our philosoFootball Schedule want to spread the phy on offense is to use as Date Opponent Site Time defense out. With a much time as we can. If new quarterback we we can score 21 a game Aug. 30 Meridian T 7:30 have yet to find our but limit our opponents Sept. 6 Gorman H 7:30 niche, but we have touches and hold them to time until district 17 we will feel really Sept. 13 Lake Country T 7:30 starts. good. We have some Our fullback, Levi seniors on the offensive Sept. 20 Open Galliher, is coming line who are very good. Sept. 27 Santo** H 7:30 back and I am excited You can do a lot with that about that. Pepper many seniors on the Oct. 4 Frost T 7:30 Rasberry, our tailback, O-line. I feel the offensive Oct. 11 Munday* H 7:30 got hurt in September line will be the strength last year and he is of our offense. That and Oct. 18 Muenster* T 7:30 excited to be back. We our senior tailback are excited about (Galliher). Oct. 25 Era* H 7:30 what he can do for The Pirates will base Nov. 1 Electra* T 7:30 us. out of a 50 defense, and Hutton will count in the middle will be Nov. 8 Petrolia* H 7:30 on seniors Alfredo inexperienced, but talentCantero, Jacob Rice ed. * District Game **Homecoming and Caleb Brock to We will be younger on anchor the offensive line. defense, Hutton said. We are starting I am also excited about our linetwo sophomore inside linebackers men, Hutton said. We have some big Erick Martinez and Mason Bowland and the are going to be good. Mason is big and can run well, and Erick has a nose for the football. We are excited that we will have them for three more years. I think these guys will be better than the (graduated) seniors they replaced. We are excited about our youth on defense. We know it will take some time, but we are not afraid to start them. Hutton will call on his senior offensive line trio to start on the defensive line as well. Other linemen who will go both ways include juniors Eric Hall and Creede Lee, sophomore Christian Martinez and freshman Eddie Brock.

Our three seniors on the offensive line will also start on the defensive line, Hutton said. Those seniors should be able to keep blockers off of our linebackers to allow our linebackers to make plays. But our best defensive player is Levi Galliher, who will play outside linebacker. He will be our primary blitzer. The negative to our defense is we will start two sophomore linebackers and two sophomore safeties (Justin Francis, Chace Talley). But our two cornerbacks will be seniors (River Martin, Pepper Rasberry). But the thing we got going for us is that they are all good athletes. But it will take some time, just like with our quarterback on offense. But I think by the time district comes along these guys will be ready to play. The reason we are running a 50 defense is that we have more linemen than linebackers. We want to put a big nose guard in there on defense to make him occupy two linemen. The coach feels his team works best as the underdog. They (Texas Football Magazine) have us picked fourth, Hutton said. But we like being the dark horse. We feel we have the athletes to make it back to the playoffs. I also feel we are as good up front as we have ever been. When you have linemen like we have you dont have to have fast backs. We want to control the clock and feel that fits our personnel. We wont throw much, but we do have a quarterback who can throw the ball. We will throw it enough to keep the defense honest. But our strength is in our offensive line which means running the ball is a strength. I am not a chuck-and-duck guy. The Pirates will play in tough District 8-A (Division II) which includes last years champion, Munday. See PIRATES, page 19

Good Luck To All Teams This Season

Ace Hardware of Mineral Wells
2901 Hwy. 180E Mineral Wells, TX 76067 Phone: 940-325-5952 Fax: 940-325-1505
The helpful place.

2013 FOOTBALL EDITION MINERAL WELLS INDEX PAGE 19

2013 Perrin Pirates

PIRATES
From page 18
Munday lost 20 seniors so they have to be down, Hutton said. But they just seem to reload. But I just dont think it will be of the same quality as in recent years past. The team that has most of their kids coming back is Electra. They graduated two seniors, and we have to play them at their place. Electra is picked third, but I would pick them for second. I think Muenster is the class of the district. Petrolia will also contend for a playoff spot (top three teams from each Class A district advance to the playoffs). It will be a battle between us and Petrolia. And I honestly think we can beat Munday. They lost those 20 seniors and we play them here. We got good kids here who are really good athletes, and they are also football smart. Hutton said the only goal for 2013 is to qualify for the playoffs. Its time, Hutton said. It needs to happen this year. We have good seniors and juniors and an outstanding sophomore class. Our sophomore class is as good of a class that has come through here in a long time. Again, it is time.

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