Odem's Brenton Stalcup passed for 1,389 yards last season and accounted for more
than 2,000 yards of total offense.
In 1999, Banquete High School ended Freer's nine-year stranglehold
on the District 32-2A championship, which set off a three-year struggle for supremacy
between the two teams.
The following year, the Buckaroos reclaimed the title, winning it
in the last game of the regular season.
The rivalry reached its height in 2001 when, once again in the season
finale, the Bulldogs survived overtime to bring the championship back to Banquete.
In February, the University Interscholastic League ended that rivalry
when realignment moved the Buckaroos into 30-2A. Though Banquete coach Butch Porter
said he'll miss the yearly duels with Freer, newcomer Odem poses a new challenge.
"We're glad Freer's gone, but we also wish they were still here,"
Porter said. "I'm sure the Odem-Banquete game will become a rivalry as time goes
on. I just hope we're good enough to line up with them."
In their move down from Class 3A, the Owls now rank among the largest
2A schools in the state. Regardless of how Odem could now benefit from having
more numbers, head coach David Kleinhans is playing things down.
"Just because we're moving down doesn't give us any automatic wins,"
Kleinhans said. "We still have to play 2A teams with athletes as good as ours.
It's all about how good your football team is."
District fight
Several of the district's coaches said Odem has the edge in the chase
for the title. After breaking a six-year playoff drought in their last season
in 3A, the Owls have the personnel back to give it a serious run.
Quarterback Brenton Stalcup is back after finishing with more than
2,000 yards of total offense, including 1,389 passing. Odem may have lost 1,000-yard
rusher Lupito Rodriguez, but returns a trio of backs ready to pick up the slack.
Like George West coach Jay Hellums, whose team dropped from 3A into
30-2A, Kleinhans was quick to diffuse the situation.
"It's very different when you're in a district and see the same kids
come up from when they're in junior high," Kleinhans said. "You get to see your
opponents' strengths and their weaknesses. You get to know what coaches like and
don't like.
"Here we are going in brand new. We've seen them on film, but we
don't know the kids or the coaches. That part's kind of scary."
Creating even more dread is Santa Rosa, which is also making the
move down from 3A. Though they haven't made the postseason since 1993, the Warriors
remain an unknown presence.
"Odem has always been tough, even in 3A, so we know they'll be a
challenge. We're not very familiar with Santa Rosa," Porter said.
First-year Premont coach Joe Rios agreed, and added that he expected
to increase scouting to help with preparation. Rios also said Odem should be the
preseason favorite to win the district title.
"I'm not going to lie, Odem is probably the best team in the district.
They have the talent, especially the QB," Rios said. "Santa Rosa is in the Rio
Grande Valley, so we never see them. We're probably going to scout our district
opponents at least four times and also exchange tapes."
Whether the team has been in the district or not, Santa Rosa coach
Elvis Hernandez said the focus must be placed on the players.
"Before I got here, the school petitioned to stay in 3A even though
it had 2A numbers," Hernandez said. "Now it's time to get the kids to start thinking
big and to start thinking playoffs. We have to get them to realize they are in
a competitive situation."
