Offensive Backfield: Just two starters are
back on offense, one of which is TB Justin Jurecek (5-9, 160, sr.), who returns
after finishing just four yards short of 1,000 mark. Projected QB Sammy Ramos
(5-9, 155, sr.) played several snaps last season and started some on defense,
but Robinson is hoping the combined experienced helps.
Receivers: Robinson isn’t sure how much passing
will come out of the Longhorns’ wing-T offense, but does have capable receivers
in junior Matt Juranek and seniors Sam Ortiz and Matt Estrada. “We might try to
pass some, but it’ll be more like a three yards and a cloud of dust-type of
deal,” Robinson said.
Offensive Line: For a Class A school, Agua Dulce has decent
size on the front line, beginning with LT Wayne Wise (6-4, 300, sr.). The rest
of the unit includes Clint Savoy (6-3, 200, sr.), who moves from C to TE, LG
Johnny Sandoval (5-10, 220, sr.), C Dan Ortiz (5-9, 205, sr.), RG Jason
Sandoval (5-9, 220, jr.) and RT Matt Greenwood (6-2, 210, sr.). Wise played
only defense last season, Johnny Sandoval didn’t play at all and Greenwood is
the only returning starter.
Defensive Line: All of the linemen are
going to have to play both ways, but that doesn’t seem to bother Robinson. “I
don’t care how big they are, if they can play we’ll be all right,” he said. “We
just need to get experience.”
Linebackers: Felipe Uribe leads the cast of LBs.
Robinson said Uribe’s biggest asset is his intelligence.
Secondary: Three of the team’s four defensive
backs are in place. Jurecek doubles at FS, with Daniel Gutierrez and Estrada at
the two corner spots.
AGUA
DULCE SCHEDULE
Aug.
30.. S.A. Military Institute.............. 7:30
Sept.
6... at Banquete....... 7:30
Sept.
13. Yorktown.............. 7:30
Sept.
27. Runge.............. 7:30
Oct.
4.... at La Villa.............. 7:30
Oct.
11.. x-Benavides 7:30
Oct.
18.. x-at Pettus.... 7:30
Oct.
25.. x-Ben Bolt....... 7:30
Nov.
1... x-at Bruni.............. 7:30
Nov.
8... x-Woodsboro 7:30
Ben Bolt Badgers
Head Coach: G. Zay LeFevre
Career Record: n/a
Years at School: 2nd
Record at School: 5-5
Enrollment: 168
Last District Title: 2001
Last Playoff Appearance: 2001 (Lost, area)
2001 Record: 5-5 overall
(3-1 district)
Returning Letterman: 14
Offensive/Defensive Starters: 6/6
2002 Opener: Aug. 30 vs. Nueces Canyon
Key Game: Oct. 25 at Agua Dulce
Offensive Backfield: Though the Badgers lost
four of five offensive linemen, they have all their skill personnel back, and
LeFevre said they all want to carry the ball. “That’s the difficult thing to
do,” he said. “They’ve all got speed. Even the QB (David Ruiz) runs below a
4.8. The problem is finding a way they can touch the football.” Aaron Ramirez,
who played WR last season, is in at RB with J.D. Salinas, who rushed for 596
yards and three TDs. LeFevre said Ruiz, who passed for 478 yards and five
scores, throws well, but is working on his grasp of the option.
Receivers: LeFevre changed Ben Bolt’s offense
to a double-tight set, which means the speedy backs become passing targets as
flankers. One of them, junior Rusty Buentello, showed promise in a scrimmage
against Freer after turning short catches into long gains.
Offensive Line: The front line was a major concern,
until the scrimmage against the Buckaroos. The front five is made up of all
underclassmen, but does return a starter in junior G Cesar Ramirez (5-11, 235).
Completing the group is junior Terrance Gomez and sophomores Augustin Mejia,
Jesus Munoz and Albert Ramirez. “We’re not deep. All we have is seven kids for
the line. The only concern now is getting one or two hurt,” LeFevre said.
Defensive Line: The seven linemen will rotate
between the tackle positions and nose guard. “We’ll rotate so we can rest up
for offense,” LeFevre said. “If we can move the football, we’re not going to
worry about playing them on defense.”
Linebackers: Ben Bolt has two starters back in
seniors Lucas Wallek and Joseph Garcia. Sophomore Jonathan Soliz is the
strongest player on the team and will likely see plenty of playing time at LB.
The Badgers also have at their disposal Rudy Leal, a transfer from Benavides.
Secondary: All four defensive backs return,
Ruiz, Salinas and the two fastest players on the team, Ramirez and Sammy Mejia.
BEN
BOLT SCHEDULE
Aug.
30.. Nueces Canyon.. 7
Sept.
13. at Premont. 7:30
Sept.
20.... at Banquete.. 7:30
Sept.
27.... Santa Rosa......... 7:30
Oct.
4....... at Riviera...... 7:30
Oct.
11..... x-at Bruni........ 7:30
Oct.
18..... x-Benavides. 7:30
Oct.
25..... x-at Agua Dulce 7:30
Nov.
1...... x-at Woodsboro 7:30
Nov.
8...... x-Pettus................. 7:30
Benavides Eagles
Head Coach: Celso Oliveira Jr.
Career Record: 11-17
Years at School: 4th
Record at School: 11-17
Enrollment: 145
Last District Title: 1985
Last Playoff Appearance: 2000 (Lost, area)
2001 Record: 4-4 overall (1-2 district)
Returning Letterman: 12
Offensive/Defensive Starters: 4/6
2002 Opener: Sept. 6 at Santa Rosa
Key Game: Oct. 11 at Agua Dulce
Offensive Backfield: Benavides’ wishbone
attack has strength in its FB, senior Phillip Vela, a strong runner that can
pick up key yards inside. Behind him on either side at HB are junior Joey Ruiz, a returning starter,
and sophomore Cesar Gonzalez. QB Raymond Ramirez is back for his third year as
starter. “He’s a good leader and has a good arm, but his only weakness is
height,” Oliveira Jr. said of the 5-foot-6 Ramirez.
Receivers: Senior Miguel Garcia returns, as
does Luis Garza. If Oliveira has his way, which is a more productive passing
game, Garcia and Garza could see a lot more throws come their way.
Offensive Line: The starting center
hasn’t been decided, but will go to either Robert Olivares or Vidal Rodriguez,
two returning letterman. At LG is senior Joel Saenz, who will be flanked by LT
Guadalupe Jaimes, RG Juan Martinez and RT Marcos Flores.
Defensive Line: Saenz is slated to be a
two-way starter, as is Rodriguez if he takes the job at center. At NG is
returning starter Luis Galvan, a sophomore. Galvan isn’t big, but strong enough
to cause problems inside, which is what Oliveira is expecting his players to
do. “The main deal is that the inside tackles need to stop the trap and any
dive,” he said.
Linebackers: Vela returns to his starting role at
LB, the strong point of the defense, Oliveira said. At 180 pounds, Gonzalez is
a fine compliment to Vela, who weighs in at 220.
Secondary: Ruiz, the Eagles’ fastest player, is
back at one corner with Noah Cantu at the other. The safeties are Ramirez and
Geoffrey Bennett.
BENAVIDES
SCHEDULE
Sept.
6...... at Santa Rosa......... 7:30
Sept.
13.... at Charlotte.. 7:30
Sept.
20.... at Premont.... 7:30
Sept.
27.... La Villa................. 7:30
Oct.
4....... Freer................. 7:30
Oct.
11..... x-at Agua Dulce 7:30
Oct.
18..... x-at Ben Bolt.......... 7:30
Oct.
25..... x-Woodsboro 7:30
Nov.
1...... x-at Pettus....... 7:30
Nov.
8...... x-Bruni................. 7:30
Bruni Badgers
Head Coach: Rodney Ramirez
Career Record: 0-0
Years at School: 1st
Record at School: 0-0
Enrollment: 101
Last District Title: Never
Last Playoff Appearance: Never
2001 Record:3-6
overall (1-3 district)
Returning Letterman: 18
Offensive/Defensive Starters: 9/9
2002 Opener: Aug. 30 vs. Falls City
Key Game: Oct. 11 vs. Ben Bolt
Offensive Backfield: Most of the starters
from last season are juniors now, including QB R.J. Palacios. However, Palacios
was a RB last season. “He’s a natural athlete and we’ll put him wherever he can
excel,” Ramirez said. “He just has to learn the fundamentals and how to become
a leader.” Junior TB Armando Castillo returns after rushing for 350 yards and
four TDs, and this season will follow the blocks of junior FB Ruben Aguilar.
“The key thing is they got experience as sophomores. Now we have to convert
that into victories,” Ramirez added. “They are the upperclassmen now and have
the leadership role.”
Receivers: Junior Albert Vela, one member of
the Badgers’ state qualifying 1,600-meter relay, is the main target in the
passing game. Vela is also the backup QB, TB and FB. Ramirez said that at this
level it’s not unusual for a player to take on so many roles. “Everybody needs
to swap out everywhere,” he said. Senior Juan Soliz is back after hauling in 12
catches for 180 yards and two TDs.
Offensive Line: The season has yet to
start, but several players are already nursing injuries, mostly sore shoulders
and pulled groins. As is preferred, Ramirez said the Badgers have quickness at
guard with Mario Canales and Luis Lira and strength at tackle with Adam Salinas
and Jaime Medrano. Arnoldo Lozano is the center. Medrano didn’t play last
season.
Defensive Line: Three or four offensive
linemen are also going to be needed on defense. The key this season for the
Badgers, said Ramirez, is the ability to control the line of scrimmage. “We
have to take care of the blockers up front and leave the linebackers free to
roam,” he said.
Linebackers: Ruben Aguilar and Danny Gomez are
expected to have control of the middle defense. Aguilar played last year and
has the speed to turn corners and run down the ball carrier. Gomez was injured
most of last season and is inexperienced at the position.
Secondary: “We’re really mean,” Ramirez said of
the defensive backfield, which includes three of the mile relay members,
Castillo, Palacios and Vela. “It looks to be one that can handle the pressure
of a passing offense.” At SS is Vela, while Castillo and Palacios man the two
corner positions. Ramirez is looking at Rogelio Rodriguez as the FS.
BRUNI
SCHEDULE
Aug.
30..... Falls City.......... 7:30
Sept.
6...... La Pryor........ 7:30
Sept.
13.... at Runge....... 7:30
Sept.
20.... at Santa Maria........ 7:30
Sept.
26.... Johnson City.......... 7
Oct.
11..... x-Ben Bolt.......... 7:30
Oct.
18..... x-at Woodsboro 7:30
Oct.
25..... x-Pettus................. 7:30
Nov.
1...... x-Agua Dulce........ 7:30
Nov.
8...... x-at Benavides. 7:30
Pettus Eagles
Head Coach: Jimmy Thomas
Career Record: 3-7
Years at School: 2nd
Record at School: 3-7
Enrollment: 155
Last District Title: 1974
Last Playoff Appearance: 1987 (Lost, bi-district in 2A)
2001 Record: 3-7 overall (1-4 district)
Returning Letterman: 11
Offensive/Defensive Starters: 8/9
2002 Opener: Aug. 20 vs. Tidehaven
Key Game: Oct. 11 vs. Woodsboro
Offensive Backfield: Senior Michael Rodgers has moved from TE to FB and brings some
size with his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame. Though Rodgers is a newcomer to the
backfield, RB Chad Harris and QB Matt Helford are not. Harris (5-10, 170, sr.)
rushed for 1,594 yards and 19 TDs last season. Helford (5-9, 160, sr.) passed
for 866 yards and 14 TDs and added 533 rushing yards.
Receivers: Thomas said the Eagles have several receiver candidates, but in a
wing-T offense there isn’t much call for passing. Sophomore WB Edward Patino is
more blocker, but was a standout on the junior varsity last season.
Offensive Line: One side of the front five has several seasons of varsity
experience, C Gary Beauchamp (5-10, 180, sr.), G Colton Pargmann (5-9, 180,
sr.) and T John Chapa (5-10, 220, sr.) The remaining two spots belong to a
backup from last season, G Mike Caddell (5-5, 180, sr.), and a JV call-up, T
Cecil Daughtery (5-10, 220, jr.).
Defensive Line: Thomas knows exactly who
is going to start on the defensive line — all of the offensive linemen.
Linebackers: Harris, Rodgers and Eddie Hernandez
return to their LB positions. JV call-up Darrell Barrett and Patino could fill
in as backups.
Secondary: CB Zeke Escamilla is back from last
year. Ashford Taylor and FS Helford, who finished with 59 tackles, help to
round out the defensive backfield.
Offensive Backfield: The starting QB job was taken by Justin Kinslow (5-8, 150, jr.)
last season after passing for 724 yards and six TDs in five starts. Behind him
at FB is 2A second-team all-district pick Daniel Porras (5-7, 190, sr.), the
blocker for TB Justin Schubert (6-1, 180, jr.). In 2001, Schubert rushed for
844 yards and five TDs, and will be backed up this season by John Wiginton
(6-0, 185, jr.). After getting on the field as sophomores, there’s one thing
Kinslow, Schubert and Wiginton can do for the Eagles. “Their experience is
going to help a bunch,” he said. “They got thrown into the fire early, and I
got a lot of criticism because of that. These guys have been hammered and know
what it’s about.”
Receivers: Senior Ryan Autry, who can also play
tailback, caught 16 passes for 274 yards and three scores last season. Roger
Blaker (6-3, 175) is another junior who saw action last season, but only after
recovering from an injury. Wesley Walker (5-10, 165, jr.) is the projected TE.
Offensive Line:McGeary has no questions as to who will
start: C Noel Valderrama (6-0, 240, soph.), LG Junior Flores (5-11, 260, jr.),
RG Jose Flores (5-8, 190, jr.), LT Casey Mason (6-2, 220, jr.) and RT Philip
Mundine (6-0, 195, sr.).
Defensive Line: The majority of Woodsboro’s
linemen will play both ways. The flaws in the defense, McGeary said, are a lack
of experience and undisciplined play up front.
Linebackers: Autry was a first-team all-district
pick in 2A, while Porras, a second-team selection, finished with 126 tackles.
Secondary: Providing the pass coverage and run
support in the defensive backfield will be corners Schubert and Blaker, and
safeties Walker and Kinslow.
