The Hallettsville Brahmas looked tough in 2016, and they appeared to be a state title contender. But a district rival steered them off course in the playoffs, and now the Brahmas are seeing red.
Hallettsville made it through the regular unscathed at 10-0 and zoomed through the first three rounds of the playoffs and rolled into the state quarterfinal with a 13-0 record. District rival Yoakum awaited with four losses, but the Bulldogs pulled off the win and made it to state, finishing as the state runner-up.
The Brahmas probably felt like they should’ve gotten the state title game
experience. In some cases, a loss might be a good thing to give a team even more focus going into the next year. With so much firepower coming back this fall, Hallettsville is primed to be an early favorite to make it to Jerry World. But before that, here’s a brief recap of 2016. Hallettsville beat some pretty darn good teams in non-district with Schulenburg (45-0), Shiner (35-21), Boling (28-7) and Columbus (28-21).
Hallettsville beat Yoakum, 35-28, on the road at Yoakum to open district and then went undefeated in 14-3A Division I. The Brahmas beat Cole, George West and Rice Consolidated to make the quarterfinal. Yoakum won the rematch, 27-23.
Hallettsville returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and last year’s defense that allowed just 15 points a game should be even better this fall.
Photo via Raymond Rosas, TexasHSFootball.com
Key Losses
OL Dylan Fishbeck, DL Robert Muniz, DB Ashton Adams
The Brahmas lose four good offensive linemen in Dylan Fishbeck, Will Dowell, Brennan Schimcek and Adam Hermes. They also lose defensive lineman Robert Muniz, who played alongside Fishbeck on defense.
The defensive secondary loses three solid players in Ashton Adams, Colton Starns and Kraegan Matula.
Photo via Raymond Rosas, TexasHSFootball.com
Key Returners
RB/DB Scooter Adams, QB D.J. Taylor, LB Reid Henke, OL/DL Cullen Mikes
Scooter Adams is the perfect name for a running back. Adams scooted for 2,031 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns last year en route to the 14-3A DI Player of the Year.
Taylor was the first-team all-district quarterback with 2,680 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. They’ll operate behind a rebuilt offensive line this year, but Cullen Mikes will be a good start.
Linebacker Jaxson Reeves will lead the defense like last year when he had 163 tackles, and he’s joined in the corps by Henke.
Photo via Raymond Rosas, TexasHSFootball.com
The Verdict
When a team’s only loss is in the playoffs to a district rival they’ve already beaten, and that team makes it all the way to state, that hurts. Hallettsville has lived with that painful loss for eight months, and you can be certain that Sept. 29 when Yoakum comes to Hallettsville is circled on everyone’s calendar.
The season once again starts with Schulenburg, Shiner, Boling and Columbus, and that should give the state a good indicator on how good the Brahmas will be this fall.
And the final game in September? It will be an all-out war. Expect either Hallettsville or Yoakum to make the state semifinals, and don’t be surprised to see them meet twice again in 2017. But this time the entire Brahma Nation will see red going into both matchups.
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