The Henrietta Bearcats had a nice run to the regional round of the playoffs in 2016, and they’ve put together quite an impressive two-year run.
After a 12-2 state quarterfinal appearance in 2015, the Bearcats went 10-3 and three rounds deep last year. But they must replace most of its backfield and a deep offensive line. However, quarterback Zack West returns to lead them.
Henrietta opened last season with a win over perennial power Windthorst before having trouble in Paradise. The Bearcats traveled to Paradise, where they lost, 37-27, to the Panthers. Henrietta won home games against Bowie and Boyd and lost on the road to Childress, 37-0.
They went 5-0 in District 5-3A Division II and crushed S&S Consolidated, 47-20, in the bi-district round. They beat Harmony, 41-20, in the area round and lost to eventual state champion Gunter, 31-3, in the regional.
Henrietta takes on Gunter in a playoff bout. (Photo via Kristen Taylor, TexasHSFootball.com)
Key Losses
RB Landon Davis, OL Corbin Bloodworth, WR Ben McCreary
Davis was a key cog of the offense running behind an experienced offensive line that included Corbin Bloodworth and Sterling Headrick. The offense also loses special wide receivers in Ben McCreary, Kandon Bennett and Mason Hanson.
Henrietta takes on Gunter in a playoff bout. (Photo via Kristen Taylor, TexasHSFootball.com)
Key Returners
QB Zack West, LB Logan Kelsey OL/DL Ross Cantwell
West was the 5-3A DII Player of the Year after guiding the Bearcats to an undefeated district title and three round trek into the playoffs. Cantwell will be looked upon as a leader after the departure of a bunch of seniors.
Kelsey was a first-team all-district linebacker last season, and he’ll have defensive end Trey Essler and cornerback Mason Marchman returning with him on the D.
Henrietta takes on Gunter in a playoff bout. (Photo via Kristen Taylor, TexasHSFootball.com)
The Verdict
The Bearcats have a lot of shoes to fill on both sides of the ball, including many of those guys who won 22 games over two seasons — the best in a generation. But they’ve got West returning at quarterback, and having that kind of leadership in a rebuilding, or reloading, process would make any coach happy.
The defense will also have to rebuild, but they’ll have returning players at each layer, including two defensive linemen in Essler and Cantwell.
Getting back to double-digit wins could be tough for Henrietta as the schedule remains the same. But another playoff appearance seems to be in the sights, and perhaps another district title could also be on the docket.
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