There’s some new faces in District 10-1A Division II this season. Three of the four programs welcome in new head coaches.
Morgan and Bynum were both four scores better than the other two teams in this district a year ago. However, Mount Calm and Kopperl return most if not all of their production from a year ago. That means a shake-up to the standings could be in store.
Here’s what to watch for in District 10-1A Division II.
Bynum Bulldogs
Head Coach: Casey Morgan (4th Season)
Last Season: 4-7; 2-1 in district (Lost to Oakwood in bi-district)
Bynum Key Players and Storylines
Bynum returned to the playoffs in convincing fashion a year ago with mercy rule victories over both Mount Calm and Kopperl.
Head coach Casey Morgan said the focus for his players heading into this season is to make the playoffs an annual expectation.
Last year’s leading rusher for the Bulldogs has graduated, but four of their offensive starters still return. That includes running backs Blane Mynarcik and Brandon Collins. Mynarcik is the leading returning rusher for the Bulldogs, while Collins displayed his ability as a passer a year ago.
Up front, all-district linemen Trey Montgomery and Chris Howell are also back. As a freshman last season, Howell made an immediate impact as a target in the passing game.
Defensively, the Bulldogs shut out two of their three district opponents last season. Mynarcik and Collins should lead the unit from their defensive back positions. Both were first team all-district honorees in 2022.
Last year, the Bulldogs set what they hope will be a new standard with a playoff appearance. This fall, the Bulldogs will look to continue their progress as they set their sights on a playoff victory.
Kopperl Eagles
Head Coach: Ken Davis (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-7; 0-3 in district
Kopperl was back in the market for a head coach after Darrell Wallace’s one-year stint at the school. However, the Eagles didn’t have to look far as they promoted assistant Ken Davis to head coach.
The Eagles began what they hope will be an upward ascent last season, snapping a 13-game losing streak. Their victory over Brookesmith last September was their first in three years. (They did not field a team in 2020 due to a lack of numbers.)
Davis believes he’s a step ahead of where a new coach would normally be at because he already knows the players. And it’s virtually the same group from a year ago as Kopperl returns every starter from last year and also adds a talented bunch of freshmen.
Anthony Johnson will be the leader for the Eagles on both sides of the ball. He rushed for 600 yards last season and earned first team all-district as both a running back and as a defensive lineman.
Other players to watch include fullback/defensive lineman Isaac Payen and quarterback Christian Falk. Both were first team all-district honorees as sophomores a year ago.
Last year’s experience should be a big boost to a Kopperl team that will still primarily consist of underclassmen this season. After breaking back into the win column a year ago, Davis believes the program is still on an upward trajectory heading into this fall.
“The guys are hungry for success and after being knocked around the last two years,” Davis said. “I believe we are going to raise some eyebrows this year.”
Morgan Eagles
Head Coach: Chuck Wilson (1st Season)
Last Season: 8-4; 3-0 in district (Lost to Bluff Dale in area round)
Morgan Key Players and Storylines
Chuck Wilson takes over at Morgan, but he has quite the task ahead of him. The Eagles have to replace most of their backfield production from a year ago as quarterback EJ Aviles followed his dad to Oglesby and Adrian Vera-Rico graduated.
The passing game isn’t completely bereft of talent though. Senior Mark Garcia saw some reps at quarterback a year ago, while Zach Mitchell was the team’s leading receiver. Mitchell was the district’s Newcomer of the Year last season.
Defensively, Aviles and Vera-Rico were also Morgan’s two leading tacklers last season.
However, they have a star in the making in sophomore defensive lineman Adrian Alonzo (83 tackles). Garcia and Mitchell should also be impact players in the secondary.
Morgan has been steady in recent years having made six-straight playoff appearances. If Wilson can find team leaders both on and off the field to replace Aviles and Vera-Rico, Morgan has enough returning experience to push for a seventh-straight postseason berth this fall.
Mount Calm Panthers
Head Coach: Garrett Rose (1st Season)
Last Season: 5-5; 1-2 in district play
Mount Calm Key Players and Storylines
Mount Calm has come a long way since having to forfeit several games at the end of the 2020 season.
After a playoff appearance in 2021, the Panthers came up just a game short of another postseason appearance last year.
This year, the Panthers have a new head coach. Assistant Garrett Rose takes over the program this year following Chris Villareal’s departure to Penelope.
Expectations are high at Mount Calm with four starters back on offense and five returning on defense. A good group of incoming freshmen means the Panthers should be deeper too.
The Panthers have a trio of backs ready to lead their backfield this season. Christian Aguirre will be Mount Calm’s power back, especially in goal line situations. When the Panthers are looking to stretch the field, they plan to rely on spreadback Chad Plagens, quarterback Havyn Godines, and wide receiver Colton Blain. All three earned first team all-district a year ago.
Defensively, Mount Calm will look to Aguirre to lead them in the trenches. Mason Hall should also be a key player up front after having an impact as a freshman last season.
Behind them, look for Godines, a linebacker, and Plagens, a safety, to be fellow playmakers for the Panthers defense.
The pieces are in place for Mount Calm to make a return to the playoffs in 2023. However, they’ll need to close the gap on Morgan and Bynum after losing to both teams by more than 35 points a year ago.
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