Loraine broke through last season with a run all the way to the state championship game. But both the Bulldogs and Blackwell have key seniors to replace from a year ago.
That will give Trent and Bronte hope they can try and shake up the playoff picture this fall under the leadership of their new head coaches.
Here’s what to watch in District 13-1A Division II.
Blackwell Hornets
Head Coach: Clint Lowry (11th Season)
Last Season: 7-5; 2-1 in district (Lost to Cherokee in area round)
Blackwell Key Players and Storylines
Blackwell has been as steady as they came under head coach Clint Lowry. They’ve missed the playoffs just once since he took over the program in 2013.
However, he’ll have quite the challenge on his hands in 2023. Graduation laid the hammer on the Hornets after last season. They lose six players who earned first team all-district honors in 2022.
This season, the weight of responsibility will likely fall to senior spreadback/cornerback Karter Cummings. He earned first team all-district honors on both sides of the ball a year ago.
The Hornets also return Jesus Gonzalez, who should be another key ballcarrier for Blackwell this season. He also was a first team all-district honoree defensively last season.
In the trenches, the Hornets will likely rely on Kayson Cummings. He was a key player at noseguard a year ago.
The Hornets will have a lot of new faces this fall. But with the consistency they’ve showcased under the leadership of Lowry, don’t expect the bar to be set any lower in 2023.
Bronte Longhorns
Head Coach: Rocky Rawls (1st Season)
Last Season: 4-6; 1-2 in district play
Bronte Key Players and Storylines
Longtime Bronte basketball coach Rocky Rawls will coach the Longhorns in 2023 after Tell Rutledge departed to take over at Priddy.
The task for this season will be trying to snap a playoff drought that dates back to 2015 when the Longhorns were still playing 11-man football.
They were unable to stay within 45 points of both Blackwell or Loraine last year. But with four starters returning on each side of the ball this season, there is an expectation of progress this fall.
Quarterback Jayton Galvan is back for another year of leading the Longhorns behind center.
Cole Knight is another key player Bronte will be relying upon next season. A first team all-district linebacker, he’ll be a defensive leader as well as contributing from his running back position on offense.
Heading into this season, Bronte is focused on hard work and discipline. With experience returning on both sides of the ball, the Bronte coaching staff believes the Longhorns can continue developing a standard of excellence that will help lead them back into the playoff picture.
Loraine Bulldogs
Head Coach: Jake Popham (6th Season)
Last Season: 13-2; 3-0 in district (Lost to Benjamin in 1A Division II State Title Game)
Loraine Key Players and Storylines
2022 is a year that Loraine will forever remember after the Bulldogs made it to the state title game for the first time in their history.
The biggest concern for head coach Jake Popham heading into this season is the leadership void left after the graduation of several key seniors. Loraine returns just three starters on offense and only two on defense this season.
However, AJ Williams is no ordinary returning starter. The district’s Offensive MVP a year ago, he accounted for 1,709 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2022. He could well top those numbers this year after the graduation of fellow rusher Davion Walthall.
ON THE 2ND PLAY OF THE GAME AJ WILLIAMS BREAKS LOOSE!!💨
Benjamin Mustangs 🐎: 0
Loraine Bulldogs 🐶: 8@uiltexas | #TXHSFB | BSSW: 📺 pic.twitter.com/xKQDtfZURs— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) December 14, 2022
Also in the backfield, fullback Xander Ybarra (266 rushing yards and two touchdowns) has proven himself to be a strong ballcarrier up the gut, while quarterback Jadrian Limones (434 passing yards and nine touchdowns) will help out Williams when it comes to throwing the football. Popham also believes senior fullback Brett Bolen and sophomore utility back Matthew Bolen are primed for bigger roles this year.
On the other side of the ball, Loraine was lights out a year ago. The Bulldogs had six games where they held opponents to eight points or less.
Loraine has to replace four first team all-district players from last season, but Williams should help lead the unit from his cornerback position.
Although the defense has some pieces to replace, Popham is confident that his Bulldogs have what it takes for another competitive season. Williams is enough of a gamebreaker to keep Loraine in almost any game, so expect the Bulldogs to be playing into November yet again this season.
Trent Gorillas
Head Coach: Troy Sparks (1st Season)
Last Season: 5-5; 0-3 in district
Trent Key Players and Storylines
Troy Sparks takes over a Trent program coming off its winningest season since 2014. He’ll be aiming to lead Trent to its first playoff berth since 2012 this fall.
Following the graduation of Breyden Lewis, the Gorillas might lean on their passing attack early on as junior quarterback Hayden Payne returns to lead the offense.
He’ll need some help on the receiving end though as Trent’s top three pass catchers a year ago graduated.
Sophomore running back Keagan Hollis and junior tight end Brayden Cathey are two players who could step up for the Gorillas offensively this year.
Defensively, Trent lost its top three tacklers. Cathey was a second team all-district utility player last season, while Payne should be a key player at linebacker as well this season.
Sparks has a real opportunity to leave his mark on the Gorillas this season. All three players mentioned still have at least another year after this season, so look for Trent to aim to continue to develop under the leadership of its new head coach this fall.
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