After four straight seasons with at least 10 wins, the Abernathy Antelopes hit a rough patch in 2015, finishing with a 6-4 record, although their playoff streak remained. Abernathy experienced a resurgence in 2016 however, finishing one game short of a state title, topping some of the best teams in 2A DI in the postseason. Now with the return of 16 starters, this resurgence has a chance of carrying over into 2017.
Non-district didn’t start out how the Antelopes would’ve liked, facing a 1-2 record after three games. A 26-7 win over Memphis however “set the stage for the rest of the way,” according to head coach Darrell Daily. “We were real young, we started six or seven sophomores on either side of the ball. We were 1-2, but I knew we were a good ball club.”
After the final non-district game, Abernathy swept the competition in 2-2A DI, finishing off good Hale Center and New Deal teams in close contests to claim the district title. The Antelopes scored the most points on average in this portion of the schedule, recording 31.6 points per game in district.
“We were definitely not favored to win it,” said Daily. “But our kids fought and found ways to win. The kids showed we could play four quarters and come back and win it.”
Abernathy played one of the more exciting postseasons in 2016, with close games against very skilled teams. After a bi-district win against Sunray, the Antelopes topped Hawley 22-21, met up again with Post (who had previously defeated Abernathy in the season opener 21-0) and claimed a 24-21 victory, and eliminated Anson 21-18. The Antelopes magical season would end however as a stingy Crawford team punched their ticket to Arlington with a 42-7 win.
“We were playing really well; we were probably the underdogs in a lot of those games,” said Daily. “We played really well and managed to keep the score down. Our kids kept fighting, and we got better and better offensively. It was exciting. But we get to Crawford, and they’re a great team. We made some mistakes and it was over.”
Key Losses
DE Xavier Rivera, RB Mark Pando, DT Jacob Rosales
Rivera earned the district defensive MVP title last season, racking up 74 tackles, three sacks and four forced fumbles. Rosales also earned all-district honors on defense, recording 62 tackles and three sacks. Pando was a force on the ground, rushing for 1,305 yards and 15 touchdowns on his way to earning first team all-district honors on offense.
“It was a good senior class,” said Daily. “Rivera was a four-year starter, a kid who was 6’2″, 305 and can move. Losing him was tough. Jacob Rosales was a really good defensive starter for us, Pando was a good rusher who did well for us in the playoffs. We’re gonna have to replace some linemen and depth up front.”
Key Returners
QB Bryson Daily, OL/DL Nathan Sullivan, WR Kole Carlisle
Daily exploded onto the scene as a freshman, passing for 1,071 yards and rushing for 1,650 more with 25 total touchdowns. Sullivan racked up 57 tackles and a pair of sacks on the way to first team all-district honors at defensive end, but also earned all-district honors at center. Carlisle was also an all-district performer in 2016, hauling in 15 passes for 221 yards and three scores as a sophomore.
“Our junior class is a big group, that’s where Sullivan and Carlisle are,” said the coach. “Carlisle is a really good addition to the backfield. Sullivan looks to have a great year. Bryson’s our quarterback, he did a great job getting us to the postseason. We’re gonna hope to improve those numbers, especially the passing game. He’s a good player, he can operate.”
The Verdict
16 starters return for Abernathy, ready to take on the same teams as last season. After the home opener this Friday night against Post, the Antelopes are on the road for the next three games in Tulia, Dimmitt and Memphis.
“Post is a great ball club, they have a lot of kids back. Very physical, I say they oughta be the regional favorite,” Daily said. “Tulia is a lot better than they were, they throw the ball around, and they got a really good quarterback. Memphis is awful talented, it’ll be a war. ”
Technically, no other team in 2-2A DI returns as many starters as Abernathy, but 2016 area finalist New Deal returns only one less starter than the Antelopes. Sundown also won a playoff game, and returns eight total starters, while Hale Center return 10 total from last season’s bi-district finalists. This season, Abernathy has the advantage of hosting three of their five district opponents, including Sundown and Hale Center.
“First game against Sundown will be a war, they lost a lot of seniors but they had a really solid JV group,” Daily predicted. “Floydada and Hale Center don’t have a lot of numbers but they’ll be solid. Hopefully we can get out of that tough district and be ready for the postseason.”
Brought to you by:
