Bellville celebrated its 100th anniversary of varsity football by making the playoffs for the 31st time in school history.
The Brahmas hold a 49-31 all-time playoff record, and they’ve twice made it to the state title game (1960, 1977), losing each time.
Things were moving along nicely last season for Bellville, which toughened in a hard non-district schedule before plowing through the competition in District 11-4A DII.
Bellville breezed through bi-district and area rounds with wins over Orangefield and Salado, but eventual state champion West Orange-Stark awaited in the regional round.
WO-S put an end to Bellville’s centennial run, 49-7. The Brahmas finished the season 11-3.
Bellville swept the superlatives in all-district voting, and the Brahmas potent offense showed up clearly in the all-district team heavy-laden with seniors. Bellville averaged 305 yards rushing per game in 2016.
Key Losses
RB Mac Briscoe, LB Tyler Abke, QB Connor McIntyre
Nearly every offensive senior made the all-district team, which was led by Mac Briscoe’s 2,100 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. Abke was the district’s defensive player of the year.
Key Returners
DT Diego Muniz, WR Rolando Alaniz, DE Grayson Mays, DB Chancellor Leaks-Gillium
Muniz and Mays were unanimous first-team all-district picks on the defensive line last year, and Leaks-Gillium returns to lead the secondary. Alaniz was the only underclassmen to make all-district on offense.
The Verdict
Two of the non-district teams that beat Bellville in 2016 (Cameron Yoe, Wharton) did so at “The Pasture of Pain.” This year Bellville will travel to both of those schools. Bellville will need to rebuild its offense, but the Brahmas return a wealth of talent on defense, especially on the line and in the secondary.
Bellville essentially needs to win just one district game to make the playoffs in the five-team district. But this is Brahma Country, and they expect district championships and late November ball.
A third round matchup with West Orange-Stark could happen again this year as well.
Bellville’s first scrimmage will be Aug. 18 at home against Navasota, then they travel to Columbus for a scrimmage before kicking off the season Sept. 1 at Cameron Yoe.
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