With Dime Box unable to field a team this year, this will be the de facto smallest UIL district this season with just three teams competing.
That means just one team will be left out of the playoffs.
Calvert and Oglesby are both eyeing deep playoff runs led by their returning star player, while Buckholts is hoping to pull an upset and earn its first postseason berth since 2017.
Texas 1A Fan Helmet Sticker Winners for Week 9 game between Calvert and Oglesby!
– Kevondre Corona, Junior, Calvert
– Kyler Fossett, Sophomore, OglesbyGreat job, Gentlemen!https://t.co/5puvoRXY1C@LemanSaunders @sixmanfb @6manfootballfan @calvertisd @oglesby_isd pic.twitter.com/iXZY5zC5KO
— Texas 1A Fan (@Texas1AFan) November 1, 2022
Here’s what to watch in District 11-1A Division II.
Buckholts Badgers
Head Coach: Jason Kilgore (2nd Season)
Last Season: 3-7; 1-2 in district
Buckholts Key Players and Storylines
A year ago, the Badgers got off to a hot start, defeating Holy Trinity Catholic and Concordia in their first two games. However, the next six games that weren’t decided by a forfeit all ended in defeat, condemning Buckholts to its sixth-straight season without a playoff berth.
Head coach Jason Kilgore said the Badgers must build off the foundation they set last year, which included now-graduated quarterback Chevo Luciano earning all-state honors.
“We experienced a tremendous amount of growth last season and saw the emergence of some of our younger contributors,” Kilgore said. “We are losing four key seniors but are hoping to keep growing within our system.”
Those younger contributors will be key as the Badgers return just two starters on offense and three on defense.
Luke Lorenz (442 rushing yards, 297 receiving yards, 10 total TDs) is poised for the premiere role in the backfield this season as Buckholts’ leading returning rusher and receiver. Junior Anthony Salomon (103 receiving yards and two touchdown) will be another weapon in the passing game.
At quarterback, sophomore Jose Laureano Jr. appears to be in the pole position to take over the starting role.
Junior Kaleb Ralston should step into a bigger role on both sides of the ball in the trenches. Elsewhere, Salomon, a safety, (42 total tackles) and Lorenz, a defensive end, (25 tackles) will be just as important for Buckholts on the defensive side of the ball.
Kilgore said the defense has been the focus of Buckholts’ offseason program after the Badgers gave up 55 points per game a year ago.
The Badgers weren’t within 45 points of either Calvert or Oglesby in 2022. They’ll hope the lessons learned in Kilgore’s first year will hope them close that gap this season as they hope to snap their playoff drought.
Calvert Trojans
Head Coach: Eric Johnson (2nd Season)
Last Season: 4-6; 2-1 in district (Lost to Bluff Dale in bi-district)
Calvert Key Players and Storylines
For the first time in four seasons, Calvert will have the same coach from the year before.
And although two of their key running backs did graduate, they’ll still have some of the same playmakers as well.
Receiver Kevondre Corona is back for his fourth year on varsity. He’ll be the only senior on the roster this year for Calvert.
Up front, the Trojans have spread center Ty’Derrius Thomas, who will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Corona as a potential four-year letterman. He had a breakout freshman year in 2022 earning first team all-district not only on offense but on the defensive line as well. Look for Corona to be all over the field on the defensive side of the ball as well after earning the district’s Defensive MVP award last season.
Calvert used to be a lock for a deep playoff run but the Trojans haven’t won a playoff game in either of the past two seasons. They’ll hope Johnson’s second year at the school will provide them the stability they need to go and snap that drought this season.
Dime Box Longhorns
Head Coach: N/A
Last Season: N/A
Dime Box 2023 Season Update
Athletic Director Kasey Kubena confirmed to TexasHSFootball.com that the Longhorns will not field a varsity team in 2023. It’s the third straight season where Dime Box has been unable to complete a varsity schedule.
Oglesby Tigers
Head Coach: Jeb Dixon (4th Season)
Last Season: 11-1; 3-0 in district (Lost to Oakwood in area round)
Oglesby Key Players and Storylines
The Tigers are gearing up for what they hope will be a long and fruitful season. With five starters returning on each side of the ball, they’ve been viewed as a potential regional and state contender heading into this fall.
Head coach Jeb Dixon said the Tigers have built up good depth behind their starters as well.
Junior Kyler Fossett (2,194 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns) is set to be the engine of the offense again this season from his running back role. His backfield counterpart fullback Johnny Gomez (239 rushing yards and four touchdowns) also returns.
Up front, tight end Cash Lee is back to lead Oglesby in the trenches. He was a second team all-district selection last year.
Fossett (84 tackles and four interceptions) was also Oglesby’s second-leading tackler on defense last year, while Gomez (71 tackles) will be a defensive leader from his cornerback position as well.
Oglesby had some notable underclassmen starring on last year’s squad. With another year of experience under its belt and a roster stocked full of talent, Oglesby will hope this is the year it can make it past the second round of playoffs.
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