Happy and Nazareth dominated District 2-1A Division I last season, defeating both Claude and Wildorado by mercy rule. However, with both teams doing a bit of reloading this offseason, Claude and Wildorado will be hopeful of closing the gap in 2023 with the experience they have returning.
Here’s what to watch for in District 2-1A Division I.
Claude Mustangs
Head Coach: Brantlee Lemons (3rd season)
Last Season: 4-6; 2-1 in district
Claude Key Players and Storylines
The Mustangs struggled to hang with Happy and Nazareth a year ago but did pick up their first district win since dropping down to six-man football back in 2018.
They have high hopes for this year with a senior-heavy roster that includes five starters returning on offense and four back on defense.
Braygon Conrad (504 passing yards and 404 rushing yards) is back to lead the Mustang backfield alongside fellow senior Jayden Blandford (236 rushing yards and three touchdowns). Center Luke Knox will provide protection up front after earning all-district honors at the position a year ago.
Defensively, the Mustangs will expect Blandford (67 tackles) and Knox (53 tackles) to be sure tacklers from their linebacker positions. Both earned all-district mentions last season.
Meanwhile, Conrad had three interceptions from his cornerback position a year ago, while Raymond Milner (47 tackles, 8 TFLs) will be the player to watch up front for the Mustangs after he earned second team all-district at his noseguard position.
With a roster full of experience, the Mustangs are aiming for an above .500 finish that they hope will put them in contention for their first playoff appearance since 2013.
Happy Cowboys
Head Coach: Stacy Perryman (5th season)
Last Season: 12-2; 3-0 in district (Lost to Westbrook in the State Semifinals)
Happy Key Players and Storylines
The Cowboys have been knocking on the door of their first ever state title game appearance with back-to-back state semifinal defeats to Westbrook.
However, they’ll have some retooling to do this year as only three starters return on each side of the ball. Among the key players that graduated are quarterback Camden Sperry, running back Tryce Johnson, and tight end Kyton Johnson.
But despite those losses on offense, the return of first team all-district tight end Quay Hodges (373 receiving yards, eight touchdowns), and all-district running backs Joey Blackmon (640 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) and Noe Juarez (143 rushing yards and four touchdowns) means the Cowboys’ offense will still pack a punch this year.
Defensively, the Cowboys were lights out a year ago, posting four shutouts and holding opponents to just 14.7 points per game. This season, they’ll have several players back who earned accolades a year ago.
Quay Hodges earned District Defensive MVP honors from his defensive end, while linebacker Cutter Hodges was a first team all-district choice . Elsewhere on defense, Blackmon and Juarez also earned all-district honors for their play in the secondary.
Heading into this year, Happy has earned three-straight regional final appearances.
Cowboys are State Quarterfinal Champs as they beat Nazareth 56-16! pic.twitter.com/hoEnsMvEhc
— Happy Sports Network (@HappySportsNet) November 26, 2022
With key players back on both sides of the ball, Perryman said the bar will be set high for his Cowboys yet again this year.
“We will have to replace some big pieces to the puzzle that made us successful this past year,” Perryman said. “But with that being said, the guys coming back were a big part of that semifinal run, so we expect to be in the conversation for regional champs again in 2023.”
Nazareth Swifts
Head Coach: Tyler Goodwin (3rd Season)
Last Season: 10-3; 2-1 in district (Lost to Happy in Regional Final)
Nazareth Key Players and Storylines
Happy was a thorn in Nazareth’s side a year ago. Two of the Swifts’ three losses came at the hands of the Cowboys. Their only other loss was to 1A Division II state semifinalist Whitharral.
This season, the Swifts will have to replace Luke Schulte, their primary ball-carrier from a year ago, but quarterback Will Young does return (highlights below). Nazareth’s strength could be up front where tight ends Caysen High and Kayle Rogers and center Owen Dyer all return after earning all-district honors last season.
On the other side of the ball, the Swifts held opponents to 25 points per game last year. Keep an eye on Rogers up front, while Young will be a key player at cornerback. Both players were first team all-district honorees a year ago.
The biggest question mark for Nazareth will be at the skill positions after the Swifts graduated their first team all-district utility back (Schulte), fullback, and two wide receivers from last season.
The success of this season will likely depend on whether or not younger players can adequately step up at those positions as the Swifts continue to work towards earning their first district title since 2018.
Wildorado Mustangs
Head Coach: Rance Barnett (2nd Season)
Last Season: 1-9; 0-3 in district
Wildorado Key Players and Storylines
Wildorado hasn’t had a football program for long, but the Mustangs have been quick to taste success. In 2020, the first year Wildorado played in a UIL district, the Mustangs finished 8-3 and made the playoffs. They also made the playoffs in 2021.
However, after moving up to 1A Division I at last year’s realignment, Wildorado failed to replicate that success. 2022 was the first year the Mustang football program had ever missed the playoffs in its short history.
Head coach Rance Barnett said his squad struggled with inexperience and injuries all season long. After all, the Mustangs had just two seniors on last year’s roster.
However, Barnett said he’s confident this year will be different with Wildorado returning four starters on each side of the ball.
Utility back Trey Matthews is the big loss from last season, but spreadback Aden Woodard returns along with junior running back Blu Washington and senior quarterback Ryan Cox. And when Cox turns to the air, he’ll have second team all-district wide receiver Hudson Matt at his disposal.
Wildorado struggled defensively last year, giving up nearly 60 points per game. Their front should be stronger this season with the return of defensive ends Washington and Matt and linebackers Cox and Woodard.
With just under two months until the season begins, Barnett said his team is “way ahead” of where they were at this point a year ago. With a full offseason under Barnett’s leadership and plenty of experience returning, the Mustangs are eager to show the gains they’ve made on the field this fall.
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