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District 29-6A Season Preview

insoles to jump higher

 

 

 

Brennan carried the banner for District 29-6A again last fall with a regional final appearance, while Harlan made some school history with a regional semifinal run. Both of those teams will be aiming for deep playoff runs again this year.

In this deep nine-team district, expect a competitive battle for the four playoff spots. Warren snapped a four-year drought a year ago. Can someone follow in its footsteps?

Here’s what to watch for in District 29-6A.

San Antonio Brennan

Head Coach: Stephen Basore (14th Season)

Last Season: 12-2; 8-0 in district (Lost to Westlake in regional final)

Brennan Key Players and Storylines

The Bears have now made the playoffs the past 12 seasons. Their debut season in 2010 remains the only year the Bears have ever missed the postseason.

This year will serve as a baptism by fire for several of Brennan’s players. Just three starters return on offense and only four are back on defense.

However, at Brennan, the expectation is to reload rather than rebuild as the Bears hope to continue to compete at a regional and state level.

Running back Jason Love (1,126 total yards and 20 total touchdowns) will have to lead the way offensively for that to happen. Brennan’s top three receivers from last year graduated, so Brandon Wells (110 receiving yards and a touchdown) will need to step up when the Bears turn to their passing attack.

Up front, tight end Lucius Lyman (16 pancake blocks) could help in the passing game, but he should also be a force in the trenches along with senior tackle Ryan Watson. Watson overcame a foot impairment as an eighth grader and now is set to be a second-year starter for the Bears this season.

Defensively, the Bears may have to replace seven starters from last year’s team, but their few returning players are stars.

Defensive lineman Dylan Avalos (68 tackles, 28 TFLs, eight sacks) made a living in opponents’ backfields last season. Ryan Love, Jason’s twin, proved to be a ballhawk at safety (71 tackles, five INTs), and linebacker/safety Tristan Escobar (108 tackles, ten TFLs) is the team’s leading returning tackler.

Brennan will learn a lot about its team early. It has to travel to Cibolo Steele in week one as it looks to avenge last year’s defeat to the Knights. After that, the Bears will be tested by Brandeis and Harlan in weeks two and three. Both of those teams won a playoff game a year ago.

Those three weeks will be telling as Brennan aims to maintain the standard it set of competing for regional titles.

San Antonio Harlan Hawks

Head Coach: Eddie Salas (6th Season)

Last Season: 10-3; 6-2 in district (Lost to Vandegrift in regional semifinals)

Harlan Key Players and Storylines

Harlan has made the playoffs in all five years it has had a varsity football program.

Last year, the Hawks tied their deepest playoff run in school history by making it to the third round of playoffs.

Next on the list of the goals for the Hawks is to win a district title at the 6A level. The three starters returning on offense and the five back on defense will be relied upon to help them reach that goal.

Gunslinging quarterback Noah Farris (2,605 passing yards and 24 touchdowns) is back to lead the Hawk offense for the third-straight year. After the graduation of Harlan’s top running back and top four receivers, he’ll have a new primary target in Peyton Matthews (338 receiving yards and two touchdowns and 277 rushing yards and six touchdowns). Although the Hawks will primarily use him as a receiver, he can also be a weapon in their ground game.

Up front, senior tackle Miguel Carrizales will be a crucial veteran presence on the offensive line. While he’s a four-year letterman, the rest of the starters alongside him in the trenches will lack experience.

Defensively, head coach Eddie Salas is excited by what the Hawks bring back. In addition to the aforementioned five returning starters, the Hawks also have four more players who rotated in and saw snaps a year ago.

Two of their three leading tacklers from last season are back in linebackers Elijah Walton (73 tackles) and Yair Gelacio (72 tackle). In front of them, Nathan Tealer (42 tackles) should play a key role on the defensive line.

The Hawks have high hopes after last year’s accomplishments. If they can settle in their new starters on offense, they’ll aim to be playing deep into November again this season.

San Antonio Holmes Huskies

Head Coach: Pete Padilla (2nd Season)

Last Season: 0-8; 0-10 in district play

Holmes Key Players and Storylines

Holmes will be looking to bounce back after a winless campaign a year ago. The Huskies had one possession games against Sotomayor and Jay but couldn’t find a way to pull out the victory in either one.

When looking at their 2023 squad, there’s no doubt the Huskies will have to rely on their offense early on in the season. Nine starters are back on that side of the ball, while just one returns on defense.

Holmes biggest strength will be in its backfield where quarterback Isaac Martinez (1,125 passing yards and ten touchdowns; 280 rushing yards and two TDs) and running backs Ja’ir Hampton (223 rushing yards and two touchdowns) and Christopher Geller (570 rushing yards) all return. Martinez is a dual threat, so the Huskies will have a variety of options when it comes to their ground game.

On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Edgar Camarago is that lone returning starter from last season.

Holmes has struggled since the turn of the century. The Huskies last made the playoffs in 2000 and haven’t had a winning season since.

Head coach Pete Padilla said the goal for this year’s team is to “improve on all three aspects of the game.” He wants to see a good work ethic out of his players so they can compete to the best of their abilities on Friday nights in front of their faithful supporters.

San Antonio Jay Mustangs

Head Coach: Gary Gutierrez (11th Season)

Last Season: 5-5; 3-5 in district

Jay Key Players and Storylines

Jay has been on the upswing following its winless 2020 season.

The Mustangs have the returning experience necessary this year in order to continue closing the gap on the top four teams in the district.

They have a trio of weapons back to lead them offensively in Navy commit quarterback Jackson Gutierrez (632 passing yards and five TDs; 395 rushing yards and three TDs), bell cow running back Jack Mota (1,115 rushing yards and nine touchdowns), and receiver Dylan Gordon (443 receiving yards and five touchdowns), who is also getting looks at the Division I level.

Defensively, Jay’s top tacklers from last year have graduated, but there are plenty of players ready to take on leadership roles this year.

Quarterbacks will have to be weary when throwing in the direction of Diego Quiroz (67 tackles and four INTs). Linebackers Zach Mota (52 tackles, four TFLs) and Emede Garza (53 tackles) and defensive end Elijah Baldwin (55 tackles and four TFLs) will give the Mustangs a stout front seven.

The Mustangs have gradually improved since bottoming out in 2020. This year, look for Jay to go in search of its first winning season since 2019.

San Antonio O’Connor Panthers

Head Coach: David Malesky (14th Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 4-4 in district

O’Connor Key Players and Storylines

O’Connor finished just a game outside of the playoffs last year.

This year, the Panthers will be a lot younger with just five starters back on offense and only three returning on defense.

They have quite the leader in the trenches on offense in UTSA commit Briley Brown.

Head coach David Malesky said the experience the Panthers have on the offensive line will be their biggest strength this season. That will be crucial as there is a lot of young skill talent around them.

Ryder Dorn appears to have won the race to take over the quarterback position after playing cornerback last season, while Luke Valdez (586 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) is a key addition at receiver after coming over from TMI-Episcopal.

On the other side of the ball, Malesky expects to lean on  Nicolas Chapa and CaliEvan Billela in the secondary. Billela can also play receiver. Ryan Mason is poised for a bigger season at linebacker after making contributions as a sophomore last season.

Malesky praised his players for their work throughout the offseason. They’ll hope that preparation will pay off as the Panthers search for their first playoff berth in four years.

San Antonio Sotomayor Wildcats

Head Coach: Juan Morales (2nd Season)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-7 in district

Sotomayor Key Players and Storylines

As a first-year varsity program, last year was all about laying the foundation for Sotomayor.

And while Sotomayor took some lumps last fall playing with no seniors on its roster, the payoff should come this season with every player returning.

Starting quarterback Logan Plake (812 passing yards and four touchdowns) and running back Jayden Gutierrez (437 rushing yards and two touchdowns) should be able to build on solid 2022 campaigns. In front of them, head coach Juan Morales is excited about the potential of tight end Jace Cano.

Defensively, junior linebackers Shawn Wasley (77 tackles, 10 TFLs) and Tristan Woodruff (67 tackles, 14 TFLs) demonstrated their ability to make plays all over the field. Xaden Aucion (39 tackles) should anchor the Wildcat run defense from his defensive tackle position.

Morales is encouraged by the progress his team is making, but he knows that his team lacks experience in finishing games on the varsity level. They do have their win over Holmes from last season, but Morales said a couple of wins early on in the season would really help strengthen the Wildcats’ mindset.

The emphasis this summer has been continuing to build a culture of character, great attitude, toughness, and service. If the Wildcats can continue to establish that culture, they’ll hope to send their senior class off with a few more wins this fall.

San Antonio Stevens

Head Coach: Anthony Boykin (5th Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 4-4 in district

Stevens Key Players and Storylines

Stevens had a three-win improvement from 2021 a year ago. However, the Falcons were left wondering what could’ve been.

Head coach Anthony Boykin said he and his team have been focused on crossing “The Thin Line,” after the Falcons lost four games last year that they had a chance to win down the stretch.

This year, the Falcons return four starters on each side of the ball.

Their offensive backfield will need a total revamp after their starting quarterback and top two running backs graduated.

Whoever takes over at quarterback will be in good hands when targeting the middle of the field. Slot receivers Devon Tristan (560 receiving yards and five touchdowns) and Kristian Morales (119 receiving yards and one touchdown) both return.

The Falcons also have senior tackle Ayden Huizar to lead their offensive line.

Defensively, Stevens may only have four starters coming back but there’s no shortage of talent. Defensive back Nathan Navia (101 tackles) and linebacker Brandon Sanchez (93 tackles, nine TFLs) were its top two tacklers last season.

Boykin said that while his team is a little undersized, he loves their effort and intensity on the field.

They’ll hope that effort helps turn some of those close losses from a year ago as Stevens aims for its first playoff berth since 2020.

San Antonio Taft Raiders

Head Coach: Ricky Stade (6th Season)

Last Season: 8-4; 5-3 in district (Lost to San Benito in area round)

Taft Key Players and Storylines

Taft has made the playoffs for three consecutive years for the first time since 2002-2004.

The Raiders return a decent amount of experience this season with four starters back on offense and six on defense.

Quarterback Johnnie Lott (1,144 passing yards and 13 TDs; 571 rushing yards and nine TDs) and jack-of-all-trades player Jayden Aleman (688 receiving yards and six TDs; 343 rushing yards and two TDs) will be expected to lead the Raider offense this season.

In front of them, Taft has work to do in the trenches where four starting offensive linemen graduated as did a three-year starter at tight end.

Junior Francisco Reyes will be one of the players the Raiders lean on as they replace the veteran experience lost from last season.

On the other side of the ball, Stade has high hopes for a defense that allowed just 22 points per game last season. The Raiders will play fast and aggressive on that side of the ball and also have a good amount of returning experience.

In the front seven, linebackers Caleb Fogle and Matt Cruz were both all-district selections a year ago. The secondary also has a good amount of talent with corner Elijah Cotter and safeties Zach Sudduth and Xue’Jon Castro.

Stade said the Raiders have been blessed with great support from the Taft community over the past four years. If his team can put in the work necessary, have great attitudes, and play relentless on the field, he thinks they have a great shot to deliver another playoff berth for the Raider faithful.

San Antonio Warren Warriors

Head Coach: Josh Littrell (4th Season)

Last Season: 8-4; 5-3 in district (Lost to Harlingen in area round)

Warren Key Players and Storylines

The Warriors had a big breakthrough last season. They improved on their 2021 season by six wins  and secured their first playoff berth since 2018. But that wasn’t all. Their first round win against Eagle Pass was their first playoff victory since 2013.

Warren’s star of the show from last season quarterback Antonio Meza (3,402 passing yards and 45 touchdowns) returns, but he doesn’t have a ton of experience around him. He’s one of just three starters back offensively for Warren.


Luckily, for Meza, 2022 second team all-district receiver Elijah Realzola (936 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns) is another returning starter. Alongside Realzola, promising junior Isaiah Davis (64 receiving yards) is poised to take a big step forward this season.

On the offensive line, the Warriors have three key starters to replace from a year ago.

There’s a lot more experience on defense where the Warriors lose just three starters from last season. Linebacker Jacari Howard (75 tackles, 12 TFLs) will be a key playmaker along with Juleus Jones (54 tackles) at linebacker. Behind them, Nate Robinson (30 tackles) will provide great leadership in the secondary after serving as a team captain last year.

Head coach Josh Littrell expects to have to rely on his defense early as the offense gets up to speed. But with a quarterback who threw 45 touchdowns a year ago leading the way, he’s confident the Warriors have what it takes to be in the playoff battle again this season.

 

CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz

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