Whiteface had a season to remember a year ago as the Antelopes won the district title and made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. And while Whiteface and O’Donnell had a stranglehold on this district’s playoff places last season, Meadow and Wellman-Union will be looking to make up ground after hiring new coaches this offseason.
Here’s what to watch for in District 5-1A Division I.
Meadow Broncos
Head Coach: Jacob Guzman (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-2 in district
Meadow Key Players and Storylines
Jacob Guzman comes over from Savoy to take over the Bronos ahead of the 2023 season. With the community fully behind the Bronchos and eager for success, Guzman said he’s excited to get to work.
This year will be all about installing the foundation under Guzman as Meadow expects to field a young football team with just two starters returning on offense and only one back on defense.
Meadow has hired Jacob Guzman as the Broncos AD/Head Football coach.
Guzman has been the Head Football Coach at Savoy.
He is a Hermleigh grad! pic.twitter.com/SzLSZtdb8d
— Pete Christy (@pchristy11) January 26, 2023
Offensively, Meadow will rely upon wide receiver Paul Franco and running back Logan Castaneda at the skill positions. The Broncos will need them to step up this year following the graduation of their all-district quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.
Castaneda also gives the Broncos a distinct advantage on special teams. He was a first team all-district kicker in 2022.
Defensively, junior John Alvarado will lead the Broncos up front. He is the only returning Bronco player that earned defensive all-district honors last season.
The turnover from last year may be significant, but Guzman is confident that his Broncos have the potential to find sustained success. After all, Meadow made the playoffs back in 2021 and made back-to-back state semifinals in 2005 and 2006.
So even though a learning curve may be in store this year, Guzman is ready to get after it with his players in 2023 as they seek to restore Meadow’s success on the gridiron.
“It’s a school where a program can truly be built from the ground up,” Guzman said. “Our expectations for the year are simply to reach our full potential while instilling winning intangibles such as hard work, competition, and servant leadership. If we can do that, this season will be a success and [will] set us up for a bright future.”
O’Donnell Eagles
Head Coach: Fernando Baeza (5th Season)
Last Season: 4-7; 2-1 in district (Lost to Buena Vista in bi-district round)
O’Donnell Key Players and Storylines
The Eagles destroyed both Meadow and Wellman-Union last season but were tripped up by Whiteface in the district title decider in the final game of the regular season.
With four starters returning on each side of the ball, Head Coach Fernando Baeza believes his team has what it takes not only to make the playoffs for the second-straight season but also to earn a district title.
His two sons will be a big part of that effort. Martin Baeza, a first team all-district spreadback, will lead O’Donnell’s passing attack (272 passing yards and five touchdowns), while Gabriel Baeza served as a key blocker up front from his tight end position. In the passing game, look for Omar Vela (95 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and Kash Boyd to be the main targets.
Defensively, the Eagles should field a strong unit. Gabriel, a noseguard, Martin, a linebacker, Boyd, a cornerback, and Vela, a safety, were all first team all-district honorees a year ago.
Several sophomores played important roles for the Eagles in 2022. Baeza will hope that experience gained last year will be exactly what O’Donnell needs to battle Whiteface for the district crown this season.
Wellman-Union Wildcats
Head Coach: John York (1st Season)
Last Season: 0-10; 0-3 in district
Wellman-Union Key Players and Storylines
The Wildcats will have a new man leading them both on and off the field as John York takes over as the head football coach and the school district’s secondary principal.
York returns to the gridiron after serving as the superintendent at Anton ISD. He’ll be tasked with trying to snap a 20-game losing streak for Wellman-Union that dates back to October 2020.
Just interviewed John York who will be the Wellman-Union Wildcats New Head Football Coach & Principal.
He will start July 1st.
York has been the Superintendent at Anton.
York takes over a Wildcat program that last won a football game in 2020. pic.twitter.com/zQwmiuzU1i
— Pete Christy (@pchristy11) April 14, 2023
Wellman-Union will be young in some spots, but the Wildcats do return plenty of experience from last season with 14 lettermen back, including five starters on each side of the ball.
Defensive lineman Tobias DePoyster is the lone Wildcat who earned all-district honors a year ago. He’ll anchor Wellman-Union in the trenches alongside defensive end Keagan Dominguez. On the back end of the defense, York expects Clayton Cochran to be among the leaders in the secondary.
Offensively, the Wildcats will look to take a big step forward after scoring just 71 points all season a year ago. The DePoyster brothers should produce a large part of the Wildcats’ offensive production.
Tobias will be a force at fullback at 5’9” and 230 pounds, while his younger brothers Levi and Eli should be among the contributors at the running back position.
According to York, one of the biggest problems during Wellman-Union’s losing streak has been inconsistency. If that trait can be corrected, York believes his Wildcats can turn their fortunes around and develop into playoff contenders this season.
“We will need to learn how to compete, finish ball games and win ball games,” York said. “Our expectations are always to be competitive and compete for a playoff berth with the opportunity to make a run in the playoffs.”
Whiteface Antelopes
Head Coach: Clint Linman (2nd Season)
Last Season: 9-3; 3-0 in district (Lost to Rankin in area round)
Whiteface Key Players and Storylines
The Antelopes experienced a significant turnaround in Clint Linman’s first year in charge as they made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Rankin proved to be too much in the area round, but a victory over Van Horn in the Antelopes’ bi-district matchup is an achievement Linman hopes his Antelopes will build off this year.
Four starters returning on offense and five on defense give the Antelopes a solid foundation heading into 2023.
Their backfield contains a plethora of talent with last year’s district Offensive MVP running back Logan Kauffman and first team all-district honorees quarterback Jeremiah Rendon, running back Noah Rendon and fullback Julio Borunda.
On the other side of the ball, Whiteface held six of its 12 opponents last year to eight points or less. Linebackers Borunda, Kauffman and Jeremias Chavez should lead the charge again this season after all three earned first team-all district honors in 2022.
The talent is there for this year to be another memorable one for the Antelopes. Linman believes if his team continues to focus on improving day in and day out, Whiteface should find itself playing into November again this season.
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