The 2021-22 school year was one to remember for Wichita Falls Hirschi.
Not only did their football team make it to the state semifinals for the first time since 1964, but their boys’ basketball team also made history, reaching the state tournament for the first time since 1988.
That athletic success has brought unprecedented support around the Hirschi program.
“It’s just the best time right now to be a Hirschi Husky,” Hirschi head coach Lawrence Johnson said. “I mean we’ve got calling people calling up just to congratulate us. These are people with ties to the 940 [Wichita Falls Area code] and don’t even live here, but they’re still showing support [with] unconditional level of prayers. We just got a high level of support right now in this community, and it’s a blessing.”
The level of support is HUMBLING. Thank you for the Send-off. We WILL put on for our city tonight! Frisco, here we come!#footballintexas #decemberfootball@WFISDschools @KirbyWFISD @dctf pic.twitter.com/efYFH4QY7o
— Hirschi Football (@HirschiFootball) December 10, 2021
The Hirschi community holds a special place in Johnson’s heart. He was the defensive coordinator at the school in 2019 under his good friend and former college roommate Antonio Wiley.
Johnson left in 2020 to accept his first head coaching job at Slaton, but he returned this spring to take the head job at Hirschi after Wiley left to take the head coaching job at Coppell.
“It’s just Husky pride taking over for my boy [Wiley],” Johnson said. “They set a foundation for winning, so I’m just in a fortunate position to be able to take on that responsibility of Husky pride.”
As he returns to Hirschi, Johnson has plenty of weapons to work with on a potentially explosive Husky offense.
First and foremost, USC commit senior running back A’Marion Peterson is primed for another big season after rushing for 1,817 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago.
“He’s a strong runner. Every time he’s got the ball in his hand, he has the potential to take it the distance,” Johnson said. “He’s also turned into a more versatile back. He’s not just in between the tackles type of back. He can get out on the perimeter, and he can stretch you out sideline to sideline as a receiver as well.”
With a little over two minutes left in the 2nd Quarter, the Huskies score to create some space before the half.
(@APeterson_27) rumbles and tumbles into for the TD. A very physical run.
2Q: Hirschi – 22 || Lake Worth – 14 #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/B5046rUkQn
— Brandon Howard (@BHoward_11) November 6, 2021
One big question mark for Hirschi is who will be starting alongside Peterson in the backfield at quarterback. The good news for Johnson is he’s not short of options with both senior Terrius Causey and sophomore Jimmell McFalls returning at the position.
Those two alternated throughout the season last year as Causey finished with 1,447 passing yards and 17 touchdowns while McFalls threw for 1,535 yards and 17 touchdowns himself.
Johnson said he expects yet another fierce battle for the quarterback position this year.
“Those guys have been grinding this whole summer, so there’s going to be a nice competition for that quarterback spot,” Johnson said. “Both have a unique skill set and they balance each other out, so they’re a complete package. But somebody’s got to arise to be the starter, so it will be a week-to-week deal with those guys, and [our coaches] will put the guy that’s going to give us the best possibility to win.”
One positive for whoever starts at quarterback is the presence of dynamic wide receiver Jamarion Carroll. Carroll had 1,132 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago and currently has six Division I offers.
4th & 1 & JaMarion Carroll reverses field for a 63 yard TD. PAT good!
Wichita Falls Hirschi 7
Springtown 0
4:21 left in the 1st quarter #txhsfb @HirschiFootball @TheOldCoach @GameOnSportsPro #txhsfbplayoffs pic.twitter.com/OZwihNrwLh— Matthew Alan Brice (@KingMathias81) December 4, 2021
Defensively, six of the seven leading tacklers for Hirschi last season graduated or moved schools. However, Javian Frazier (87 tackles, 24 TFLs), an all-state defensive linemen in 2021, returns to anchor that side of the ball for Hirschi. Johnson said he expects him to play in a hybrid role this year that will see him line up some at the linebacker position.
Two monster cleans today. 335 by @JavianFrazier and 295 by Kevin Cruz. Keep a close eye on these explosive young men. @_coachLJohnson @HirschiFootball @CoachJTYoung @RonaldBarrett37 @CoachKelley__ pic.twitter.com/3bDKhvC3mP
— Jordan Criswell (@JD_Swell) April 28, 2022
Johnson also said he’s excited for the return of Willie Thomas, who was hurt last year, but will play a key role at the Rover position for Hirschi, while sophomore KD Worthy is one to watch at the interior linebacker position.
In the secondary, senior Micah Walker (65 tackles) will bring some experience to a younger defense after serving as a starter a year ago.
“They’ve got some big shoes no doubt about it,” Johnson said. “But they’re up to the challenge because they got to see what it looks like to play at a high level.”
And while Hirschi won at least a share of the district title the past two seasons, district play is going to look a little different for the Huskies this year as they drop down to 4A Division II. That dropdown means the Huskies will be travelling much farther west this year with Snyder, Sweetwater, and Midland Greenwood all in District 3-4A Division II along with Graham.
District 3-4A Div. II
Snyder
Sweetwater
Graham
Midland Greenwood
Wichita Falls Hirschi
This is going to be one tough league with a good team being left out in November.— Evan Ren (@BigCountrySport) February 3, 2022
All five of these teams made the playoffs a year ago, while Sweetwater and Graham were district champions.
“Change is difficult for everybody because we’re all unfamiliar to each other,” Johnson said. “The coaches are going to have to work and do a really good job of evaluating our opponents. We respect our opponents, and we’re going to do a good job of scouting them to put our kids in a situation to win.”
And while Hirschi’s ultimate goal of DPS [district title, playoffs, and state] seems like a realistic endeavor after its state semifinal run a year ago, Johnson is focusing on taking it one day at a time with his Huskies.
“The focus has to be working on where your feet on right now,” Johnson said. “These kids know how to win; they expect to win. We’re all excited about what’s to come. We’re getting hungry, but we just want to make sure that our kids stay focused on what’s in front of them right now and not get too far ahead.”
2022 Hirschi Football Schedule
(Bold Designates District 3-4A Division II Matchup)
8/25: vs. Clint (at Midland Greenwood)
9/1 vs. Brock
9/9 at Springtown
9/16 vs. Carrollton Ranchview
9/30 vs. Decatur
10/7 at Graham
10/21 vs. Snyder
10/28 at Sweetwater
11/4 vs. Midland Greenwood
