Despite heavy losses, Bushland expected to contend for district once more
The Bushland football team had one of those seasons teams dream of in 2022. Its offense averaged 45.3 points a game, the defense gave up 15.1 points a game while pitching three shutouts and the Falcons went 11-2 while making the regional quarterfinals where they lost to eventual state runner-up Brock. It was truly a season to remember.
As most high school coaches will tell you, though, every year is a different team at this level. That's especially true of the 2023 version of the Falcons.
Bushland returns three starters on offense while losing its best defender in Matthew Bridges along with four other starters on that side of the ball and defensive coordinator Ty Mayfield, who retired. To say it will be a new look Bushland team would be fair.
This is a team, though, that's two years removed from winning the district title and was one of the best teams in the Panhandle last season. So while things may be different, you should still expect another excellent season from the Falcons.
"We lost some good ones with a big senior class of 21," head coach Josh Reynolds said. "We've got a good vibe about this team as well, though. It's a smaller senior class, but we feel really good about the leadership they provide and the work that they put in."
While most of the fire power and 60% of the offensive line are gone from last year's squad, Bushland returns one of the best players in the area at quarterback. Quarterback Dawson Jaco is back for one last ride after he went 247-of-389 for 3,360 yards, 41 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for seven more touchdowns. Jaco was a second team selection for the Amarillo Globe-News Super Team.
It'll be a less experienced batch of targets for him in Austin Rider, Tanner Adams and Kade Gavina, but all three have the athleticism to make things happen and displayed good skills on defense last year. Easton Fuentes will take over the running back role from Ivan Soto and Charley Pitt returns to lead the revamped line. Expect Ty Morris and Holt Humphrey to play big roles up front.
"Charley Pitt has played since he was a freshman," Reynolds said. "Easton Fuentes has played a lot of snaps since he was a sophomore. I'm looking forward to having Dawson Jaco for another year, for sure."
While Mayfield is gone, new defensive coordinator Kip Holt will keep the same scheme intact. The loss of Bridges and DB Cole Purcell will be tough, but Pitt and Fuentes were one of the top defensive line pairings in the area last year. Pitt registered 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks, and Fuentes had five fumble recoveries.
Rider and Adams will man the defensive backfield while AJ Marquez is expected to lead the linebacking corps. As for who else will step up, Reynolds is confident that will be determined in time.
"There's a lot of opportunities for some younger guys," said Reynolds. "We had a handful of kids that were sophomores last year who ended up getting moved up to varsity and playing big roles...We had a really good JV team last year. There will be a lot of shoes to fill but we've got a lot of guys capable of filling them."
The loss of 21 seniors from last year's squad is significant, but so is playing in District 2-3A Division I. Shallowater is the reigning district champ and is favored to repeat again this year, Muleshoe is coming off a solid season and Dalhart returns the vast majority of its roster from last year's playoff squad. Nothing will be handed to the Falcons this season.
Nothing was handed to Bushland last year either. The volleyball team was state runner-up last year, both basketball teams had solid playoff showings, the baseball team advanced to the regional semifinals and the softball team made the regional quarterfinals. There is a tradition of excellence and that standard doesn't change. While there may be growing pains, there's no reason to believe the Falcons won't be competitive again this year.
"One of our big team goals every year is to be district champion," Reynolds said. "We were (in 2021 and 2022) and we didn't get it done last year. We're looking forward to the challenge of putting that trophy back in our case.."
BUSHLAND FALCONS
Head coach: Josh Reynolds
2021 record: 11-2 overall, 3-1 in district
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 10-1
Last playoff appearance: 2022
Top returners: Dawson Jaco, Easton Fuentes, Austin Rider, Tanner Adams, Kade Gavina, Charley Pitt, Ty Morris, AJ Marquez, Zack Zundel.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. West Plains, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: at Canadian, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Childress, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: vs. Borger, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: vs. Dumas, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: vs. El Paso Riverside, 7 p.m. (location TBD)
Oct. 6: at Muleshoe, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: vs. River Road, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: at Shallowater, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: vs. Dalhart, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3: OPEN
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Despite heavy losses, Bushland expected to contend for district once more
