Despite heavy losses, Canyon Eagles still have high expectations in 2023
The Canyon football team is coming off of a successful season, but loses a majority of its starters from last year. With a variety of changes coming in, including personnel, the fall outlook might be low for the Eagles.
Where have we seen this movie before? Oh, right, last year.
Canyon returns three starters on offense and two on defense. However, they returned just three starters on offense last season and still managed to go 10-2. So while anyone outside the locker room may doubt their success, the Eagles' confidence isn’t changing.
"I love the attitude and the energy this bunch has," Canyon coach Todd Winfrey said. "We are kind of a young bunch, but the senior leadership we have is really strong and those guys are doing a really good job. ... I think the core nucleus of our team is really strong. We just have to figure out the complimentary pieces."
New look offense
When quarterback Derek Clements went down with a broken collarbone midway through the fall, which kept him out for the rest of the season, it appeared the Eagles' season was over. Though they lost to Randall in the annual Goat Game rivalry, they won the remainder of their regular season contests and advanced to the area round.
Boston Bell and Noah Sanchez took the bulk of the snaps under center following Clements' injury and the two signal callers are still battling it out to see who will take over the job on a permanent basis in the fall.
Though the Eagles will continue to feature multiple players in the run game, Sam Johnson will be the go-to back after leading the team in rushing with 981 yards and 12 touchdowns. Colt Cruth figures to spell Johnson some this year with other players factoring into the mix.
Whomever ends up at QB will likely be leaning on Carson Cockrell (19 catches, 255 yards, two touchdowns), who is the leading returning receiver. It remains to be seen who else will step up following the graduation of Hunter Wilson and Hunter Anderson.
The offensive line loses three starters, but Alex Kilgore and Jacoby Rempel return to anchor things in while the younger players develop.
It should be noted that Canyon will also be bringing in a new offensive coordinator following the departure of Billy Rushing. CHS alum and former Stratford head coach Matt Lovorn takes over play calling after winning a state championship at Stratford two seasons ago.
Winfrey is excited for the potential of the new look offense regardless of how the pieces line up.
"The expectation is that those veteran players have to be leaders and playmakers," Winfrey said. "They have to make the young ones feel important and help coach and develop them."
New look defense
The defense losing Javin Cash may be as significant as the offense losing Clements. Both are playing at West Texas A&M now and Cash's tackling ability won't be easily replaced. Brayden Wagner, who led the team in interceptions, is also gone after his family moved to Arkansas and seven other seniors graduated.
There will be many new faces, no doubt. However, the two faces that return are great ones to have. Linebackers Cassen Bice (111 tackles, 13 for a loss, three sacks) and Reece Davis (101 tackles, six for a loss) will lead the way while defensive back Darrion Cash, Javin's younger brother, played a key rotational role last season.
Kilgore is expected to step up big on the defensive line along with Caden Tucker. Christian McGuire will be a factor on both sides of the ball as well.
"Cassen Bice is going to be a big linebacker for us" Winfrey said. "Carson Cockrell, Darrion Cash, there's a handful of guys that re really going to step up and big a big part of what we do."
Same old Eagles
District 3-4A Division I won't be any easier this season. Randall returns many key contributors and made one of the most exciting coaching hires of the offseason in Dan Sherwood. Dumas is always the crown jewel of the district and Pampa and Hereford bring back many key pieces from last year.
Still, this is a Canyon team that always seems to find a way. They don't lack the talent and have an outstanding coaching staff in place, including one of the top defensive coordinators in the area in Jed Anderson. One way or another, the Eagles should figure it out. No matter what, they'll keep doing things the way they know how.
"Success is always about maximizing your talent and finding a way to overachieve," Winfrey said. "I just want us to enjoy being around each other, keep growing as a team and all the wins and losses and stuff will just happen. Sometimes you can control that and sometimes you can't, but you sure can control how much fun you're having and how hard your team is playing and growing every day. That's how we judge things around here."
More: Hereford football expecting vast improvement in 2023
CANYON EAGLES
Head coach: Todd Winfrey
2021 record: 10-2 overall, 3-1 in district
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 3-4
Last playoff appearance: 2022
Top returners: Colt Cruth, Carson Cockrell, Sam Johnson, Christian McGuire, Darion Cash, Rece Davis, Cassen Bice, Caden Tucker, Tripp Wright, Brayden Wagner, Jacoby Rempel
SCHEDULE
*All home games are played at Happy State Bank Stadium
Aug. 24 (Thurs.): vs. Clovis (NM), 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: vs. Perryton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at West Plains, 7 p.m. (Happy State Bank Stadium)
Sept. 14 (Thurs.): at Caprock, 7 p.m. (Dick Bivins Stadium)
Sept. 22: vs. Midland Greenwood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29: at Andrews, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: OPEN
Oct. 13: at Hereford, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: vs. Randall, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: at Dumas, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 vs. Pampa, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Canyon Eagles have high expectations in 2023 despite departures
