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High school football: 10 Concho Valley coaches to watch in 2023

paul witwer, san angelo standard-times
·5 min read

As high school sports begin to ramp up in the Concho Valley, many football teams return to the turf with aspirations of securing playoff spots and competing for state championships.

Earlier in the offseason, the Standard-Times highlighted the top 10 Concho Valley players at seven position groups — quarterback, running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, defensive back and linebacker.

Today, we highlight the top 10 coaches to watch in the Concho Valley.

More: New Central Defensive Coordinator makes jump from college to high school

Rankings: Concho Valley Teams on Dave Campbell's Texas Football

Coaching: West Texas Coaching Changes

1. Kevin Crane - San Angelo Central

Two years as head coach | 9-13 overall record

Entering his third year as head coach, Crane has yet to produce a winning campaign. His biggest challenge will be addressing the void left by Tyler Hill's departure as starting quarterback. Hill, however, was not the only departure from Crane's squad. The team was hit hard by graduation in 2022 seeing 46 lettermen leave the program, which is by far the most in District 2-6A. The speed with which Crane and his coaching staff prepare new players for competition in the Little Southwest District this year may define his time at Central.

Central head coach Kevin Crane addresses the team after the first fall practice on Aug. 7, 2023.
Central head coach Kevin Crane addresses the team after the first fall practice on Aug. 7, 2023.

2. Blake Weston - Sonora

Two years as head coach | 17-8 overall record

Sonora comes into 2023 ranked No. 17 on Dave Campbell's Texas Football's Class 2A teams. In the move down from Class 3A to 2A, Weston's team dominated winning 10 games in their first season and advancing to the regional semifinal. Weston turned Sonora around from a program that struggled to produce a .500 season to one of the best 2A teams in Texas. His third season will be defined by how he takes advantage of senior quarterback — and All-Concho Valley preseason MVP — Jaime Buitron and senior wide receiver/linebacker Edgar Deluna to make a deeper playoff push.

Sonora High School head football coach Blake Weston oversees a drill at football practice Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Sonora.
Sonora High School head football coach Blake Weston oversees a drill at football practice Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Sonora.

3. Michael McLeod - Mason

Four years as head coach | 36-13 overall record

McLeod helped Mason continue its streak of 12 straight district titles for the past four years as head coach. He follows former head coach Kade Burns, who led the Punchers to two state championships during an eight-year stretch between 2011 and 2018. Since then, the Punchers have not made it past the regional semifinal round, but are heavy favorites to claim their 13th straight district title behind All-Concho Valley preseason Offensive MVP Ryne Todd.

4. Houston Guy

16 years as head coach | 156-46 overall record

Wall thrived in its first year in the district realignment and move down from Division I to Division II. Guy led the Hawks to their most successful season since 2020 and made it to the regional final. The Wall defense exploded under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Craig Slaughter, who helped the unit hold opponents to less than 10 points per game. The question this year will be if Guy's flex-bone offense can keep up with the explosive spread offenses at the top of Class 3A Division II and how far his offense can carry the team into the playoffs.

Wall High School head football coach Houston Guy goes over things during the first day of preseason workouts on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.
Wall High School head football coach Houston Guy goes over things during the first day of preseason workouts on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.

5. John Elder - Coleman

10 years as head coach | 67-37 overall record

Since the return to 2A in 2020, Coleman, led by Elder, has been one of the best teams in the area and competes with the best teams in the class. The Bluecats are in a district with a strong Tolar team and both squads will likely fight for the top spot again in 2023. Luckily for Elder, his squad returns 12 lettermen including quarterback/defensive back Jadin Jackson, who was an all-district selection on both sides of the ball. The Bluecats will also welcome plenty of talent from their junior varsity team that went 7-3 in 2022.

6. Jayson Wilhelm - Miles

Two years as head coach | 14-19 overall record

Miles was a surprise team last season after struggling in Wilhelm's first two seasons, finishing 3-8 in both years. Last season, the Bulldogs finished second in their district at 8-3 only trailing eventual state champion Albany. Eight wins was the most wins the program had since 2011 when the Bulldogs were a six-man football team. Wilhelm aims to compete with Albany in the district and make a deeper push into the playoffs led by senior quarterback Hayven Book.

Miles High School head football coach Jayson Wilhelm, far right, and the Bulldogs hosted Cross Plains at Gary Krejci Memorial Stadium in Miles on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Miles High School head football coach Jayson Wilhelm, far right, and the Bulldogs hosted Cross Plains at Gary Krejci Memorial Stadium in Miles on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

7. Trey Sisco - Sterling City

Six years as head coach | 63-21 overall record

Coming off a state championship in six-man football and a coach of the year award, Trey Sisco exceeded expectations in Sterling City's return to 11-man football in 2022. The Eagles finished third in their district last year and beat Miles in the bi-district round of the playoffs 43-42. Sisco's squad returns 11 lettermen, including star running back Johnny Monreal and quarterback Ty Turner to push consistent Class 2A power Wink for the district title.

8. Jeff Jones - Garden City

Eight years as head coach | 73-25 overall record

Garden City has been a consistent contender under Jeff Jones, however, he faces what might be his toughest challenge this year with only one returning starter from 2022. How Jones can continue to compete with an influx of young talent will define the coming years for Garden City.

Garden City players listen to head coach Jeff Jones on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, after their game against the Sterling City Eagles.
Garden City players listen to head coach Jeff Jones on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, after their game against the Sterling City Eagles.

9. Shawn Harrison - Irion County

First year as head coach

Harrison steps into the head coach position with the departure of Don Coffell after he led the team to its deepest playoff run since 1978. Irion County comes into the 2023 season ranked as the No. 11 team in Dave Campbell's Texas Football but will need to replace the production from Trevin Coffell who graduated in 2022.

Irion County High School assistant football coach Shawn Harrison explains a drill to players during the first day of workouts at Wolfenbarger Field in Mertzon, Aug. 3, 2020.
Irion County High School assistant football coach Shawn Harrison explains a drill to players during the first day of workouts at Wolfenbarger Field in Mertzon, Aug. 3, 2020.

10. Hector Guevara - Lake View

Six years as head coach | 15-50 overall record

Lake View struggled down the stretch after starting the season 3-1 in 2022. Guevara's team could not withstand injuries and ended the season on a six-game skid. To compete in the district this year, Guevara will need to find a way to keep his team healthy or develop depth at key positions to withstand those injuries. If Lake View cannot stay healthy, it will most likely face another year finishing under .500 for the 15th straight season.

This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: High school football: 10 Concho Valley coaches to watch in 2023