High school football preview: Plains Cowboys boast skill-position depth

Plains football coach Mike Martinez learned a lot about his team in the regular-season finale.

In a contest to determine the final playoff spot, the Cowboys trailed Smyer by 11 with less than six minutes remaining. Playing without its top receiver, Plains faced a tall order.

What ensued has Martinez excited about the team's potential this season.

"The confidence they got from that, that carries a long way," Martinez said of the 37-36 victory. "Just the confidence in what they had to go through. It was a big deal for us. It let us know that we got that fight in us."

Jhoan Menjivar, the receiver missing from the matchup, is back to lead an experienced group of skill players. Martinez said that depth is the team's strength.

Menjivar was absent because of the cross country state meet, which the Cowboys won. Gavin Broome, another returning receiver, was also part of the team title. Fermin Luna and Riley Guetersloh each had 63 receiving yards against Smyer.

Oh, and quarterback Tyler Vargas is back for his fourth year as starter.

"He's been in the system for four years," Martinez said. "… That's having another coach on the field."

Plains' lineman group took a hit, but 6-foot, 245-pound Alan Gallegos returns. Martinez raved about the two-way threat, "a force to be reckoned with."

Gallegos will anchor the defense at nose guard, next to Jonathan Badillo. Kyeson Cox and Baltazar Castillo, a pair of running backs, return at linebacker. Menjivar, Vargas and Broome provide experience in the secondary.

The Cowboys have reached the playoffs in four of Martinez's five seasons but have yet to advance to the second round. The coach hopes this group can break through.

"We've made the playoffs so many consecutive years," Martinez said. "I told the team going into summer, now it's time to go to the next level and win a gold ball."

Plains Cowboys

Head coach — Mike Martinez (29-75 overall, 14-40 at Plains)

2022 record — 4-7 overall, 2-3 in District 4-2A Division II

Last district title/playoff appearance — 2010/2022

Base offense — Multiple spread

Base defense — 3-4

Returning lettermen — 20

Returning off./def. starters — 6/6

Players to watch — Jhoan Menjivar, WR/DB; Alan Gallegos, OL/DL; Tyler Vargas, QB/DB; Baltazar Castillo, RB/LB; Kyeson Cox, RB/LB; Gavin Broome, WR/DB

2023 schedule

* — denotes District 4-2A DII game

Aug. 25 — at Tahoka, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1 — vs. Hale Center, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8 — at Lockney, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15 — at Ralls, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 — vs. Sudan, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6 — vs. Morton*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 — at Seagraves*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 — vs. New Home*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27 — vs. Ropes*, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3 — at Smyer*, 7 p.m.

2022 results

Tahoka W, 33-21

at Hale Center L, 8-6

Lockney W, 41-27

Ralls L, 35-14

at Sudan L, 56-12

at Morton* W, 22-2

Seagraves* L, 45-36

at New Home* L, 50-0

at Ropes* L, 35-18

Smyer* W, 37-36

Ralls L, 34-18 (bi-district)

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: High school football preview: Plains Cowboys boast skill-position depth