Kickoff 2023: Hawley, Albany set sights on defending Class 2A state football titles
With the start of the 2023 high school football season fast approaching, we take a closer look at Class 2A teams in the Big Country. Can Hawley and Albany, the defending state champions in their respective divisions, win it all again? Can Cisco finally unseat Hawley in the district or region or will Stamford — reunited with head coach Wayne Hutchinson — return to greatness? And how about Coleman, can the Bluecats makes waves in District 5-2A Division I and Region II?
DISTRICT 4-2A DIVISION I
Anson Tigers
2022 Record: 2-8, 2-4
Head coach: Cory McCombs (2nd year at Anson)
Top returners
Tyler Wilburn, QB/DB, Sr.; Corey Layne, RB/LB, Jr.; Stryker Dillard, WR/DB, Jr.; Elias Ramos, RB/DB, Jr.; William Wilburn, OL/DL, Sr.; Josiah St. John, OL/DL, Sr.; Mario Barrera, RB/WR/DB, So.; Alex Lozano, WR/DB, So.; Ethan Lozano, RB/LB, So.
What to know for 2023: The Tigers return 14 players, including five starters on both sides of the ball. They’ve got to be much better on both sides of the ball after being outscored 303-143 playing in one of the toughest districts in the state.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Seymour … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Archer City … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Dublin … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Haskell … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Hawley* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Colorado City* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Winters* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Olney* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Stamford* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Cisco* … 7 p.m.
*District game
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Cisco Loboes
2022 Record: 11-3, 5-1 (lost to Hawley 40-7 in region finals)
Head coach: Kevin Stennett (32-10, including 14-2 in district, in three seasons, all at Cisco)
Top returners
Kannon Orsagh, QB, Sr.; Julius Profitt, WR/DB, Jr.; Jaden White, WR/DB, Jr.; Gus Hart, RB/DB, Sr.; Jackson Wilks, OL/DL, Jr.; Tyler Brown, OL/DL, Jr.; Talon Bruner, OL, Sr.; Haden Rains, OL/DL, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Cisco, a three-time region finalist, returns 10 lettermen, including three starters on both sides of the ball. The Loboes must replace quite a bit of talent in the likes of QB Hunter Long (1,442 yards, 19 TDs passing/2,232 yards, 26 TDs rushing), RB Trent Huston (1,033 yards, 16 TDs rushing), WR Cade Gayle (668 yards, 10 TDs receiving/255 yards, 3 TDs rushing) and LB Tre Brackeen (149 tackles, co-district defensive MVP).
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Clyde … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Wall … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Breckenridge … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Jacksboro … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Colorado City* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Winters* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Olney* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Stamford* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Anson* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Hawley* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Colorado City Wolves
2022 Record: 1-9, 1-5
Head coach: Monty Leaf (2nd year at C-City)
Top returners
Mayson Monroe, QB/DB, 5-8, 140, Sr.; Camron Urias, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Christian Ashby, OL/DL, 6-4, 300, Sr.; Brayden Buckley, OL/DL, 5-10, 255, Sr.; Jeremiah Green, WR/DB, 6-0, 160, Jr.; Nate Wooddell, OL/DL, 5-11, 170, Jr.; William Monpere, OL/DL, 6-2, 230, Jr.; Jordan Garza, QB/LB, 5-7, 155, Sr.
What to know for 2023: The Wolves return 21 lettermen, including nine starters on offense and eight on defense. Since going 10-2 and two rounds deep in the playoffs in 2018, Colorado City has won a total of two games. The Wolves were outscored 412-98 last season — it’s best offensive output since scoring 420 in 218. Since then, they’ve scored a total of 306 points in four seasons.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Roscoe … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … New Home … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Christoval … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Coahoma … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Cisco* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … at Anson* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Hawley* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Winters* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Olney* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Stamford* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Hawley Bearcats
2022 Record: 15-0, 6-0 (beat Refugio 54-28 in 2A D-I title game)
Head coach: Mitch Ables (96-22 in nine seasons at Hawley)
Top returners
Diontay Ramon, WR/DL, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Chandlin Myers, WR/DB, 6-3, 160, Sr.; Landon Sykora, RB/DL: Joseph Cadena, OL/DL, 5-9, 205, Sr.; Diego Stovall, OL/DL, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Keagan Ables, QB/LB, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Tate Scott, WR/LB, 6-1, 170, Jr.
What to know for 2023: The Bearcats return 12 lettermen, including five starters on offense and four on defense from a team that won the program’s first state title. While Hawley lost quite a bit of talent in QB Rodey Hooper (5,780 yards, 62 TDs passing the last two seasons), RB/LB Austin Cumpton (2,176 yards, 14 TDs rushing/113 tackles, 16 TFL, four INT), WR/DB Kason O’Shields (94 catches, 1,511 yards, 17 TDs the last two seasons/74 tackles, four INT last year) and WR/LB Will Scott (44-739, nine TDs receiving/113 tackles, 11 TFL, four INT), the Bearcats still have some outstanding two-way players in Ramon, Myers and Sykora. If QB Ables can get the ball to his playmakers, then the Bearcats should be fine.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Jim Ned … 7:30 p.m.
Sept 1 … at Lubbock Roosevelt … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Eastland … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Albany … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Anson* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Colorado City* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Winters* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Olney* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Stamford* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Cisco* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Stamford Bulldogs
2022 Record: 8-3, 4-2 (lost to Forsan 21-14 in first round)
Head coach: Wayne Hutchinson (157-89, including 76-24 the previous eight seasons at Lubbock Monterey)
Top returners
Christian Duran, QB/DB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Kason Vega, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Justin Brady, WR/DB, 6-0, 160, Sr.; Quinten Pryor, WR/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; Chance Birdsong, OL/DL, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Ja’Kain Whitaker, WR/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Diego Cantu, OL/DL, 5-11, 255, Jr.; Cle Whitfield, RB/LB, 6-0, 205, Jr.
What to know for 2023: Hutchinson returns as Stamford’s coach, after a year of retirement. He led the Bulldogs to the state title game (2011-13) — winning the last two — before leaving for Monterey. Duran and Vega make for a good combo on offense, while Vega also is the leader on defense.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Hamlin … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Haskell … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Ballinger … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Fort Worth Trimble Tech … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Winters* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Olney* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Cisco* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Anson* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Hawley* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Colorado City* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Winters Blizzards
2022 Record: 1-9, 0-6
Head coach: Matt McCarty (29-56 in eight seasons at Winters)
Top returners
Chris Martinez, QB/DB, Sr.; Moises Gomez, RB/DL, Sr.; Nick Cruz, WR/DB, Sr.; Alejandro Garcia, RB/LB, Sr.; Aidan Bryant, WR/LB, Sr.; Mason Meyer, OL/DL, So.; Will Dunham, OL/DL, Jr.
What to know for 2023: The Blizzards return 16 players, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense. After being outscored 448-112 last year, Winters should be more competitive with a good core of returning starters on both sides of the ball. Getting back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 will be tough in one of the state’s fiercest classes.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Cross Plains … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Eldorado … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … TLCA-San Angelo … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Miles … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Stamford* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … at Cisco* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Anson* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Hawley* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Colorado City* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Olney* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
WR/DB Diontay Ramon, Hawley (53 catches for 1,204 yards, nine TDs, plus 53 yards and two TDs on eight carries/67 tackles, including 25 for loss and eight sacks); RB/DL Landon Sykora, Hawley (75 tackles, including 19 for loss and 7½ sacks); WR/DB Chandlin Myers, Hawley (37 catches, 680 yards, eight TDs/73 tackles, four interceptions); RB/LB Kaston Vega, Stamford (112 tackles, including 12 for loss, and two interceptions/672 yards, 8 TDs on 91 carries and 13 catches for 212 yards and a TD); QB Christian Duran, Stamford (1,423 yards, 15 TDs passing/523 yards, eight TDs on 90 carries).
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Hawley, 2. Cisco, 3. Stamford, 4. Anson, 5. Olney, 6. Colorado City, 7. Winters.
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION I
Bangs Dragons
2022 Record: 7-5, 4-2 (lost to Riesel 38-14 in second round)
Head coach: Jason Cole (1st season at Bangs, 43-35 in eight seasons)
Top returners
Hunter Newton, WR, Sr.; Noah Pin, OL/DL, Sr.; Brody Newton, OL/DL, Sr.; Riley Garcia, OL/DL, Sr.; Ethan Ethridge, RB/LB, Sr.; Skylar Minshew, RB/LB, Jr.; Kenny Cole, QB, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Cole, the Dragons’ offensive coordinator last year, takes over for Kyle Maxfield who was 26-27 in five seasons at Bangs. Cole was 35-21 in six seasons at Thrall and 8-14 in two seasons at Quanah before coming to Bangs. Kenny Cole (73-161-8, 979 yards, 5 TDs passing/102-471, 6 TDs) leads the offense, while Minshew (15-95 rushing) has big shoes to fill in Guy Powell (211-2,040 yards, 25 TDs rushing).
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Early … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Comanche … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … S.A. Grape Creek … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Merkel … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … De Leon* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Goldthwaite* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … San Saba* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Tolar* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Hamilton* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Coleman* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Coleman Bluecats
2022 Record: 9-3, 5-1 (lost to Crawford 34-13 in second round)
Head coach: John Elder (67-37 in 10 seasons, all at Coleman)
Top returners
Jadin Jackson, QB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Hunter Lackey, TE/LB, 6-3, 205, Sr.; George Salas, OL/DL, 5-11, 245, Sr.; Hagen Cavanaugh, WR/DB, 5-8, 145, Sr.; Brent Bouldin, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Oscar Camacho, OL/DL, 5-10, 235, Sr.; Blaine Bouldin, RB/DB, 5-10, 140, Jr.; Cutter Cody, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Jr.
What to know for 2023: It’s about quality, not quantity when it comes to the Bluecats returning players. Coleman has 12 lettermen returning, but it’s a good group with six returning starters on offense and five on defense. QB Jadin Jackson (1,540 yards, 16 TDs passing/850 yards, 10 TDs rushing) is a tough, durable player who can dominate a game, while nose guard George Salas is disruptive on the other side of the ball. RB/LB Ryland Gentry, now at Hardin-Simmons, will be tough to replace, but Blaine Bouldin has the speed and instinct to step in and make a nice 1-2 punch with Jackson.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Mason … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Ballinger … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Brady … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Llano … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Goldthwaite* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … San Saba* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Tolar* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Hamilton* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at De Leon* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Bangs* … 7 p.m.
*District game
De Leon Bearcats
2022 Record: 3-8, 0-6
Head coach: Jacob Marwitz (3-18 in two seasons at De Leon)
Top returners
Heston Jobe, QB/DB, So.; Wyatt Rasberry, OL/DL, Sr.; Jake Cooper, RB/DB, So.; Logan Sherrard, OL/DL, Jr.; Kasey Lewis, WR/DB, Sr.
What to know for 2023: The Bearcats played a lot of close games last year, and they could be on the brink of ending a three-year playoff drought. QB Jobe threw for 1,100 yards and six TDs while running for 1,200 yards and 15 TDs last year. Rasberry (85 tackles, three sacks) leads the defense.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Junction … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Cross Plains … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Valley Mills … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Hico … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Bangs* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Goldthwaite* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at San Saba* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Tolar* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Hamilton* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Coleman* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
QB/DB Jadin Jackson, Coleman (1,540 yards, 16 TDs passing, 850 yards, 10 TDs rushing/55 tackles, nine for loss, one interception); DL Jorge Salas, Coleman (55 tackles, including 19 for loss and three sacks, along with eight QB hurries and one forced fumble); QB Isaac Brown, Tolar (2,777 yards, 79 TDs rushing); DL Wyatt Rasberry, De Leon (85 tackles, three sacks); QB Kenny Cole, Bangs (979 yards, five TDs passing, 471 yards, six TDs rushing).
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Tolar, 2. Coleman, 3. Bangs, 4. Hamilton, 5. San Saba, 6. De Leon, 7. Goldthwaite.
DISTRICT 6-2A DIVISION II
Albany Lions
2022 Record: 14-2, 5-0 (beat Mart 41-21 for 2A DII title)
Head coach: Denney Faith (344-109-4 in 36 seasons at Albany)
Top returners
Adam Hill, RB/DE, Sr.; Cason Fairchild, WR/DB, Sr.; Wyatt Windham, WR/DB, Sr.; Bransom Beal, WR/DB, Jr.; Zane Waggoner, OL/DL, Sr.; Lanxton Viertel, OL/DL, Sr.; Tyler Chapman, TE/DL, Sr.; Landon Balliew, OL/DL, Jr.; Parker Shelton, OL/DL, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Faith, one of the winningest coaches in Texas high school football, finally gets to open the season as a defending state champion after winning the program’s first title since 1961 last year. It was his fifth title game appearance with the Lions. Albany — picked by Texas Football to win it all again — returns 11 lettermen, including six starters on both sides of the ball. If Hill stays healthy and the Lions can find a quarterback to replace Cole Chapman and protect the ball, they should be the team to beat in 2A D-II.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Lubbock Trinity … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Dublin … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Seymour … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Hawley … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Comanche … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Miles* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Cross Plains* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Roscoe* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Hamlin* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at TLCA-Abilene* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Hamlin Pied Pipers
2022 Record: 5-5, 1-4
Head coach: Jason Botos (1st season)
Top returners
Swenson Benavides, QB/DB, Sr.; Clayton Rister, RB/LB, Sr.; Jantz Botos, OL/DL, Jr.; Mason Brannan, OL/DL, Jr.; Hudson Smith, RB/LB; Ian Gruben, QB/DB, So.; Miguel Benavides, OL/DL, Jr.; Hagan Holland, WR/DB, So.
What to know for 2023: Botos takes over for Chris Evans, who was 5-14 in two seasons at Hamlin. The Pied Pipers return 14 lettermen, including seven starters on both sides of the ball. They appear to be back on the upswing after going winless in 2021. Hamlin went 23-4 during a two-year span (2019-20), reaching the state title game in 2020.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Stamford … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Water Valley … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Crosbyton … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Munday … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Quanah … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … TLCA-Abilene* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Miles* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Cross Plains* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Albany* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Roscoe* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Roscoe Plowboys
2022 Record: 5-5, 3-2 (lost to McCamey in first round)
Head coach: Jake Freeman (50-60 in 10 seasons at Roscoe)
Top returners
Jax Watts, QB/DB, Sr.; Ivan McCann, RB/LB, Jr.; Parker Gleaton, TE/DL, Sr.; Seth Wilcox, WR/DB, Sr.; Gaven Martinez, RB/LB, Sr.; Jace Arnwine, WR/DB, So.; Dimitrio Pantoja, OL/DL, Jr.
What to know for 2023: Roscoe returns 18 lettermen, including nine starters on both sides of the ball. The Plowboys, who only lost to Albany and Miles in district last year, have enough pieces to return to the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Colorado City … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Clarendon … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Sterling City … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at New Home … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Junction … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Cross Plains* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … TLCA-Abilene* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Albany* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Miles* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Hamlin* … 7 p.m.
*District game
TLCA-Abilene Eagles
2022 Record: 0-10, 0-5
Head coach: Jeremy Kirk (3-25 in three seasons)
Top returners
Johnathon Rico, QB, So.; Jonathan Kirk, WR/DB, Sr.; Davin Cortez, OL/LB, Sr.; Maison Seballos, WR/DB, Jr.; Carlos Montalvo, WR/DB, So.
What to know for 2023: The Eagles have nowhere to go but up after a rough debut in 11-man football last year. The program, which begins its fourth year, started out in six-man. The team returns 24 lettermen, including nine starters on offense and 11 on defense from a squad that was outscored 688-93 last year and shutout five times.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 24 … Water Valley … 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 … Munday … 2 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Sterling City … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Lockney … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Iraan … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Hamlin* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Roscoe* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Miles* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Cross Plains* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Albany* … 7 p.m.
*District game; All home games at McMurry's Wilford Moore Stadium
Cross Plains Buffaloes
2022 Record: 7-4, 2-3 (lost to Wink 61-0 in first round)
Head coach: Daniel Purvis (71-59 in 12 seasons at Cross Plains)
Top returners
Alex Parker, OL/DL, Sr.; Dusty Wyatt, RB/LB, Sr.; Jaeden Box, OL/DL, Sr.; Asher Moses, WR/DB, Sr.; Theron Albrecht, RB/LB, Sr.; Kade Purvis, QB, Jr.; Michael Somora, TE/DL, Jr.; Colt Sanderson, OL/DL, So.
What to know for 2023: Purvis has a knack for winning at one of the UIL’s smallest 11-man programs. The Buffaloes have made the playoffs eight consecutive years and 10 times overall with Purvis at the helm. The Buffs return 16 lettermen, including nine starters on offense and seven on defense, and they’ve got a shot at winning their first playoff game since beating Wink 50-42 in the first round in 2016.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Winters … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at De Leon … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Hico … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Junction … 7 p.m.
Sept 22 … Smyer … 7 p.m. at Roscoe
Oct. 6 … Roscoe* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Albany* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Hamlin* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at TLCA-Abilene* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Miles* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
RB/DL Adam Hill, Albany (1,526 yards, 24 TDs on 185 carries, also caught 23 passes for 449 yards and eight TDs/105 tackles, including 22½ for loss and 8½ tackles for the first-team all-state defender; LB Wyatt Windham, Albany (140 tackles, including 79 solo and 8½ for loss, to go with five interceptions — one returned for a TD/the state game defensive MVP); OL Alex Parker, Cross Plains (the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Parker graded out 96% and had 31 pancakes); OL Zane Waggoner, Albany (first-team all-state pick graded out 96% and had 92 pancake blocks); DL Parker Gleaton, Roscoe (73 tackles, including 17 for loss and nine sacks, to go with three blocked PATs; Texas Football’s preseason district defensive MVP)
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Albany, 2. Miles, 3. Cross Plains, 4. Roscoe, 5. Hamlin, 6. TLCA-Abilene.
DISTRICT 7-2A DIVISION II
Haskell Indians
2022 Record: 5-6, 3-3 (lost to Collinsville 21-7 in first round)
Head coach: Mitch McLemore
Top returners
Grady Vasquez, QB/LB, Sr.; Trevor Henry, RB/LB, Sr.; Montrel Johnson, RB/LB, Jr.; Nate Roewe, OL/DL, Sr.; Luke Peacock, OL/DL, Sr.; Caden West, OL/DL, Jr.; Carter Crosson, OL/DL, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Haskell returns 20 lettermen including five starters on both sides of the ball. Peacock (60 solo tackles, 16 for loss) and Henry (40 solo tackles, 12 for loss, one interception) lead a defense that allowed 17.3 points a game.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at New Home … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Stamford … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Olney … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Anson … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Windthorst* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … Petrolia* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Munday* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Archer City* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Seymour* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Electra* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Munday Moguls
2022 Record: 3-7, 1-5
Head coach: Brandon Langston (1st season)
Top returners
Haiden Bowman, QB/DB, So.; Ethan Flye, RB/DB, Jr.; A.J. Diaz, RB/LB, Jr.; Kylen Crawford, TE/LB, So.; Kayton Shahan, OL/DL, Sr.; Thomas Castorena, OL/LB, Jr.; Aaron Quintero, OL/DL, Jr.
What to know for 2023: Langston, the Moguls third head coach in as many years, takes over for Webb Murphy, who left for an assistant job at San Saba after one season. Munday returns 22 players, including seven starters on offense and six on defense. Since going 21-6 (10-0 in district) during a two-year span (2016-17), going at least three rounds each year, the Moguls have won a combined eight games.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Fort Worth Mercy Culture Prep … 7 p.m. at xxx
Sept. 1 … at TLCA-Abilene … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Morton … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Hamlin … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Seymour* … 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 … at Electra* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Haskell* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Windthorst* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Petrolia* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Archer City* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
DL Luke Peacock, Haskell (60 solo tackles, 16 for loss; district’s co-defensive lineman of the year); WR Brayden Berend, Windthorst (42-710, 10 TDs receiving); DL Drew Anderle, Windthorst (138 tackles); WR David Charo, Seymour (51-937, nine TDs receiving); DB Kole Stovall, Archer City (nine intercpetions).
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Windthorst, 2. Archer City, 3. Seymour, 4. Haskell, 5. Petrolia, 6. Munday, 7. Electra.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Hawley, Albany eye another run at Class 2A state football titles
