Kickoff 2023: Jim Ned, Comanche lead Class 3A Big Country football teams
With the start of the 2023 high school football season fast approaching, we take a closer look at Class 3A teams in the Big Country. Jim Ned and Breckenridge should contend for the District 3-3A Division I title, while Early and Comanche — led by standout running back Sawyer Wilkerson — should be tough in their respective 3A D-II districts, if not their region as well.
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I
Breckenridge Buckaroos
2022 Record: 8-3, 3-2 (lost to Paradise 47-7 first round)
Head coach: Casey Pearce (14-18 in three seasons, all at Breckenridge)
Top returners
Cam Escalon, QB/DB, 6-0, 178, Sr.; Alexis Franco, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Caiden Marin, TE/LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Hunter Eaton, LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Sawyer Wimberley, RB/LB/K, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Bryson Herring, WR/DB, 6-0, 180, Sr.
What to know for 2023: The Bucks return 11 players, including five starters on offense and five on defense. They must replace RB/DB Anson Rodgers, FB/DL Jerry Lawson (Abilene Christian) and LB Zeke Castillo, plus linemen Adler Loftis and Isaiah Lehr, from a team that was as good as any in the district and knocked off Cisco in non-district.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Jacksboro … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Childress … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Cisco … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Eastland … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Benbrook … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Iowa Park* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Vernon* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Jim Ned* …7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Bowie* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Clyde* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Clyde Bulldogs
2022 Record: 4-6, 0-5
Head coach: Danny Dudgeon (5-15 in two seasons, all at Clyde)
Top returners
Blake Carr, QB/LB, Jr.; Josh Hutton, RB/LB, So.; Dai’Jon Booker, TE/DE, Jr.; Landon Yates, WR/DB, Jr.; Hunter Smith, OL/DL, Jr.; Braylon Gomez, OL/DL, Jr.; Jacob Louder, WR/LB, Jr.; Gage Womack, WR/DB, So.; Austin Berry, WR/DB, Jr.
What to know for 2023: The Bulldogs return 25 lettermen, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense. If Clyde can stay healthy, the Bulldogs have a chance to make some waves in a tough district. QB Blake Carr (1,460 yards, 15 TDs passing/509 yards, 7 TDs rushing) should be even better.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Cisco … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Eastland … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Merkel … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Ballinger … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Sweetwater … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Vernon* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Jim Ned* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Bowie* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Iowa Park* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Breckenridge* … 7 p.m.
*District game
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Jim Ned Indians
2022 Record: 7-4, 5-0 (lost to Bushland 28-10 in second round)
Head coach: Matt Fanning (76-49 in 13 seasons, including 50-13 in five seasons at Jim Ned)
Top returners
Gray Beasley, QB/DB, 6-1, 190, Jr.; Brayden Shipman, RB/LB, 5-9, 190, Sr.; Barrett Browning, OL/DL, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Maddox Cooper, OL, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Jake Whitley, OL/DL, 6-4, 270, Sr.; Xaden Wishert, OL/DE, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Carter Wood, WR/DB, 6-2, 180, Sr.; Trey Hicks, RB/LB, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Carter Lange, WR/DE, 6-6, 180, Jr.; Davis Soben, RB/LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Jim Ned returns 20 lettermen, including six starters on offense and four on defense. The team took a big hit with the graduation of QB Troy Doran, OL Gage Stanaland (Oklahoma State) and LB Tanner Hussman. Yet RB Brayden Shipman (233-1,579 yards, 13 TDs) is back, and he’s got some good ones to run behind in Barrett Browning, Jake Whitley and Maddox Cooper. If the defense comes around, Jim Ned will have a chance to win its fourth straight district title. The Tuscola crew haven’t lost a district game since going 2-3 in league play in 2019.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Hawley … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Holliday … 7:30 p.m.
Sept 8 … Wall … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Rockdale … 7:30 p.m. at Llano
Sept. 22 … at Eastland … 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Bowie* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Clyde* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Breckenridge* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Vernon* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Iowa Park* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
RB Brayden Shipman, Jim Ned (191-1,124 yards, eight TDs rushing); DB Alexis Franco, Breckenridge (124 tackles, including six for loss and a sack, with three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery); QB Blake Carr, Clyde (1,460 yards, 15 TDs passing/509 yards, seven TDs rushing); WR Dai’Jon Booker, Clyde (440 yards, six TDs on 33 catches); DL Carter Lange, Jim Ned (41 tackles, including seven for loss and nine sacks.
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Jim Ned, 2. Breckenridge 3. Iowa Park, 4. Clyde, 5. Vernon, 6. Bowie.
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II
Ballinger Bearcats
2022 Record: 1-9, 1-4
Head coach: Ty Lange (5-16 in two seasons, including one at Ballinger)
Top returners
Aven Ochoa, OL/DL, Jr.; Zach Canada, RB/LB, Sr.; Jaylen Hernandez, RB/LB, Jr.; Nick Martinez, OL/DL; Bryce Lopez, WR/LB, Jr.; Kam Aguero, WR/DB; Jr.
What to know for 2023: Ballinger returns 17 lettermen, including seven starters on both sides of the ball. The Bearcats, who have potential playmakers on both sides of the ball in Ochoa and Canada, should be much improved from last season.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Sonora … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Coleman … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Stamford … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Clyde … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Mason … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Early* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Wall* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Brady* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … TLCA-San Angelo* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at S.A. Grape Creek* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Early Longhorns
2022 Record: 7-5, 4-1 (lost to Canadian 42-14 in second round)
Head coach: Daniel Price (21-13 in three seasons, all at Early)
Top returners
Weston Barton, QB/LB, Jr.; Kaleb Ozuna, RB/LB, Sr.; Ki Houston, WR/DB, Sr.; Griffin Cheslock, RB/DB, Sr.; Jacob Braun, OL/DL, Sr.; Dalton Adams, OL/DL, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Early returns 12 lettermen, including four starters on offense and five on defense. Ozuna and Adams anchor what should be a standout defense. The Longhorns will have a new starting quarterback, after Jaxyn Price threw for 5,773 yards and 68 TDs in three seasons.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Bangs … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Tolar … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Comanche … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Hamilton … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Burnet … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Ballinger* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Brady* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at S.A. Grape Creek* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Wall* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at TLCA-San Angelo* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
LB Kaleb Ozuna, Early (134 tackles, including 13 for loss and two sacks, while forcing two fumbles; DL Dalton Adams, Early (71 tackles, including 22 for loss and 10 sacks, also had 11 QB hurries, forced two fumbles and picked off a pass); RB Nathan Pepper, Wall (1,065 yards, 15 TDs rushing); LB Logan Thomas, Wall (85 tackles, including 60 solo, 10 for loss and five sacks); DL Brylan White, Wall (73 tackles, including 57 solo, 18 for loss and 10 sacks, while also getting 10 QB hurries and forcing a fumble).
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Wall, 2. Early, 3. Brady, 4. Ballinger, 5. TLCA-San Angelo, 6. San Angelo Grape Creek.
DISTRICT 4-3A DIVISON II
Coahoma Bulldogs
2022 Record: 7-4, 3-2 (lost to Childress 45-20 in first round)
Head coach: Chris Joslin (29-25 in five seasons, all at Coahoma)
Top returners
Boyd Cox, QB, 6-0, 170, So.; WR/DB Billy Bailey, 5-9, 140, Sr.; Jaidyn Vineyard, RB/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Austin Perkins, WR/LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Nick Tutle, LB, 5-10, 156, Sr.; Braiden Boaz, OL/DL,
What to know for 2023: Coahoma returns 20 lettermen, including seven starters on offense and five on defense. Bailey and Vineyard are playmakers on both sides of the ball, while Cox and Perkins are solid on the offensive side of the ball.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Forsan … 7:30 p.m. at Big Spring
Sept. 1 … at Sonora … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Kermit … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Colorado City … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Merkel … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Littlefield* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Idalou* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Stanton* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Lubbock Roosevelt* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Abernathy* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
WR/DB Billy Bailey, Coahoma (64 tackles, picked off five passes and forced two fumbles/27 catches for 419 yards, three TDs, plus 340 yards and three TDs on 41 carries rushing, also threw three TD passes); QB Boyd Cox, Coahoma (2,044 yards and 19 TDs passing); RB/LB Jaidyn Vineyard, Coahoma (152 catches for 819 yards and eight TDs receiving/81 tackles, 37 solo, two sacks, blocked field goal); QB Tate Hendley, Idalou (Texas Football’s preseason offensive player of the year for the district); LB Jaxson Hoel, Abernathy (Texas Football’s preseason defensive player of the year for the district had 69 tackles last year).
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Idalou, 2. Abernathy, 3. Coahoma, 4. Lubbock Roosevelt, 5. Littlefield, 6. Stanton.
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II
Comanche Indians
2022 Record: 10-2, 5-0 (lost to Bells 50-25 in second round)
Head coach: Jake Escobar (24-29 in five seasons, including 12-11 in two seasons at Comanche)
Top returners
Layden Welch, QB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Sawyer Wilkerson, RB/LB, 6-0, 166, Jr.; Kyler Beaty, WR/DB, 6-2, 182, Sr.; Ayden Fishback, TE/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Diego Gutierrez, WR/DB, 6-0, 158, Sr.; Dalton Salinas, OL/DL, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Christian Anaya, OL/DL, 5-9, 231, Jr.; Easton Gonzalez, RB/LB, 5-10, 180, Sr.; Ezequiel Medrano, RB/LB, 5-7, 153, Sr.
What to know for 2023: Comanche returns 22 lettermen, including seven starters on offense and eight on defense, from a team that won its first district title since 2018 and went two rounds in the playoffs — all after winning one game a year earlier. Comanche should be even better this year with a strong cast coming back, including QB Layden Welch (1,751 yards, 22 TDs passing/529 yards, 12 TDs rushing), RB Sawyer Wilkerson (2,601 yards, 29 TDs rushing/district offensive MVP) along with DE Pierson Sorrells (district defensive lineman MVP) and Baylor commit Kyler Beaty, who had 53 tackles, three interceptions and broke up 10 passes as a defensive back last year.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Brady … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Bangs … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Early … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 … Tolar … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Albany … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Millsap* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Jacksboro* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Dublin* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Merkel* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Eastland* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Dublin Lions
2022 Record: 2-8, 0-5
Head coach: Greg Hardcastle (11-12 in two seasons at Dublin)
Top returners
Kaden Gaitan, QB/DB, Jr.; Cameron Patton, RB/LB, Sr.; Aiden Salyer, RB/DB, Sr.; Noah Thompson, DL, Jr.; Lucas Azua, LB, Sr.; Francisco Garcia, WR/DB, Jr.; Kyson Gilman, WR, So.; Sev Ruiz, WR, Jr.; Kevin Patton, WR/DB Sr.
What to know for 2023: The Lions return 18 players, including seven starters on offense and six on defense. Gaitan (78-159-10, 882 yards, 7 TDs) got experience as a sophomore last year, and he’ll need someone to step up to fill WR Dalan Rasberry’s shoes (94 catches, 1,581 yards, 15 TDs in two seasons). The defense, which gave up 48.6 points a game last year, needs to be better.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Fort Worth Christian … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … at Albany … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Anson … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Brady … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … at Florence … 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Merkel* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Millsap* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Comanche* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … Eastland* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … at Jacksboro… 7 p.m.
*District game
Eastland Mavericks
2022 Record: 1-9, 1-4
Head coach: Bobby Schuman (1st season as a head coach)
Top returners
Isaiah Hays, QB/DB, Jr.; Cason Browning, RB/DL, Jr.; Jay Oznick; Gavin McClain, OL/DL, Sr.; Grady Galyean, WR/DB, Sr.; Preston Rose, WR/DB, Sr.; Garrett Glenn, OL/DL, Sr.; Damian Williams, OL/DL, Sr.; Brayden Foust, WR/DB, So.
What to know for 2023: Schuman, an assistant the last six years, takes over for James Morton, who steps down to focus on being the athletic director after 31 years as a coach – the last seven at Eastland. The Mavericks return 18 lettermen, including eight starters on both sides of the ball. QB Isaiah Hays (1,840 yards, 16 TDs passing) and Jay Oznick (36-657, 9 TDs receiving) lead an offense that should be better if the Mavs can protect the ball and generate a strong run game. The defense has got to be better. Eastland was outscored 425-165 last year.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … at Wall … 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 … Clyde … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … at Hawley … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Breckenridge … 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Jim Ned* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … Jacksboro* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … at Merkel* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … Millsap* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Dublin* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Comanche* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Merkel Badgers
2022 Record: 3-8, 2-3 (lost to Holliday 40-12 in first round)
Head coach: Will Kates (7-15 in two seasons at Merkel)
Top returners
Maddox O’Malley, QB/DB, Sr.; Elijah Olivarez, RB/LB, Sr.; Connor Willyerd, RB/DB, Sr.; Bryant Jones, TE/LB, Sr.; C.J. Walcott, WR/DB, Jr.; Aiden Jackson, WR/DB, Sr.; Kaden Blubaugh, WR/DB, So.; Cayden Rhodes OL/DL, Sr.; Seth Bryant, OL/DL, Sr.: Dalton Duncan, OL/DL; Adrian Rocha, OL/LB, Sr.
What to know for 2023: The Badgers return 15 players, including seven starters on both sides of the ball, from a team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2018. O’Malley takes over for Joey Zink, who threw for 1,265 yards and 13 TDs last year while also running for 600 yards and four TDs. Olivarez (164 tackles, 54 solo, 20 TFL, 3 sacks) leads the defense.
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 … Clifton … 7 p.m. at Dublin
Sept. 1 … at Stanton … 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Clyde … 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 … at Bangs … 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 … Coahoma … 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 … at Dublin* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 … Eastland* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 … at Jacksboro* … 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 … at Comanche* … 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 … Millsap* … 7 p.m.
*District game
Top 5 players
RB Sawyer Wilkerson, Comanche (2,601 yards, 29 TDs on 259 carries, the district offensive MVP); QB Layden Welch, Comanche (1,751 yards, 22 TDs passing); LB Elijah Olivarez, Merkel (led the Badgers with 164 tackles, including 20 for loss and three sacks); WR Jay Oznick, Eastland (37 catches, 663 yards, nine TDs receiving/239 yards, two TDs on 30 carries); QB Landon Belcher, Jacksboro (2,869 yards, 37 TDs passing/675 yards, 10 TDs rushing)
Joey Richards’ 2023 prediction: 1. Comanche, 2. Jacksboro, 3. Millsap, 4. Eastland, 5. Merkel, 6. Dublin
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: A closer look at Big Country Class 3A football teams for '23 season
