Kress football reloading with new staff and players in 2023
It's been nine years since the Kress football team last won a district title. It's been four years since they made the playoffs. Last year the Kangaroos went 6-4 and still missed the postseason. It's been a rough go of it in that sense.
Now, they bring in new head coach James Shelton and also must develop what amounts to a whole new team. Nine lettermen are gone from last year and two return. There's work to be done, no doubt.
But, this team was knocking on the door of the postseason in 2022. Shelton sounds the role of an enthusiastic head coach and the kids are buying in. The Kangaroos may not be hopping right this moment, but it's fair to expect some pep in their step this season.
"There's been a ton of energy," Shelton said. "We're returning one starter on both sides of the ball which can be detrimental to the vibe and energy, but the boys are still just excited. They've really bought into the culture that we're putting out. They have high expectations for themselves and we've had 20 kids come out. Two seniors, two juniors and 16 underclassmen so we're very young and inexperienced...but boy are they excited."
More: How Booker is transitioning to six-man football this season
Malachi Guzman is the lone returning starter on offense while Jaleel Baker is the only starter on defense. Shelton praised both of them for their leadership in these early days.
"Malachi is a junior that's going to play left guard," Shelton said. "He's a real big kid and a lot of the boys really follow his lead on the field and in the weight room...Jaleel will play defensive end and linebacker for us and he's got a ton of talent. He's got a long reach and the boys look up to him as a leader."
More: West Plains volleyball sweeps Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Tuesday night
Shelton said Zay Reyes, Kingston Brumley and Xane Garcia should all contribute a great deal this season as well.
Springlake-Earth was the district champ last week and should be even better this year. Kress was behind Petersburg last year while Lorenzo and Anton are striving to be better. The Roos have a shot at taking one of those top two spots, but with so much youth, it'll be a challenge.
Shelton knows others will count them out before they even take the field. That's fine. Heck, he wants them to.
"I already told the guys they're going to be the underdog in every game we have this year," Shelton said. "We graduated eight guys and lost another who chose not to play. Size, strength and experience will make us the underdog in every match, but our expectations don't waver because of that. The playoffs are absolutely our goal. It's playoffs or bust at the varsity level. Once we make the playoffs, we plan to keep winning."
More: 2023 Amarillo Globe News High School Football Previews
KRESS KANGAROOS
Head coach: James Shelton
2022 record: 6-4 overall, 2-2 in district
Base offense: Spread
Base defense: 3-2-1
Last playoff appearance: 2019
Top returners: Jaleel Baker, Malachi Guzman
SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: vs. Hart, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 1: at Whitharral, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: at Grady, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: at Happy, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: vs. Motely County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: vs. Whiteface, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: vs. Anton, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: at Petersburg, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: vs. Lorenzo, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27: OPEN
Nov. 3: at Springlake-Earth, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Kress High School football reloading with new head coach James Shelton
