Tulia football relying on strength up front for success in 2023

No, the 2022 season didn't go the way Tulia's football team wanted. A 3-7 record isn't what the Hornets strive for and in 2023 they'll have to replace several critical contributors.

Still, in a district with Canadian and Childress, Tulia remained in the playoff chance entering the last week of the season before losing to Spearman. The Hornets return 60% of their offensive line, their starting quarterback and key members of one of the better ball-hawking secondarys in the Panhandle last season. While there are plenty of holes to fill, there's reason for optimism as well.

"On a scale of one to 10 our confidence is probably at a six or seven right now," head coach Oscar Murga said. "We lost a lot of skill kids but we have some young skill kids that will have to grow up pretty fast. We're confident we can compete with just about anybody on our schedule."

Strong up front

The Hornets will rely on their strength and experience up front on the offensive side of the ball. Jose Luevano, Diego Trevino and Xathan Chasco give Tulia size and a solid foundation to build on as they develop their skill positions.

The loss of running back Damian Cedillo won't be easy to overcome after he finished seventh in the Panhandle last season in rushing with 1,149 yards and 14 touchdowns. Zadrian Chavez (242 yards and one touchdown) is the second-leading rusher amongst returners after quarterback David Molina (254 yards). Ethaniel Trevino is expected to pair with Chavez in the backfield.

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Speaking of Molina, he will be counted on to take another step forward after handling starting duty last year. The junior completed 48.8% of his passes in 2022 for 1,131 yards, seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He'll turn to Logan Bacerra, Corbyn Goss and others to step up and fill the void left by Koein Maeda and Brayden Robinson.

"Having a kid like David is a blessing," Murga said. "He's talented, he throws the ball well and he runs well. He has good athletic attributes and he's smart. He's a good leader and he'll put us in a good position."

Leading the way

Robinson and Maeda each tied for third in the Panhandle with five interceptions each last year. Replacing that kind of talent in the secondary won't be easy, but the Hornets return Isaiah Trevino (46 tackles, two interceptions) to lead the younger players vying to fill those holes. Nic Carrasco (19 tackles) should get the first crack at it.

Chavez (58 tackles, two sacks) will take on a leadership role in the linebacking corps as Matt Lopez (22 tackles) and others look to step up, too. Diego Trevino (29 tackles, four for a loss) and Jacinto Briones (26 tackles) will man the defensive line.

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"We'll be pretty solid on defense," Murga said. "Nic Carrasco is a big athletic player that can run with just about anybody we face. We have good senior leadership and we had a bunch of guys rotate in up front. When you're solid up front everything else seems to fall in place."

Tough out

Playing in District 3-3A Division II is a brutal reality. Facing Canadian and Childress will always make it a challenge and Friona is expected to be even better after a playoff season last year. Spearman had the Cinderella run of the postseason in 2022 and Dimmitt is expected to be more competitive, too.

Tulia will also have a lot of youth and inexperience across the board. Even Murga acknowledged as much. However, Spearman also lost a great deal of players and Dimmitt was winless last season. The fourth spot in the district is there for the taking. If things break the right way for the Hornets, they could find themselves in the postseason for the first time in five years.

"We will measure everything at the end of the season based on whether or not we're better that day than today," Murga said. "That's the bottom line. If we handle our business and do what we need to do then I think the wins will come. Wins are great, but being better people is what it's all about. If we do that, I think we'll be a better team and a better program."

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TULIA HORNETS

Head coach: Oscar Murga

2022 record: 3-7 overall, 1-4 in district

Base offense: Spread

Base defense: 3-4

Last playoff appearance: 2018

Top returners: David Molina, Jose Levueno, Diego Trevino, Isaiah Trevino, Corbyn Goss, Nic Carrasco, Zadrian Chavez

SCHEDULE

Aug. 25: at Highland Park, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1: vs. Brownfield, 7 p.m.

Sept. 8: vs. Sanford-Fritch, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: at Muleshoe, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: vs. Clarendon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29: OPEN

Oct. 6: at Friona, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13: at Childress, 7 p.m.

Oct. 20: vs. Dimmitt, 7 p.m.

Oct. 27: at Canadian, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3: vs. Spearman, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Tulia High School football team relying on offensive line in 2023