2022 season preview: Cleburne Yellow Jackets

Aug. 26—Whether it's the last playoff appearance (2016), last playoff win (1998) or last district title (1992), it's been a while since Cleburne has experienced the elite success that made the Yellow Jackets one of the state's most distinguished programs at different times throughout the history of Texas high school football.

And Jim Woodard has accepted the challenge of trying to help Cleburne put an end to those droughts.

Cleburne ISD hired Woodard, 40, in late May and the first-year head coach said it's been a good start in terms of the learning curve that comes with a new head coach, new coaching staff and new players all learning each other.

"It's kind of a feeling-out process between kids and coaches and coaches and kids but the kids have adapted really well," Woodard said in mid-August. "The coaches have jumped in and done phenomenal. Different coach, different expectations, different way of doing things so it's been a learning curve for everybody. We've got eight new coaches on staff, so it's a matter of those guys trying to figure out how I want things done or how [Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Jason] Payne wants things done and then our kids trying to understand what we're asking of them in practice. It's a little different. It took a couple of days to get in the swing of things but after week 1 of practice was over, they understood the expectations."

Woodard knows the history of Cleburne football and he said even though it's been a while since the Jackets last had elite-level success, they're not far off.

"It's not that Cleburne has been bad," he said. "Even with the tough district they've been in, they've been really competitive. It's not that we're completely having to rewrite the book. To get over the hump, our kids are going to have to really buy in to what we're asking them to do. We're going to have to do a great job as a coaching staff to put our kids in position to be successful and then repeat that over and over again."

When asked what their mindset or approach was going into the 2022 season, Woodard was adamant that the words "rebuild" are not applicable here.

"There is no full rebuild," he said. "You look at the amount of starters we have returning and the number of guys who have varsity experience, there is no rebuild here. It's laying the foundation of a new program and building on that foundation but there's no full rebuild. The coaches that have been here have done a great job of building and instilling in those kids every day and it's our job as a new staff to build on top of that. We go in every day trying to get better as a team and better as an individual position. If each position can get a little better every day, then our team gets better every day. If we can stack good days on top of each other, then we're going to put ourselves in a position to be successful at the end of the year."

In fact, Woodard went beyond saying there's no rebuild in effect; rather, they're aiming for the playoffs right away.

"I think our district is set up where everybody is kind of on the same level," he said. "... It's going to be a really competitive district and we're going to have to come with our A-game every week to have a chance to end any of those droughts. I know 2016 is the last playoff appearance and we want to put 2022 on that list of playoff appearances. It's been a lot of coaches' and a lot of kids' goals to end that streak of 1998 being the last playoff victory. It's going to be a process but it's one that I don't think is that far-fetched this year."

Not only does the 2022 season feel new in Cleburne because of a new coaching staff, but UIL realignment brought about an entirely new district for the Jackets. And Woodard said he senses that has given his players some extra juice.

"It's a clean slate and it's not just because it's a new coaching staff but it's a clean slate because of the new district," He said. "I think it has our kids super excited because there's that unknown there. They haven't played the three Killeen schools. Lake Belton is a brand-new school. I know they've had Granbury in the rotation. They've played Midlothian a couple times. Red Oak is down the road. ... But the new district kind of has our kids juiced up because they don't know who some of those teams are or what they're about. That kind of gives you a fresh slate of not knowing who they are so you just go out there and get after those guys."

This season will be the first time ever Cleburne will play Lake Belton, Killeen Ellison and Killeen Shoemaker. It's also the first time since 1975 for Cleburne and Killeen to play, while the Jackets last faced Red Oak in 1989.

With 18 returning lettermen, including five offensive and six defensive starters, the Jackets have decent experience. But depth isn't necessarily on Cleburne's side — and the Jackets enter the season planning on around eight players fulfilling key roles on offense and defense.

"Depth right now is a little issue," Woodard said. "But I've coached at every level of high school football from small school all the way to 6A and I don't think that there's any season, no matter how many kids you have out, that you really think you have the depth you need. So it's adapt and overcome. We'll have guys that will play on both sides of the ball. I know some teams we'll play in this district won't, but we will and hopefully we're in better shape than they are.

"The good thing is there's not many guys that we're looking at on the offensive or defensive line that will have to play every snap both ways of the game. We'll have both lines be fresh most of the time, which is the big key for me. If we can find an offensive line that doesn't have to play many snaps on defense and a defensive line that doesn't have to play many snaps on offense, then you can be physical up front all game and that's where the game is won or lost most of the time, especially at the high school level."

OFFENSE

Cleburne Coach Jim Woodard knows what he wants on offense and he believes he has the talent to do it this season if everything comes together.

The past five years, Woodard served as offensive coordinator at Tomball Memorial, where he helped coach the Wildcats to a 36-18 record and guided offenses that established multiple school records and averaged more than 45 points per game several seasons.

"It's a spread offense," Woodard said of his scheme. "There's a million different ways to describe spread. We're going to be a spread power running team that takes vertical shots downfield. The No. 1 thing in this scheme and system, we're going to find a way to run the ball downhill every single week. You can run the ball 100 different ways but we're going to find a way to run the ball downhill. We want to make people put extra men in the box to try to stop the run then we're going to take some vertical shots over the top. The easiest thing to do at any level of football is to turn and hand the football off to a running back and let that guy go. It's harder to find people that you can throw the ball to and successfully throw the ball. So, No. 1 we're going to run and No. 2 we're going to throw it down field. We're going to make people defend every inch of the field."

Last season, Cleburne's offense was spot on 50% run and 50% pass. While many coaches consider that 50/50 ratio a balanced offense, that's not really how Woodard looks at it.

"I think 'balanced football' means making defenses have to account for everything, whether it's the run, the screen, the pass, the deep shot downfield," he said. "I think that's how you play balanced football is keeping the defense off guard and never knowing what's coming; they have to account for everything. Balanced football to me is not 50% run and 50% pass, it's making the defense have to defend everything at the same time."

Senior Landry Shields enters his second season as Cleburne's starting quarterback and third at the varsity level after playing receiver as a sophomore. And Woodard has big expectations for his QB.

"Landry has a very high football IQ," Woodard said. "That comes from the previous coaches that have coached him all the way from seventh grade up. That comes from him wanting to be a student of the ball game and doing that on his own. He has a very, very talented right arm that can throw the ball from many different angles and put the ball in windows that normal kids can't. I expect big things from him. He understands my expectations. I coach that kid every day so he knows I'm going to coach him really hard but when he does really good things we're going to have fun.

"I think he understands that he doesn't have to do it all himself. He's got a lot of playmakers around him so he doesn't have to do everything himself. He's not going to have to throw the ball 60 times for us to go win. He's got to make the plays when it's time for him to make a play but it's not all going to be on his back. But I think he's poised for a very, very big year."

Cleburne's leading rusher from last season, Eli Martinez, moved to Joshua and Jacarrean Gray is being moved back to wide receiver, so the Jackets will have new players carrying the rock this season.

"Jayshaun Scales and Jaygen Wells have had a phenomenal summer and a great fall camp," Woodard said. "Jayshaun is more of the lower his head and run you over type. Jaygen has shiftiness in him, he'll give you a little shake then he'll be by you before you know it. He has great vision. We're going to lean on those two guys a lot and let those guys do what they do. They're going to be really good. And we're still looking for a third running back."

Since Woodard has been in Cleburne, the area of his team that has stood out the most has been the wide receivers and defensive backs.

"Since I got here, those wide receivers and skill guys have been really impressive," he said. "I got the job May 23 and we turn around that weekend and go play 7-on-7 state-qualifying tournament at Midlothian and in game 1 we beat Harker Heights, who qualifies for the state tournament and goes all the way to the semifinal game. And Harker Heights said they were thoroughly impressed with what our skill kids could do.

"Our skill kids are going to be phenomenal. I think Will Sledge and Dorian Potter on the outside have a chance to be really good. With Gray and Logan Schroyer at inside receiver, we want to get the ball out of our hands in a hurry to those guys and let those guys be playmakers or bring them in motion and hand them the football. Finding ways to get lots of guys involved will be key. But those skill kids have all done a great job."

Additionally, freshman Malachi Cunningham had a strong enough showing in the Jackets' first scrimmage vs. Killeen Chaparral that he earned a varsity spot as a wide receiver.

While Woodard is excited about what he has at the skill positions, he said for any of it to matter the offensive line has to step up.

"If you can't block anybody, you can't do anything — you can't run or throw," Woodard said. "We are going to have to be really good up front in order to move the football consistently. There's some big kids that have a chance to be really physical and really special."

Leading into Cleburne's first scrimmage, the starting 5 up front hadn't been set in stone but several players had a leg up for key roles.

"Aidan Fuller has been taking reps at right tackle and he's been really surprising and physical at the point of attack," Woodard said. "We're looking at a sophomore right now at left tackle — and a lot of people get scared having a sophomore left tackle — but Willie Duckett at left tackle has done an absolutely phenomenal job. He has great feet, he moves really well and does some good things. We've got competition at center between Marcus Chanta and Nathan Malone. Both kids do a great job and they get after it. Cadin Smith has gotten some reps at center. And we have J.P. Martinez and Brock Barr at guard."

Woodard said with the potential that group has shown combined with two new offensive line coaches, he thinks the line will be solid.

"We have two new guys coaching that offensive line," Woodard said. "Chris Rogers has come in from Arlington Sam Houston. He played at Baylor and has 15 years of experience coaching offensive line. He's really good. He's more of the stand-off type of coach. We have a young guy in Kyle Cathers who played at Delaware and Coastal Carolina that's coming over from Salado. You've got a fired-up one and a laid-back one so you've got two coaching styles that mesh together really well. Those offensive line guys have really responded to how they're being coached and having two guys dedicated up front to get that job done, I think we have a chance to be really good up front."

DEFENSE

Over the past couple seasons, Cleburne has shown glimpses of being able to field a shutdown defense but those glimpses have never developed into anything consistent.

Last year, the Jackets allowed 43.7 points per game and consistency was a big part of that. In four wins, Cleburne's defense surrendered a respectable 26 points per game. But in six losses, that number jumped to 55.3 points per game. Again, consistency.

Cleburne Defensive Coordinator Jason Payne said it's imperative that the Jackets find a way this season to more consistent with their good defensive play. And he likes the pieces he has to get that accomplished.

"There's been years where we've had smaller D-linemen, good linebackers and maybe not much depth in the secondary," Payne said. "I feel like this year with our defensive front, returning two of the three and the caliber of player those two are, will be huge. Our secondary is going to be very strong with a lot of returners.

"And last year our perimeter play wasn't as good from that outside linebacker position, just understanding run vs. pass. The run is going to come to them. We're going to make the run bounce outside and go east-west. Having a solid guy that can anchor that down on the edge is what we missed last year."

Payne said the plan going into the season is to be more multiple with their defensive alignment and scheming.

"We're going to base out of an odd front but we may not necessarily be based out of the stack every play," Payne said. "We're going to be more multiple this year. I feel like our kids have adapted throughout the years and got that base underneath them. We need to be more multiple because with offenses the way they are, if you sit in one front or one coverage, they're going to pick you apart. Being more multiple, we're hoping to surprise with disguising coverages. Speed is going to be one of our biggest attributes so using that to roll coverages or bring pressures I think is going to be crucial."

Cleburne Head Coach Jim Woodard said he's been impressed with the Jackets defense at all three levels during practice.

"I don't know if we've blocked Chuy Ramirez much at all," Woodard said. "That kid's going to be really good. Those inside linebackers have had a great camp. And the secondary is as talented and as quick as any secondary I've ever been around. They've got a chance to be really good."

On the three-man defensive front, Payne is stoked for Xavier Aguilar and Ramirez as returning starters.

"As a sophomore last year, Xavier wasn't the biggest guy out there but we used his speed and put him in situations to have 1-on-1s, and we're going to do the same thing this year," Payne said. "He's gained a lot of muscle and even more speed through offseason and summer. Big expectations from Xavier. And another one is Jesus Ramirez. He played a lot of offense last year and spot play on defense. He's like a wrecking ball up front. For him, whether it's D-tackle, nose or defensive end, it's going to be big to get those 1-on-1s with Ramirez because we've got guys right now that can't block him in practice. He's really getting after it. He's that prototypical inside D-linemen that's going to require a double team."

Payne said he also expects Raymond Cuellar to anchor the D-line.

"He is an immovable object," Payne said. "He's big and strong so we're going to use that to force double teams. I don't see anyone being able to block him 1-on-1 and move him off the football. So that's going to open up windows for us at the linebacker position to not get offensive linemen at the second level so we can trigger faster. We have a couple guys that do play offense — Nathan Malone and Elton Reeves — that can step in and help us. It's going to be a community effort."

Senior Chris Maher is expected to lead the way at linebacker as a returner.

"Chris Maher is returning from last year coming off a solid junior season and he'll be leading the pack at the linebacker position," Payne said. "You'll see him inside the box and outside the box because he's a versatile player. Jose Gutierrez didn't play much last year but he's developed into a very explosive player with a lot of speed. Not a real big kid but he's very fast and can cover a lot of ground. Jaygen Wells is another one who's going to step up and has been making some good reads through camp. And Jayshaun Scales as well will contribute at linebacker."

In the secondary, Payne said they expect to field a collective unit that will make big plays.

"We're really excited about the secondary," he said. "Dorian Potter coming back for his junior year is a two-year varsity starter. He is so long and with his speed he can cover a lot of ground. James Reynolds is another explosive player we're excited about in the secondary. James has gotten better each year. Last year he had a couple games where he was single-handedly stopping offenses' series. Jacarrean Gray at safety, the kid can cover from sideline to sideline, so that's why we have him at safety. And he'll also come up and help in the run game.

"Another one we've added in the secondary is Logan Schroyer. Logan will be that box player for the run but also cover the wide side of the field and be that strong safety type that plays down a lot. Will Sledge has incredible speed so he's going to be that backside safety but he'll come in the box some. We're really excited about our secondary. We put a lot of emphasis on our secondary because they change what our defense looks like."

Sophomores Creed Martyniuk and Perry Busby and freshman Malachi Cunningham will provide depth in the secondary, if not push for starting jobs to help spell some of those two-way players.