Jackson drawing on experience of others heading into first season as Quanah head coach
Payton Jackson is undertaking the most daunting challenge of his coaching career.
While Jackson has made his name in the Wichita Falls area as a head boys basketball coach, he’s entering his first season at the helm of a football program.
Jackson was named athletic director and head football coach at Quanah, his alma mater, during the spring. And he’s not hiding the feeling of uncertainty gripping him as he leads the Indians onto the gridiron for the first time.
“I’m already a pretty high-strung dude, so I’m not going to lie and say that it’s been an easy transition,” Jackson said two days before the Indians opened two-a-day practices. “It’s been a whole lot of late nights and going back over assignments and duties and things like that.
“It’s not the X’s and O’s. Those things will come. It’s the organizational part of it. If it was basketball season starting tomorrow, I wouldn’t be worried about it. But I’ve called some of my coaching friends about a million times to make sure I am ready.”
Among those Jackson is leaning on are the familiar names of City View head coach Rudy Hawkins, current Iowa Park head coach Michael Swenson and former Iowa Park and current Weatherford head coach Aubrey Sims.
But Jackson has also benefitted from a new, but veteran presence on the Quanah coaching staff.
Shane Stroud spent last year not coaching but instead teaching history at Quanah High School. Fortuitous for Jackson, Stroud’s classroom was next to his, and he got the know the veteran offensive line coach who honed his craft for a decade at Amarillo High.
Jackson was able to talk Stroud out of retirement from coaching and is drawing on his experience.
“We’re short-handed with coaches just like everybody else, so adding him has been a big difference,” Jackson said. “He’s having a lot of input into what we’re going to be doing offensively.”
OFFENSE
The Indians won’t be running as much run-pass option or screen plays as they have in recent seasons.
“We’re going to be at least 60-40 run,” Jackson said.
Jackson expects a two-man battle for quarterback to persist through preseason practices with either Michael Garza or Jason Sanchez taking the reins of the offense.
Garza threw 20 passes last season, completing half of them, before a shoulder injury ended his season. Sanchez is moving from slot receiver to a role in the backfield. Whoever doesn’t win the position battle will play running back.
Brennan Thomas is a key figure on the offense, and a player the Indians want to have the ball as much as possible. He’ll primarily play in the slot. Thomas also played some quarterback last season due to multiple injuries at the position. Jackson doesn’t want that to be the case in 2022.
“Pound for pound, he’s one of the best athletes we’ve got for sure,” Jackson said. “What he does with the ball, it makes a play caller look pretty smart.”
The Indians won’t have much size in the trenches, but Jackson believes the offensive line will be stronger than what most expect.
DEFENSE
The defense won’t change much under Jackson, utilizing an odd front with a 3-4 or 3-3 look.
Garza may end up being the quarterback on offense, but he already plays that role on defense at linebacker.
“He’s our anchor,” Jackson said.
Cason Northam is one of the team’s top returning tacklers at linebacker. Xander Jackson, Cy Jones and Abel Silvas also figure into a strong linebacking corps.
Thomas, Sanchez and Hutton O’Neal gives the Indians experience in the secondary.
The defensive line will lack experience and size, but senior Troy Barrera is expected to anchor the Indians up front after finishing 10th at the state powerlifting meet last season.
EXTRA POINT
No pressure, Payton Jackson. The program’s previous six head coaches each posted a record above .500 during their first season, including Jim Wood (9-1-1, 1980), James McDaniel (9-2, (1999), Jason Sims (8-5, 2010), David Fambrough (8-5, 2015), Matt Garvin (6-5, 2018) and Jason Cole (6-5, 2020).
Quanah Indians
Head Coach: Payton Jackson (first year)
Last year’s record: 2-9
Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense
Base offense/defense: Multiple/Odd Front
Last playoff appearance: 2021 (Lost to Roscoe in bi-district)
Last district title: 2020
SCHEDULE
Aug. 26 vs. Archer City 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 at Nocona 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 vs. Petrolia (H) 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Seymour 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Hamlin 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Memphis* 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 at Clarendon* 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 vs. Shamrock* 7 p.m.
Oct. 28 at Wellington* 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 vs. Wheeler* 7 p.m.
PLAYER TO WATCH: QB/RB/LB Michael Garza (Jr.) – Garza may end up being the team's starting quarterback or running back, but his role on defense is well defined. He's a big boost for the Indians on the side of the ball.
GAME TO WATCH: Aug. 26 vs. Archer City – Jackson’s head coaching debut comes against a familiar district foe. The Indians start off with four area squads in a row.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Quanah Indians 2022 high school football season preview
