One last run: Area players ready to compete in ASCO All-Star Classic football game
It's been a unique week for Matt Landers, and not just because he went bowling for the first time in what feels like forever.
Landers and most of his Roosevelt coaching staff from the state semifinal run have another game to plan for. Instead of using their veer triple-option offense with players from one school, they're setting up a scheme and lineup comprised of players from all over West Texas for Saturday's ASCO All-Star Classic football game.
When the Red Team sets foot on Lowery Field, there will be a couple of Eagles suiting up for Landers. But they'll be joined by district rivals from Abernathy and Idalou and a slew of other players getting one last game before starting their next phase of life.
"One of the things we told our kids today is we want to have fun," Landers said between frames of bowling at Main Event. "All you guys have graduated. Some of you are going to play college football and some of you aren't. We just want to make sure you guys have a great time and always remember this week as you get older and tell your kids about it."
The coaches want to have as much fun as the players, though. That includes their own games during practices. No friendly wagers have been placed between Landers and Stratford head coach Matt Lovorn, who will coach the Blue Team, but there's still time to figure something out.
More: Shallowater, Idalou players win top honors at NFF banquet
"This whole week I've been loving getting to know his staff," Landers said of Lovorn. "He is a great guy. He is one of a kind, man, and obviously those guys winning a state championship this past year, there's a big reason for that. Good players but amazing coaching staff."
Both coaches have had some roster shuffling since first receiving their squads a few weeks ago. The same can be said for the coaching staffs. Initially, Landers was expected to have Nate Gensler, who has taken over the football program at Kermit, back as his defensive coordinator.
More: Lone Star Varsity big-school football Super Team 2021
Instead, Landers is getting his first taste of his new defensive coordinator, Carter Robinson.
"This was the first day coaching with Carter and he's got a lot of energy," Landers said. "It was kind of fun. We did offensive staff versus defensive staff during practice and we scrimmaged a little bit and it was a blast. Our coaches had a blast, our kids had a blast but Carter was getting into it a lot. I love that about him."
The first time Landers and Robinson — who will be joining Roosevelt from Pampa — coach together will be the last hoorah for many of the players in Saturday's game.
For some, that means trying out new positions for the heck of it.
"Based on our personnel now, we'll probably throw it more in the first series than we did all of last year," Landers said. "That's going to be a shock for us for sure, but we've got kids that can throw it, kids that can catch. Our team is pretty good. Not just good players but good kids.
"These are really respectful kids who represent their schools first class. All those coaching staff that sent us kids, they did a great job with their kids."
ASCO All-Star Classic Football Game
When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where: Lowrey Field/PlainsCapital Park
Game updates: Follow @LoneStarVarsity on Twitter for live updates from the football game. For the full story and postgame video, visit www.lubbockonline.com/sports.
Red Team Roster
Jersey Number, Name, School, Position
0 — Brennen Davis, Muleshoe, LB/TE
1 — Jacob Bautista, Friona, B/SEC
2 — Marc Ramirez, Wellington, LB/B
3 — Kevin Garcia, Sundown, TE/LB
4 — Kash Bradley, Bushland, WR/SEC
5 — Judge Thomason, Lubbock-Cooper, B/SEC
6 — Parker Cunningham, Canyon, SEC,WR
7 — Jorge Olivarez, Snyder, SEC/LB
8 — Josiah Zapata, Lamesa, LB/B
9 — Cam-Ron Perez, Lubbock High, SEC/QB
10 — Abrian Humprfrey, Tascosa, DE/RB
11 — Garrett Foerester, Shallowater, LB/QB
12 — Luke Houston, Abernathy, WR/SEC
14 — Michael Limon, Sudan, WR/SEC
15 — Jess Hoel, Abernathy, QB/SEC
16 — Bryan Chavira, Friona, SEC/QB
17 — Ju'Raylin Shaw, Lubbock-Cooper, SEC/WR
18 — R.J. Kelly, Midland Greenwood, SEC/WR
20 — Elliott Brown, River Road, B/SEC
22 — Sergio Salinas, Ralls, B/DE
23 — A.J. Pesina, Crosbyton, WR/SEC
33 — J.J. Diaz, Roosevelt, LB/B
43 — Thomas Sanchez, Roosevelt, DL/TE
44 — Major McCully, Shallowater, LB/WR
51 — Steven Salazar, Ralls, LB/OG
52 — Davian Ramos, Floydada, DL/OT
53 — J.C. Lucero, Midland Greenwood, OL/DT
55 — Evan Lopez, Slaton, OL/DT
63 — Cutter Millenbine, Idalou, OL/DT
66 — Carson Little, Denver City, DE/OT
67 — Abram Rodriguez, Sudan, OL/DT
68 — Chad Pharies, Frenship, DL/C
73 — Brady Reed, Shallowater, OL/DT
74 — Kenyon Vigil, Tascosa, OL/DT
75 — Tate Upchurch, River Road, OL/DT
76 — Sebastian de la Espriella, Bushland, DL/OT
79 — Matthew Langford, New Deal, OL/DT
81 — Riley Hall, Idalou, TE/DE
Coaches: Matt Landers (head), Jim Miller, Nate Gensler, Michael Bratcher, Michael Moreno, Avery Gutierrez, Shelbie Lopez, Brad Raven, Julio Rodriguez, Kevin McCullar.
Blue Team Roster
Jersey Number, Name, School, Position
2 — Dru Jones, Stratford, WR/SEC
3 — Cody Rinne, Stratford, SEC/QB
4 — Hunter Coaly, Dumas, SEC/WR
5 — Anastacio Ibarra, Stratford, WR/DE
6 — Ross Crabtree, Shallowater, DE/TE
7 — Jayden Canaba, Alpine, SEC/QB
8 — Brady Barnett, Lubbock-Cooper, TE/DE
9 — Andrew Braddock, Frenship, WR/LB
10 — Michael Ayalew, Tascosa, SEC/WR
12 — Steven Huff, Post, B/LB
14 — Zarius Garcia, Brownfield, WR/SEC
16 — Jason Quintanilla, River Road, LB/FB
17 — Andrew Garcia, Monterey, LB/FB
18 — Braxton Barrett, Shallowater, B/LB
19 — Victor Chavez, Dumas, WR/LB
20 — Tyjae Chambers, Littlefield, B/LB
22 — Xavier "Ryno" Garcia, Ralls, LB/QB
23 — Harrison Weeks, Plains, B/LB
24 — Antonio Malone, Coronado, B/LB
26 — Breckyn Thomas, Borger, SEC/WR
28 — Miguel Moreno, Stanton, LB/QB
32 — Bryce Ford, Snyder, LB/FB
35 — Christian Anett, Bovina, DE/TE
45 — Zayden Hoots, Caprock, LB/WR
50 — Landen Lasley, Borger, OL/DT
52 — Connor Mormolejo, Smyer, LB/C
53 — Jovanny Salas, Bovina, DL/OT
54 — Dominique Fierro, Alpine, OL/DL
55 — Chisum Koehler, Canyon, OL/DE
56 — Cole Flora, Andrews, OL/DE
58 — David Zamora, Andrews, DL/OG
60 — Brandon Barnes, Tascosa, DL/OG
61 — Jovin Villegas, New Deal, OL/LB
64 — Tyler Smith, Stratford, DE/OT
66 — Jadon Wirt, Canyon, OL/NG
71 — Andre Duran, Stratford, OL/DT
72 — Sebastian Rodriguez, Andrews, OL/NG
80 — Jesse Alvidrez, Pampa, TE/LB
Coaches: Matt Lovorn (head), Casey Lantelme, David Lantelme, Trey Wyatt, Mark Keener, Jon Murphy, Ethan Brotherton, Korad Carroll.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Area players ready to compete in ASCO All-Star Classic football game
