Veteran Early Longhorns squad hoping to win first district title since 2007
District 2-3A Division II Prediction
1. Early
2. Wall
3. Brady
4. Ballinger
5. San Angelo Grape Creek
6. TLCA San Angelo
Early had one of the state’s most impressive turnarounds a year ago.
The Longhorns went 9-3 overall, winning four more games than the previous season and reaching the second round of the Class 3A Division I playoffs.
They have moved down to 3A Division II, where they should once again be contenders.
Early returns several stars from the 2021 team, including quarterback Jaxyn Price, wide receiver/cornerback John-Stewart Gordon and others. Outlets across the state are high on Early’s chances to make a deep playoff run, as the Longhorns are ranked No. 15 in the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Class 3A Division II preseason rankings.
Competing with Early at the top will be Wall. The Hawks are a perennially strong team but went 5-5 last year.
Wall, however, returns 18 starters for what should be a much-improved squad. The Hawks are ranked No. 18 in the preseason rankings.
Brady comes off a strong season.
The Bulldogs went three playoff rounds deep and finished 8-4. The Bulldogs offense is fueled by a two-running back system that includes J.D. Ibarra and Zeke Jones.
Ballinger also should be prominent in the playoff hunt, returning six offensive starters. The Bearcats will be under new leadership with head coach Ty Lang, following the retirement of longtime coach Chuck Lipsey.
More than likely, those teams will snatch District 2-3A Division II’s four playoff spots.
After that, San Angelo Grape Creek and TLCA San Angelo will do what they can to surprise people. Grape Creek went 5-6 last year, while TLCA was 0-10.
Ballinger Bearcats
Head coach: Ty Lang
Last year’s record: 6-5 overall, 2-3 in district
Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2020/2021
Returning lettermen: 10
Returning off./def. starters: 6/ 5
Players to watch: Nate Rivera-McDuffee, RB/LB, Sr.; Monte McKinnon, OL/DL, Sr.; Zach Canada, RB/LB, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Robert Roman, OL/DL, Sr.
2022 schedule
Aug. 26 at Sonora
Sept. 2 at Coleman
Sept. 9 - Stamford
Sept. 16 - Clyde
Sept. 23 at Mason
Oct. 7 - Early*
Oct. 14 at Wall*
Oct. 21 - Brady*
Oct. 28 at TLCA San Angelo*
Nov. 4 0 San Angelo Grape Creek*
*District
2021 results
Jim Ned L 42-7
Colorado City W 27-0
Clyde W 21-13
Llano W 35-34 (OT)
Brady L 55-41*
Grape Creek L 20-13*
Ingram Moore W 61-0*
Bangs W 46-3*
Sonora L 28-21*
Crane W 35-34
Abernathy L 45-26
Early Longhorns
Head coach: Daniel Price
Last year’s record: 9-3
Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2007/2021
Returning lettermen: 17
Returning off./def. starters: 7/6
Players to watch: Jaxyn Price, QB/DB, 6-1, 170, Sr.; John-Stewart Gordon, WR/DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.; Jeremy Brown, WR/DB, 5-8, 150, Sr.; Caleb McCullough, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Kaleb Ozuna, RB/LB, 5-9, 195, Jr.; Ki Houston, WR/DB, 5-10, 170, Jr.; Dalton Adams, OL/DL, 6-3, 220, Jr.; Cedric Morelan, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Casey Moseley, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Chris Fernandez, OL/DL, 5-10, 220, Sr.
2022 schedule
Aug. 26 at Bangs
Sept. 2 - Tolar
Sept. 9 at Comanche
Sept. 16 - Troy
Sept. 23 - Burnet
Oct. 7 at Ballinger*
Oct 14 at Brady*
Oct. 21 - San Angelo Grape Creek*
Oct. 28 at Wall*
Nov. 4 TLCA San Angelo*
*District
2021 results
Bangs W 48-12
Tolar W 33-16
Comanche W 58-14
Merkel W 48-13
San Angelo Grape Creek W 49-0
Jim Ned L 48-7*
Breckenridge L 37-20*
Clyde W 34-15*
TLCA San Angelo W 72-0*
Wall W 24-14*
Pilot Point W 43-21
Shallowater W 43-14
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Early Longhorns hoping to win first district title since 2007
