The new District 3-2A drawn up by University Interscholastic League officials brings teams normally accustomed to playing each other in some non-district games back into the same district — with a little twist.

These foes will now see each other in games that will matter more than ever to hopes of making the postseason. Five of the seven teams in the district — Abernathy, Denver City, Idalou, Littlefield and Post — made the playoffs in 2007. Some even met in the playoffs for the second time in 2007 (Idalou beat Abernathy in the regular season and the first round of the playoffs).
“This is going to be an interesting year,” Shallowater quarterback Andrew Morris said. “It’s one of those things where no team can afford, even more now, to take a week off because one slip-up could cost you the postseason.”

With old rivalries renewed and others just beginning, the teams surviving to make the playoffs could make for an interesting run toward a district championship in 2008.

Abernathy

Back for his sixth year at Abernathy, coach Tony Truelove returns 16 lettermen from a 2007 playoff team — including 14 starters. The Antelopes have not won a district title since 2001 but look to shake things up after realignment put them back into district play with Idalou and Denver City.

Senior offensive tackle Adrian Lopez will anchor the eight returnees on offense, making the all-district and All-South Plains teams and was an honorable mention for all-state in 2007. Senior running back Peyton Rogers will lead the charge offensively after compiling 926 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

“Obviously Lopez and some of our other leading players are going to be big for us,” Truelove said. “But the bottom line is we need to stay healthy to be able to make it through this season.”
Senior linebacker Ethan Hunt will take the mission of leading the Antelopes on the defensive side of the ball. Hunt was also an all-district and All-South Plains player in 2007 with 120 tackles on the year. He will be joined by six returning starters, including senior defensive back Jarrett Lester who will try to follow up after his five-interception season a year ago.

Denver City

The Mustangs will also look to make a playoff run after making it into the first round of last year’s postseason. Denver City will have the challenge of rebuilding a squad in the tough district after losing 23 lettermen from last season while returning 10 to this year’s squad.

Sophomore quarterback Alberto Alarcon will lead the offensive charge for the Mustangs, along with senior running back Zach Ramon and senior wideout Nik Gudel.

The four returning starters defensively will have their hands full but have experience at the linebacker position with seniors Ramon and Mikie Sherman.

Idalou

Coach Johnny Taylor knows what it takes to keep a team in its winning ways. With 16 lettermen returning, Taylor hopes to make two more steps in the postseason after last year’s run. The Wildcats went undefeated (10-0, 5-0 District 4-2A) before suffering their first loss in the Region I final, 21-18 to eventual state champion Canadian.

Senior quarterback Sean Reagan will try to step up his 1,200-plus-yard performance from a year ago, including 13 TDs. Offensive MVP Tanner Cook also returns after putting up 2,249 yards on the ground and scoring 22 touchdowns.

“Well, we want (Reagan) to be as good, if not better, than last year,” Taylor said. “At least that’s what were hoping for is to see some improvement.”

Reagan’s presence will be most felt by other teams on the defensive side of the ball. The senior linebacker had 113 tackles in 2007 — 17 of which were for a loss. One big question will be who will step up to replace the departed seniors on the offensive line to help produce the same numbers the Wildcats had a year ago.

Littlefield

Littlefield is a likely favorite by some to make a run for the District 3-2A title after falling just short to Childress in 2007.

Like Idalou, these Wildcats also saw their postseason end in the Division I Region I final, 17-14 to Early. Six offensive starters and five on defense build the foundation of 13 returning lettermen to make the run in 2008.

Senior tight end Steven Hobratschk returns after a 293-yard performance last season and will lead the way for senior quarterback Fernando Barrio and senior running back Dustin Cooper. Senior linebacker Blake Torres will be the head of the defensive unit that gave up an average of just 17 points per game last year.

Post

The Antelopes will try to keep the same pace they ended on a year ago in District 4-2A. Coach Chris Jones’ squad began the year 2-3 but finished 4-1 in district play before losing 42-0 to Childress in the opening round.

Senior offensive lineman Josh Rodriguez will lead the way on offense for running back Giles Dalby and quarterback Clint Windham.

Post returns six starters defensively, including free safety Jarrett Blevins. Linebackers Mitch James and Chad Miller will also be interesting to watch in 2008.

Roosevelt

After 14 years in coaching, Greg Poynor is ready to take the next step. The way he figures, there’s no better place than Roosevelt.

A longtime assistant at Muleshoe and Portales, N.M., the Eastern New Mexico graduate steps into his first head coaching job with the Eagles hoping to push a program that has perennially knocked on the playoff door through to a district title for the first time in 22 years.

“The thing that impresses me about Roosevelt is I think it’s a community that wants to win,” said Poynor, who previously was the defensive coordinator at Muleshoe. “We have great support from the superintendent and principal and teachers, and that makes this a great place to be … and a really good job to have.”

Poynor brings with him the offensive scheme used by Muleshoe that has allowed the Mules to be one of the most prolific attacks on the South Plains.

That system depends on a strong quarterback, and Poynor feels he has that in senior signal-caller Corey Warnock. Warnock. He will have solid targets in the passing game, led by senior Jamar Anderson. Anderson, a second-team all-district selection, and fellow seniors Benji Cranston, Kevin Fowler and Poynor’s son, Brian.

Poynor intends to also shape the Roosevelt defense in the mold of a Muleshoe team that allowed just 207 yards per game, and to facilitate that transition brought with him Ted Johnson to be his defensive coordinator. Roosevelt’s defense last year wasn’t that bad, surrendering just 237 yards per game and returns several key components.

Shallowater

Coach Speedy Faith will shake things up on his roster and try to do the same in 2008 after missing out on the playoffs with a 2-7 finish a year ago.

Senior Andrew Morris, brother of Texas Tech wideout Eric Morris, will lead the offense after racking up more than 2,100 yards and 28 touchdowns a year ago. A key target for him could be big tight end Jordan Scaff (6-foot-7, 220 pounds) who caught 29 passes for 308 yards and three TDs a year ago.

“We’ve got some guys really looking good through practice so far,” Morris said. “My (offensive) line in front of me is playing great right now and it’s nice to know you have solid guys like that blocking for you.”

Morris will also help lead the team defensively, a squad Faith said should be improved with linebackers Corey Rodriguez and Hestin Hurst.

Slaton

Coach Grady Benton returns 12 lettermen — five starters on each side of the ball — who will try to put last season as far behind them as possible, finishing 4-6, 1-4 in District 4-2A.

The Tigers join the other seven teams in the realignment with the same hopes of returning to the playoffs, something the team has not done since 2006. Quarterback Jace Chancellor and running back Andy Garcia will lead the offense for Benton. Chancellor totaled more than 1,200 yards last season, scoring 15 touchdowns. Garcia had six TDs.

The key for the Tigers on defense will be linebackers Jason Meurer and Cody Peck, who had 59 and 67 tackles, respectively, in 2007.