The high school football season is one week away. In anticipation for kickoff, Press Pass Sports is providing fans with district projections within a highly competitive Class 2A from Division I and Division II around the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Tyler Anderson gives us his predictions featuring teams such as Abernathy, Gruver, Hale Center, Highland Park, New Deal, New Home, Panhandle, Stratford, Sunray, Wellington and Wheeler.
District 1-2A
Division I
1. Panhandle: Despite an area round exit last year, the Panthers have all of the ingredients for a deep postseason run in 2025. Army commit Broxton Robinson can do it all on both sides of the ball. He’s backed up by a perimeter playmaker in Caden Armes and a tough-as-nails trio — Gavan Brookshire, Diego Montoya and Jack Sinclair — in the trenches.
2. West Texas High: The hype is real around the Palace on the Plains. Quarterback Cayde Winters should pick up where he left off in 2024, a campaign that saw the dual-threat signal caller rack up 1,704 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. Winters has Kelby Sherwood in the backfield and Jasper Rippetoe at wideout, while Ty Buck, Kolson Cassity and Deacon Smith pave the road or keep Winters on his feet.
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3. Sunray: The Bobcats have been through it this preseason. On Aug. 3, Bobcat Stadium was damaged due to a destructive storm. In the face of that adversity, the program and community have circled the wagons and are rallying together. On the field, the Bobcats lost a massive senior class and will be a different team compared to last year. But with deep playoff runs the young guys did get a lot of practices the past two seasons. QB Ezekiel Grajeda takes over as starter. Fortunately, head coach Wes Boatmun has Mason Gray and Ethan Balderrama anchoring the line.
4. Spearman: Thanks to valuable experience in 2024, the Lynx are battle hardened. QB Hudson Swan should continue his upward trajectory, alongside running back Jailen Vasquez. Landon Sonnenberg, who is a solid 6-2 and 185-pounds, will also be a guy to watch for. He’ll be looked upon to provide balance to Spearman’s run-heavy approach, and on the defensive front.
5. Highland Park: With head coach Ty Stout entering his fourth year, the Hornets could play the wild card in a stacked District 1-2A Division I. The Hornets return nine starters on offense and defense, and QB Josh Marler will be the dynamo who makes “The Park” go. Israel Arana should complement Marler at wideout and will be called upon as a leader on defense.
6. Sanford-Fritch: Even though first-year head coach Brandon Bennett has plenty of work to do, he’ll have experienced players going to battle for him and the Eagles. Rocky Ferguson and Ethan Beltran will be key pieces, as well as Drayton Renville and JR Bowen. If the Eagles can steal a few wins in non-district, they’re making the right moves.
Best game
Oct. 17: Panhandle at West Texas High
Last year, this game was a rout — as Panhandle cruised to a 69-12 victory over the Comanches. WT High is determined to not let history repeat itself, particularly on their home turf. One thing is for certain, the final score should be much, much closer this time around.
District 2-2A
1. Post: After a tremendous run to the state quarterfinals, life is looking good for the Bold Gold Post Antelopes. Head coach John Wright has 14 starters back, including a one-two offensive punch in QB Landyn Garcia and WR Draven Gonzales. Fellow wideout Sean Ramos will be another strong option on the perimeter. Coach Wright’s son, Mason, will spearhead the line, while the trio of Max Cole, Colton Hawkins and Luca Perez possess the abilities to give opposing offenses fits. Anything short of a deep playoff run will be seen as a letdown.
2. Abernathy: Depth is a great thing to have on the football field, and the Antelopes have it at the skill positions. While QB Jagger Wiley should maintain his upward climb as a signal caller, the true strength may form on the line. Head coach Justin Wiley is big on Jake Harkey and Ryan Hillis, which should soften the blow sustained from graduation. The Antelopes do start with a challenging non-district slate, but those contests will serve as a good litmus test for the league schedule.
3. New Home: A string of playoff appearances will do wonders for a program. Just ask the Leopards. The town is growing, which means more talent and depth will move in head coach Jon Ward’s direction. New Home has some question marks up front, which should be addressed by district time. Fortunately, the Leopards do possess playmakers in QB Brayson Beck, RB Ryder Starkey and a pair of wideouts in Colby Cook and Parker Liles.
4. New Deal: Last year left a sour taste in the Lions mouths and they are eager to return to the playoffs. There’s a solid nucleus in QB Dallas Sumner, Jones Rodriguez Dalton Martin. The opening slate is no walk in the park, but it should prepare the Lions for district play.
5. Olton: Last season, the Mustangs kept their postseason streak alive at five consecutive seasons. The Mustangs’ success will lie on RB Isaiah Ruiz and three-year starter Fabian Gutierrez. QB Brady Azam will need to step up, and DL Keon Brown will look to plug holes on the line.
6. Floydada: The Whirlwinds have plenty of experience on the line, with the presence of Christian Contreras, Andrew Delgado, Jakob Deochoa and Jerald Henderson. Head coach J.R. Compton and his staff will have to seek out some skill guys. They have John Paul Lopez at running back, need some more guys to step up — especially when district arrives on Oct. 10.
Best game
Nov. 7: Abernathy at Post
Sometimes, a regular season schedule tends to save its best showdowns for last. Last year, the “Battle of the ‘Lopes” was a nailbiter, with Post emerging victorious with a 21-13 decision. Will the Bold Gold protect their home range? Or, will Abernathy steal one on the road?
District 1-2A
Division II
1. Gruver: With a state semifinal trip and plenty of returners in the coffers, there’s an aura of expectation surrounding the Greyhounds. Now, it’s all about managing — perhaps even downplaying — that hype. QB Briggs Satterfield (2,935 yards, 37 TDs passing) has the tools and the guys around, like Brock Butler, Nick Shepard and sophomore Mason Lankford. You also can’t discount Dax Conyers. The mission is developing a strong set of guys up front, and mold LB Victor Flores into a force to be reckoned with.
2. Stratford: Despite seeing Bryce Braden depart for the Air Force Academy, the Elks’ philosophy remains the same — next man up. This season, it’s Chase Lantelme’s time to shine. He should build upon his 1,319 passing yards, with the help of WR Darius Jones and Hudson Holland. The Elks will be challenged in their opening slate, with Abernathy, Panhandle, Sunray, and Childress on the schedule. But that hasn’t stopped Stratford from piling up wins before.
3. Farwell: New head coach Derrick Shelton will aim to bring Farwell back, with the help of an experienced bunch. Hudson Agree, the Steers’ leading receiver, returns. However, he’ll need someone who can get the ball to him. Whoever takes up the QB1 role, he’ll have protection from William Husted and Hunter Ruthardt. Offensive lineman Chris Reyes will play a key role, as well.
4. Bovina: Wade Wilson returns to the Texas Panhandle and has quite the roster to take over at Bovina as the new head football coach. One extreme positive for Wilson is having Angel Lara returning on both sides of the ball. Lara is as good a player as they come and one of the more underrated players in the Texas Panhandle.
5. Vega: Head coach Jason Porton and the Longhorns have experienced highs and have endured through lows. This season, there is experience returning just not a lot of depth. Running back Omar Segovia and Trypp Busby are a pair of players to keep an eye on.
Best game
Oct. 10: Gruver at Stratford
The rivalry between Gruver and Stratford goes back a long way. There certainty isn’t a lot of love between the two programs. Last year, Gruver held on for a 33-26 victory at Greyhound Stadium. This season will be no different and could easily come down to a breathtaking score or a formidable last stand in the final moments.
District 2-2A
Division II
1. Sudan: Out of everyone within District 2-2A Division II, it’s the Hornets who should field the most complete team. QB Caleb Groetken can sling it, and he can run it. Furthermore, he has some hard charging linemen up front in Kincaid Boehning, Westen Cannon, Joaquin Salas and Louis Vargas.
2. Hale Center: Last season the Owls earned their first district championship in nearly four decades and retrieved their first golden football in nearly three. Over the summer, Hale Center made its first appearance at the 7-on-7 State Tournament. Expect this program to take more strides in 2025.
3. Lockney: The Longhorns have the senior leadership. Now, it’s time to bring the young guys up to speed. Lockney boasts a quartet of offensive playmakers in QB Aatrayu Leal, RB Darrin Jimenez, and a pair of receivers in Daniel Alvarado and Dahlen Silva.
4. Morton: It’ll be a little different but a little bit of the same, as Trevor Bulmer steps in as head coach for the departing Keith Mauldin. He’ll have QB Brayden Villarreal leading the Indians on the field on both sides of the ball. EJ Rivas is another two-way player who will be a key component in a potential return to the postseason.
5. Crosbyton: The Chieftains possess what it takes to get back to the postseason and will be battling for the third and fourth spots.
6. Ralls: The Jackrabbits love to run the football and have the dudes to it but can the defense keep them in the ball game when it counts.
Best game
Oct. 24: Hale Center at Sudan
This contest may be much more than who gets to claim a district crown. For the Owls, defeating the Hornets on the road means that last year was no fluke. In Sudan’s camp, it’s about tacking onto their relatively recent tradition of success. Whatever happens, it has the makings of a shootout, which is always entertaining (albeit stressful) for the masses.
District 5-2A
Division II
1. Wheeler: The Mustangs put together their best campaign since 2019. Now, can they build on this momentum, capture an elusive district crown and go on an exciting playoff run? The answer may be yes, as Wheeler is paced by standout QB Creed Newkirk. Over the offseason, he’s only gotten better at his craft. Wheeler has the size in Jackson Graves and other key pieces.
2. Wellington: The Skyrockets may be smaller than in the past, but head coach Greg Proffitt is only reloading. That’s just the Wellington tradition of churning out great players, and this season is no different with Noah Cantu leading the way. QB Callen Kane and LB KJ Molina anchors the defense, enriching that tradition of stout Skyrocket defenders.
3. Shamrock: Head coach Nate Skelton never lacked in the offensive department. Although splendid receivers are abundant, the Fighting Irish need a signal caller. Whatever happens, the Irish should possess the firepower to return to the playoffs.
4. Quanah: Following a string of seasons where the Indians finished with two wins or less, this might be the year where the tables begin to turn in their favor. Quanah has a dangerous run game, and quarterback Prather Parr will continue to develop nicely, but the defense has to improve.
5. Memphis: The Cyclones could be a dark horse for the fourth and final playoff spot. They have a sturdy senior class and added depth, as Armando Saenz takes over the quarterback position. The Cyclones also have a friendly opening slate, which should prepare them for the district gauntlet.
6. Clarendon: For the Broncos, there’s nowhere to go but up, after a winless season in 2024. Head coach Jeff Caffey returns to the Texas Panhandle in hopes of rebuilding the Broncos. The big issue is, they need someone to churn out some yardage. The non-league schedule, made up of Panhandle, Sanford-Fritch, Highland Park, Gruver and Lockney, won’t make a possible turnaround any easier.
Best game
Oct. 31: Wellington at Wheeler
Instead of taking your kids out for candy on Halloween night, you could treat them with what could be an instant classic. Both the Mustangs and Skyrockets have something to prove, following Wellington’s narrow 23-14 victory last season at Powell Field. Creed Newkirk and Noah Cantu will bring the star power. The question is, who will emerge as the best supporting actor?