Press Pass Sports spoke with Abernathy head coach Keith Bloskas during fall workouts. Bloskas takes over as the new head coach of the Antelopes after being promoted from offensive coordinator. Abernathy brings back seven starters on both sides of the ball off a team that was hit by the injury bug last season. Bloskas talked about the transition of taking over, building off last year’s spring and the expectation of his team.

2025 resume

Head coach: Keith Bloskas, First season as head coach at Abernathy, 18th season overall in coaching.
2025 Record: 5-6 overall, 2-3 in District 2-2A Division I. Class 2A Division I bi-district finalist.

Returning starters

Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Season opener: vs. Denver City, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

Football player in maroon helmet and gray jersey reaches for a catch as a ball sails nearby on a sunny field. — Senior standout Caden Bird finished with 1,300 all-purpose yards last season. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Caden Bird, 5-foot-11, 165-pounds, RB-WR-DB, Sr.

Explosive and versatile barely scratches the surface when it comes to describing Bird. The Antelopes do-it-all standout can beat you running the ball, or getting open down field as a receiver. Look out in the secondary as well, because he’s liable to snag an interception. Last season, Bird was exceptional, tallying 1,300 all-purpose yards with 15 touchdowns.

Gio Soto, 5-foot-9, 155, RB-LB, Jr.

The hard-nosed Soto is a bruising type of player that isn’t scared to get physcial in the trenches. Soto is low to the ground and always and can grind out yards and he’s a very dependable defensive lineman that racked up 10 tackles a game last season.

Kolt Micheletti, 5-foot-10, RB-DB, Sr.

With Bird and Soto, Micheletti helps put together a stacked backfield and dangerous skill group for the Antelopes. Coach Bloskas was very impressed with Micheletti’s offseason and the work he’s put coming into the season after chewing up 585 yards on the ground a year ago.