Press Pass Sports spoke with veteran New Deal coach Matt Hill during fall workouts. Hill has been coaching at his alma mater for 32 years and has spent 14 years as the head football coach of the Lions. Hill is proud of the tradition that’s been built at New Deal and is exited for the season with 14 starters returning. Hill talked about his coaching tree with five former players on staff and what to look for from his team this season.

2025 resume

Head coach: Matt Hill 14th year at New Deal, 107-35. 14th year as head football coach, 32nd overall.
2025 Record: 6-4 overall, 4-1 in District 2-2A Division I. Class 2A Division I bi-district finalist.

Returning starters

Offense: 7
Defense: 7
Season opener: at Farwell, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

Football player in green jersey and orange helmet runs on a track- turf field with a fence in the background. — Josiah Mendoza is expected to play a bigger role on both sides of the ball for the New Deal Lions this season. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Josiah Mendoza, 6-foot-1, 185-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.

With the loss at the skill position look for coach Matt Hill to look for the next man up, and that’s Mendoza. Mendoza had just 100 yards receiving last season, but he’ll be much more involved in the offense this year for QB Colt Ramsey. Mendoza will also play a big factor on the defensive side for New Deal.

Lane Proctor, 6-foot-2, 235-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.

New Deal has always been known as a team that loves to run the football and be physical up front and Proctor fits that mold perfectly. The two-year starter was All-District on both sides of the ball last season and as explosive as he is blocking he is just as forceful at handling himself defensively.

Michael Beck, 5-foot-8, 210-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.

Though undersized, Beck plays with all heart every time he’s on the gridiron. Coach Hill loves Beck’s passion, work ethic and his accountability to lead his team. Expect to see Beck as a captain for the Lions this season and a key cog on both signs of the line.