Well, it’s here! 806 football for the 2024 season has finally arrived and we aren’t short on storylines in the 806, and here’s a few to look out for.

806 WEEK ONE STORYLINES:

-ROAD WARRIORS-

1

Monterey and Lubbock-Cooper will take long road trips to start their 5A Seasons.

Monterey’s Plainsmen, led by Head Coach Judd Thrash, will travel to Oklahoma to take on Choctaw… Folks, the Yellowjackets are good, so this will be a physical game for Monterey. But I really think the Plainsmen can play with this team as their backfield with Kyree Baxter, Dezmond Williams and Duece, along with Luke Arrington and Q Boyd should be able to put some points on the board. KJ Russell and their defensive line can move some people, and they will have to win that trench battle on the road in order for Monterey to have a chance at this one. A road trip of 361 miles there, and 361 miles back..

Lubbock-Cooper also will travel 337 miles both ways to Lovejoy High School to take on the Leopards in the Bally Sports Game of the Week in Texas High School Football! Coach Darden has a great team again, led by the Trench Warrior Hudson Hamilton and players like Jackson Austin and Michael Dever on the offensive side. Defensively, the Pirates will need to pressure the Leopards and get them uncomfortable; expect Sione Vaea and Stanzione to deliver for LCP. They will make a statement to the rest of 5A DII Friday on the Texas Stage.

A couple of huge tests for our 5A schools in the 806!! Let’s get it!🔥🔥

2

Stratford is also taking a almost three hour drive to take on Abernathy Friday in a matchup where cousins will square off against each other when Kelton Carver of Abernathy and Bryce Braden of Stratford go head-to-head. Both of these guys are Division One players as Bruce has committed to Air Force in the 2025 class and Carver has 10 DI offers, but hasn’t committed yet.

3

How about Lubbock-Cooper Liberty kicking off their first Varsity game in program history Friday at New Home at 7:00pm! This game is going to be great to see just how good the Patriots are on the varsity level. They have impact players like Levi Walker on the team and one of the best coaching staffs in the State, led by Coach Sexton. New Home’s Coach Jon Ward has moved back to coaching the Offensive Line instead of Quarterbacks this fall since his entire line is new from last year’s team that went 11-1 and lost to the 2A DII State Semifinalists in Sunray.

4

There are a lot of new coaches in different places this season; how will they do in 2024? Our first new coach to look at is Eric Ward at Estacado! He inherits a ton of talent and has at least four Division One players on his roster along with an outstanding coaching staff! The important instrument that Coach Ward is trying to install is discipline. From the way the Matadors talk, to the way go about their football duties, things are changing for the Mats’ and I feel like it will pay off late in the playoffs for Ward and his team.

Also, How will Coach Roy fare at Coronado with the Mustangs? This is a big hire for LISD as the Mustangs are rooted in tradition and their community expects a quick turnaround from their 2-8 season in 2023. Players like Allen Gant, Willie Crain, Dominic Parrish, Isaiah Vazquez and Demarion Finch will be expected to help Coronado grow and mature into a solid team that can compete for a playoff spot in a very tough 2-5A DI district.

Breaking News, Tips??

Jasone Pearson

806.559.9996