2018 District 2-6A Preview

Update – Permian 42, OHS 10
This is the district home opener for Permian, and what better way than have it against the crosstown rival Bronchos. Former Mojo player and graduate Danny Servance is in his third year at the helm at OHS. Odessa High went through the non-district slate winning four games, while losing to Lubbock Coronado 30-27 at Ratliff Stadium.

The Bronchos accumulated 184 points and gave up 65 during those five games.  The offense is led by quarterback Trey Smith (6’0″ 215) and running back Josh Lara.  Odessa High has a tendency to run the ball first, and then pass to keep opponent defenses from stacking the box.  They average 217 yards rushing, while passing for another 194 yards a game.  The primary receiving targets are Tyrone Cauilfield (6’0″ 175), Michael Gonzales (5’10” 190), and junior Julian Galindo.

OHS has defensively limited opponents in yardage and points on the scoreboard thus far.  The Bronchos have held opponents to an average of 13 points a game.  Linebacker Cade Mendoza leads the team in tackles and Darrieyon Rangel tops the sack chart.  Oscar Lucio was moved to defensive end and has been solid in containing plays ran to the outside.  Charles McClure (5’10” with 4.4 speed) has a nose for the ball.

Update – Panthers 32, Rebels 25
This is the first district Mojo Road Show of 2018 for Permian.  Coach Ken Plunk is in his ninth year at Tascosa, and used to be an assistant coach for the Panthers. The Rebels went through the non-district slate winning three games, while losing to Amarillo High 28-21 and Brownsville Hanna 35-19.

Out of the flexbone set, the Rebels have a tendency to run the ball three-to-one over passing.  They average 347 yards rushing a game, while passing for just 59 yards. Tascosa has scored an average of 29 points a game.  The offense is navigated by quarterback Joseph Plunk (5’9″ 170).  The offensive workhorse is running back and Purdue commit King Doerue (6’0″ 200).  He is accompanied in the backfield by junior Ayden Noriega (5’9″ 165).  Plunk can not only run and pass, but doubles as a defensive back.

Tascosa’s defense averages giving up 23 points a game so far this season.  Quickness is their strength and the Rebels have a corp of defensive backs.  Brandon White (6’1″ 170), Taylar McKellar (5’11” 180), and Plunk have size and speed.  The defensive anchors are ends L.B. Moore (6’3″ 215) and Randall Campbell (6’0″ 225).  Both have the ability to sack and contain outside plays.  Middle linebacker D’Andre Campbell (5’8″ 175) has done a good job plugging up the holes all season.

Update – Permian 34, Midland 7
Midland High lost their district home opener to Amarillo Tascosa (36-20), but defeated Frenship (34-28 OT).  MHS made it to the Bi-District Round of the state playoffs in 2017 with a team composed of several sophomores and juniors.  The Bulldogs are hoping a year of experience will have them more competitive.  The offense has quarterback Suddin Sapien (6’3″ 220) as a second year leader.  Running backs Tim Gates (5’8″ 180) and D.Q. Harris (5’9″ 175) are also returning starters in the backfield.  Midland returns the majority of their offensive line, as well.

The Bulldogs have been averaging 235 yards a game rushing, while adding another 190 through the air.  Juniors Campbell Keithley (6’1″ 220) and Josh Lehrer (5’9″ 160) have been Sapien’s main targets.  The offense produces an average of 30 points a game.  Kicker Ivan Campos has been solid adding field goals and extra points to the offensive effort for two years now.

Defensively, Midland High gives up 34 yards a game.  The Bulldogs have a pair of linebackers in Smith Essman (5’10” 200) and Marshall Mayfield that are the better part of the defense.  Ethan Ruiz has come along as a force on defensive line in recent weeks.

Update – Permian 38, Frenship 10
Frenship went through the non-district slate winning three and losing two. They lost to Midland Lee in the district opener (51-15) and Midland High in overtime (34-28). Unlike most teams in 2-6A, Frenship throws twice as many times as running the ball. Quarterback Austin Phillips (6’3″ 220) directs the spread offense.  He has completed 65% of his passes. Joining him in the backfield is running back William Bayouth (5’10” 180), who has been averaging 4.5 yards a carry. Phillips also uses Bayouth as a receiver.  Cage Jones handles the kicking duties and has made 90% of his extra points and 50% of his field goal attempts, with a 40-yarder being the longest.

The senior signal caller has a handful of talented receivers including: Drew Hocutt (5’11” 165), Skyler Newsome (6’4″ 205), Cooper Scott (5’10” 165), and Max Rowley (6’1″ 180). Ethan Filio (6’4″ 295) and Jack Woodward (6’3″ 300) have given Frenship the big physical blocking on the offensive line.

Linebackers Jake Gilbert (6’0″ 220) and Tristan Laughlin (5’11” 190), along with Jaden Lemons (5’9″ 175) have led the defense in tackles this year. Senior linebacker Tobi Banire (5’10” 185), DL Evan Barboza (6’1″ 235), and DL Cayson Brito (5’10” 230) lead the team in sacks, though blitzing is not a particular strength of the Tigers’ defense. Safety Christian Kiser (5’9″ 160) leads the team in interceptions with three, followed by junior DE Colton Anderson (6’0″ 185) with two so far this season.

Midland Lee went 4-1 through the non-district schedule, losing 31-24 to Abilene High the second game of the season.  The Rebels began district with strong wins over Frenship (51-15) and Odessa High (42-7), but lost to Amarillo Tascosa (49-26). Lee made it to the Regional Semifinal Round of the state playoffs in 2017, and return 10 of those starters this season.  The offense will look to skill players:  running back Josh Traylor (5’8″ 185), senior receiver Sheldon Bass (6’3″ 180), and junior receiver Loic Fouonji (6’5″ 190).  Traylor has already rushed for over 1,000 yards this season.  Fouonji leads in receptions, followed by three-year starter Bass. 

Permian will more than likely see Felix Hinojosa (6’0″ 170) taking snaps under center.  The Rebels have been averaging 287 yards a game rushing, while adding another 194 through the air.  The offense is averaging 481 total yards a game through the seven contests in 2018.  Hinojosa has completed 57% of his passes, though he missed two games.  Lee is producing an average of 39 points a game.  LHS has John Thompson as kicker, and his longest field goal is from only 35 yards out.

Defensively, Lee is stacked.  Linebackers Trent Low (6’1″ 225) and Charles Gonzales (6’2″ 235) lead the team in sacks, hurries, and tackles.  Another tough one is junior Michael Hinojosa (6’0″ 195).  Two-way playmaker Isaiah Harvey (6’1″ 190) makes his presence known on the field at middle linebacker, but also backs up Traylor in the backfield.  Jaiven White (6’4″ 295) and Tracy Mackey (6’4″ 265) have size, and surprisingly, good speed as they anchor the defensive line.  The standout in the defensive backfield is junior Karl Taylor (6’0″ 170).  He has the athletic ability to be another major FBS recruit.  Oscar Valadez will also factor in as a defender to pass attempts downfield.