BOSQUE SIX-MAN SPOTLIGHT: Week 8

Do-Or-Die Time: Bosque County six-man football teams open district play; 14th-ranked Iredell enters as favorite in District 12-1A, DII, surprising Kopperl takes frontrunner position

With the long-awaited district competition finally kicking off for the five Bosque County six-man football teams under the Friday night lights this week, every game carries postseason implications with it.

After all, with the surprising Kopperl Eagles and defending district champion Morgan Eagles competing in the four-team District 10-1A, Division II, while the 14th-ranked Iredell Dragons. the Cranfills Gap Lions and the Walnut Springs Hornets battle with the Bluff Dale Bobcats in District 12-1A, DII, every Friday night in district becomes a do-or-die situation.

IREDELL Dragons (6-1)

After opening the 2023 Texas high school football season with a disappointing loss to perennial powerhouse May, the 14th-ranked Iredell Dragons have won six straight games to emerge as the clear favorite in District 12-1A, DII, followed by Bluff Dale (4-3), Cranfills Gap (3-4) and Walnut Springs (2-5).

“The pre-season started with a few tough matchups early,”Iredell head coach Luis Guereca said. “We were able to learn from them and improve on some of our weaknesses. As much as we have improved from week one, I like where we are at right now. We’ll still look to improve each week.

“All of the teams in our district have some form of opportunity to rise to the top,” Guereca said. “Everyone is going to need to play well for us to finish on top. We know we have to take it one week at a time. Staying focused each week and working hard is going to be very important the next three weeks.”

With a young team loaded with talent, the Dragons surprised in 2022 and picked up right where they left off this season. Sophomore Cole Heutzenroeder leads the Dragons with 808 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns along with completing 14 of 29 passes for 267 yards and four scores, while topping the Iredell defensive with 57 tackles.

“It’s hard to name a few players because there are too many to list,” Guereca said. “I think all of our kids have improved each week. All have success because of the guy next to them. We really have committed to playing for one another.”

KOPPERL Eagles (5-2)

After losing only two non-district games by a total of two points, the young and surprising Kopperl Eagles have soared to become the apparent frontrunner going into District 10-1A, DII competition with the Bynum Bulldogs (4-3), the Mount Calm Panthers (4-3) and the defending district champion Morgan Eagles (2-4).

“As a team, we feel that we should be 7-0 after a couple of close last-minute losses,” Kopperl first-year head coach Ken Davis said. “But I think with all the close games we’ve had, that it gives us a better opportunity going into district to hang with everybody and possibly sneak into the playoffs. Our district is wide open and I think any of the four teams are capable of being a playoff team.”

Junior Christian Falk leads the Eagles 769 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns along with completing 48 of 80 passes for727 yards and 10 scores while topping the team with 83 total tackles.

“Christian Falk is our stat leader in most categories, but he will be the first to tell you that it is a total team effort this year,” Davis said. “Anthony Johnson and Bearon Brinkley are our defensive stalwarts while Kevin Eilers and Isaac Payen have been the go-to guys on the offensive receiving end.

The group that has helped as much as anything is our kicking game. We can kick deep because I have six guys hustling down the field to make a play. Christian Falk, Bearon Brinkley and four freshmen — Jairo Vega, Dalton Tidwell, Kaden Watts and Everett Falk – gives us defensive field position on almost every kick.”

CRANFILLS GAP Lions (3-4)

Still searching for a consistent formula, the Cranfills Gap Lions could prove to be the sleeper pick from District 12-1A, DII behind district favorite Iredell.

“If we are going to make a run for a district title and make playoffs, we have to get more physical and assertive,” Cranfills Gap athletic director Josh Raulston said. “I thought we did well and was tested multiple weeks. Our preseason schedule gave us a lot of ups and downs which helped define who we are. Now we just need to clean up some of our weak points fight for our spot.

“Iredell has proven themselves to be the top dog and they will be a tough team to contend with. Walnut and Bluff Dale are no exceptions. They will all be playing their best football and we have to do the same.

“If we come away with a win against Walnut this first week, we put ourselves in a great spot to battle Bluff Dale for a playoff spot. Then, we can finish with a fight for the district title with Iredell. I’m excited about the next three weeks. It’s the best part of the season.”

Senior Blake Allen leads the Lions with 644 yards rushing for eight touchdowns along with completing 26 of 51 passes for 432 yards and four scores while topping Iredell with 41 tackles and three interceptions.

“Blake has been great for us,” Raulston said. “He has been leading the charge on both sides of the ball doing everything he can to help this team win. Senior Jonathan Rodriguez has been a man on a mission. He has been the role model for being physical and tough. Sophomore Diego Rodriguez has been great in keeping our team together role modeling discipline. He has a bright future for Cranfills Gap.”

MORGAN Eagles (2-4)

Looking for their third district title in four seasons and their fourth straight trip to the playoffs, the Morgan Eagles expect to compete in the balanced District 10-1A, DII despite producing mixed results during their non-district schedule.

“Our season has been a lot of ups and downs,” Morgan first-year head coach Chuck Wilson said. “We are very young, and these guys have not had a different coach in seven years. So, the fact that we are adjusting is fairly accurate.

“I think it is safe to say that Bynum is the team to beat this year in our district, but I think it is still up for grabs. We all have a shot this year, and Friday night we will find out.”

Senior Mark Anthony Garcia engineers the Eagles offensive attack, completing 73 of 118 passes for 1,077 yards and 16 touchdowns, while leading the Morgan defense with 73 tackles and three interceptions. Sophomore Adrian Alonzo leads the ground attack with 345 yards rushing for seven touchdowns, while junior Zach Mitchell has caught 47 passes for 553 yards and seven scores.

“Garcia has really stepped up this year and taken the reins,” Wilson said. “Junior wide receiver Zach Mitchell is a beast and performs every time we get on the field. And last but not least, sophomore Adrian Alonso has taken the opportunities given him this year.”

WALNUT SPRINGS Hornets (2-5)

Struggling to overcome injuries from the opening night of the season, the Walnut Springs Hornets have shown the potential to be explosive and competitive when healthy and fully-loaded.

“We’ve struggled this year with injuries, but we seem to have most of our guys back after the week off,” Walnut Springs veteran head coach Lonnie Flippen said. “And everyone is motivated to finish strong in district play. We know that Cranfills Gap is focused on us, but we plan to be prepared for that important opening game.”

Despite playing in only three games, senior Diego Muniz leads the Hornets with 373 yards rushing for six touchdowns along with completing 18 of 30 passes for 314 yards and five scores. With Muniz on the field, Walnut Springs can compete with anyone.

“Iredell appears to be the team to beat,” Flippen said. “They have played extremely well all season, and I know Coach Guereca has them ready to make a playoff run. I understand that Bluff Dale has struggled with numbers all year, but they have compiled a better record than us.

“I believe our kids will rise to the occasion. Our seniors have only made the playoffs once and they are hungry. If we maintain our focus and can stay healthy, there is no reason that we can’t be a spoiler. That’s our plan anyway.”

Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS