A season like no other

Texas high school football teams are getting ready for a season which, if it comes off, will be like no other in history.

Protocols for the COVID-19 pandemic largely established by the University Scholastic League, the state's governing body for high school sports, are in place, and Farwell, Bovina and Muleshoe are hopeful all goes well in a campaign which features substantial trepidation.

Coaches are excited for their teams to be playing, but remain concerned about possible stumbling blocks.

"I've been telling everybody I'll believe we'll play a game when we kick the ball off," third-year Bovina coach Cody Emery said. "Until we kick off next Friday against Boys Ranch, you just never know."

Farwell coach Darren Kelley said the Steers had a game against Texico eliminated when the New Mexico Activities Association decided to implement a plan to play its football season in the spring. That will give Farwell two open dates in a three-week period in mid-season.

Kelley, a longtime Clovis High assistant, noted that the start of the season was pushed back a week, costing the Steers one of two preseason scrimmage outings. They begin a nine-game slate on Friday by hosting New Home.

Only a small handful of the school's 180 high school students were taking classes online as the school year began last week, Kelley noted.

"We take temperature checks, and everyone is wearing a mask when not playing," he said of preseason workouts.

The coaches said they have adjusted reasonably well. Having college football in Texas this fall, courtesy of the Big 12, provided a bit of a guideline, Muleshoe coach Jason Richards noted.

"I think that really helped out," he said. "(The UIL is) kind of following their lead."

Crowds at games will be at no more than 50 percent capacity, per UIL mandate, including band members and stadium workers.

"It's a day-by-day thing," Richards said.

Here's a brief preseason look at the area teams, with last year's records in parentheses:

Farwell Steers (7-4, 4-1 Class 2A Division II District 2) - Kelley, who served as the team's defensive coordinator for the past two seasons under Danny Brittain, said the Steers appear to be in good shape with all 22 starting positions returning, including about a half-dozen players who start on both sides of the ball.

Farwell reached the 2A Division II playoffs in 2019, losing to McCamey 30-15 in the first round. The Steers, with 12 seniors on the roster, have moved up this year to Division I District 1, which also includes Panhandle, West Texas High, Sanford-Fritch, Olton and Boys Ranch.

"Last year we only had three seniors and two of them quit during the season," Kelley said. "At one time, we were starting five freshmen on defense."

The offense will be built around senior quarterback Leefe Actkinson, a third-year starter who will also see time at linebacker in 2020. Among other key players back are senior linemen Chase Lamb and Spencer Shillings, junior running back-linebacker Carlos Castillo and senior tailback-cornerback Guerrero Olmos.

Castillo led the Steers in rushing and in tackles last season.

Bovina (4-7, 2-3 Class 2A Division II District 2) - Emery said the Mustangs, who lost in the first round of last year's playoffs to Wink, should be improved with returning starters at 19 positions.

Bovina has only Sudan remaining from last season in its district, although the Mustangs will play at Farwell on Sept. 4. Others in the district are Smyer, New Home and Ropes.

"We've got a lot of seniors," Emery said. "Last year, we were pretty young and didn't have a whole lot of depth."

Senior Cole Emery, the coach's son, returns at quarterback for the Mustangs. Among other top returnees are senior guard-defensive tackle Jose Prieto, senior running back-linebacker Andrew Guevarra and sophomore running back-linebacker Darian DeLaRosa.

Coach Emery said everybody is trying to make do with the restraints placed on the sport due to the virus.

"You try to do what the government agencies ask you to do," he said. "The kids probably accept the changes easier than the adults do."

Muleshoe (0-10, 0-5 Class 3A Division I District 2) - It's been tough sledding for the Mules over the past couple of years, winning just one game during that time, but Richards said things have gone well in preseason as next week's opener at Sundown draws near.

"I'm excited; the kids have worked really hard all summer," Richards said. "The kids know that's not the standard at Muleshoe. They want to get back to where they're supposed to be."

Junior Zach Hasley returns at quarterback, and Richards said he's had a good summer camp getting ready for the season. The Mules will also rely heavily on senior tight end-linebacker Matt Fabela and sophomore wide receiver-cornerback Irvin Torres, the team's only returning all-district player.

Richards credited team trainer Stephen Seymore for staying on top of protocols for the team during the pandemic.

"Our city and administration have done a great job of working together, and the kids have done a great job of buying in," he said. "It's just kind of the new normal."