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2018 PREVIEW WWW.KDHNEWS.COM TE AS TOUGHPRESENTED BY KDH MEDIA GROUP & KDHPRESSBOX Now O pen for R egistration School Year 2018-2019 *FUN ACTIVITIES Kouma SAC - Clear Creek Elem *HEALTHY SNACK *TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED Walker SAC - Meadows Elem PARENT CENTRAL SERVICES: BLDG 121, 761ST TANK BATTALION BLVD Montague SAC - Montague Elem CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO: Venable SAC - Venable Elem (254) 287-8029 Muskogee SAC - Oveta Culp HobbHobby, Clarke & Meadows Elem Vice President / General Manager TERRY E. GANDY Managing Editor ROSE FITZPATRICK Assistant Sports Editor CLAY WHITTINGTON From le ! , Sports Design Editor Mark W. Miller, Assistant Sports Editor Clay Whittington Sports Design Editor and Reporter Felisa Cardenas. MARK W. MILLER FROM THE EDITOR Football season is here. Contributing Writers Once again it is time to take in the incredible athleticism and intense competition, but football season brings much more. FELISA CARDENAS, Along with the game, this time of year provides a sense of community as cheerleaders, dance teams, bands, family and friends bond around the GARRETT ROSS, TEE WORD players. At the Killeen Daily Herald, we are proud to be part of this experience, providing readers with a preview of the season thanks to contributions Cover Design from Assistant Sports Editor Clay Whittington, who compiled the cover- age for this magazine, Sports Design Editor Mark W. Miller, who laid out RENEE BLUE the pages, and staff writer Felisa Cardenas as a reporter. Football season is here. Enjoy everything it brings. Contributing Photographers GABE WOLF, ANDY ZAVOINA, High School Football College Football DENNIS KNOWLTON, Belton High School 4 Mary Hardin-Baylor 55 JASON HOEKEMA, Copperas Cove High School 9 Baylor University 56 JEROMIAH LIZAMA Ellison High School 14 University of Texas 57 Harker Heights High School 19 Texas A&M University 58 Advertising Killeen High School 24 University of North Texas 59 KDH MEDIA GROUP 254.501.7500 Shoemaker High School 29 Texas Christian University 60 Gatesville High School 34 University of Houston 61 Texas Tough is a KDH Media Group Publication. Lampasas High School 39 Texas Tech 62 Salado High School 44 Big 12 Preview 63 KDH Media Group Florence High School 49 Key Transfers 64 PO Box 1300 • 1809 Florence Rd. Killeen, TX 76541 On the cover: (From left) Harker Height’s Dorian Black, Ellison’s Isiah Brown, Shoemaker’s Claude Williams, Killeen’s D.J. Dormeus and 254.501.7590 Copperas Cove’s Robert Troy. KDHPRESSBOX.COM 3 Tigers get boost from state 7-on-7 BY FELISA CARDENAS The Belton Tigers have most of their receivers returning for the 2018 season, and head coach Sam Skidmore spent the spring watch- ing his players compete for two available starting positions on the offensive line. “We lost both our running backs last year,” Skidmore said. “But for the most part the offense had a good spring, a good 7-on-7.” Belton advanced to state in 7-on-7 this summer before losing in the fi r st round of the championship bracket. “Making it BELTON OFFENSE to state in 7-on- 7 was big for us,” added Skidmore. With both running backs gradu- ating last year, the second-year head coach noticed a few athletes step up to compete for the starting jobs. “We’re just trying to feel that out HERALD | FILE and see who wins what spots,” he Belton wide receiver Anthony Fairbanks said. “But you never know until you hauls in a 7-yard touchdown pass against BELTON TIGERS put those pads on and get ready to Harker Heights on Sept, 28, 2017, at Leo go.” Buckley Stadium. Fairbanks fi nished the LAST FIVE SEASONS Returning varsity running back season with 398 yard receiving and seven 2017: 6-5 Dean Blondmonville has made his TD catches. 2016: 8-4 presence known off the fi eld this 2015: 5-6 spring. 2014: 6-6 And close behind are Marcus 2013: 2-8 Aguilar and Demante Smith. Both ‘Making it to state in played on the junior varsity Red 2018 SCHEDULE team last season and spent the 7-on-7 was big for us.’ Aug. 31 Austin Westlake 7:30 spring putting in work to get their Sept. 6 at Round Rock 7:00 names in the mix. Sam Skidmore Sept. 14 Copperas Cove 7:30 The Tigers have senior Connor Sept. 21 at Harker Heights 7:30 Carothers back at quarterback Belton head coach Sept. 28 Shoemaker 7:30 along with returning wide receivers Oct. 5 at Temple 7:30 Anthony Brown (515 yards, 7 TDs) situation. Oct. 19 Killeen 7:30 and Anthony Fairbanks (398 yards, “You have to always plan for the Oct. 26 at Ellison 7:30 7 TDs). unexpected,” he said. “When you Nov. 2 Waco 7:30 Skidmore may have an impressive play this caliber football, and at this Nov. 9 Waco Midway 7:30 group of returning athletes, but level, you’re going to need some he’s learned to be prepared for any depth.” 4 TEXAS TOUGH 2018 HERALD | FILE Belton safety Jason Stephens (15) tackles Ellison’s Gregory Cooke on Nov. 2, 2017, at Leo Buckley Stadium. Stephens was the District 8-6A Newcomer of the Year last season. Martinez headlines experienced unit BY FELISA CARDENAS now playing for the University of BELTON DEFENSE Houston. Belton’s defense might just be a “Garrison is hard to replace,” force to be reckoned with behind formance, he might have an even Skidmore noted, “but I feel very senior defensive end Devin Marti- bigger role this season. confi dent where we’re at defen- nez. “I expect great things from him,” sively.” Martinez recorded 20 tackles last Skidmore said. Belton’s special teams head into season with four tackles for losses. Junior Jason Stephens, who re- the season in pretty good shape as “He’s had a great spring,” head corded 43 tackles and fi ve intercep- well. coach Sam Skidmore said of Marti- tions, returns at safety after being “For the fi rst time in a long time nez. “He actually got his fi rst offer named District 8-6A’s Newcomer of we’ve got a returning kicker,” Skid- from Texas State.” the Year last year. more said. “So we’re very excited Martinez verbally committed to The Tigers have fi v e return- about him. the Bobcats on July 29. ing players on the defensive line, “We always try to pride ourselves Returning linebacker Carson Har- and both cornerbacks are back, on special teams and get some guys ris was a contributor last season, making Skidmore’s only obstacle some roles on there, but I think but with an impressive spring per- replacing safety Garrison Vaughn, we’re going to be very solid.” KDHPRESSBOX.COM 5 COURTESY COURTESY The 2018 Belton Tigers varsity football team. football varsity Tigers 2018 Belton The 6 TEXAS TOUGH 2018 COURTESY The 2018 Belton varsity cheerleaders. COURTESY The 2018 Belton Magic Belles dance team. KDHPRESSBOX.COM 7 COURTESY The Belton High School Marching Band practices its routine. 8 TEXAS TOUGH 2018 Play calling remains family affair in Cove BY GARRETT ROSS Copperas Cove might be a “New Jack City,” but the offensive play calls will still remain a family affair. New Bulldawgs head coach Jack Alvarez appointed his son Brandon Alvarez as the new offensive coor- dinator for the team, which is the same role he held in Ennis. “Brandon has been working with me since the 2014 season,” said Jack Alvarez. “You know some days we’re related, it just depends how mad he makes me. He might wish he wasn’t related to me sometimes, but he’s my son.” Unfamiliarity with the program means there isn’t a set idea on how GABE WOLF | HERALD the new offense will look. Copperas Cove head coach Jack Alvarez signals to his players during an intrasquad scrim- During his years running the mage Aug. 11 at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove. offense at Ennis, the Lions leaned more toward the running game than an air attack. COPPERAS COVE OFFENSE COPPERAS COVE Last season, Ennis averaged 280 yards rushing per game and 118 into the program throughout the BULLDAWGS yards passing. season, but he has a good idea how LAST FIVE SEASONS The Lions had two running backs that will look. 2017: 5-6 carry the ball for over 1,000 yards “I have an acronym that our pro- 2016: 4-5 each, and it’s very likely that the gram will be built around and that 2015: 3-8 Copperas Cove offense will take the is E.A.T.; effort, attitude and tough- 2014: 7-4 same approach. ness,” said Jack Alvarez. “When 2013: 6-5 “I have a hard time giving guys you see blue and gold on the fi eld for that want to be quarterback or Copperas Cove, that’s what I want 2018 SCHEDULE running back the true nod without that brand to be.” Aug. 31 UANL 7:00 being familiar with them yet,” said Playing in a nine-team district and Sept. 7 at Manor 7:30 Jack Alvarez. “I do recognize some only having two nondistrict games Sept. 14 at Belton 7:30 athletic ability, and I’ve learned will be diffi cult, but it’s not unfamil- Sept. 21 Killeen 7:30 some names here, but everyone will iar territory for Jack Alvarez. Sept. 27 at Ellison 7:00 have something to prove during “I’ve done it before and it’s bru- Oct. 5 Waco 7:30 two-a-days.” tal,” he said. “Our bye week falls on Oct. 12 at Waco Midway 7:30 The Bulldawgs players were put Week 8, so hopefully that gives us Oct.