FLOYD COUNTY — The Floydada Whirlwinds, under new head coach J.R. Compton, will be tested against a pair of 2A playoff teams from 2020 — the Farwell Steers and Quanah Indians — in a triangular scrimmage at Charles Tyer Stadium on Friday evening.
Coach Compton considers the Whirlwinds a “work in progress” adapting to his new system and style of coaching. Compton will have a chance to see his two quarterback candidates, senior Trace Glasscock and junior Isaiah Alvarado, compete against other teams. Plus, he’ll see what receivers and slotback prospects juniors Jayson Cooper and Saul Reyes and sophomore Aiden Trevino can do, as well as junior running back Andres Mendoza. These players appear to the front runners at this time to ignite Compton’s new version of the spread offense.
What the offensive line can do will dictate how the skill players will be able to succeed. Some lineman that could clear the paths are Davian Ramos, Edgar Cervera and other younger players that are developing. The majority of these players will be called upon to play both ways on offense and defense.
The Farwell Steers are from District 1-2A-1 and a pre-season pick for the runner-up of the district behind the Panhandle Panthers after finishing 7-4 in 2020. Farwell is described as well balanced offensively and defensively with more than adequate experience. Farwell will be testing their new QB, but a tough running back returning in Corey Stansell (1,100 yards and 11 TDs in 2020) and wide receiver Kohler Henderson (8 TDs last season) could make the new signal callers’ job a smoother transition.
Farwell is expected to be very stout on defense with a good stable of linebackers. Dave Campbell’s pre-sesaon Defensive MVP of the district, Carlos Castillo, had 112 tackles a year ago. Other solid defenders are Stansell (80 tackles), Henderson (10 tackles for losses) and Joe Crume (58 tackles and 9 for losses). The Steers will be able to challenge a lot of small school offenses in 2021.
The Quanah Indians are the defending 6-2A-II Champions with a 6-5 record last year. The Indians advanced to the area playoffs. Quanah is picked third in their district by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football this season.
Skill people are reported to be the Indians’ strength, with a new offensive and defensive line the main concerns. Quanah does have six starters returning on offense and seven returning starters on defense.
The junior varsity scrimmages will start at 5 p.m. in a triangular format, with each team going 15 minutes on offense and 15 minutes on defense against the other two opponents. All three schools go against each other.
The varsity scrimmages should begin close to 6:45 p.m. They will also be in a triangular format with each going 20 minutes on offense and 20 minutes on defense against the other two opponents. All three schools will play each other.
Meanwhile, the Lockney Longhorns are eager to see how they look against the Sanford-Fritch Eagles from District 1-2A-I when they tangle at Mitchell-Zimmerman Field on Friday. Lockney is coming off a feel-good season of 7-2 in 2020 and a playoff qualifier, while the Eagles struggled through a 1-9 campaign a year ago.
New Lockney Coach Cory McCombs is probably anxious to see senior running back Nathan Ceniceros and veteran quarterback Pablo Morales operate against opponents. Ceniceros rushed for 923 yards and scored nine touchdowns in just eight games last season. Ceniceros has been tabbed by Dave Campbell’s as the pre-season Offensive MVP for District 5-2A-II. Morales will be starting a fourth year as the Lockney QB. It is very rare that you encounter a four-year starting QB in high school, and it is a reason Morales possesses great leadership qualities. Linebacker Austin Rodriquez is expected to be a key factor on the defensive side and a strong contributor on offense as a running back.
The junior varsity will start the scrimmage at 5 p.m. on Friday, followed by the varsity teams at approximately 6 p.m.
