Whirlwinds in ‘chip-on-the-shoulder’ category of preseason football

floydada-footballs-1000x
floydada-footballs-1000x

(File Photo/Deon Zumwalt)

FLOYDADA – It has been since 2019 when the Floydada Whirlwinds were picked as pre-season playoff football team by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine (DCTF). The Whirlwinds should know by now how Rodney Daingerfield felt of “no respect”.

Once again in the 2022 DCTF publication, Floydada has been predicted in the number five position with the top four playoff picks from district 2-2A-I going to the New Deal Lions, Post Bold Gold Antelopes, Sundown Roughnecks and Olton Mustangs. The Tahoka Bulldogs round out the traditionally tough field of 2-2A-I that produced three consecutive State Finalists in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Floydada has some valuable tangibles going into the 2022 football season with second year coach J.R. Compton: a good number of 18-returning lettermen, and solid experience with eight starters coming back on each the offense and defense. The Whirlwinds are equipped to play the spoilers roll again.

Compton will be working with a new quarterback in sophomore Ty Henderson. Henderson had a very strong freshman season on the Whirlwinds 22-win basketball team and led Floydada in football with four interceptions in the secondary. Compton thinks Henderson has the package to be a successful
quarterback.

Floydada should be strong in the running game with the one-two punch of senior running backs Andres Mendoza and Izaiah Alvarado. The duo combined for 15-touchdowns and more than 900-yards rushing between them. Mendoza and Alvarado have good size in the 180-pound range, speed that can
produce big plays and savvy of being a good running back.

The next strong point should be in the receivers and secondary categories with very athletic group of seniors Saul Reyes, Jayson Cooper, Phillip Rodriguez and Donovan Rocha along with juniors Aiden Trevino and Hagen Hinsley.

The Whirlwinds will have very good experience at the linebacker positions in Alvarado, Mendoza, Hinsley, Trevino and company. What is up front and in the trenches is always an important component of football. Floydada has good experience in the lines with Edgar Cervera, Adam Delgado, Brett Brittain, Armando Cruz and Marcos Collins. Their weights are in a range of 200 to 240-pounds.

Floydada’s kicking game will be in good hands with sophomore place-kicker Leo Mendoza. Mendoza is accurate from the mid-range field goal attempts and on extra points. The Whirlwinds senior class will be larger this season with nine players projected to be on the roster. Compton has intentions of improving on last season’s 3-8 record and returning to the playoffs despite what the experts are projecting.

Floydada will report on August 1 to begin pre-season workouts. August 8 will be the date when full pads and contact are allowed by the UIL. The Whirlwinds will go to Farwell on August 11 for their first controlled scrimmage against another team. The Whirlwinds will be hosted by the Ralls Jackrabbits in their season opener on August 26. Ralls is coming off a 7-4 campaign in 2021 and is picked by DCTF as the 3-2A-II favorite.

DCTF 2-2A-1 picks and 2021 records
1. New Deal 11-2
2. Post 5-7
3. Sundown 8-4
4. Olton 6-5
5. Floydada 3-8
6. Tahoka 0-10
Tahoka is the only school that did not make the 2021 playoffs

DISTRICT MVP’s by DCTF
Offense – WR Jake Soliz, Olton
Defense – DL Kendrick Nelson, New Deal

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