Broncos eye a winning season… The Revenge Tour

It’s been since 2021 that the Meadow Broncos punched their ticket to the playoffs and it could happen again this season. Although the UIL biennial realignment was not too kind to the Broncos, they still have an opportunity to shake up the district. Meadow and their cross-county rivals, Wellman-Union are arguably in the state’s toughest six-man football division 1 district (Dist. 3-1A DI).

Meadow will have three of the same teams from the past two seasons, and Whiteface is one of those teams. The Antelopes were granted two more seasons in six-man football despite turning in Class 2A numbers. UIL will allow only 1A to go back and count the two smallest classes twice. Typically when this is done, it does work, however it did in Whitefaces’ favor. Anyway, if that was not enough to be a buzz kill, UIL added powerhouse Borden County to the district. The Coyotes are ranked #5 (#14 DCTF), the Antelopes are #6 (#5 DCTF) and O’Donnell is in the top-30 (#17 DCTF) 

Borden County brings back four offensive starters and five defensive starters from a Regional Semifinal team. Whiteface, again the largest six-man team in the state, went two games deep last season, their lone loss was in the area round against Borden County. However, the Antelopes bring back three offensive and three defensive starters from its 11-1 team. O’Donnell brings back four offensive starters and five defensive starters from their 8-3 playoff team.

Coach Guzman of the Broncos is in his second year and looking to add some notches to the win column. Last season Meadow went 2-8 with a one-point win over Christ the King and a 71-53 win over cross-county rival Wellman-Union. The Broncos did not have a senior last season and relied on several freshmen and a couple of juniors. 

Looking back to last season, Guzman said, “We got a lot established last year. We had a really challenging schedule last year… pre-district and district, but it gave a chance to put those kids in the fire. It’s good to have them all back.”

Guzman is now focused on this season, “This year we started two-a-days and hit the ground running, as where last year there was so much learning involved.” said Guzman. The Broncos will continue to play the tight offense and the base defense. 

This season the Broncos bring back six offensive and six defensive starters which is 100% and this year the team will have 16 players versus ten. Players to watch this season is sophomore running back Brason Parker. Guzman said, “He got the ball a lot last season… he’s really good. He was good last year, even as a 120-pound freshman.” Another player Guzman is looking to is the a bigger guy up front like Senior Triston Clanton. “We will depend on him a lot through the season,” said Guzman. 

Senior Eddie Garcia and Justice Churchwell are two other players who will make some noise. Last season was Garza’s first time playing football, however, the coaches were impressed with his ability to learn quickly. Churchwell will also have some size to help out the team. Unfortunately, he sat out for a full year due to UIL transfer rules, but he’s ready to go because he was at every practice even though he did not get to play a single game. 

The Broncos will get some use out of their football field this season because they will have seven home games and their first four are at home. They begin with the Lubbock Titans on Aug. 30, then the West Texas Tornados on Sept. 6, next will be Loop on Sept. 13, and will finish up their four home games in a row against Spur on Sept. 20. Meadow will get to travel over to Wilson on Sept. 27 and finish up their pre-district schedule at home against Lorenzo on Oct. 4.

By the time the Broncos reach district action, they could be 6-0. They open district play at home against O’Donnell on Oct. 11, then head over to Gail Texas to take on Borden County. Next will be their final home game of the season when they take on Whiteface, Oct. 25. The Broncos will travel south on Nov. 1 to go up against their cross-county rivals, Wellman-Union. Something to note is that Meadow’s bye week is the last week of the regular season. The Broncos will play ten straight games before any rest. Hopefully that week of rest, they’ll be getting ready for the playoffs.

2024 Meadow Bronco Football Varsity Roster