Brownfield Cubs look to rebound after last season

The Brownfield Cubs football team is entering a new season under new coaching leadership. Last season was challenging, as they finished with no wins and were outscored 510 to 79. However, that’s in the past now, and it’s time to move forward.

New head football coach Lawrence Johnson was able to start working with the team before the 2024 state championship games in December. This early start likely helped the players gain a better understanding of his philosophy and game plan. It also doesn’t hurt to have some players return to play football after sitting out a year.

The Cubs face a challenge this season with a lack of depth on their bench. However, they have a strong group of seniors who are expected to provide leadership. Coach Johnson stated, “Depth will be a concern, but we will have a senior-heavy team with high expectations to compete for a district championship.” The last time the Cubs won an outright district title was 23 years ago, during the 2002 season, when their overall record was 6-5 and 4-1 in the district. In that season, the other five district teams had two or more losses. 

Brownfield will highlight several key players who will take on significant roles in offense, defense, and special teams. While the team is currently facing challenges with depth, this situation presents an opportunity for these players to demonstrate their versatility and adaptability. Their ability to contribute in multiple areas will be instrumental in strengthening the team’s overall performance and competitiveness throughout the season.

Coach Johnson is expected to run a spread offense, a highly effective strategy that has transformed football over the past 25 years. This approach is designed to dismantle defenses by spreading them thin, which opens up a wealth of opportunities for both passing and running plays. It demands agility, quick thinking, and versatility from all skilled players, including quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs, and requires them to maintain top physical condition.

The Cubs will have the opportunity to evaluate two quarterbacks this season. The first is senior quarterback Braylon “B-Money” Bruno, who offers a combination of height, speed, and intelligence at the position. He has a keen ability to read both the defense and the field, allowing him to make smart decisions during the game. The second option is sophomore Ben Estrada, who is ready to take the reins under center. Estrada possesses remarkable speed and has a powerful arm. Both B-Money and Estrada have the potential to become two of the top quarterbacks in the South Plains.

Senior running back Jeremiah Williams returns in full force to lead the rushing attack, while fellow senior Asiel Morin will assist in splitting the defense. With a spread offense, having strong wide receivers is essential. The Cubs are excited to welcome back senior wide receiver Trae Timmins, who has the potential to become one of the top offensive weapons in the South Plains. Timmins possesses both height and speed. Partnering with him will be senior wide receiver Ace Martinez, whose speed will help alleviate some of the pressure on Timmins. The offensive line for the Cubs this season will feature two seniors, Mike Rodriguez and Kaden Salas. Both players are tough and will create significant challenges for the opposing defensive line.

Coach Johnson will implement a 4-2-5 defense, and don’t be surprised if the Cubs’ defense becomes one of the best on the South Plains by the end of the regular season. The Cubs’ defense will feature 11 talented players, including linebackers Joby Rodriguez (SR), Asiel Morin (SR), and Jaeden Martinez (SR). The defensive backs will include Ben Estrada (SO), Braydon Luther (JR), Ayden Molina (SR), and Trae Timmins (SR). Additionally, the defensive line will consist of Maverick Soto (SR), Elijah Ruiz (JR), Bryce Rodriguez (JR), and Mike Rodriguez (SR).

With this talented crew on defense, the opponents’ running game should be effectively limited, thanks to strong tackling and disciplined play. Additionally, the passing game is likely to experience multiple challenges, resulting in several dropped passes and potential interceptions. This combination of pressure from the defensive line and tight coverage from the secondary should significantly disrupt the opposing team’s offensive rhythm. 

It’s impossible to predict the fate of the Cubs as they begin their regular season on August 29, 2025, against Muleshoe. The Mules have posed a significant challenge for the Cubs in recent years, having defeated them five times since 2021, including twice during the 2022 season. Both teams will have something in common this year: a new head football coach, which means we can expect some changes.

The Cubs will next travel to Slaton. Since the 2018 season, the Tigers have held the advantage, winning five out of eight matchups. The games between these two teams feel more like a rivalry than anything else. This season is expected to be more challenging for the Brownfield team when they visit Slaton.

The Cubs will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of the home crowd during game three, facing off against Roosevelt on September 12th. This event will also be Senior Night, promising a packed stadium. This match will mark the third time the Cubs have faced an opponent from District 2-3A Division II. Last season, Roosevelt experienced some early success but ultimately ended with a 0-4 record in the district. Although they have some talented players returning, questions remain regarding their quarterback situation. The Cubs are expected to perform well in this game.

Week four brings Brownfield to Levelland. The Lobos finished last season with a record of 6-5, marking their first winning season since going 8-3 in 2018. The Cubs could easily take advantage of Levelland’s inexperience.

In week five, the Cubs will return to their home turf for three consecutive games, starting with a matchup against Littlefield, another team from District 2-3A DII. Although the Wildcats have won two out of the last three meetings, this presents a great opportunity for the Cubs to turn the tide. Littlefield usually features dynamic players who can make a significant impact on the game, but with the support of their home crowd, the Cubs have a solid chance to showcase their skills and secure a much-deserved victory.

On Friday, October 3rd, the Cubs will host an unfamiliar opponent—the Merkel Badgers. Last season, during this week, the Cubs played against Lubbock Christian. This game is also the homecoming match, adding more significance as the Cubs play in front of their home crowd. The Badgers, who are part of District 4-3A DII, are also coming off a winless season, finishing 0-10. Like the Cubs, Merkel lacks the depth needed to compete at a high level, and they are also missing strong leadership.

The final stretch of home games concludes with a matchup against 4A San Angelo Lake View. Last season, the Chiefs won two games, both against teams from District 2-3A DI: Lamesa and, yes, Brownfield. Lake View returns a significant number of players, nearly all of their starters from last season. Although their record was 2-9, they had the potential to finish with a 7-4 record. 

In week 8, the Cubs have a bye week, allowing them to rest before the district games begin. Last season, the combined record of all four teams in District 2-3A DI was 2-26 before the start of district play. Lamesa achieved a victory over Dimmit, while Kermit won against Van Horn.. 

Week 9 marks the beginning of district action, with the Cubs facing off against Denver City at their home field. The last time the Cubs defeated the Mustangs was in the 2015 season, winning 33-14. However, for the past nine years, Denver City has dominated the matchup. Like Brownfield, the Mustangs have a new coach this season. Coach Doug Duncan has been at Denver City for a while now and is familiar with his players. With a team heavy on seniors, both the Cubs and Mustangs are expected to engage in a fierce contest until the very end..

As we enter week 10, the Cubs are back home to face a strong Lamesa squad. The Golden Tors may lack depth, but their defense is expected to be solid. This could turn out to be a very low-scoring game and may even decide the district championship.

The final game of the district and regular season features Brownfield traveling to Kermit. Last season marked a significant moment for the Yellow Jackets, as it had been 20 years since they last defeated Brownfield, winning 21-7 in the 2004 season. Like Brownfield, DC, and Lamesa, Kermit will have a senior-heavy roster, with most of them returning as starters from last season. This will be a tough challenge for the Cubs. 

2025 BROWNFIELD CUBS VARSITY ROSTER

2025 BROWNFIELD CUBS VARSITY SCHEDULE