Wellman-Union Wildcats Football is hoping for a turnaround season. The last time the Wildcats won a full game was against Whiteface 44-42 on October 15, 2020. Although last season, Wellman-Union secured a win, it was not a full game, no 45-point mercy rule was used, it just happened that Spur had a few players kick out of the game prior to halftime leaving them very short and the officials and coaches agreed to call to the game at half which Wellman-Union led 21-12.
That’s all in the past and second year head football coach John York is looking to shake things up in district. Like the Wildcats cross-county rivals of Meadow, Wellman-Union will have three of the same teams from the past two seasons. Obviously the Meadow Broncos, O’Donnell Eagles, and the Whiteface Antelopes. UIL was uncharitable to the Wildcats in its biennial realignment back in February.
Whiteface was 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 doesn’t work, however it did in Whitefaces’ favor. Anyway, if that was not enough to be a killjoy for the Wildcats, 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). Wellman-Union could very well make the case that District 3-1A DI is the toughest DI six-man football district in the state.
The Wildcats bring back three starters on offense and three on defense. Wellman-Union will have some speed from Junior Eli DePoyster. With his speed and movement, he will frustrate the defenses he sees on Friday night. Seniors TE Clayton Cochran, OL/DL Keagon Dominguez, and DL Kyler Neill will bring some upperclassmen leadership and experience. Also returning from last season is QB Edgar Macias, now sophomore, had a lot to learn, but now has some experience. Coach York is looking to shape Macias into a quick and versatile QB.
The Wildcats will have some good competition for pre-district beginning with a Thursday night game at Spur, on Aug. 29th. Wellman-Union will travel again on Friday, Sept. 6th to Kress. They will then have back-to-back home games, the first against Patton Springs, again a Thursday night game on Sept. 12th, then they take on a tough Grandfalls-Royalty team Friday night Sept. 20th. Next the Wildcats travel up to Hart for another Thursday night game on Sept. 26th. On Friday, Oct 4th, Wellman-Union will finish with pre-district against Grady at home.
As district competition rolls around, it does not get any easier. The Wildcats district opener, which is at home, will be Borden County. Again, it is one of the toughest teams consistently in the region and state. Next, the Whiteface Antelopes will host the Wildcats on Friday, Oct. 18th. Finally, the Wildcats will get some much-needed rest as they have a bye in week 9. The Wildcat’s final home game will be on Friday, Nov. 1st against cross-county rival, Meadow. Wellman-Union will then travel over to O’Donnell on Friday, Oct. 8th for their last district game of the season.
