McCamey head coach Michael Woodard isn’t one to dwell on past success.
The Badgers had a strong showing in the 2020 campaign, closing it out with an 11-2 record and a District 1-2A Division II championship.
They had a deep playoff run that ended in the state quarterfinals with a 46-26 loss to Wellington.
“Right now our [mindset] is getting better today, being better than we were yesterday and focusing on coming together, working hard and making sure that we’re strong in the early part of the season,” Woodard said.
To transition from last season, the Badgers immediately started working on conditioning when fall workouts started this month.
For a smaller Class 2A school, where players will see the field from the time a game starts to the time it ends, being in good condition is of high importance.
“It is a huge part of what we do and it can lead to success,” Woodard said.
Despite taking part in summer workouts, the head coach believes nothing can prepare a team for a new season like football practice.
Team leaders like free safety and wide receiver Brayden Fuentes know the Badgers have to refocus if they want to achieve higher levels of success in 2021.
“We have got to put that last season behind us because it’s a brand new season,” Fuentes said. “We have got to put more work in, we know teams are going to come after us so we have to be ready for it.”
Fuentes, a senior, was one of five Badgers to receive All-State honors at the end of last season, being named as a first-team secondary selection.
Woodard said members of the senior class immediately stepped up to take leadership roles as soon as the Badgers took the field on the first day of practice.
Players who took a backseat last season are now taking their younger teammates under their wing.
Rigo Molina, an offensive and defensive lineman, is one of the seniors who knows his voice means a lot in the locker room.
“It’s kind of crazy, it’s my last year and I won’t have another chance to play again,” Molina said. “I got to make it count this year.”
Although the Badgers lost key players from last season, some newcomers have shown strong work ethic.
Woodard said most of the newer team members, whether they are freshmen or had scarce playing time last season, have looked confident in a practice setting.
“Even when they’re outmanned or outgunned, our kids work hard,” Woodard said. “That’s one of the things I can say about McCamey, these kids get after it.”
The Badgers will play a tough slate of games in the 2021 season, including a nondistrict road contest against Forsan on Sept. 17.
McCamey’s only regular-season loss in 2020 came against the Buffaloes.
The team is also scheduled to play District 1-2A Division II foes Wink, Iraan, Morton, Plains and Seagraves.
“My personal expectations are the same as they are everywhere,” Woodard said. “To work extremely hard and be the best football team we can be, to find a way to grow together and love each other.
“You do those things and everything else falls into place.”
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MCCAMEY BADGERS
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Michael Woodard.
>> Coach’s overall record: 15-10.
>> Coach’s record at school: 15-10.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Santos Saucedo, offensive coordinator; Eric Hill, offensive line/defensive ends; Jonathan Duran, wide receivers/defensive backs; Keith Barnes, offensive line/linebackers; Juan Espinoza, wide receivers/defensive tackles..
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2020 overall record: 11-2.
>> 2020 district record: 4-0 (first).
>> Last district title: 2020.
>> Last playoff appearance: 2020 (def. Ropes, 60-20, bi-district; def. Wheeler, 34-31, area; def. Stratford, 41-18, regional; lost to Wellington, 46-26, quarterfinals).
>> Stadium name: Badger Stadium.
>> Base offense: Spread.
>> Base defense: 3-3
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 24.
>> Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense).
>> Key returners: Isaiah Garcia, OL/DT, 5-10, 275, Sr.; Brayden Fuentes, WR/DB, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Nano Rodriguez, WR/QB/DB, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Rigo Molina, C/DE, 5-7, 215, Sr.; Matt Rosas, WR/RB/LB, 5-7, 150, Jr.; Noah Torres, RB/LB, 5-8, 160, Jr.; Seby Loya, WR/DB, 5-10, 160, Jr.).
>> Key newcomers: N/A.
MCCAMEY BADGERS
Date Opponent Time Site
Aug. 19 Reagan County* TBD Big Lake
Aug. 27 Kermit 7:30 p.m. McCamey
Sept. 3 Open
Sept. 10 Compass Academy 7:30 p.m. Greenwood
Sept. 17 Forsan 7:30 p.m. Forsan
Sept. 23 Anthony 7 p.m. Van Horn
Oct. 1 Open
Oct. 8 Morton 7 p.m. McCamey
Oct. 15 Wink 7:30 p.m. Wink
Oct. 22 Iraan 7:30 p.m. McCamey
Oct. 29 Plains 7 p.m. Plains
Nov. 5 Seagraves 7 p.m. McCamey
*-scrimmage
