Dale Pustejovsky is starting his fifth season at the helm of the Buena Vista program.
He’s been encouraged by what he’s seen through three weeks of practice.
Now, after weeding out several players in the early workouts, the Longhorns have settled on the group of players that will lead them in 2022.
“Things are going good,” Pustejovsky said. “We’re a little banged up, but it’s good.
“We’ve got around the same number of kids that we had last year.”
Last year, the Longhorns found themselves on the outside looking in for the playoffs.
It was, however, a young team that, while taking its lumps on the field, was gaining the necessary valuable experience that will benefit it this season and beyond.
Sophomore running back Tristan Griffin returns after seeing significant playing time in 2021.
Considered one of the top returning players in District 6-1A Division I, Griffin also plays at defensive end.
“He’s solid, he’s good,” Pustejovsky said of Griffin. “He’s faster, bigger and stronger than last year.
“I can definitely agree with him being one of the top players. As a freshman last year I thought he was one of the better players.”
Younger still will be the team’s starting quarterback.
Freshman Caden Valdez has been given the keys to the offense and has impressed Pustejovsky with his early play.
“He’s just an athletic kid,” the coach said. “He’s smart, very coachable and has the desire to win.
“The other kids pick up on that.”
One of the biggest pluses for Valdez is the familiarity he has with the younger players on the team.
Meshing with the older players may take a little more time, but Pustejovsky is confident it will come to pass.
He has watched Valdez the past two years as he directed Longhorns’ junior high program.
“The group we are playing with now went through junior high and didn’t lose a game,” Pustejovsky said. “There is a lot of competition between them.
“They want to make the playoffs; we haven’t done that in a while.”
The last postseason trip for Buena Vista came in 2017.
If the Longhorns hope to snap that skid, they will have to navigate a district schedule that includes Van Horn, Fort Davis and Marfa.
Van Horn is the defending champion, winning the crown just two years after dropping from the 11-man game.
Fort Davis has athletes, but is working under its fifth coach in five years.
Arturo Alferez, in his sixth season at the helm of the Marfa program, has the Shorthorns improving each year.
“Our district is relatively competitive,” Pustejovsky said. “Van Horn and Fort Davis, both teams are pretty dang good.
“And Marfa is, in my opinion, getting better.”
The Longhorns have plenty of time to get things in order with seven nondistrict games on the schedule.
That gives the coaching staff the ability to find all the right pieces and perhaps tweak the offense or defense to fit the personnel.
“We might start throwing the ball a little more,” Pustejovsky said. “We have the kids that we can throw the ball.
“The kids are a little more seasoned and they know the expectations. It’s about getting the routine down and then believe it.”
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BUENA VISTA LONGHORNS
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Dale Pustejovsky.
>> Coach’s overall record: 16-23.
>> Coach’s record at school: 16-23.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Tommy Notgrass, defensive coordinator; Troy Spanton, special teams coordinator.
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2021 overall record: 6-4.
>> 2021 district record: 1-3 (Third).
>> Last district title: N/A.
>> Last playoff appearance: N/A.
>> Stadium name: Longhorn Stadium (1,000).
>> Base offense: Tight.
>> Base defense: 2/3.
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 6.
>> Returning starters: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense).
>> Key returners: Dylan Rodriguez, 5-8, 160, Sr., QB/S; Bradyn Huertas, 5-8, 155, Sr., RB/LB; Jadyn Huertas, 5-8, 155, Sr., RB/LB; James Tinkler, 6-2, 195, Sr., G; Aiden Lopez, 5-8, 160, Soph., RB/LB; Tristan Griffin, 5-6, 150, Soph., RB/DE.
>> Key newcomers: Jaden Jurado, 5-10, 150, Fr., RB/LB; Jackie Jurado, 5-10, 150, Fr., RB/LB; Caden Valdez, 6-0, 150, Fr., QB.
BUENA VISTA LONGHORNS
Date Opponent Time Site
Aug. 26 7:30 p.m. Irion County Mertzon
Sept. 2 Rankin 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Sept. 9 Hermleigh 7:30 p.m. Imperial
Sept. 16 Sierra Blanca 7:30 p.m. Imperial
Sept. 22 Balmorhea 7:30 p.m. Balmorhea
Sept. 30 Sanderson 7:30 p.m. Sanderson
Oct. 7 Meadow 7:30 p.m. Imperial
Oct. 14 Open
Oct. 21 Fort Davis 7:30 p.m. Fort Davis
Oct. 28 Van Horn 7:30 p.m. Van Horn
Nov. 4 Marfa 7:30 p.m. Imperial
