The Wink football team has seen plenty of recent success, winning 10 games each of the past two seasons.
The Wildcats seemed poised for a deep playoff run in the Class 2A Division II bracket before it was cut short in the area round with 34-28 loss to eventual semifinalist Wellington.
As the attention turns to the 2021 season, head coach Brian Gibson said he’s confident the Wildcats have what it takes to make that deep playoff run.
“I think it made the kids realize how close we really were last year and how close we were this year,” Gibson said. “All it takes is a good stretch of games where you play really well and anything can happen.”
In order to reach that goal, the Wildcats will lean on experience on both the offensive and defensive lines as well as under center.
Senior lineman Mack Payne is one of the leaders of the group along with Jalen Ramirez, Jesse Putnam and Jesus Carillo.
Payne has been a team captain for the last two seasons and said that the chemistry with this group of Wildcats is even stronger than before.
“We have a lot of numbers this year,” Payne said. “Staying unselfish is what we’ve been really good at the last couple of years and throughout the program.”
Gibson said that Payne has always been a leader in the program with his charisma, energy and becoming that player others can lean on.
As a whole, he said that the offensive line was going to be fundamental to how far the Wildcats can go in 2021.
“Those guys will put in the work,” Gibson said. “You may not hear much about them but when you see the end result, you’re going to see that they’re the reason that we’re going to have success.”
Junior quarterback Kanon Gibson is back to lead the offense and be an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. He’ll be another piece of the puzzle on an offense that has to replace talent at the skill positions, including tight end Brock Gibson and backs Junior Quiroz and Grabiel Muniz.
“We’re expecting things from Kanon,” Brian Gibson said. “He’s just one of the pieces to the puzzle. He is a very good, talented quarterback and plays really good defense as well.”
Braden Dunlap will be one of those skill position players with an opportunity to do more for the Wildcats. He will see time at both receiver and defensive back.
“We all have a really good work ethic,” Dunlap said. “We’re on the hunt to do even better than what we did last year.”
One of those goals includes capturing a district title after McCamey captured the top spot in 2020.
The road map through District 1-2A Division II will also look different this year as Morton returns to add a sixth team in the district.
Gibson said that the move was beneficial for Morton as well for his team since the bye week will come midway through the season as opposed to later on in district play.
The Wildcats will have a tougher stretch to start the season with three straight road games at Christoval, Ozona and Alpine.
Wink opens district play October at Seagraves before hosing McCamey the following week.
While the Wildcats will have the benefit of having higher numbers compared to 2020, he still places emphasis on staying healthy and staying together throughout the season.
“We talk to our kids a lot about being in shape and staying conditioned,” Gibson said. “Health is the number one thing.
“Team chemistry is going to be another big thing. I think it’s going to be even stronger with this group here.”
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Wink Wildcats
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Brian Gibson.
>> Coach’s overall record: 61-56.
>> Coach’s record at school: 34-16.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Jason Archibald, offensive coordinator; Greg Voyles, defensive coordinator; Daniel Klley, strength/offensive line/defensive line; Joshua Tally, wide receivers/defensive backs; Robert Mills, running backs/defensive backs..
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2020 overall record: 10-2.
>> 2020 district record: 3-1 (second, District 1-2A Division II).
>> Last district title: 2019
>> Last playoff appearance: 2020 (def. Sudan, 59-31, bi-district; lost to Wellington, 34-28, area).
>> Stadium name: Wildcat Field (3,300).
>> Base offense: Power spread.
>> Base defense: Multiple 4-2-5
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 18.
>> Returning starters: 13 (7 offense, x6 defense).
>> Key returners: Kanon Gibson, 6-1, 185, QB/FS, Jr.; Mack Payne, 6-0, 220, OL/DL, Sr.; Braden Dunlap, 6-0, 175, WR/DB, Sr.; Jordan Tally, 6-4, 170, WR/DB, Jr.; Brandon Peters, 6-1, 180, TB/SS, Jr.; Jesus Carrillo, 5-10, 240, OL/DL, Soph.; Jesse Putnam, 6-0, 250, OL/DL, Jr.; Jalen Ramirez, 5-11, 280, OL/DL, Jr..
>> Key newcomers: Hudson Morgan, 6-0, 190, TB/LB, Fr.; Bryan Wilcox, 5-10, 150, TB/SS, Soph.; Zach Yactayo, 5-9, 150, WR/SS, Soph.; Scott Burch, 5-11, 180, TE/LB, Soph..
Wink Wildcats
Date Opponent Time Site
Aug. 19 Kermit* TBD Wink
Aug. 27 Christoval 7 p.m. Christoval
Sept. 3 Ozona 7:30 p.m. Ozona
Sept. 10 Alpine 7:30 p.m. Alpine
Sept. 17 Eldorado 7:30 p.m. Wink
Sept. 24 Smyer 7:30 p.m. Wink
Oct. 1 Open
Oct. 8 Seagraves 7:30 p.m. Seagraves
Oct. 15 McCamey 7:30 p.m. Wink
Oct. 22 Morton 7:30 p.m. Wink
Oct. 29 Iraan 7:30 p.m. Iraan
Nov. 5 Plains 7 p.m. Wink
*-scrimmage
