Each day in practice, Odessa High senior defensive back Dreshon Douglas has to go up against his teammate senior wide receiver Ivan Carreon.
It’s a challenge that’s might be easier said than done as Carreon (who comes in at six-foot-six), towers over most defenders.
However, for the 6-1 Douglas, the task has brought out the best in him as it helps him prepare for the next level and knows he’ll have a similar challenge when playing college ball as well.
“It gets me ready for the next level,” Douglas said. “I’m hoping to play at the division one level. It gives me the feel of what I’m going to go up against in college.”
Carreon recently changed his commitment from Texas Tech to Oklahoma this summer and will be preparing to play in the Southeastern Conference in 2024.
Douglas pointed out that sometimes it gets a little intense during practice while trying to guard Carreon. But that’s part of the game.
“It’s good competition,” Douglas said. “We go back and forth but he makes me better.”
The two teammates are good friends but that doesn’t mean there won’t be the occasional smack talk on the practice field.
“It gets a little physical but he’ll catch a pass and we’ll go back and forth, talking trash every day,” Douglas said, with a laugh.
That competition has made both players better when it comes to game day and the two seniors are looking to help their units do big things this season.
“For us, we want to put as many points on the board as possible and be consistent and play hard for four quarters,” Carreon said.
The Bronchos’ defense is coming off a tough year in which Odessa High allowed 362 points total from the entire season.
The fewest points Odessa High allowed in a single game last year were the 14 points against Schertz Clemens in a nondistrict contest.
Odessa High went 3-7 overall, 0-5 in District 2-6A) in 2022.
Douglas feels confident the Bronchos will be much improved on the defensive side of the ball this year.
“We have a solid defense this year,” Douglas said. “Everyone is a playmaker and running to the ball.”
The Bronchos’ offense is coming back after a decent season, putting up 312 points and 1,445 total yards from a year ago.
Carreon is hoping to go out on a high note in his last season at Odessa High.
“It’s good to be here and hopefully we can win some games this year and make the playoffs,” Carreon said.
Carreon is coming off a season where he averaged 116.8 yards per game and finishing with 19 total touchdowns.
One major difference, however, is that he’ll have a new quarterback throwing to him this year.
Junior quarterback Mikey Cota takes over, replacing Jaylien Jones.
Carreon and Cota have been working to find a rhythm over the summer.
“It’s been good,” Carreon said. “Mikey and I have been working out all summer so we should have a good chemistry this season.”
The Bronchos’ first game will be a 7 p.m. Friday showdown against Lubbock Monterey at Lowrey Field.
It’ll be the first of three consecutive road games for Odessa High as the Bronchos will travel to face El Paso Americas on Aug. 31 and then head to Fort Worth against Keller on Sept. 8.
“It’s going to be tough being on the road for five or four hours but I feel like we can get it done,” Carreon said of the next few weeks.
Odessa High’s first home game will be Sept. 15 against Amarillo High at Ratliff Stadium.
