Different district, different classification, same approach.

A drop in student population, courtesy of the new Pieper High School, pulled athletics into Class 5A for the next two years, but it’s not changing the way Coach Larry Hill does business.

“We’ve kind of gone up, down and down again,” he said. “We’ve done that several times. And we just always have kind of our mantra: control the controllables and don’t fret over things you have no control over –  what classification, who you’re playing, new opponents. 

“We’re just going to do what we do, and we have not talked about it one iota, other than, ‘OK, we’re playing this opponent. So these are their strategies. This is what we need to do right away.’”

After years of playing in one of the toughest 6A districts and regions in the state, the drop to 5A might feel like a chance to ease up on the gas pedal.

Not at Ranger Stadium.

“We don’t think it’s any easier, any harder,” Hill said. “Our goals are the same. It’s a non-issue.”

Hill’s squad comes loaded with talent, including Texas A&M commit offensive lineman Colton Thomasson and newly transferred junior four-star recruit wide receiver Freddie DuBose Jr. from Clemens. 

Of course, it all starts with the field general, and senior Chase Senelick moves into the role after some varsity experience in 2021. Junior Ryland Walker also will get some snaps.

“We feel good about our quarterback situation, no matter who’s in the game, but Chase is our starter,” Hill said. “He’s done a good job, had a real good scrimmage (Aug 18). Both of them did, in fact, and we’re very comfortable with them, and they’ll both see time.”

The pair will have plenty of targets, including newcomer Dubose.

“His eye-popping stats have been in track and field, 48-49 foot triple jumper, mid-20s in the 200,” Hill said. “He’s got size and speed and athleticism, and because of that has attracted a lot of Division I interest, even though his sophomore football stats (at Clemens) were a modest 25 catches.”

Seniors TJ Hunt and Kyler Clark bring experience along with Weston Ross, who also will split time as a safety on defense.

“(Hunt and Clark) along with Dubose give us a nice fleet of guys, and they’re all a little different,” Hill said. “They all have a different skill set, and I think that’s a good thing. Weston Ross will be our other receiver who will play quite a bit. He’s starting on defense, so he won’t play quite as much as the other three, but he brings some things to the table as well.”

The ground game looks as promising, starting with junior Doug Lantz who rushed for 364 yards in 58 runs and five touchdowns in 2021 as a sophomore.

“He’s gotten bigger, stronger, faster and looks to have a great junior year,” Hill said. “But a little sophomore, Brad Sowersby, did some nice things (at the Aug. 18 scrimmage). He’s got some explosiveness.”

David De Hoyos, a Texas Tech baseball commit, will jump back and forth from safety to the offensive backfield during the season.

The success of the running and passing games will be in the capable hands of an offensive line anchored by seniors Thomasson, Teagan Owsley and Tyler Stone.

“All three of those saw significant playing time a year ago,” Hill said. “They’re our anchors up front, and so we always have and will continue to have a foundation of good, strong running games.”

Senior Gavin Woods, who set the school sack record in 2021 as the District 27-6A Impact Player of the Year, returns as a middle linebacker. 

“We feel like he can impact the game even more from there,” Hill said. “He’s going to be good wherever we put him, and he may jump back in some at defensive end depending on the game situation. But right now he’s at middle linebacker.”

Assuming the roles of defensive ends will be junior Jackson Maynard and senior McLain Garrett.

“Those are kind of three of the ringleaders, I would say,” Hill said. “Those three are going to lead the way.”

Double threats De Hoyos and Ross team up with junior cornerbacks Jackson Duffey and Zach Gingrich in the secondary.

“They’ve all got offensive backgrounds,” Hill said, “so when the ball is in the air, they kind of think it’s theirs. They’re not just trying to defend or knock a ball down; they’re thinking it’s theirs.”

Not to be overlooked is junior kicker Clayton Amaya, who is taking on punting duties this year as a junior. Amaya, named a hot prospect by Kicking World and nominated for the Preseason Fan Vote for Best Kicker of Texas High School Football, has received interest from Baylor, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Texas Christian University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Rice and Louisiana State University.

“He kicked extremely well for us as a sophomore, but he’s gotten bigger and faster, stronger, more pop in his leg,” Hill said. “He’s attracted some college scouts, so I feel like you’ll see him kicking on Saturday, but the good thing is he’s gonna kick for us for two more years.”

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picked Smithson Valley to top District 12-5A Division I over Wagner, Boerne Champion and Canyon, who are expected to round out the top four. Seguin, Buda Hays Consolidated, MarArthur and Kyle Lehman make up the rest of the district.

“Well, our schedule is really challenging, particularly on the front end,” Hill said. “We know what Reagan is. We’re opening with them and then Harker Heights a week later. They’ve got all their offensive players back, seemingly, and they scored over 60 twice last year and scored over 55 other times. We’ve rreally got a big challenge in week two.”

District play opens Sept. 16 at Wagner, who also moves to 5A this year. The last time Wagner played in 5A, the Thunderbirds reached the state semifinals two years in a row. Coach Jason Starin’s big defensive front comes with six returning starters – four on the line and two at linebacker. 

And just six days later, Canyon visits with junior quarterback Deuce Adams (1,002 yards, 13 TD passing; 177 yards), who already has gotten the attention of recruiters.