There’s a buzz drifting around Petrolia.
That’s the way it is in a small town when a high school football team carries expectations into a new season.
“People are excited to see what we can do,” Petrolia second-year coach Brad Blassingame said. “I think our players are really more anxious to get going and start hitting other people than each other.”
As expected, the Pirates are miles ahead of where they were a year ago when Blassingame and his staff were acclimating themselves with the roster.
“Being the first year and everything, we were all feeling each other out,” Blassingame said. “These kids know the system now. They know what to expect from us, and we know what to expect from them.”
While Windthorst is generally regarded as the District 6-2A Division II favorite, Petrolia believes it can be the Trojans’ biggest challenge for the district title, and at least make some noise in the postseason.
“I think we have some things working to our advantage this year,” Blassingame said. “As many returners as we have, I think with the experience and production we have coming back — if we stay healthy — we have the confidence to compete with everyone on our schedule.”
Offense
The Pirates have experience all over the field, but it’s junior tailback Brodie Jackson who may be carrying the greatest expectations. He rushed for 613 yards on 104 carries last year and should see his workload increase.
But the Pirates do have a stable of productive runners, including juniors Kason Gee and Hayden Pierson along with senior John Dagenais.
Sophomore Cody Cox returns behind center after taking over the quarterback position in the middle of district play last year due to multiple injuries. He has two returning starters to work with at receiver in seniors Greyson Elledge and Sawyer Dunn. Aaron Gallagher and Wyatt Eakin are battling for playing time at tight end.
The Pirates also have three returning starters on the offensive line, including Rocky Gee, Ethan Holley and Kade Wayte. Freshman Cole Martin has been turning heads in practices.
Defense
Chris Vallance is a returning starter who will anchor the Pirates’ odd-man front. Holley and Martin will rotate at nose guard with Rocky Gee and Eakin playing the other tackle spot.
Dagenais is switching positions to outside linebacker after intercepting five passes at safety last season. “We try to put our go-getter at that position,” Blassingame noted.
Gallagher and Lane Russell are battling for the other outside backer spot, while Kason Gee and Wayte are the likely starting inside backers.
Dunn and Elledge are returning starters at cornerback, while Jackson and Piersen will man the safety positions. Jayton Maxwell has a chance to figure into the mix in the secondary.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: High school football preview: Buzz builds in Petrolia as Pirates eye breakout season
Reporting by Jonathan Hull, Wichita Falls Times Record News / Wichita Falls Times Record News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
