The San Angelo Standard-Times will preview local high school football teams throughout August ahead of the 2025 season.
Harper Longhorns
District: 14-2A DI
2024 record: 3-7, 0-5
Head coach: Chad Zenner
Most recent district championship: 2007
State titles: N/A
What to know
Harper returns a host of experienced upperclassmen, including seven starters on offense and eight on defense. Zenner said he is excited to see improvement from the Longhorns’ large junior class, especially quarterback Braydon Lake, who finished with 1,574 yards and 13 touchdowns passing last season, despite missing some time.
Wide receivers Willaim Spaeth and Justin Wilke give Lake plenty of perimeter talent, while running back Jace Helfrich provides a key piece to the offense on the ground. Zenner said he anticipates a breakout season from Tayven Pickens, who is a two-way starter at offensive line and linebacker.
Like last season, Zenner said the key to Harper’s success is staying healthy with a lack of depth compared to the larger schools in their district. Health permitted, Zenner said he believes this year’s Harper squad has a good shot at making the playoffs this season, built by the team’s strong chemistry and upperclassmen leadership.
The Longhorns started last season fast, going 3-0 before losing tight games to Ozona and Eldorado, which snowballed into district play. If Zenner can keep his team’s momentum, and with Holland and Mason taking a big hit from graduation, Harper has a real shot at contending for a postseason spot
Coach Chad Zenner on the 2025 season
“We were really, really sophomore-heavy last year, and we had a big group of starters returning,” Zenner said. “And so now you’re taking all those sophomores, where some schools our size maybe they were playing JV, but for us were on varsity football. Those players were raw and inexperienced — and maybe some things they didn’t know as well — have a full season under their belt as juniors. So, we’re super excited.”
2025 schedule
Week 1 – D’Hanis at Harper, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29
Week 2 – Harper at Sabinal, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5
Week 3 – Harper at Center Point, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12
Week 4 – Harper at Ozona, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19
Week 5 – Eldorado at Harper, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26
Week 6 – OPEN
Week 7 – Holland at Harper, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10
Week 8 – Harper at Mason, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17
Week 9 – San Saba at Harper, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24
Week 10 – Harper at Thorndale, 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Week 11 – Johnson City at Harper, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @Paul_Witwer.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: With a seasoned junior class, can Harper high school football push for the playoffs?
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
