Even though his build was a reminder, there were times last season it was hard to believe Daniel Ramos was a freshman.
The Lamesa quarterback played with a confidence not often seen in a high school newcomer. The source was his familiarity with the offensive scheme, one he grew up with in Anna that his dad brought when he became the Golden Tornadoes’ head coach in 2024.
It took time for the rest of the team to catch up with Ramos’ knowledge of the system, but once they did, Lamesa took off.
The Golden Tors won all three district games to earn their first league championship since 2001. Although its playoff opener ended in heartbreak, Lamesa proved this summer the team is ready to continue an upward trajectory.
A year after going winless at the Dumas state-qualifying tournament, the Golden Tors returned north and reversed their fortune. With Ramos at the helm, Lamesa went 3-0 to secure a spot in this week’s 7-on-7 state tournament. The young QB hopes its a step toward more success in the fall.
“That was a very big improvement from last year,” Ramos said. “I think all our hard work is just paying off and it will continue to show.”
Efrain Ramos, a longtime colleague of fellow Plainview native and Seth Parr, took over a Golden Tors program coming off consecutive two-win seasons. Ramos was defensive coordinator under Parr when Anna won the Class 4A Division I state championship in 2023. Ramos is also a former offensive coordinator, and he installed the Air Raid when he arrived back in the South Plains.
The scheme was second nature to Daniel Ramos, giving him a leg up for the starting QB spot, even as a freshman. Before high school, Ramos would signal the play calls to the offense from the sideline.
“It was just the way that he worked,” Efrain Ramos said. “He’d been in the system for a very long time, so he knew everything that he needed to know. He’s very familiar with my offensive coordinator — he came with us from Anna. … Daniel was a signaler, so he knew the offense as good as coach (Klay) Keith. Them two working together, that’s been happening the last three years.”
Lamesa averaged 37.1 points last season in the new offense. Coach Ramos said the team learned the nuances as the year went on, and he expects more growth in Year 2. The 7-on-7 season has provided additional opportunities for Daniel Ramos and receivers such as Cylius McCurley and Jadyn Jaramillo to build on their chemistry.
McCurley was the Lubbock area’s second-leading receiver through the regular season and finished with 86 catches, 1,316 yards and 26 touchdowns.
“The play call in 7-on-7 is gonna be the same that he’s gonna be doing when we’re in the season,” Coach Ramos said.
“It’s an all-passing game, so it really benefits us a lot. We take it serious and we compete out there. It’s timing and rhythm and passing the ball. You’re just building that relationship with the team.”
Efrain Ramos said his son’s physical growth is matched by improvements in decision-making. The quarterback said he’s worked to not second-guess himself.
“This year, I’ve learned to just trust my instincts,” Daniel Ramos said. “Usually, if I trust my instincts, I have the right call.”
Lamesa finished 4-7 last season after falling 23-21 to Amarillo River Road on a last-minute field goal in a bi-district playoff. The Golden Tors led 14-0 in the third quarter before the Wildcats’ comeback.
Daniel Ramos called it a “hurtful loss,” but one that serves as motivation for the returning players.
“We felt like we deserved that win,” he said, “but things didn’t go our way that night. So I feel like we want that. We’re hungry for going back there and winning at that spot.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Young QB Daniel Ramos, Lamesa football hope to build off 2024 with state 7-on-7 tournament
Reporting by Stephen Garcia, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
