PIGSKIN PREVIEW: Defending champs will be tested early

The Texico Wolverines have a new head coach this season, but in reality little has changed.

Ryan Autrey served as the offensive coordinator on last year’s Class 2A state champions, while veteran head coach Mike Prokop was the defensive coordinator. They hold those same titles this season, although Prokop has relinquished the head coaching duties to Autrey.

“I’m excited,” said Autrey, who coached the Texico’s girls basketball team last season. “I graduated from Texico in 2001, and that’s (head football coach) always been my thing.

“It just kind of worked out that way. But I get to keep my coaching staff, and there’s a lot of experience there.”

He said he doesn’t feel any pressure to have to win.

“They asked me that question last year in basketball,” said Autrey, who will return to assistant’s duties in that sport this year. “I think it’s more important to us to put kids out of a program who are going to be productive in life.

The Wolverines (12-0, 3-0 District 2-2A in 2008) were hit fairly hard by graduation, but expect to field another competitive team.

“We lost some good players, but I feel like we’ve got some kids who can step in,” Autrey said. “I think we’ll be all right.”

The Wolverines get a test right out of the box, visiting Dexter Friday in a rematch of last year’s 2A final, won by Texico 28-26. That will be followed two weeks later by a matchup at home against defending Class 3A champion Portales.

Texico returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, led by senior quarterback-linebacker Seth Bailey and senior running back-cornerback Edgardo Meza.

Bailey moves from running back to replace the graduated Brett Anderson.

The district is probably the most competitive from top to bottom in 2A, and Autrey doesn’t see that changing much.

Santa Rosa beat Texico in the 2007 title game, and the Lions lost to the Wolverines in last year’s semifinals.

“Estancia was young last year, but they’re going to have a good team this year,” he said. “And Santa Rosa is always tough.

“Our district is pretty tough year-in and year-out.”

AT A GLANCE

Texico Wolverines

District 2-2A

Coach: Ryan Autrey (1st season)

2008 record (district): 12-0 (3-0)

Returning starters: 7 on offense, 7 on defense.

Top players: Seth Bailey, Sr., QB-LB; Edgardo Meza, Sr., RB-CB; Matt Vasquez, Sr., OT-DT; Jose Posada, Jr., RB-DB; Humberto Bariciaga, Sr., OT, DT; Lucas Walthers, Jr., TE-DE.

Schedule

Aug. 28 at Dexter 7 p.m.

Sept. 4 Springlake-Earth 7p.m.

Sept. 11 Portales 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 at Clovis JV 6 p.m.

Sept. 25 at Hagerman 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 Gruver (Texas) 6 p.m.

Oct. 16 Santa Rosa-x 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 at Tucumcari-x 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 at Estancia-x 7 p.m.

x-Denotes district games.