A countdown of top players to watch in West Texas in the upcoming football season. San Angelo Standard-Times
The Grape Creek Eagles are aiming for a playoff spot in the 2020 football season with a strong senior group.
The Eagles will start their season on Aug. 28 in Stanton with head coach Tanner Thiel, who has a 4-16 record in two seaons at Grape Creek.
The 2-3A Division II team has six returning starters on defense and seven on offense, with 14 returning lettermen.
Last year, the team went 1-9 overall and 0-6 in district. The Eagles have never had a district title and its last playoff appearance was in 2017.
Thiel said the team's strengths are athleticism, leadership and a strong senior class. However, the weakness of the team is size and numbers.
Senior Jorge Rodriguez is the team's leading rusher and passer.
"This year, he will be a two-way starter, so he will have to be in really good shape," Thiel said.
Senior leaders on the offensive line include Adam Farmer and Brandon Proctor. Junior Isaiah Briones was an All-District linebacker in 2019.
"We have good leadership on the line," Thiel said. "Briones will be another two-way player; he is one of our best defensive players."
Junior Landon Crow and senior Lucky Vargas will be the top receivers for the team.
Thiel said the sophomore group coming up will make a big impact on the team, including Cougar Jetton and Colton Walker.
"Our JV had a lot of success last year," the Eagles' third-year head coach said. "We have some guys coming up who will definitely help us."
Grape Creek is competing in a district with Ballinger, Bangs, Brady, Ingram Moore and Sonora.
"We feel like we can be very competitive with everyone in our district," Thiel said. "Ballinger is well coached and always really good. Bangs has gotten so much better the last few years and Brady and Sonora are always very competitive, also."
Thiel said the only team he doesn't know much about is Ingram Moore, since they have never played the Warriors before.
"We feel like we are a playoff team," he said. "If everything works out the way it should and everyone stays healthy, the we can fight for one of those playoff spots."
Grape Creek hits the road to open the season against Stanton on Aug. 28. The Eagles will start district play at home against Bangs on Oct. 9.
Grape Creek Eagles
District: 2-3A Division II
Head coach: Tanner Thiel (4-16, all at Grape Creek)
Last year’s record: 1-9; 0-6 in district
Last district title/playoff appearance: Never/2017
Enrollment: 310
Stadium: Eagle Stadium
Returning lettermen: 14
Returning off./def. starters: 6/6
Base offense: Single wing
Base defense: Multiple
Team strength: Athleticism, strong senior class, leadership
Team weakness: Numbers
Players to watch
ATH Jorge Rodriguez (6-0, 185), RB/LB Isaiah Briones (6-1, 200), REC/DB Koby Wilhelm (5-8, 150), ATH/DB Landon Crow (5-9, 140), REC/DB Lucky Vargas (5-9, 145), TE/DE James Penland (5-11, 170), RB/DB Levi Wilson (5-8, 145), RB/LB Joel Ruiz (5-9, 180), OL/DL Brandon Proctor (6-2, 240), OL/DL Dante Huerta (5-10, 215), OL/DL Adam Farmer (6-0, 190).
2020 schedule
Date Opponent
Aug. 28 at Stanton
Sept. 4 Christoval
Sept. 11 at TLCA
Sept. 18 Coleman
Sept. 25 at Early
Oct. 9 Bangs*
Oct. 16 at Ballinger*
Oct. 23 Brady*
Oct. 30 Sonora*
Nov. 6 at Ingram*
*District game
2019 results
Opponent Score
Maypearl L 0-28
Christoval L 0-47
Rocksprings W 40-0
Coleman L 8-49
Bangs L 16-46
TLCA L 6-8
Ballinger L 6-33
Cisco L 0-53
Merkel L 18-34
Anson L 0-60
The Link LonkAugust 01, 2020 at 12:26AM
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Grape Creek Eagles aiming for playoff spot in 2020 - Standard-Times
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