Expectations will always be high with Rankin’s football team.
This year should be no exception.
The Red Devils enter the 2022 season with a decent number of returning players as the team looks to make a deep run in the state Six-Man playoffs.
Head coach Garrett Avalos comes back for his fifth season in charge of the Red Devils.
He and his players have been excited to begin practices.
“It’s been great,” Avalos said. “It usually is at the start of every year. It’s something that we’ve been telling our guys. It’s easy to be excited that first week.
“Football is a grind and it’s a long season. We got to bring that energy every day of the season and so far, they’ve done a great job. This is a group that we’re pretty excited for. We have a lot of starters back. We’re going to have a few holes that we need to fill with new faces but this is a group that’s been playing together since sixth grade and they have a great bond. It’s fun watching these guys come a long way.”
Rankin is coming off a 10-2 showing from 2021 that included a district title.
Last season, however, also featured an early exit from the playoffs as the Red Devils fell to eventual state champion Westbrook 86-38 in the area round.
The last two seasons have included promising results but early exits from the playoffs as Rankin lost in the second round of the playoffs in 2020 to eventual state champion Sterling City.
With only four seniors who graduated last year, two of which were starters, Avalos is excited about what this season could hold.
The Red Devils return four starters on defense.
On offense, Blake Wise returns at quarterback.
“(Wise) played varsity for us as a sophomore and was a backup, so that position, you have to have someone that you can trust,” Avalos said. “He’s been great for us. He’s a been a big surprise.”
Another returning player is Richie Escajeda at wide receiver and guard.
“He’s one you won’t read too much because he’s in the trenches doing the dirty work but he’s been so impressive with his energy and positive attitude at practice,” Avalos said.
One new face will be Duncan Armendariz.
“This will be his first year playing six-man football but (Armendariz and Escajeda) together, their energy has been great every single day.”
Avalos also mentioned David Bunger as another key player.
“He’ll be back starting both ways again this year but he’s the definition of wide open all the time,” Avalos said. “He can’t do anything half-speed. It’s just not in his nature.”
Of course, if the Red Devils, who made the state semifinals back in 2019, are to make a lengthy postseason run, they’ll have a number of teams in West Texas to watch out for including their own district.
Rankin’s district includes Sands, Grady and perennial powerhouses Borden County and Garden City in District 7-1A Division I.
“Man, I don’t think it’s any secret that our district is pretty loaded,” Avalos said. “Borden County was really young last year and played us really tight in the first half before we were able to pull away in the second half.”
Borden County is coming off a 6-6 showing last year and lost to Rankin 76-40
“We expect them to be super competitive in our district,” Avalos said.
Garden City, coached by Jeff Jones, is coming off a 7-4 record and finished second in the district standings behind Rankin.
“Garden City brings back a ton of starters and has to replace a tailback with Jordan Jones, who’s Coach Jones’ son and he’s a great athlete and a great football player,” Avlos said. “We’re going to have our hands full. It’s going to be super competitive.”
Grady is looking to improve off last year’s 2-8 record while Sands went 4-6 last season.
“Grady had some good kids last year and I don’t know Sands too well as far as their players go,” Avalos said.
Of course, like every year, Rankin will kickoff its season against Six-Man Division II powerhouse Balmorhea.
That game will take place on Aug. 26 in Balmorhea as the Bears return under longtime coach Vance Jones.
“That’s one thing I love that Vance and I schedule to play every year because that’s one of those games that’s super competitive and it’s a rivalry but it’s great for the game,” Avalos said. “There’s a lot of respect between our kids and their kids and both our coaching staffs. That’s a good game to get the season started off.
”It helps us prepare really hard. Vance has a lot of things he can do and it’s always great to see him there smiling and coaching at his age. He’s been a mentor for all of us. That’s always a fun one for us and a great way to start the season.”
RANKIN RED DEVILS
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Garret Avalos.
>> Coach’s overall record: 39-8.
>> Coach’s record at school: 39-8.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: N/A.
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2021 overall record: 10-2.
>> 2021 district record: 3-0 (First).
>> Last district title: 2021.
>> Last playoff appearance: 2021 (def. Fort Davis, 77-30, in bi-district; lost to Westbrook, 86-38, in area).
>> Stadium name: Red Devil Stadium
>> Base offense: J-Bird.
>> Base defense: 3-3.
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 10.
>> Returning starters: 9 (4 offense, 5 defense).
>> Key returners: Blake Wise, 6-3, 190, Sr., QB/LB; David Bunger, 6-1, 200, Sr., OL/DL; Richie Escajeda, 5-10, 175, Sr., RB/DB.
>> Key newcomers: Baret Jackson, 5-9, 160, Jr., RB; Blake Bunger, 6-0, 180, Jr., FB/DB; Isaiah Martinez, 6-8, 155, Sr., RB/DB.
RANKIN RED DEVILS
Date Opponent Time Site
Aug. 26 Balmorhea 7:30 p.m. Balmorhea
Sept. 2 Buena Vista 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Sept. 9 Westbrook 7:30 p.m. Westbrook
Sept. 16 Knox City 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Sept. 23 Van Horn 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Oct. 7 Lubbock Titans 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Oct. 14 Open
Oct. 21 Lenorah Grady 7:30 p.m. Rankin
Oct. 28 Gail Borden County 7:30 p.m. Gail
Nov. 4 Garden City 7:30 p.m. Rankin
