MCCAMEY McCamey’s Matthew Rosas did just about everything for the Badgers last season.
Running the ball, catching the ball, tackling the ball carrier, blocking punts, returning kickoffs and punts, he rarely came off the field.
Rosas did everything so well that he was a first-team all purpose selection for the 2021 Class 2A All-State team.
The only thing Rosas didn’t do was play quarterback.
That’s about to change.
One of the most dynamic players in the Permian Basin is going to start each offensive play with the ball in his hands.
“It’s an obvious growth pattern for him,” McCamey head coach Michael Woodard said. “We had Ivan Rubio for a couple years and then last year it was Nano (Rodriguez).
“He could have been the quarterback last year. He’s been learning the position for awhile.”
Meanwhile, opposing defenses have been learning that it’s hard to stop Rosas.
He isn’t, however, the only threat that McCamey, the two-time defending district champion, has on offense.
Seniors Noah Torres at running back and Seby Loya at wide receiver, along with junior wide receiver Noe Hernandez give the Badgers plenty of threats.
Add in the play of offensive linemen Xavier Vazquez, Jon Silva, Michael Acosta and newcomer Mark Ruiz and McCamey presents problems offensively.
It’s also a group that has been together for several seasons and holds each player accountable.
“Matt, Noah Torres, Seby Loya, they are all leaders on this team,” Woodard said. “Jon Silva on the line, too, by his actions.”
When the line of scrimmage flips and the Badgers are on defense, it’s pretty much the same cast of characters.
The linemen step to the other side of the football, Torres moves to linebacker, along with Joe Tarin, while Hernandez and Rosas move to the safety spots.
“Acosta started for us at defensive end last year,” Woodard said. “He’s super strong and super physical.
“Matt was at outside linebacker and now at strong safety. He’s gotten after it from day one; it’s a different spot but the same aggressive mindset, along with a chance for him to cover both sides of the field.”
Another challenge facing the Badgers is their move from Region I to Region II in the latest UIL alignment, along with being placed in seven-team District 5-2A Division II.
That means just four nondistrict games to get all the bugs worked out, along with three new programs McCamey has never faced in Water Valley, Sterling City and Midland TLCA.
That’s because those programs are making the transition from six-man to 11-man football this season.
“It makes it interesting is what it does,” Woodard said when asked about the changes. “I know a lot about those programs and how successfull Water Valley and Sterling City have been.
“They are going to be athletic, strong and well coached. Nondistrict feels fast; this puts a lot of importance on that fifth game and to me that’s great because you want to be in those games that have meaning.”
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MCCAMEY BADGERS
— COACHES —
>> Head coach: Michael Woodard.
>> Coach’s overall record: 24-12.
>> Coach’s record at school: 24-12.
>> Assistant coaches, duties: Santos Saucedo, offensive coordinator; Ray Carroll, defensive coordinator.
— TEAM INFORMATION —
>> 2021 overall record: 9-2.
>> 2021 district record: 5-0 (First).
>> Last district title: 2021.
>> Last playoff appearance: 2021.
>> Stadium name: Badger Stadium.
>> Base offense: Spread.
>> Base defense: 3-3.
— PLAYERS —
>> Returning lettermen: 23.
>> Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense).
>> Key returners: Matthew Rosas, 5-7, 150, Sr., RB/LB; Noah Torres, 5-8, 160, Sr., RB/LB, Seby Loya, 5-10, 160, Sr., WR/DB; Xavier Vazquez, 6-0, 205, Jr., OL/DE; Jon Silva, 6-3, 305, Sr., OL/DL; Michael Acosta, 5-11, 195, Sr., OL/DE; Noe Hernandez, 5-6, 140, Jr., WR/DB; Edgar Quinonez, 6-1, 165, Soph., WR/DB.
>> Key newcomers: Mark Ruiz, 6-2, 285, Soph., OL/DL.
