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Senior Sergio Montejano, left, is the lone returning offensive lineman for the Mules, who went undefeated during the regular season in 2009.

District 2-2A

• Coach: David Wood (15th year, 117-48)

• 2009 record: 10-1 (5-0, 1st, District 2-2A)

• Returning starters (offense): 5

• Returning starters (defense): 5

• Top returning players: Sergio Montejano, Sr., OL/DL; Cooper Washington, Sr., QB/DE; Juan Sanchez, Sr., RB/ILB.

• Top newcomer: Ray Martinez, So., WR/CB.

• Possible breakout player: Isaac Baca, Jr., RB/LB. Wood said Baca “showed us what he had” in one game last season, rushing for 225 yards and five touchdowns on just seven carries.

• The big switch: Washington, who has verbally committed to the University of Oklahoma where he is expected to play defensive end, will get a look at quarterback this fall after playing a receiver position in the past.

• Biggest hole(s) to fill: Offensive line and quarterback.

• Lunchpail guy: Royce Strader, Sr. C/ILB. Strader played skill positions in the past on offense. “He’s just one of those guys who’s very (versatile),” Wood said.

• Hardest hitter: Washington.

• Biggest early-season test: At Shallowater in the opener on Aug. 27.

• Keys to 2010 season: Line play on offense. “Our skill positions are pretty deep, but our linemen will be new with the exception of Sergio,” Wood said.

• Coach’s overview: “We’ve been put into an eight-team district that’s been labeled the toughest 2A district in the state. We’re going to have to play well week-in and week-out.”

• Last playoff appearance: 2009, lost to Amarillo River Road in the first round of the Class 2A Division I playoffs.

• State titles (1): 2008.

• 2010 schedule

August: 27 — at Shallowater, 6:30 p.m.

September: 3 — Portales, 7 p.m.; 10 — at Andrews, 6:30 p.m.; 24 — Lubbock Roosevelt, 6:30 p.m.-x.

October: 1 — at Bushland, 6:30 p.m.-x; 8 — Slaton, 6:30 p.m.-x; 15 — Friona, 6:30 p.m.-x; 22 — at Littlefield, 6:30 p.m.-x; 29 — Amarillo River Road, 6:30 p.m.-x.

November: 5 — at Childress, 6:30 p.m.-x.

x-district games

• Roster

No. Name Yr. Pos.

7 Beau Avila Jr. WR/DB

10 Steven Durben Sr. QB/OLB

11 Eric Orozco Jr. WR/DB

12 Ryan Deleon Jr. WR/DB

14 Cooper Washington Sr. QB/DE

20 Juan Sanchez Sr. RB/ILB

21 Ray Martinez So. WR/DB

22 Joey Ramirez Sr. WR/OLB

24 Saul Elizalde Jr. WR/DB

30 Alfredo Sanchez Sr. RB/ILB

33 Issac Baca Jr. RB/LB

42 Rico Alarcon Sr. WR/DE

51 Dameon Snell Sr. OL/OLB

52 Royce Strader Sr. OL/ILB

54 Juan Orozco Sr. OL/DT

55 Gage Edwards Sr. OL/DE

60 Marcial Campos Sr. OL/DT

63 Sergio Montejano Sr. OL/DL

67 Juan Guerrero Jr. OL/DE

73 Ryan Johnson So. OL/DE

74 Pilar Campos Jr. OL/DT

78 Clay Pena Sr. OL/DL

79 Leo Lucio Sr. OL/DT

80 Isaias Guerra Sr. WR/DB

88 Cristian Castorena Sr. WR/DB

 

— Compiled by Dave Wagner