Texico High School senior defensive end Lucas Walthers fights off a block during a practice session at Texico's Field of Dreams. Walthers also plays tight end.

District 2-2A

• Coach: Ryan Autrey (2nd year, 9-2; 5th year overall at Texico)

• 2009 record: 9-2 (2-1, 2nd, District 2-2A)

• Returning starters (offense): 3

• Returning starters (defense): 3

• Top returning players: Lucas Walthers, Sr., TE/DE; Jose Posada, Sr., QB/SS.

• Top newcomers: So. Shay Harrison, RB-LB. Texico graduated 10 seniors, and Autrey said the Wolverines are going to rely heavily on a group of sophomores to step in. “At least five will play a lot,” he said.

• Possible breakout players: D.J. Griego and Uriel Munoz, two-way linemen. The Wolverines were hard-hit by graduation in both lines.

• The big switch: Posada is going from running back to quarterback, replacing all-around standout Seth Bailey, while Jesus Rivera is moving from tight end to split end on offense and end to linebacker on defense.

• Biggest hole(s) to fill: “We lost our entire offensive line,” Autrey said. “That’s where we’re going to have to have some kids really step up.”

• Lunchpail guy: Jr. RB/DE Donovan Johnson. “He made a lot of big plays for us last year on special teams,” Autrey said.

• Hardest hitter: Walthers.

• Biggest early-season test: Sept. 3 at Springlake-Earth. “I think they only lost two kids from last year’s team,” Autrey said. “They’re just the opposite of what we are.”

• Keys to 2010 season: How the Wolverines’ younger players come along. Autrey added that the team will have to replace the leadership lost to graduation.

• Coach’s overview: “At the end of the season, we just want the team to be the best football team they can be. As long as we do that, that’s all we can expect.”

• Last playoff appearance: 2009, lost in Class 2A semifinals to Tularosa.

• State titles (6): 1983, 1990, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2008.

• Roster:

No. Name Yr. Pos.

2 Jose Posada Sr. QB/SS

5 Canyon Scarbrough So. WR/C

8 Rallin Harris So. QB/DE

10 Jose Hernandez So. WR/CB

12 Jesus Rivera Jr. WR/LB

20 Donovan Johnson Jr. RB/DE

22 Mitch Pinnell Fr. RB/LB

23 Tyler Strickland Sr. RB/FS

24 William Beavers Fr. RB/CB

28 J.J. Tuls So. RB/CB

30 Brandon King Jr. OL/DL

32 Shay Harrison So. RB/LB

36 Sergio Posada Jr. RB/DL

44 Justin Lopez So. RB/LB

53 Mason Fenn Jr. OL/DL

56 Aaron Massey Fr. OL/DL

58 Diego Oliveria Jr. OL/DL

60 Tyler Kelly Sr. OL/DL

62 Kyler Miller So. WR/CB

64 Zach Madrid So. OL/DL

67 Lorenzo Colmanero So. OL/DL

70 Elliot Pelphrey So. OL/DL

76 D.J. Griego So. OL/DL

77 Daniel Gomez So. OL/DL

78 Uriel Munoz So. OL/DL

80 Kolten Miller Sr. WR/CB

81 Lucas Walthers Sr. TE/DE

83 John Myers Fr. TE/DE

84 Ali Valles Sr. OL/DL

84 Carlos Silva So. WR/CB

85 Adrian Gomez Fr. TE/FS

86 Miguel Reyna Fr. WR/CB88 Alan Valles So. WR/CB

• 2010 schedule

August: 27 — Dexter, 7 p.m.

September: 3 — at Springlake-Earth, 6:30 p.m.; 10 — at Portales, 7 p.m.; 16 — Clovis JV, 7 p.m.; 24 — Gruver, Texas, 7 p.m.

October: 1 — at Hagerman, 7 p.m.; 15 — at Santa Rosa, 7 p.m.-x; 22 — Tucumcari, 7 p.m.-x; 29 — Clayton, 7 p.m.-x.

x- district game

— Compiled by Dave Wagner