By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
After what seems like a month’s worth of practices, the Del Rio Rams football team is set to begin what it hopes will be the next step in the evolution of the program.
Del Rio heads to San Antonio Friday for its season opener against the San Antonio Roosevelt Rough Riders at Heroes Stadium at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the game can be purchased online at https://events.ticketspicket.com/agency/b55fa371-2571-4c4a-8178-5b7cacbe9468/events/6730e54d-1049-4c12-8dab-30b9f1a12bba
Del Rio is coming off a 4-7 season, but a second straight trip to the playoffs under head coach Rod Taylor. Taylor has guided the Rams to the postseason in two of his three seasons at the helm, but Del Rio has yet to make it out of the first round in either of those playoff appearances.
This year could be different.
Del Rio returns an experienced offense, defensive line and secondary. With a senior heavy team, this may be the combination that lifts the Rams past the first round for the first time since 2016.
It starts with junior quarterback Zack Taylor. The 30-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2021, Taylor was the only player in Texas high school football to rush for a 98-yard touchdown at least three times. This season, Taylor has shown improved passing mechanics and has not thrown an interception in Del Rio’s scrimmages. Part of that can be attributed to the work he put into his game this summer, and part of it can be attributed to the experienced set of receivers and running backs he has to help him.
Senior Jovahn West, senior Corbin Farrar, junior Alan Dobbins and sophomore Zane Hughes make up the core group of weapons at Taylor’s disposal.
Hughes was a second team all-district selection as a freshman. The feat was even more impressive after you realize he hadn’t played football since his seventh grade year due to COVID protocols.
Dobbins was a first team all-district honoree as a specialist. His kickoff returns helped set up several Rams scores, but with a healthy West back you can expect Dobbins to focus on being a wide receiver. He had three touchdowns in the Rams’ final scrimmage.
West will be healthy for week one for the first time since he was a sophomore and should be a big contributor on offense as well as on special teams. He was an all-district selection as a sophomore.
Farrar could be Del Rio’s Swiss Army Knife due to his capability to play multiple positions. He’s listed on the roster as a wide receiver/quarterback, but he’s capable of much more.
Defensively, the Rams will look for production from first team all-district lineman Lonnie Green Jr., all-district second team honoree Juan “Chili” Peralta, a defensive back, and all-district honorable mention Bradan Ludemann, who is also a defensive back. All three are seniors.
Joining them will be returners Manuel Padilla, a junior defensive lineman; senior defensive back Sammy Flores; and senior defensive back Fabian Venegas.
Roosevelt was 5-5 season and is led by a staunch defense stacked with all-district honorees.
That group is led by middle linebacker Roman Salazar. A three-year starter, Salazar led 28-6A in tackles last season with 105 and was a first team all-district selection.
He’ll be backed by senior defensive back Deshawn Washington, a second team all-district selection, and junior defensive end Jussiah Ali, the district’s defensive newcomer of the year.
Washington was clocked at 4.56 in the 40, while Ali towers over blockers at 6 feet, 2 inches and 315 pounds, according to the San Antonio Express-News.
On offense, the Rough Riders will be led by 28-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year Brennan Carroll, who rushed for 989 yard and nine touchdowns, and all-district first team wide receiver Andrew Price, who caught 37 passes for 441 yards and two scores as a junior. Senior Dillion Coleman is also a player to watch for Roosevelt. A second team all-district selection, he had 14 catches for 368 yards and five touchdowns.
The game will also be a reunion of sorts for the Rams football family. Del Rio Rams alumnae, and former offensive coordinator, Tyrell McCrea, brother to San Felipe Del Rio CISD Athletic Director Frenchey McCrea, serves as the receivers coach for the Rough Riders.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
