ROLAND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
After a 2-8 season in 2022 under then firstyear coach and Roland alum Austin Cantrell, the Rangers are seeking a much better 2023 season — maybe even a playoff berth in Class 2A.
“We’re very excited right now,” Cantrell said. “We’re ready to get going. It’s been a long offseason. We started Nov. 7 with our off-season program. We’ve been thinking about this moment (opening 2023 season) since then. Last year was a combination of a lot of things. There was leadership (issues) within our football program. Me being a first-year head coach. Our kids are young. Now, they’ve got that taken care of now. That, and all the offseason work, and taking those licks last year, we’re ready to go this year and take care of business.”
Offensively, the trigger man will be senior quarterback Logen Thomas.
“He started the first three games for us last year,” Cantrell said. “We ended up going a different direction after game No. 3. Logen worked hard in the off-season. He’s ready to go this year. He’s gained 15 to 20 pounds, but he’s still running as good as he was. He’s one of those special guys.”
The Rangers have good depth at the running back position, thanks to Ashton Peters, Dalton Crossno, Tyson Williams, Cash Bobbitt and Alex Bower.
“I’ve got a bunch of running backs,” Cantrell said. “They’re all that kind of hybrid fullback type of guy, with the exception of a few of my young guys that have some speed. Ashton has done everything for me since his freshman year. He’s been a starter since his freshman year. He’s never not started a game. He’s our go-to fullback. He’s that hybrid fullback guy who has a good amount of speed, but he can come hit you. We have a new guy — I say he’s new. He played receiver for us last year, Dalton Crossno. He went from 170 (pounds) in the off-season to 200 to 205 right now. He’s probably going to be our starting running back. They (Peters and Crossno) are interchangeable. Tyson is a sophomore this year. He’s a fullback type. Cash is another running back/ fullback type (of athlete). Alex is going to be tight end/running back for me. With our offense, we’re able to do a lot of those things with those guys. We have some depth there. We’ve got guys we can rotate in and out all day. Our offense is pretty multiple (plays) with what we can do with the running backs.”
The same can be said about the Roland receiving corps who will be comprised of Armando Martinez, Alex Bower, Logan Lorenz and Dakota Price.
“Armando is going to be one of our outside guys,” Cantrell said. “Alex is interchangeable. He’s the body type who can play running back and do tight end — and a little bit of receiver. Logan has been one of our guys where if you throw the ball to him, he’s go-ing to catch it. He’s our slot guy. I’ve got Dakota outside. We have a lot of depth this year at the receiver and running back positions.”
If there is a preseason concern, it’s Roland’s offensive line.
“It’s very hard to say what’s going to happen,” Cantrell said. “I’ve got seven or eight of them that are fighting for spots right now. I’ve got Jacob Resendez is our lone senior up front right now. My centers will be Joshua Stone and Colton Peters. At my tackles, I’ve got Jacob Resendez, Joseph Stone, Talen Reese and Braxton Prewett. At my guards spots, we’ve got Colton Peters, John Allen and Erik McElhaney. We’ve got about seven to eight guys. We’ve got some good, decent depth.”
When it comes to the defensive line, one of the starters might surprise fans.
“Our quarterback, Logen Thomas, is actually one of our starters up front at defensive end,” Cantrell said. “Joseph Stone is going to hold down the middle at nose guard. Braxton Prewett will be our other defensive end. Jacob Bresendez will work in there. All those (offensive linemen) will work in there this year. Some of those guys are going to have to see action as a two-way player.”
The linebacking corps should be another strong unit for the Rangers, namely thanks to those individuals who will be toting the ball — Peters, Crossno, Williams, Bobbitt and Bower.
“They’re our top guys,” Cantrell said. “I’ve got a bunch of young guys to step up there and be our back-up guys. We have a little bit of depth, but we’re a little light right there. Those fullback guys I can rotate in there, but some of those guys are athletic enough to play safety — or even up front.”
If Bower isn’t playing linebacker, he and Lucas Younger will spearhead the defensive backfield for Roland.
“Lucas is our starting safety right now.” Cantrell said. “Alex will be back there at safety. Mason Kemp, who is our back-up quarterback, is also one of our safeties. Out on the corners, we have Logan Lorenz, Dakota Price and Lateevis Jones.”
