HONDO, Texas – The bar was set high last season when the Hondo High School football program emerged from the regular season with a nearly perfect 9-1 record – the Owls’ lone loss coming against eventual District 14-3A-DI champion Jourdanton.

Hondo later defeated its new district opponent Cole in the opening round of the postseason before losing to Goliad in the second round.

“I’m really excited,” said Hondo football head coach Dustin Templin. “I think we have every chance to be better than last year. We just have to go out there and execute.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine, the Owls are expected to repeat their second-place finish in the district from last year.

However, for the program to achieve that level of success, they will have to make up for the loss of last year’s large graduating class and adjust to a more difficult out-of-district schedule from Hondo.

“We really need to step up,” Hondo quarterback DJ Richter said. “There are a lot of guys that need to step up. We have a lot of young talent, and if we develop that talent, we can be really good this year.”

Hondo is aware of the challenge and the new graduates are highly motivated to continue the program’s success.

“Great things,” Hondo senior running back Jerry Guevara said of the expectations. “We’re coming off a 10-2 season, we’re really motivated and we want to focus on the district championship and beyond.”

The Owls will bring their winning mentality to their season opener at home against Blanco on August 30th at 7 p.m.

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