The Big Country’s 2023 high school football season was one that would go down in the record books.
Three schools – Albany, Gordon and Benjamin – claimed the state championship, with the Longhorns defeating Westbrook in the Class 1A Division I all-region final.
Abilene High reached the regional finals for the first time in over a decade, while teams like Stephenville and Hawley played well into December.
A lot will be decided on the field in the coming months, but here’s a look at the Big Country’s five most important storylines for the 2024 season.
More: Here’s what some Big Country coaches say about the change in the UIL playoff format
More: Grayson Rigdon moves to 11-man school Columbus
More: The iconic Clinton R. Schulze Stadium will have a new, temporary look for the 2024 football season
Albany Lions aim for third win in a row
After more than 60 years without winning a state football championship, Albany has now won the last two Class 2A Division I championships.
Denney Faith’s club enter the season in second place and on a 27-match winning streak, and there is no doubt that they are on the shortlist of title contenders.
Chip Chambers is back to run the offense after throwing for 2,529 yards and 37 touchdowns, but running back Adam Hill is now at Texas Tech and lineman Zane Waggoner also graduated. The defense returns only two starters.
Faith has been steadily restocking in Albany, but with teams like top 10 teams Munster, Windthorst and Wellington, it won’t be easy to get out of the region.
Benjamin’s life without Grayson Rigdon
Meanwhile, Benjamin is also aiming for his third consecutive 1A Division II title, but the Mustangs will have to do without one of the best players in Sixers history as Grayson Rigdon has landed in Class 3A Columbus.
Keegan Hayes will be Benjamin’s center after earning All-State honors as a freshman. The Mustangs will still be a threat, but Rigdon’s absence opens up an opportunity for Jayton to appear in a title game.
Abilene High ready for encore
Not only did Abilene defeat Denton Ryan and Northwest in last year’s magical postseason, the Eagles also made it to the state championship quarterfinals for the first time since 2011.
Abilene is ahead of no one this year. The team is ranked 10th in Class 5A Division I and has seven offensive players on the team. The Eagles’ defense may have suffered a drop in performance, but Mike Fullen’s team is the district favorite and will pose a regional threat.
The Eagles aren’t the only urban school expecting big things, as Cooper and Wylie are expected to join Lubbock-Cooper in battling for the 2-5A Division II title.
New regime at 3A Jim Ned, Clyde
Four proven Class 3A schools in the region will have new leadership after their head coaches left to take jobs elsewhere.
Jim Ned conducted an internal search for defensive coordinator Jonathon McClure, who was chosen to replace Matt Fanning, who left the team after six years (and a state title) to join Hardin-Simmons’ staff.
Clyde has a new leader in Johnathon Haddock, who left Plainview in June where he spent the last four seasons. Haddock replaces Danny Dudgeon, who is now at Godley.
Merkel lured Wes Wood away from Snyder, while Early promoted defensive coordinator Randall Case.
Gordon Longhorns ready to start a dynasty
Before the start of the 2023 season, many experts on the six-man team believed that Gordon, who is primarily in his second year, was still a year away from the championship.
Instead, Mike Reed’s Longhorns defeated all 15 opponents with grace, including a 70-20 victory over two-time champion Westbrook in the Class 1A Division I title game.
With players like Riley Reed, Stryker Reed and Noah Kostiha returning as juniors, Gordon is an overwhelming favorite to repeat. If everyone stays healthy, it’s hard to imagine anyone taking a game off the Longhorns.
