Editor’s Note: The El Paso Times begins its high school football countdown with No. 31 Anthony. The Wildcats compete in Class 3A, Division II. Practice begins Monday, Aug. 5, and the first game is Friday, Aug. 30.
Outlook for 2024 season
The Wildcats will be in a four-team district with Crane, Alpine and Odessa Compass Academy. They will play each of their district opponents twice. Anthony is well coached and last year wound up being competitive under coach Mike Stephenson, who is in his second tenure as the Wildcats’ coach.
A look back at 2023
Anthony won three games last season, made the Class 2A playoffs and won against Hatch Valley, Hot Springs and Christoval. The Wildcats were competitive in losses to Ozona and Reagan County.
How the defense shapes up
Nick Coman, Kenneth Meraz and Jacob Lopez will help the Wildcats up front. Linebacker Carlos Gameros and defensive back Aaron Guerrero will lead the defense.
How Anthony football offense shapes up
Quarterback Lorenzo Orozco will be counted on as a major playmaker. Gameros Guerrero and Nathan Rodriguez at wide receivers will be good targets for Orozco. Chris Mata and Alfonso Cisneros give the team depth at running back and the offensive line has lots of depth with Coman, Meraz and Lopez.
What Anthony HS football coach is saying
“We are very fortunate to have a lot of returners for the upcoming season but we know we have some big holes to fill since we had a lot of key departures. Our strength is going to be up front on both sides of the ball. The offensive and defensive lines will be key to our success this season,” Stephenson said.
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What the players are saying
“I’m excited to see our team compete. We’ve been putting in lots of good work and I feel we can improve this season,” Orozco said. “I’m looking forward to working with our receivers.”
Added offensive and defensive lineman Estevan Cardenas: “Our offensive and defensive lines will be strong. Our wide receivers have come a long way. We’re looking forward to the new district and competing at a high level.”
Added offensive and defensive lineman Juan Godinez: “Last year, our offensive and defensive lines really improved as the season went on. This year, we feel we’ll be better. Our quarterback and wide receivers are putting in lots of work and will be better.”
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Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas high school football: Anthony offensive, defensive lines are key
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