Aug. 29, 2024
The 2023 Abilene High Eagles enjoyed the program’s best season in more than 10 years, winning the District 2-5A Division I title and reaching the fourth round of the state playoffs (quarterfinals) for the first time since 2011. This year’s team returns eight starters on offense and three on defense, making the Eagles the prohibitive favorites to win another district title.
Despite losing several key contributors to last year’s success – most on the defensive side of the ball – sixth-year head coach Mike Fullen has never believed in rebuilding, only re-loading. So the Eagles re-load this year and will count heavily on returning offensive skill players and linemen to carry the load early until a young defense can settle in.
That offense will take the field led by junior quarterback Brayden Henry, outstanding senior wide receiver Ryland Bradford, and an offensive line anchored by four returning starters: seniors Shetonde Polepole and Jerrod Turner and juniors Jim Boima and Rhyan Esparza.
“Anytime you return an experienced offensive line, you’re starting on a positive note,” said Fullen, who led the Eagles to an 11-3 record last season. “As with any good team, everything you want to do on offense starts up front.”
Those players will be protecting one of the most dynamic players in West Texas in Henry, who ran for 882 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, caught 19 passes, and threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns as he played quarterback, running back, and receiver. He was in a two-QB system with last year’s District 2-5A Most Valuable Player, Dylan Slack, but Henry figures to take most of the snaps this year. Sophomore Tristan Beal could also see some time at quarterback to allow Henry to make plays from other positions. But Henry is entrenched as the starter going into the season.
“Brayden had a great offseason, and he’s bigger and faster than last year,” Fullen said. “He’s made great strides with his throwing mechanics and has an excellent grasp of our scheme. He knows our offense extremely well after having played multiple positions the last two seasons.”
Bradford – who committed to Texas-El Paso earlier this summer, choosing the Miners over San Diego State, North Texas, UT-Rio Grande Valley, and Fordham – caught 61 passes for 871 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, had a 91-yard touchdown run and kickoff returns for touchdowns of 97 and 77 yards.
In Abilene High’s 84-14 bi-district playoff win over El Paso Hanks, he touched the ball five times and scored four touchdowns (one kickoff return, two receiving touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown).
“Ryland is very strong with great ball skills,” Fullen said. “He’s very hard to tackle because he runs with such intensity. We’ll put the ball in his hand a lot this year.”
In Abilene High’s scrimmage last week against Wylie, Bradford scored on two touchdown receptions of 67 yards, had another catch of 62 yards, and scored on a 37-yard run where he lined up as the running back in the formation.
The Eagles – ranked 8th in Class 5A Division I by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football – will have what they always have: speed to burn on offense. Bradford, Henry, and wide receiver Bryson Perez made up three-quarters of last year’s 4x100 relay team that qualified for the Class 5A state meet. The fourth person on that team was junior defensive back Jaden Jackson.
The defense lost several key contributors, but Fullen likes what he has returning, especially senior linebacker Dristain Payne, a first team All-District 2-5A selection in 2023. The Eagles will be breaking in a lot of new faces on defense, but they’ll be fast, as usual. Sophomore linebacker Skylar Faimoa earned praise from Fullen for his work in fall camp, and he is listed as the starter at middle linebacker, working next to Payne.
Other names to look for on defense are nose tackle Jayden Starks, defensive end Aamanni Strahan, outside linebacker Eddie Varela, and safety Demotric Sanchez. The Eagles also return junior placekicker Naim Segura, who hit 71 of 73 PATs and made 11 field goals. He set the school record for PATs in a game by hitting all 12 in the playoff win over Hanks.
All those elements make up what Fullen believes could be a team rounding into shape at the right time of the year.
“We want to be consistent, improve each week, and be playing our best football heading into the playoffs,” he said. “The first goal is to qualify for the state playoffs, win the district champion, and be playing Thanksgiving weekend.”
2024 ABILENE HIGH EAGLES
• Coach (seasons as head coach / overall record): Mike Fullen (6th season / 33-26)
• Last season (overall record, district record, district finish): 11-3 (6-0, 1st in District 2-5A Division I)
• Last playoff appearance (year, result): 2023 (def. El Paso Hanks, 84-14, in bi-district; def. Denton Ryan, 31-21, in area; def. Justin Northwest, 27-16, in regional semifinals; lost to Aledo, 56-21, in state quarterfinals).
• Last district championship (year): 2023 (6-0 in District 2-5A Division I)
• 2024 District and Opponents: District 2-5A Division I (Amarillo High, Amarillo Caprock, Amarillo Tascosa, Lubbock High, Lubbock Coronado, Lubbock Monterey)
• Lettermen Returning / Lost: 30/ 41
• Starters Returning: 8 offense; 3 defense
• Top Returners (name, classification, position, 2023 honors): Ryland Bradford, sr, WR/Ath (District 2-5A Offensive POY); Brayden Henry, jr, QB/Ath (1st team All-District, Big Country Utility Player); Bryson Perez, sr, WR (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Shetonde Polepole, sr, OL (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Jerrod Turner, sr, OL (2nd team All-District); Jim Boima, jr, OL (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Rhyan Esparza, jr, OL (1st team All-District 2-5A); Dristain Payne, sr, LB (1st team All-District 2-5A); Naim Segura, jr, PK (2nd team All-District 2-5A); Eddie Varela, sr, OLBr; Camp Churchill, sr, WR; John Miles Wagstaff, sr, TE/LB/P.
• Top Newcomers (name, classification, position): Skylar Faimoa, soph, LB; M'Aujehl Aboso, soph, WR; Tristain Beal, soph, QB; Jaden Brown Johnson, soph, DB; Jayden Starks, jr, DL; Aamanni Strahan, jr, DL.