Last Christmas, the Ganado Indians gave their city the State Championship everyone had been waiting for.
Two seasons ago, the Indians finally burst through Refugio, destroying the Bobcats in every aspect of the game to win their region, and put their name on the map. They then fell in a heartbreaker to Timpson in the semi-finals.
In the initial polls, the Indians topped the 2024 list, but a loss to East Bernard in week three, while missing a few key pieces, knocked them off the top spot, and they became underdogs in several playoff games.
This year, despite being defending state champs, the Indians enter the season ranked at number two. At number 1? Refugio. Once again.
“2A-1 Region 4 is very tough,”Ganado Head Football Coach Josh Ervin said. “It’s fun to be in Region 4 with the good competition each week in district and in the playoffs.”
Weimar is the only top 25 ranked team in the district, but Region 4 is full of heavy-hitters. Aside from Refugio, #7 Marlin, and #12 Mason also resides in Region 4 and would be a likely playoff competition.
Going into the season, the fact the Indians return a total of only five starters from last year’s squad puts them against the odds this year, but the Indians always figure out a way to overcome.
“With so many underclassmen playing, there’s going to be a ton of learning and growing throughout the season and we just have to continue to get better each day,” Ervin said.
With Ervin at the helm, Ganado went at least five rounds deep over the last two years. The goal, of course, is another State Championship. Much of the game plan will be similar to last year, according to Ervin, with “a few changes to better fit this year’s team.”
The players know they can’t rely on 2024’s accomplishments if they wish for another deep playoff run.
“We have to keep working hard every day to get better,” Indian Austen Pena said. “The tough schedule and harder competition (with people “gunning” for the State champs) will make us better.”
The Indians begin their Title defense on August 29, at Van Vleck. Ganado won’t have a home game until week four, when they host Tidehaven on September 19.
