BY NOLAN RUTH
X – @RealNolanRuth
Moving into Class 3A, the county’s newest UIL football program has a big relief off its shoulders. The Peaster Greyhounds joined the UIL ranks in 2020 and were put into a district with the school’s arch-rival, Brock.
Both schools hold a hostile rivalry towards each other in just about every sport. However, while there was no love lost on the gridiron, it was anything but a rivalry, with Brock taking all four contests by a combined 248-21.
No more!
Brock has moved up to 4A, which means that Peaster no longer has the iceberg that inevitably sank its ship every year. Head coach Trevor Owens can start all over in his second year at the helm. Thankfully for him and the Greyhound team, there are some familiar faces returning to establish what they hope will be a new tradition of finding themselves in solid district standing and as regular postseason contenders.
Though most starters will be playing on both sides of the ball, Peaster has a pair of offensive lineman that will likely be specialized just for the offensive front. Cason Canafax and Spencer Johnson will be returning for their senior season, and will be charged with the task of anchoring the front five for the Greyhounds.
Both young men received all-district honors a season ago with Johnson being named first-team and Canafax being named Offensive Lineman Of The Year. Riley Danner, who was also named District Honorable Mention, will join them at center.
Arguably the biggest weapon Peaster has is junior Cade McCollough, who made a big impact in every aspect of the game. He was a big threat in the passing game both on offense and defense, but the biggest highlight of his career was arguably two years ago when he nailed a 46-yard field goal. This is a player that can do it all for the Greyhounds and he will likely be called upon again to handle kicking duties.
The defense will also have its big star in defensive end Xavier Wilson, who was named first-team all-district in 2023, where he recorded 14 tackles-for-loss and six sacks.
Aside from the few who will play only one side of the ball, there are several who will play Ironman football that are expected to step up in a big way. The biggest name being Rhett Kelley, who is entering his junior season after recording 32 tackles and three interceptions. He will step into a bigger role on offense this season as a wide receiver. Others joining him who could have big impacts include Rylan Salyers, Brayden Gent, Colt Turner and Whit Williamson.
The starting backfield will likely include a couple of two-way players as well. Kaden Albert is the likely starting quarterback after seeing a few reps last season. He will be joined by Hagen Hadley at running back. Both are expected to be at linebacker, where they will likely join probably the most under-the-radar player on the roster, Mark Tullous who will be splitting time on both sides.
Schedule & Analysis
vs Tolar
vs Ferris
at Jacksboro
at Early
vs Bowie
at Iowa Park
vs Paradise
at Ponder
vs Boyd
at Vernon
Floor: 2-8
Owens scheduled a very tough non-district schedule and that could pay off dividends in the long run. However it leaves the Greyhounds in a tough spot going into district play with a potential 0-4 record. I cannot see Peaster falling to Bowie or Boyd, as both are in a weak spot in their programs while the Greyhounds get stronger. However, in a game which could decide the final playoff spot, Ponder takes them down and leaves Peaster out of the playoffs with just a two-win season
Average: 4-6, 4-seed
Ferris is a team that could be ripe for the picking, especially after losing its quarterback to Frisco ISD. Facing that team at home in the early season could result in a pretty good win to get some momentum. That is what I foresee in this scenario. However, Jacksboro and Early end the momentum and send the Hounds into district at 1-3. But they will be able to bounce back later in the season with a district win against Ponder to clinch back-to-back playoff berths for the first time in the program’s short history.
Ceiling: 6-4, 3-seed
Tolar and Jacksboro are the two non-district games that I just cannot see Peaster winning. They are two teams that have a big possibility of taking the state by storm just one division below. Ferris and Early seem like games that are very winnable for the Hounds. This sends Peaster into district with a 2-2 record. Then, not only can the Greyhounds make the playoffs by taking down Bowie, Ponder and Boyd, but keep your eyes on the game against Iowa Park. That game is between two teams that, in my belief, are very similar and equal in talent. So this game is officially on alert as potentially the upset of the year.
