High school football preview: Ralls Jackrabbits eye another district title push in 2023
Last year wasn't bad for the Ralls football team, considering the Jackrabbits were replacing 12 seniors.
The 2022 campaign featured ebbs and flows, including winning streaks of four and five games sandwiched between a disappointing loss to Hale Center. That setback prevented the Jackrabbits from securing an outright District 3-2A Division II title, but didn't keep the team from a solid season.
"I think they've got that mentality that we're supposed to be fighting for district championships every year," Ralls coach Xavier Rangel said, "and I think that's our mentality again this year."
Ralls will have a better starting point this season, returning 12 starters (five on offense, seven on defense), many of whom are along the interior.
Zach Keith was an all-district performer on the offensive and defensive lines. Rangel is looking to the dual threat to provide that leadership and push on both sides of the ball once again. Joining Keith up front are fellow returners Nyk Alcala and Daniel Flores.
Ralls' Slot-T offense will see some new faces getting the rock. Gone are two of the team's top-three rushers, though Rangel does get fullback Justin Zavala (964 yards, 14 touchdowns) and quarterback Gunner Hitt back to steady the offense.
"He does a good job of running hard," Rangel said of Zavala. "He's one of those ones that can run over you if he needs to or put a little move on, kind of sidestep you a little bit."
Rangel said he also expects linebacker Daniel Flores to be a big piece to the defense. Flores (100 tackles) came on strong last year with consistent performances.
"He wasn't starting early in the year," Rangel said, "but he just kind of started making plays and we had to find a spot for him."
Ralls Jackrabbits
Head coach — Xavier Rangel (74-49 overall, 33-13 at Ralls)
2022 record — 9-3 overall, 4-1 in District 3-2A Division II
Last district title/playoff appearance — 2022/2022
Base offense — Slot-T
Base defense — 3-4
Returning lettermen — 14
Returning off./def. starters — 5/7
Players to watch — Zach Keith, OL/DL; Nyk Alcala, OL/DL; Justin Zavala, FB/DB; Gunner Hitt, QB/DB; Aydan Villalba, TE/LB
2023 schedule
* — denotes District 3-2A DII game
Aug. 25 — at Floydada, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 — vs. Smyer, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 — at Memphis, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 — vs. Plains, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 — at Seagraves, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 — vs. Bovina*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 — vs. Hale Center*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 — at Lockney*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27 — vs. Crosbyton*, 7 p.m.
Nov. 3 — at Sudan*, 7 p.m.
2022 results
Floydada L, 34-6
at Smyer W, 24-18
Memphis W, 28-0
at Plains W, 35-14
Seagraves W, 27-18
at Bovina* W, 27-20
at Hale Center* L, 28-13
Lockney* W, 42-13
at Crosbyton* W, 50-24
Sudan* W, 27-13
Plains W, 34-18 (bi-district)
Clarendon L, 48-14 (area)
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 2023 High school football preview: Ralls Jackrabbits eye district title
