Previewing 2021: A look at the Steers’ non-district schedule

The Steers open football’s regular season with a pair of home games on Aug. 27 and Sept. 3. Before that, the Steers will meet Burkburnett and Bowie in a pair of scrimmages. The Graham Leader has already looked into how last season fared for the Steers’ opponents. As we enter the final month of the year without Texas high school football, we will give a brief preview of each team on the 2021 Steers schedule. This edition will include the non-district schedule. The district schedule will be included in a future edition.

Alvarado (Aug. 27)

A young roster is slowly growing up for the Indians. They return a total of 11 starters, including seven on defense from a terrible 2020 season. The Indians started seven sophomores last season. Returning on the defense will be junior Kaden Ford. The defensive back led the defense last year as a sophomore in interceptions and tackles. Blake Bledsoe (senior) and Logan McDaniel will be top options for an Indians’ starting quarterback who will likely be starting his first game at the varsity level when the Indians travel to Graham on Aug. 27.

Springtown (Sept. 3)

The Porcupines will be the first true test of the season for the Steers. Hudson Hulett will be tasked with succeeding Camden Chesney at quarterback. Matthew Lockard (654 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2020) and Brodee Trejo (242 yards, 2 touchdowns in 2020) are both senior receiving options for the sophomore. With the Porcupines’ top three rushers all graduated, Hulett will hand off to Ashton Strahan at running back.

Defensively, the Porcupines will see the return of their top two tackles from 2020 in linebacker Dawson Jones (101 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble caused) and the two-way Lockard (97 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions).

For the rest of the story, see the July 3 edition of The Graham Leader.