kristv
The anticipation is building among Flour Bluff supporters as they eagerly await the chance to pack the stands for the upcoming gridiron clashes. The Hornets have secured the No. 25 spot in Dave Campbell's UIL 5A-DI preseason rankings, but the team is far from complacent.
Despite a limited number of returning varsity starters, the roster is brimming with players who gained valuable experience last season. Head coach Clynton Elwood emphasized the competitive nature of the current camp, noting that no starting job is guaranteed, even for seasoned athletes. "They've been working their tails off," Elwood said. "Just because you started last year doesn't mean you will this year. Sam has to work too, just like everyone else. The offensive and defensive lines have been going at it since the spring, so there are plenty of battles brewing for those spots."
Offensively, the Hornets bring back four starters, headlined by senior running back Sam Smith, who recently committed to play at the Air Force Academy. Smith's impressive 2023 campaign saw him rush for 1,137 yards and score 24 touchdowns across 12 games. His experience will be invaluable as the team breaks in a new starting quarterback. Smith spoke highly of the signal-callers vying for the job, praising their vocal leadership and work ethic. "I have a great relationship with all of them," Smith said. "They're all great people with a strong commitment to improvement."
Defensively, Flour Bluff returns three starters, with the secondary providing much of the veteran presence. District preseason defensive MVP Raymond Aguilar and Landon Meschi anchor a unit that has been instrumental in mentoring the younger players. "With Ray and Landon back there, we have guys who know the system inside and out," Elwood said. "Their leadership has been fantastic, helping coach up the younger kids alongside us." Aguilar praised the team's resilience, saying, "I like that they don't give up no matter how hard it gets, and we always get 11 hats to the ball."
Key Analysis
The Hornets are entering a new district alignment, District 15 in 5A-DI, which includes familiar foes like Veterans Memorial and Carroll, along with four Valley teams. Their non-district schedule is loaded with tough opponents, which should serve as a strong preparation for the challenges ahead. Smith expressed confidence in the team's ability to start strong, saying, "We're going to come out hot and guns blazing. I'm really excited."
Flour Bluff will kick off the season in the KRIS 6 Game of the Week against the Miller Buccaneers on Friday, August 28, at 7:30 p.m. at Hornet Stadium.
Originally reported by kristv.