When District 10-5A (Div. I) was formed in February 2022, the first thing that stuck out was a couple quality football programs each season were simply not going to make the playoffs.
In November when all was said and done, Magnolia – along with Foster and Friendswood – were three of those teams on the outside looking in.
When the game of musical chairs ended, the Bulldogs were left without a seat. Magnolia suffered its first losing season since 2014 and broke a streak of three consecutive years in the postseason.
“It was definitely not the year we wanted to have,” Magnolia fifth year coach Craig Martin said. “I was proud of our kids and our fight. There were three one-score games, a two-score game. We were right there. A couple things go our way in different directions in different times of ball games and a 3-7 year can just as easily be a 7-3 year.”
Magnolia lost district games by three points (Fulshear), four (Friendswood), five (Magnolia West) and 11 (Angleton).
There could have easily been a five-way tie for second place at one point late in the season.
Magnolia isn’t too busy looking backwards, however.
“The energy and excitement is there for sure,” Martin said of this year’s prospects. “A part of that is the new season, which everybody is excited for. But I also think we’ve got a lot of guys back who have put in the time and effort to get ready for this season. We feel good about it.”
The headliner is senior running back Hunter Andrews, who earned 24 Division I college offers during the offseason – ranging from Power 5 schools to the Ivy League.
Andrews racked up 1,444 rushing yards, 210 receiving and scored 14 touchdowns.
The three-star recruit (247 Sports) and the 135th rated Class of 2024 for Texas committed to Utah, a future Big 12 team. “To say the cat is kind of out of the bag on him is a good way to put it,” Martin said of Andrews, who will also play some defense as a defensive back/linebacker. “Hunter is a phenomenal player and I think he proved that by being a first-team running back in that district. To get recognized in a district full of good running backs – that’s who he is and he’s a phenomenal leader for us too. He’s going to carry a lot of the weight for us on offense.”
An experienced offensive line – including Ian Pippins-Moon, Kade Batts and Gage Patschke pave the way for Andrews.
“Three of our offensive linemen are back,” Martin said. “We’re excited about those guys coming back. I think when you have veterans on the offensive line, it’s usually a good thing.”
They will also be blocking for senior quarterback Tanner Whittington, who saw some action in the past, but takes over for Houston Christian-bound Montana Wells.
“The quarterback right now is a senior in Tanner Whittington, who got to see some playing time last year behind Montana (Wells),” Martin said. “I’m really proud of our entire quarterback room. But Tanner did a really good job this spring of really picking up the offense. He spent a lot of time studying and learning, not only our offense, but defensive structures and coverages.”
The wide receiver corp has experience, but there was a void left behind there.
“If there’s inexperience anywhere on our football team, it’s on the offensive side this year,” Martin said. “We feel good about them and we have some talented kids in there. It’s just what are we going to do when the lights turn on?”
Gaige Sanders, an offensive weapon in 2022, was moved to the defensive side of the ball where he will help shore up the line. He could still be used on offense in the tight end/fullback role.
“I think the strength in our defense is probably going to be in our D-line,” Martin said.
Josh Garner is a standout there and there will be a youthful core on the interior.
Kyle Henry, who was banged up last year, is the middle linebacker while Tyler Covar was mentioned at weak side linebacker.
In the secondary, Wyatt Hewitt and Dylan Hayes are leaders there.
Magnolia begins the year with two Class 6A nondistrict foes in Klein Collins at home before taking the short trip to Tomball.
“Hopefully that gets us ready for the grind that is to come,” Martin said. “We’re excited and we’re geared up.”
