SPLENDORA — Like many pockets of Greater Houston, Splendora has been experiencing growth.
Look no farther than the new houses across FM 2090 from the high school.
The Wildcats football team is also hoping for a boom on Friday nights.
After a 1-9 season in 2022 where the Wildcats won the season opener and slid downhill from there, Splendora is focused on its gains.
“We always try to put it that our success won’t be rated on wins and losses,” Splendora coach Laine Sambrooks said. “Coming in, we knew when we were taking over we needed continuity. Continuity with the players, continuity with the staff and continuity with the community. I think we’ve developed that over the last three years.”
The product on the field has been young.
“We’ve been playing young for two years now,” Sambrooks said.
But with playing, patience and persistence, the Wildcats feel like they have the depth to compete in 2023.
“I feel like we’ve created some depth over the years and this deepest team we’ve had,” Sambrooks said.
Senior Kaden Grahlfs returns as the team’s leading receiver (42 receptions, 310 yards). His focus has been on the future since the final whistle last November.
The future is now.
“As soon as the season was over, we were back completely refocused and rebuilding,” Grahlfs said. “We completely changed our weight room program. It’s military type. Full speed all the time, just going full force. Just getting rid of what happened the year before and getting ready to go for the next year.”
Gone to graduation is Grahlfs’ good buddy Harrison Facundo, the team’s starting quarterback the past couple seasons.
In steps senior Robert Lubbers.
“We’re doing what we can with what we’ve got,” Grahlfs said. “Robert Lubbers – he’s a good guy and he can throw the ball. He’s doing great out here.”
Lubbers has already proven himself as a versatile weapon in the Wildcats’ offense.
“Robert Lubbers is coming up and he’s been with our program for four years,” Sambrooks said. “He played receiver for us on varsity last year. He’s got a lot of talent. Rangy kid, about 6-2 and can run a little bit. He’s really taken control and has command of the huddle.
“We’ve got some new stuff on offense – not a complete wholesale change – but we’re just doing some things to highlight the talent that we have.”
Dominic Rodriguez is back as the leading rusher (422 yards).
“We are returning Dom Rodriguez, who’s back for his senior year,” Sambrooks said. “He’s been with us for three years. He’s a 10.4 100 kid. A track kid also, he’s explosive and strong.”
He’ll share attempts with sophomore Isaac Shumate, who burst on the scene last year as a first team All-District District 10-4A (Div. I) linebacker.
At wide receiver, Lubbers has some options.
“Montero is back,” Sambrooks said. “As a sophomore, he was one of our top receivers. Kaden Grahlfs has been our leading receiver for the last two years and we move him around everywhere. Tight end, inside, outside, fullback. We’ll give him the ball quite a bit.”
Sambrooks also added Russell Cash will play a significant role.
The offensive line returns three starters.
“Defensive side of the ball, we’re pretty athletic,” Sambrooks said. “We’re going to be young, but Shumate obviously coming back is huge for us.”
Aiden Miranda and Ethan Rodriguez return as three-year starters on the offensive line and freshman Calvin Limbrick brings some size at tackle.
A big goal for the Wildcats is breaking the district losing streak. It’s been since November 2020 since the last time that’s happened.
The Wildcats are up to the challenge.
“LCM (Little Cypress-Mauriceville) took a giant step over there with Eric Peevey coaching,” Sambrooks said. “Lumberton is going to be a top five team in the whole state. A lot of their kids that played young are going to be seniors this year. Vidor is always going to be Vidor even though they have a new head coach. They run the same stuff and are going to be tough. Huffman is our rival and that’s one we marked on the calendar. We gave that one up last year and had a really bad game.”
The team has been hard at work with practice beginning July 31.
“You have to hope for the best and believe in the team,” Grahlfs said.
