WhenI was in high school, my favorite day of the week was Friday. Not because it was the start of the weekend, but because Friday meant football, and football meant marching band. And marching band...meant I got to take to the field in sparkles alongside them, twirling my batons as my school’s majorette (aka twirler).
For four years, I lived for those Friday nights where we’d support our hometown team, perform and make memories all the while. Countless bus trips to far away games, years of playoffs and cheering, and singing -- these are special memories to me all these years later.
If you’re reading this issue of Seguin Today, you’ve probably felt the pull of Friday Night Lights in your own special way. You are here, after all. We hope you find this issue informative, and inspirational as your teams enter their seasons.
May all the players and cheerleaders stay safe, may the band and dance teams put on great shows, and may all those who attend, make memories to cherish.
Happy Friday Night Lights, y’all!
Lizz Daniels Creative Director
Photo by Lizz Daniels
GENERAL MANAGER
Darren Dunn
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lizz Daniels
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Nick Spence
WRITERS
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Chris Austin
Lizz Daniels
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS
Laurie Ann Heideke
Linda Duncan
Jarred Kindles
OFFICE MANAGER
Priscilda Rodriguez
Bulldogs Bite Back A new era for Marion Football
Story by Chris Austin
It’s a new era for Marion football in 2025.
Joel Call takes over as the new athletic director at Marion ISD while also assuming the duties as head football coach at Marion High School. The district hired Call in February. He previously worked at the Judson ISD where he served many roles including interim head football coach, offensive coordinator and head track coach at Judson High School. Call replaces Ryne Miller who had served as the Marion AD and head football coach since 2018.
Marion is coming off a season in 2024 that saw the program win its first playoff game since 2019. Call says his players put in hard work this offseason to build on last season’s success and he’s looking to challenge them in the upcoming season to handle adversity that will come their way.
“I just want our guys to compete. I sent a letter out to them (before our first practice). I told them we’ve worked really hard this offseason, we worked really hard in the spring, but that doesn’t guarantee that there’s not gonna be any valleys, not gonna be any challenges” Call said. “So, what I’m looking for, I just want to see how they respond in adverse situations. Because it’s gonna come. That’s inevitable.
“So, one game at a time, the challenges, when we hit that adversity, how are you gonna respond? I want us to keep our composure and control the things that we can control.”
Challenges also come for players when they are dealing with a new coaching staff, but Call says his team has bought into the changes.
“We brought in our new coaches on staff and the kids gravitated toward them. The kids have come with open arms to coaches and new ideas and they’re trying to raise expectations. They’ve responded phenomenally.”
Marion finished the 2024 regular season tied for second in District 13-3A. The Bulldogs then defeated District 14-3A champion Jourdanton in the bi-district playoffs. Marion is bringing back a wealth of experience from last year’s team including senior quarterback Kade Pape.
Call says he’s excited to have experience back in the fold.
“We have a really good group of seniors. A lot of them have varsity experience,” Call said. “Guys like Kade Pape and (lineman) Cayden Schultze. Those guys are stepping up to the challenge.
“You can have a coaches led team or a players led team. And I’ve told them the teams that I’ve coached that are state championship caliber are great because of the leadership that comes from the kids.
And you know you have a special group when they say, ‘hey coach we want more, hold us to a high standard.’”
In addition to quarterback Kade Pape, senior running back Tanner Otis is back for the Bulldogs. Otis ran for 431 yards while averaging 7.3 yards per carry in a backup role last season. Otis was a track star this past spring. He won gold in the 200 meter dash at the area meet. Otis and fellow Marion football playmakers Jack Wells and Aaron Salinas along with Jaylen Reese finished 8th in the 4x100 relay at the Class 3A state track and field meet.
Up front, the Bulldogs will need to replace three senior starters from last year’s offensive line, but Schultze, who was a dual first team all-district selection on the offense and defense lines last season as a junior is back. Pape says he feels confident in Schultze and the new guys blocking up front.
“We lost a bunch of guys (on the offensive line), but I believe we have good depth this year,” Pape said. “Everyone’s been working hard in the summer, learning the offense, learning the new scheme. They’ve been putting in the work and I believe they’re gonna protect us. You win games up front. You gotta win the games in the trenches. We’re gonna be able to run the ball and I believe we should do it at a very high level.”
Like in the past, the Bulldogs will have a bunch of athletes playing two-ways on offense and defense as is the case with many teams in Class 3A. Call says he wants his defenders to be aggressive.
“We got some cats that just don’t stop like Blake Birdwell. And the challenge on defense is we want to run to the ball, run to the ball, run to the ball. If they can get to the ball, good things are gonna happen.”
The Bulldogs will be tested in the District 13-3A season. Defending district champion Llano went 5-0 in district and advanced to the fourth rounds of the playoffs. Randolph was 3-2 in district with one of those losses coming to Marion. The Ro-Hawks advanced to the third round of the postseason.
“Our district is tough,” said Call. “Every week that we play, every district game is a challenge. We can’t take anybody lightly. There’s no guaranteed wins. We’re gonna play those guys and hopefully playing great competition causes us to rise and causes us to improve.”
The Joel Call era in Marion starts with a non-district game at home on August 29th against Stockdale. The Bulldogs will have a short week for their second game when they take on New Braunfels Long Creek on a Thursday night in a game you’ll be able to hear on KWED radio. •
MARION BULLDOGS
2024 record: 5-7 (3-2 in district) Class 3A
Division I area round
Coach: Joel Call (1st season) District: 13-3A
Schedule
Aug. 29 7 PM vs. Stockdale
Sept. 4 7 PM at NB Long Creek
- Broadcast on KWED and SeguinToday.com
Sept. 12 7:30 PM at Gonzales
Sept. 19 7:30 PM at Lago Vista
Sept. 26 7 PM vs. Poteet
Oct. 3 7 PM vs. Luling *
Oct. 10 7 PM at Randolph *
Oct. 17 OPEN
Oct. 24 7 PM vs. Ingram Moore *
Oct. 31 7 PM vs. Llano *
Nov. 7 7 PM at Florence *
* District
CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER
Boys
Marcelo Morales, Senior Micah De la Torre, Sophomore
Logan Grimm, Sophomore
Diego De la Cruz, Freshman
Parker Grimm, Freshman
Jayce Nichols, Freshman
Alexander Reece, Freshman
Charles Thompson, Freshma
Girls
Eryn Beck, Senior Caylee Castellanos, Junior
Alayla Gonzalez, Junior
McKenna Jaquez-Calame, Sophomore
Riley Lindaman, Sophomore
VOLLEYBALL
Ready to RISE Navarro Football preps for season
Story by Chris Austin
After nearly two decades of grinding out yards with their signature Slot-T offense, Navarro High School football is ready to turn the page under new athletic director and head coach Glenn Hill, who brings fresh offensive concepts and a legendary coaching bloodline to the Panthers’ sideline.
Hill comes to Navarro after serving since 2021 as the offensive coordinator at Smithson Valley High School. Hill coached under his uncle, Larry Hill, who has been the head of the Rangers program for over three decades.
Glenn Hill is bringing a new offense with him, meaning for the first time since the late 2000s, Navarro High School will take the field without their trademark Slot-T offense.
In 2007, Les Goad brought the Slot-T to Navarro. Rod Blount took over for Goad in 2018 and he continued the Slot-T tradition. Blount left for George West early this year and the Navarro ISD turned to Hill, who helped Smithson Valley win their first state championship last season.
Hill says his players have embraced the new offense at Navarro.
“It’s not a secret that this has been an extremely successful school,” Hill said. “Les Goad, I think he had 127 wins here. Then Coach Blount took over and just continued winning while he was here (with the Slot-T). It’s a great offense.
“The only thing is I’m not a Slot-T guy. You gotta do what you believe in, and the kids are buying into it, though. They’re finding that there’s more similarities than maybe they thought initially.”
Hill also says the new offense will keep the physical elements of the Slot-T.
“While we’re not in the Slot-T, (our new offense) is a physical, tough-minded, running the football first style of offense. And our passes will come off of that. So, that’s been the biggest change.
“Yeah, we are in different formations. We have guys lining up in a bunch of different places and we’re spreading it out a little bit, but we’re gonna run the football a good amount and try to be a really physical football team.”
Hill’s challenge will be implementing this new system while maintaining the winning culture he’s inheriting. Navarro boasts a rich playoff tradition.
In his seven years as the head football coach at Navarro, Blount led the Panthers to at least the second round of the playoffs in each of those years. Last season, Navarro lost their first two games in a tough
District 13-4A, but won three of their last four district games to make the postseason and advance to the area round of the playoffs.
The Panthers only had two returning starters from the 2023 squad, but this year Navarro will be able to draw more experience from the 2024 team. Hill says he’s excited about his returning playmakers.
“We got a good group. Evan Rodriguez playing receiver, he made an impact last year. He’ll be playing defensive back for us too. Dylan Trotti is a returning running back. He’s quick, he’s really elusive, super strong kid, power-lifter type of guy. Hudson Jenner is another receiver. Braddock Gallini is playing tight end.
“And then the quarterback run game, that was a really big part of our offense the last several years. Every quarterback that we have in our system can run the football too.”
Navarro will need to replace some departing starters on the offensive line, but Hill feels confident they can do that.
“Tyler Riske, who was actually defensive newcomer of the year last year in the district, has embraced the role at center. He’s really athletic and intelligent. We have some big guards next to him in Grayson Carlisle and Chris Ledezma. And three or four tackles that play two-way that we will rotate in and out. They can all move. They can all run.”
For the Panther defense, Hill says that group also brings back experience.
“Up front is where we can have a good group. Mason Harvey on the inside. Lane Black who is a two-year starter on the offensive line is there. Gallini and Deegan Bush on the end,” Hill said. “Same with the linebacker corps, Mason Berry who’s played some offensive line as well, will be our middle linebacker calling the shots on defense.”
In 2024, the Panthers and the other three playoff teams from the district advanced at least two rounds into the playoffs, including district champion Wimberley, who made it to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals for the second straight year. Hill says the schedule will be a test for his team.
“There’s no cupcakes here, non-district as well. So we’re gonna be tested every single week. There’s no weeks off. It’ll be a fun run. It’ll be a difficult run, though.”
That run for the Panthers, their new coach, and new offense starts on August 29th at Floresville. Like last year, the Panthers will play 10 straight games in the regular season before their bye in the last week. The district season for Navarro will begin on September 26th against the defending district champion Wimberley Texans in Wimberley. •
NAVARRO PANTHERS
2024 record: 5-7 (3-3 in district)
Class 4A Division II area round
Coach: Glenn Hill (1st season)
District: 13-4A
Schedule
Aug. 29 – 7 PM at Floresville
Sept. 5 – 7:30 PM vs. Antonian
Sept. 12 – 7 PM at Canyon Lake
Sept. 19 – 7:30 PM vs. La Vernia
Sept. 26 – 7:30 PM at Wimberley *
Oct. 3 – 7:30 PM vs. Salado *
- Broadcast on KWED and SeguinToday.com
Oct. 10 – 7:30 PM at Jarrell *
Oct. 17 – 7:30 PM vs. Gonzales *
Oct. 24 – 7:30 PM at Smithville *
Oct. 31 – 7:30 PM vs. Lago Vista *
Nov. 7 OPEN
* District
CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER
Boys
Christopher Baron, Junior
Dylan Hampton, Junior
Robert Leal, Junior
Jake Schnautz, Junior
Callen Welsh, Freshman
Girls
Ashley Carmona, Freshman
Elisabeth Conley, Junior
Lilia Flo, Senior
Dakota Garrison, Sophomore
Angela Garza, Freshman
Anna Hedemann, Sophomore
Lezlee Hernandez, Freshman
LillyAnna Lesly, Junior
Jennedy Saenz, Sophomore
Payton Wyatt, Sophomore
VOLLEYBALL
Panther Marching Band
Who is the new director?
Jason Adam is beginning his 28th year serving in public school education. He currently serves as both the Director of Fine Arts and Head Band Director for Navarro ISD and Navarro HS. In addition to leading the Navarro HS Panther Band, Mr. Adam provides leadership for music, art, theatre, and dance programs K-12. He has extensive experience in program development, human capital, event management, curriculum design, professional development, and has enjoyed a variety of professional experiences in both the arts and educational leadership. While serving as a Texas high school band director, students under his direction earned numerous accolades in UIL competitions, TMEA events, and state and national festivals. His ensembles have performed in seven different states in competitions, parades, and showcase events. Jason Adam is an active adjudicator and clinician for bands throughout Texas and has served as a regular presenter at educational conferences.
What kind of program does your school have this year (number of students etc)?
The Navarro HS Panther Band has approximately 90 students enrolled this fall. We are a competitive 4A band and excited for the year ahead! The band program 6 - 12 has approximately 350 students enrolled for this year, and the district-wide fine arts enrollment is robust and growing K-12.
What can the audience expect from the band this season both on the field and for contest?
The Navarro HS Band is excited to not only entertain audiences at Friday night football games, pep rallies and parades, but also to wow spectators and judges at competitions on several weekends beginning September 27th. The contest show for this year is entitled “Rise!” This title is symbolic for us with a new band staff and some new expectations in place. We plan to “rise” above any challenges and become the best students, musicians, and citizens we can possibly be. The music and marching drill also portray imagery of rising up.
What should we know about the band program?
Mr. Adam is joined by new assistant band director and percussion director, Mr. Brad Arnold, and returning assistant band director Mr. Izrael Robledo. New to the program this year is our color guard director, Ms. Yaira Nieves, who brings a wealth of experience for our color guard and marching band students. Also new to the team this year is Junior High band director, Mr. Hector Ramirez, who will be leading the Junior High band to new heights. Jason Adam stated, “I am excited to work with this great team of educators, and excited to help guide our awesome students to reach their full potential this year. I am very grateful for the warm welcome I have received from my colleagues throughout the district as well as the amazing Navarro Band Boosters. A special thank you to Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley, Principal Clay Scarborough, and the Navarro ISD school board for inviting me to join this amazing school district. I can’t wait for our first public performance of the year!” •
Photos courtesy NISD
Playoff BOUND Matadors aim for post-season
Story by Chris Austin
The Seguin Matadors enter the 2025 season with postseason aspirations following a successful return to the playoffs in 2024. Last year’s trip to the postseason was Seguin’s sixth out of the last seven years. The Mats had several dramatic victories on their path to the postseason in 2024. Seguin erased halftime deficits against Brazoswood, Victoria East, Boerne Champion, and completed a second half comeback against Wagner on a Hail Mary pass into the back of the end zone on the game’s final play.
Back to lead the offense this season is senior quarterback Corey Dailey, who has started every Seguin game since his freshman year. Dailey, who has committed to the University of Pittsburgh, is coming off a stellar junior campaign where he threw for over 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns, earning him the District 13-5A Offensive MVP.
Following a season that saw explosive offensive performances, including a memorable 73-66 shootout victory over Boerne Champion where Dailey threw for 451 yards and seven touchdowns, Seguin aims to build on their playoff foundation under the guidance of head coach and athletic director Craig Dailey—Corey’s father and a former Seguin quarterback himself.
Craig Dailey, now in his fifth year as the head coach at his alma mater, says he wants Corey to continue to improve his game.
“He has free rein, pretty much, to get us into the right play,” said Craig Dailey. “Just get positive plays. Be disciplined. If the vertical shot isn’t there, check the ball down. That’s really the next part of the game.”
The younger Dailey says they plan to be aggressive.
“We’re gonna play fast, score fast,” said Corey Dailey. “We’re gonna try to put the ball in the end zone and break the scoreboard. That’s our goal every game.”
Bursting onto the scene last year for the offense was running back Ian Moreno. Moreno moved over from the defensive secondary to the offensive side of the ball due to injuries at the running back position.
Pressed into action in the third game of last season as a junior, Moreno rushed for 296 yards on 42 carries in Seguin’s 41-37 comefrom-behind victory over Brazoswood. Moreno finished the season with 1,273 yards on 233 carries and eight rushing touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 165 yards with two scores.
Craig Dailey wants to take advantage of Moreno’s versatility.
“You’re gonna see us use him in different ways, more than last year,” Dailey said. “He’s gonna line up in the slot. He’s gonna catch the ball out of the backfield.
“Traveling with Corey (for recruiting trips), I was getting to sit in Division-I staff rooms and pick the brains of what those guys are doing. So, we brought some of that back to Seguin to fit our kids. And when you can get a back like Ian out and put five out in a route, it puts
a lot of pressure on defense, in my opinion.”
Moreno and Dailey played behind a senior-laden offensive line in 2024. This season, there will be four new starters up front in the trenches.
“We’re more athletic up front, not as big as we’ve been. So, we’re using their athleticism,” Craig Dailey said. “They’re doing a good job.
“I think there are three things you need if you look at analytics in football: win explosives, take care of the ball, and protect your quarterback. If you do those three things, you usually win games. If you keep the quarterback clean and you get your running back to the second, I think we’re always gonna have a chance to score points.”
The defense is led by top returning tackler Damian Garcia. The linebacker had 57 tackles along with one interception and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2024. Senior lineman Hunter Mica is also among a number of Matador defenders back again this season. Mica had 50 tackles and a fumble recovery last season. Dailey says he wants his defense to get the ball back to his offense this season.
“We’re stressing takeaways, flying to the ball and eliminating explosives, so the opposite (of the offense). Make the other team throw underneath and tip the ball and make the play,” Dailey said. “We have a lot of experience back, especially in the secondary. We were really young in the secondary last year and now we have everybody back. I’m excited.”
The Matadors will play all the same teams from a tough 2024 schedule. Half of the teams on Seguin’s regular season schedule last year made the playoffs. Three of those teams were district champions and one a state champion. Defending Class 5A Division I state champion Smithson Valley comes to Matador Stadium on October 17th.
“It’s gonna be a whirlwind, but we like the challenge,” Craig Dailey said. “You have five quarterbacks (in the district) that are Division-I caliber. It’s gonna be fun.
“And I’m a quarterback guy. So every week, it could be two good quarterbacks going at it--whoever has the ball last. And hopefully our guy has it last and we make a play like we did against Wagner.”
The Matadors won four games in District 13-5A in 2024, including that dramatic comeback win over Wagner. Seguin finished in fourth place. The Mats were 5-6 overall. They fell in the bi-district round of the UIL playoffs to San Antonio Southwest. The Dragons held off a second half Matador rally to win 33-26.
Seguin starts their quest for another playoff season on August 29th at Alamo Heights. We will have that game and every Matador game this season on KWED radio and streaming at SeguinToday.com. And listen for High School Football Friday Nights starting at 6:15 p.m. throughout the season on KWED with coverage of the Matadors, Navarro Panthers, and Marion Bulldogs. •
SEGUIN MATADORS
2024 record: 5-6 (4-3 in district)
Class 5A Division I first round
Coach: Craig Dailey (5th season)
District: 13-5A
Schedule
ALL GAMES broadcast on KWED & SeguinToday.com
Aug. 29 – 7 PM at Alamo Heights
Sept. 5 – 7 PM vs. CC Miller
Sept. 12 – 7 PM at Brazoswood (in El Campo)
Sept. 19 – 7 PM at Victoria East *
Sept. 26 – 7 PM vs. Boerne Champion *
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 – 7 PM at Pieper *
Oct. 17 – 7 PM vs. Smithson Valley *
Oct. 24 – 7 PM at Wagner *
Oct. 31 – 7 PM at New Braunfels *
Nov. 7 – 7 PM vs. SA MacArthur *
* District
CROSS COUNTRY ROSTER
Boys
Kamren Avalos, Freshman
Ace Chavez, Junior
Jovanni Cortez, Freshman
Coy Garcia, Sophomore
Erick Hernandez, Sophomore
Miguel Hernandez, Junior
Hunter Hill, Senior
Noah King, Sophomore
Roger Leal, Sophomore
Adrian Rangel, Junior
Neil Salinas, Sophomore
Girls
Abany Andrade, Junior
Elena Chapa, Freshman
Layla Diaz, Sophomore
Bella Garcia, Freshman
Cora Gonzales, Freshman
Vida Hernandez, Sophomore
VOLLEYBALL
FALL TENNIS
TENNIS ROSTER
James Barnum- Freshman
Braylee Lawson- Freshman
Kaylee Olvera- Sophomore
Trinity DeRemer- Sophomore
Ayden Pullin- Sophomore
Cooper Smith- Sophomore
Ruby Rios- Sophomore
Lily Jahns- Junior
Mia Rios- Junior
Nolan Schwerdtfeger- Senior
Brent Seiler- Senior
Zach Weathers- Senior
Lealanie Casiano- Senior
Joaquin Salazar- Senior
The Dailey FACTOR
One on One with Matador Quarterback Corey Dailey
Corey Dailey returns as the Matador starting quarterback for his fourth and final year at Seguin High School. This summer, the senior committed to playing college football at the University of Pittsburgh. Dailey chose Pitt over offers from Texas State, University of Texas San Antonio, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Incarnate Word, Lamar, Fordham, San Diego State and Tulane.
Rated as a three-star prospect by various recruiting publications heading into his senior season, Dailey has thrown for 6,189 yards with 78 touchdowns and 18 interceptions in three years as Seguin’s starting quarterback. As a junior in 2024, Dailey was named the District 13-5A Offensive MVP. He threw for 2,529 yards with 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. We had a chance to talk with Seguin’s starting quarterback before the start of his last season as a Matador.
Q: What drew you to commit to Pitt, and how did the coaching staff there sell you on their vision for your future?
A: I really like their coaching staff and what they do on offense. Coach (Pat) Narduzzi is a really good coach. I know he's a defensive guy, but they put a lot of dudes in the NFL and that's my next goal. So, I thought it was the best place for me as a fit in offense and through their system for me to get to the next level where I want to play.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your senior year at Seguin High School?
A: I'm looking forward to playing my last year for my dad. Ian (Moreno) has been with me since 8th grade, Elliot (Weaver) and all of them too. We're trying to make the playoffs and do something that hasn't been done in a while. I know it's the same every year, but it's our goal.
Story by Chris Austin
Photos by Lizz Daniels
Q: You mentioned your dad. What's it like having your dad as your head coach? He played quarterback in college. How is he helping you prepare for the next level?
A: He's preparing me for the next level, like what I need to focus on in practice. You can't come to practice and be lackadaisical, it's gotta be like you're playing in a game, taking every rep seriously and getting better. Even in the weight room, not taking reps off and stuff like that. Just having the mentality that you have to outwork everybody because on the next level, everybody's good.
Q: You've been a starter for three years. This is your senior year. What did you focus on in the offseason to try to improve your game?
A: Little details, like in my drop, shortening my release a little bit. Putting weight on, just getting ready for the season and getting ready for the next level, really by doing things at a different pace. Some of the workouts, I've been putting more effort into stuff.
Q: What do you think will be some of the biggest challenges you will see this season?
A: A lot of people will game plan for our offense since we're so vertically dynamic, so we want to take what the defense gives us. Check the ball down if we need to and give the ball to our best players on offense and see what they can do. We need people to step up and I think they will.
Q: Talk about some of your key offensive weapons like Ayden Avila, who's gonna be a big target at receiver, and Ian Moreno who's back at running back. How has your chemistry with your receivers and running backs developed?
A: It really helped that Ayden stepped up last year. We had some injuries early in the season and he stepped up for us big time. So, we're expecting him to have a big year this year. He picked up his first offer this offseason, so I'm gonna do whatever I can to get him the ball. And Ian and Elliot, we're gonna get our players the ball in space and see what they can do and put the ball in the end zone. That's the goal at the end of the day.
Q: Looking ahead to your transition to college football, what aspects of your game do you think will translate well to the ACC, and what areas do you know you'll need to continue developing?
A: Developing my weight, putting on muscle. I also gotta get more athletic to play at the next level. Gotta be able to get away from those dudes because they can run. Having a strong arm, it helps me out when I'm late on reads to get the ball there in high school, but in college it's not gonna be like that. So, what will help me out is intelligence and knowing the game and knowing what the defense is in before the ball is even snapped to where the ball is going.
Q: Outside of the game, how do you handle the pressure of being a highly recruited quarterback while still focusing on high school football and leading your teammates?
A: Really, I try to keep recruiting out of football. When we practice, I
try to leave it alone. Ever since I committed, it hasn't been stressful. I'm more relieved not having to talk to coaches every day. Just worrying about playing football, and seeing what we can do for the season and hopefully get in the playoffs and win in the first round.
Q: Do you talk to other quarterbacks in the district who are going to play at the college level?
A: Boerne Champion quarterback Julian (Navarrete), me and him are close. We work out and talk to each other. You know keeping chemistry with people is important. Just in case later in life something happens, you have someone to go to.
Q: And your backup is Jackson Kirchner. He's a sophomore. Do you give him any advice?
A: Jackson is basically like a little brother to me. He and I are really close. I help him out as much as I can. He plays receiver too. So he also works with them, but if he has questions about quarterbacking, I help him out as much as I can.
Q: One final question. You also play basketball and baseball. Are you playing those sports this school year at Seguin or are you graduating early?
A: I'll be out of here in January. No baseball or basketball this year.
Corey Dailey will start his final season at quarterback for the Seguin Matadors on August 29th on the road against the Alamo Heights Mules. •
New Year New Direction Seguin’s Mighty MATADOR Marching Band
Tell us a bit about yourself. My name is David Witherspoon and I am the Director of Bands here at Seguin High School. I am currently entering my seventh year with the Matador Band and my first year as Director of Bands. This program has long been a source of inspiration in my journey. I have had the incredible opportunity to contribute to the success and growth of our students over the years and I am excited to step into this role and continue carrying on our rich tradition of excellence. It is my belief that our mission goes far beyond creating exceptional musicians. We are shaping young adults into disciplined, responsible, and compassionate leaders who will make a positive impact on the world. Through the pursuit of musical excellence, we teach the values of hard work, teamwork, and leadership, skills that will serve our students long after the final note has been played. We’re not just building a strong band program, we’re building a community of strong, contributing members of society. I’m incredibly blessed to be in this position and I am looking forward to the continued work alongside our amazing students and the supportive community that makes this place so special.
What kind of program does your school have this year (number of students etc)?
The Seguin High School Band program consists of around 190 students across our Band, Color Guard, and Percussion programs. We offer a variety of performance opportunities such as Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Indoor Percussion, and Winterguard.
What can the audience expect from your band this season both on the field and for contest?
This season, we are proud to present our 2025 Marching Production entitled “Nevermore”. We will be exploring the mythos of Edgar Allen Poe’s seminal work “The Raven”, a tale of antagonizing loss renowned for its prose’s musicality, and macabre. Our staff and students have been working hard on this production since May and are excited to share this production with our audiences. We will be performing during halftime at all varsity football games as well as competing at UIL, the Midway Marching Contest in Waco, the Comal Classic Marching Contest, and as the exhibition band at our very own Seguin Marching Festival happening on September 20th.
What do you want the rest of us to know about the band program?
The Mighty Matador Band stands on a proud foundation of over 100 years of tradition and excellence. More than just a performing ensemble, we are a lasting symbol of pride for the community of Seguin, Texas. For generations, we have been blessed by the unwavering support of our families, alumni, and neighbors. In return, we dedicate ourselves to giving back by sharing our time, talent, and passion with the community that has given us so much. We believe in the power of music to inspire, uplift, and unite people from all walks of life, and we are honored to contribute to the cultural heartbeat of our great town. Our full performance schedule is available at www.seguinbands.com, and we welcome everyone to come experience the energy, dedication, and excellence our students bring to every performance! •
Photos courtesy Matador Marching Band Facebook
First 100 guests will receive a custom 40 oz. stainless steel pink tumbler. • Free-flowing mimosas • Local vendors
• Tours of our state-of-the-art Women’s Imaging Center
• Schedule your annual breast cancer screening
• And, of course, breast cancer education & resources
Bulldogs READY to FIGHT Big goals on the horizon
Story by Chris Austin
The Texas Lutheran football team comes into 2025 looking to build off a conference co-championship and a trip to the NCAA Division-III playoffs in 2024.
Head coach Neal LaHue is back for his fourth year at the helm of the TLU program. Last year, LaHue led the Bulldogs to nine wins, a sevenwin improvement from a two-win season in 2023. After TLU earned a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference co-championship, LaHue was named SCAC Coach of the Year.
The Bulldogs made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history last year and first since 2014. TLU earned a first-round bye, surpassing the 2014 team for the deepest postseason run in program history. The Bulldogs fell to 14th-ranked Linfield in the second round of the NCAA Division-III playoffs. TLU finished the 2024 regular season ranked number 26 in the NCAA NPI rankings and received votes in the American Football Coaches Association Top 25 Poll.
With the vast improvement they achieved last season, could the Bulldogs have a target on their back this season?
“I don’t look at it that way,” Coach LaHue responded. “Our kids have some high expectations, they’ve worked extremely hard in the offseason. They want to succeed. They got a good taste of it.
“We got a good nucleus of guys coming back. So, we’re excited about that challenge of coming back as co-champions and all that, but we know this is a new year and these guys want to make a name for themselves.”
Part of that nucleus is senior quarterback Caden Bosenko. The San Antonio East Central product was named the SCAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and earned a First Team All-SCAC selection last year.
A dual-threat quarterback, Bosenko finished second in the conference in passing yards (1,848) and fourth in rushing yards (646) and led the
SCAC in scoring with 14 rushing touchdowns. A three-time Offensive Player-of-the-Week during the regular season, including in Weeks 7 and 10 when he had four rushing TDs in each contest, Bosenko completed 144 of 245 passes (58.8 percent) for 10 touchdowns and had a 131.5 passing efficiency rating.
LaHue says he likes his offensive group coming back led by his senior quarterback, which averaged a SCAC-leading 35.9 points per game in 2024 while putting up 404.8 yards per game in total offense.
“We feel good,” LaHue said. “When you got your quarterback back, a two-year starter and had a really great junior year, he’s gonna be a senior, we’re very excited about Caden.
“Caleb Camarillo was an all-conference wideout, led us in receiving last year. Three of our four are coming back at wide receiver. We’ve got four of our five offensive lineman coming back. And (Weston) Guzman is back, an all-conference player (at running back) as well.”
On the defensive side of the ball, TLU allowed just 15.9 points per game last season. LaHue says they’ll have a lot of experience returning this season.
“The defense is gonna play an aggressive style like they did last year. It’s led by (returning starter) Troy Tomaselli in the safety spot,” LaHue said. “He’s kind of a hybrid-guy now playing down in the box some and playing back. We’re looking for great things from him.
“We have Eddie Brown on one corner and Marec Square on the other and Justin Navarro is a free safety. They’re coming back. I think we kinda hang our hat on that back end. And we got some linebackers that have played and so, we just gotta look for them to grow a little bit.”
The Bulldogs hope to lean on their experience and build on their playoff season from 2024. The 2025 season will start on a Thursday night when they host rival Trinity at Bulldog Stadium on September 4th. •
Sept. 13 - 6 PM vs. Howard Payne - game to be broadcast on KWED
Sept. 20 - 7 PM at Southwestern (TEX.)
Sept. 27 - 1 PM vs. East Texas Baptist - game to be broadcast on KWED
Oct. 11 - 6 PM at Centenary (LA.) *
Oct. 18 - 1 PM vs. Hendrix * - game to be broadcast on KWED
Oct. 25 - 4 PM vs. Austin * - game to be broadcast on KWED
Nov. 1 - 1 PM at McMurry *
Nov. 8 - 1 PM at Lyon *
Nov. 15 - TBA SCAC Championships * * Conference
To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com
Art Show
The Seguin Art League will be hosting the Goodbye Summer All Media Art Show submission drop-off from 10:00 a.m. to noon on August 30 at 104 S. Austin Street, Seguin. The show is open to all artists 18 and over, with an entry fee of $15 per artwork for members and $20 per artwork for non-members. A reception and award ceremony will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3. The exhibit will remain on display through October 11. Awards will be presented in photography, 2D, and 3D categories. For more details, visit seguinartleague.com or call 830-305-0472.
September 6
Women and Ministry Talk
The ladies of Forest Hills Baptist Church will be hosting Women and Ministry Talk with Virginia Gonzales at 11 a.m. on September 6 at 8251 FM 1117, south of Seguin. Virginia Gonzales, who has spent over 50 years ministering alongside her husband, Dr. Rudy Gonzales, will share her insight into women and serving in ministry. A light lunch will be provided. For more information, email nancykissiar@gmail.com.
September 7
Financial Peace
The Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting Financial Peace University classes at 4:00 p.m. on September 7 at 1326 E. Cedar, Seguin. The course, developed by financial expert Dave Ramsey, offers tools and strategies for effective money management. Special discounted pricing is available for the first 20 participants who register and pay. Childcare will be provided. For more information, call 830-379-7036.
September 12
Bimbo
The Silver Center will be hosting Bimbo at 7:30 p.m. on September 12th at the Crystal Chandelier Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presale tickets are $10 by calling 830303-6612. Tickets are $15 at the door.
September 20
Crochet Class
The Seguin Art League will be hosting Beginning Crochet Class at 1 p.m. on September 20 at 104 S. Austin, Seguin. The class will cover the basics of crochet including making a chain, joining, and other fundamental stitches, giving participants the skills to create their own crochet projects. Open to ages 10 and up, limited to 10 participants. Cost is $35 with supplies included. For more information call 830305-0472 or visit seguinartleague.com.
September 24
Watercolor Class at Seguin Art League
The Seguin Art League will be hosting an Abstract Floral in Beginning Watercolor class at 1 p.m. on September 24 at the Seguin Art League. The class runs until 4 p.m. and will guide students in creating an abstract floral using fine watercolor and sable brushes. Techniques covered include high saturation painting, bleeding, hard and soft edge control, and the use of salt, alcohol, and bleed-proof white. Open to all ages, the class is limited to five students and costs $50 with supplies included. For more information, call 830-305-0472 or visit 104 S. Austin Street in Seguin.
