The Aubrey Chaparrals football program experienced a mass exodus with over 30 seniors graduating in May, so the Chaps will look to a handful of returning starters and a few new faces to beat the preseason predictions.
The Chaps will need big seasons from senior defensive standouts Logan Gannon and Camron Haygood and junior center Brayden Wood, who joined the team this spring.
“Those two, in particular, with their work ethic and practice, really have to set an example for our younger guys that are more inexperienced, and when we get in the fire, they're going to have to be there to say, ‘Hey guys, hang on. We can get through this,’” Aubrey defensive coordinator Dana Bloedel said.
Haygood was a standout for the Chaps during his junior season, tallying 91 tackles, with 11 of them coming behind the line of scrimmage and 2 interceptions.
His production saw him be named as second team all-district, and Haygood credited the Chaps' practices for the strong season.
“Going against the guys that we had on the roster last year every single day, competing in practice, and just having that factor of trying to get better was a big thing, and it played a big part in our program’s success last year,” he said.
With the departure of the other starters at the linebacker position, Bloedel said the Chaps plan to feature Haygood at an even more important position this fall.
“We decided to move him to what we consider to be our top tackling spot, which is our Sam linebacker, so he's going to be a leader on the field from that spot,” he said. “He’ll be on the strong side, always where the action is, and he's up to the challenge. He's very talented. He's quick, explosive in the hips, a good tackler and a good leader for us.”
In his junior year, Gannon helped the Chaps field a stout pass rush, finishing second on the team with five sacks to go along with 65 tackles and 11 tackles for loss.
Last season’s performance earned Gannon a second team alldistrict nod, and as he heads into his senior year, Gannon said camaraderie will be crucial for the Chaps this season.
“When you feel like somebody is in the wrong, you put them in the right, and when somebody is doing their job right, and they're doing the best they can, you compliment them and help them grow,” he said. “At the end of the day, we're all brothers. We all want to see each other do the best for the team and the best for each other.”
Like his classmate, Gannon will also be shifting positions for his senior season.
“We moved Logan to the rush end this year because he's a good athlete, and he'll be on most quarterbacks' blind side,” Bloedel said. 'We expect a great year from Logan. He's a strong kid, and he's a quiet leader for us, but he gives his heart and soul to the team and his teammates.”
Another key piece for the Chaps is Wood, who will help bolster Aubrey’s offensive line from the center position.
“He’s a Division I caliber lineman and, more importantly, just a phenomenal young man,” Keith Ivy, Aubrey athletic director and head football coach, said. “He’s been a great leader for us already and was embraced by his teammates just immediately when he moved to Aubrey. He's going to be a big-time player for us this year and for next year, when he's a senior, but we're thankful to have him, and he's going to be a big part of what we're trying to accomplish this year.
Wood joined the Chaps in the spring after playing for the Braswell Tigers last fall but said he already feels at home with his new team.
“The coaches welcomed me with open arms, and all of the people around me feel like my brothers,” he said. “We’ve [built] a brotherhood, and while we're still a very young team, we’re getting there. It’s like what I experienced last year. Once we get a few games under our belt, we’ll be good to go. I love the coaches here, I love the program and I love the community, and I'm just ready to go for the first game on Friday.”
