Perryton football building back better under new head coach Cole Underwood

The 2022 Perryton football team was defined by close calls. Five of their eight losses came by one score with a sixth coming by nine points. The Rangers were a few plays away from potentially being an elite team.

The 2023 group loses five starters on each side of the ball. Former head coach Kurt Haberthur departed to take the same position at Gruver and to top it off the community is still recovering from a devastating tornado this summer. There will be many challenges to overcome.

However, there are many reasons for optimism. Assistant Cole Underwood takes over and has the program believing in itself. While the Rangers have pieces to replace, they have an experienced quarterback in place. While Perryton will need some better luck come its way this year, this group has the potential to surprise.

"The energy in practice has been contagious," Underwood said. "We have 20 seniors on our roster which is pretty big for Perryton. Our seniors are leading and our captains are stepping up to the plate too."

Experienced leadership

More: Dimmitt football seeking improvement in 2023

Perryton returns experience at the most important position with senior quarterback Julian Cervantes. Cervantes defined efficiency last year, completing 60% of his passes for 1,198 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions last season. He also gives the Rangers versatility after rushing for 569 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

Cervantes will need to break in some new targets as the Rangers' lead returning receiver Erik Mijares hauled in 11 catches for 146 yards last season. Underwood expects Sammy Perez to play a role as the "Swiss Army Knife" of the team. Britt Blackshear and Payton Sunday should factor into the receiving game as well.

Edgar Ramos is set to lead the offensive line with Jio Hernandez. The loss of stellar left tackle Bryan Chacon is significant, but Avaun Garcia and Dane Staggs are set to step up and ease the transition.

The biggest question on offense will be who replaces running back Isaias Dominguez. Gus Eylar and Frank Jiminez will contribute with Perez factoring in as the Rangers get creative in their play calling.

"Edgar Ramos and Gio Hernandez have stepped up to the call," Underwood said. "Julian was very efficient and now that he understands the offense I expect tremendous growth from him. That will allow other guys to step up into new roles and it will be easier for them with him being so efficient."

Fast and physical

More: Borger football seeking a shot in the arm under new head coach Dane Hamrick

Replacing Chacon on the other side of the line will be a challenge as well. The entire front three will need to be replaced with Garcia and Staggs expected to get the first crack at doing so.

What the Rangers need to fill in the front three, they more than make up for in the back eight. Dalton L'Esperance should be the heart and soul of the defense at linebacker after compiling 92 tackles and one forced fumble in 2022. Perez will be his top running mate after putting up 55 tackles and a forced fumble.

Mijares is set to lead the secondary once more after he recorded 36 tackles and two interceptions in 2022. Holdyn Rowland (33 tackles, two interceptions) will be his top partner in the defensive backfield.

"We're going to play a fast and physical brand of defense," Underwood said. "Dalton L'Esperance and Sammy are the defensive captains that are high level, high intelligence, high stakes players. They were in every game and made some of our biggest plays last year. We feel very comfortable with the experience bringing back to the table."

Building back better

More: 2023 Amarillo Globe News High School Football Previews

The Rangers snuck into the postseason last year due to weaker seasons from the lower half of District 2-4A Division II. Defending district champion Seminole should remain a contender along with West Plains. Borger and Levelland are in different stages of rebuilds and that should benefit Perryton as they try to make the postseason again.

It can't be understated how close Perryton was to a successful season last year. With the lower half of the district in flux, look for the Rangers to take a step forward as they attempt to build their program and community back all the better.

"If we can find a way to stack days up in which we get 1% better every day then I truly think we can put ourselves in a position to win every game we play," Underwood said. "For a while Perryton has been a doormat for some people and we're trying to change that mentality to where when people see the Rangers get off the bus there's a sense of, 'Oh, we have to play Perryton.' I think we're on the right track for that."

PERRYTON RANGERS

Head coach: Cole Underwood

2022 record: 3-8 overall, 2-2 in district

Base offense: Multiple Spread

Base defense: 3-4

Last playoff appearance: 2022

Top returners: Julian Cervantes, Frank Jiminez, Edgar Ramos, Dalton L'Esperance, Erik Mijares, Sammy Perez, Holdyn Rowland, Jio Hernandez

SCHEDULE

Aug. 25: vs. Dalhart, 7 p.m.

Sept. 1: at Canyon, 7 p.m. (Happy State Bank Stadium)

Sept. 8: at Dumas, 7 p.m.

Sept. 15: vs. Canadian, 7 p.m.

Sept. 22: at Pampa, 7 p.m.

Sept. 29: at Stratford, 7 p.m.

Oct. 6: vs. Levelland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 13: OPEN

Oct. 19 (THURSDAY): at West Plains, 7 p.m. (HSBS

Oct. 27: vs. Borger, 7 p.m.

Nov. 3: at Seminole, 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Perryton football building back in 2023 with new coach Cole Underwood