Indians begin district in Monahans tonight

“I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!” The student section screamed the chant during the second quarter of the game against the Amarillo River Road. It may have seemed too early to know the outcome of a game, but it was homecoming and the Indians were up 43-0.

“The season is going well, and maybe a little better than what we had expected,” senior defensive back Jonathan Knelsen said. “Our main focus though is to prepare for district.”

The Indians want to go farther than last year’s history-making region final game against Sweetwater.

“We will aim higher than last year because we were never satisfied with how it ended,” junior quarterback Jordan Rodriguez said. “The goals for this year are to try and win district and go farther than before. Something I’m looking forward to is the rematch between us and Sweetwater.”

All six district opponents will be must wins for the Indians. “District will always be pretty tough because no one in our district will overlook us anymore, and they will be out to get us,” senior fullback Aron Dominguez said. “The loss against Lubbock High in week one really woke up the team and made us work harder.”

After taking a difficult loss in overtime, the Indians realized every moment mattered, and they have been working to improve in preparation for district. “We take each week seriously and watch film to prepare for all future games, including Monahans this week,” senior linebacker Cade Barnard said. “The only struggles I can see for us are if we come into a game overconfident.”

Going into district, the Indians have a 3-1 record with shutting out two opponents. “Our passing game helps and so does our defense,” senior wide reciever Noel Salcido said. “Our offensive line would be where a problem might happen, but our size and experience will develop the more games we play.”

Over the summer senior Sergio Landeros Capetillo worked to improve his kicking for special teams. His average of 39.3 yards per kick have helped earn him Indian special teams player of the week for three weeks in a row.

“We happen to be in a district with a lot of talented teams,” Landeros Capetillo said. “Every team is going to come out and compete for one of the four spots to advance into playoffs. We have to prepare any way we can with intensity. If we just play for each other, things will click together, and we will be able to have fun and win.”

The Indians will take on the Loboes in Monahans at 7 p.m. tonight.