Bushland football enters 2024 season to continue success after losing talented seniors

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Bushland High School football looks to pick up where it left off after losing seniors including star quarterback Dawson Jaco.

Jaco along with Tanner Adams, Kade Gavina, Zack Zundel, and others led Bushland to back to back 11 win seasons, losing in the third round of the playoffs in both seasons.

With football camp only two weeks away, KAMR Local 4 News Reporter Mya Clarks spoke with Head Coach Josh Reynolds about how there expectations will not change and success plans to continue despite losing a lot of talented seniors.

“Well, you know, we we have lot of a lot of returners coming back from this team, from last year’s team. You know, we have definitely have some spots. We have to fill some, some seniors that graduated. You know, they were really good players for us. And you know, that’s what you want every year. You know, you want to have a lot of good seniors every year that, you know, did a great job for you, and that you have to, you know, replace every year. And that’s, that’s part of, you know, I think the fun part about coaching is, is putting those pieces to the puzzle together, you know.”

Reynolds shared that their expectations will not change and he plans to put out a team every Friday that is respected by the way they play.

“I think our expectations are, you know, not going to change, really, you know, we’re going to expect to go out there and and put a team out on the field every Friday night that competes well, that’s respected by the way they play. You know, how hard we play? You know, same philosophy that we have offensively. We’re going to play fast and physical and defense. We’re going to do the same thing, fast physical on defense. And feel like that’s kind of what our ‘M-O’ and our program is right now, and that’ll be the expectation go out there and compete every Friday night and just try to win, win every every Friday night that we’re out there.”

With a unique four team district schedule coach Reynolds shares the troubles he faces ahead of the season.

“Well, trying to fill a schedule was pretty difficult. You know, when realignment came around and, you know, I think we thought that might be a possibility. Being in a four team district, I really didn’t think it would probably happen. I don’t think the UIL really wants to do that, but sometimes they don’t have any options, and their hands are tied. So it was difficult. First, just trying to find games, that many non district games, because most people are in district by week,” said Reynolds.

The Falcons have a long season ahead with seven regular season games before district, Reynolds explains how he and the Falcons will prepare and aim to improve every week.

“We want to win every Friday night first game of the year, we want to win, but the emphasis will really be on just growing and maturing every week. So hopefully get better. And, you know, prepare ourselves physically and mentally for district and playoffs,” he said.

Coach Reynolds explained that a football season is a long journey so he must prepare his players mentally ad physically no matter how many district games they have.

“Well, I think most of that started, you know, as far as preparing your body, most of that started, you know, in December, you know when we finished and and everything we’ve done since December till now. You know, you try to prepare yourself. You know, physically in the weight room and strength and conditioning and everything you’re doing,” said Reynolds. “You know it’s we have to realize that, you know, a football season, regardless if you’re in a four team district or a eight team district, it’s football, you know, it’s a long journey that season.”

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