<body><div>AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - After a season to forget in 2023, Bryan Welps and the River Road Wildcats football team are ready for redemption. Coach Welps and his players want to change the narrative not only for this season, but for years to come.“I feel like coming into this season that experience, we have more depth than we’ve ever had in a while,” Welps said. “That’s going to help us along the route, and kids are starting to excel at their positions and been there playing for two or three years. So, they’ve seen Friday night lights and it’s not going to be a new experience to them.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4Niv2s_0v8ShwlY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4Niv2s_0v8ShwlY00" width="1300" height="866" ><figcaption>Rain or shine, Coach Welps and the Wildcats are on the field practicing (August 23, 2024) (KFDA)</figcaption></figure>1-9 last season for the Wildcats, with a lone victory over the Sanford-Fritch Eagles. The juniors on that team, the now seniors, have not forgotten that feeling and want to turn the tide. “I want to obviously change our record, that’s the biggest thing,” senior center, Matthew Borunda said. “Then just go out with one more bang before we have to hang it up.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1rJib3_0v8ShwlY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1rJib3_0v8ShwlY00" width="1300" height="866" ><figcaption>The River Road Wildcats putting the pads on before practice on August 23, 2024 (KFDA)</figcaption></figure>Not only do the seniors want to win for themselves, defensive end, Zantiago Marrufo says he wants to create a new culture for his younger teammates.“For me, I want to have a better record than last year, build a foundation for the upcoming years and make us better,” Marrufo said. “We’re coming off of a not-so-great record last year, all of us have been through a lot, and we’re all trying to build and make it better.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2dEe0h_0v8ShwlY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2dEe0h_0v8ShwlY00" width="1300" height="866" ><figcaption>Two River Road Wildcats going against each other in a defensive drill on August 23, 2024 (KFDA)</figcaption></figure>A rigorous off-season for Wildcats, who are itching to get back on the field to start the new season. Coach Welps says this year will look a little different than fans may be used to seeing. “They’re going to see a different type of football, but they’re going to see an exciting brand,” Welps said. “They’re going to see a team that’s hungry and they’re going to see a team that plays hard in between the whistles.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2YTQdP_0v8ShwlY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2YTQdP_0v8ShwlY00" width="1300" height="866" ><figcaption>River Road hoping to ring some bells this upcoming season (KFDA)</figcaption></figure>With the departure of Muleshoe in District 1-3A DI, only four teams now remain. With four teams from every district making the playoffs, the Wildcats along with the other three teams will get a post-season bid, regardless of the regular season standings. The Wildcats will host the Sanford-Fritch Eagles to open up the season on Friday, August 30th. The Dalhart Wolves the first on their list to start district play and then Shallowater and Bushland to finish up. DateOpponentLocationTimeType8/30Sanford-FritchHome7:00 p.m.Non-District9/6TuliaAway7:00 p.m.Non-District9/20PanhandleHome7:00 p.m.Non-District9/27West Texas HighHome7:00 p.m.Non-District10/4GruverAway7:00 p.m.Non-District10/11LamesaAway7:00 p.m.Non-District10/18GuymonHome7:00 p.m.Non-District10/25DalhartAway7:00 p.m.District11/1ShallowaterHome7:00 p.m.District11/8BushlandAway7:00 p.m.District</div></body>

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Countdown to Kickoff: River Road Wildcats

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - After a season to forget in 2023, Bryan Welps and the River Road Wildcats football team are ready for redemption. Coach Welps and his players want to change the narrative not only for this season, but for years to come. “I feel like coming into this...

Countdown to Kickoff: River Road Wildcats

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