Encore? Windthorst expects big sophomore season from QB Belcher

Brock Belcher set quite the standard for himself.

As Windthorst’s star quarterback enters his second year as the starter, he faces the task of being even more sensational than he was as a freshman.

The numbers speak for themselves.

Belcher was third in the area with 2.552 passing yards, completing 60.7% of his throws, with 35 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He was also sixth in the area with a team-high 1,063 rushing yards and 11 more TDs.

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That effort made him just the fourth player in the 50-year history of the Red River 22 to make the all-area team as a freshman, joining Windthorst’s Brad Green, City View’s Jourdain Durham and Seymour’s Keegan Gilbreath.

What could Belcher possibly do for an encore?

“I think he’ll be even better after a year,” Windthorst coach Chris Tackett said. “He’s a coach’s kid. He’s been around this game his entire life. It wasn’t so new to him because he watched his older brother go through it.”

Tackett is referencing longtime Windthorst offensive coordinator Scott Belcher, whose oldest son, Cy, was quarterback of the Trojans’ state championship team in 2020.

“He’s kind of naturally grown into it,” Tackett said. “He does carry a lot of expectations on his shoulders, but we don’t have any doubt he can reach them.”

Belcher is going to be asked to play more defense at safety this season, though.

“That’s just a situation where we’ve got to have our best players on the field more,” Tackett said. “And there’s no doubt he’s one of our best players.”

Offense

The Trojans have focused heavily on providing more of a ground attack from the running back position to complement Belcher. The coaching staff is fine with Belcher being the team’s leading rusher, but the hope is that a stable of senior Tyler Camacho, junior Hunter Anderle and sophomore Adam Barton can take away some of the defensive attention on Belcher.

Belcher will have proven weapons at receiver, even with the graduation of former Red River 22 standouts Kolby Teakell and Brayden Berend. Junior Jaxon Stark will be a primary target, giving Belcher another big target on the outside. Senior Kasen Wiles was the Trojans’ third-leading receiver last season, catching 49 passes for 527 yards and nine TDs.

Junior Dax Anderson and senior Carson Anderle will also be in the mix.

But the Trojans will need to develop consistency on the offensive line. Junior Aiden McQuerry is expected to lead a group that will include several new starters, including sophomore Landon Hale, senior Brandon Berend and sophomore Joel Anzua.

Defense

Junior linebacker Conner Schreiber is the anchor of the defense after notching more than 100 tackles as a sophomore. He’ll have good company at linebacker from Max Cuellar and Cash Armstrong.

The defensive backfield will also be a strong point with Stark, Anderle, Anderson and Wiles joining Belcher to make up a strong, interchangeable group. Hunter Anderle will play a linebacker/defensive back hybrid.

Several of the names from the offensive line will also be featured on the defensive front, but it’s junior Israel Larios and sophomore Hayden Cavazos expected to make the biggest impacts.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Encore? Windthorst expects big sophomore season from QB Belcher