GOLDTHWAITE 2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Youthful Eagles welcome a new coach and a new system

GOLDTHWAITE — Andy Howard is more than comfortable being back on Goldthwaite’s sidelines.

It’s the hometown of his wife, where his four kids still go to school and where he spent from 2015-18 coaching the Eagles’ defense under Greg Proffitt.

After being at Brownwood the past three-plus years, Howard returns to lead a football program that has four state titles on its resume but also hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2016.

“It’s a community that has high expectations both in the classroom and for its athletic programs,” Howard said. “Accountability has been the main thing we’re trying to instill right now, and I’ve been very pleased. Everyone’s showing up continuing to work hard.”

The biggest difference for the Eagles this season is a change in offensive identity. After previously running the slot-T, Howard plans on opening up Goldthwaite’s attack with multiple formations, spreading out defenses with the threat of a pass.

“I love the slot-T’s physical mentality, but we want to spread out and count numbers,” said Howard, who spent 2012-14 as the head coach at Bangs. “Utilize the whole field and get kids into space, create mismatches and creases for our guys to be successful.”

The Eagles have picked up the new passing schemes quicker than Howard thought they would. Participating in 7-on-7 over the summer certainly helped.

The quarterback battle is between senior Cutter Campbell and junior Bryce Brookings with whoever doesn’t win the gig playing an important offensive role. Cutter’s twin Carsyn Campbell will start at running back, while junior Collin Gardner and sophomore Luke Sanderson will be top targets in the passing game.

“Luke’s a guy who’s going to have to touch the football,” Howard said. “Collin will be on the other side from Luke and is a great route-runner and possession receiver.”

Goldthwaite still plans on being physical up front, and 2A opponents will be hard-pressed to have the size that guard AJ McCoy (6-3, 305) and tackle Quentin Oosthuizen (6-3, 270) bring to the left side of the offensive line. Even though McCoy enjoys the physicality of run-blocking, the senior leader said the new offense has been a hit thus far.

“I like us putting in the spread because colleges are doing that, and I’m looking forward to going to college and playing,” McCoy said. “Knocking people off the ball is still one of the best things I can do, but passing plays are good, too.”

While the offense may take some time to find a groove, Goldthwaite’s defense should benefit from keeping the same 3-4 formation with minimal tweaks.

One strength is at inside linebacker where Cutter Campbell and Mason Reven both received quality playing time in reserve roles. McCoy is a first-team returning defensive lineman, too.

“We graduated 13 seniors and out of those kids who played defense, we had two inside linebackers who’d played for four years,” Howard said. “But (Campbell and Reven) stepped in because of injuries and they’re good at it. They’ll just be inexperienced.”

Goldthwaite’s new District 5-2A Division I includes holdovers Coleman, San Saba and DeLeon plus newcomers Tolar, Hamilton and Bangs. Coleman (No. 9) and Tolar (No. 12) opened the season in Texas Football’s rankings, while everyone except Bangs and DeLeon appeared in the 2021 playoffs.

“Looking through it, I think it’s going to be very competitive,” Howard said. “Our approach is going be taking care of us and being as good as we can possibly be. We should have experience going into the money games. Our goal is to be executing and playing at a high level by Week 5.”

OUTLOOK: Fair. The Eagles must replace more than half of their starters on both sides of the ball and bring back only eight lettermen. This, while learning a new system will make 2022 a challenging year for Goldthwaite.

GAMES OF THE YEAR: A two-game stretch with from Oct. 7 with a road date at Bangs and an Oct. 21 home game with San Saba, sandwiching an open date will be crucial for Goldthwaite. Wins in both of those games would likely catapult the Eagles into the playoffs if they can pull it off.