Football magazine picks against Gonzales County teams making playoffs

The bible of Texas high school football — Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine — has released its 2025 edition previewing more than 1,500 high school teams from six-man to Class 6A.

When it comes to taking stock of Gonzales County’s two high school football teams, the magazine is a seller and not a buyer as the publication has picked the Gonzales Apaches to finish sixth in the seven-team District 13-4A-2 and the Nixon-Smiley Mustangs to finish fifth in the eight-team District 15-3A-2.

Gonzales

The Apaches last made the playoffs in 2023 under former Coach Joey Rivera, who stepped down after a 3-7 season in 2024 that saw Gonzales only win one of six district contests.

In February, the Tribe hired longtime San Antonio Reagan head coach and AD Lyndon Hamilton, a Luling native, who compiled a 66-26 in eight years at the helm. Reagan made the playoffs every year during that time and won three district championships in the past five years.

Before that, Hamilton served as defensive coordinator at Reagan for four years under former Coach Dave Wetzel, who went on to coach Baylor University. The Rattlers won the district championship during all four of those years and had a 42-6 record.

According to DCTF, Gonzales should be “salty” on defense with returning defensive back Brealien Jones (6-0, 170, 4.7), linebackers Lanom Rhodes (6-0, 210, 4.8) and Christian Jurek and defensive linemen Bryce Eleby (6-0, 245, 4.9) and Marcus Lampkin.

Among players to watch on offense are returning district 200-yard dash champion Damion Hunt (6-0, 150, 4.6) at wide receiver, returning 300-meter hurdles champion quarterback Travis Malveaux (5-10, 175. 4.6) and a three-headed running back tandem of Keath White, Ayden Ramirez and David Clack.

Defending District 13-4A-2 champion Wimberley is picked to repeat, with Lago Vista slotted for second, Geronimo Navarro picked third and Salado chosen fourth. Jarrell was picked fifth, followed by Gonzales, with Smithville chosen to bring up the rear.

Nixon-Smiley

The Mustangs had a rough first season under head coach Paul Kirby in 2024, going 3-7 overall and 2-5 in District 15-3A-2. Kirby has also assumed AD duties following the retirement of Carlton McKinney and had his team in the weight room in the offseason, competing in powerlifting to get stronger.

No team in the district has more returning starters on either side of the ball than Nixon-Smiley, which has nine returning starters on offense and eight on defense after playing a large number of young players due to injuries the previous season.

Quarterback Eric Rodriguez (5-11, 175, 4.7) is back for a second season behind center and was one of the featured players from the district to get his photo in this year’s DCTF. Returning to the backfield is Garet Gonzales (5-11, 210, 4.8), who will be paired up with sophomore Joe White (5-7, 145, 4.5), who may be one of the fastest players in the district.

Along the line on both sides of the trenches will be Jaylun Rodriguez (6-0, 225, 4.9), Julian Amaya (5-11, 210, 5.0) and Cash Davis (6-3, 290, 5.5). The defensive line is expected to be a strength for the Mustangs, but their Achilles’ heel would have to be a lack of depth at skill positions.

Defending district champion Poth is again picked to repeat after a 12-1 regional semifinalist season, while Dilley is picked second. Cotulla is expected to finish third and rival Stockdale is chosen to come in fourth place.

After Nixon-Smiley at fifth are Karnes City at sixth, Natalia in seventh and San Antonio Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA) in eighth.