Texas Football magazine predicts Gonzales, Nixon-Smiley’s seasons

We’re less than a month away from the start of the 2024 Texas high school football season in Gonzales and the surrounding area. Two-a-day practices are expected to begin Monday, Aug. 5.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football released its 2024 football magazine previewing where all Texas high school teams will finish in their respective districts. These are projections only.

--GONZALES--

The Gonzales Apaches are looking to improve from their 2023 season; the Apaches finished second in their district with a 4-1 record and were bi-district finalists under third year head coach Joey Rivera.

The Apaches have six of their starters on offense back for 2024; and seven returning starters on defense.

Apaches senior defensive end Jermane Upshaw was named preseason defensive MVP for 4A-DII District 13; Upshaw recorded 71 tackles and 12 sacks in 2023.

Gonzales is projected to finish fourth in the district and make the playoffs, where they would play the first-place team in District 14.

--NIXON-SMILEY--

The Nixon-Smiley Mustangs enters a new era under head coach Paul Kirby; Kirby was the offensive line coach for La Vernia in 2023 and was an assistant coach at Nixon-Smiley in 2022.

The Mustangs will have five starters on the offensive returning for 2024; and five defensive starters too.

Last season, the Mustangs finished with a 2-8 record and finished 2-4 in their district.

Nixon-Smiley is projected to finish seventh in 3A-DII District 15, missing out on the playoffs.

--SHINER--

The Shiner Comanches finished their season as area finalist with a 4-2 district record.

The Comanches have seven offensive starters returning for the 2024; and eight defensive starters.

Shiner is predicted to finish first place in 2A-DII District 15; and linebacker Kyle Adamek was named preseason district MVP. Shiner would then face the District 16 fourth-place finisher in the playoffs.

--SHINER ST. PAUL--

In TAPPS Division IV-District 2, the Shiner St. Paul Cardinals are predicted to finish in fourth place in their district.

Last season, the Cardinals finished with a 5-6 record and finished their district 1-2; and they were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs.

The Cardinals will have seven offensive starters returning for 2024; and seven defensive starters.

--CUERO--

The Cuero Gobblers and the Gonzales Apaches will be in separate districts in 4A-Division II for the 2024 season.

The Gobblers will be in District 15 in the Corpus Christi area with Sinton, Rockport-Fulton, Ingleside and Robstown.

Cuero finished its 2023 campaign as regional semifinalists with a 5-0 district record and 12-1 overall.

Cuero has five returning starters on offense and seven starters on defensive returning for the 2024 season.

Cureo linebacker Jace Gamez is named preseason district defensive MVP for the 2024 season.

The Gooblers are projected to finish second place in their district behind Sinton and then face the District 16 third-place team in the playoffs.

--STATE RANKED TEAMS--

Cuero Gobblers: Ranked No. 12 in 4A Division II

Shiner Comanches: Ranked No. 3 in 2A Division II

Hallettsville Brahmas: Ranked No. 24 in 3A Division I