Grape Creek Eagles Look to Make School History This Fall

GRAPE CREEK, TX — Tanner Thiel believes this year's Grape Creek football team has the chance to make school history.

The ninth-year Eagles head coach oversaw the program's first share of a district title in 2021, and he led them to their fourth playoff appearance last year.

One accomplishment that has eluded Grape Creek since it opened its doors 27 years ago, however, is a playoff trophy.

With an exciting group of returning — including six starters back on offense and five on defense — Thiel thinks this could be the year that drought ends.

“We've been to the playoffs, but we haven't won that first one, and so that ultimately is our goal. We think we're good enough that we can get kind of the monkey off our back and get that first playoff win,” Thiel said. 

Leading the Eagles' returners is running back Sire Garcia, who had 1,260 yards and 15 touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

Garcia was also a first-team all-district inside linebacker.

“Our kind of workhorse the last couple of years is Sire Garcia," Thiel said. "He's a two-way starter and he makes our offense go. A big playmaker on the defensive side of the ball.”

Braley Woods (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) will take over at quarterback after being named last year's district Utility Player of the Year.

“A really good arm, and a really big kid," Thiel said. "He’s actually our leading receiver coming back because he played tight end with us previously."

Thiel called outside linebacker Chris Duron "an animal" on defense and one of the team's leaders.

Tight end/safety Gabe Santillan and slot back/defensive back Randy Rodriguez are both two-way standouts.

“We really feel like they’re gonna be special players for us this season," Thiel said. 

Grape Creek went 4-7 last year and finished in a three-way tie for second place in District 4-3A Division II. The Eagles' season ended with a 42-26 loss to Crane in the first round of the playoffs.

“We feel like this year, instead of losing those close games, we feel like we should be able to win those close games," Thiel said. "So we're to the point where we're not satisfied with keeping them close.”

“I think that this is the type of year that basically turns people's heads about Grape Creek.  think our community, our school, our alumni, I feel like this is a year that we can really make them proud. This group of kids that we have coming out this year is some of the best that we've ever had. Talent-wise, top to bottom, it's by far the most talented group that I've had since I've been at Grape Creek.

“I think the main word that comes to mind when I think of our community and our school and our alumni is pride. I think they'll be able to take a lot of pride in the kids that we put out on the field this year.”

San Angelo LIVE!'s Ryan Chadwick caught up with two of the Eagles' leaders after practice on Thursday ahead of the 2025 season: