BIG LAKE, TX — Despite rolling to an undefeated district championship last season, the Reagan County Owls’ title defense this fall is being doubted.
Texas Football magazine picked Reagan County to finish in third place in District 3-2A Division I, due in part to the Owls graduating a strong senior class that included University of Arizona signee Kason Brown.
Reagan County returns only three starters on offense and five on defense from last year’s team that went 9-2.
Owls head coach Kyle Brown said this year’s group is eager to show what it can do, and its goal is to win back-to-back district titles for the first time since 1993.
“They’re excited that it’s their turn and excited to show that this program is more than just the key five or six seniors we had last year,” Brown said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with their work ethic, the summer attendance and their attitude through the first week of practice.”
Junior Marquis Vargas will take over at quarterback after starting every game at QB for the junior varsity the last two years. He led the JV team to an 8-1 record last season.
“He’s super pumped now that it’s his turn,” Brown said. “He’s got a lot of weapons around him, and I think our offensive line is going to be good.”
Omrie Johnson, who was a member of the Owls’ state champion 4x100-meter relay team, will be an explosive threat at wide receiver, Brown said.
His brother, Dominic Johnson, is moving from receiver to running back, giving the Owls some punch in the backfield, along with Levi Martinez, Hector Rios and Isaac Esquivel.
John Hodge is another receiving option, while Kaden Galindo is a team leader who could make an impact at tight end.
The Owls’ offensive line will be led by returning starter Sergio Salazer. Other projected starters include Ian Cortez, Kellan Saucedo, Christian Saucedo and Rodrigo Bernal.
“The thing about all those guys is they’re all extremely strong,” Brown said. “Most of them are powerlifters and have been lifting since seventh grade. So we feel like they’re going to be able to get a push up front for us.”
Reagan County’s defense will be led up front by Elijah Huerta. The Owls lost all three of its starting linebackers, but players like Ezgar Vazquez and Dom Johnson are stepping up to fill the void.
“On the defensive line, we’ve got some depth returning, and at corner we have some starters returning. But the linebackers and the back half of the safety group, we definitely have some new faces, but we’re excited about what they can do,” Brown said.
Reagan County will begin its season against Olney in Cisco on Thursday, Aug. 28. The Owls will host Iraan in Week 5 in a rematch from their only regular-season loss last year. Iraan won 34-28 in OT.
Reagan County’s only other loss was 34-16 to Cisco in the first round of the playoffs.
The Owls will begin their district title defense on the road against the team Texas Football picked as the favorite, Ozona, on Oct. 10.
Reagan County Owls
2025 schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Olney (at Cisco)
Sept. 5 Grape Creek
Sept. 12 at Odessa Academy
Sept. 19 at McCamey
Sept. 26 Iraan
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 at Ozona*
Oct. 17 at Christoval*
Oct. 24 Sonora*
Oct. 31 at Colorado City*
Nov. 7 Forsan*
*District 3-2A Division I game
MORE: Top 10 Quarterbacks to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Running Backs to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Wide Receivers to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 10 Offensive Linemen to Watch in West Texas in 2025
MORE: Top 20 Defensive Players to Watch in West Texas in 2025
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: