MENARD, TX — The Menard Yellow Jackets are gearing up for another six-man football season with focus and a ton of talent.
After going 11-1 last season, No. 13-ranked Menard is getting ready for a tough district run and, hopefully, a deep playoff run after returning three starters on offense and defense, along with the addition of all-state spread back Cohen Ethridge.
The last two seasons, Menard ran into three-time state champion Gordon in the second round of the playoffs. This season, the Yellow Jackets have moved to the other side of the bracket and will face off against new threats like Rankin, Jayton or Borden County.
Menard head coach Clay Holland isn’t worried about the playoffs … yet.
“We’re really just focused on getting better every day,” Holland said. “We’re trying to be better players and a better team than we were the day before. We know who is on the west side of the bracket and who we hope to get to, but we have to get through district first.”
Menard’s district is really tough with No. 14 Water Valley, which made it to the state semifinals last season, 2020 state champ Sterling City, which has has moved back down to six-man after being 11-man the last four seasons, and 2022 state semifinalist Irion County, where Don Coffell returns to the sideline. Add in both Veribest and Eden, and the Yellow Jackets' district slate of games is a daunting task for any team.
Holland isn’t fazed by it and is focused on having his team ready.
“They know the task at hand,” Holland said. “They know the expectation that we have and that they put on themselves. The players have some lofty goals that they put on themselves. So, keeping them prepared and keeping their heads in the game isn’t that hard right now. They know that there are some good coaches and good teams in our district and our side of the bracket, and they’ll be prepared each week.”
Menard doesn’t have any slouches on the team that returned eight letterman from last season. Among those are standout running back Wesley Compton and defensive backs Hunter Squires and Maddox Saiz.
“Maddox Saiz was a first team all-district player last year as a sophomore,” Holland said. “Now he’s looking really good. He’s playing hard in practice, just really getting after it. Also Caden Bounds was a starter last year and probably looks the best. He is one of those surprise guys who came in and had a great summer. He’s firing on all cylinders right now, and we’re really excited about him.”
Menard also brings back quarterback Julius Zamora, kicker Dario Gonzalez, offensive lineman Ashton Martin, linebacker Mack Davis, running back Marlee Salas, center Benjamin Burch, and defensive backs Brayden Ramon and Kade Bannowsky.
Menard was ready to take the next step with the returning players already. But, over the offseason, the Yellowjackets added one of the best players in not only the Concho Valley but the state in Ethridge, who transferred from Richland Springs.
His father, Harley Ethridge, is also a key addition as the team's defensive coordinator.
Coach Holland said, “Coach Ethridge, goodness, I love having him in the office. He is one of the best guys I’ve been around. He knows so much football. He’s running our defense, but he’s sending me stuff on offense nonstop. We sit in after practice and pick his brain on what he thinks. The biggest thing about Coach Ethridge is he is about the players, and they really respect him and love him already. When you have that type of leadership it's really easy to keep the team going in the right direction.”
Coach Ethridge might be one of the most overqualified defensive coordinators in the state. He was the head coach of Richland Springs last year for one season and took the Coyotes to the state final and led them to a 12-2 record. Coach Ethridge was also with Richland Springs as their offensive coordinator when the Coyotes won their first three state titles. He also led Follett to the state game as a head coach in 2012.
While the players have rallied around Coach Ethridge, Cohen has already made his mark on the team.
“Cohen is a great kid and a great athlete. He’s very, very intelligent, and as a coach’s kid, he’s a coach out on the field,” said Holland. “He stepped into the locker room, and the team already respected him. The addition of both of those guys has been good on the football field but also just in the locker room and the community.”
Holland credits the addition of the Ethridges, in addition to the other coaches he has hired, as one of the best accomplishments he’s made while at Menard.
The Yellow Jackets made the jump to the left side of the bracket during realignment, which got them away from Gordon. Holland takes the last two seasons in stride and looks at it more like it happened for them and not to them.
Menard fans should be excited for this season. Still, Holland knows the mountain he and the team have to climb is full of talented teams, players and coaches.
“Six-man is a great community. It has a great following and it’s exciting. It’s given our players an opportunity to be successful and given our town something to be proud of,” Holland said. “It’s given our guys the chance to chase something and be excited on top of everything. Also, West Texas six-man is tough, and this district we’re in is tough, and I’m extremely excited about it. I couldn’t be more excited about being in this district, and people ask me why and I say, ‘I’m excited to coach against some of the best coaches. I’m excited to play against some of the best teams, and our players think exactly the same.”
Menard begins its season at home Thursday, Aug. 27, against Bronte.
“I don’t know what the year is going to bring,” Holland said. “We have really high expectations, and our boys are going to play really hard night in and night out to bring pride to Menard, Texas.”
Menard Yellow Jackets
2026 season
Aug. 27 Bronte
Sept. 4 Rochelle
Sept. 11 Williamson County Home School (at Priddy)
Sept. 18 at Zephyr
Sept. 25 Paint Rock
Oct. 2 OPEN
Oct. 9 at Water Valley*
Oct. 16 at Eden*
Oct. 23 Sterling City*
Oct. 30 at Irion County*
Nov. 6 Veribest*
*District 8-1A Division I game
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