ROBERT LEE, TX — Win or lose, the Robert Lee football team sure made it exciting last fall.
The Steers were involved in six games that were decided by 13 points or less, which is highly unusual in the high-scoring world of six-man football.
The most memorable, of course, was Robert Lee’s 116-110 loss to Westbrook in the first round of the playoffs. It was the sixth-highest scoring game in the history of Texas high school football.
With four returning starters on each side of the ball from that 7-4 team — including spectacular spread back Brenner Sherwood, who had over 2,000 rushing yards and 2,000 passing yards — it’s no wonder the Steers enter this season ranked No. 15 in the state in Class 1A Division I.
“We have high expectations this year,” acknowledged head coach Lee McCown. “We feel like we’re at a point that we have a chance against anybody.”
Robert Lee proved its ability to play with the state’s best teams last year, including in a 62-50 loss to Water Valley for the district title.
Water Valley went on to play in the state semifinals and is ranked No. 3 in the state.
Another potential district-title clash between the two teams looms this year Oct. 25 at Water Valley.
“We’ve got to take it one game at a time, because in our district we’ll start off with Irion County, and that was a very big game last year,” McCown said. “It’ll be another big game this year, and Veribest is always a battle. We just need to put ourselves in position and be hitting on all cylinders when we play Water Valley, because we know they’re a great team.”
McCown said he feels confident in the leadership of Sherwood, an exceptional athlete who also qualified for the state meet in tennis, golf and track and field, while averaging nearly 20 points for the Steers basketball team.
In only 11 games last year, Sherwood threw for 2,186 yards and 32 touchdowns with only one interception, while completing 64% of his passes.
He also had 2,013 rushing yards and 41 TDs, averaging 11.4 yards per carry.
“It’s nice to have somebody like that on the field,” McCown said. “He’s kind of a coach on the field. He understands the game so well, and he’s got a good surrounding cast with him.”
Sherwood returns his top receiver from last year in Nate Samaniego, who earned first-team all-state honors with 34 catches for 727 yards and 16 TDs.
“He’s got great hands and great ability to get open,” McCown said.
Tight end Wyatt Bosworth (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) also returns after missing half of last season due to injury, and McCown said they’re “looking for big things from him.”
Brennan Hood (6-0, 225) returns on the offensive line as the team’s spread center and has been “looking really good in practice.”
Levi Bailey, Josh Garcez and Noah Gonzales are all players who saw game action last season and will be seeing expanded roles on offense.
Eli Bradshaw is the team’s tight center and provides depth on the offensive line.
Defensively, many of the same players will be leading the way, including Sherwood at cornerback, where he had 88 tackles last year.
Linebacker Edward Samaniego, who had a team-high 91 tackles before he was injured in Week 9, is also back.
Sophomore Justice Immel (6-0, 220) is a newcomer McCown is hoping can help out defensively.
Robert Lee’s season begins Thursday, Aug. 28, at Loraine. Nondistrict highlights include games against Garden City, Ira (No. 22 in 1A D-I), Blackwell (No. 15 in 1A D-II) and the Coke County rivalry with Bronte.
The Steers’ district schedule begins Oct. 10 at Irion County.
Robert Lee Steers
2025 schedule
Aug. 28 at Loraine
Sept. 5 Garden City
Sept. 12 Ira
Sept. 19 at Blackwell
Sept. 26 Sands
Oct. 3 at Bronte
Oct. 10 at Irion County*
Oct. 17 Paint Rock*
Oct. 24 at Water Valley*
Oct. 31 Veribest*
Nov. 7 OPEN
*District 8-1A Division I game
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