Last season was the craziest year for the Vidor Pirates as it was for many other football programs. The various restrictions implemented because of the Coronavirus made it feel like six seasons instead of one. The Pirates went four and four before being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by state finalist Lindale.
Coach Jeff Mathews returns some Pirates to lead Vidor’s Slot-T offense. Two all-district players returning are great ball carrier Weston Sepulvado at tailback and a key blocker Aaron Aery at the important guard position in the Slot-T.
Layne Wilhelm started as a sophomore but was used primarily on defense his junior year. Wilhelm will be back at fullback this season. “We expect real big things from him,” Mathews expressed.
There are key players back on defense for Vidor and Mathews. It starts with Jordan Smith who was all-district as a sophomore and was the district MVP on defense last year. Smith is as good as any player Mathews has coached at any position and is expected to be a candidate for all-state.
Connor McKay is a two-year starter returning at linebacker and had a great off-season. Jason Watson is moving from fullback to defensive line and is picked to be a strong player for the Pirates’ defense. Mathews announced, “Those are the three main guys we have back on the defensive side that we expect big things from.”
To run the Vidor offense Coach Mathews has a new face at quarterback and other new Pirates on the varsity. Elisha Simmons played at cornerback last season for Vidor but will step in as the Pirates’ quarterback this season. Mathews thinks Simmons will be a great ball player for him.
Ricky Gall will be carrying the ball at halfback. There are some young guys in the offensive line who could be pretty good. Landen Wilcoxson will move from tackle to center this year. At guard Brooklyn Freeman and Jesse Myers have done great things in the offseason and early practices.
Payton Ragan will play tight end. Elijah Young and Matt Strong at split end are looking really good. “They started at some point last year, they may have moved position but they have plenty of experience on the field,” Mathews reminded.
The Pirates will have two scrimmages before the regular season during which Mathews will evaluate his players. The coach talked about three things in the offseason with his players; relentless effort, competitive excellence, and being nine units strong.
Winning the two scrimmages will not be as important as seeing if the Pirates are motivated by the three goals emphasized during the offseason. Mathews wants to see how hard his players perform every down. Mathews explained, “You want to get out of the scrimmages knowing that you’re better than when you started it and you want to get out injury free. I think that’s the big thing I want to see that competitive edge in them, I want to see if they compete, and if they’ll be relentless.”
Expectations were high last year for the Vidor Pirates. Coach Mathews is looking for the team to reach his goals for this season. The first goal is to make the playoffs, and Mathews wants Vidor to be a district champion.
Another goal Coach Mathews has every year is to see each week the Pirates be better than they were the week before not only in the way they play but in the way they conduct themselves and the way they compete. “Do we do it with class, do we do it in a manner that makes everybody respect Vidor, and look at Vidor the way I do. My expectation is be better than last year and be better today than we were yesterday.” Mathews concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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