Brannon Rodgers returns to home base to lead Sundown football team

Don't expect too many things to change for the Sundown football team even with a new coach.

Schematically the team will be different under Brannon Rodgers, opting for the Wing-T offense and 4-2-5 defense as opposed to the Spread and 5-3 systems under previous coach Adam Cummings.

But the intangibles, placing character above all else, that will remain with the Roughnecks.

"We talk a lot about being a Sundown Roughneck 24/7," Rodgers said. "And you know, that they carry that wherever they go. You can't take that off. That stays with you. That's a point of emphasis for us."

Rodgers steps in at coach after Cummings departed for the new Canyon West Plains school. Previously coaching at Class 3A Jacksboro, Rodgers has had to adjust to having about half the amount of players available. He's spent most of his time trying to get to know the players, earning their trust, before he can start figuring out a starting lineup.

More:New leaders to emerge for new-look Lubbock-Cooper football team

"We have great kids here that match the talent and ability of any school of that size," Rodgers said. "You just have more kids to choose from in those schools."

The first week of practice was dedicated to installing those new offensive and defensive schemes. The process was made a bit easier with some of the returning players Rodgers will have at his disposal.

A pair of offensive/defensive linemen in Jeffrey Rodriguez and Dakota Golightly will lead the charge up front. Hunter Tindol returns as the team's starting quarterback and Koy Torres, a standout cross country runner, will be utilitzed as a receiver and defensive back.

"They're veteran players that have played a big role in the past and I think because the role that they've played on last year's team," Rodgers said, "those expectations, they've set those themselves. We will lean on our experience early."

Rodgers sees the offensive line as a position of strength early on thanks to the unit's participation in the Sundown power lifting program, which was won state titles the last two years.

As for the skill positions, it's premature to call it a weakness.

Rodgers just needs time to identify who will be rounding out the roster. The team's scrimmages will be used for that very purpose, as well as getting most accustomed to the scheme switches.

"I told the kids there's not a depth chart," Rodgers said. "We've got a lot of figuring to do with what everybody's capable of, so that's gonna take some time."

Among the adjustments will be how Tindol takes snaps.

More:'Pressure is a privilege' for New Home football

In the Cummings' Spread system, shot gun was the primary delivery system. While the Roughnecks will go out of shotgun at times, the Wing-T often calls for the QB going under center.

"We've got to marry those two schemes together," Rodgers said. "That'll take a little time, but they're picking it up faster than I thought they might. Sharp kids out here."

With his parents living in Petersburg and his son, Ty, going to Texas Tech University, Rodgers is plenty familiar with the other five teams that will make up District 2-2A Division I.

"We're gonna have some really good teams night in and night out that we play against," Rodger said. "I'm excited to face all of them and kind of rekindle some old friendships and relationships that we've had in the past. So that excites me about being back home."

Sundown Roughnecks

Head coach — Brannon Rodgers

2021 records — 8-4 overall, 4-1 in district

Base offense — Wing-T

Base defense — 4-2-5

Returning lettermen — 15

Returning off./def. starters — 5/4

Top returners — Jeffrey Rodriguez, OL/LB, Sr.; Hunter Tindol, QB/LB, Sr.; Koy Torres, WR/S, Sr.; Johnny Acevedo, FB/CB, Sr.; Dekota Golightly, DT, Sr.

2022 schedule

* denotes District 2-2A Division I game

Aug. 25 — vs. Shamrock at Canyon, 7 p.m.

Sept. 2 — vs. Dalhart, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 7 — at Farwell, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 — vs. Wink, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 — at Roosevelt, 7 p.m.

Oct. 7 — at Floydada, 7 p.m.*

Oct. 14 — vs. Olton, 7 p.m.*

Oct. 21 — at New Deal, 7 p.m.*

Oct. 28 — at Post, 7 p.m.*

Nov. 4 — vs. Tahoka, 7 p.m.*