GROESBECK, Texas — Groesbeck's decades-long playoff drought continued in 2021, as the Goats fell short in a 14-0 loss to Whitney in the bi-district round. This year, they hope to finally get over the hump.
Head Coach Jerry Bomar believes this could be the year to finally do so.
"Our goal has been to get our kids stronger physically and be able to line up and go toe-to-toe with people that have size. I feel like this group has the ability to do that," Bomar said.
He acknowledged that the last two seasons, the Goats have struggled to match up in the trenches with the like of Whitney and Dallas Madison, their last two playoff opponents.
Groesbeck returns a relatively experienced squad in 2022. The Goats have 13 returning starters: six on offense and seven on defense.
One key contributor to the Goats' success will be senior quarterback Allen Lewis, who has served as Groesbeck's QB1 for each of the last three seasons.
"He's played tremendous football," Bomar said. "I think Allen Lewis is one of the most underrated players in this area. I don't think people have given him a lot of credit. "
Lewis was injured in the team's regular season finale in 2020 and during the Goats' playoff game in 2021. Those losses were crushing blows for Groesbeck's playoff chances.
"He's a great leader," senior tight end Braden Hurt said. "He stays after practice. If you ask him, he'll stay after and throw routes to you, He'll coach you up. He's a real good guy to you."
He will still have plenty of targets to throw to this year, despite losing one of his top receivers, Tyson Pringle. Hurt and receiver Anthony Lewis will be major pieces in the Groesbeck offense.
2022 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:
8/26 vs Caldwell 7:30
9/2 at McGregor 7:30
9/9 vs Marlin 7:30
9/16 at Crockett 7:30
9/23 at Mexia* 7:30
9/30 Open
10/7 vs Kemp* 7:30
10/14 at Fairfield* 7:30
10/21 vs Teague* 7:30
10/28 at Eustace* 7:30
11/4 vs Malakoff* 7:30
*District Game
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