After years of one-win seasons, Saginaw Rough Rider football looks to make playoffs
Saginaw High School football hasn’t had a winning season in four years.
The Rough Riders had a rough time in 2023, winning one game in an extremely difficult district with Aledo, Denton Ryan, Northwest and more. In the past four years, Saginaw has posted a 3-36 overall record.
But after a favorable realignment, Saginaw looks like a playoff contender in District 4-5A Division I.
“There’s some adversity we’ve had to face,” Peters said. “Some of that adversity, being able to get over it – it’s just done them a whole heck of a lot of good.”
On Saturday morning at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, the Rough Riders kicked off district play with an emphatic 54-7 victory over Fort Worth Polytechnic. Saginaw head coach Mike Peters said other than some early sloppiness and penalties, it was a great performance.
Although the district alignment is a factor, there is more to Saginaw’s resurgence than the quality of opposition. In week two, the Rough Riders posted a statement 46-33 win over EMS ISD rival Boswell, a Class 6A school.
“It’s way more competitive for us, but it really doesn’t change any of the work,” Peters said of realignment. “I mean, we work the same no matter what. And we’ve had a goal since we took over two years ago.”
Peters took over as head coach in 2021, and Saginaw endured two one-win seasons. The struggles faced and the experience gained, however, have led the Rough Riders to a winning situation.
In 2024, the Rough Riders are a potential playoff contender and even a potential district title contender. Other teams looking for the district crown include Arlington Heights, Wyatt, Chisholm Trail, Paschal, North Side and more.
Leading the charge is senior quarterback Roman Morales, who has shown an ability to find receivers anywhere on the field. Against Polytechnic, he threw for 257 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns while only playing the first half.
“Roman is talented,” Peters said. “It’s typical, the development. This is his third year as a starter. Some of the stuff that we started in year one, he’s finally starting to realize and do in year three.”
Senior wide receiver Aidan Collier is another key contributor to the Rough Rider offense. Against the Parrots, he tallied 229 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 57.25 yards per catch, all in the first half.
“Aiden (Collier) is a special player,” Peters said. “He’s talented in all aspects. He plays everything – he’s a three-way guy for us. He’s a special teamer. He plays defense and offense, and so he brings a lot and also a lot of leadership.”
Collier has 376 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. Against the Parrots, he notched 75, 35 and 97 yard touchdowns, further establishing himself as an elite deep threat.
The improved offensive play is a reflection of the work the senior class has done in recent years. Throughout his time at Saginaw, Peters has emphasized three core values: Commitment, toughness and hard work.
“I can’t focus enough on the amount of work that these guys have been willing to do,” Peters said. “It’s tough coming off of rough years. And we didn’t lose kids. They didn’t quit the program. The kids kept with it, and now they’re getting to be juniors and seniors and seeing what all that work does.”
After a bye week, Saginaw will face Wyatt, a team known for physicality, in a home game on September 27. The Chaparrals will be a test for a Rough Rider squad looking to build momentum.
Peters said that Saginaw football will focus on preparation, matching Wyatt’s physicality and taking care of the fundamentals.
Saginaw has now matched its win total from the past three seasons combined. The Rough Riders don’t take these victories for granted, and Peters wants them to have a “one week at a time” mentality.
“Man, we’re coming from a place – we spent two years working hard to put ourselves in a position to be successful. It’s going to take our focus and our hard work week in and week out to be able to win. Ultimately, we want to be a playoff team or a district champion.”
This story was originally published September 14, 2024 at 12:22 PM.
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