Arlington Bowie football embraces being ‘the hunted’ coming off district title
Last season provided quite the shake-up in District 8-6A football.
Arlington Martin took a step back from its usual dominance, making room for Bowie, Arlington, Haltom and South Grand Prairie to make the playoffs.
Bowie fully capitalized on the opportunity, winning a district title for the first time since 2012. The Volunteers went on to defeat Dallas Jesuit 56-42 in the bi-district round and then fell to Hebron 51-35 in the area round, ending their best season in over a decade.
Now, Bowie has a new standard to maintain, but the Volunteers will rely on the same method, coach Joseph Sam said.
“We’ve got to play with 100% effort, keep the positive attitudes and be mentally tough,” Sam said. “Toughness is ... can I be where I’m supposed to be? And do what I’m supposed to do?”
Effort, discipline, chemistry and preparation go a long way in District 8-6A, a league that Sam said is open for the taking. There are plenty of hungry, capable teams ready to take Bowie’s spot.
“Instead of being the hunter, we’re the hunted,” Sam said. “I believe that on any given Friday, anybody can win a game. Since anyone can win a game, anyone has a chance to win district.”
Bowie replacing its QB and top RB
In 2024, Bowie had eight Star-Telegram All-Area selections, highlighted by senior quarterback Tre Nichols and running back Darrion Bowers. Only one of those players will return: defensive back Kevin Baines.
“I think that senior group not only upheld what we wanted but elevated what we wanted,” Sam said. “We’ve been telling this team — that was their legacy. Now, what is your legacy going to be? We’re going to show them the way. Let’s take that way and make it even better.”
Bowie will have a young team, especially on offense, but Sam is confident in senior quarterback Jayden Bibbs, who will take the reins. He’ll be able to rely on the veteran receivers who make up one of the Vols’ older position groups.
One of those pass catchers is senior Keidric Osunde-Brown, a three-star recruit with offers from Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulsa and more. The Vols also have Maxwell Nichols, whom Sam called a hidden gem.
At running back, senior Denzel Ponder has the starting spot but big shoes to fill, considering Bowers had more than 2,100 yards last season. Ponder was a backup last season.
.jpg "Bowers 2 (1).jpg")
The offensive line is where Bowie’s inexperience is evident; the Volunteers have five new starters.
“It’s not ideal,” Sam said. “But we do have the people in place. I feel like once they jell, the sky becomes the limit for us.”
Bryson Castille leads experienced Vols defense
Bowie’s defense has the opposite situation. With several younger players getting time last season, the Vols return seven defensive starters, including three-star linebacker Bryson Castille, a Houston commit, and senior linebacker Galatian Paogofie.
Defensive backs Baines and Princeton Campbell will also be key contributors.
“That’s a great starting point, when you’ve got three of the four in the secondary and then two of your three linebackers coming back, along with two defensive linemen,” Sam said. “So, we have a chance to do something special on defense.”
But Sam also has faith that, eventually, the offense has a chance to be just as special.
Although the Volunteers want to put their best foot forward, Sam doesn’t discuss the district championship much. His main goal is to prepare the team for a deep playoff run. A district title is a nice reward, but not always necessary.
“There have been district champions that lose in the first round,” Sam said. “There have been teams that have barely snuck in the playoffs to win state championships. Our job is to play our best football when we need it most — which is district. Then once you get through district, it’s playoffs.”
Bowie has had long playoff runs in the past; the Vols went to the regional finals in 2009 and 2007.
In general, however, Arlington ISD teams have struggled to get over the hump. The district’s last football state title came in 1951, when Arlington High defeated Waco La Vega for the Class 2A championship. In 1990, Lamar reached the Class 5A state title game before falling to Houston Aldine.
As the Volunteers prepare for the 2025 campaign, they aren’t thinking long term but are hyper-focused on the present. As a “6A program with 5A depth”, according to Sam, they have to practice smart, focus on recovery and ensure they get reps in.
“When you talk about playing 16 weeks, you’ve got to talk about the mini goals,” Sam said. “And that is being 1-0. ... The record is one thing, but are we getting better every day? And that’s what being 1-0 means in my eyes.”
Even with the best season in over a decade, there is no pressure to succeed, Paogofie said.
“All we know is that we’re the team that is targeted,” Paogofie said. “So, we just have to prepare every week for the next team. ... We have a lot of talent. I think we could be something great. We’ve just got to come in every day, put in the work and show it on Friday nights.”
.jpg)