Key returners back as Saginaw Boswell looks to replicate, do even better than 2016

Brayden Thomas threw for nearly 2,000 yards and 23 TDs last season - and was named second team offense for both District 6-5A and the MaxPreps Freshman National team.

He began the season on the freshman team at Saginaw Boswell.

“It was eye-opening to see how far he came,” coach John Abendschan said. “How much he played with really no offseason was a miracle in itself. Biggest thing we’ve seen is his maturity and we’re just excited for year 2.”

The Pioneers, who went 9-5 last season and had their deepest playoff run in 39 years, kicked off the fall season early Monday morning during their fifth-annual Midnight Madness. The stands were packed with students, family and fans. The cheerleaders and band also came out.

“It says a lot about our community,” Abendschan said. “Boswell is an incredible place - kids and parents were out here cheering our guys - we have people all over the place.”

With 11 starters returning, Boswell looks for another playoff run.

“We always talk about what you do in August is what creates the ability to play in December,” Abendschan said earlier this month. “After what our kids experienced last year, with knowing we were one of only a handful of schools still playing that late in the year, it’s much easier to sell that now.”

Along with Thomas, Abendschan praised senior Breshun Berry (850 receiving yards, 12 TDs, 7 INTs), who as a cornerback and receiver was named 6-5A Utility MVP.

Seniors Kyrese McFarland (96 tackles), Malik Hubbard (5 sacks) and Caleb Genberg (115 tackles) will also lead a stout defensive unit.

“We have a lot of bright spots. Kyrese has been our bell-cow at the nose guard position - he had an incredible offseason,” Abendschan said. “Malik and Caleb are our two captains and I’m excited to watch all of them on the field.”

The biggest hole Abendschan will need to replace is the one at running back. Boswell’s all-time leading rusher Damon Williams graduated and moved on to Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. A school-record 2,072 yards with 17 TDs last season, Williams also holds school rushing records with 266 yards in a single game and 3,338 yards in his career.

“We have a running back competition and we say ‘best man up’,” Abendschan said. “Jay Garcia played a lot last year and we have some other guys fighting for that spot.”

The Pioneers will scrimmage Grapevine on Aug. 24. They start the regular season at Burleson Centennial on Sept. 1, and host Fort Worth Dunbar and Birdville before district play.

This story was originally published August 14, 2017 at 10:46 AM with the headline "Key returners back as Saginaw Boswell looks to replicate, do even better than 2016."