On Friday the football team will begin their quest for a state championship with a rivalry dating back to Dec. 1, 2017, the UIL state regional semi-final game against Stephenville High School, which Argyle lost to Stephenville 28-31, ending their dreams at a state championship.

With a new season on the way, the team will shoot to replicate the same productivity as last season where the Eagles averaged 219.5 rushing yards per game. But, with Don Williams gone after a 1,400 yard and 21 touchdown season, Senior Noah Lang will look to set the standard for the backup running backs junior Luke Farris and sophomore Tito Byce along with the rest of the team.

With last year’s senior starter Jon Copeland’s injury in the 8th game of the season and departure, senior Hunter Martindale and junior Bo Hogeboom look to fill the void on offense. Stephenville’s defensive front has stayed, for the majority, intact having their six leading tacklers returning for their senior seasons.

Stephenville collected 46.0 sacks last season, but an Argyle offensive-line led by Preston Wilson will work to shut down the Stephenville defense.

Of the six leading receivers, based on total receiving yards, only one will return this season, junior Alex Gonzales, who is coming off a season with 25 reception, 377 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns. He will be joined by Senior Adam Schelder and sophomore Tito Byce. Stephenville had a solid performance last year, with guard receivers collecting 20 interceptions over the season.

Stephenville’s offense is going to have their leading rusher, Krece Nowak, return for his senior season who will match up against Senior Linebacker Chase Petter who is coming off an amazing junior season, where he led the team with 113 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 15.0 sacks , and he also had 5 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Petter will play alongside Senior defensive back, Hayden Clearman, the dual-sport athlete who had a good season last year with 71 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.  These two will look to dominate against Stephenville and the rest of the teams this season.

The Argyle Eagle football team plays a rematch on Friday at 7:00 P.M. at home.