EARLY – The Early Longhorns’ three-game road swing ended without a victory, but they will attempt to return to the win column at 7 p.m. Friday night as they host the surging Comanche Indians for homecoming.  The game will be available to watch live at koxe.com.  

The Longhorns (1-3) most recently suffered a 52-14 setback to undefeated Peaster, which is ranked No. 7 in the state this week in Class 3A Division I by Harris Ratings Weekly.

“We got in our way again,” Early first-year head coach Marvin Wilson said while reflecting on last week’s outcome. “Peaster is a very good football team, and our kids played hard, but we allowed five passing touchdowns because we looked in the backfield and allowed separation. When we stayed with our guys, stayed in coverage, we were knocking balls down and making plays. Our offense moved the ball, and then we’d sputter, and we have to quit sputtering. We’ve got to continue to focus on us and take our mistakes out of the picture. If we do that, we have a chance to be a good football team.”

Comanche started the season with losses to Class 4A Division II Caddo Mills (54-24) and Class 3A Division I state-ranked Llano (62-23), but has responded with back-to-back wins over Eastland (42-14) and Tolar (36-33).

“Comanche’s a good football team,” Wilson said. “They’re old school in that they block down, try and kick out, and run counters and powers. They’ve got some receivers that can go catch it and when they throw it their quarterback can sling it. I know they have a middle linebacker that’s a headhunter, and their d-line is big and they’re going to get in gaps and work. We have to be disciplined in what we do, and open up what we need to open for our quarterback, running backs and receivers to be able to do their jobs.”

Leading the charge for the Comanche offense are quarterback Cooper Welch (37 of 79 for 590 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs), running backs LaDanian Smith (413 yards, 6 TDs) and Zayden Tello (202 yards, 3 TDs; 4-50, TD receiving), and receivers CT Buford (14-321, 5 TDs), Fernando Patino (8-93), and Adrian Reyes (6-103).

Defensive standouts for the Indians, who are allowing 41 points per game on average, are Tello (37 tackles, 5 for loss), Smith (36 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 sack), Peyton Baugh (22 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery), Damian Aguilar (22 tackles), Reyes (20 tackles, 1 for loss), Ky Keeter (20 tackles), Buford (18 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery) and Patino (16 tackles).

Early enters the contest averaging 16 points and 244 yards – 124 passing and 120 rushing – per outing, with six turnovers.

Quarterback Caden Wilson (36 of 69 for 495 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs; 218 rushing yards, 3 TDs) leads the Longhorns in both passing and rushing yards. Leading receivers are Andrew Reedy (12-220, 4 TDs), Brennen Raser (6-91), Stone Ratliff (6-68, TD) and Jaxson Stockman (4-21). Additional threats out of the backfield include Brandon Walker (95 rushing yards, TD) and Cameron Love (70 rushing yards).

On the defensive end, the Longhorns surrender 35 points and 379 yards – 205 on the ground and 174 through the air – per outing, with only three takeaways.

Standouts include Angel Marquez (46 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 interception), Brayden Schafer (39 tackles), Wilson (24 tackles, 2 for loss), Mario Vasquez (23 tackles), Aaron Mendoza (22 tackles, 1 for loss), Weston Harrison (20 tackles, 1 for loss), Aiden Driskill (19 tackles, 2 for loss), Rhett Williams (16 tackles, 1 for loss), and Reedy (16 tackles, 1 INT).

As for what he hopes to see from the Longhorns Friday night, Wilson said, “Consistency. We’ll do some things very well and then we’ll step on our feet. We don’t have to worry about whatever is in front of us, just worry about ourselves, and be consistent with everything we do. I’m proud of our effort. We’re learning how to compete and play hard. We blew some stuff, but there’s no question our kids are trying hard and if you don’t try hard you have no chance. We’ve got kids trying to step up and trying to become leaders, we just have to go execute better.”

Regarding the importance of chalking up a win in their final game before the start of District 5-3A Division II competition, Wilson said, “It’d be huge. Get a win, validate the hard work, get to the open week, then breathe and heal a little bit and give yourself a great jumping off point for district.”

According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the Longhorns are 16-point underdogs. Harris Ratings Weekly lists Early as a 6-point underdog.

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Early Longhorns 2025 Football Season Stats

Through 4 Games (1-3)

TEAM OFFENSE

15.8 points per game (63)

244.0 yards per game (976)

120.2 rushing yards per game (481)

123.8 passing yards per game (495)

PASSING

* Caden Wilson

36 of 69 for 495 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs

RUSHING

* Caden Wilson

218 yards on 51 carries, 3 TDs

* Brandon Walker

95 yards on 14 carries, 1 TD

* Cameron Love

70 yards on 25 carries

* Stone Ratliff

52 yards on 11 carries

* Andrew Reedy

35 yards on 1 carry

* Isaac Ybarra

11 yards on 5 carries

RECEIVING

* Andrew Reedy

12 catches, 220 yards, 4 TDs

* Brennen Rasor

6 catches, 91 yards

* Stone Ratliff

6 catches for 68 yards, 1 TD

* Jaxson Stockman

4 catches for 21 yards

* Cameron Love

2 catches, 68 yards

* Brandon Walker

2 catches, 5 yards

* Aaron Mendoza

1 catch, 11 yards

* Aiden Driskill

1 catch, 11 yards

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TEAM DEFENSE

34.5 points per game (138)

379.0 yards per game (1,137) – not including Hamilton

204.7 rushing yards per game (614) – not including Hamilton

174.3 passing yards per game (523) – not including Hamilton

TACKLES

* Angel Marquez

46 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 interception

* Brayden Schafer

39 tackles

* Caden Wilson

24 tackles, 2 for loss

* Mario Vasquez

23 tackles

* Aaron Mendoza

22 tackles, 1 for loss

* Weston Harrison

20 tackles, 1 for loss

* Aiden Driskill

19 tackles, 2 for loss

* Rhett Williams

16 tackles, 1 for loss

* Andrew Reedy

16 tackles, 1 INT

* Brennen Rasor

12 tackles

*Logan Jackson

10 tackles, 2 for loss

* Will Speck

10 tackles

* Rhett Smith

7 tackles,1 for loss

* Jaxson Stockman

7 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 INT

* Brandon Walker

5 tackles, 1 for loss

* Isaac Ybarra

5 tackles

* Kaden Burleson

4 tackles

* Miguel Brunette

4 tackles

* Grant Stacks

4 tackles

* Stone Ratliff

3 tackles

* Riley Barton

2 tackles

* Dacorian McBride

2 tackles

* Ben Wilson

2 tackles

* Skyden Stoddart

1 tackle

* Cameron Love

1 tackle

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TURNOVER MARGIN (-3)

* Early: 6 (4 fumbles, 2 interceptions)

* Opponents: 3 (3 interceptions)