Photos Courtesy of WylieSports.com
Article by Greg Jaklewicz
Settling Into Class 5A
It no longer seems just like yesterday that Wylie began competing in Class 5A.
In February 2018, the UIL moved Wylie, a premiere athletic program at the Class 4A level, to Class 5A, Division II. In many ways, the WHS athletic program - so dominant at the Class 3A and 4A levels - had to start again.
The transition in football, not surprisingly, was the hardest to make.
Wylie pride took a hit with a 2-18 record in its first two seasons in 5A. The next two seasons were better, with nine combined wins.
Then things got way better.
Recent Success
The Bulldogs, now led by Clay Martin after longtime and hugely successful coach Hugh Sandifer retired, most recently have gone 10-4, 8-4 and 9-2. Wylie has won two of the past three district championships, both times going unbeaten in league play.
Another measuring stick has been the season result against south Abilene rival Cooper. The Coogs battered the Bulldogs early on but after a narrow 30-24 loss in 2021, Wylie has taken control. WHS has won three straight meetings - 29-7 (2024), 17-7 (2023) and 20-10 (2022).
It’s 2025, and Wylie has settled in.
“I think the key has been staying the course,’” head coach Clay Martin said.
“It’s staying with it and the kids working hard,” he said.
Overall, Wylie has posted a 27-10 mark over the past three seasons and 5-3 record in the playoffs.
The Road Ahead
It’s little surprise that Wylie has been in preseason discussions about the 2025 District 2-5A title. That could be decided Oct. 31 in Lubbock, when the Bulldogs take on Lubbock-Cooper. After the Pirates dominated early, Wylie has won the past two meetings.
The Bulldogs will play four nondistrict games, opening Friday at home against Brownwood, then traveling to Lubbock to take on the first of two Class 5A, Division 1 foes, Monterey. The next week, Coronado journeys from Lubbock to be Wylie’s homecoming foe.
The non-district slate winds up with Wylie taking on state-ranked Stephenville on the road.
The Yellow Jackets were the only team to beat Wylie last year (49-27 at Hugh Sandifer Stadium) before the Bulldogs’ season-ending playoff loss to Anna.
Stephenville is ranked No. 4 in its division in preseason polls.
District 2-5A play begins Sept. 26 in Wichita Falls against Legacy High.
The Bulldogs have two road trips to Lubbock and one each to Amarillo, Wichita Falls and Stephenville.
That’s more than 1,400 miles of bus time.
At least they don’t have to bus nine miles to Shotwell Stadium; the Bulldogs take on rival Cooper High this year at Sandifer Stadium.
What the AHS Scrimmage Showed
Martin begins his sixth season. He’s not without optimism and a deeper foray into the playoffs.
He got to see where his team stands in last week’s scrimmage against Class 5A, Division 1 Abilene High. This has become a tradition.
“I thought the scrimmage was very competitive and we saw bright spots from both teams,” Martin said.
“That scrimmage has been really good for us. We had a chance to play a lot of kids in a lot of situations. We got a lot of good film. At this point we’re evaluating kids … I felt like we learned a lot about our team” in live action conditions.
There is a quick turnaround. Unlike the NFL, there is not another practice game. Now, it’s on to the season opener. Martin and his staff still will be sizing up the team - using as many players as possible and seeing how the team reacts to pressure situations.
“I think (the scrimmage) gave us a jumpstart going into this week,” he said.
Penalty-wise, “I thought we were pretty clean.”
Coaches, of course, see more than fans, who saw some good play by the Bulldogs. There were mistakes in execution as coaches looked closely at blocking and tackling.
“We made a ton of mistakes, and we knew we would,” Martin said.
“But we’re really proud of the effort our kids gave. That’s been a trademark of our program for a long time. That effort and hustle takes care of a lot of mistakes.”
One highlight:
“I think one of the highlights of the scrimmage was that we found seven-eight kids that we feel like can contribute.”
That adds to depth, which always is an advantage in football.
Another advantage is that players can be moved to different positions. Of course, that brings a learning curve.
“We’re really proud of where those guys are right now,” he said, “but we still have a long way to go.”
The next marker will be sizing up the team when district play begins in four weeks.
The Offense
Wylie does not return a bevy of starters on offense. Or defense, for that matter.
Martin and his staff are looking to a strong JV team to fill positions. Juniors will be taking on big roles this year, he said.
Returning Starters on Offense:
Seniors Barrett Huffington (moved from guard to center) and Mark Esquibel (moved from right tackle to left tackle)
Running back Julius Laine, a three-year letterman with 1,000+ yards rushing in 2024
Junior Dylan Regala at receiver
Juniors Blake Frailing (H-back/tight end) and Blaze Ruffin (wide receiver)
“He has really come into his own,” the coach said of Laine. “We feel he’s back better than ever. But we’ve had some underclassmen who have really stepped up.”
Quarterback Situation:
Gone is all-district quarterback Bear Meng. Juniors Jadin Karleskint and Bo Kates will share time at the position.
“I think going into Week 1, Jadin’s going to be the primary quarterback but Bo is going to have packages, too,” Martin said.
Outlook:
Execution of plays and minimizing penalties will be key.
“Moving forward,” Martin said, “I think we’ll be a pretty explosive offensive team.”
The Defense
Martin had 0 to say about the Bulldogs defense.
Zero being the number of senior Deandre Rodriguez, who started several games on the line.
The other number that comes to mind is 13, that of Kates, an inside linebacker. They are the only two players with significant varsity experience.
However, defense was the strength of the JV team “and those guys have really stepped in along with some seniors,” Martin said.
Wylie will have depth on the line.
He said the characteristic of the defense that coaches have seen so far “is playing with great effort.”
Abilene High had a few big plays but few running the football.
The secondary?
“I thought the back at the back end played really well,” Martin said.
Senior Jordan Lockett returns at cornerback and will be a cornerstone for the Bulldogs’ secondary.
Special Teams
Early on, Wylie should excel at special teams, he said.
Back is junior Noah Rehburg, who was the first-team all-district kicker. Despite it being his first season to play football, he missed one PAT and three field goals all year.
He also handled kickoffs.
“He’s a huge weapon for us,” Martin said.
Karleskint will be the primary punter.
Overall, “I think we’re ahead of the game right now,” Martin said. “We’re looking forward to big things from those units, even starting Week 1.”
Looking Ahead
Wylie fans will know more about the 2025 Bulldogs after the opener against Brownwood, and again in late September when district play starts.
Ultimately, it’s the team that is on the field when the playoffs begin in mid-November.
The Bulldogs have been to the playoffs four times in Class 5A, posting a 6-4 record. That includes a forfeit win and a loss in the pandemic-affected 2020 season.
Martin has his team set on appearance No. 5.
“We are expecting great things,” Martin said.