As strong as the Boerne Greyhounds have been this year, is everyone else in 14-4A-DI playing for second place?
The Somerset Bulldogs and the Fredericksburg Battlin’ Billies certainly don’t concede this. They meet at Battlin’ Billie Stadium Friday, with the winner remaining solidly in the district championship hunt.
Somerset (5-1, 1-0 in 14-4A-DI) ended a two-year playoff drought in Koy Detmer’s debut season as the head coach. Somerset’s success under Detmer has continued into 2022 with a strong running game, led by Jacob Alcorta and Josiah Lugo. Alcorta is the team’s leading rushing and is second in receiving yards.
Detmer is pleased, but when asked about his team, the first thing he said was “we’ve been playing pretty good up front on both sides of the ball.” The offensive line is led by right tackle Phillip Gallegos, a fourth year varsity member who’s committed to play at Rice.
“They’re gonna run the ball at you all night long,” warned Fredericksburg head coach Bill Wilder. Gallegos (6’7, 325 pounds) is a big reason why. Right guard Aiden Guerra – another reason Somerset loves to run the ball – is getting looks from colleges, as is inside linebacker Travis Bielefeld. Jaden Faz is a dangerous return man and leads the Bulldogs in catching his teammate’s passes. Romeo Faz (no relation) leads the Bulldogs in catching the opponent’s passes (four interceptions.)
Fredericksburg (3-2, 1-0 in 14-4A-DI) is seeking their 5th playoff berth in 7 years. The Battlin’ Billies enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in 2021, advancing to the state quarterfinals for the fourth time in school history, and the first time since 1983. 2021 was the first season in which Fredericksburg had to win three rounds of playoff games to make it to the state quarterfinals. This was accomplished despite separating from their head coach during the postseason.
Wilder, who took over during the playoff run, has the job full time now, and has a lot of players new to the varsity in 2022. “It’s a young team… they’re showing a lot of accountability and toughness, and they’re learning. We’ve continued to progress on both sides of the ball.”
Jesse Leija has been the workhorse running back with 95 carries for 507 yards and 6 touchdowns. Xavier Avilez (2 sacks), Jaxson Chenowth (3 interceptions), and Logan McCarver (3 sacks) lead the defense. Jovany Alva kicked a 47 yard field goal in Fredericksburg’s 31-28 victory at Kerrville Tivy.
Last year’s opening round victory for Fredericksburg was 45-41 against Somerset. Wilder expects a similarly competitive game Friday. “They’re well coached, and they have a lot of pride in that Somerset community. Since I’ve been here, we’ve met them two times, and every single time, it’s going to be a battle.”
Detmer agrees. “It’s one of those games that’s a good reminder of why you’re doing everything.”
Somerset (#5) and Fredericksburg (#6) are both ranked in Region IV-4A-DI by the Padilla Poll. The winner of Friday’s game will keep at least a share of first place in the district.
Mark Kusenberger
October 11, 2022
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