7pm kickoff vs Llano
Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
In 2023, Coach Mike Trevino and his staff created a monster as they took a Pirate Football program that went from a 1-9 record in 2022 to a 7-4, State Playoff qualifying break out season. The seven wins were buoyed by an incredible 4-0 start that included outscoring opponents by a combined score of 72-21, while getting their proud fan base back in their hip pockets.
After not sniffing a district win in ’22 when they went a woeful 0-5, The Pirates went 3-2 a year ago with two of those victories coming against former 4A programs in Poteet and Crystal City.
So, with more than a full year under his belt, Coach Trevino is ready to “Dig Deep” and attack Year Two and the expectations that come with sustained success.
“Our team has continued to make great strides throughout fall camp and our two scrimmages,” Trevino stated. “The energy, effort, and enthusiasm we have seen from our kids has been nothing short of inspiring and impactful! Every day, they have shown up ready to work, ready to serve, ready to love, and ready to care; pulling each other through places we have never been before and enjoying the journey.”
It has been a while since November 9, 2023, when the Pirates last played a meaningful game. Although their season ended that night against Blanco team that finished 12-2 and made it all the way to the regional finals, it marked the beginning of the commitment to this season for the Pirates.
“There has been significant growth in multiple areas over the past year, especially from our love and leadership and our intentional culture. Our cohesiveness and communication have grown, and the bond amongst our players has deepened, and you can see that being demonstrated daily. Our attention to details, both in preparation and execution has also reached another level. While I am proud of the progress we have made, I am also humbled by the work still ahead. We continue to chase excellence every day!”
Chasing that “excellence” begins Friday at Walter Joyce Stadium as Llano makes its way to Lytle for both teams’ season opener. Pirate Nation remembers last season and are ready to fill the stands in support of the journey that lays ahead.
Balancing the excitement and nerves that come along with the start of a new campaign, while keeping players focused on properly executing a game plan is understandably one of the things on the to-do list.
“It is all about ‘What’s Next’ for us in our program. We preach having a windshield mentality, and this allows the players to trust their training and preparation heading into each week. We acknowledge the emotions that come with the season-opener because it is a big moment, and it is okay to feel that way. But we emphasize that our energy has to be channeled into executing the game plan. The key is staying present, focusing on the ‘next play’ or ‘next ball,’ and trusting in the process we have followed all off-season.”
The end result that shows on the scoreboard once the final tick has clicked to zero is just a small measure of what the bigger picture is really all about.
“Setting the tone in the first game is crucial for establishing our identity as a team, but even more so continuing to ‘Become The Mountain’ one week at a time. While the outcome matters, our effort, our execution, and our attitude are more important. A strong performance sends a message to us that we are here to compete at a high level every time we step onto the field. We seek to build momentum and confidence that will carry us through the challenges, the fear, the doubt, knowing that we can rely on our culture and preparation as a total program.”
Now that Pirate Football is officially back on the map, Trevino shares what Pirate Nation can expect to see as Lytle sets sail at home this Friday night.
“After an unbelievable 2023 season, we have set a new standard, but when it comes to expectations, those have already been written and mapped out for us…God is in control, and He already knows the outcome. I do not want us to miss on opportunities to enjoy our journey together as we run this race side by side each other. Our kids deserve to be recognized, seen, heard, and valued, but that is not who we are. Football is not our identity, and I do not want it to be. I want us to be a team that loves each other. I want us to be a team that leads each other. I want us to create a space and place where people know they are welcomed with open arms as we operate on full transparency. Positivity drives our program, and that is what I want people to see and take notice; the scoreboard will take care of itself as long as we are intentional every day with how we do things! Yes, we are back on the map, and we are ready to put that on display for our community, but that is not the most important thing that matters most; it goes beyond the game of football.”