SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Steele Knights will once again challenge Judson, Smithson Valley and Clemens High School for the District 26-6A crown, considered one of the most difficult districts in which to compete in the entire state. The Knights are having to deal with the loss of eight seniors, all now playing at the college level, including safety Caden Sterns, who is now with the Texas Longhorns.
“Defensively, we’re excited about the group we have,” head coach David Saenz said. “We lost quite a few guys who were on the back end last year, but we have guys who are ready to step up and show what they can do as well.”
The Knights have seven starters returning off last year’s squad, which went 9-5 overall and 5-2 in district play, including four on offense and three on defense. Among the defensive starters returning are defensive backs Chase Cromartie, who had 93 tackles and one interception last season, and Xavier Player, who notched three interceptions and 37 tackles.
“We’re super excited,” said Player. “We’ve been getting up all off-season, getting up every morning at 6:30, working together as a team, so we’re ready for this season.”
Coach Saenz likes the work ethic the Knights have shown so far.
“It’s just focusing on the little things that can make the program great and make sure we’re going those things to the fullest,” said Saenz. “The guys have done that, the coaching staff has done that. I’ve been impressed by the way they’ve been working and been going about their business.”
The Knights will start sophomore Wyatt Begeal at quarterback, but Saenz has plenty of confidence in the young gunslinger. Begeal played last season as a freshman and threw for over 1000 yards and nine touchdowns, finishing with an 8-1 record as a starter.
“The expectations are always there as a quarterback of Steele High School,” Saenz said. “He does a great job of leading the team.”
Steele will kick off their season by hosting O’Connor on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 pm.