The Kenedy Lions enter the 2025 season with a blend of seasoned talent and promising newcomers aiming to build on a 5-6 campaign of a year ago.
Second-year coach Mike Jackson returns nine offensive and nine defensive starters from last year’s squad, which finished 3-3 in district play.
Salas back at QB
Senior quarterback David Salas will be the centerpiece of the Lions’ attack. Salas, a dual-threat signal-caller, is expected to direct an offense that features senior running back David Fraga, a second-team all-district selection in 2024. Senior wide receivers Tristan Mireles and Karsen Reyes, both of whom earned all-district honors last season – Mireles as a first-team defensive back and Reyes as a second-team receiver and defensive back – will provide playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Isiah Morin was a first-team all-district tight end.
The offensive line is anchored by seniors Jesse Fraga and Michael Romo alongside junior David Cantu, a first-team all-district selection at offensive line and second-team defensive lineman.
Defensively, senior linebacker Rayden Reyna, a first-team all-district pick, will lead a front seven alongside senior defensive lineman Richard Wilson, another first-team honoree. Junior defensive back Dehlay Salas, a first-team selection in 2024, and Mireles will patrol the secondary.
Salas, Morin and Joel Garcia, a second-team all-district performer, return at linebacker spots. Sophomore defensive back Logan White is expected to take a step forward after gaining valuable experience last season.
“Our goals are to stay healthy and play with discipline,” Jackson said.
Emerging talent adds depth
Beyond the returning starters, Kenedy has a group of experienced lettermen and a crop of freshmen Jackson hopes is ready to make an impact.
Junior running back and defensive back Jagger Hartsfield, senior wide receiver and defensive back Ryder Hartsfield, and junior running back and linebacker Frankie Aleman provide depth and flexibility. Junior wide receiver and defensive back Patrick Salas and senior offensive lineman Nathaniel Serna round out a group of returners eager to contribute.
The freshman class features quarterback Jericho Jackson, who could see time under center as a backup to Salas. Wide receiver and defensive back Dylan Russell, Ruben Solis (running back/linebacker) and Izaiah Maldonado (wide receiver/linebacker) may also see varsity playing time.
Pre-district focus
The Lions will scrimmage George West and Nixon-Smiley before opening the season on Aug. 29 at home against the Agua Dulce Longhorns. Kenedy’s other non-district opponents are Skidmore-Tynan, Karnes City, and Pettus.
“We want to develop depth and compete every week,” Jackson said.
