Late in the game with a potential spot in the playoffs on the line, Farmersville’s field goal was blocked and Community ended up stealing the rivalry victory.

Head coach Zac Quinlan highlighted moments like that as reasons the Farmers lost key games in district play. The cliche line is that games can be won and lost on special teams, and he felt it was true for the Farmers in the past.

“We weren’t horrible on special teams but we certainly could’ve been better,” Quinlan said. “We had a chance to win a big rivalry game and we didn’t make it happen and lost in overtime. Those are the sort of situations I want to clean up.”

That started with the fall camp last Monday, as the Farmers are putting a big emphasis on special teams during their practices as they gear up for the 2022 season. There will be some challenges to success, including replacing a few starters from last season. Coach Quinlan believes that his best players should play in all three phases of the game.

“The special team’s coordinator we had last year is coming back so most of that is the same schematically,” Quinlan said. “That being said, the team loses its starting kicker and long snapper, so we have some work to figure out this fall to get ready for the new year. We have a few different things we think are going to work out, but you never know until you get it going.”

The Farmers are replacing Conner Hansen from last season’s roster, along with the team’s long snapper. While the team will work out several different players to take on the role of a long snapper, the team is zeroing in on kicking options.

Jackson Madrid and Ryan Alonzo are working out at kicker for the Farmers this fall. Overall, the team has a few weeks to feel comfortable with whoever can fill in and be consistent in special teams.

“It’s going to be a building process,” Quinlan said. “It’s something I take seriously and we’re going to practice it every day. It’s something where we got to make it important to players to want to be on special teams and we want to put our best players on the field and make plays.”

Madrid has been working out in kicking camps throughout the summer, and coach Quinlan said he feels good about his range from out to 40 yards.

For the full story, see our Aug. 4 issue or subscribe online.