Please consider a subscription. Much of the 2024-25 season coverage will be exclusive to subscribers.
Texas high school football is only weeks away from fall practice, and excitement grows as fans, players and coaches with high aspirations anticipate the return of Friday night lights in West Texas.
Despite the turnover from departing senior classes, many of the nearly 40 teams in the Standard-Times coverage area retained plenty of young talent, as well as bringing in some new faces, looking to make their mark on the 2024 season.
Before the season begins, the Standard-Times will highlight the top local players in seven position groups — quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, offensive linemen, defensive backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers.
Today, we finish our position group watch list by spotlighting the top returning linebackers to watch in West Texas.
Linebackers to watch in 2024
Honorable Mention: Devin Medina, sr., Miles; Jaidyn Vineyard, sr., Coahoma
Sire Garcia, jr., Grape Creek
Garcia was a breakout star for the Eagles on defense in 2023 earning Defensive Newcomer of the Year in District 2-3A Division II. He finished the season with 68 tackles, five tackles for a loss and two interceptions returned for touchdowns, earning an All-West Texas Honorable Mention.
HS FOOTBALL: See what Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts for West Texas, San Angelo programs
HS SPORTS: A deep dive into UIL’s split division playoff format, how it affects West Texas sports
Crue Levien, jr., Junction
Junction took a huge step forward last season going winless in 2022 to a playoff birth and six wins in 2023, and Levien’s performance was a large part of the success. In his first season on varsity, he finished with 93 tackles and one sack and was an All-West Texas Honorable Mention.
Ethan Michalwicz, sr.,…
..
