Texas Lutheran seniors, who went 2-8 as freshmen, think their time is now.
Travis York grew up in Seguin watching Texas Lutheran football games.
Now as the Bulldogs’ senior starting left tackle, York hopes to lead Texas Lutheran to something only achieved once in school history — the Division III playoffs.
“I would’ve done my job for my brothers,” York said. “For the community, too, as much as they’ve done for us. It’d be very powerful to me.”
Texas Lutheran’s senior class has been apart of a pivotal turnaround in Bulldogs football. The program went 2-8 their freshman year, but after a 7-3 campaign in 2018, TLU’s first preseason berth since 2014 is in sight.
“If we don’t get it done, we’ve fallen short as seniors, because we’ve really laid a lot of groundwork,” senior defensive end Manny Longoria said. “We really feel this is the year that we can really show people what we’ve been doing here at TLU.”
As close as Texas Lutheran is to making the playoffs, the emphasis this offseason has been simple — finish.
“The last two seasons, we’ve done some good things, but we didn’t finish the way that we wanted to finish,” Texas Lutheran head coach Carl Gustafson said. “We want the postseason. We’re excited because we think
this team is capable of doing that, but while we have made positive strides the last two seasons, we still have unfinished business.”
Before the Bulldogs can finish, they need to find a starting quarterback. Jarvis Brooks, Justice Porter and Wade Freeman saw time as backups last season, and five other quarterbacks are on the roster.
“Our guys understand that when they show up for fall camp, this is nobody’s job,” Gustafson said. “It’s open. Let’s compete, let’s make each other better, but go win the job.”
Ideally, Gustafson would like to name a starter after Texas Lutheran’s scrimmage against Trinity on Aug. 29, but he can wait. In an odd occurrence, the Bulldogs’ bye is in Week 1, which gives Texas Lutheran extra time to solve its uncertain quarterback situation before the season opener against Hendrix on Sept. 14.
“We didn’t have that luxury (of a midseason bye) this year, but it’s not all that bad because it does give us extra time for that quarterback to grow into that spot,” Gustafson said, “This year, that may be exactly what this team needs.”
Texas Lutheran’s running backs could provide relief for an inexperienced signal caller. The Bulldogs return upperclassmen Austin Mathews, Ian Leslie and Chris Monroe.
Mathews was the team’s leading rusher in 2018, with 978 yards and 14 touchdowns. Leslie, a Reagan product, was named second team All-ASC in 2017 but only played two games last year before suffering a season-ending injury. Monroe also had his 2018 season cut short because of injury but is healthy again.
“It’s a real benefit for our offense to have experience on the offensive line and experience at running back, because we live by the philosophy ‘We’re going to run the ball,’ ” Gustafson said.
On defense, the Bulldogs return nine starters and aim to shore up play in the secondary. Texas Lutheran allowed 259.8 passing yards per game last year, but players and coaches are confident progress will be made.
“It starts up front with us. The three down linemen, we’ve got to get a better pass rush, especially myself,” said Longoria, a Navarro product. “Then on the back end, it’s just a matter of deleting those big plays. We were giving up quite a few. Just deleting those big plays is the biggest thing.”
Making the postseason might be one of the highest priorities in Seguin, but it won’t come easy.
Texas Lutheran is in one of Division III’s toughest conferences — the American Southwest — and will face the league’s two most prominent programs — Mary Hardin-Baylor and HardinSimmons — on the road.
The Bulldogs are embracing the challenge, though.
“You want to be a part of the best thing,” Gustafson said. “Our players understand that, and they know just getting into the playoffs, that’s a tough task. It’s a big goal. It’s a lofty goal.
“I like our chances.”