Veteran coach McDaniel to lead Veribest football in 2019
Rosanna FraireVeribest Falcons
District: 13-1A Division I
Head coach: Howard McDaniel (114-64; 0-0 at Veribest)
Last year’s record: 4-6; 2-2 in district
Last district title/playoff appearance: Never/2017
Enrollment: 82
Stadium: Falcon Field
Returning lettermen: 9
Returning off./def. starters: 1/1
Base offense: Veer
Base defense: 3-2-1
Team strength: Returning lettermen
Team weakness: Only one returning starter, adjusting to new head coach
Players to watch
Philip Emerson, RB/LB, 5-6, 182, Sr.; John Hayden Carlson, QB, 5-9, 183, Soph.; Chance Ruble, RB/DL, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Elijah Gameo, OL/DL, 5-6, 195, Soph.; Bo Dunn, WR/DB, 6-1, 162, Jr.; Mario Rojo, RB/LB; Josh Bolin, OL/DL, Sr.
2019 schedule
Date Opponent
Aug. 29 vs. Rule (at Blackwell)
Sept. 6 Water Valley
Sept. 13 at Westbrook
Sept. 20 at Brookesmith
Sept. 27 Irion County
Oct. 4 Blackwell
Oct. 11 at Robert Lee*
Oct. 18 Bronte*
Oct. 25 at Paint Rock*
Nov. 1 Eden*
*District game
2018 results
Opponent Score
Nueces Canyon L 66-20
Water Valley L 58-12
Westbrook L 48-13
Brookesmith W 65-41
Panther Creek W 39-19
Blackwell L 67-22
Robert Lee L 64-8
Bronte W 52-24
Paint Rock W 52-6
Eden L 79-32
Howard McDaniel, whose football coaching career began 40 years ago, will lead the Veribest Falcons into the 2019 season this fall.
McDaniel's career started at Roby High School in 1979. He moved to Sterling City in 1985 and remained there for 15 years.
Along the way, he compiled a record of 114-64.
McDaniel came out of retirement, however, and served as the offensive line coach at San Angelo Lake View the last two years.
He is taking over a Veribest program that has never had a district title since it began in 1996.
The Falcons made the playoffs for the first time ever in 2016 and again in 2017; losing in the first round both times.
Veribest finished 6-5 in 2017, tying for their most wins in program history.
The team took a step back last year with a 4-6 record and a 2-2 mark in District 13-1A Division I.
"Our goal is to get better every week. If we can win our first ball game and then go from there, that's all we can do," McDaniel said.
McDaniel said ultimately they are looking for a district championship this year with their talent.
Players to watch include seniors Philip Emerson, Chance Ruble and Josh Bolin, junior Bo Dunn, and sophomores John Hayden Carlson and Elijah Gameo.
McDaniel said they are still in the process of filling positions of quarterback and running back, but Konner Barnes shows promise as a possible quarterback.
"Not a lot of experience is coming back," McDaniel said. "I'm looking at a few kids who can get the job done."
McDaniel said they do have some experienced athletes returning for them.
"Chance is the most experience we have. Philip did some time at running back last year. Josh is going to be solid on both sides of the ball, and Bo looks like he'll be a good runner and receiver with his speed," McDaniel said.
Veribest is competing in a district with Robert Lee, Bronte, Paint Rock and Eden.
"It's a strong and competitive district," McDaniel said. "Paint Rock is the only team I haven't coached against. Eden is the top competitor from what I've heard, but it's all a toss-up."
The first game for the Falcons is Thursday, Aug. 29, against Rule at a neutral site in Blackwell.
• The Standard-Times' 2019 high school football preview section will publish Sunday, Aug. 25. The special section is for print subscribers only. Click here to subscribe.
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