Countdown to Kickoff: Childress Bobcats

CHILDRESS, Texas (KFDA) - For the past two seasons, the Childress Bobcats have come second to Canadian in district play.

Last year, the Bobcats had a regular season record of 8-4 and a district record of 4-1, with their only loss coming from Canadian.

In his third year as head football coach for Childress, Bo Helm has an advantage that many other schools do not have: he retained his entire staff from last season.

“This is our third year together with the offensive system [and] defensive system,” Helm said. “I think there’s just a lot more familiarity and a lot more comfort in what we’re doing right now.”

With that on their mind, the Bobcats have more motivation than ever to win as a team.

“We’re gonna be a team that gets it done each week. Our goal this week is win every week,” senior quarterback/safety Drake Rabe said. “We’re looking to do that every week and just [go] to war together. We have a bond like no other team in the state.”

For some, wearing the blue “C” on their helmet just means more.

“We’ve been training since seventh grade and I feel like now that senior year I can go out and show all my experience and stuff like that,” senior left tackle Kaleb Mayden said.

Coach Helm knows what it’s like to represent your hometown, both on and off the field.

“I grew up here...I’ve got a lot of pride in my hometown,” Helm said. “[I’ve] literally walked down the same halls, sat in the same classrooms, and even [had] some of the same teachers. I think that’s special...I think it’s easy to relate to the kids.”

Childress’ season starts on Aug. 30, when they welcome Midland Greenwood to town.

The Bobcats have a few other tough non-district games. Two of the best 2-A teams in the area, Sunray and Stratford, are making their way to Childress later in the season.

Their district schedule will start against Friona on Oct. 11.

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