Countdown to Kickoff: Friona Chieftains

FRIONA, Texas (KFDA) - Friona Chieftains football is getting set to hit the field under the Friday night lights for the 2025 season.

Players love football for many different reasons. Some want to score, some want to make flashy plays, but for Chieftains senior Mario Garcia — it’s all about hitting.

“It’s exciting man, I love the contact,” Garcia says. “That’s the one thing I love about this sport is just the contact of it, the physicality, everything about it.”

Friona is returning a lot of talent from last year’s roster and some guys — like Aaron Rosales — have taken on the challenge of playing a new position.

No matter the case, the goals still remain as high as ever.

“This is my first year playing quarterback, so I hope to rush for about the same as I did last year, but also getting the passing game going for about 150 [yards] a game,” Rosales says.

No two teams are ever the same, and Chieftains head coach Elias Carrillo says one of the biggest differences on his team this year is how fast his players are learning some new schemes, and more importantly — the camaraderie.

“I think last year we started to develop that bond, and it’s really carried over into the off-season and up to now,” Carrillo says. “They focus on what’s positive, they support each other, they’re excited for each other.”

“If we get a pick on scout team, they’re excited for it. We get a first down on scout team, they’re excited for it. So it’s one of those [teams] where they’re just excited and enjoy being around each other.”

—  Elias Carrillo / Friona head football coach

It’s not just the coaches word, the players echo the same feelings.

“It means a lot, especially being the oldest at the school and just pouring into these young kids so they can grow up and learn what it means to be a Chieftain,” Rosales says.

Friona football schedule

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