I have to say, the impersonation hit the bull’s-eye.

Sort of.

Checking my voice mail Thursday, I heard this:

“Man, this is what it’s all come down to,” said the character on the message, sounding like a cross between Matthew McConaughey and Joe Football Coach. “We’ve been out there the last two weeks just getting after it, giving 110 percent. We’re going to put on the pads, strap on the headgear and get after it. We get a chance to go take it out on someone else. We’re going to stick it to them.”

I ascertained quickly enough that the voice on the message was not a local football coach’s, but that of my friend Tim Webb, an assistant producer on a local TV morning show. In his job, he’s been hearing a fair amount of coach speak, just as I have during the last month.

In reality, though, Central Texas coaches have been candid and quite quotable so far this season.

Entering my sixth season at the Tribune-Herald, I’ve been through good times and bad times with many of these same coaches, and I’m looking forward to another season — come heck or heavy coach speak.

San Marcos at Waco High

The Lions like to challenge some of the state’s best programs in their nondistrict schedule, but you can’t play Euless Trinity or Tyler Lee every week.

San Marcos definitely falls in a little bit lower tier than Trinity or Lee, but that’s probably good for a young Waco High team that likely isn’t quite ready for prime time.

The Rattlers made the playoffs out of District 25-5A last season, but finished with a losing record at 5-6 and return just eight starters off that team. They’re picked to finish fifth and out of the playoffs in 27-4A this season.

Waco High fans will be watching new quarterback Kollin Kahler closely tonight in the Heart O’ Texas Kickoff Classic. Waco High coach Johnny Tusa said he thinks Kahler gives the Lions a chance to be a better passing team, but the Lions will still make hay on the ground. Helping Kahler in the backfield will be experienced RBs Bronshae’Keon Dugas, Charles Silmon and Toylon Clark.

On defense, Waco High has one big-time playmaker back in defensive end Andrew Weaver. He’ll have to be especially active until a green defense finds its footing.

Waco High 31, San Marcos 21

Midway at Alvarado

The Panthers love the experience they have on offense, and who wouldn’t?

Running back John Hubert rushed for more than 1,700 yards as one of the most electrifying players in Central Texas last season, and Midway has a pair of D-I commits along the front in Ty Horn (TCU) and tight end Trey Graham (Texas).

Midway certainly shouldn’t be in over its head in the opener at Alvarado tonight. The Indians, who have alternated between classes 3A and 4A for the past few realignments, finished 3-7 in 8-4A last season.

I expect Midway to start the season in high fashion.

Midway 42, Alvarado 14

Crosby at University

There are quite a few unknown elements as University begins a new season with a new coach for the first time in more than 25 years.

But it should be an easier first step in this campaign than the Trojans have had the last two seasons.

University fell to Ennis, 48-0, in the Kickoff Classic last season and lost to Stephenville, 56-14, in the opener the year before that.

Crosby will bring a solid team into Waco ISD Stadium for the Saturday night game, but the Cougars might not be in quite the same echelon as Stephenville and Ennis.

But the main reason University could have a better showing to start the fall is simple experience. Trojan quarterback Randy Price and seven others returning starters on the offensive side have been through some battles before.

University will probably be able to move the football and score. The question will be whether the Trojans can stop Crosby, and specifically running back Chance Casey.

Crosby 34, University 28

Marlin at La Vega

After a preseason filled with praise for La Vega, the Pirates got terrible news in the middle of this week as they prepared for the Bulldogs.

La Vega running back Chris Parr was arrested Wednesday on a charge of aggravated robbery, Bellmead Police Chief Robert Harold said.

Pirates coach Willie Williams said he couldn’t comment as to whether Parr will be available for tonight’s game against Marlin.

If Parr is out, the Pirates will look to backup Chad Ward to take more of the carries, and even more focus will be on quarterback Danzel Wilson.

But Wilson can handle it, as he did a year ago when Parr and his brother, senior running back Kourtney Parr, missed time at the beginning of the season because of an eligibility issue.

Marlin will be in a bit of a rebuilding phase early this season as coach Jerry Malone brings along a young team.

Williams said he’s concerned that teams have run on the Pirates in their scrimmages, and that could make this game closer than we might have thought a couple of weeks ago.

La Vega 28, Marlin 21

Mart at Chilton

The battle of these two mighty mites is becoming something of a Central Texas tradition.

This could be the season that Chilton posts a victory in the season-opening rivalry. The Pirates return seven offensive and seven defensive starters from a team that began to make progress midway through last season.

Chilton backs Xavier Shaw and Demeris Randolph will alternate between running back and quarterback. Pirates coach Robert Little said that they’ve been switching in practice at their own discretion.

Mart coach Rusty Nail said he’ll start Xavier Williams at quarterback, but Holden Strunck will take some snaps.

Whoever is at quarterback will likely take some time to get the offense running like it did with Lee McClendon a year ago. However, if the Panthers can get inside the Pirates’ 25, they can score with big-legged kicker Matt Schaeffer.

Mart 34, Chilton 28

Mildred at Reicher

Last season Reicher ascended higher than any other Central Texas program, claiming the TAPPS Division III state championship.

The Cougars heard many well-deserved compliments this preseason, but starting tonight it becomes part of coach Mark Waggoner’s job to make his Reicher team forget about those accolades.

If he doesn’t, the Cougars’ nondistrict schedule will.

That stated, Reicher has excellent leadership on both sides of the ball in quarterback Kenneth Cluley and linebacker Ross Rasner.

Reicher 35, Mildred 14

Fairfield at China Spring

Having reached the 3A Division II state championship game last fall, China Spring will likely keep its aim every bit as high this season.

And the pieces could be in place for the Cougars to be just as good. China Spring’s key loss was at quarterback, where Dustin Eskew proved to be one of the best clutch players Central Texas has ever seen. The Cougars have to gain confidence in replacing him with the coach’s son, Brian Bell.

Fairfield would like to enter the season with that kind of confidence, but the Eagles will be trying to find their footing under new coach Darrell Piske, who inherited a team that went 1-9 in 2007.

China Spring 38, Fairfield 12

Connally at Cameron

The Cadets face a tough challenge in opening the season at Yoe Stadium.

Connally goes into the game trying to find its identity on offense, while the Yoemen return their top producers in quarterback Steven Townsend, running back James Wells and receiver Brandon Freeman.

Connally defensive end D’Andre Simmons gained the most preseason attention, but he’ll be playing his first game in two years.

Cameron 35, Connally 21

Salado at West

Salado mauled its way to a 13-1 season a year ago with a nice collection of backs running behind a bulldozing offensive line.

While the backs are mostly gone, the Eagles have at least one monster left up front in the 6-foot-7, 275-pound Chase Stuckey. And Stuckey apparently isn’t the only imposing Salado lineman.

“Watching them on film, for a 2A, I’ve never seen linemen that big,” West coach Rick Wolf said.

West will have to replace some key components on offense, but running back Troy Manolakis gives them at least one reliable weapon.

West 20, Salado 13

R-Lott at McGregor

The more I researched McGregor this preseason, the more I realized the Bulldogs have many reasons to expect a long campaign that could last well into December.

Much of the focus has been on big hitters Harvey Lee and Hector Rodriguez at linebacker, but McGregor’s offense has the potential to be explosive with quarterback Larry Smith taking over under center.

McGregor 35, Rosebud-Lott 7

cconine@wacotrib.com

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