Callisburg and Millsap will both look to bounce back from season-opening losses when they meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Bearcat Stadium in Whitesboro.
The game is considered a home contest for Callisburg but has been moved to Whitesboro as construction continues at the Wildcats’ stadium.
Callisburg (0-1) is coming off a 40-0 loss at Bowie, while Millsap (0-1) fell 52-18 at Jacksboro in its opener.
The Wildcats entered the season looking to build on last year’s 6-6 campaign, which saw them return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023 and advance to the area round for the first time since 2022.
“We had a pretty good year. We want that to kind of be the standard,” Callisburg coach Corey Roberson told the News-Record in August. “Two rounds and grow off of it.”
Getting there again will require a relatively young Callisburg team to develop. The Wildcats graduated 17 players who filled key roles last season, including running back Gabe Zinski and quarterback Bowen McAdams.
Callisburg does return considerable experience on defense with eight starters back. Michael Christian anchors the defensive front after recording 80 tackles and nine sacks last season, while Weston Shoemaker and Braddock McKnight return at linebacker.
Offensively, the Wildcats are in their second season running the Wing-T. McKnight entered the year as Callisburg’s leading returning rusher after gaining nearly 600 yards with four touchdowns last season.
McCoy Evans has taken over at quarterback after making two starts a year ago.
Millsap also entered the season with experience on both sides of the ball.
The Bulldogs return eight starters on offense and eight on defense from last year’s 3-7 team, including running back Braun Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Both teams will be looking to get into the win column when they kick off at 7 p.m. Friday at Whitesboro Stadium.
Source: Freepik.com