(Seguin) — The Seguin Matadors are looking to get back to the playoffs in 2024 while navigating a tough new district.
Seguin finished fifth last season in District 12-5A with a 3-4 record. The Mats were 3-7 overall in the 2023 season and missed the UIL playoffs snapping a streak of five-straight postseason appearances, a school record.
With UIL realignment, the Matadors move into a formidable District 13-5A this season. Moving out of Seguin’s district are New Braunfels Canyon, Buda Hays and Kyle Lehman. Replacing the Cougars, Rebels and Lobos are New Braunfels, Comal Pieper and Victoria East. Returning to the Matador district schedule are Boerne Champion, Smithson Valley along with San Antonio schools, Wagner and MacArthur.
Matador head coach Craig Dailey, who is entering his fourth season at his alma mater, says his team will be challenged by their district schedule.
“It’s gonna be a good district. You’re gonna have to bring it every week and that’s fun. That’s what we told our guys, you have to go to work every week. If you want to be one of the best in the state of Texas, you have to play guys like that,” Dailey says. “If you get to the playoffs in this district, that means you’re pretty good. You’re gonna have a chance to make a three or four round (playoff) run.”
Seguin starts their non-district season with Alamo Heights in their first game followed by a trip to Corpus Christi Miller. The Mats will see five-star wide receiver Michael Terry and the Mules in their first game tonigh at Matador Stadium. Dailey says their non-district games will prepare them for their district schedule.
“In non-district, we know we got the number one athlete in the state of Texas in Michael Terry in game one. So, that’s gonna be a test. And then we’re going down to Corpus and from what I hear, Miller has the best athletes in Corpus with some pretty good receivers and a 2000-yard back,” Dailey says. “That’s why we’re playing that schedule to get us ready for district and you really don’t have a week off.”
Seguin returns 11 starters from 2023, five on offense and six on defense. Matador starting quarterback Corey Dailey is back for his junior year. Dailey has started 21 games at quarterback for Seguin. He has thrown for 3,660 yards with 43 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in two seasons. In 2023, Dailey was selected as a District 12-5A honorable mention as a sophomore. As a freshman, Dailey was named the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year following the 2022 season. DR Sportz Media has ranked Dailey as the eight best quarterback in the state of Texas for the class of 2026.
Corey is the son of the head coach and the elder Dailey says Corey is bigger and stronger heading into his junior year.
“The game’s slowing down for him when you play that many games. He’s matured a lot physically. He’s grown, put weight on and increased his arm strength. Now it’s just the mental side, I think. We know he has the physical tools, so that’s the next step he’s gotta take.”
Corey Dailey’s top target is wide-out Nik Henry. The senior wide receiver led Seguin in receiving in the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 766 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games. He produced six 100-yard receiving games. Henry was named a three-star recruit by athletic recruitment website 247Sports and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football. On August 10th, Henry committed to play college football at UTEP.
Henry is also a stand-out track athlete. The Matador sprinter finished fifth in the boys 100 meter dash at the UIL Class 5A state track meet last spring. He joined Ocean Moreno, Elliot Weaver and Kayden Holz on the Seguin boys 4X100 meter relay team, which took home the bronze medal at the state meet. The senior Moreno and junior Weaver are also a part of the Matador wide receiver corp.
Coach Dailey says they plan to open up the offense more with the weapons they have.
“We’re transitioning more to a spread. They’ve handled it well, but we’re putting a lot on the plates of our returning guys and they’re doing a good job with it.”
Doing work up front for the Matadors are a couple of returning offensive linemen. Seniors Chance Hollub and David Barron are back to anchor the end of the lines.
“Our two tackles, Hollub and Barron are hosses,” Dailey says. “They’re great leaders and we got guys battling with them inside. We’re probably bigger than we have been in the past and I think with what we’re going to do, it’s gonna help them be successful.”
Despite the loss of some senior leaders on the defensive side of the ball, junior safety Ian Moreno is back. Moreno led the team in tackles with 75 last season. He had 74 tackles in his freshman year in 2022. Senior linebacker Gavin Gil is also back to man the middle linebacker position. Senior Jared Rogers and junior Hunter Mica return up front on the defensive line.
Dailey feels the defensive unit will be improved from last season.
“I actually think where we’ll have the most improvement, especially in the secondary. That was kind of our Achilles heel in a lot of games last year,” Dailey says. “Our secondary coaches have done a really good job this offseason. Our kids bought in this summer.
“We’re kinda inexperienced on the defensive line, so we’re trying to find the right mixture there. But they’re flying around, so that’s good.”
Seguin starts their playoff quest at Matador Stadium against the Alamo Heights Mules tonight and of course you’ll hear that game and every Matador game this season on KWED and streaming at SeguinToday.com. Tonight’s High School Football Friday Night coverage starts on KWED at 6:15 p.m.
Seguin Matadors
2023 record: 3-7 (3-4 in district)
Coach: Craig Dailey (4th season)
District: 13-5A
Schedule – ALL GAMES broadcast on KWED and SeguinToday.com
Aug. 30 – 7 PM vs. Alamo Heights
Sept. 6 – 7 PM at CC Miller
Sept. 12 – 7 PM at Brazoswood (in Katy)
Sept. 20 – 7 PM vs. Victoria East *
Sept. 27 – 7 PM at Boerne Champion *
Oct. 4 OPEN
Oct. 11 – 7 PM vs. Pieper *
Oct. 18 – 7 PM at Smithson Valley *
Oct. 25 – 7 PM vs. Wagner *
Nov. 1 – 7 PM vs. New Braunfels *
Nov. 9 – 2 PM at SA MacArthur *
* District