IRAAN, Texas (KOSA) - Iraan finished the 2023 season with a 4-6 record. They’ll be looking to finish above .500 for the first time since 2018, led by fourth-year Iraan head coach Berry Bowman.

“It feels great. It feels great to be back, starting out and having all the boys back and seeing them– everybody is pumped up and primed up to start moving and I’m excited,” Bowman said.

Every year, high school teams lose senior talent. That is the case for the Braves at the quarterback position. Berry Bowman’s son, Cole, was under center for Iraan but he graduated. Taking snaps this year will be Prather Schneeman.

“He’s been with us since junior high, I mean, he knows everything he’s doing. It’s a benefit having kids that are sitting behind the wings and then all of a sudden, it’s their time, they’re ready to pick up the mantle, so to speak,” Bowman said.

As for the rest of the offense, Bowman’s ideal scheme including a lot of passing, but he says it’s hard to ignore the good running back room, so it may end up being more 50/50 running and passing.

“Tristan Griffin is our starting tailback most of the time, when we have him back, Daniel Reyes, Aiden Mendoza, we have Cooper Bowman– the receiver– we have Chris Quintero, I mean we have a ton of kids that are literally starters last year and then re-stepping up again. Maybe they’re juniors maybe they’re seniors, so it helps,” Bowman said.

As for the defense, some changes are on the way. Bowman wants to run a more in-your-face style of defense, especially with his front 7.

Iraan starts the 2024 season against the Smyer Bobcats, a team just west of Lubbock that Bowman has never played.