Expectations are high for the Childress Bobcats as the 2021 football season nears. That’s what tends to happen when 15 starters return from a 2020 Quarterfinalist. Throw in a runner-up finish in the 7-on-7 state tournament in June, and lofty expectations can appear.

However, no one’s expectations are higher than Bobcat Head Coach Jason Sims entering his seventh season.

“These kids have been in the program since seventh grade so they are our kids,” Sims said. “They don’t know any other way but our way. This is why I was excited to come home, because the expectations around here were not being met. We wanted to make sure those expectations are being met. We want to win a state championship and we think we can. I’m proud to say it to the media or anyone else. We are talking about a year where we have the kids, we just have to go do it. Our goal is to be a top tier program in the state in Class 3A. Now does that mean we win state championships every year, no it doesn’t. But we are going to fight for it, and we have the kids to do it.”

Offensively for the Cats, it begins with returning senior quarterback Colin Bishop (6-0, 185). Bishop put together a phenomenal year last year where he threw for 3,033 yards and 32 touchdowns and added 1,012 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. Bishop has garnered state-wide attention, and rightly so. With that, however, comes the fact that Bishop is not going to sneak up on anyone this season.

“That’s a good thing for us,” Sims said. “Because he didn’t get those stats by himself. He’s got a lot of really good football players around him. You can’t just stop one aspect of our offense because we have so many good receivers and a very talented running back. And obviously Colin is a dual threat guy. So the question for defenses becomes what aspect of our game are you going to try to shut down. Because Colin can beat you throwing or he can beat you with his legs.”

Bishop is joined in the backfield by sophomore Da’reon Mathis who started as a freshman a year ago. Mathis has added muscle to his 5-8 frame, coming in at 185 pounds.

“He’s been impressive,” Sims said. “He’s put on 15-20 pounds of muscle and he gained confidence last year. I look for a standout year from him.”

Leading the targets for Bishop in the passing game is leading returning receiver Lamont Nickelberry (5-10, 165). Nickelberry had 916 yards and 13 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign and makes big plays every Friday night. But also returning are Avery Jalomo and Seth Taylor, both big, physical targets.

“Lamont is dynamic,” Sims said. “No question about that. But Jalomo made huge play after huge play for us last year and then this summer in the 7-on-7 state tournament, he was the most dominant player in the tournament. And then on the other side is the one that no one knows about, but everyone will know about pretty quick … Seth Taylor. The kid is a specimen and runs great routes. He has fantastic hands and he’s a matchup nightmare at 6-3, 200 lbs. You better have a big time cornerback on him. But which one of those three are you gonna focus on? They can all hurt you. So I think Seth could have a big year for us because people might focus on Nickelberry and Jalamo, leaving Taylor as a matchup nightmare for whoever is left.”

Defensively, the Bobcats return seven starters on that side of the ball led by returning middle linebacker Zion Fuller (5-10, 200). The Bobcats have a storied history of linebackers and Fuller is a third generation Bobcat linebacker following his grandfather Harrold and his father Trey. Fuller did not let his family name or the Bobcat tradition down as a junior, racking up 187 tackles and three interceptions.

“Zion is special,” Sims said. “We’ve had some really, really good ones. And our 4-3 defense is about keeping people off our middle linebacker and when we do that, he makes plays all over the field.

Anchoring the defensive line is returning three-year starter Jett Jones (6-0, 200) and Juan Gonzales, who also starts at center. Jones collected 87 tackles, four sacks and 11 tackles for loss a year ago while Gonzales has impressed the coaching staff since starting at center as a freshman a year ago.

“Jett had a great season last year,” Sims said. “And we’re robbing Juan off of the offensive line to start on the defensive line. There’s a reason why he started for us from Day 1 as a freshman.”

Sims said Jalamo and sophomore Scout Smith will play the outside linebackers.

“I’ve already mentioned how special Jalamo is,” Sims said. “But we’re excited about Scout Smith too.”

On the back end of the defense in the secondary, Sims says the Bobcats are as talented as they’ve ever been led by Bishop and Nickelberry. Nickelberry had 50 tackles and five interceptions last season. Junior Nick McMinn will be the other starting safety.

“You know, Colin is a specimen back there and Nickelberry is just so fluid and athletic,” Sims said. “And Nick is a classic Bobcat safety. He’s rangy, smart and physical and he tackles well. I just don’t see a big hole on our defense this year.”

The Bobcats opened the season beating Wellington in a rain-shortened scrimmage and will conclude the preseason this week with Burkburnett. The Bobcats open the regular season August 27 in Panhandle to take on the Panthers.