(Mission, Texas)-The Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks will be one of the many teams in Texas to kickoff the 2022 football season on Monday morning beginning at 7:00 a.m. at Pioneer Stadium.
All 1A-4A schools, including 5A and 6A schools without spring training will be able to kickoff its season with practices on Monday and will be allowed two scrimmages. The first allowed scrimmage will be held August 11th. All 5A and 6A teams that did practice in the Spring will be allowed one scrimmage and will begin practices the following Monday on August 8th. First scrimmage is set for August 18th.
It was a tough year for the Diamondbacks after rebounding from COVID-19, playing the 2020 season with no freshmen and junior varsity teams. Yet, Galindo, the offensive coordinator that season, helped lead the Diamondbacks (8-1) to the State DII 5A Quarterfinals in San Antonio against Liberty Hill, before losing 56-53. Last year, Galindo took over as the head coach after Tom Lee was promoted to assistant Sharyland ISD Athletic Director. In his first season, the Diamondbacks fell to 5-5 overall and missed the playoffs in 2021. “The expectations are high at Pioneer and we will be back in the state playoffs in 2022,” says Galindo.
The Edinburg High School graduate coached under the legendary head coach, Robert Vela at Edinburg High School. “He was my mentor and taught me a lot,” added the first-year head coach.
Players to watch are junior quarterback Julian Valdez (354 yards passing 378 yards rushing), senior WR Joseph Graham Jr (1,489 yards receiving-two seasons), senior Cole Woydziak (6’4 225lbs) and younger sophomore brother, OT Cooper Woydziak (6’4 290lbs). (HSSMImages)
The Diamondbacks will be playing in the six-team newly realigned District 16-5A Division II with Mission Veterans, Sharyland, Roma, PSJA Memorial, and PSJA Southwest.
The first day of practice on August 1st will feature players wearing just helmets with no contact. The first day of football contact will kickoff on Saturday, August 6th. (HSSMImages)