PORTLAND, Texas — The Gregory-Portland Wildcats are one of only two local Class 5A teams that stayed put in their division heading into the 2024 season.
Everything around the Wildcats changed, so instead of G-P being in a Valley-heavy district like last season, they're now in an all-Coastal Bend one along with the five CCISD teams that came down to division two (Miller, Carroll, Ray, Moody and King).
G-P returns a whopping nine starters on offense, but just two on defense. Defensive coordinator Mark Chester says the Wildcats' strong offseason should help the learning curve for the new guys.
"We grew a lot, got a lot stronger and a lot faster," Chester said. "We worked on mental toughness and leadership, being a player lead team."
We also had a chance to talk with junior wide receiver and safety Ryder Harrison who missed most of 2023 with a collapsed lung he suffered at the beginning of the season. Harrison said the injury has made him more thankful to be out on the field.
"It's great to be back with my teammates after all that," Harrison said. "It made me appreciate it a lot more and respect it more now that I'm back."
The Wildcats open the season on the road at rival Calallen on Friday, August 30th.