New head coach Cody Chisum will get his baptism of fire early as the Bobcats open the season against defending Class 1A Division II state champion Stratford at Dick Bivins Stadium in Amarillo.

A year ago, the Elks came away with a tough four-point win as Childress went on to lose two more regular-season games en route to its third straight playoff appearance.

After beating Sanford-Fritch in bidistrict, the Bobcats dropped a heartbreaking 21-20 decision against Lubbock Roosevelt in the area round.

Senior running back Seth Simpson and quarterback Baron McQueen hope to pick up the slack on offense, where Michael Ramirez did such a great job the past two years, rushing for more than 3,000 yards.

If the Bobcats’ young offensive and defensive lines mature quickly, and the team withstands a tough early schedule, they figure to challenge defending Class 2A state champion Muleshoe in a tough district that also includes an improving Friona team that came on strong last year.

Players To Watch: Seth Simpson, RB-LB; Baron McQueen, QB-LB; Dontae Flemons, WR-DB; Ruben Villegas, OL-DL; Daniel Wilson, OL-DL; Ty Wellborn, WR-DB.

2008 Record: 8-4 overall, 4-1 in District 2-2A. Beat Sanford-Fritch, 32-20, in bidistrict; lost to Lubbock Roosevelt, 21-20, in area.

Promising Newcomers: Jordan Bledsoe, QB-DB; Andrew Kelley, WR-DB.

Basic Offense: Spread.

Basic Defense: 4-3.

Keys To Success: The Bobcats open their season against defending Class 1A Division II state champion Stratford, and that should tell them a lot early on. Finding a running back to replace Michael Ramirez, who rushed for more than 1,500 yards in each of the last two years, will be important to keep opposing defenses off quarterback Baron McQueen.

High School Enrollment: 310.

2008 JV Record: 7-3.

Playoff History: 1970 (quarterfinals), 1971 (quarterfinals), 1972 (regional), 1973 (quarterfinals), 1975 (state finals), 1976 (state finals), 1977 (state semifinals), 1978 (state semifinals), 1980 (regional), 1983 (area), 1984, 1986 (area), 1987, 1988, 1989 (regional), 1990 (quarterfinals), 1991 (area), 1992 (area), 1994 (area), 1995 (area), 1998 (Division II state semifinals), 1999 (Division II quarterfinals), 2001, 2004, 2005 (Division II state semifinals), 2006 (area), 2007 (area), 2008 (area).