Boerne Champion quarterback Chuck Thornally looks to dump off a pass under pressure during the Aug. 16 scrimmage at Fredericksburg. Photo by Mike Reeder

With just 19 lettermen and nine starters back from a squad that finished 4-6 and out of the playoffs last year, you might wonder what Boerne Samuel V. Champion Head Football Coach Danny Threadgill has to smile about.

Texas Football magazine pegs the Chargers as the seventh best team in an eight-team district. Boerne’s only district wins the past two years have come over perennial soft-touches Memorial and Kennedy, and neither is available to kick around anymore.

Instead, Boerne finds itself in arguably the toughest Class 4A district in Texas, where it will not only face traditional foes Kerrville Tivy and Alamo Heights, but New Braunfels Canyon, Clemens, Steele, San Marcos and Seguin as well.

So why, you ask, is Threadgill unable to hide a sly grin?

“I feel like we’re going to be great,” Threadgill said without hesitation. “There’s no question. I tell the kids I think we’re going to have a great year.”

Threadgill’s confidence is based on the quality of returning talent, which includes as many as seven players with a chance to play college ball.

While he concedes high expectations guarantee nothing, Threadgill believes there is not a single team on the Chargers’ daunting schedule that can’t be beaten. On the other hand, he also knows that every other team on the schedule feels the same way.

“Every team has talent and depth, so it’s going to be a tough year,” Threadgill said.

Boerne Champion Charger Drew Roumelis cools off after picking off one pass on defense and catching another on offense for a touchdown during the Aug. 16 scrimmage at Fredericksburg.

The talent starts with senior quarterback Chuck Thornally. At 6 feet, 5 inches and 210 pounds, Thornally has the size, arm, mobility and intangibles to play in college and possibly beyond. After struggling last season with injuries and a new balanced offense, Thornally has looked razor sharp this summer.

“Chuck has really improved his throwing technique,” Threadgill said.

“He’s come back with so much more confidence after his season last year. It’s the maturing process from a junior to a senior.”

Junior Taylor Davis should be a quality backup.

“If Chuck wasn’t here we’d be licking our chops to have Taylor as our starting quarterback,” Threadgill said.

Senior running back Josh Wray will get most of the carries. The bullish Wray has an explosive first gear and the size and power to bowl over defenders downfield.

“Josh is our hammer guy, and he’s gained speed and strength this year,” Threadgill said.

Kody Beach and Cody Hawkins have emerged as go-to receivers, with Beach lining up in the slot and Hawkins split outside. Senior Adam Amick and junior James Hurd give Thornally two other tall targets.

The Champion Charger Varsity squad received a Superior 2008 UCA Camp Trophy this summer. The squad includes (back row from left): Raina Taylor, Whitney White, Taylor Love, Shanley Tarrant, Taylor Smart, Tess Young, Cori Pavlofsky, Maggie Young, Brooke Becker (middle row): Lindsey Trevino, Becca Blalock, Ashley Kinchen (front row): Jenny Crawford, Tiffany Baldwin, McKenzie Tate, (not pictured Sarah Savage). Jenny Crawford was also selected as a UCA Camp All-Star. Courtesy Photo

On defense, look for hard-hitting senior inside linebacker Earnest Jones, a 230-pound slab of sculpted muscle, to have a spectacular year after a breakout junior season.

“Earnest is going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Threadgill said.

“He’s going to be a leader on the field and he’s going to make plays from sideline to sideline. He can squat 700-plus pounds but he can also run a 4.6 40, so he can take on the big guys inside and beat running backs to the outside. That makes him very special.”

Strong safety Drew Roumelis is back for his senior year after leading the team in interceptions as a junior.

Dakota Mitchell and Robert Smith should provide solid play and senior leadership at the corners. The biggest question marks are on the defensive line, but with eight players vying for three starting positions depth alone should provide answers.

All other questions will be answered one week, and one game, at a time.