Yahoo Sports After years of one-win seasons, Saginaw Rough Rider football looks to make playoffs
Saginaw High School football hasn’t had a winning season in four years.
The Rough Riders had a rough time in 2023, winning one game in an extremely difficult district with Aledo, Denton Ryan, Northwest and more. In the past four years, Saginaw has posted a 3-36 overall record.
But after a favorable realignment, Saginaw looks like a playoff contender in District 4-5A Division I.
On Saturday morning at Farrington Field in Fort Worth, the Rough Riders kicked off district play with an emphatic 54-7 victory over Fort Worth Polytechnic.
Although the district alignment is a factor, there is more to Saginaw’s resurgence than the quality of opposition. In week two, the Rough Riders posted a statement 46-33 win over EMS ISD rival Boswell, a Class 6A school.
Since Mike Peters took over as head coach in 2021, Saginaw has endured two one-win seasons. The struggles faced and the experience gained, however, have led the Rough Riders to a winning situation.
In 2024, the Rough Riders are a potential playoff contender and even a potential district title contender. Other teams looking for the district crown include Arlington Heights, Wyatt, Chisholm Trail, Paschal, North Side and more.
Leading the charge is senior quarterback Roman Morales, who has shown an ability to find receivers anywhere on the field. Against Polytechnic, he threw for 257 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns while only playing the first half.
Senior wide receiver Aidan Collier is another key contributor to the Rough Rider offense. Against the Parrots, he tallied 229 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 57.25 yards per catch, all in the first half.
Collier has 376 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. Against the Parrots, he notched 75, 35 and 97 yard touchdowns, further establishing himself as an elite deep threat.
After a bye-week, Saginaw will face Wyatt in a home game on September 27. The Chaparrals will be a test for a Rough Rider squad looking to build momentum.
