Preseason Blitz: Beckville Bearcats

BECKVILLE, TX (KTAL/KMSS) – Beckville is coming off an impressive playoff run that took some by surprise. The momentum bled into other sports, and the Bearcats hope it continues. "We lost a lot, but we’re still Beckville, we still got the heart," said senior Rudy Watts. Young rosters like Beckville’s rely on those that are battle tested. "Our veteran kids know what to expect. That’s rubbed off on the younger kids they have those conversations and know when it comes down to it on those Friday nights it comes down more to physicality than knowing where to go knowing what to do," said head coach Cody Ross. Veterans that have experienced loss. "You never say losing it good for you cause nobody wants to lose but it gave us a bit of a wakeup call last year," Ross said. But also have seen their fair share of wins. "We went against people that were twice our size. Like Paul Pewitt, they were a really big team, but we were the most physical and that’s how we won. That’s what we’ve learned over the years, you have to be the most physical to make it to the next level," Watts said.  As a running back, slot receiver, and outside linebacker Watts has seen it all. "He’s a good guy for the younger kids too, they look up to him. Rudy’s a guy that’s gonna work hard most of the time no matter what. Younger kids see a senior working hard, they’re gonna work hard," Ross said. "He brings a lot of intangibles to the team, a lot of ability but his maturity and his veteran presence is a big part of hopefully that success we see this year." While the record tends to define a season, having the higher number on the scoreboard at the end of Friday nights isn’t what its about for Watts. "I’m most excited to just be a leader to the team. My favorite thing about coming to football, a football game, I take my whole team to the center of the field and we pray," Watts said. "That’s my thing I love it." Watts brings a little bit of everything to the team, but when it comes to winning, he’s not the only one with experience, as many of the younger players helped the Bearcats to the state semis in baseball. "Those guys kind of know what it takes, it means a little bit more, there’s a little bit more on the line. We coach our younger kids a lot, we coach them to win and play hard, but its different when you get to that level of more important," Ross said. A mentality expected to be kept into the next school year. "Working throughout the year, winning throughout the year, its a mentality for our kids that propels you to the next thing. It’s what you expect to happen, it’s what you want to happen," Ross said. Beckville kicks off the season against Joaquin at home at 7:30 pm. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.