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HOMETOWN HEROES: Belton rallying around Sniffin, Tigers football
It’s been some time since the Tigers have seen such success, and part of that could be attributed to the influence of coach Brett Sniffin, who came over from Ridge Point a few years ago.
Sniffin opened Ridge Point in 2010. However, something about Belton appealed to him.
“When I was at Ridge Point, it initially had that small-town feel before it grew to the point it is now,” he said. “I missed that aspect, since I’m not much of a big-city-type-of-guy, so that’s what kind of drew me to Belton. I’m sure other coaches share that same mindset and are drawn to that feeling, because it is definitely an event on Friday nights when we’re playing at home.”
That sentiment runs even deeper.
Photo by Tiger Media--Provided by Coach Brett Sniffin
“Belton is its own unique area and our school pretty much is Belton,” Sniffin said. “It’s unique to have that small-town feel. There aren’t too many chain restaurants, it’s mostly mom-and-pop type stuff. There’s a nice home-town feel, and the more you win, the more the season ticket holders come in and fill up the stands. That support has been overwhelming.”
Since Sniffin and his staff took over the reins of the program four years ago, Belton has gradually re-established itself as a true contender in the Class 5A-II race.
“We like to say we’re doing things here that haven’t been done in a long time,” said Sniffin. “Last year, we had the first outright district title since 1998. Now, we want to win 10 games for the first time since 2009. They’ve never won three playoff games so that’s something we want to do. Those are our long-term goals, but obviously the first one is to win tonight, and we want to start off district on the right foot.”
Photo by Tiger Media--Provided by Coach Brett Sniffin
Senior QB Reese Rumfield has been the star of the show, while Belton’s RB Shaun Snapp, Wyatt Butler (Sr. LB) and Dante Martinez (Sr. LB) have been among the key contributors to the program’s fast start.
They’ll be essential to coach Sniffin’s keys to their district opener against Pflugerville this evening.
“We want to be able to drive the ball and consume some clock against their (Pflugerville’s) big defensive front,” he said. “Defensively, we want to shore up the pass-defense and put some pressure on the quarterback. Lastly, special teams has been a strong point for us, and that’s what’s helped us get over the hump.”
Don’t sleep on the Tigers. They might have a small-town feel, but they have big-time aspirations.
Concordia Lutheran's Lou Lamar
HEADED TO THE WOODS: Lamar commits amid Concordia Lutheran’s strong start
After putting up some big numbers over the past three-plus years and enduring the recruitment process, Concordia Lutheran’s Lou Lamar finally has a place to call home at the conclusion of this school year.
The Crusaders' senior RB/DB had a variety of offers to choose from, such as the Colorado School of Mines, as well as interest from a handful of Ivy League schools like UPenn and Harvard. However, Lamar ultimately announced his decision to commit to Dartmouth, earlier this month.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Even if I got an offer from any other school, I could really only see myself going to Dartmouth,” Lamar said. “They have such a tight community and when I went up there for my official visit, I was just flooded with alumni telling me how much of an impact the school has had on them.”
“The football program is great, they have an incredible staff and culture, but it’s also what they have to offer outside of that which really caught my attention. It (the university) is pretty secluded, in the woods, and I also love that part about it.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Lamar, as he competes alongside his teammates to ensure that ‘Sader Nation has a memorable experience in his final year suiting up in the blue and white, prior to advancing to Big Green.
“It (being committed) has been a relief off my chest,” he said. “Every game, in the back of your head, you’re worrying about getting film out and making highlights. Now, that’s off my shoulders. If anything, it motivates me to go even harder, now that I don’t have to worry about that anymore in my last year.”
2023-24 Concordia Lutheran Football
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
Under the direction of second-year head coach Willie Amendola, the Crusaders have started the season 3-1, which featured two immense comebacks against Liberty (24-23) and Lutheran South (20-16),
Courtesy of various impressive Fall debuts from Lamar, Tanner Huckfelt (Jr. QB), Cole Chance (Sr. RB/LB), and a budding line in the trenches, Concordia Lutheran is poised to make a dramatic entrance as they prepare for the district portion of their remaining schedule.
“We can’t get in our own heads, and that starts with the leaders – Myself, Jayden Noack (Sr. TE/LB), Ben Hubenak (Sr. DL), Tanner Huckfelt,” Lamar said. “We talk about what needs to be done, and we’re not getting overly emotional. We’re analyzing everything, talking to the coaches, and making the adjustments that are necessary to win.”
We’re only into week No. 5 of the season, so don’t expect the Crusaders, or the newly-committed Lou Lamar for that matter, to slow down anytime soon. This is only the beginning.