Shiner, St. Paul football: DCTF predicts a top-two district finish for both Shiner teams

Here are the David Campbell Texas Football Magazine’s 2025 predictions for the Cardinals and Comanches football teams.
St. Paul
The Cardinals, in head coach Barry Wolf’s first year, posted a 5-7 record (3-3 in district) and advanced to the regional round of the TAPPS IV playoffs.
St. Paul returns 22 lettermen, along with eight offensive and seven defensive starters.
DCTF says to keep an eye on RB-LB Sam Perez, OL-DL Brody Biehunko, OL-DL Zeke Basquez, WR-DB Jack Ehrig, WR-DB Tyler Pendley, WR Andrew Nunez, ATH Jace Matias, OL-DL Wyatt Siegel, TE-DL Gabe Darilek, TE-DL Carter Chilek, RB-DB Donnie Jones, LB Evan Rother and OL-DL Jack Leonard.
DCTF noted that Wolf considers his team “blue collar” and “hard working’ as they frequently go up against larger teams.
Perez led the rushing attack last year (1,731 yards, 22 touchdowns) and will likely carry a good amount of the offense. Biehunko and Basquez will lead both lines.
Wolf said he hopes to use Matias at the skilled spots on both sides of the football but might need him to focus on playing quarterback.
The Cardinals are predicted to place second in TAPPS IV-2 with Temple Central Texas Christian pegged as the champions, and Sacred Heart, Tomball Rosehill and Conroe Covenant all finishing behind St. Paul.
Shiner
Last year, Shiner reached the state championship for the first time since the 2021 season, coming up a little short to Muenster 36-29.
Shiner graduated just five players from the 2024 team while returning 22, including six offensive and defensive starters.
DCTF’s players to watch  are RB-DB Quincy Jones, QB-DB Jake Simper, TE-DL Bode Werner, OL Cason Dement, QB-WR-DB Jarvis Williams, LB-RB Triston Vesely, RB-LB Clayton Fric, RB-DB Caleb Cowan, RB-DB Tyler Harvey, , WR-DB Boe Boehm, TE-DL Charlie Clifford, OL Jacob Nerada, OL-DL Gavyn Lopez and TE-DE Landen Christensen.
DCTF notes that although Shiner will be a little young, they do have the pieces to make another run to state. The biggest spot to fill will be at quarterback with Jake Simper primed to over the quarterback duties and he will also play defensive back. Simper will be helped by plenty of offensive weapons including Jones, Williams, Cowan, Harvey, Vesely, Boehm and others. 
Williams, Harvey and Fric will anchor a solid defense that allowed a touchdown or less in seven games last year.
Shiner is predicted to take the 15-2ADII title where Falls City,Yorktown, Louise, Pettus and Charlotte also reside. Falls City is expected to earn runner up, followed by Yorktown and Louise.