'I could not sleep': McNeil hungry to get back on the field after postseason appearances

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) -- The McNeil Mavericks have a talented team heading into the 2025 campaign with some serious excitement.

"I'm not going to lie, I could not sleep," said McNeil senior wide receiver Aden Taylor ahead of the first practice. "It was scratching at my insides like, 'I got to get on that field.' I had to take some melatonin to sleep."

Taylor and the Mavericks snuck into the playoffs last year in a tough district that includes the Class 6A Division II state champion Vandegrift Vipers.

McNeil has a veteran under center who has helped the Mavs make the postseason the past two seasons, following a season with no district wins in 2022.

"Being on varsity sophomore and junior year, we made the playoffs," said McNeil senior quarterback Jadon Sultz. "You definitely don't want to let that down and not meet that same expectation."

The Mavericks are led by Scott Hermes, who has drawn quite the ideal comparison from some of his players.

"He's the head coach that everyone would want," said McNeil senior linebacker Michael Jones. "He's basically almost like a Nick Saban if we're comparing ... He just sets the tone every day."

"I quote too many Nick Saban quotes," said Hermes. "I talk a lot about him. Obviously, he's a great coach. I think he did more to get his guys prepared than anybody else."

McNeil opens the season Aug. 28 against Weiss.