Bowie football keeping perspective heading into 2025 season

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- There's a lesson in everything and sometimes there are certain vehicles that help you learn them. Bowie football Head Coach Jeff Ables believes in teaching life with the pigskin.

Just weeks away from the start of the 2025 high school football season, Ables is only focused on what's in front of him.

"I'm looking forward to the next day of practice," Ables said. "I'm looking forward to one day at a time and I'm excited about being here. Excited about the opportunity that God has given me to coach and to come out work with young people and to coach football."

Bowie missed the playoffs last season and has been anxious to get back in their pads to compete. The Bulldogs fell to Austin High in the final week of the 2024 regular season with a playoff spot on the line.

"After that loss to Austin High last year we've really just got after it this offseason," senior wide receiver Luke Nelson said.

With 39 seniors on the roster, Ables is aware that some of the young men leaving this program won't have the game of football, so he takes it upon himself to prepare them with tools they can use down the road.

"In my opinion it's the best game that teaches you about life," Ables mentioned. "Life is hard and it's not easy. You got to get up early in the morning to practice, that's not easy. It's making them mentally and physically tough and their disciplined."

The Bulldogs open the season Friday, August 29 against the Manor Mustangs.