The Ozona Lions began the 2019 season with an early start Monday morning at 12 a.m.       “Midnight Madness” practice drew in a large turn out of the community, along with tailgating in the parking lot of the stadium.       “I thought it went very well,” said Athletic Director and Head Coach Kyle Freeman when asked about the first practice. “The community was very involved, which only brought more enthusiasm to the players.”       The Lions are gaining 17 starters back this season including All-District picks of First Team Offensive Lineman Emmanuel Venegas, Fist Team Wide Receiver Joe Perez, Pride Award-Winner and Honorable Mention Linebacker Carlos Cantu and Honorable Mention Cornerback Jesse Vega.       The All-District Seniors returning are: First Team Running Back Abraham Rodriguez (1,002 yards, 12 touchdowns in 2018), First Team Linebacker Lazaro Rodriguez (85 tackles in 2018), First Team Defensive End Joe Salas (46 tackles, 6 sacks), First Team Free Safety Zachary Talamantez (4 interceptions), Second Team Wide Receiver Justin Yeager, Second Team Offensive Line and Defensive End Austin Damian (29 tackles), Second Team Offensive Linebacker Aiden Fuentes and Second Team Cornerback Jacob Childress. Quarterback Alec Lara and Running Back Sebastian De La Cruz are coming back this year from injuries last season. Also returning is Offensive and Defensive Lineman Colby Mendez. “There aren’t any major changes this year since the boys are already pretty comfortable with what we do,” Freeman said when asked about the defensive or offensive lineup. According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine, the Lions are predicted to finish fourth in district this season. Ozona finished fourth last year with a 2-8 record, only winning one district game against Forsan. The Lions lost to Seymour in the first round of the playoffs. Plagued by injuries all season, play¬ers had to move up and, unexpectedly, change positions. Hawley (10-2, 4-0 district, area finalist) is predicted to win the district, followed by Stamford (9-3, 3-1, area finalist), Winters (8-4, 2-2, area finalist) and Forsan (1-9, 0-4) in fifth. Ozona has a tough pre-season schedule starting with Sonora on Aug. 30, followed by Iraan, Big Lake, Harper and Crane. “We feel for a really good season, but first we just gotta take care of Sonora,” Freeman said. Ozona will scrimmage Roscoe at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at San Angelo and Coahoma at 5 p.m. Aug. 22 at Lion