Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve all across the great state of Texas as high school football begins tomorrow. Hmmmm....... decisions, decisions. Head to Pennington Field in Bedford on Friday for a great 3A game featuring Celina vs. Robinson or to Grapevine-Colleyville Stadium for defending 5A-DII champ Cedar Hill at Colleyville Heritage. Or maybe I'll go west young man for the Abilene/Austin Westlake matchup. Then again going south to see Giddings/Wimberley or The Woodlands and Smithson Valley seems appealing. Decisions, decisions..........maybe.........I'll sleep on it.

What to watch for in 07'
Coach Bob Shipley moves to 5A Coppell from 3A Burnet
Hal Wasson tries to extend 48 game win streak at Southlake Carroll
After 22 years as an assistant Larry Cone takes over at 2A Somerville
Galena Park Northshore looks to extend 60 game regular season win streak
Will steroid testing be implemented before season's end?
Alto dominated class 1A by outscoring foes 744-58 in 06'. Can they repeat?
Giddings QB Brock Fitzhenry (pictured at right), who has 5,478 career rushing yds., looks to move into the top ten all-time rushing list

Five Must See Games in 07'
Gilmer vs. Tatum September 7th
Southlake Carroll vs. Miami Northwestern September 15th
Shiner at Thrall September 21st
Wimberley at Liberty Hill September 28th
Copperas Cove at Waco November 9th

2007 Associated Press Top Ten Poll

This year's Texas High School Football Associated Press Top Ten Poll is unusual in the fact that it doesn't seem that unusual.

In what typically seems to be an AP Top Ten Poll tradition, they usually pull out some surprises that appear to have been mailed in from the planet Pluto. This year the picks actually seem to have been made by common earthlings that have half a football brain.

Hard to be picky at all with this years' selections, but here's my comments:
Class 5A - Many seem to be high on the Grapevine Mustangs this year, but I'll take a wait and see attitude. Grapevine does have 14 returnees, but only 6 on the defensive side, and therein lies the problem. The Mustangs gave up an average of 30 points a game last year including 56 to Coppell and 41 to Haltom. They did improve during the season, but the lack of defense reared it's ugly head again in a 48-42 playoff loss to Desoto. Can't see ranking them ahead of Desoto, Longview, Abilene and Mesquite, among others.
Class 4A - Can't argue with the picks.
Class 3A - 3A looks good too, but I'm surprised China Spring didn't receive votes. They have 14 starters back from an 8-3 team that includes the QB Eskew to WR Hicks connection.
Class 2A - Altair Rice seems a little low to me.
Class 1A - Everyone seems to be on the Bremond Tigers bandwagon this year. I think they'll be a fine team, but a #4 ranking seems way out of line. Yes they return 16 starters, but this was a 5-6 team last year and I see them as no better than the third place team in their own district. District foe Chilton is the reigning state champ and even though they return only 5 starters don't underestimate the heart of a champion, while Normangee also returns 16 starters from a 7-3 team, including the Mullinnix twins at QB and RB.

Associated Press Top Ten Poll
http://www.txprepsfootball.com.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=348

Ex Coppell RB Ponders Move to Gators

News out that former Coppell high school running back Emmanuel Moody is considering the University of Florida after leaving USC.

USC has ten All-American running backs on the roster and they are well known for rotating their backs. Word is that RB Joe McKnight from John Curtis high school in Louisiana has impressed Pete Carroll and his staff and has been all but guaranteed playing time.

Moody wants to be a "featured back" after having a decent freshman season where he gained 458 yards at USC before being sidelined the last four games with a sprained ankle.

The question is, didn't Moody know going in that the Trojan backfield situation would be extremely conjested? Remember he also backed out of a UT commitment upon leaving high school. Seems it's time for him to make a decision and realize there is going to be stiff competition no matter where he goes.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/ncaa/specials/preview/2007/08/23/florida.moody.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories

The Rivals Fab 50

The Rivals.com Fab 50 is out and it includes four teams from Texas: #1 Southlake Carroll, #10 Katy, #29 Smithson Valley and #38 Copperas Cove.

Don't get me wrong, the Copperas Cove Bulldogs are a good team (we have them ranked as the #2 class 4A team), but to rank them ahead of 5A powers Euless Trinity, Lufkin, Cedar Hill and Spring Westfield seems questionable at best. As Randy on American Idol would say; I ain't feelin' ya' dog.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=704359

The Gingerbread Haka?

The Euless Trinity Trojan Haka was imported from New Zealand and now the same country brings us the Gingerbread Haka for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.bakeryoftheyear.co.nz/net/best-bakery/gingerbread-video.aspx

It's Soooo Hot ...... It Must Be Texas HS Football Season

Texas high school football team workouts are now in full force and the first scrimmages will be this weekend. Along with the start of practice came the traditional Texas heat. Football practice and 100 degree heat just go hand-in-hand in these parts don't they?

Actually the big story most of the summer was cooler weather and flooding throughout the state, and now tropical storms are bringing more rain to the southern part of the state. Old man sunshine will continue to dole out high temperatures until September though, so we might as well break out the "it's so hot" jokes.

It's so hot ..................

• I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking
• I saw a robin pulling a worm out of the ground and he was using pot holders
• Chickens are laying boiled eggs
• You eat a jalapeno pepper just to cool your mouth off
• When the temperature dips below 95 you break out a jacket
• You use your seat belt buckle for a branding iron
• You learn how to drive with two fingers
• My french poodle is now a french fry
• You take turns standing in each others shade
• You burn your rear from the boiling water in your toilet bowl
• Trees are whistling at dogs

The "Orange" River

Has anyone noticed the Red River is turning Orange?

Most Texans have come to accept the annual OU raid across the border, which is continuing this year, as five-star recruits RB Jermie Calhoun of Van and DL R.J. Washington of Keller Fossil Ridge have committed, and they can probably deal with the fact that the skill positions at Michigan will have a Texas accent in a couple years with last years' signing of Texarkana QB Ryan Mallett and this year's pledges by Cy-Fair RB Sam McGuffie and Dulles WR Darryl Stonum.

But are we prepared to be a supply factory for the Oklahoma State Cowboys? ......... I repeat .... the Oklahoma State Cowboys!! Yes, they have the occasional Barry Sanders or Thurman Thomas shuffle through, but isn't this the same program that the University of Texas spots a 30 point lead every year and still beats by 30? Isn't this the same program that never so much as sniffs a top ten national ranking?

In case you haven't noticed, all 18 commitments to OSU stem from the Lone Star state. That's grounds enough to round up a posse, strap on our six-shooters, and stand guard at the Orange,....eerr....Red River.

The fact that Texas continues to supply the nation's football programs speaks not only to the depth of talent the state produces, but also to the premium quality of coaching staffs at the high school level in Texas.

Oklahoma State 2008 Verbal Commitments
http://rivals100.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2008&School=58

National contest seeks video of amateur football interceptions

UPS and former NFL quarterback Archie Manning are looking for videos of the country's best amateur football interceptions in the UPS Delivery InterceptSM Challenge Video Contest.

Those who submit videos of interceptions to www.ups.com/challenge through Dec. 3 can win cash and prizes and compete for a chance to steer a donation as much as $10,000 to the high school or youth football program of their choice.

Michael Irvin Owes the Hall of Fame One

Former Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin was bestowed the highest honor the NFL can give to a player when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday in Canton, Ohio.

Irvin has never been one to check his emotions at the door, and yesterday was no exception. He spoke of his affection for his former teammates, coaches and owners, while also apologizing for his admitted moments of weakness off the field.

Irvin's on the field accomplishments were never the issue here. The issue was whether his off field exploits had tarnished the career he had worked so hard for on the field to the degree that inclusion to the Hall of Fame would tarnish that arena of football greats.

Make no mistake, Irvin was one of the best at his craft when the spotlight shown on him during gameday, and maybe the same factors that contributed to his success on the field led to his demise off the field, for he never seemed to do anything half-heartedly.

Irvin's likable, "happy go lucky" persona makes him the kind of person you want to root for, but his story reeks of "the boy who cried wolf" saga when we read another off the field issue has once again reared it's ugly head in his life.

It's a sad statement to make, however the perception is if you want someone to liven up your party, call Micheal Irvin, but if you need a person of integrity to vouch for your character, don't bother.

We watched as Irvin admitted his shortcomings and talked of realizing that integrity was part of the total package for HOF induction while being at last year's event. Now, more than ever, we want to believe that he truly is a changed man. No, the Hall of Fame selection committe didn't owe this one to Mr. Irvin. Now he owes them one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Irvin

A Packed House?

The Southlake Carroll vs. Miami Northwestern game at Ford Stadium on the campus of SMU, September 15th will be one of the most hyped games ever involving teams of national acclaim.

Is it possible the game will attract a sellout crowd of 32,000? Possible, but not likely.

Let's say the Carroll faithful turn out in full force and show up with a throng of 10,000 or so fans. That leaves 22,000 seats. Between the fans that love high school football and just want to see a good game and the fans that have a "protect the Texas high school football tradition" mentality, I can see another 12,000 fans showing up. The Bulls might have 100-200 fans make the long trek from Miami. That's a crowd of 22,200; great for any high school game played anywhere at anytime, but not quite a sellout.

That being said, I wouldn't take any chances if you plan on going to the game. If you've been to Ford Stadium you known the parking is atrocious. I attended the Tom Landry classic at the stadium last year and it took me two days by camel to reach the stadium from where I had to park. My advice, carpool if you can and get there early!

The game is being played at a good time to maximize the attendance, but will have some competition. I wouldn't expect these games to detract much from the crowd though.

Other games in the same time slot:

Euless Trinity vs. Odessa Permian on Fox Sports Net 6:30 PM

Arkansas vs. Alabama 6 PM

USC vs. Nebraska 7 PM

Johnston Inducted Into Hall of Honor

Congratulations to former Katy and current Houston Christian coach Mike Johnston on his induction to the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Honor at this year's Texas High School Association Coaches' convention.

Johnston, who will be entering his 40th year of coaching in the fall, helped guide the Tigers to three state championships, including handing Southlake Carroll their only blemish since entering class 5A in the 2003 state championship game, 16-15.

from an earlier Houston Chronicle article -->
The victory was the final game Johnston coached at the public school level. He has spent the past three years as the head football coach at Houston Christian, and he has loved every minute of it.

"For where I am in my life, this is pretty much ideal for me," said Johnston, who will turn 60 this summer. "I enjoyed the public school part. But it was so demanding of my time. I had other responsibilities I needed to take care of in my personal life. That wasn't going to happen if I stayed where I was.

"This gives me a lot more flexibility," he said of coaching at the TAPPS 5A school vs. Katy High School. "At Houston Christian, I am just a football coach. In Katy, I also was the athletic coordinator. I don't miss that part of it.

"Oh, I enjoyed watching the kids compete (in all sports)," he added. "But you had to be there a half-hour before the game, give game reports and handle concessions. It keeps you a couple hours extra every day. That was good in my time. But after your sons grow up, you realize you miss out on a lot of family time.

"I have said all along, this is God's perfect timing for me," he added.

"I am flattered and honored as well," said Johnston, who guided Katy to state titles in 1997, 2000 and 2003. "There are guys I think quite a bit of (in the Hall). My old high school coach (at Galena Park), Paul Smith, is one of the inductees. One of the coaches I played under at SFA (Gordon Brown) is in the Hall. I worked for him at Nacogdoches High School.

"Another one of the coaches at Nacogdoches, Beau McMichael, also is in there," he added. "For me to be in the same company with those guys is a humbling thing. I think a lot of them. Not just as coaches, but as men. They were role models in the business."

A Trojan Mines a Starting QB Position

Former Euless Trinity quarterback Trevor Vittatoe looks like the frontrunner for the QB position with the El Paso Miners. According to the El Paso Times he will at least split time as the starter. Not bad for a redshirt freshman.

Link to Article:

http://www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_6512322