Texas High School Football Report

[The Ancient Enemy]

I don't know why it took me so long to start doing this, but you people are finally blessed with my brilliant insight on Texas football. That being said, I'd like to let everyone in on some things. I have gone out of my way to make sure I do not understand the Texas playoff system. Obviously it's bracketed, but who plays who and what districts are where and all that... I have no clue. The only way I even know there are games is because I drive down I-35 until I see lights. With the playoffs, though, I have to check the paper to see where the games are. I will watch any game, any where, and I have no idea which teams are good and which are bad. From being here for a few years, obviously I know some things about a few teams, but that is like a drop in a bucket considering how many teams there are. Let's get on with the show.

Rumor had it that Denton County built an enormous stadium on Rt. 288 for the Denton high schools. Much like Coronado in search of the Seven Cities of Cibolas, I drove up 288 until I saw the stadium rising like a monolith out of the North Texas night. It helped that I was 30 minutes late and the lights were turned on. Anyways, I arrive at the stadium, and it is gigantic. It is possibly the nicest one I have been too yet in Texas, but I am a little partial to Coppell High School's super structure.

PLAYOFF: CH COLLINS STADIUM: DENTON, TX:

BIRDVILLE HAWKS VS. SHERMAN BEARKATS

I have no idea where either of these teams came from. I have no idea what level they play at, or what the winner receives. Just as a visual, Birdville was home, with excellent uniforms. Gold helmets, dark green tops, solid black pants with dark green stockings. The numbers were gold, and outlined in thin white. Very nice. Sherman was away, with maroon helmets and maroon pants, white shirts.

Arriving late, I get there at the start of the second quarter. 7-7, Birdville has the ball. For a long time, I am very bored, and send numerous text messages to people in Pennsylvania, talking trash on the Birdville team and coaching staff, who definitely attempted an 800 yard field goal before half-time. At the half, I think it was 10-10.

Second half starts. It should be known that the Birdville quarterback is very prone to running the ball, and disregarding his receivers, who were open quite frequently. I am not sure, but I have a hunch the quarterback's name was Sloppy McSlopperson, because he would scramble like mad for no apparent reason, and be tackled by the first arm that touched him. When he did throw, 50% of the passes were very short, and the other 50% were dead-on the target. Only problem was that no one decided previous to game-time that they wanted to catch a pass tonight. Sherman, on the other hand, was a routine offense that was 'okay', I guess.

Both teams were extremely sloppy all night. Sherman bobbled every kickoff or punt return that they tried to field, and lost a few of them. There were picks, fumbles, lots of loose ends all over the field.

With about four and a half minutes left, Sherman was up 24-10, and was driving the ball down Birdville's throats, all the way to the 25. Then they decided to run a reverse, and of course someone fumbled the ball. A kid from Birdville grabbed it and took it for a TD, giving life to a game that was very much over. 24-17, Birdville goes for the onside kick, and you can judge for yourself whether or not that was a smart move considering they had 2 TO's left, but they did not get it. Sherman drives down to about the thirty. The defense stops them, there's about two and half minutes left, and the clock is stopped. Fourth and nine. The QB drops into a shotgun, and I am saying to myself: "I can't believe they are going for this instead of trying to pin that offense on the goal-line!" The Birdville offense was quiet all night. The QB takes the snap, and thankfully he kicked it real fast, down to about the ten yard line. Birdville has a chance to tie it and force over-time. Sloppy McSlopperson awakes from his slumber, and starts throwing darts all over the place, moving them down the field, ten yards at a clip. Then he decides he no longer wants to look impressive, and while facing a sack, dumps it off in the middle of the field to a running back, who of course gets obliterated for a two yard loss while the clock continues to roll. Now there's about thirty seconds left, and it's third and seventeen, because someone jumped earlier. They get up to the line and spike it. Okay, fourth down. Careers are on the line. Sloppy McSlopperson takes the snap, bobbles around in the pocket, the defense starts to collapse, he decides to run with it. In a very Vick-like move, this kid is juking all over the place, finds a gap, hits it, and goes up into the air like he is launched off a catapault. Only problem being, he gets crushed, and he's about five yards short of the first down. Game ends, tears flow, I go home and eat chicken tenders.

[ham55]

Hmm, sounds exactly like Friday Night Lights... HAHA, good story TAE, not to many football breakdowns are like this...

[HOLLYWOOD]

nice write-up AE. Texas HS football is something pretty special and get all kinds of great players, coaches, facilities!! Great atmosphere for HS kids!

[The Ancient Enemy]

I just wish I had a camera phone so I could show you guys these stadiums.

[HOLLYWOOD]

yeah i saw some pics of some of the fields and facilities these guys have!!

[CRLionDawg]

I dont have any idea what you do for a living AE, but you definitely could write for some publication. Nice description of what you saw.

[IEATHAM0555]

WHen i was in Baton Rouge for my official...I was in the hotel watching the games in Louisiana and Texas and the coverage is rediculous...they have pregame in the studio with three announcers and they have 4 on the field analysts...it was amazing...all different camera angle...it was really neat

[ham55]

...funny you should say that CRLionDawg...