HOMECOMING
By Danny Reagan / Abilene, Texas
There's a good chance Colt McCoy will be coming "home" Saturday ... almost to Tuscola.
The Texas Longhorns don't have a game that day, but father Brad McCoy's Graham squad sure does - a playoff game against powerhouse Dalhart at 4 p.m. in Abilene's Shotwell Stadium.
"He hasn't been able to see his brothers play all year," said Brad, "so he is looking forward to coming to the game if it's at all possible."
It all depends upon the speed of his healing. When a stinger occurs, the nerves are traumatized in such a way that they swell up and cause the muscles around them to lose strength.
The body can heal those nerves pretty quickly, but Coach McCoy has seen players take anywhere from a day to a week to recover completely.
Brad's telephone "rang off the hook," all day Sunday and Monday morning as friends, family and members of the press called checking on Colt's condition.
Oh, he'll be ready for the Aggies.
I look forward to the Texas/Texas A&M game each year. As a Red Raiders fan I always enjoyed how they'd really let each other have it. Now, as a Colt McCoy fan, I'm looking forward to seeing how he responds to THE Rivalry, especially following the big disappointment in Kansas.
We've seen how Colt plays with the pressure of quarterbacking for the National Champions with the buzz of the Heisman in his ear ... and with the pressure of the Burnt Orange Nation just waiting to call for his head if he falters (see numerous examples about Mack Brown over the years).
So now, all that pressure is gone. But truthfully, I don't know how he could play any more relaxed than he has been.
P.S. For those of you headed to Shotwell Saturday, here's a brief preview:
Brad's Steers (5-5) will have their hands full with the Dalhart Golden Wolves (8-2), but Graham won its final three games of the season to sew up the District 6-3A crown, while Dalhart lost two of its final three to finish 1-2 in District 5-3A
The power rating calculated by strength-of-schedule and point differential has the Steers behind about 15 points, so they're definitely the underdog.
With big brother Colt in the stands, however, look for the McCoys on the field to be motivated. Freshman Case will probably complete a bunch of passes to senior Chance to make this a happy family reunion.
Just don't ask for too many autographs. Remember, he's recuperating.
Comments
It sure would've been nice to see Colt on the sidelines showing leadership by encouraging the team to hang in against KSU. Instead, he just stood on the sidelines and moped.
Posted by: sportsfan54 | November 14, 2006 6:52 PM
I was wondering when someone was going to get around to blaming Colt for the loss.
Posted by: John T. | November 14, 2006 10:17 PM
Ever think maybe that moping you saw was because the boy was in pain?
Posted by: Merkel Fans | November 14, 2006 10:42 PM
One person is unable to lose the game for the whole team- especially while on the sidelines, in pain.
Posted by: John H. | November 15, 2006 5:53 PM
I admire colt for standing on the sidelines and it looked to me he was cheering on his team... Also since I've known the McCoy family practically all my life its exciting to know that he's gonna get to go home and watch Chance, Case & Coach McCoy in their game! Good luck to all the mccoys in the games and in recuperation!! =)
Posted by: CkTR07 | November 15, 2006 8:25 PM
Way to go Steers!!! We are so proud of you guys! It was great to see you, Colt and we look forward to watching you play and beating A&M!
Posted by: Steer and Longhorn fans | November 19, 2006 2:14 PM
sorry about the loss to A&M and I hope you guys have a great season next year
Posted by: Anonymous | January 9, 2007 3:29 PM