This week we travel to North Crowley. The Panthers are looking to pull an upset to force a 3-way tie for 1st place. They may very well be the toughest, most physical team we have faced all year, but they will be no match for the Warbirds. The Black Shirts are more than prepared to face the North Crowley offense. Last week, we gave up a season high 28 points and I am sure the Birds are wanting to make up for that. I know Coach Fullen will make sure our boys keep a high intensity and stay focused throughout the game. Also last week against Richland Hills, Herschel Sims racked up 279 total yards and 3 touchdowns. Zach Bass accounted for 178 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. The Offensive Line did an outstanding job last week, and I look forward to seeing that continue tonight against the Panthers. I know that Bass and Sims will have big gaps to run through, and Stephen will have more than enough time to throw to a variety of receivers. I am excited to see our boys walk up and down the field and score at will. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

The Eagle secondary has been labeled the weak part of the Black Shirts. That is not true. There are no weak links to the Eagle D. We have not faced a team that passes the ball as much as they run or more in a very long time, which of course takes away from the stats. Richland's offense will have nothing going for them all night because our D will take care of business. Nothing will get past them. I am confident that Coach Fullen has our boys prepared for anything that the Rebels throw at them.

Richland has not faced a team as well balanced on offense as ours. No matter what the Rebels do on defense, the Eagles will expose a weakness and take advantage of it. Once the Rebels take care of that weakness, there will be another exposed. I know that Stephen and the rest of the Eagle O will drive up and down the field and put points on the board. Richland will be scratching their heads, not knowing what to do.

This will be a very exciting game. I am looking forward to seeing thousands of fans supporting the Eagles as we set our eyes on the District 3-5A Championship. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

The Warbirds have a chance to clinch a playoff spot tonight as we face Haltom City. Much like our offense, they are very balanced. They have a talented quarterback that can spread the ball around or hand off to a quick running back. But Haltom has not faced a D that is a stellar as ours. The Black Shirts will certainly give Haltom troubles all night long. I expect more turnovers to occur, and one or two returned back for touchdowns.

Thanks to the Black Shirts taking care of business, the Eagle O has had outstanding field position throughout District play. I expect the same tonight. I am confident that the O will march down the field and score on almost every possession we have for the game. The Haltom defense will be picked apart all night long.

Thanks to our bye week, the Warbirds had a chance to rest and heal up. And it was needed after the Weatherford game. I am certain that the Eagles will be at full tilt for this game as well as our fans. I expect a massive crowd cheering on our boys. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

To start off 3-5A play, we take on the Burleson Elks. The only game they have won so far this season was their opener against Arlington Seguin 16-14. But as we all know, things are different once District starts.

The past couple of weeks the Abilene High O has not played to their full potential. We have played against some good defenses, and that has made our offense much better for District. I know that we will be able to find weak spots in the Elk defense and take advantage of them and put points up on the board. I know that we will get after it and play like the Eagle O from the beginning of the season.

The Black Shirts will once again have a great week. Burleson is a run heavy team and I know that we will have no problem shutting them down. I have a feeling that they will be like Lubbock Monterey of years past when they kept running and then one play they pass for a big gain. Our Secondary can't give up that big play. We will have to stay home and take care of business. I know that Coach Fullen has the Warbirds prepared to have another great showing.

I am looking forward to seeing a big crowd supporting the Black and Gold as we start off the new District 3-5A. I know that the Warbirds will walk out with that all important first District win to go 5-0 on the season. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

All week long I have heard that Cooper's defense is so fast and so physical that they will shut us down and shut us out. They may be fast and physical, but there is no way that they can shut us off. We have so many weapons that we will be able to pick apart their defense and have long sustained drives resulting in points on the board. The Eagle O is also fast and physical, much more than Cooper's defense. I know that the Warbirds will have no problem walking up and down the field and putting more points on the board.

I have also heard that their offense is fast and physical, and the Black Shirts will not be able to stop them. It is obvious that those guys that say that have never seen us play. Our Offense and Defense are on a higher level than Cooper. I see us having no problems shutting down their offense. The Eagle D has played well the first two games, and I know that we will continue that tonight.

I know that we will have a huge crowd on the East side of Shotwell cheering on the Warbirds. I know that once the dust has settled from opening kickoff, the Eagles will fly away with this game and walk out with a 3-0 record. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

Last week there were so many questions about the Offense. Well, those were written off in a hurry. We had no problems completing drives. The O Line was almost perfect. I was impressed with the way they worked together and handled everything. I expect another great showing. East's defensive line is a strong point and they play physical. But, we will be very well prepared, and we will play even harder. I see us having no problems driving the field and putting points on the board against a defense that gave up almost 400 yards and 40 points last week.

I know that our Warbird D will have an outstanding game. Last week for a small moment in time, we had a hard time keeping up the intensity. This week will be different. I know that Coach Fullen will have the Black Shirts flying high throughout the game. Plano East had very small numbers last week against Flower Mound. They had a little over 100 yards on the ground, but most of that was a 78 yard run by Toben Opurum in the 1st Quarter. They only had 6 first downs. I am sure that Coach Ringo has made improvements from last week, but it will not be enough to get past our D. I am sure that East will start off the game running the ball, but that will soon be abandoned for the passing game. But they will be in a world of hurt once they realize that they won't be able to pass on us either. I know that we will once again have a great game on Defense.

I am looking forward to this game. I know that we will do great. I am hoping that the Eagle fans outnumber the fans from Plano. I wish all that are going to the game to have a safe trip there and back. I am looking forward to seeing the Eagles walk out 2-0. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

One of the questions that I stated in my last blog was if Stephen had the composure to lead the offense. And that he did. He had great pocket presence and field vision. Although it did seem like he didn't take his eyes off of his first target a few times, he did really well in my opinion. Another question was if the O Line would work together. And once again, the answer is yes. The pass blocking was great. The run blocking was great. I was very pleased with the way they played as a whole. Yes, there were a few missed assignments, but that happens from time to time. I was really excited that the #2's got in for some playing time and put some points on the board. Ian Williams and the rest looked good. It seems that we have more depth than most people had thought before the season started.

The defense played like they should have. The only time I was not happy was the drive when Dunbar scored in the 2nd Quarter. We had a big lead and I could tell that we had started to let up. It was really noticeable on the play when they scored. There were several players that missed their assignments. I knew that Coach Fullen would yell them back into shape, and he did that very well. They stiffened up and played hard like they did at the start of the game. The defense did really well. With the fumble returned for a touchdown along with a few more fumble recoveries, several tackles for loss, a couple of interceptions, and just overall hard-nosed playing, I would say that we are right where we need to be and will continue to get better. And remember that several of those turnovers were because of the backups. We have great depth on defense too.

I am really excited for this season. We had a great showing against Dunbar. We are loaded on both sides of the ball in my opinion. We have a great following of fans. The Abilene High Eagles are on the march. And I hope that this week against Plano East (who lost 40-8 against Flower Mound last week) we will have a great number of fans traveling to cheer on our Warbirds. I smell one great memorable season for this year's team, especially the Seniors. It's your time, your team. Make it happen. GO EAGLES!!

After the end of 2007, so many changes for the Warbirds took place. We lost the majority of the starters on offense, a couple on defense, and the most recognized and toughest district in Texas was broken up. I personally was sad to see the traditions and rivalries thrown out the window, but I knew it would happen eventually with the 5A cutoff numbers rising. But I know that we will take what was given to us and make things happen.

As we face off tonight against Fort Worth Dunbar, several questions will be asked about our offense. Will we be able to replace a talented group of receivers? Will the Line be working together? Will Stephen have the composure to lead the Offense? I believe the answer is yes to all of them. Questions similar to them have always been asked when we lose several players on either side of the ball. And we always have things taken care of and all of the boys are ready to step up and get after it. I see us having no problems putting up points on the board against a talented Dunbar team; after all, the so-called new players on offense saw a bunch of playing time last year.

The Black Shirts will be one of the best in the state. Chris Williams leads a very talented group, along with P.J. Butler, Karsten Goodman, Justin Carroll, and Keith Carroll just to name a few. I am excited to see what is in store for the opposing offenses this season. Dunbar has a lot of speed on offense, but I know that the Warbirds will not have any problems shutting them down.

I am excited that the season is finally here. I have been counting down the days since last year, and I am sure many of you have too. I am excited to see our boys play under those lights, smell the smells, hear the sounds, and see thousands of screaming Eagle fans cheer on our boys tonight as we start off a great memorable season. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

Last week against Longview, the Pflugerville Panthers threw the ball less than 5 times. That is something we haven’t seen in a few weeks. I am excited that our Eagle D will most likely be playing the run first, and then the pass. I don’t think that Pflugerville will change up many things this week. They have made a great playoff run, but that is going to come to a stop. I know Coach Fullen has our boys prepared and ready to go. He has a game plan in his mind, and I am confident that it will work. It doesn’t look like the 3 backs for the Panthers are very fast, but they do get after it. I know our boys will take care of business. Pflugerville will not know what hit them.

I honestly do not think that Pflugerville’s defense will be ready for our Offensive attack. We are extremely balanced, and will go with whatever works regardless of what it is. I am expecting to have a great showing this week. Against Hebron, we stalled more times than we should have, but that certainly will not be the case against the Panthers. I know that our boys will have several great drives resulting in touchdowns each time.

I am expecting a massive crowd getting into the heads of Pflugerville. Last week we stretched passed the endzones and I know our boys were very excited to see that many people backing them up. I am positive that we will have even more fans in attendance to witness the 2007 AHS Eagles make history. This will definitely be a great game! Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

Offensively, AHS needs to be more efficient inside the redzone. Last week we added 3 points on the board instead of 7 a couple of times. I am positive that the Eagle O will be prepared and pick apart the Hebron defense. I have heard that their rush defense isn’t that good. That could put Hebron in a bad situation with Lackey, Flye, and Bass in the backfield. We will have to take care of the football, and take whatever Hebron gives us to put this one away with a check mark in the W column for the Warbirds.

The Warbird D will have another sound game and shut down the high powered Hawk offense. Even though Hebron as turned the ball over 10 times so far in the playoffs (6 fumbles, 4 ints), they have still found ways to get it done. But they haven’t met the Eagle Black Shirts until now. Hebron’s QB, Tanner Marsh, only has a little over 50 yards rushing all season. So it’s either passing to any of his 4 targets, or handing it off to Darius Staten. I know that the Eagle D will make sure that Hebron keeps the turnover streak alive, and we will take advantage of them.

I am looking forward to seeing a HUGE crowd wearing Black and Gold. Hebron will be attempting a “white out” game. I am sure that will not be happening because we have a great group of fans that will outnumber Hebron 4 to 1. Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

Southlake has only lost 2 games over the last several years, but a bunch of those wins were by the smallest of margins. And yes I do know that more of their wins were from blowouts (one being a game 2 years ago that I try to forget about). This year will be a different verse in the song Eagles versus Dragons. I am confident that the Warbirds will walk away with another victory and a match-up against the Timberview/Hebron winner.

The Eagles will have to play perfect. That was the deciding factor in the Permian game. We turned the ball over 2 more times than we should have. I know that our boys will take care of the ball. So far in the Division II playoffs the Warbird O has played like a well oiled machine. I know that will continue. Southlake’s defense will have a scared look on their face when we take the field.

The Dragon offense will not get anything going against the Black Shirts. Our Defensive Line will be giving Riley Dodge a fit. We will be in his face every time they take the field. I know Coach Fullen has our boys prepared. I am expecting a great showing from our Eagle D.

I know that Texas Stadium will have a large number of fans for this game. I am expecting more Black and Gold. Unfortunately one of those fans wearing Black and Gold will be looking down through that hole in the roof. This game is for you Marcus. Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

This week we face another run heavy team called the El Paso Coronado Thunderbirds. They will be in a world of hurt as long as our Warbird D has a repeat of last week. Weatherford couldn't get anything going until well after the game had been decided. I am looking forward to that happening again. I know Coach Fullen has our boys prepared. We will have to play physical, mistake free football to keep EP's run game contained. They have one guy that will run it in your face down the middle, and also a speedy guy that will take it to the outside. I am expecting a great showing from our Eagle D.

Last week our Offense got a bunch of things going. I am looking to see another well oiled machine. I know that this will be a fun game to watch. I'm not sure how much the weather will impact the game, but regardless, the Eagles will come out flying high.

The last time we played at Jones Stadium was this round of the playoffs in which we had a huge win over Amarillo Tascosa. Of course, it was much warmer. I suggest everybody bring a big coat and a few blankets because there is a possibility that it will be in the mid 30s for this game. I hope that the weather isn't a factor in bringing a huge crowd. I am expecting a massive wave of Black and Gold. Let's go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

As many of you know, Weatherford is a fairly run heavy team. They have that triple option offense that can eat you alive if run properly. But against our Eagle D, that will not happen. We will have play with our heads on a swivel to stop Weatherford’s attack. I am positive that Coach Fullen has our D prepared to stop anything put in front of us. And the Warbirds will be getting a bunch thrown at them. I am sure that Coach Wheaton will have several different looks depending on how well we defend against their offense. I know that he will use a few people rotating from QB to RB to FB. We will have to play sound football to keep those guys in check.

Offensively we should be able to pick apart their D and basically score at will. As long as our Offense shows up to play that will happen. Last week was a scary game to watch for me. I know that we had several people resting up for the playoffs, but I still thought we should have had a bigger victory than 7 points.

It is now time to get everything together and take care of business as we head to the Class 5A Division II State Championship. I know that being a home game we will have a full house getting into the heads of Weatherford. I don’t think the Kangaroos know what they are getting themselves into. Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

This will be a very good game. I am expecting a big crowd tonight at Shotwell. I am looking forward to seeing the Warbirds gain more momentum heading into the 3rd half of the season. Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!

After last week’s loss to Permian, many would say that the Warbirds are physically and emotionally drained and wouldn’t have anything left in the tank for this game. That is certainly wrong. AHS left it all out on the field, and after the handshakes, prayers, and the drive back to the Nest, the Eagles turned their full attention to Cooper. Abilene High will be on full tilt to take on the Cougars. I am positive that the Eagle O will pick apart the Cooper defense and put up some crazy numbers. The Eagle D will virtually shut down the Cooper offense and put to rest any thoughts that our Defense is weak.

I am really looking forward to seeing a full crowd out at Shotwell tonight. This will be a really great game. Let’s go out there, fly high, and knock some heads around. GO EAGLES!!!