Archive : October 2005

October 22, 2005

Early leads District 3-2A after running over San Saba 28-6

Early Longhorns 28 San Saba Armadillos 6

The Early Longhorns are alone at the top of District 3-2A after defeating the San Saba Armadillos. No one is really surprised that the Horns came out on top in this game. Although many, myself included, thought the point spread would be significantly different. I’ll admit, I thought we’d shut the Dillos out and put up 50 to 60 points against them, I was wrong. The Horns didn’t really have a stellar night on offense. While this game was never really in doubt,(I think due in large part to the highly intimidating purple rags being waved) as long as the San Saba team stayed close, the more inspired they were to try to put together an upset. It didn’t happen, and the Horns are 3-0 in District and 7-1 on the season. In fact, just in case you didn’t hear, the Horns are the only undefeated team in District 3-2A. I said last week that Early had established itself as the team to beat in this District, and it certainly can’t be argued now!

As I write this blog entry, I’m 37,000ft above Louisiana on a flight from DFW to Birmingham, AL. This plane is filled with ‘Bama Football fans, and the Crimson Tide has just defeated Tennessee by a score of 6-3. As I listen to people file by as they board the plane, I’m hearing all kinds of things: “well, it wasn’t pretty…man, if that’s the best we can do, I’m worried… where was our offense?…if we’d only had _______, we’d have really stomped the ‘Vols…oh well, it’s a “W”…what happened? That looked like a totally different team than last week… we may have peaked too early!” But there was this one lady, she’s got on a red “Bama Football” sweatshirt, her earrings are little elephants (Big Al), a cap on her head that reads – ‘Alabama…the Crimson Tide’, and a smile on her face. The guy in front of her is talking about the “ugly” 6-3 victory and what he’s afraid may happen next week, and when he looks at her as if to say ‘what do you think?’ she smiles and says, in a very loud and confident voice – “ROLL TIDE!!!”. And at that moment, she becomes the patron saint of Football! She’s not concerned about a game that is over and done with, she only sees the potential of continued improvement and the absolute fact that “winning begets winning”! And so, as many Longhorn fans lament the “ugly” win this past Friday night, let me remind you that everyone has a “bad day at work”. Wouldn’t you rather have had it on October 21, than on October 28. And don’t forget, although San Saba has only one win this season, they are playing in arguably the toughest 2A District in Texas. The Armadillos played probably their best game of the 2005 season, and don’t be surprised if they win one of their next 2 games.

But above all, be proud! The 2005 Edition of the Early Longhorns is a team that is capable of having an off night and still delivering a 28-6 win! “ROLL ‘HORNS!!!” I believe! I believe that we have the #1 Defense in 2A football, I believe that our offense is capable of scoring when necessary, and sometimes, at will. I believe in a ‘special teams’ unit that holds opponents to less than 8 yards per return and yet consistently delivers 3 times that when we return kicks, I believe in the depth of this Longhorn team and players like Marcus Gonzales and Colin Rome, who can step in when needed and we never lose a step, I believe in seniors like Brandon Anderson, Wills Setzler, Chase Rome, Blake Reid, Brian Pettit, Tim Chandler, Nick Cantu, Kade Horton, Brian Cochran, David Garcia, Marcus Gonzales, Mitchell Doremus, and Kyle Kunkel, who work hard, inspire others and provide incredible examples for the rest of the team, and most of all, I believe in the leadership provided by the Early Longhorn Coaching staff – Robbie Tindol, Alan Luker, Casey Dacus, Darren Bailey, Randy Jones, Chad Burleson, Eric Pierce, Matt Damron, and the rest of the staff. If you get the chance, let them know how much you appreciate all that they do, most of us have no idea the number of hours they spend working in our kids behalf. “ROLL ‘HORNS!!!”

Now, let’s be honest, most of us are excited about the win over San Saba and the 400 yds of Offense, and the Defense allowing less than 200 yds (although I told Coach Luker that I expected the ‘Dillos to gain no more than 80 yds), but what we’re really excited about is the upcoming game against Bangs. Who, this past Friday night proved that “acceptable” just isn’t good enough, contrary to the Brownwood Bulletin’s Friday headline. While the TEA ‘upgraded’ the Bangs High School to “acceptable” the Ballinger Bearcats did a little “down-grading” on the Football Field by handing Bangs their first defeat, 28-22. Some Early fans were saying that they were hoping Bangs would win because that would secure Early’s playoff birth this year. Come on guys, aren’t you tired of allowing our playoff chances to be decided by what happens on some other field than the one we’re playing on? Our goal, unless I misunderstand Coach Tindol, is to win District, period! That means we end District play 5-0, period! I’ve had enough of counting on things like we did last year. I mean, wasn’t it just 12 months ago that we were saying that even if we lost to Coleman by 10 or 11, we would still make the playoffs? I, for one, believe in the Early Longhorns and I will not base my expectations on what the Ballinger Bearcats may do, or the Coleman Bluecats, or the Bangs Dragons! As far as I’m concerned, the Bangs dragons are just the next game on the schedule, the one after San Saba. Coach Robbie Tindol and crew have said this all year, that we will take one game at a time, and that game plan is working! I think the bangs dragons may have fallen victim to looking down the road too far, and they got hit head-on by Wes Vanicek and Company from Ballinger. I expect the Dragons will drop out of the “top 10”, probably down to about # 20 or 22, which I think is about right. Now the dragons are behind the 8-ball and I expect we’ll hear all sorts of excuses about how they’ve been plagued by injuries, and everyone is out to get them, and so on and so forth. They were so cocky a couple of weeks ago that they wanted to move the game to Gordon Wood Stadium! Well, why don’t we just keep it in Bangs, let’s just go ahead and play the schedule out the way it was written. Because, you see, for the Longhorns, it’s just the next game, the “draggins” are just our next opponent. Bangs has a fine football team and is well coached, but I don’t believe they’ve got what it takes to stop the Early Longhorns 2005 Edition. Last year’s O-Line had t-shirts that read – “we take what we want”, I believe that still hold true, and that the Early Longhorns want a District Championship. I believe in the Early Longhorns! I believe next Friday night, about 10:30pm, we’ll be celebrating a 27-6 win over the Bangs Dragons. If you believe, let everyone in Brown County know about it between now and Friday night! I’d love to hear and post your thoughts, so don’t be shy!

Congratulations to the Longhorn Marching Band on achieving a “1” rating at the marching contest in Brady on Saturday. The Band now advances to the regional Competition in Waco this coming Saturday. Great job Mr. Everett, Mr. Woolery and Students! Oh, and I loved the “Jazz Band”’s rendition of Van Morrison’s Moondance at the Pep Rally last week, keep up the good work!

Early’s Freshman Football team has 4 wins and 5 losses on the season and will try to pull to an even .500 this Thursday, 5pm at McDonald Field, with the JV game following. Longhorn Middle School teams travel to Bangs with games beginning at 4pm. Be there if you can and remember to wear purple.

Oh, and by the way, two people who work hard at each Football game and get very little recognition are Helena Bonema and Nicole Arapis, when you see them, say thanks! And thanks also to Charley Conley for singing the National Anthem last Friday. We have such great and talented Students at EHS!

A special thanks to Early’s First United Methodist Church for a great concert at last Friday’s “fifth quarter”. Way to go guys, we appreciate all you do for the Students at Early Schools!

October 15, 2005

Early Longhorns 48 Jim Ned Indians 8

Anyone who was paying attention to the opening minutes of this game on Friday night, already knew what the outcome would be. After winning the coin-toss and electing to defer, the Longhorns let Jim Ned start at the Indian’s own 34 yd line, 1st and 10. Three plays later it was 4th and 10, and the Indians punted. The ‘Horns took over at their own 38 after a 4yd punt return by Tim Chandler. 4 minutes, 10 plays and 62 yds later, Eric Skaggs hit Stephen Hopkins for 15 yds and a TD on a great 3rd and 12 conversion. Brian Cochran’s kick was good and the Longhorns led 7-0.

For fans of the 2005 edition of the Early Longhorns - this is what we’ve been waiting for. What we knew was coming. We’ve seen glimpses of it all season, like a “trailer” for an upcoming movie. We’ve even seen extended previews (read Longhorns 55 Dublin 0). But every Longhorn fan that I’ve talked with has kind of had an ‘itch’ in a place that you just can’t reach well enough to ‘scratch’. An ‘itch’ to see the Early offense begin to ‘scratch’ the surface of it’s true potential. If you were in Tuscola last Friday night, you witnessed first hand, what I think is the beginning of something truly special – BALANCE!

A Longhorn Defense that only allowed 2 red-zone opportunities, and held the Indians on 4th and Goal on one of them; a Longhorn Defense that allowed only 177 total yards; a Longhorn Defense that stopped the Indians short on 3rd down, 9 out of 11 times, and forced 5 turnovers. Don’t you just love having a defense that is so well-coached that when the option comes around the end – someone runs by the QB in order to take out the pitch-man, knowing that his team-mate will be there to take out the QB. Execution and team-play, no matter the score or the field position.

A Longhorn Offense that absolutely dominated: 511 total yards – 275 on the ground, 236 through the air! 5 Longhorns had over 20 yds rushing, with freshman Colin Rome leading the pack at 111 yds, and Tyler Adams coming in with 74 yds. While going 12 for 18 and 3 TDs, Eric Skaggs spread the passing to 8 different Longhorn receivers. We all need to say a collective “well done” to the Longhorn “O”-Line! Rhyn Cason, John Proud, Brian Pettit, Caleb Hopson, Marcos Gonzalez, John Atchley, Jake Jeffrey, and others, thanks guys!

A Longhorn Special Team Squad that has scored 3 touchdowns in the first 2 District games. Chandler with a kick return for 6, and Blake Reid with a blocked punt and TD, against Ballinger. This week it was Reid’s turn to run back a kick-off 80 yds for 6 points. Not only that, the kick-off and punting teams for the Horns allowed only 46 total return yards on 7 kicks. While the Longhorns averaged over 25 yards per return!

BALANCE!! BALANCE!! BALANCE!!


At the end of the day in District 3-2A – the Ballinger Bearcats defeated San Saba to go 1-1, 0-2 respectively; the Bangs Dragons slipped past the Coleman Bluecats to remain tied with the Longhorns at 2-0 in District play, Coleman dropped to 1-1, and Jim Ned to 0-2.

Next week the Early Longhorns have an opportunity to do what they haven’t done in quite some time – qualify for Part III: the playoffs. While I’m aware of all the talk around the county that Early has emerged as “the Team to beat” in District 3-2A. And I’m sure that there are lots of folks who love to think of certain games being more important than others and therefore should be moved and played here or there, or wherever. And I’m certain that Early’s 3 remaining District opponents are even now, planning how to adjust and try to compete. The Early Longhorns, however, are concerned about only one thing – preparing to play the San Saba Armadillos on Friday at 7:30pm @ McDonald Field. You see, that’s the thing about this team, a six game win streak means nothing to them, because there’s another game coming up, and when they win that one, they get to play another one, and when they win that one….

I’ve said it before: The 2005 Edition of the Early Longhorns have more to prove to themselves than to anyone else. I, for one, am really enjoying the way these guys are proving it on the field every Friday night. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear and post your comments!

By the way, the Varsity Longhorns weren’t alone in success against Jim Ned. The 7th (28-14) and 8th (28-0)grade teams won, as well as the Early Freshman (32-6). Early’s JV fell in a close and well-played game.

One important note: Although the Indians were getting thrashed pretty good on the field. I, for one, am humbled by the absolute graciousness of the Jim Ned players and fans. Those folks are just classy people. As the broadcast team left the stadium, well after the game had ended, there were at least a dozen Indian fans who wished us well and complimented Early’s fine Football Team, Band, and Students. Jim Ned is a School that has had some very successful Teams and Students over the last several years, but has remained humble and appreciative. That can’t be said about every school in this area that has had that kind of success. Thank you, Tuscola-Jim Ned, we appreciate your support, and your friendship.

This week on Thursday the Freshman and JV travel to the “graveyard” in San Saba with games beginning at 5pm. While the Middle School games begin at 4pm at McDonald Field. Be there if you possibly can and be loud, and be proud!

Special Note: All Middle and High School Students are invited to First Methodist Church after the Game on Friday night for a great Concert with two high-energy rock bands (think NormaJean & Me, Without You)from the Tyler, TX area. Admission is free, and there will be lots of food!

October 10, 2005

Early Longhorns 39 Ballinger Bearcats 22

Its been a long time since an Early Longhorn Football Team has been 5 1. But the only people that are surprised to see the 2005 Edition of the Longhorns with that record, are those who just havent been paying attention. The Ballinger Bearcats certainly arent surprised. The Bearcat team that fell to the Longhorns on Friday night was a much better team than the one that fell on the same week last year. Wes Vanicek and company played an excellent game. In fact, it is my opinion that Vanicek is the most talented QB that the Horns will face in District this season. Coach Brevard and the Bearcat Staff and players are going to give the rest of the District 3-2A fits over the next 4 weeks. And to be honest, they gave the Early Longhorns a challenge or two, however, the challenges were no match for a Longhorn Team that is agile, mobile, and hungry, hungry for post-season play, that is.

Great Teams are teams that have the ability to overcome adversity. The wonderful(and terrible) thing about High School Football is that it is absolutely unpredictable. Any given team, on any given night, has the ability and privilege, to play and defeat any other given team. Over the years, for the Early Longhorns, there have been lots of any given nights, and not enough play and defeat scenarios. Things are changing!

Some may disagree, but I think that a fumble on the first play from scrimmage would have been difficult for previous Longhorn squads to overcome, not the 2005 Edition. Some may disagree, but I think that seeing your fastest cornerback (Blake Reid) go down with an injury mid-way through the opening period, would be a little dis-heartening, not this years Longhorns. (Blake is fine, by the way, and came back to finish the game.)
Some may disagree, but in previous years, I think that knowing your #1 rusher is in street clothes for the start of District play, would allow a little room for excuses, not anymore.
Some may disagree, but in times past, the fact that youre counting on a guy that 12 months ago was playing on the Jr. High Team to lead your team in rushing, would allow the team to lower their expectations, just a little. Not these guys.
Some may disagree, but if youre 65, and the only guy youve got to beat is 55, its a gimme. Not if that guy is Early Longhorn - David Garcia.
Some may disagree, but I think the Coaching Staffs from the remaining Schools on Earlys schedule, are going to spend a little extra time watching film for the next few weeks. Not that it will do them any good.
Some may disagree, but as I look down the schedule, Im not asking who are we playing next?, Im asking whos our next victim?!. Not that it matters, this Longhorn Team is taking it one game at a time.

Rather than give a recap of the game, I thought Id mention a few of the big plays and standout performers from this weeks game instead. Hopefully, you witnessed the game personally, if not, I hope you heard the play by play account on Magic1380am KBWD. By the way, this week in Tuscola, the play by play will be broadcast in-stadium on an FM frequency that is yet to be determined. Bring your portable FM receiver to the game and watch the board to see where to tune in to hear the broadcast with Tracy Ebarb and Joseph King.

Heres a few of the highlights from the Longhorns 39-22 victory over the Ballinger Bearcats: (I wish I could remember and mention all of them.)

Tim Chandler with TD catches of 60 and 61 yards, and a kick-off return of over 70 yards for a TD.
Tyler Adams with a crucial interception off Wes Vanicek at the Longhorns 3 yd line.
Stephen Hopkins with a clutch reception of a pass from Skaggs to keep a drive alive early in the game.
Freshman Colin Rome bursting for 11 yards and a TD.
Eric Skaggs with a great run for 6 yds and a 1st , on a 4th and 5yds to go.
Levi Walls making the tackle on almost every special team play.
Matt Mooney with a great tackle on a kick return late in the game.
Chase Rome fighting off a talented receiver (Logan Newsom) and drawing a rare offensive pass interference call, late in the game.
Blake Reid, after being side-lined with an injury for half the game, coming in to block a punt and then pick up the ball to run it in for a Touchdown.
Wills Setzler making an incredible diving catch for a first down.
Kade Horton doing what almost no one has done against the Bearcats all year sacking Wes Vanicek for a loss.
The Longhorns defense, after going 15 quarters without allowing a TD, holding the Bearcats to 3 field goals and 2 TDs on 7 red-zone opportunities.
Brandon Anderson, Rhyn Cason, Justin Cadenhead, John Proud, Joey Neely, Kade Horton, and others, keeping constant pressure on Bearcats QB Wes Vanicek, allowing him to complete only 17 of 44 passes.

And again, the highlight that cant be overlooked: the Early Longhorn Marching Band(after the game, when everyone else has gone) scouring the bleachers with trash bags, dozens of Band Members picking up the trash from under the stands of the team and town that weve just defeated for no reason other than it just being the right thing to do. Thank you, Jerry Everett, thank you Kirk Woolery, thank you, Wes Beck, and most of all THANK YOU, EARLY LONGHORN MARCHING BAND!!! We are proud of you, and proud to be associated with you.

Every time I see it, Im amazed, and Im proud to be a part of Early, TX.

This week we travel to Tuscola, to face the Jim Ned Indians. Last years game was exciting, to say the least. It was, arguably, the Longhorns best game, tied at halftime, and close throughout the game. Tim Chandler had an incredible night defensively, with 3 interceptions off D-I QB Colt McCoy, but the Horns came up short.
This year, however, the Longhorns enter the game 5 1, while the Indians are 3 3 after falling to the Bangs Dragons 35 16 in week one. The Indians are led by QB Cam Decker, and RB Phillip Perez, and a new Coaching staff. Jim Ned has gotten accustomed to beating the Early Longhorns, and they certainly need to win this week to stay alive in the playoff race. However, they havent met the Early Longhorns 2005 Edition. Its been a while since the Jim Ned folks have started out 0 2 in District play. Oh well, they say if you live long enough, you see everything. Congratulations Jim Ned Indians, youre going to be the next victims of the 2005 Early Longhorns! I expect youll be fortunate if the Horns allow you 150 yds total offense.

My prediction: Longhorns 35 Indians 7.

October 2, 2005

Early Freshman vs Comanche

Freshman Longhorns 12 Comanche Indians 6

For some of us, a bye week is hard to handle. You know, on the surface it seems like a good idea, but when it starts getting close to Friday night, well, lets just say that we need a little bit of a football fix. Thank heavens for sub-Varsity Football! And for the class of 2009!

This years freshman edition of the Early Longhorns is led by Coaches Chad Burleson, on the offensive side, and Randy Jones on the defensive side. Following the game in Comanche on Thursday, the 9th grade Horns stand at 2 wins 4 losses for the season, with District play beginning this Thursday at 5pm against the Ballinger Bearcats at McDonald Field. There will be games every Thursday at McDonald Field in Early for the remainder of the Football season, either 7th & 8th grade, or 9th and JV games. There is always a great crowd and a fun atmosphere, a must for every Longhorn Fan.

Now back to the game. The 9th grade game was played in Comanche, which, to say the least, made the game entertaining. While weve grown accustomed, and amused, at having our own hometown announcer butcher many of our players names, its always fun to hear how out-of-town announcers interpret the Longhorn language. What we didnt expect was confusion on the players numbers! It seems that from the press box, 44 looks like 11, and vice versa! 4s and 1s got transposed all night long, and it resulted in laughter from the stands that was so loud, it got the Coaches attention! Im convinced that our friends in Comanche were doing it on purpose to spice up an otherwise slow moving, defense dominated, game. Whatever the case, it worked, and the Longhorn fans were having a great time.

Meanwhile, the Longhorn players were trying to win a football game. After a mis-handled punt gave the Indians fresh downs from the Horns 21 yard line, they scored to go up 6-0 just before the half ended. The Longhorns took the 2nd half kick-off and moved the ball into Indian territory only to see the drive end on a fumble, and the Indians take over. Such was the game through most of the 2nd half, with the two teams trading several turnovers, but with the Longhorns defense getting the upper hand and really controlling the 3A Indians. Early in the 4th, the Longhorns mounted a drive that began about their own 33 yd line. Key runs from Sean Aly and Bob Atchley, along with accurate passing from Addison Ebarb, finally resulted in 6 points and a tie ball game after the PAT failed.
It really looked like thats the way it would end until the Longhorns defense came up with an interception at the Indians 46, and one last chance for the offense with less than 1 minute remaining. Working out of the shotgun, Ebarb scrambled for about 5 yds, plus, the Indians were flagged for a face-mask penalty, that made that play a 20 yd gain. 1st & 10 from the 26, 39 seconds remaining. (please note that the times given are the best of my recollection, except for the very last play that one Im sure of) An incomplete pass burned 6 seconds, 2nd & 10, 33 seconds remaining. Ebarbs pass to Cameron King for 14 yards and a 1st down at the Comanche 12, 24 seconds on the clock. A great run by Sean Aly sets up the Horns 1st & Goal at the 2 yd line, 17 seconds to play. Ebarbs pass to Atchley falls incomplete on 1st down, 2nd & Goal, 12 seconds left. Aly loses 2 yards on 2nd down, 3rd & Goal from the 4, timeout called 5 seconds on the clock.

It is obviously the last play of the game. Every fan, Early and Comanche, is on his/her feet. Ebarb drops into the shotgun formation, the snap is on the ground, Ebarb picks it up and looks across the middle for Cale Bearden, the tight end. He waits a second, then another second, then rifles the ball into the end-zone about 18 inches out in front of Bearden, just out of the reach of the safety, from the left, and the linebacker, from the right. Cale Bearden stretches out with one hand and pulls the ball into his chest! Touchdown!!!
Longhorns Win!! Longhorns Win!! Longhorns Win!! Longhorns Win!!
No time on the clock but the scoreboard tells the story:
Longhorns 12 Indians 6
Bring on the Ballinger Bearcats

And thats just whats coming up, sub-Varsity games on Thursday of this week, and the start of Part II, the District schedule for the Varsity Longhorns, on Friday in Ballinger. We ended Part I, with 4 wins and 1 loss, a 4 game winning streak, a stifling defense, and an offense that is like an active volcano, about to erupt at any minute. But all that means nothing, because the only thing that can get us to Part III, is, well, Part II. Its time for the Early Longhorns to step it up a notch. Come to Ballinger this Friday night at 7:30. My prediction is that this will be the beginning of something very special for Longhorn fans. Dont miss out!


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