Go Friday Night

Final Chapter, Early Longhorns Football 2005 Edition

Longhorns 20 Argyle 28

Sad to say, but the 2005 Edition of the Early Longhorn Football Team ended its season, this past Saturday night in Stephenville. The visiting Argyle Eagles put together a solid performance for the full 4 quarters, while the ‘Horns struggled for the first half of play, then came on strong to finish just an onside kick and TD away from sending this one to overtime. Credit the Eagles for putting together a good game plan, and taking advantage of the opportunities given them, and we certainly wish them well this week as they take on a powerful team of Newton Eagles. I have a feeling that the “kung fu� the Newton boys bring will be a little stronger than Argyle’s “kung fu�! My prediction: Newton 49 Argyle 14. We’ll see this weekend.

All in all, what an incredible season! The Longhorns were 12-2, State Semi-finalists. Although I don’t have all the information yet, I understand that 19 Longhorns were named to the All-District Team, and Coach Robbie Tindol is the Coach of the Year. Also, Tim Chandler gets a share of the Offensive Player of the Year Award, while Brandon Anderson captures the Defensive Player of the Year Award.

To all of you – Players(Varsity and sub-Varsity), Band Members, Stampede, Heartland Belles, Flag Corp, Cheerleaders, and Student Body. Thank You - Thank You - Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The 4000+ or so, of us who were there Saturday in Stephenville, or listening in from back in Early, or checking in from wherever we were during the season and the playoffs, we owe you. You have created something in us, the Early Community, that we have needed, that we have wanted, that we will forever cherish – PRIDE. It’s not that Early hasn’t always been proud of its Students, we have, but we’ve never really found a common focal point, “a place to stand – together - unified�. You, Early Students, have helped us become a “Purple Nation�!

We know you’re not finished, by the way. We know Coach Tieman is working hard to bring home a Girls District Basketball trophy this year. We know Coach Dacus has a very talented group of guys that has every intention of seeing playoff action at the end of the Basketball regular season. We know about the level of talent, determination, and heart that we’ll see in Softball and Baseball this coming spring. We are well aware that Early is probably the favorite to win the District Track meet this year, and that San Saba is not the only team in this District with quality Golf and Tennis players. And I fully expect to see our Debate Teams advance to the State Meet, along with other academic standouts. We know you’re not finished, and we are grateful. Because we want to see more, we want to cheer more, we want to paint our vehicles again, we want more and more opportunities to tell you how much we love you, how proud we are of you, and how much we appreciate your hard work and your positive attitudes!

I, for one, am also very proud of this Class of 2006. You see, this is the first group of Early Students I met when our family moved here 12 years ago. (I could tell a few embarrassing stories about some of these guys.) The way these guys have developed on the gridiron is amazing! Back in Middle School, I think they may have won 2 or 3 football games, total. They didn’t scare anybody. These days, however, names like Setzler, Rome, Garcia, Horton, Cantu, Kunkel, Cochran, Pettit, Anderson, Chandler, Reid, Gonzales, and Doremus, these names are the Seniors from the 2005 Early Longhorn State Semi-Finalist Team! They scared everyone they played, and defeated almost everyone they played! It’s not just the football players that make this Class special, though. This will be remembered as the Class that brought “class� back to Early High School, the unselfishness, the camaraderie, the “Team Spirit� that runs unbroken throughout the entire Student Body is the result of the Leadership of the Class of 2006. Thank you guys, I love you all!

I suppose this will be the last entry on this blog. I expect the “GoFridayNight.com� website will be closed for the season after next week. At any rate, I have enjoyed pontificating and bloviating for these past few months. I truly hope that you readers have enjoyed this little blog as well. If so, let me know. My email address is tsebarb@pgrb.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Don’t forget, Basketball season is officially in full swing. The 9th, JV, and Varsity Boys are in the Hamilton Tournament this Thursday – Saturday. And the Girls are playing as well, call the High School for details, 643-4593.

Better and Better,

Tracy S. Ebarb
Executive Vice-President
Jeffrey Byrne & Associates

• Tracy Ebarb
• December 6, 2005 6:16 PM
• Comments (2)