Go Friday Night

Early Longhorns 31 un-Comfort-able Bobcats 28

No matter which side of the stadium you were on Friday night, you saw a great High School Football Game. The teams were pretty evenly matched, sort of. The Comfort Bobcats based their game plan around one great player, Luke Roberts. This game plan had worked all season for Comfort, they averaged about 45 points per game and that made them the favorite for this game. It's pretty intimidating to play an opponent that you know scores on almost every possession. THE EARLY LONGHORNS WERE NEVER INTIMIDATED! In fact, after stopping their opening drive, I think the Bobcats began to realize, that they were now the underdog in this game. My "game ball" goes to the defense! Those guys played the 'bend but don't break' game to perfection. Coach Luker had said that one of the keys was limiting their QB's effectiveness, and to not allow them to score quickly. I didn't see the final stats, but I'm sure Roberts had an oustanding game for the Bobcats, but not where it counted. In a game of two evenly matched teams, this one came down to the last 52 seconds and superior coaching! The offense had led the way for the entire game, we scored first, and either led the game or were tied the entire way. It seemed like our coaches had scripted this game to come down to the last possession. I am amazed at the way Coach Tindol and Company managed the 4th quarter, especially the final 3 minutes. All we really needed was about a minute to prove who the best team on the field was, and that's exactly what happened.

Coach Tindol has said many times that this team needed to find it's own identity, truer words were never spoken. Last year's guys set the pace, and established some high expectations. When you look back and compare last year's run with this year's - it is amazing what a difference a year makes. Maybe the most glaring difference is in the abilility to over come adversity. Consider the injuries we've suffered, and then look at how guys have stepped up week after week to fill those gaps. Consider the new District, and the quality of competition that we've faced week after week. Think about this: 5 teams we faced before the playoffs, made the playoffs themselves! Cisco's only loss this year is to Early, and they play this weekend in the Division II Regionals. Crawford ended the season ranked in the State Top 5, won their District and just lost last weekend to another top ranked team. Clyde made the playoffs in a tough 3A District. Wall and Coleman are both still alive in the playoffs and with a win this weekend, will meet each other for a chance to win the Region in D-II, the winner then might get a chance to play Cisco for the Divisional Championship. In my opinion, the 2006 Edition of the Early Longhorns has already done some amazing things, but what's crazy is that they're not finished! This team has just now begun to really play it's best football.

The Littlefield Wildcats are a strong football team, but I believe the Longhorns have a date with destiny! I loved the billboard/chain-link fence message from this last week - "Impossible is Nothing". I, personally needed to hear that, to see it in print, to believe it. I don't know about you, but from time to time I feel like the underdog in life, and sometimes impossibilities seem pretty real, pretty salty, pretty hard to see over. At the risk of sounding simplistic, I know life is not a football game, but I also know that life can be lived with the same intensity, the same passion, the same optomism, the same drive and determination, that is required to play and win a football game. For that, I want to thank the Early Longhorns! To be honest, last year I was grateful for every opportunity and exited after every win, this year, however, is a little different. I am still grateful for the opportunity to support the 'Horns in playoff games and definitely excited after every win, but I can see the goal more clearly than last year. We've got to take care of business in Sweetwater this weekend, much like we did in Wichita Falls last year at this time. We can't look past Littlefield (although anyone who's been there will tell you that's a good idea!) And as fans, we can't let our support diminish! Our friends across the bayou, many of whom attended our playoff games last year, have playoff games of their own to attend this year, so it is really time for us to step up our fan support. Believe me, there's nothing to do in Littlefield, so the Wildcat fans will be there in force, we've got to give them a show of fan support that will rock the Mustang Bowl. Invite your friends, invite your family, make some new friends, if you're single - consider getting married, if you're pregnant - try to deliver before game time, do whatever you have to do to get to Sweetwater's Mustang Bowl Friday at 6:30, and dress for success(warmly)!!!! And as always, GET LOUD AND LEAVE PROUD!!!

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 27, 2006 9:09 AM
• Comments (2)

Top Ten Things to be Thankful for as an Early Longhorn

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving season, (and, owing to the fact that it is extremely slow at my office on this Friday morning, and time is CRAWLING by as we anticipate tonight's game), I thought I'd try to compose a few things Longhorn Fans can be thankful for.

#1 - 2006 (co)District Football Championship
#2 - 2006 Bi-District Football Championship
#3 - Senior Leadership on the Team
#4 - Playoff experience from the 2005 Season
#5 - An offense with more weapons than the late Herman Bennett's Trophy Room!
#6 - A Defense that is healthy, hungry and prepared!
#7 - Best Marching Band in Central Texas
#8 - Greatest group of Cheerleaders, Drill Team, Stampede, and Team Trainers in all of Texas!
#9 - Hardest working Booster Club and Mom's Mafia you've ever seen.
#10- Best shaped Administration in the USA (we've got tall, we've got wide, ect..)
#10a-Loudest and Proudest Student Body and Fan Base in the World!!!!!!

Hope you have some time for some Thanksgiving leftovers before you head down to Round Rock. I think no matter how much I eat over the Holidays, I'm still gonna be hungry...HUNGRY FOR ANOTHER LONGHORN VICTORY!!!! Where I come from, we didn't eat 'cats (we did use them for fish bait sometimes), but the Longhorns have made roadkill out of the last 2 b-cats we've faced, and I can't wait to see the same thing happen tonight! Let's go make them UN-comfort-ABLE!!!

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 24, 2006 9:16 AM

Early Longhorns Bi-District Champs Early 41 Hawley 6

The Early Longhorns took control of this game from the opening kickoff and never looked back. Congratulations 'Horns on a solid and decisive win! Although I don't necessarily like being the 'visitor' in these playoff game stadiums, it is kind of fun to watch the "Purple Nation" from across the way. And it's kind of fun (in a mean way) to watch the losing crowd as they start out so excited and confident, and then slowly crawl away with their collective bearcat tails between their legs. Although we scored a lot of points in this game, it really was a showcase for the Longhorns' D as they put together another strong game. In the last 11 quarters, this group has allowed only 3 scores! Our team is beginning to "peak", and at just the right time. So many players made so many outstanding plays against Hawley, I can't mention them all. But, one sticks out in my mind because of what I anticipate this coming Friday night - in the 2nd quarter, Hawley lined up in a 'gold' spread formation, our defense shifted and Collin Rome moved up and showed blitz, then when the ball was snapped, Collin leveled the Hawley QB! That's what I want to see over and over again this Friday night.

The Regional Semi-Final game is set for this Friday at 7:30pm in Round Rock against the 9-2 Comfort Bobcats. All indications are that these two teams are the class of Central and West Texas. They have good athletes and are well coached. They ended the year ranked in the top 10, and will probably be the 'favorite' going into Friday night's game. It is going to take our very best effort, but I believe that the Early Longhorns are bound for the State Championship! On Friday night the Early Longhorns are going to move the Bobcats out of their 'comfort' zone! We've been pretty content to sit in the stands and loudly proclaim our support for the Team this year, that's not going to be enough for this game. Everyone must be there! If you love the Longhorns, make plans to attend, if you love the Longhorns, invite someone to go along with you, if you love the Longhorns, wear the most un-"comfort"able shoes you have because you're going to be standing all night, if you love the Longhorns, you will do whatever it takes to be as un-"comfort"able as possible. Our team needs us, folks, we've got to be there for them! Re-arrange your holiday plans if you must, but be in Round Rock on Friday!
The address for the stadium in Round Rock is 10211 West Parmer Lane, it's not hard to find: take 183 toward Austin, left on FM 174 in Cedar Park, go about 3 miles, then right on FM 734(Parmer Lane) for about 1 mile, the stadium is on the west side of the road. (About 120 miles)

Congratulations to the JV players who got in the game on Friday: CodyMac Bullard, Ben Hagar, Seth Coolbaugh, Bob Atchley, Sean Aly, Addison Ebarb, and maybe one more that we missed, feel free to correct me. It's great to see so many Longhorn jerseys on the sideline, thanks to the Booster Club. Don't forget to bring your FM radios to the Round Rock Stadium, we will be broadcasting "in stadium" with the frequency to be announced. Oh, and don't forget to check out the Girls Basketball team as soon as possible if you haven't already, the Varsity Girls are 5-0, and taking no prisoners!

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 20, 2006 8:18 AM
• Comments (1)

"Survey says...!" dave campbell blog

A few folks mentioned enjoying this as well so, here you go...

Survey Says…

Everyone had predictions, hopes and plans for the HS Football post-season about 3 months ago, including our own Dave Campbell. In case you’re wondering, here’s how the predictions matched the reality out in West Central Texas:

5A – Abilene High quieted the critics when District Play started and ran their record of unbeaten in District games to 3 full seasons. DC predicted AHS to win the District, and that’s exactly what happened. Abilene Cooper kept their playoff hopes alive up until overtime in the last game, but fell short.

4A – Stephenville rode the Top 10 polls all season and won District just as DC predicted, but fell in the season finale to Everman, 20-28. In District 16, the Brownwood Lions were picked 5th, but finished 3rd, after a 3-way tie and a coin toss, just goes to show – never count the Brownwood Lions out.

3A – In District 3, the Snyder Tigers fulfilled the DC prophecy by winning District. And Graham beat the odds by making the playoffs, despite a 5th place prediction by DC. Over in District 7, DC had expected Sweetwater to lead Abilene Wylie and Breckenridge into the post-season, but, the Wylie Bulldogs had other plans and they won District with Sweetwater coming in 2nd, and the Clyde Bulldogs surprised Breck to take the 3rd spot.

2A – DC predicted Hawley to follow up their first ever playoff appearance in ’05, with a District 5-2A Crown in ’06, sorry, enter previously 1A Haskell. Hawley did end up 2nd, though, and although DC cast Coahoma as the #2 team, it seems that Anson sneaked into the runner-up spot instead. In 6-2A, DC was right on, sort of. Early was picked #1, Wall #2, and Coleman #3. When the dust cleared Friday night, Early and Wall shared the District Crown at 6-1, each, with Coleman dropping JimNed to earn the 3rd spot at 4-3. This was a very competitive District, 2 teams at 6-1, 3 teams at 4-3 (Bangs, JimNed, Coleman). Dave’s District 10 predictions showed Paradise and Boyd and 1 & 2 respectively, and Eastland in the #3 spot. In reality, Cisco, picked #4 by DC, went undefeated in District with Paradise and Boyd in hot pursuit. In District 11, Grandview and Hico lived up to their pre-season DC predictions at #1 & #2, but pre-season DC #3 pick, Maypearl, got ousted by the Itasca Wampus Cats. While in District 21, DC had it all figured out – Crawford #1, Hamilton #2, and McGregor #3.

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 13, 2006 2:31 PM

Early Longhorns District Co-Champs 2006

What a great game Friday night! Longhorns 31 Bearcats 7!

Looks like the Early Defense is really getting back into form at just the right time, and the offense discovers more weapons every week it seems. Tyler Adams had an incredible game behind the Longhorn O-Line. There were a couple of sad faces however, the Hawley coaches who came to scout looked like they'd been sucking on green persimmons. At the end of the day, the 'Horns look like a playoff team on a mission. We seem to be peaking on offense and defense at just the right time. Plus almost everyone's healthy - Josh Conley looks to be coming back at near full strength, Proud shows no signs of ever being injured, Mooney is 'armed' and ready, Singleton gains momentum every week he's back, Kramer is 'back' from shock therapy, and I'm probably forgetting someone, but any way you add it up, we're almost 100%.

Bring on the Hawley Bearcats Shotwell Stadium Friday - 7:30pm

Couple of notes: #1 Congratulations to the 7th Grade Longhorns on a 9-0 District Championship Season! #2 You gotta check out the Lady Longhorns Basketball Team. These girls are going to make some noise in Central Texas, mark my words. The JV & Varsity teams go to Hico on Tuesday, 5pm tip-off. The Varsity Girls are scheduled to host Clyde on Friday, but that may be re-scheduled due to the Football game, check with the High School.

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 13, 2006 9:55 AM

sub-Varsity Squads Finish Strong!

Anyone's who's kept up with the Early Class of 2010 Football team(that's this year's freshman boys) has had their share of quiet moments and long drives home. During their middle school years, these guys have been kind of like the fishermen in the New Testament, who when asked by Jesus how the fishing was going, they replied - "we've toiled all night and taken nothing.". At least up until about 4 weeks ago. Early in the season, they got a taste of winning, and it was just enough to make them really hungry! Since I don't get to make all the 9th grade games, feel free to correct me, but I think these guys will finish the season at 6 wins-4 losses. I do know that they've won 4 straight, including a wallopping of the Bearcats in Ballinger last night 30-15! Coaches Burleson and Jones have done an incredible job this year in leading these guys and convincing them that they are WINNERS. You and I have known that all along, and you'll have no problem getting this bunch of guys to explain to you how things have turned around them. Here's what you should do - find a Freshman Football Player(or, in a pinch, the parent of one of them) and ask about how the season has gone. I think you'll enjoy the stories that follow.

As for the JV Team. If you had the privilege of being in Ballinger on 11/9, you witnessed one of the greatest games you'll ever see, on any level. The folks at Good Morning America have been searching for the "new" 7 Wonders of the World of late. We saw one of those "wonders" last night in Ballinger as the Longhorn JV defeated the Bearcats 32-31! I'm not really sure that words can adequately describe this "wonder", it was more of an ethereal or spiritual experience than just a physical game. (I know that sounds a bit odd, but if you've got a problem with it, there's a comment button at the bottom of the page.) The last Longhorn to leave the field, Coach Dacus, said "It was pretty ugly, but we won", then he smiled, I mean, really smiled! My reply was "Coach, from where I was sitting, it was beautiful!". At the risk of getting a few details and chronology a little wrong, let me tell you about this game: Early won the toss, deferred, and Ballinger scored in 4 plays, 0-6. Following the kick-off, after picking up a 1st down, we fumbled the snap from center, a Bearcat picks up the ball and goes untouched for a TD, 'Horns 0 Bearcats 12. At this point, 1 minute and 52 seconds have ticked off the clock. Twelve points down after less than 2 minutes is not easy to come back from. The 'Horns take the next possession down the field using passes and runs and get a TD and 2-point conversion, 8-12, still in the 1st. At this point the defense really begins to step up and about halfway throught the second quarter, QB Ebarb hits Seth Coolbaugh on a 40 yard TD strike, 2-point conversion is good, and the Longhorns lead 16-12. Early Fans are breathing a little easier with the lead at halftime(if memory serves, gimme a break here, the last few minutes were so exciting it's hard to remember exactly what went on before). 'Horns take the opening kick and move the ball down to the Bearcat 35, but fail to convert a 4th down. The Bearcats, however, move the ball and strike on their 1st possession of the 2nd half and take a 16-19 lead after the kick. The teams trade punts and turnovers a couple of times. Then the Longhorns mount a drive late in the 3rd that results in Ebarb hitting CodyMac Bullard on a 30+yard TD pass, they convert the 2-points with a pass to Clayton Anderson and the 'Horns lead 24-19. The Bearcats answer with a 75 yard run from scrimmage to regain the lead 24-25! Wow! Ballinger's defense holds the 'Horns and gets possession with about 3 minutes left, then score on a long pass, but the 'Horns defense stops the conversion, score - Early 24 Ballinger 31, with about 2:45 remaining. It's crunch time and this is where the "wonder" part comes in. I know it sounds silly, but at this point, every Early Fan(mostly parents of players) felt like this was the State Championship. The real test of character. This really had been an "ugly" game in many respects, turnovers, blown routes, missed tackles, poor coverage, dropped passes, missed assignments, you name it! But still, you just got the feeling that these boys, on this night, were not going to be beaten. QB Ebarb, who wound up 19 of 30 for about 200 yds and 3 TD's, hit nearly all the receivers - Bullard, Coolbaugh, Geirsch, Atchley, Hagar and King. But it was a 4th down 13, with 2 minutes left that brought the Bearcats to their knees. Facing 4th down, Coach Dacus called a slant to Coolbaugh, Ebarb hit him in full stride and Seth raced 45 yards for 6 points. The score Longhorns 30 Bearcats 31. Prior to the conversion attempt both teams called a time out, and then Bob Atchley hit the left side of the line for the 2-point attempt. A full 2 minutes (it seemed) passed as all the 'Horns had their hands and arms pointed upward signalling "good", but no signal from the Refs. Atchley, it seems, was in the end zone, but the side-judge was in shock I suppose. After a lengthy discussion the head Official gave the signal and the 'Horns went up 32-31! As crazy as this sounds, Ballinger actually had 2 more possessions before the end of the game, and attempted a 35 yd field goal with 4 seconds on the clock for the win, but the kick was no good and the Longhorns won 32-31.

For the year, the JV wound up 4-6, (4-3 in District) winning their last 3 games. This morning (Friday) they're all meeting at the Burrito place for a team breakfast, and post-game brag session. I wish I could be there, I wish you could too. But I'll settle for the "wonder". If you're like me, it's hard to remember anything specific about most of the days of our lives, a few things stick out, but for the most part, it all washes away. For me, one of the "wonders" of the world is how certain events and times in our lives take on multiple dimensions and facets. Maybe most of our days are like ordinary rocks, but days and games like that one last night are like Diamonds. On behalf of the folks who were lucky enough to be there last night, thanks guys. Watching you guys come back after adversity, after mistakes, after incredible setbacks, and against a very good team, encourages us all, and makes us all a little richer. Not only that, but it really sets the tone for tonight's Varsity matchup. See you at the game!

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 10, 2006 6:13 AM

Excerpt from Dave Cambell Blog

Just in case anyone was interested, I've attached a copy of the Central Texas football blog that I write for Dave Campbell's Football web-site.

Click this link below if you're interested...

Late Season update from Central Texas

With only two more District games to play, the playoff scenarios are in place, and it can only get more complicated from here!

In 1-A: District 9-A – State ranked Windthorst is, and will likely stay, undefeated, with Petrolia and Electra running neck and neck for the runner up spot. No real surprises there.

District 12-A – Gorman and Tolar are on top at 4-0, with DeLeon at 3-1. However, Gorman faces DeLeon this week, and Tolar the next, so, while the playoff teams are pretty well set, it will be a great finish. Possibly at 3-way tie with all teams at 5-1.

District 13-A – The only question here is how many points will Goldthwaite score this week! The Eagles are at 4-0 after facing no real test in District so far. Bosqueville and Valley Mills both sit at 3-1 currently, but Bosqueville will probably end up at 5-1, while Valley Mills will have to defeat Meridian(pretty likely) and Goldthwaite(highly unlikely) in order to stay at the 5-1 mark.

District 15-A – Out past Sweetwater, things are much less complicated. Roscoe is at 5-0, Albany at 4-0. The Plowboys will be idle this week, while Albany will be favored over Rotan. Both should enter the season finale at 5-0 and then get to decide the District Championship in head to head play on November 10. The Winters Blizzards round out this group at 3-2 currently, they play Roby this Friday and then get the last week off.

District 16-A – It will be a photo finish for 3rd between Forsan(3-2) and Irion County(3-2), if, and that’s a big “if”, Irion County can knock off Menard this week, and currently undefeated Sterling City in the final game. Forsan holds the advantages of defeating Irion County earlier and having the softer remaining schedule. Both Sterling City and Christoval are currently at 5-0, but someone’s going to be 5-1 after the teams meet in Christoval this Friday. This will be a great game.

In 2-A: District 10-2A - The real surprise out here is the Cisco Loboes! At 7-1(3-0conf) the Loboes only loss was in the opening game against a very healthy Early Longhorn squad(Early has not been healthy since). Paradise and Boyd are the two teams that will likely round out the playoff bracket from this District.

District 11-2A – The race for the District Championship is wide open here with Dublin, Grandview and Hico all tied with 3 wins. Dublin and Hico meet this week and Grandview and Hico the next. So, looks like Dublin and Grandview have the advantage, but you never know!

District 5-2A – In Haskell’s first year in 2A, the Indians are doing pretty much what they did in 1A – winning! At 8-0(5-0conf), they face the Hawley Bearcats(4-1conf) this Friday. The Bearcats first ever, that’s right – first ever, playoff appearance was last year and they’re in position to make it two years in a row with a win in either of the last two games, Haskell or Colorado City(0-8). The number 3 spot here will likely go to Stamford, but won’t really be decided until the last game with Stamford facing Albany.

District 6-2A – The Wall Hawks exacted revenge over their last year’s playoff loss to the Early Longhorns by beating them a couple of weeks ago 29-20. That puts Wall in the drivers seat at 5-0, with Early and Jim Ned at 4-1. The Coleman Bluecats(3-2) fell to Early last Friday in double OT, 29-26. Jim Ned travels to Wall this week and hosts the Bluecats next week, in what will likely decide the 3rd playoff spot. Should Early win out, and Jim Ned knock off Wall and Coleman, it’s quite possible to see a 3-way tie for the District Crown with Wall, Early and JimNed all at 5-1 in Conference play. If JimNed can’t beat Wall this week, and Coleman gets past Ballinger(2-3)with a win, the showdown for the 3rd playoff spot will likely feature JimNed at Coleman in the season finale. Early will wrap a spot in the Division I Playoff Bracket with a win either this week against San Saba(0-5), or next week against Ballinger. Wall has really already qualified for post-season, but will face a determined JimNed Indian squad and a dangerous group of Bangs Dragons(2-3) to finish the season.

• Tracy Ebarb
• November 1, 2006 8:16 AM