sub-Varsity Squads Finish Strong!

By Tracy Ebarb
November 10, 2006

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!

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