The JimNed Indians are a good football team, up until last night they were unbeaten even though Merkel, Breckenridge and Eastland all tried to find a way to stop them. Their QB, Coffman, aside from being a nice kid, is a heck of an athlete, and tough as shoe leather. Their fans are always extremely gracious, whether we go there or they come here. In years past, the Indians have fielded some incredibly good teams. In fact, one of their former players is making Central Texas football look very good as he plays on Saturdays for the other Longhorn team in Texas(you remember Colt McCoy, he was intercepted 3 times by Tim Chandler the last time the Indians came to McDonald Field). Truth is, I can't help but like the Indians. I don't know if you noticed, but there were purple jerseys helping up red jerseys, and vice-versa all night long. Great sportsmanship by both teams all night long, and at the end of the game, even a half hour after the game was over, the JimNed boys were still on the field visiting with their fans and coaches. I've seen lots of times when as soon as the final buzzer sounded, the losing team would run to the busses and 'get out of Dodge'! So, all in all, best wishes to the Indians, good luck against the Bearcats next week, oh, and thanks for a well played game. AND...

Congratulations Longhorns!!!!
I've known it, you've known it, there has really been no mystery - this team, the 2007 Early Longhorns, is like America - they've got talent! We've all been waiting for "it" to come together, and frankly, I think we are still a couple of weeks away from seeing what this group can really do, but last night we were treated to a pretty good 'preview of coming attractions'!

First off, the offensive line: Hopson, Rosales, Kesee, Beene, Thompson and Moore were the ones that really stood out to me last night. After faltering a little on that first possession of the 2nd half, you guys took over the game! Rome and Ross must have been smiling on every carry because you guys were kicking tail and taking names. On one play, Kaleb blocked his guy about 20 yards past the 8-9yds that Collin picked up, and the guy was like - "what was that for, I wasn't even thinking about getting in on the tackle!". Jose was another one with some incredible blocks, really all the front line guys did a great job. Coach Pierce would be proud, and Coach Sharp has got to be excited.

Second, Collin Rome hurts people when he runs the football! Teams like JimNed who are fundamentally sound know how to tackle runners like Rome, but boy do they pay the price. Plus, when Collin needs a breather, Bo Ross comes in and runs very strong, but with a completely different style than Collin, and just makes people miss. Then look at Nick Lyle, I think he could dove hunt with a football, and if no one is open, that's fine, he's got places to go anyway. Cochran and Bullard are going to catch a lot of passes this season, but if you watch them, you'll realize they are a big part of the running game as well, selling routes and taking out defensive backs. Overall, our offense wasn't great last night, but we are getting better with every snap of the ball.

Third, the Defense. This group allowed less than 200yds of total offense on the night and really stood up when we needed a stop. Lots of standouts in this group, but the most important thing about last night's defensive game, in my opinion, was the fact that we played hard for 4 full quarters!

Not long ago, I heard Cowboy's QB Tony Romo attribute this quote to Bill Parcells - "Don't let 'good enough', be good enough." The Longhorns are 1-0 in the season that counts, we were good enough to beat a solid JimNed Indian team, we're tied for 1st in the District now with Coleman, Ballinger and Wall, we've got a little momentum and some of the confidence that winning brings, but, we can't let 'good enough' be good enough! As fans, we can't afford to allow ourselves the luxury of assuming that 'the boys are back', this is a team that, according to Coach Tindol, has yet to find it's real identity. And I might add, a team that has incredible depth and talent that could do incredible things when they do find that identity. The Homecoming crowd was super last night, but we need more than that over in Bangs next Friday. Personally, I saw way too many 'odd colors' in the stands last night, we need PURPLE, people. Purple shirts, purple hats, purple towels, purple faces, you get the idea. If we come and support these guys the way we should, even the Dragons will be purple by the end of the game! See you there!

Tailgate Cooks have BBQ on the menu!!!!!!!! See you there!

Seriously, the game was well played by both teams, and as far as I know, no serious injuries sustained by either team. For Longhorn fans, it's good to see our team perform so well against the #4 team in the state. Coach Tindol always says that "you get better by 'playing up'", and the road doesn't get any easier this week as we travel to Crawford to exact a little revenge on the Pirates. Please note ----- Coach Tindol told me after the game Friday night that the Crawford game will start at 7:30pm, not 8pm as listed on the schedule, and as we announced on the radio. 7:30 kick-off in Crawford on Friday!

If last year is any indication, we will be treated well at Crawford. At the sub-varsity games in '06, the Crawford folks were extremely gracious and hospitable. Their Booster Club was selling 'home-made" ice cream, and it was great. Who knows, maybe we'll even have a special guest from the Crawford area in the press-box like last year. The broadcast will be available on an FM station 'in stadium', so bring your portable radios.

Longhorn's Freshman Team will play Brownwood this Thursday at 5pm, and the JV will face Crawford at 6:30 at McDonald Field. Make plans to be there if you can, it's time for the PURPLE NATION to arise!

Also, mark your calendars - LONGHORN PURPLE DAY is September 8th, beginning at 5pm! Games, silent auction, prizes, excellent Burgers and lots of fun, along with on-field introductions of the Purple Royalty! Don't miss it!

Then...

Get ready for a battle Friday night at McDonald Field! Feel free to send in your predictions and opinions for the season opener. Looks like the Longhorns are the underdog against Cisco, personally, I kind of like that. Seems like we've done well in that position in years past, and so I expect the Longhorns will do just fine against the #7 State-ranked Loboes. Coach Tindol says, and has proven, that you get better by playing good teams. Join me Friday night as we watch this 'edition' of the Early Longhorns develop!

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!!!

#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!!!

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!

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.

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!

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

Let's recap the "Process" we went through: First: Denial - I said I'd like to deny the Bluecats the end zone. In two overtime possessions, the 'Horns kept them firmly planted in the 'litter box', aka outside the end zone. (could anyone have kept John Proud off the field at the end of the game? I don't think so!) Second: Anger - I'll admit, I did get a little angry on the opening kickoff, when the fair catch was made at the 38 and then 'advanced' to the 43. But what I saw on the field is what got me through this step. Because what I saw was focused rage/determination. Like the difference between a race horse and a rodeo bull, both have incredible power and spirit, but the race horse focuses that energy on the finish line, while the bull just goes wild. We've all seen a Longhorn go wild, what we witnessed at Coleman was a focused, determined, goal-oriented Longhorn Team.(remember Eric Skaggs scrambling for the 1st down in the 2nd OT) Third: Bargaining - We won this one hands down! At the Longhorn Tailgate party: big, thick, juicy, all beef burgers and delicious sausage wraps! But the best part - Longhorn fans, lots of them! When you see these guys, give them a great big thank you: Gordon Bearden, Junior Cooley, Dalton Cooley, Chris Cadenhead, Steve Bailey, Mark Rome, and others I'm forgetting, but still appreciating! Fourth: Depression - Let's face it, when the 'Cats had 1st and goal from the 2 and plenty of momentum, there was not much air in our collective balloons. However, about 3 plays later Evan Hall had us all pumped up and roaring. How about turning a 3 yard pass into a 65 yard TD! From across the field, where I was, you could certainly feel the energy from the Longhorn fans as it rushed across the field and the Coleman fans literally became 'blue' cats. Not only that, but how could Mitchell Bailey keep from being depressed after the first FG attempt? But he didn't let that keep him down, and about 5 minutes later he kicked that 'depression' along with the football through the uprights for 3 points and ultimately a Longhorns OT win! At that point, depression began to creep into the press box where we were like a dense fog, but Joseph and I were immune by that time, we had already moved to step 5. And Fifth: Acceptance - This is the one I like the best, acceptance. Accept Defeat, Coleman Bluecats! Coleman is a good team and I expect they'll make the playoffs, and if so, will represent our District well. As for the Longhorns, I hope the team will accept our thanks and our congratulations! That game was a real treat for fans! There is absolutely nothing more that we, the Longhorn fan base, could ask of the players and coaches, those guys absolutely sold out to win that game and left everything they had on the field. Wow! What a game!

Now, it's time for the Armadillos...Just 3 days past Halloween, we get to play in the 'graveyard'. I don't know about you, but playing in the graveyard was 'top shelf' entertainment during my formative years. This game and venue have history not unlike the Coleman game of 2 years ago. Remember, a lightning storm came during the half time show and the game was finished on Saturday. This year, I expect thunder and lightning: thunder in the form of the resurgent Longhorn Defense - Singleton is back, Mooney is back, all of these guys on defense really showed what they can do in those 2 OT periods last week and I expect to see more of the same. Lightning in the form of the Longhorn Offense - we're a little banged up, yes, but the defenses these guys are facing are more banged up after we're finished! Skaggs to Cochran, Skaggs to Hopkins, Skaggs to Neely, Skaggs to Tumlinson, Skaggs to Walls, Skaggs to Kramer, Skaggs to Hall, Skaggs to Rome, Skaggs to Singleton,Skaggs to Cadenhead,Skaggs to fen/phen/penf/fphe...uh, JP, Skaggs to Conley, Skaggs to Mooney, Skaggs to Harris, Skaggs to Jeffrey, Skaggs to _______, will the list ever end, what's next - Skaggs to Atchley?!!! (Truth is, if Eric wanted to, I think he could hit James Adams on his way to the concession stand from 60 yards out with a 20mph crossing wind!) And what about the O-Line! Those guys owned the Bluecats in the 2nd half last Friday!

Also, don't forget - there is precious little seating for visitor's fans in San Saba. The Middle School teams play in San Saba on Thursday, starting at 5pm. If you've not seen these teams, don't miss out. The 8th graders have continued on the winning way much like last year and the 7th graders are undefeated this season. In fact, the 7th grade team is averaging over 40 points per game and has allowed only 12 points against them all year! Sadly, there may be room on the 'home' side, if the Visitor's side fills up. But most importantly, get to the game even if you have to stand! I can assure you, the 'Horns aren't taking the 'Dillos lightly, and neither should we. We need to be there to do what Longhorn fans do best - GET LOUD and LEAVE PROUD!

Freshman and JV will play at home this week starting at 5pm, with the Freshman going after their 3rd straight win, and the JV going for 2 in a row.

Coach Teiman's Varsity Girls looked very good against the Brownwood Varsity Girls and the Burnet Girls this past week in basketball scrimmages, and continue to improve every day. Call the HS for upcoming scrimmage times and locations. This is going to be a very good year for the Lady Horns!