Go Friday Night

The Only thing Lost was the Game

For Jim Ned, the 32-27 loss against Canadian in the Quarter Regionals in Lubbock on Friday afternoon was heartbreaking. The Wildcats took a three-touchdown lead early in the game and held on from there.

Cam Holson was the first Indian to tack on six with a 64 yard pass reception from Colt McCoy, and Peter Schiessler split the uprights to bring the score to 19-7. Josh Lovelady scored next, in the third quarter, to bring the Indians within 5. The point after attempt was no good. Lovelady scored again in the final frame after another successful Wildcat scoring drive, and with 1:58 left in the game, Colt McCoy aired out the final touchdown pass of the game to his brother, Chance McCoy.

But it was too little too late. The final true play of the game was a fourth-and-inches scenario. With 1:14 to go, CHS running back Auston English took the ball five yards past the first down mark, which sealed the win for the Wildcats. Two knees later, it was over.

The Canadian Wildcats were the better team that afternoon, taking home the Quarter Regional Championship trophy and remaining undefeated. This is the first season, incidentally, that Canadian can claim that fact.

Jim Ned lost the game on Friday night, but one thing is certain: the team never lost heart. They never lost their class, they never lost their pride, they never lost their character. They never lost their character, and that says a lot about their coach.

In the shadow of an emotional week for the Indians, losing Michael Petty to injury, and more seriously, nearly losing him period -- it really was not about the loss. It was about living life and learning that there is more indeed to football than just winning. The guys are a team in a family-tight way, brought together by coach Brad McCoy who has had an opportunity that dads dream of -- coaching his sons Colt and Chance through the seasons. Colt is headed somewhere big, be it Texas, or LSU, or Stamford, depending on who you hear. Chance is only a sophomore, believe it or not, and will only get stronger.

Cam Holson can now turn his sights on the orange ball with the Indians, and earlier this month, he announced his intent to play basketball at ACU.

There's Big 99, Sawyer Smith, who left an impression on many a offensive linemen and even defenders at times; John Starnes, another TE/DE who I expect to see play at college somewhere;

Lantz Thomas, Monty Robinson, Matt Gleason, Brandon O'Dell, and Kole King, Michael Petty, Travis Sims, Evan Goodman and Garret Gwinn, who made up the offensive and defensive units, never stopped for anyone as they plowed paths for RB Matt Blanton as well Josh Lovelady and DJ Tate who, along with Jace Yarbrough, had many wonderful moments on both sides of the ball. DB Clinton McClure had his best game against Canadian. Josh Swonger is a hero in his own light, overcoming adversity both on and off the field.

Paul Jennings, Brandon Mansfield, O'Dell, and Billy Smith had short seasons due to injury, and both were missed.

Kolby Dean, Zach Shew, and Justin Davis were tremendous with the ball, and also had superb defensive moments -- all three were all over the place during the playoff game against Crane last week.

I specifically remember seeing Reece and Jace Rhoden line up on the same side as receivers. Both made awesome catches during the season.

I can count Peter Schiessler's missed field goals on one hand. He's the most accurate field goal kicker I've had the chance to watch.

There are the returners: QB Cam Decker, who defensively was responsible for two interceptions against Canadian, is a junior. Kit Lefevre, a sophomore, had a tremendous year as well in the WR slot. Stephen Hernandez, a junior who didn't hear his name echoing over the intercom much during the season, was a defensive catalyst. Lane Davis, who's best game was arguably against Canadian (he's had several this season), is another junior. Jennings is a junior, and so is Mansfield.

For the Indians, it's bittersweet. But there is not a soul in Tuscola who is
disappointed. Coach McCoy is right: Losing does hurt. But ultimately, it is the losses in life that define who we are in life -- not that we lost, but that we are gracious. Not that we failed, but that we were accepting. Not that we weren't capable, but that we were not perfect. And not that we fell apart, but that we, as a team and a community, did it together. And not a single person should have been let down.

Blogger's Note: I enjoyed the season, guys! I really appreciate the principal allowing me sideline access at the eastland game. I was a bit nervous, I must admit. A photographer for Grape Creek, gave me a quick tutorial on the camera I have, and the pictures instantly went from good to great. Then Jennifer Clark allowed me to use the holy grail of cameras -- and I still haven't seen the pictures yet! But I am patiently waiting (haha). The parents are awesome, and to see the pictures I had taken on the lockerroom walls was kinda neat. But I am really taken aback by how supportive everyone was for each other -- I doubt you'd ever see that at a big school. JNISD, you guys should be proud! And thanks again!

• Suzie
• November 28, 2004 12:22 AM

Jim Ned Player Injured in Accident

Michael Petty was injured in a fatal car wreck on the way home on a foggy Sunday night. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, and I want to wish the best of luck to Michael in his recovery. My prayers are also with the family of the other person involved in the accident.

• Suzie
• November 23, 2004 2:44 AM

Photos from the big win!

Here are a few photos from the big victory over Crane:

The first one show Matt Blanton (15) breaking one of several tackles on the way to the endzone in the second half of the game.

The second one shows D.J. Tate fighting a crowd of Crane players.

The third shows Seth Doege rolling out early in the first quarter.

The fourth shows Peter Schiessler on his way to having a flawless night, going 8 for 8.

• November 22, 2004 8:33 PM

Bi-District Champions!

Shotwell Stadium hosted the 2A Bi-District Championships on Thursday, a matchup that featured the 3-2A Jim Ned Indians and the 4-2A Anson Tigers. For Jim Ned, it was just another ballgame, the only difference being that the team wasn't gathered under their home teepee chanting the entrance to Thunderstruck before charging onto the field.

In the first quarter, the Indians opened up a can of touchdown with an eighteen yard zinger from Colt McCoy to Cam Holson. Peter Schiessler completed the scoring drive with a field goal.

The Indians had the ball close to the endzone at the end of the first, and Chance McCoy took a six-yard pass from his brother for six. The field goal attempt failed, one of maybe three misses on the season for Schiessler.

On the ensuing kickoff, K. C. Fields, a utility man for the Tigers, ran the ball coast to coast to put Anson on the board, 13-7. But the Indians weren't finished yet. Before the half was over, Holson met the endzone again, as well as Zack Shew, who ran in a 44 yard reception with under two minutes to go.

Holson and Chance McCoy scored again in the third quarter, and DJ Tate commanded two touchdowns in the final frame of the game to round out the game, 54-7. Tate, incidentally, led the game with 105 yards rushing.

Their next opponent will be Crane, who beat Sonora 14-0 Friday night in San Angelo. The location remains a mystery as of this time.

Blogger's Comments: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Tate only appeared in the fourth quarter. Anyone know if this is a fact?

• Suzie
• November 14, 2004 2:56 AM

Briefing on San Saba and Ballinger Games

My apologies to everyone -- I was too busy looking through the lens of a really nice camera to actually pay attention to the goings-on of the last two games of the season.

The San Saba routing was in reality a typical game for Jim Ned this season, but for the Armadillos, their best showing was at half time. I, for one, have never witnessed a blacked-out stadium, with the exception of Shotwell Stadium every morning when I go to work. But the 'Dillos Band had a superb halloween concert, shutting off the lights and performing with a glow-in-the-dark drumline and neon cheerleaders. It was really nice to see such a change in normal half-time events. Kudos to the creative masterminds behind that one!

Against Ballinger, I don't see how the Bearcats were kept at three points the entire game. The Indians' defense was rock-solid as usual, But Logan Newsom was all over the field against them. I'm not saying that they are a one-man team, but almost every play featured #80 somewhere.

QB Colt McCoy threw for a total of 647 yards in the two games.

Check out the statistics for the San Saba game here
and the Ballinger game here.

• Suzie
• November 14, 2004 2:39 AM