Go Friday Night

PRAIRIE LEA

The season, as I recognize it, officially starts tonight. That causes be to turn my attention to Prairie Lea. They are a six-man school located not far from San Antonio. In my mind what makes them special is they were one of two teams that played the first six-man game between Texas schools dating back to 1938.

You probably read in the Abilene Reporter-News today a piece about coaching salaries. Six-man coaches don’t fall in the upper tier that you read about in that article. I really don’t know how much money a six-man coach makes in Texas but I believe they earn what they are paid.

I recently read an article on sixmanfootball.com that stated the coach for Prairie Lea drives about 100 miles a day on I-35 to his coaching job. He most likely falls in the category of not getting paid enough.

Here is a capsule of this season’s edition.
Prairie Lea Indians
District: 16 Division II
Head coach: Wayne Stigler, 13-26 career, four seasons, all at Prairie Lea.
2005 records: 2-6 overall, 0-4 in 16 (fourth)
Returning lettermen: 9
Returning starters: Offense (4) — WR John Cantrell, 5-7, 165, so.; HB Daniel Mendoza, 5-7, 165, jr.; L Vale Moreno, 5-9, 185, so.; QB Hector Rivera, 5-7, 155, jr. Defense (4) — E Cantrell; OLB Mendoza; MLB Moreno; OLB Rivera.

Good Football To You.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

• August 31, 2006 7:10 AM

SEASON’S GREETINGS Wednesday August 30th

Growing up as a kid in Stamford back in the late 50‘s, I loved high school football. You couldn’t grow up then in football crazed Stamford and not love football. I still do. I couldn’t wait to get a copy of the Friday edition of the Abilene Reporter-News to see who they picked to win the games on Friday night. Then I would listen on my transistor radio to KDWT until midnight on Friday night to hear the actual scores. I would still get up early on Saturday morning and run out to the yard to get the paper and read about the games. Area scores were on the front page of the paper right across the top. If you are an old timer like myself, you probably remember when the Saturday morning sports section was on different colored paper? I miss those “on a limb” picks that and I miss the guys covering the “game of the week”. That was a long time ago and maybe it didn’t happen the way I remember it but that is how I remember it.

I am renewing the “picks“ tradition. Every Wednesday during the season I am going to attempt to pick as many games state wide in Six-Man as I can. I may pick your team to win or lose. Either way, you can root for me or root against me, just root!!!!!!!

Here are the Six-Man Central Week Zero Picks. Teams in CAPS are my picks to win.

Ackerly Sands vs. SPUR
Lenorah Grady @ SANDERSON
IRA @ Hermleigh
ROBERT LEE @ Rankin
ROSCOE HIGHLAND @ Newcastle
Water Valley @ MIDLAND TRINITY
ROPESVILLE ROPES @ Southland
Whiteface @ WHITHARRAL
Kress @ MOTLEY COUNTY
Petersburg @ WELLMAN-UNION
Silverton @ MEADOW
CROWELL @ Vernon Northside
Hedley @ LEFORS
Paducah @ SAMNORWOOD
Throckmorton @ GARDEN CITY ***Game of the Week***
STRAWN vs. Lometa
Bryson @ KNOX CITY
Gordon @ GUSTINE
Bowie Gold-Burg @ WICHITA FALLS NOTRE DAME
TRINIDAD vs. Grandfalls-Royalty
Coolidge @ GREENVILLE CHRISTIAN
Dallas Gateway @ FW GLENVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Penelope @ AQUILLA
ABBOTT vs. Eden
Walnut Springs @ GRANBURY HAPPY HILL ACADEMY
May @ WOODSON
Blanket vs. BLUM
Brrokesmith @ RISING STAR
Rochelle @ ZEPHYR
Calvert vs. TURKEY VALLEY
Cherokee vs. ARLINGTON ST. ALBAN’S
DELL CITY vs. Aspermont
LOOP @ Cotton Center
WELCH DAWSON @ Loraine
BORDEN COUNTY @ New Home
TRENT @ Westbrook
Lazbuddie @ AMHERST
McLean @ AFTON PATTON SPRINGS
FOLLETT @ Groom
GUTHRIE @ Lamesa Klondike
Benjamin @ JAYTON
Moran @ SIDNEY
LUEDERS-AVOCA @ Star
APPLE SPRINGS @ Leverett’s Chapel
MORGAN @ Kopperl
LOHN @ Valera Panther Creek
Novice @ Haskell Paint Creek
MULLIN @ Veribest
Iredell @ JONESBORO
Cranfills Gap @ MILFORD
OGLESBY @ Avalon
Abilene Christian High School @ RICHLAND SPRINGS

I wish you and your team well.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

• August 30, 2006 6:27 AM

REVIEW: Two Divisions of Six-Man for 2006

All Six-Man fans are surely aware by now that there will be two Divisions this season thus TWO STATE CHAMPIONS crowned in Six-Man for the first time. I covered all this back in March but, for the sake of any new readers or those that still aren’t quite sure what is going on, I will do this again.

Division 1 is made up of schools with larger enrollment numbers. These schools have 62 or more students in school but less than 100. Division 2 is made up of schools with an enrollment number of 61 or less. Each of the Divisions, 1 and 2, has 4 Regions. Here is a link that will show Division 1 teams By Region and District;
http://www.uil.utexas.edu/2006align/pdf/1A_D1_fb_sixman.pdf Notice that Districts 2, 8, 10, and 14 are byes.

This link will show Division 2 teams by Region and District;
www.uil.utexas.edu/2006align/pdf/1A_D2_fb_sixman.pdf Notice that Districts 2, 6, 11, and 13 are byes.

Here is a link that will show how the BYES will affect the playoffs in both Division 1 and Division 2.
www.uil.utexas.edu/athletics/manuals/football/1A_6man_bracket.pdf

There has been lots of discussion about this format. The main criticism heard over and over is that District winners might be entitled to a BYE but Runner ups should have to play a first round playoff game. Be that as it may, it ain’t gonna happen like that this season.

Wednesday, August 30th, be sure and read this blog to see who I have picked to win WEEK ZERO games. I have picked winners in over 50 Six-Man games. I will be picking and blogging every Wednesday throughout the season. Do I hear BOOS or CHEERS? Check out your game!!!!!!!!!

BTW speaking of checking things outbe sure and get your copy of the Abilene Reporter-News Kickoff 06 and look at what they are doing with Six-Man on line at GoFridayNight.Com.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

• August 26, 2006 11:17 PM

THE SEASON BEGINS AUGUST 31 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are now less than a week away from WEEK ZERO. The teams are ready to play real games. The Preseason rankings are in place. Those of you that are regular readers here have seen my rankings for both Division One and Division Two. Today I post for you the Coaches Preseason Top 20 for each Division.

SIX-MAN COACHES POLL
DIVISION ONE
1. Richland Springs
2. Garden City
3. Trinidad
4. Rule
5. Throckmorton
6. Meadow
7. Turkey Valley
8. Blum
9. Calvert
10. Lorenzo
11. Fort Davis
12. Knox City
13. Robert Lee
14. May
15. Highland
16. Paducah
17. Strawn
18. Blanket
19. Happy
20. Abbott
20. Rankin

SIX-MAN COACHES POLL DIVISION TWO
1. Grandfalls-Royalty
2. Whitharral
3. Dell City
4. Woodson
5. Follett
6. Samnorwood
7. Borden County
8. Patton Springs
9. Sanderson
10. Lohn
11. Gustine
12. Jayton
13. Milford
14. McLean
15. Balmorhea
16. Motley County
17. Zephyr
18. Loop
19. Oglesby
20. Trent

Let the games begin.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

Don Hardin’s Six-Man Central Yahoo Group
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/sixmancentral/

• August 25, 2006 10:48 PM

ACHS Panthers / Rule Bobcats

It is August. It is HOT! It is FOOTBALL SEASON in Texas. I wished this was a real game. It is just a scrimmage. These two teams are working to be in tip top shape when the season's real games begin. Even so, I implore all Abilene area football fans, especially Six-Man fans, to come out to Elmer Gray stadium on the campus of Abilene Christian University Thursday August 24th, at 6:00 PM to watch a scrimmage between Abilene Christian High School and Rule. It is just a scrimmage, but man it should be a dandy one. Both teams will learn lots about themselves and the other team.

This could be billed as Public School vs. Private School. It is much more than that. What you have are two of the top Six-Man schools in the entire state going against each other. Both squads will have opportunity to see where they are at this point in the young season and what areas they need to be working on. Did I say it is just a scrimmage?

You have Abilene Christian High School, a defending State Champion from the Private school circle going against a Public school with its sight set on winning the Division 1 State Championship this season. Both teams have a very good group of returning starters from last season thus setting up a great scrimmage..

Come out and watch for yourself how good these two teams are. Both will get even better as the season progresses. Don’t be one of the ones saying that you are sorry you missed it!
BE THERE! Even fans need to be getting in shape. Be prepared because the weather is going to be HOT. The action on the field will be even HOTTER. See you there.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

Visit Don Hardin’s Six-Man Central group at Yahoo.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/sixmancentral/

• August 23, 2006 7:28 PM

A Tale of Three Communities

This season is the first year of the UIL crowning not one but two State Champions in Six-Man Football. Like it or not it is here to stay. Well, at least this season and next.

Something else that is happening this season is that Eden, Knox City, and Rankin are all going to play Six-Man football. Hart is going to play Six-Man also but as a outlaw schedule and we might discuss that in a later blog but as this is titled A Tale of Three Communities, not now.

Eden is no garden at this time. They are in a drought just like the rest of us and they can only water once a week and as a result, the football field isn’t in its best shape. I feel sorry for the kind gentleman there that is in charge of the field. It is really eating on him. He takes his job very seriously. He needs a good rain to help him jump over the bar so to speak. His daughter can give him a lesson or two about getting over the bar but that too is another story.

The decision was made for Eden to come up to Six-Man and it would appear that not everyone is too happy about that. As a matter of fact it seems like there are some real sore heads about it. I can’t guarantee that Eden will be successful at the Six-Man level. I certainly hope they will be. After going 1-9 in 11 man last season, a few wins would be welcomed.

Daniel Fontenot is the “new” coach in Eden. He certainly wants his team to do well just as I do. Now that the decision is in place and Eden is going to play Six-man, it would really be helpful to him and the kids of Eden if the community would get behind this program 100 %. It just so happens that they are in the same district as powerhouse Richland Springs is in. I would guess that Eden will be playing for the second place in that district and it is a very doable thing.

What kind of Booster Club does Eden have? I don’t know. What I do know is Richland Springs has the best in the state and if you Eden people want their help all you got to do is ask and they will show you the ropes. You fans in Eden don’t owe me a thing. You do owe it to your kids to back them in this new endeavor. Just Do It!

Over in Knox City, the town there is real excited about coming up to Six-Man. That is the way it should be. Coach Mitch Lee will teach his GreyHounds more in a single day than what they ever knew about playing with eleven. I don’t know what kind of Offense he will run but I won’t be surprised to see him using the J Bird. You KC fans are going to be in for lots of fun. Knox City has got lots of speed and that will cove a multitude of sins that they may make due to the lack of experience of playing Six-Man.

Mitch Lee knows what it takes to win. He has a proven record. Are the young men that are out for football in Knox City coachable? If they are, mark my word, Knox City will be a force to be reckoned with this first season. Are there problems ahead for KC? Thay are in a STRONG district. Throckmorton, Rule, Aspermont, and Spur will make KC earn any district win they get.

Rankin. Home of the Red Devils. Through the years that has equated to way more wins than losses. Rankin has been known to put the fear of God in their opponents over the years. Times gone by, they were a sure bet to make the playoffs. This season coming up to Six-Man, they have a fairly large task ahead of them to make the playoffs as they have both Garden City and Fort Davis in their district. Lenorah Grady and Ackerly Sands round out this district. The Devils will want to make a statement if they can to carry on their outstanding tradition of winning football.

Most Six-Man faithful will tell you Rankin has already made a statement of sort by going out and hiring Danny Davis as the HC to lead them into the Six-Man era. Not a bad choice. As the HC at Throckmorton for the last two years, he has a record of 28-1 and a State Championship to go with it. He will be the first to tell you that he was with the Throckmorton players longer than his two years as HC. He will also be the first to tell you that what happened at Throckmorton was special and is very difficult to duplicate. I will be the first to tell you that Danny Davis is going to field a competitive team at Rankin and the other teams in the district, all of them, had better be on their toes.

The fans in Rankin don’t hope to win, they expect to win and they have had some pretty successful teams in the past and they will expect it on the Six-Man level as well. They take pride in their football. If the players at Rankin are as dedicated to winning as Coach Davis is, Rankin fans will have lots to be proud of this season.

I attended a scrimmage today and it was fun but no substitute for a real game. I have been chomping at the bits to get this season going and I can’t wait for the first “GAME”. For me that is Richland Springs hosting Abilene Christian High School on Thursday August 31st. I know not everyone can go to that but let me tell you that should be on heck of a game. These two teams had one loss each last season with Richland Springs lone loss coming to Throckmorton in the State Semi Finals and ACHS loss to Aspermont enroute to winning a State Championship in the “Private” schools. Remember that is on a Thursday night so come on to Richland Springs and let’s get this sucker going!!!!!!!!!

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com
Don Hardin’s Six-Man Central Yahoo Group http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/sixmancentral/

If you like football, YOU WILL LOVE SIX-MAN!!!!

I feel good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• August 19, 2006 9:58 PM

Division II Top 5

Today we finish our look at the Top 5 Teams in Division II of Six-Man football.

# 5 Lohn Eagles
The Lohn Eagles finished up 7-3 last season and return 3 Offensive and 3Defensive starters from the 2005 edition. They will be challenged by the # 10 team in this poll for the district championship but I look for them to go far in the playoffs.

# 4 Follett Panthers
The Follett Panthers scratched their way to a 6-4 record last season. They will return six starters from last season, 3 on Offense and 3 on Defense. They will be solid and ready for the playoffs.

# 3 Woodson Cowboys
Last season the Cowboys managed to go 8-2 and they have 4 Offensive starters and 3 Defensive players back. Couple that with the fact this district looks weak on paper, you can look for the Cowboys to ride hard on their district competitors. All of the other teams in this district only had 5 wins amongst them last season. Yee Ha! This appears to be a run away, land slide, get out of their way COWBOY Stomp.

# 2 Grandfalls-Royalty Cowboys
These Cowboys played their way to a 12-3 season last year and they have 4 Offensive and 4 Defensive players returning for this season. Look for these guys to go down the playoff road one more time.

# 1 Whitharral Panthers
Can a coaching change stop these guys? Their head coach from last season made a decision to apply his trade elsewhere this season. Lots of coaches moved around during the off season. The Panthers were strong last season and will be strong again this season.
Their new coach has 3 Offensive starters and 4 Defensive starters returning from last season and they are capable of moving the ball on the ground or through the air. The Defense will be stout. Again, the question is how will the tam and coach adapt to each other? If things go well, there will be a State Championship trophy with Witharral’s name on it at the end of the season!
Good Football To All of You!

Next blog we will discuss the pros and cons of going from 11 man football to the Six-Man game. Of course we will be discussing the towns of Eden, Knox City, and Rankin.

Don Hardin
txsixii@yahoo.com

• August 17, 2006 1:49 PM

Division II Rankings

We have looked at the Division I Team rankings so it is only fair that we take a quick glance over at Division II. Today we will go from # 10 to # 6.

Division II Six-Man Central Pre Season Rankings

6. Samnorwood
7. Dell City
8. Gail Borden County
9. Afton Patton Springs
10. Zephyr

# 10 Zephyr Bulldogs

Zephyr happens to be a Division II school from last year that had a winning record. Not many teams in this division can say that. With that said, they also happen to return 3 Offensive starters and 3 Defensive starters from last season’s crew. They are in District 14 meaning that they face Lohn as a district foe and that will not be easy.

# 9 Afton Patton Springs Rangers
Afton Patton Springs went 7-3 during the 2005 campaign. They return 3 Offensive players and 3 Defensive players and will most likely face Guthrie for the District 9 championship.

# 8 Gail Borden County Coyotes
Coach Avery and his team were 8-3 as a playoff team last season and will be the team to beat this season in District 4. Jayton should be the competition for the Coyotes in district play.

# 7 Dell City Cougars
Dell City played to a 7 and 3 record last season. I look for them to win District 1 this season based on the return of 5 Offensive and 5 Defensive players. Speed will carry them through the tough district games.

# 6 Samnorwood Eagles
Last season these Eagles were the runner ups in District play and you can look for them to be champions this season. They return 5 Offensive starters and 4 Defensive starters from last season. There are some Tigers in this district that will try to take down the Eagles.

I want to thank those of you that were well wishers for my daughetr's wedding this past Friday night.

Feel free to comment if you like about the blog. You can always email me at
txsixii@yahoo.com

We will look at the top 5 teams in the next installment. Thanks again for your support and please support the sport of Six-Man football.

Don Hardin

• August 13, 2006 4:59 PM

SMC BLOG 53

Oops! I missed adding SMC Blog 53. Sorry about that.

Football is a funny sport. The ball bounces funny and some times a funny bounce of the ball can make or break your season. THAT ain’t funny. Six-Man competition is just as hot as any other division of football played in Texas. Some say football is football and some say Texas is Texas but I say Texas Football, well there isn’t anything to compare it to. If you are a “fan” of a team, go out and support that team. If you are like me and just love the Six-Man game, get ready for some football and go watch a game. You will be glad you did.

Coaches, remember it is hot! Be sure your young men have water when they need it.

Today’s team is Number 6 Turkey Valley.

Six-Man Central Division 1 Preseason Rankings
1. Richland Springs Region 4, District 15
2. Rule Region 2, District 7
3. Garden City Region 1, District 1
4. Throckmorton Region 2, District 7
5. Trinidad Region 3, District 10
6. Turkey Valley Region 2, District 6
7. Meadow Region 1, District 4
8. Highland Region 1, District 3
9. Calvert Region 4, District 16
10. Fort Davis Region 1, District 1

Coach: Bret Tyler
Last season 14-1 (State Finalist)
Returning Starters Offense 2 Defense 1

• August 9, 2006 6:59 AM

SMC BLOG 54

Practice has begun. Players have had the opportunity over the summer to get themselves in shape. They have had the opportunity to lift weights. Now, you belong to the coach. Every one likes a break but every athlete knows that there is no off season.

Teams are gearing up to go the long haul. Scrimmages, pre district contest, district games, playoff games and ultimately the State Championship. Coach Tom Landry said you play the game to determine the difference between pretenders and contenders. Time will tell who is who. Right now I hope that there are players on every team in the state that have set their eyes on the goal to be the best they can be. I hope they challenge themselves to be better tomorrow than they were today.

Seniors, this season will pass quicker than any season you have seen so far. That is true if you win all your games or lose all your games. Play every game with the thought it may be your last game. Good football to each of you and your teams.

Speaking of contenders, here are five teams that I believe are true contenders for the State Championship.

Six-Man Central Division I TOP 5 Teams

1. Richland Springs Coyotes
2. Rule Bobcats
3. Garden City Bearkats
4. Throckmorton Greyhounds
5. Trinidad Trojans

NUMBER 5:
The Trinidad Trojans are coached by Kevin Ray. Coach Ray has been coaching for 22 years and has won a State Championship while at Trinidad back in 1998. Last season, the Trojans were 11-1 losing in the quarterfinals to the eventual State Champions Throckmorton Greyhounds by the score of 78-32. Coach Ray’s team returns 5 Offensive starters and 5 Defensive starters. When I spoke with Coach Ray at the coaching clinic in Lubbock, he was very excited about the upcoming season. This team has the makings os a Champion.

NUMBER 4:
The Throckmorton Greyhounds are the defending State Champions in Six-Man Football. Even being ranked at number 4, these guys will wear that title until they are knocked out of the playoffs. The Greyhounds graduated some great talent from last season and they have a new coach as well. Don’t feel sorry for the Greyhounds because they will be a force again this season. They have a seasoned coach in Clyde Parham. They do have 3 returning starters from last yeas defensive squad. They have only one player returning on Offense. Don’t get out the crying towel yet because he just happens to be Bryce Hogue.
Other players will have to step up for Throckmorton to return to the State Championship.

NUMBER 3:
The Garden City Bearkats are poised to be Champions. Last season the Bearkats went 10-2 and won Bi-district. They return 4 starters on both sides of the ball. Their coach from last season, Coach Ken Hoskins, made a decision to move from coaching into administration. I was totally shocked, however the last I heard was that was a very good move for both Mr. Hoskins and the school.

Not just any coach would do to fill the huge hole left by Hoskins and not just any coach was chosen as his replacement either. Enter Coach Vance Jones. Make that legendary Coach Vance Jones. With the experience he brings to the table and the returning starters the Bearkats have, look for them to make a deep run into the playoffs.

NUMBER 2:
The Rule Bobcats are coached by Mike Reed. Coach Reed has established himself as one of the most respected coaches in Six-Man. He returns 4 starters on Offense and 3 starters on Defense. Rule went 11-1 last season losing to Richland Springs 66-38.

The Bobcats came up limping at he end of the last season due to a key injury. Healthy now, they will again be among the elite in Six-Man. Just managing to advance to the playoffs from this district will make them a team to be reckoned with as they will battle with Throckmorton and upstart Knox City (more Greyhounds) along with Aspermont and Spur. District 7 is a tough race.

NUMBER 1 :
The Richland Springs Coyotes coached by Jerry Burkhart. Many people say he is the best coach in Six-Man. I for one believe he has one of the best coaching jobs in Texas at any level. The community support is phenomenal and that doesn’t just happen. A winning program takes a good coach and staff and great players and parents that will back up the authorities and tireless workers who keep the wheels well oiled on the booster club. Richland Springs simply has it all.

Richland Springs has a rich TRADITION that has made it one of the top programs in Six-Man football. They lost in the Regional round in 2001. They lost in the Quarterfinals in 2002. They lost in the Semifinals in 2003. They won State in 2004. 2005 they went 13-1. Look for them to collect many additional trophies this season including the Six-Man Division I State Championship.

Boys and girls, this is my last blog until next week. I have some personal business to attend to. My baby daughter is getting married on Friday August 11th. The next blog will begin a count down on the season for Division II Six-Man schools.

Any questions or comments about SIX MAN CENTRAL are always welcomed. If you prefer to email me directly you may do so at txsixii@yahoo.com and you are encouraged to visit http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/sixmancentral/

I truly appreciate the support I have received from you folks and I believe the best is yet to come.

Don Hardin

• August 7, 2006 6:46 AM

SMC BLOG 52

The Texas 6-Man Coaches Association has held their annual coaching clinic in Lubbock for the last nine or ten years in a row. It will be held there again next summer. Before that it was held in Wichita Falls for four years and before that it was held in Stephenville for a dozen years or longer. I believe it is time for Abilene to make a push to host the coaching clinic right here in the Friendly Frontier.

As of a more immediate task, I hope that the powers that be are already working on hosting this upcoming season’s Six-Man State Championship games. Both of them, Division I and Division II.

Actually, both ideas are being pursued as we speak, or as you read. The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, the AISD, and others are currently involved in the early planning stages for the aforementioned events.

I have mentioned before that I believe that there are good things that are happening or going to be happening in the world of Six-Man sports and I feel stronger than ever about right now.

Abilene, as a city, truly could become SIX-MAN CENTRAL. Some things that are being more than just kicked around are a Six-Man school’s track meet in March and possibly a 32 team Six-Man school’s basketball tournament held during the Christmas holidays. That is only the beginning of it! Trust me.

Back to the business at hand of the count down of Division I top ten teams. Today’s team is Number 7 Meadow.

Six-Man Central Division 1 Preseason Rankings
1. Richland Springs Region 4, District 15
2. Rule Region 2, District 7
3. Garden City Region 1, District 1
4. Throckmorton Region 2, District 7
5. Trinidad Region 3, District 10
6. Turkey Valley Region 2, District 6
7. Meadow Region 1, District 4 8. Highland Region 1, District 3
9. Calvert Region 4, District 16
10. Fort Davis Region 1, District 1

Meadow Broncos
Division I, Region 1, District 4Coach Cody Carroll
Last season 13-1 State Semifinalist (School Record)
Returning Starters Offense 2 / Defense 3

• August 4, 2006 6:12 AM

SMC BLOG 51

It is time for a history lesson. In 1972, something happened that had not happened before. Six-Man Football in Texas crowned a State Champion. Up to that point there were Regional Champions, not State Champions.

Six-Man State Championship History

1972 O’Brien 60 Jarrell 14
1973 Cherokee 43 Marathon 12
1974 Marathon 60 Cherokee 58
1975 Cherokee 40 Marathon 26
1976 Marathon 62 May 16
1977 May 42 Marathon 35
1978 Cherokee 29 Cotton Center 27
1979 Milford 53 Cotton Center 34
1980 Milford 38 Highland 16
1981 Whitharral 56 Mullin 36
1982 Highland 60 Mullin 13
1983 Highland 67 Mozelle 50
1984 Jayton 44 May 28
1985 Jayton 64 Christoval 14
1986 Fort Hancock 50 Christoval 36
1987 Lohn 58 Wellman 30
1988 Fort Hancock 76 Zephyr 30
1989 Fort Hancock 48 Jayton 24
1990 Fort Hancock 66 Christoval 17
1991 Fort Hancock 64 Christoval 14
1992 Panther Creek 54 Fort Hancock 26
1993 Panther Creek 56 Dell City 28
1994 Amherst 30 Milford 20
1995 Amherst 72 Milford 48
1996 Gordon 51 Whitharral 50
1997 Borden County 48 Panther Creek 16
1998 Trinidad 62 Borden County 16
1999 Gordon 54 Groom 34
2000 Panther Creek 42 Highland 36
2001 Whitharral 27 Richland Springs 20
2002 Calvert 51 Sanderson 46
2003 Strawn 67 Fort Davis 62
2004 Richland Springs 58 Turkey Valley 38
2005 Throckmorton 68 Turkey Valley 22

2006 will be special because Six-Man will crown two Champions in Texas.

We are continuing to look a little closer at the Pre Season Poll. Today we look at Number 8 Highland
Six-Man Central Division 1 Preseason Rankings
1. Richland Springs Region 4, District 15
2. Rule Region 2, District 7
3. Garden City Region 1, District 1
4. Throckmorton Region 2, District 7
5. Trinidad Region 3, District 10
6. Turkey Valley Region 2, District 6
7. Meadow Region 1, District 4
8. Highland Region 1, District 3
9. Calvert Region 4, District 16
10. Fort Davis Region 1, District 1

Highland Hornets
Division I, Region 1, District 3
Coach Karry Owens
Last season 12-1 State Quarterfinalist
Returning Starters: Offense 4 / Defense 3

• August 2, 2006 10:22 PM

SMC BLOG 50

First day of August!!!!! The time is drawing nearer. Today we look a little closer at Calvert, the Number 9 team on the Six-Man Central Preseason Poll.

Six-Man Central Division 1 Preseason Rankings
1. Richland Springs Region 4, District 15
2. Rule Region 2, District 7
3. Garden City Region 1, District 1
4. Throckmorton Region 2, District 7
5. Trinidad Region 3, District 10
6. Turkey Valley Region 2, District 6
7. Meadow Region 1, District 4
8. Highland Region 1, District 3
9. Calvert Region 4, District 16
10. Fort Davis Region 1, District 1

Calvert Trojans
Division I, Region 4, District 16
Coach Coylin Grimes
Last season 8-3
Returning Starters Offense 4 / Defense 4

• August 1, 2006 6:26 AM