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Area's high school football season comes to an end
December 8, 2008There is no more high school football for area teams.
When Archer City lost to Albany 14-7 on Friday, it ended the season. And a bit prematurely I may add.
Since I started covering football at the paper five years ago, I have seen at least one team advance to the semifinals.
Windthorst did so in 2004 and 2005, then lost in the finals in 2006. Seymour and Munday both went to Class A championships a year ago.
And although I was just a stringer then, Petrolia captured the 2002 crown and the Trojans did the same in 2003.
There won't be any more area teams playing football, but there will be a game in the area. Canadian and Mart will play for the Class A title on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Here are some other weekend thoughts:
* If you get a chance, read my Monday column about Jeremy Beesinger. I felt so bad for the kid when I was on the field and he was bawling about the fumble that set up an Albany touchdown. He played a heck of a game -- I hope he remembers that.
* What a great season for Archer City. I know it is not the way everyone wanted it to end, but there is a lot to be proud of finishing 12-1.
I thought from the get-go that the Wildcats would be the cream of the 9-A crop (even if I did predict a loss to Windthorst). But the way they throttled teams the first 12 games was very impressive.
* I know Seymour did not want its season to end last week. But the Panthers might be a little grateful for it.
Because they lost to Quinlan Boles by about 20 (and that is with a late TD). And then Boles lost to Canadian by 41 points (68-27). Ouch.
* I have not seen Stratford play this year. I have seen Albany. But I did watch the Elks take down a couple of very good Windthorst teams in past playoffs. I like Stratford by at least 10.
* It looked like there were a lot of great finishes this weekend. Check out the story on the Abilene Wylie-Prosper game in double overtime. Wild.
* I did not underestimate Albany -- I thought this was a game the Wildcats could lose -- but I left the Mineral Wells Stadium Friday night thinking that Windthorst must have played one heck of a game to be beating the Lions in the closing seconds. The Trojans scored more points against Albany than Archer City did.
* Speaking of the Trojans, Coach Bill Green and Chris Tackett were up in the press box watching the game.
It is always insightful to sit near a coach during a football game. They pick up on things a sports writer like me may miss.
Also, a quick story. While the Wildcats were deciding to go for it on fourth-and-2 at midfield midway through the fourth quarter, Green said they should punt. Even before the play ended up not gaining anything, Green said he would have punted.
Anyone who knows Green or has seen the Trojans play should chuckle at this. Green hates to punt. I have seen him run a fake punt up four touchdowns. I have seen him go for it on fourth-and-short on his own 30-yard line in a huge playoff game (Windthorst-Stratford in 2005).
So I thought that was funny. I cannot wait until I am covering the Trojans in a big game, they are trailing by a touchdown and are in a fourth-and-short situation. He better punt, or I will have to question him about it afterward.
* Just because the football season has ended, you can still check out the blog periodically. If I get the time, I will give some more thoughts on the season (greatest games, biggest surprises, etc.) and once the coaching changes pop up, I will share some thoughts on those, too.
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