Your Source for Sports in Parker County Texas!

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 premiere issue

Your source for SPORTS in Parker County Texas! Featuring: Aledo, Brock, Millsap, Peaster, Poolville, Springtown, Trinity Christian Academy, Victory Baptist Academy, Weatherford Christian & Weatherford

www.yourhometownsports.com

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Your Hometown Sports Magazine , Inc. 1145 Santa Fe Drive #2641 Weatherford Texas 76086 contents 817-964-3159 PUBLICATION INFORMATION

Publisher: Joe Adams ALEDO BEARCATS SPRINGTOWN LADY [email protected] 6 28 Big D - Defense PORCUPINES Editor: Phil Riddle Playoffs or bust [email protected] ALEDO LADY 8 Sales Manager: Kimberly Young BEARCATS 30 TRINITY CHRISTIAN [email protected] Playoff chances EAGLES Advertising Consultant: Joe Adams Great Expectations [email protected]

Creative Director: Denise Zitzevancih 10 BROCK EAGLES [email protected] MOVIN ON UP TRINITY CHRISTIAN 32 Bigger Things LADY EAGLES Publisher accepts no responsibility for unsolicited or Movin on up contributed, articles, photographs, artwork or advertis- ments. All information regarding editorial content is deemed reliable. 14 BROCK LADY EAGLES 33 OUTDOORS Champion Pedigree Hunting Season, Archery, Bow Hunting Visit us on the web at: www.yourhometownsports.com

16 BROCK YOUTH 34 VICTORY BAPTIST FOOTBALL ADADEMY LADY 817-964-3159 Spreading their Wings PATRIOTS Your Hometown Sports, Inc. We’re Baaaaaaack is your new source in print and digital media. 18 MILLSAP BULLDOGS 35 Weatherford Highlighting Parker County Sports! Brand Spanking New christian lady lions Our Magazine is packed with tips, Shifting Gears winning articles, and local athletic content. Visit us on the web! 20 MILLSAP LADY BULLDOGS 38 Weatherford’s Positive Reinforcement Coach Reid Weiler Gotta Believe

22 PEASTER LADY Greyhounds 42 WEATHERFORD A new season for Autumn ROOS Home Sweet Home

23 POOLVILLE LADY 44 WEATHERFORD THIS MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONARCHS LADY ROOS BY YOUR HOMETOWN SPORTS, INC. Spike Win Repeat Digging It! President: Kimberly Young [email protected]

Vice President: Joe Adams SPRINGTOWN VIEW FROM THE [email protected] 26 46 PORCUPINES PRESS BOX Corporate Secretary: Phil Riddle High Stakes I have got to be the luckiest guy [email protected]

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ISSN: 1584-3831 3 | October 2011 SportsPlanet Editor’s Corner: I don’t know who originally said it, but late-arriving fans look for seats. it could not come together. football season puts it into absolute And the sight of the hometown team But that’s not the whole team. perspective. racing onto the gridiron as the band You, our readers, are now part of the “The older I get, the better I was.” belts out the fight song and the crowd team. A very important part. Amen. invariably goes crazy. We’re counting on you to read each I always mumble when I discuss the And that’s just the fans. bi-monthly issue of the magazine. actual dates of my exceedingly limited Think about the excitement building in We’re counting on you to visit our sports career, but suffice it to say it was the hearts of the participants, not just daily coverage of Parker County about the same number of years on the in football, but in every sport in which sports at our Web site, calendar as it is now pounds on the our kids participate. www.yourhometownsports.com. scale since I was a participant. All the practice, scrapes, bruises, study- Too many to discuss in polite company. ing and more practice has led them to And as a part of the YHS team, we As a teen in West Texas I played high this point. want to be accessible to you. Contact school football. A sport at which I had It’ll be years before they realize the true us with story ideas or things you’d like what my position coach called “delu- value of what they’ve accomplished. to see in our pages and on our Web sions of adequacy.” Over the years (okay, decades) us for- site. Write us to let us know what we’ve I was too small at about 140 pounds in mer (old) athletes come to realize their done well and where we’ve fallen short. my gear. time in sports taught some invaluable Visit our Facebook page. And I was too slow. One coach said lessons. Lessons they’ve turned to in Like all teams, we want to be great and he could time me in the 40-yard-dash their professional, personal and spiri- that necessitates teamwork. with a sundial. tual lives. And you are part of our team. In a world ruled by Maseratis and Like, the bigger they are the more it Lamborghinis, I was a moped. hurts when they hit you. I made Rudy look like an NFL draft Seriously, being part of a team is one of Phil Riddle choice. Face it. I probably made Heidi the most critical aspects sports partici- Phil Riddle look like a Division I prospect. pation has to offer our youth. Editor But in spite of my shortcomings, I It teaches the value of hard work, disci- loved the game. Still do. pline, the excitement of reaching a goal Especially at the high school level. and perhaps biggest, the importance of Nothing can replace the explosions team work. of the senses on a Friday night when That selfsame teamwork is part of a group of teenagers represents their every job. peers, their parents and their town in Take for instance launching a new competition. sports magazine in Parker County. The smell of popcorn and hotdogs at Without the work of every team mem- the concession stand. ber from photographers and writers, to The sound of the drum line playing as sales professionals and graphic artists,

44 || September/OctoberOctober 2011 Sports 2012Planet | Your Hometown Sports Magazine wells aledo bearcats

against the fourth-ranked Highland Park Scots in the Tom Landry Classic at SMU. Other non-district matchups include a trip to former district opponent Stephenville and a hosting of Mexico’s Monterrey Tech. But with the return of six starters from a crew that allowed just 237 points in its final 14 games of 2011, the highly touted Aledo defense could wind up being the team’s strength all year long. Pacing the core of the ‘Cats D is Texas Football preseason District 7-4A defensive MVP Gunner Johnson, a 6-0, 200-pound linebacker with 4.7 speed who registered a whopping 143 tackles in 2011, and 5-10, 165-pound free safety Shea Wood, who was credited with 127 tackles a year ago. Add to those standouts strong safety Clayton Lowe, who crashed opposing ball carriers for 79 tackles, get their legs under them. and cornerback Johnny Carter, “The Bearcats should make a good run in the state play- who snagged four interceptions, offs,” said Buchanan in an interview with lonestargrid- and Aledo will continue to be a iron.com. “We will be much improved on defense, but tough out. Big D with the loss of Johnathan Gray, Matt Bishop, Michael There’s no arguing losing their Wilson, Hayden Lambert, Latham Johnson and Michael leading ground gainer, three line- Defense needs to Mann, we will struggle to produce points early.” men, their top receiving threat and come up big for High school football pundits are seeing much the same their QB to college programs will picture. be tough to overcome. reloaded Bearcats “The post-Johnathan Gray era begins at Aledo, where But that doesn’t mean the Bearcats The Aledo Bearcats had little the Bear- cats must find other weapons to continue will be without firepower. trouble scoring points in their 2011 their offensive dominance,” wrote Greg Tepper in Dave Expected to take over as the feature drive to a third consecutive state Campbell’s Texas Football. “The good news, though, running back is Caleb Frysinger, Class 4A title. is that while the offense sorts things out, the defense is who rambled for 294 yards and five Riding the legs of all-everything good enough to keep things afloat.” touchdowns on 33 carries in relief running back Johnathan Gray They can’t wait too long to crank up offensively, of Gray last year. Frysinger also and the arm of highly efficient though, as Aledo’s first game is slated for zero week – grabbed 13 passes, averaging nearly QB Matthew Bishop, the Bearcats racked up 885 points, second most in Texas schoolboy history and steamrolling to the crown. That was then. Now with Gray gone to the university of Texas and Bishop taking snaps at Tarleton State in Stephenville, the Orange and Black offense will look, shall we say, different. This is now. Coach Tim Buchanan’s squad, ranked No. 8 among Class 4A teams in preseason polling, is expected to lean on its defense early in the season while new offensive starters

6 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine aledo bearcats

20 yards a catch, scoring three touch- and 37 touchdowns in 2011 while downs. Rhodes, his favorite target, scooted The success of the Aledo offense is for more than 1,300 yards and 21 contingent on an efficient quarterback. scores. Remember Bishop threw for 3,000 Arlington Heights and Wyatt are yards and half-dozen TDs last season, expected to be in the postseason as well as rushing for nearly 600 yards chase, as well. and eight scores. With a preseason ranking in the Davis, the heir apparent, brings Top 10, chances are good the impressive statistics to the huddle this Bearcats could play deep into the season -242 yards on the ground on 24 playoffs, which is something Aledo carries, 19 receptions for 258 yards, and fans and Buchanan would obvi- 103 yards passing - especially consider- ously enjoy. ing he accumulated those numbers as a backup. Buchanan voices his confidence in his Article by: Phil Riddle quarterback, who earned All-District 5-4A honors last year as a utility player. “He will be a dual threat at quarter- BEARCATS back,” Buchanan told lonestargridiron. by the numbers com, “and will eventually get the 4 - The number of state titles Aledo has won offense going.” (1998, 2009, 2010, 2011) Following February’s biennial University Interscholastic League 65-25 – The Bearcats’ all-time playoff record realignment, the Bearcats now reside in District 7-4A, along with Granbury 14 – Number of seasons in the last 16 years and Fort Worth schools, O.D. Wyatt, the Cats have posted 10 wins

South Hills, Southwest, Trimble Tech 18 – Number of consecutive winning seasons and Western Hills. Despite their graduation losses, The 153 – Combined number of points Aledo scored in ‘Cats are picked to claim the new dis- its three consecutive state title games. trict’s first crown, though Southwest, on the strength of returning the top 120 - 25 – Aledo’s record in the last 10 years passer and receiver in the district in Source: www.lonstargridiron.com Wesley Harris and Robbie Rhodes, are considered Aledo’s primary obstacle. Harris threw for nearly 300 yards

7 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine aledo Ladycats

The Seniors’ Moment Returnees key to Aledo making regionals.

Kathy Goings had a pretty good regional rivalry. biennial shakeup, Aledo, joins year in 2011. Goings, named the coach of the District 7-4A and will face all-new Her Aledo Lady Bearcats posted a Year in District 5-4A in 2011, brings league opponents. Granbury joins 41-7 season mark and broke into the back three tested upperclassmen Aledo in 7-4A, with Fort Worth’s Top 10 rankings among 4A teams including the loop’s MVP. Arlington Heights, South Hills, in Texas. Senior setter Mallory Powell, 5-10, Southwest, Trimble Tech, Western She posted her 400th career vol- earned Most Valuable Player status Hills and Wyatt. leyball win in an October district a season past posting 60 kills, 58 After a jam-packed non-district victory over Azle. aces and a better-than 90 percent schedule featuring a pair of dual And she led her team to within one service percentage, 16 solo blocks matches and tournaments in set of a trip to the regional tourna- and 23 assists, 302 digs and a whop- Grapevine, Trophy Club and ment. ping 1,100 assists. Leander, the Lady ‘Cats open dis- But for the fourth time in the last Teammate Briana Sharratt, a 6-foot trict play Sept. 7 hosting Southwest. five years, her team’s season ended middle blocker, also a senior, was at the hands of Canyon Randall. chosen Most Valuable Hitter and If the rematch against Randall And the two could meet again this 5-7 junior outside hitter Raygan materializes, the two teams year. McClellan was tabbed Newcomer will square off the first week of Randall is ranked No. 5 in the state of the Year. November. coaches’ preseason poll and Aledo In addition, 5-10 senior middle is one of the favorites to challenge hitter Sara Smith was a first for the District 7-4A crown. team all-district selection and Staff report And the Lady ‘Cats could be return- 5-11 sophomore outside hitter ing enough talent and big-game Mykah Wilson was a second experience to turn the balance team pick. of power in what has become a With February’s University Interscholastic League

8 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine

Bigger Things Brock takes its football fortunes to a 2012 JV schedule

Night Lights,” Worrell explained. It’s a tough thing to bring in a new Following this season’s JV games, Brock plans to work off a 10-game varsity schedule, called an outlaw schedule, product to a clientele that is consisting mostly of private schools and small 1A’s that had games cancelled. accustomed only to excellence. “Obviously, we wouldn’t be eligible for playoffs,” Worrell said. “But the following year, 2014, we’ll be Article by: Phil Riddle realigned into a district.” And that plan is coming to fruition on the coattails of the excitement generated from last season. That difficulty grows exponen- players wanting to suit up for the “Absolutely,” the coach bellowed. “We’ve had some kids tially when that product is a high Eagles. come out that didn’t think they were “football players,” school sports program in one of the Worrell said about 50 middle- who decided to give it a shot. The numbers we had last most successful athletic venues in schoolers signed up for the team’s year were great for a 2A middle school program. Any Texas. first season last year. And by time you carry 25 on each team, you’re almost pushing But that’s exactly what Brock foot- expanding the eligible grades this the envelope for having a “B” team.” ball coach Chad Worrel did – and season, even more are expected in just one year. to don the Blue and Gold on the Beginning with a group of seventh gridiron. and eighth graders in 2011, Worrell Besides the junior high team, Brock, Consequae guided his two teams to an impres- this season, allows up to 11th grade sinust, sive 14-2 record and has garnered students to participate. offictae. Nam dest, quame a wealth of community support “The only kids who won’t be along the way. eligible to play this year will be “I think people are getting on seniors,” Coach Worrell said. “We board,” he said in an August inter- hate that. But, you have to draw view while waiting for his charges that line somewhere. There’s to begin workouts at Midnight always someone who doesn’t get Madness at the BHS field. “Brock to play.” likes winners. That’s what we’re Still, almost 50 showed up for the trying to build on. Everything team’s late night debut. Brock’s had in its history – the bas- So, a school just one season into ketball, volleyball, baseball, tennis, a football program may wind up track and everything else.” fielding two JV teams. The second year head coach, who “I don’t think anyone expected the came to Brock after seven highly first year of high school football productive seasons in Celina, has to have enough kids to field two not only attracted a huge fan fol- teams,” Worrell chuckled. lowing (The Midnight Madness This year’s schedule will actually workouts were viewed by grand- feature a pair of varsity opponents stands full of fans, some of whom – a trip to Lake Hill Prep in Dallas, had been at the field since before and hosting A+ Academy, also from 9 p.m.), but by a huge number of Dallas. “To kind of get a taste of Friday

10 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine

brock eagles

“The success they had last year and the our base set where we learn to block for acceptance of football among prospective positive experience – that news travels each other,” The Eagles’ head man reported. players, what will constitute a successful and I think it helps build our numbers,” “Then we branch out into the “I”, to a wing- season in Brock? Worrell said. T look, then to a one-back and a no-back “I’ve never answered that question in While starting a program from scratch look.” terms of wins and losses,” the coach said. is a difficult proposition, Brock coaches “It’s a stair step to get there and how fast we “Obviously, every time we step on the field, made a negative into a positive for their get there is depending on how fast the kids we want to win. But I don’t know that we fledgling squad. pick it up,” he continued. “We try to teach judge success strictly by that. We’re look- Since there was no high school team fundamentals, what we want these guys to ing for improvement and we’re looking for a year ago, all the teaching and coach- achieve. As they progress, we branch out. them to grasp the game. To become better ing went into making the seventh and Our goal is to be a multiple offense. Maybe blockers and better tacklers. eighth graders fundamentally sound in in the wishbone one play, then the next If one year is a viable survey size – preparation for having them on the BHS play be in a no-back Shotgun formation.” mission accomplished.” team. Worrell’s Celina roots are evident in his “We spent a lot more time with our defensive scheme. His Eagles run the same junior high team than most schools get pressure defense the Bobcats have long Article by: Phil Riddle to,” Worrell said. “It was a great advan- been known for. tage for us being able to just concentrate “We base from a 10-1 Celina defense,” on junior high kids and not have to Worrell said proudly. “It’s really a gap con- worry about preparing for varsity. I’ve trol defense that brings a lot of pressure to been there and done that before. At the offense. The kids enjoyed playing it and most schools your focus is on the var- I think they really picked it up fast last year. sity and getting them ready to play.” That’s one reason we had such success was The offensive fundamentals will begin we played pretty good defense at the junior with teaching blocking assignments high level.” from an old-school T-formation, accord- Depending on a cast of young players, ing to the Brock coach. Worrell is hesitant to name starters or even Positions are taught using a full-house list those he expects to be top-flight con- backfield and more formations and sets tributors for 2012. are added as players become more pro- “They always say the cream rises to the top ficient. and hopefully that happens,” he said slyly. “We branch out from that, that’s just With a demanding fan base and growing

12 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine 13 | OSeptember 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine brock lady eagles

Guyon, the district’s reigning Coach of the Year, his four seniors carry a dozen years’ varsity experience. “Actually we have a mix- ture of both (experience and youth),” he said. “We’ve got four seniors and four sophomores. Three of my four seniors have been on the varsity since they were sophomores. There is defi- nitely a good combination of experience.” Upon his relocation to Brock, Guyon unpacked his “defense-first” philosophy, which he regularly drills into his team. “My philosophy has always been defense,” he said. “Out in Champion East Texas where I coached in Quitman, we were not very big at all. If I had a 5-9 kid we were big. But we Pedigree! played great defense and we ball controlled. We were pretty successful doing that. Right now with my team Lady Eagles look to “In the Brock gym as the loop’s Server of in Brock, we’re getting bet- claim first state there are a lot of state the Year; Kyndall Magyar, ter defensively, but I’ve got volleyball title championships on the Molly Atkins and Abbey better athletes out here and wall,” Guyon said, “but Drillette. According to we’re bigger.” The Lady Eagles of there are no volleyball Brock High School have championships. So we’re made it their goal to get wanting to change that to the state volleyball this year.” tournament this season. Returning from last And coach Keith Guyon year’s 39-5 team are four is feeling pretty good seniors including Amy about their chances to Henard, a setter and get there. outside hitter who has “I’m excited about earned All-State acco- the possibilities” said lades the last two years Guyon, coach at peren- and has verbally com- nial power Quitmen for mitted to the University 13 years before coming of North Texas. to Brock in 2010. “The “She is one of the best girls have bought into 2A players in the state what I’ve been selling to of Texas,” her coach said. them.” “She is smart and she’s Brock has made it to the a team leader on the regional tournament floor.” the last three years and Joining Henard are the players are working seniors Haley Rutledge, toward surpassing that an All-District 10-2A mark this year. selection in ’11, as well

14 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine brock lady eagles

“We don’t have a weak rotation. and your attitude. If you give They all can terminate balls. We great effort and you have a great just have to get better defensive- attitude, great things are going to ly to stay in those long points happen.” and rallies.” And, at least in the minds of the But first, he’s got to get past his coach and the players, those great team’s biggest rival. things could include a trip to the District playoff contender state volleyball tournament. Peaster. He’s got the horses and barring “We’re long-time rivals with injuries, and with a little luck, them and they’re going to be some luck that has already begun good again,” Guyon admitted. to trickle his way… “They’ve got most of their team “We got beat in the regional tour- back, so they’ll be tough.” nament the last two years,” Guyon With all the championship repeated, “and the team that beat tradition at Brock, is there any us, Leon, dropped down to 1A this added pressure for Guyon and year.” the Lady Eagles? “The girls’ goal is to get to the state “I don’t think it’s any pressure,” tournament and be one of those he said. “The thing about the teams that have the opportunity kids here at Brock, the same as to win a state championship,” he my kids in Quitman, is they said. “That’s the mindset of the want to work hard and be suc- girls. They know they have the cessful. I preach to the kids opportunity to compete to get to there are a lot of things you the state tournament and win it.” can’t control. But the two things you can control are your effort Article by: Phil Riddle

Fractures, Sports Injuries, Rotator Cuff, Total Joint Replacements, Arthroscopic Surgery, Carpal Tunnel, Pediatric Injuries brock youth football Spreading their Wings

They are far-and-away the smallest we made it to the game before the Super Bowl. Brock Junior High football field, where, if they town involved in the Northwest We played to play in the Super Bowl.” continue to participate, they’ll play their junior Texas Youth Football Association. The coach and his staff of assistants have 16 high games now that Brock has a school-sanc- Still, the Brock Eagles, the fifth- players this year, 15 of which were on the squad tioned team. grade version, played last season last year. Did a high school team coming this year help get for a chance to go to the Super Starting Aug. 6 they practiced three times a week the youngsters interested in football? Bowl. until school started, then dialed the schedule “Actually we had the youth football association The team’s coach, who asked not back to twice weekly. first and that led to Brock Junior High and now to be referred to by name, said the The head coach said the scaled back practice rou- the high school getting a team,” Coach reported. squad’s success has come as a direct tine keeps the kids fresh throughout the season, “The community buying into football, and this result of the work done by the a lesson he learned from former coaches of the will be the fifth year, that was the catapult for players themselves. team when his son was a player. junior high football last year and now high “We’ve had a grade-specific team “The first couple of years we played, the coaches school football.” since last year,” the coach said. practiced three nights a week after school The new BISD grid program has resulted in “Before that we had mixed teams. started and we kind of had some kid burnout a few changes in the youth teams at Brock. Brock is about the only town in the toward the end,” he said. “I found if you organize Since the arrival of school coach Chad Worrell, league that has mixed teams just practice and stay on task, we can get done in two the youth coaches have been teaching his because we’re the smallest town in nights what most people get done in three and T-formation-based multiple offense and a sti- the league.” keep the mamas happy and the boys fresh.” fling 10-1 defensive set. “After the 2010 season, I just put The Eagles play their Saturday home games at “Coach Worrell, beginning last year, met with it on the boys and told them you need to go out and recruit some of your buddies,” he said. “They all play football at recess, so I really put it on them. Then last year was first time we had an age specific team.” Playing in a league with teams from Weatherford, Aledo, Burleson, Granbury, Crowley and Azle, the young Eagles captured fourth place in the regular season, then made a playoff run and played in the semi- final game, eventually falling to an Aledo team. “We play eight to 10 regular season games, depending on the number of teams in the league,” the coach explained. “Then we have playoffs and ultimately a Super Bowl for each age group. Last year we finished fourth out of eight teams and

16 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine the youth coaches and told us about Spreading their Wings his system and that any part of the system they implement would help him, terminology, plays, calls,” the coach, also the fifth grade offensive coordinator, reported. “So last year we revamped the offense and defense to mirror what they’ll be doing in junior high so they’ll be getting a building block they’ll be able to use when they go into junior high and then on into high school.” Like coaches at all levels, those in charge of the Brock fifth graders hope to teach lessons that last past players’ football careers. “We want to make football fun, of course,” said the head coach, “but also to teach life lessons through youth football. We want them to realize if they will dedicate themselves to something, put hard work into it, it will pay off in the end.” “We try to keep things positive,” he continued. “We say a prayer before each game, as a group. We let the kids lead the prayer sometimes. We are trying to prepare them to be young men.” Remembering his players are still just little boys is one of the toughest parts of coaching his team, according to the coach. “Sometimes its tough to find the right way to motivate them to block or play defense. It’s developing the kids, too.” So, what’s the best part of his vol- unteer position? “I really enjoy seeing the boys grow from the beginning of the year to the end of the year, gaining confidence, “ he smiled. “I like to see the kids who were scared to hit anybody at the first of the year, by the end of the year, making tackles and are proud of themselves.” “When you preach to them ‘you can do this,’” he said, “and they finally trust themselves enough to do it really makes it all worth- while.”

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Millsap rolling out new offense, defense them.” Still, the change has Millsap to meet new opponents anticipating great things, according to Coker. You can’t blame Millsap anything about. We’ll be seeing a lot of new “We’re optimistic,” he said. “We football coach Kyle Coker faces.” only have four seniors and for being optimistic head- Joining the Bulldogs in District 6-2A Division we’re young, but most of that ing into the 2012 season. II are old loop rivals Tolar and Rio Vista, youth is juniors. Out of 20 play- The Bulldogs finished along with Corsicana Mildred, Blooming ers on the varsity, 13 of them are with a 3-7 mark last year, Grove, Dallas Life Oak Cliff, Scurry-Rosser juniors, so you still have kids but the level of competi- and Rice. with some playing experience. tion in the old District But make no mistake the new guys won’t be We have a lot of guys who were 4-2A was incredible. pushovers. Mildred is ranked No.5 in the state JV starters last year. We have a There were annual battles in preseason polls and Dallas Life Oak Cliff good attitude and we’re work- against state semifinalist was a playoff team last year. ing hard. Our kids are hungry to Cisco, which wound up “We know we don’t really know much about play.” with a 14-1 record in 2011, (the new district)”, the seventh-year head Coker’s spread offense will fea- Crawford, which finished coach of the ‘Dogs said. “Other than just see- ture a new quarterback for ’12 in at 8-3 and a playoff appear- ing records, we don’t really know a lot about move-in Brad Bottoms, a sopho- ance, and Hamilton, which more who came to west Parker made a postseason appear- County from Mansfield. ance with a 6-6 slate. “He’s been looking real good,” But those teams are no the coach said a week into longer on the Millsap workouts. “He’s picking up the schedule. offense real well and he’s mak- “We were in a tough dis- ing good decisions. He’s taking trict last year,” Coker said. control of the offense.” “We played some teams Other key offensive players that have a lot of tradition for Millsap are center Payton and a lot of power football Vanderveer, who anchors the teams.” line at 5-10 and 310 pounds; lone Bringing back just three returning receiver Daulton starters from each side of Thomas, and guard Andrew the ball, Coker is excited Norman. at the prospect of seeing A new wrinkle to the MHS some new opponents dur- offense this season will be the ing district play. addition of some elements of “We’re looking forward to the wishbone formation. The it,” he said. “There are a lot Bulldogs have used the spread of schools we don’t know offense to throw for yardage,

18 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine millsap bulldextremesogs as well as to loosen up the the nose guard spot, is defense for the running game flanked by 235-pound in the recent past. Mitch Coker and 6-3, But Coker sees some chances 180-pound Timothy for success in the power-type Newberry. All three can offense. be spelled by 230-pound “We feel like it’ll help us in Trey Newby making it some different situations of tough to find daylight in the game,” he said. “Help us the middle for opposing control the clock a little bet- runners. ter. Especially helps in short Undoubtedly Millsap will yardage situations.” bring a lot of new play- On the other side of the ers into a new district to line of scrimmage, Millsap face mostly new opposi- is employing a brand new tion with pieces of a new 3-3-stack formation, lining offense and a new defense. up with three linemen, three But the goal remains the linebackers near the line of same. scrimmage, two outside back- “You have to start with ers and a three-deep zone your goal being to make backfield. the playoffs,” Coker said Coker said the new scheme is bluntly. “We’ll take it one to apply more pressure and to game at a time. We are offset his team’s youth. a younger team and we “There’s not as much tech- need to get the momen- nique involved,” he explained. tum ball rolling from the “It’s more just pin your ears git-go. We’ll start with back and go.” Alvord, (Aug. 31 season Making the new defense click opener) hopefully get are linebackers Dylan Burton, things rolling and we’ll Clayton Watson and Dalton see where we are at the Norris. end of the season.” “This year we know we may not be as big but we feel we’re a lot quicker,” Coach Article by: Phil Riddle Coker said. “Our linebackers really fit that role well.” The Bulldogs, however, are not short on size on the defensive front. Vanderveer, holding down

19 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine millsap lady bulldogs Positive Reinforcement

categorizes as structure and drill work. “Both aspects are very Venecamp has “I’m a firm believer in trying to build mental critical to what we do. I Lady Bulldogs toughness,” Venecamp explained. “We have to feel like you have to have believing in push these kids to prove to themselves they can a great attack and I feel themselves do things we ask of them and they can be suc- like you have to play well cessful. We do that through repetition, support at the net, both on offense Kaycee Venecamp believes and positivity. Positivity is extremely conta- and defense. I feel like you in the power of positive gious.” have to dig the ball well, thinking and she’s count- And an epidemic of positivity has hit in Millsap. and you should serve well ing on that positivity to “In early August they came out there and they and be consistent.” help make an improvement knew what I was expecting was more than what That consistency she in the record of Millsap’s they thought they could give,” Coach Venecamp seeks could go a long way volleyball team. said. “They have bought in to what we’re doing. in making Millsap com- Venecamp, in her second I can’t ask for any more than what they’re doing. petitive in their district, season in charge of the They’re coming together well, they’re working which, as in the past few Lady Bulldogs, is aware hard every day.” seasons, is expected to they missed the playoffs The coach went on to say the team is focusing be dominated by Parker last year, but still prefers to on becoming more proficient in fundamentals of County rivals Brock and note the credit side of the the game. Peaster. ledger. “Overall I think we’re moving in the right direc- “It’s always a competitive “We did a lot of good tion,” she said. district, and we’ve also things,” she said. “We had a Pacing the attack for the Lady Bulldogs are a added Ponder, and they’re couple of good players for quartet of upperclassmen Vencamp is counting going to be a driving force,” us who did a lot of good.” on heavily for 2012. Venecamp said. “It’s going Even with the changes All-District picks Lauren Power, a 6-2 middle to be a battle. A lot of in the district: the loss of blocker, Sarah Mahan, a power hitter, and people may look and count Godley and Jacksboro and Mikelyn Kruger, a high-energy, versatile addi- Millsap out, but I wouldn’t the addition of Ponder to tion to the squad are expected to be team linch- count us out just yet. We’re the District 9-2A landscape; pins. going to fight. I can tell Venecamp chooses the “sil- Venecamp, who, prior to coming to Millsap you that.” ver lining” approach. coached basketball and softball in Winters, sees And apparently, her play- herself as a hybrid when discussing her priori- Is she sure? ers have joined her. ties on the court. Players who are going “I feel like I’m a mix,” she said when deciding She’s positive through what the coach whether she is an offensive or defensive coach. Article by: Phil Riddle extremes Positive Reinforcement

Article by: Phil Riddle

21 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine peaster lady grayhounds

A new season for Autumn Peaster coach hopes to build on successful first year Autumn Threet’s first season at the Accoridng to the second-year head coach, The some good players so they’re going to be helm of Peaster volleyball was a suc- Lady Greyhounds’ strength should be their size. good, too.” cess by anyone’s standards. With a 6-footer, one player listed at 5-11 and two Coach Threet is counting on her team to be The 2011 squad earned a spot in the more at 5-10, opponents could have trouble get- well-rounded and able to take advantage of Class 2A postseason. ting the ball over the front line. breaks on either side of the net. “We went to the playoffs last year, all But that’s not the only thing Peaster has going “We want to outsmart the other team,” she the way to the regional quarterfinals,” for it. said. “I don’t care if the point is a big kill or Threet said, explaining the importance “We have some really good defensive players, a smart defensive play on a mistake by the of her postseason run. “I followed a too,” Threet said. “They may not be big but they other team, a point it a point.” coach that had been here 28 years and are scrappy.” And enough points make for a good season. had had some success. I had to revamp The Lady Hounds will need every edge they can some things, but by the middle of the muster in what is expected to be a three-team season the kids were on board with battle for the District 9-2A title. what we were doing. By the playoffs “I expect us to be among the top teams,” Threet Article by: Phil Riddle we were playing our best.” said, “but you can never count Brock out. They But that was last year. are always good and the rivalry there is really Threet has even higher aspirations for big. Don’t forget Paradise, either. They’ve got her young charges this season. “I want to make it to the state tournament,” she said candidly. “And with the talent we have, I think that’s a feasible goal.” Among seven returning seniors are Kelsie Coplen, 6- foot All-Parker County Blocker of the Year awardee in 2011, and Callie Tuckness, also an All- APC pick. “Workouts are going very well,” Threet said. “We’re coming along. If we can keep our mental game working as well as our physical talen, we’ll be good.”

22 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine poolville lady monarchs

Spike. Win. Repeat!

She may be new on the job, but tion for volleyball is similarly on As the interview wound down, Poolville volleyball coach Terri defense. Simpson was as adamant as when Simpson is clear as to what she “I’m a fundamentals person,” the it began as to her expectations expects for 2012. new coach said. “We’ve got such and her criteria for a successful “We should win the district,” she big hitters, but I know you have 2012 campaign. said plainly. “We won it last year to play defense before you can “It’s going to be a district cham- and we’re coming back with the play offense. Basketball and vol- pionship,” she echoed. “I’d hate to MVP of the district. Plus we had leyball are very different, as far as say we expect it, but that’s what a 6-foot move-in that makes us having so many parts of the game, we should do. Other coaches look pretty good.” In volleyball its basically defense, give me a little pressure, but we Leading a group of five seniors is pass, set, hit. should push through the playoffs. Heather Hanson, a middle block- “I tell the kids you have to play We should do well. It should be a er who earned 11-A Most Valuable defense first,” she continued. good year.” Player kudos last season, as well “I’m more defensively minded. All right, then. as an All-Parker County nod. Add We want to be big at the net and to that Santana Lanier, a 6-foot block, but you have to pass on the transfer from Boswell who makes back row before you can hit.” Article by: Phil Riddle the net a difficult place for oppo- Just because Simpson is new nents to play. to the job, doesn’t mean she is Simpson brings 21 years of coach- unaware of her district competi- ing experience to Poolville, but tion. most as a basketball coach. “Graford is going to be tough and “I remarried in 2007 and have Perrin’s going to be tough,” she been out of coaching for the last said with authority. “Newcastle five years,” the Lady Monarchs graduated two of their really good new leader reported. “I quit players. But Perrin always plays coaching and just stayed home.“ Poolville tough. There’s just that Last year, however, she spent rivalry. They beat Poolville last about 90 days as a substitute year. That should not have hap- teacher at Poolville and got the pened but they always play us a urge to go back full time. good game.” “I was really expecting to finish Still, knowing the competition up my career at the junior high and beating them are different level,” she said. “But I knew the achievements. kids were good coming back from “We’ve got to play.,” Simpson said. last year. It worked out. It’s a good “It’s not like we can walk through situation and it was time to go district. But we’ve got the experi- back to work.” ence coming back and we’ve got With her background in basket- the big hitters. On paper, that’s ball, Simpson says the founda- the way it looks.”

23 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine Your Hometown Sports Magazine - football & volleyball schedules

Aledo bearcat brock eagle millsap bulldog peaster lady football football football grayhounds volleyball Varsity Sept. 14 @ Dallas Varsity Aug. 31 Highland Park Lakehill Prep Aug. 31 @ Alvord Varsity (Tom Landry Classic Oct. 12 Dallas A+ Academy Sept. 7 Dublin Aug. 30-Sept. 1 Volleypalooza @ SMU) Sept. 14 BYE Sept. 1 Bowie Tournament Sept. 7 @ Stephenville Junior Varsity Sept. 21 @ Windthorst Sept. 4 @ Krum Sept. 14 Monterrey Tech Sept. 6 Eastland Sept. 28 @ Rio Vista Sept. 7 @ Argyle Sept. 21 BYE Sept. 13 Wichita Falls Oct. 5 *Tolar Sept. 8 Peaster Tournament Sept. 28 *Arlington Sept. 20 @ Perrin (Homecoming) Sept. 11 Springtown Heights Sept. 27 Hillsboro Oct. 12 *Mildred Sept. 14 @ Bridgeport Oct. 4 *@ FW South Hills Oct. 4 @ Chico Oct. 19 *@ Rice Sept. 18 * Paradise Oct. 12 *O.D. Wyatt Oct. 11 Clyde Oct. 26 *Dallas Life Sept. 21 @ Dublin (Homecoming) Oct. 18 @ FW Christian Oak Cliff Sept. 25 * Ponder Oct. 18 *@ FW Western Hills Oct. 25 Stephenville Nov. 2 *@ Scurry-Rosser Sept. 28 * @ Brock Oct. 26 *FW Southwest Nov. 1 @ Breckenridge Nov. 9 *Blooming Grove Oct. 2 * @ Millsap Nov. 2 *@ Granbury Nov. 8 Azle (Senior Night) Oct. 5 * @ Boyd Nov. 9 *Trimble Tech Oct. 9 * @ Paradise * District 6-2A Games Oct. 12 * @ Ponder * District 7-4A games Oct. 16 * Brock Oct. 19 *Millsap Oct. 23 * Boyd (Senior Night)

* District 9-2A games

Aledo ladycats brock lady eagle millsap lady poolville lady volleball volleyball bulldog monarchs volleyball volleyball Aug. 31 Maypearl Varsity Sept. 4 @ FW South Hills Varsity Varsity Aug 30 – Sept. 1 @ Sept. 7 & 8 White Oak Aug. 30 – Sept. 1Dublin Sept. 4 @ Bowie Leander Tournament Tournament Sept. 7 @ Breckenridge Tournament Sept. 11 Jacksboro/Graham Sept. 4 @ Bridgeport Sept. 14 Boyd Sept. 4 @ Burleson Sept. 7 Godley Sept. 18 @ Ponder Sept. 7 *@ Southwest Sept. 15 Decatur/Wylie Sept. 8 Peaster Sept. 21 *@ Bryson Sept. 11 * South Hills Sept. 18 @ Krum Tournament Sept. 28 *@ Graford Sept. 14 *@ Granbury Sept. 21 * @ Boyd Sept. 14 @ Graford Oct. 2 *@ Newscastle Sept. 18 *@ Wyatt Sept. 25 *Paradise Sept. 18 @ Eastland Oct. 6 *Woodson Sept. 21 *Trimble Sept. 28 * Peaster Sept. 21 * Ponder Oct. 9 *Bryson Sept. 25 *Western Hills Oct. 2 *Ponder Sept. 25 * @ Boyd Oct. 13 *@ Perrin Sept. 28 *Arlington Heights Oct. 5 * @ Millsap Sept. 28 * Paradise Oct. 16 *Graford Oct. 2 *@ Southwest Oct. 9 * Boyd Oct. 2 * Peaster Oct. 19 *Newcastle Oct. 5 *@ South Hills Oct. 12 * @ Paradise Oct. 5 *Brock Oct. 23 *@ Woodson Oct. 9 *Granbury Oct. 16 * @ Peaster Oct. 9 *@ Ponder Oct. 12 *Wyatt Oct. 19 * @ Ponder Oct. 12 *Boyd *District games (Parents Night) Oct. 23 * Peaster (Senior Night) Oct. 16 *@ Trimble Tech (Senior Night) Oct. 16 * @ Paradise Oct. 19 *Western Hills Oct. 19 * @ Peaster Oct. 23 *@ Arlington Heights - District 9-2A games Oct. 23 * @ Brock

* District 7-4A matches * District 9-2A games

Your Hometown Sports Magazine - football & volleyball schedules

springtown trinity christian victory baptist Weatherford porcupine eagle football lady partiots roo football Football volleyball Varsity Varsity Sept. 7 Joshua Christian Aug. 31 Richland Varsity Aug. 31 Stephenville Faith Sept. 13 @ Christian Life Prep Sept. 7 @ Cleburne Aug. 31 Liberty Christian Sept. 8 @ Universal Academy Sept. 18 Faith Lutheran Sept. 14 Burleson Sept. 7 Decatur Sept. 14 @ Azle Christian School Sept. 21 BYE Sept. 15 @ Trimble Tech Sept. 21 Harvest Christian Sept. 24 @ Joshua Christian Sept. 28 *Arlington Bowie Sept. 21 Gainesville Academy Sept. 25 @ Azle Christian Oct. 5 *@ Arlington Martin (Homecoming) Sept. 28 Wylie Prep Sept. 27 Weatherford Christian Oct. 12 *Arlington High Sept. 28 @ Graham Oct. 6 @ Lucas Christian Oct. 2 Christian Life Prep Oct. 19 *Paschal Oct. 5 BYE Oct. 12 Dallas Academy (Homecoming) Oct. 12 *@ Kennedale Oct. 19 @ Westlake Academy Oct. 5 @ Faith Lutheran School Oct. 26 *@ North Crowley Oct. 19 *Castleberry Oct. 26 @ Nazarene Christian Oct. 11 Azle Christian Nov. 2 *Arlington Lamar (Hall of Fame) Nov. 2 FW Hill School Nov. 9 *@ Arlington Sam Oct. 26 *@ Lake Worth (Homecoming) Houston Nov. 2 *Mineral Wells (Senior Night) * District 3-5A games Nov. 9 *@ Diamond Hil

* District 6-3A games

springtown Trinity Christian weatherford Weatherford lady porcupines lady eagles christian lady roos volleyball volleyball lady lions volleyball Varsity volleyball Varsity Sept. 4 Fossil Ridge Varsity Sept. 4 Joshua Sept. 7 @ Denton High Sept. 4 Stephenville Faith Varsity Sept. 7 @ Sam Hpuston Sept. 11 @ Peaster Sept. 4 @ Christian Life Prep Sept. 4 Covenant Classical Sept. 11 *Martin Sept. 18 @Chisolm Trail Sept. 6 Westlake Sept. 6 Hill School Sept..14 *@ Lamar Sept. 21 *Diamond Hill Sept. 11 Wylie Prep Sept. 18 * @ Azle Christian Sept. 18 *@ Arlington Sept. 28 *@ Mineral Wells Sept. 13 Granbury Cornerstone Sept. 20 * @ Christian Life Sept. 21 *North Crowley Oct. 2 *@ Castleberry Sept. 13 FW Hill School Sept. 25 * Aledo Christian Sept. 25 *@ Paschal Oct. 5 *@ Lake Worth Sept. 18 Chisolm Trail Sept. 27 *Victory Baptist Sept. 28 *Bowie Oct. 9 *@ Diamond Hill Sept. 20 Nazarene Academy Oct. 4 * Azle Christian Oct. 2 *Sam Hpuston Oct. 12 *@ Kennedale Sept. 25 Community Christian Oct. 9 * Christian Life Oct. 5 *@ Martin Oct. 16 *Mineral Wells Sept. 25 Dallas Academy Oct. 11 * @ Aledo Christian Oct. 9 *Lamar Oct. 19 Castleberry Sept. 27 Wylie Prep Oct. 12 *Arlington (Senior Nighht) Oct. 2 @ FW Hill School All home games played at Oct. 16 *@ North Crowley Oct. 23 *@ Lake Worth Oct. 4 Chisolm Trail Weatherford Ninth Grade Center Oct. 19 *Paschal Oct. 9 @ Nazarene Christian (Senior Night) *District 6-3A games *TCAF Division II District 1 games Oct. 23 *@ Bowie

* District 3-5A games SPRINGTOWN PORCUPINES High stakes Last year sophomore Colby Moore started just eight games and still Porcupines bet on collected 1,700 yards and 17 touch- holding a winning hand downs. “We are a spread, no-huddle team Their motto is “All in.” very similar to the up-tempo, play- As in, ‘all the chips are on the table.’ fast style of Oregon and Texas It’s on wristbands worn at practice Tech,” Turner explained. “We’ve and in the air at every opportunity. been a spread, chunk-it-around The Springtown Porcupines are team since I got here. “ “all in.” Turner and his staff have tweaked But, if you take a look at the hand the offense this year to make the they’re holding, it’s hard to bet tempo even quicker. The goal for against them. the offense is to take 80 snaps a Eight returnees on each side of game. the ball. A drop in classification to “That will put some added pressure Class 3A. A proven offense run by on defenses especially at the 3A a Division I quarterback prospect, level where you have guys play- and a defense anchored by two top- ing both ways,” Turner theorized. notch college hopefuls. “We’ve done pretty well with it. “All the chips are on the table, “ said We’re going to try to put pressure Brad Turner, in his seventh season on people by stretching the field as Springtown’s head coach. “With and playing really fast.” the change in classification, we’ve Moore, who Turner describes as a got new faces on the coaching staff he’s pretty darn good.” legitimate big-time college QB, will and we’re basically putting it all out The real reason Turner is pleased pull the trigger on the Pojo offense. there and saying we’re going to get about the change is it levels the “He’s a Division I quarterback,” the it done this year. “ playing field for SHS. coach said bluntly. “He has a very The biennial University “I’m not sure our stick was as big as good chance. He’s 6-1, about 195 Interscholastic League realign- everybody else’s (in their old 5-4A pounds, runs a 4.6 40, he’s smart, a ment may have helped Springtown district),” the Porcupine coach said. student of the game and he has a more than any other team in Texas “Other than Aledo, I felt like we rocket connected to his right shoul- in that SHS no longer has Parker were competitive with everybody der. He throws the ball really well. County powerhouse Aledo on its else we played. The rest of them You have to have a trigger guy and district schedule each season. we beat at least once.” we’ve got that.” “I’m happy because our realign- “Now dropping in classification, But, as any coach will say, a team, ment means no more Aledo,” instead of our numbers being even a good passing team, must be Turner said, only half joking. ”No adequate, they’re as good as or bet- able to run the ball. You gotta have more Johnathan Gray. We tried to ter than most. Our facilities instead some balance. tackle that sucker four years and of being comparable, they’re as That’s where Tyler Robertson good as or better than most. The comes in. Robertson rushed size of the stick we’re fighting with for 1,300 yards and 12 TDs for certainly got bigger. As the head Springtown in 2011, as well as snag- coach and as the athletic director, ging 35 passes for 356 receiving I’m excited because I feel like it yards, drawing raves from Turner. gives our kids a better chance to be “He was the second leading run- successful.” ning back in our 4A district last The Porcupines’ offensive strategy year behind Johnathan Gray,” the is one fan’s love. The high-flying, coach said. “He is as good a football fast-paced offense has perennially player as I’ve ever coached.” piled up yardage. Robertson starts his senior season In fact, in Turner’s first season, his as the leading returning rusher and quarterback threw for more than pass receiver in the district. 3,300 yards and 38 touchdowns.

26 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine SPRINGTOWN PORCUPINES

“That gives us some balance,” you play on the grass. We Turner said. “Tyler and then feel like we have that abil- Colby being able to run, if we ity.” get people to squeeze in on us Obviously disappointed and worry about the run, it’ll with last season’s 1-9 mark, open up what we the Porcupine players and like to do, and that’s pass the coaches are making their ball.” higher expectations a prior- On the other side of the scrim- ity for this season. mage line, Springtown sports a “We want to put ourselves in 4-3 defense with a 2-safety look a position to play for a dis- when in its base set. trict championship and prac- Rotating in and out of the four tice on Thanksgiving morn- defensive line spots are six ing,” said a grinning Coach players who will make life Turner. “That’s two things difficult for opposing quarter- we’d like to do. We want to backs. get in the playoffs and win a “The strength of our defense gold football.” is our defensive line,” Turner It’s always a gamble. reported. “In my opinion, we But Pojo is all in. have three really good defensive ends and three really good defensive tackles. We play with Article by: Phil Riddle two of each so our rotation should be strong.” Projected starters at the end spots are Thomas Loving, who is expected to be the target of college football recruiters, and Bryson Burtnett, who has already committed to TCU. Both are 6-5 and weigh between 235 and 245 pounds. Then add Kolyn Waldrop to the mix and defensive end becomes a team strength. The rest of the D-line is filled out with high-quality tackles in Kaleb Keys, Chris Patton and Tyler Chappell. “If you were to ask me going into the season what we have to do better this year, it would be to play better on defense,” Turner said. “These guys give us the opportunity to do that up front.” In all, Springtown brings 27 seniors back for 2012, another reason for Turner to be optimistic. “Yeah. I would be kidding, and if we were still 4A I’d say the same thing,” Coach Turner said. “Our expectations are to make the playoffs. I will be very disappointed if we’re not a playoff team. It all comes down to how SPRINGTOWN LADY PORCUPINES

Playoffs or bust Springtown looks to make waves in its new 3A home

Springtown volleyball coach Leighann Strickland “We want to take the wind out of us back is us. We have to keep our is not shy about her expectations for 2012. their sails when they go up to swing heads on straight and going for- “Be district champs,” she answered and dig, dig, dig.” She reported. “And ward.” without hesitation. “I want to make block. We’ve got some good middle It’s one thing, though, for a coach to the regional tournament, for sure. hitters, 6-foot and above.” have high expectations. It’s another Anything farther and we’ll be really Having that much returning moxie for the team to buy in to the degree blessed.” would probably make the Lady necessary to make them reality. Strickland’s optimism is grounded Porcupines among the favorites in Coach Strickland said her team in a group of six seniors and a total their new District 6-3A home, right? enjoys the thought of all the hard of 11 returnees from last season. “I would hope so,” said Strickland, work paying off with a postseason “They look really good right now,” who played volleyball at SHS prior appearance. she said of her squad’s early August to her 1998 graduation. “But I don’t “They get fired up,” she said, smil- workouts. “Everybody has some know. Kennedale is right up there ing. “They like that thought. A lot of experience from last year and we’ve with us. They’ve been in 3A for a lit- them are on the basketball team and got some good senior leadership.” tle bit and have a better understand- they have been successful the last Her upperclassmen are led by ing of the competition there.” three years going to bi-district and Rebecca Dauenhauer, an All Parker The much ballyhooed February then area. They’ve got a taste of the County selection in 2011, who, realignment presented a welcome playoffs.” according to Strickland, led the area shift downward from 4A to 3A for They may get another taste this fall. in blocks for most of last season. Strickland, who has been coach- Teammates Allison Mobley, ing here since 2003, and the Lady Courtney Humphries, Ciandra Porcupines. Article by: Phil Riddle Seabourn, Makenzi Bartee, and “It’s kind of a relief, I guess, going Makala Lackey add extensive senior back to 3A,” she said. “We went to experience to the roster. the state tournament in 1995. That, I That experience in Strickland’s think was the last time we’ve seen system leads many to think the the state tournament. It’s nice to Springtown spikers will be a tough have the feeling it’s possible this defensive crew. year. The only thing that can hold

28 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine

TRINITY CHRISTIAN EAGLES Great Expectations

Trinity Christian could make a deep playoff run in ‘12

As head football coach of the “That’s the main thing in six-man,” LeJeune said bluntly. back who was injured for most of Trinity Christian School football Formations require three players on the line of scrim- last season, from whom LeJeune team, Coach Darrell LeJeune has mage for offenses – a center and two wide outs – all of expects big things in 2012, offensive two basic jobs. whom are eligible receivers. But like its 11-player cousin, standout Kyle Lanier and defensive One: To teach young men the intri- offenses in the six-man incarnation of the game can still anchor Braxton Aldridge. cacies of the game and, Two:To be varied. Joining De La Cruz, Aldridge and teach appreciation of the six-man “We have to have three men on the line,” the coach Lanier as stalwarts are the team’s game to area fans. reiterated, “And then three guys in the backfield. But we only senior, a transfer student, In his third season at the helm of have tight formations and spread formations.” Donavan Huffacker, who is learn- the Eagles’ grid fortunes, he already Defensively, the Eagles will run one version of a 4-2 ing the six-man game on the fly. has a good start on the former, and scheme, either a 3-2-1 in long yardage situations, or a 3-3 “He transferred from Lake fans of the Eagles are helping with when the offense needs a shorter gain. Country, an 11-man school,” Coach the latter. And most of his players will play on both sides of the LeJeune said, “but he’s coming in “The only ones that really do ball. and playing for us this year. He appreciate the game we play are With an expected 21 players out for two squads, LeJeune plays quarterback, wide receiver, from our school,” LeJeune said. plans on having just 11 hands on varsity and 10 on JV. and defensive end or linebacker on “But we get a good following from Those numbers will have to make up for the graduation defense.” them. We get a good turnout on of a pair of All-Star selections from the 2011 team, defen- LeJeune reports off-season condi- Fridays.” sive line standout Greg Lanier, and triple-threat Nick tioning is one of the primary dif- For the uninitiated, six-man foot- Bogdanoff, who earned all-district honors as a quarter- ferences between his players and ball is played on a smaller field, but, back, linebacker and kicker. those of bigger public school teams. obviously with fewer players, so While the team’s numbers may be short, the Eagles are “Take Aledo for instance,” he the most important criteria either long on experience with about 11 juniors on the roster, explained. “They’ve got so many for the high-scoring offensive all of which have played in the TCA system since they kids coming out. They can let the game, or for open-spaces defensive were freshmen. boys know if they don’t come out coverage is speed. Included in the returnees are Zack De La Cruz, a running and workout during the summer,

30 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine TRINITY CHRISTIAN EAGLES Great Expectations

they may not get playing time is the defending state during the season. But, no matter champion. what my kids did during the sum- “They graduated 11 or 12 mer, I’ve still got to turn them seniors off that team.” into football players. In six-man LeJeune said. “And our it’s all about speed, but they get team strength is our tired quick.” whole junior class. I told The conditioning aspect came them starting now they into play early in workouts, have a two-year win- which began Aug. 1 for the Eagles dow.” who are coming off a 4-6 2011 season. Article by: Phil Riddle “We’ve had lots of muscle pulls and strains,” LeJeune said, adding his largest practice included 12 players and his smallest, only nine. Even with that, the TCA coach expects his squad to be among the elite in its Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship District 1 of the big school Division 1. “We should be one of the teams on top,” he said. “Between us and Dallas Academy and Lucas Christian.” That’s a big bite to chew off, since Lucas Christian Academy rolled to a 12-1 record a year ago and TRINITY CHRISTIAN LADY EAGLES Movin’ on up

Mooney hopes for push to district title

Trinity Christian Academy volley- starters last year. We have a lot of ball coach, Karen Mooney, is really freshmen out here.” upfront about what she’d like from There’s a possibility some of the the 2012 season. frosh might be playing on the TCA “I’d like to get past the first round varsity, but with four prospective of the playoffs,” she said confi- varsity players injured including dently. three from last season, tryouts were The Lady Eagles have finished not completed before Trinity’s first as runners-up in District 1 of preseason game. the Texas Christian Athletic “It’s been a strange start to this sea- Fellowship behind Nazarene son.,” said the seventh-year TCA Christian Academy of Crowley for coach. “We haven’t really decided the last few seasons and Mooney who will play on the JV and var- would like to end that streak and sity. We’re trying to get some girls have her squad ascend to the top healthy to tryout for the team.” spot. According to Mooney, 18 players “We have finished second in dis- headed into the team’s first scrim- trict for a while and I really think mage, not counting the injured. of the court by dominating both sides of the net. we can make a push and try to get Not surprisingly, she was not will- “When we’re serving, we want to be in control of that first place in our district and maybe ing to share the names or expecta- and when we’re receiving serve I like to be very strong, fare a little bit better in our state tions for any players until the var- a good serve receive team so we can be in control of that tournament at the end of the year,” sity team had been filled out. when they serve the ball to us,” she said. “I like it on both she said. “Probably shouldn’t do that,” she sides of the ball.” Making that jump more difficult is said. “We’re just not at a point for Even though injuries hampered the start of the campaign, the graduation of a lot of experi- that yet.” she was pleased with the first few practice sessions. ence, as well as some early-season Mooney, a Dallas Baptist “So far so good,” she said a week into workouts. “It was a injuries. University alum, hails from San little rough to start, but every day gets better and better.” “We lost a lot of seniors,” Coach Antonio but her 15 years in North Mooney said. “We are a very young Texas almost makes her a native. Article by: Phil Riddle team. I lost five seniors who were She admittedly likes to take charge

32 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine outdoors instruction includes bow safety, nomenclature of the bow and arrow and safety rules and regula- tions. Following this inaugural start of Eagle Archery the program will be implemented in the other grades back to the 4th grade. Once classroom studies are completed, and students show an interest in continuing the archery team will be formed. Brock has the opportunity to practice at the only outdoor NASP range North Texas located in Brock. Brazos Valley Archery furnishes the instructor for the Texas Hunter Education Certification and the Texas Bow Hunter Education Certification courses. Contact Brazos Valley Archery at 817-313-7233, (Bill Cooper) Email: bill@brazosvalleyarchery. com, visit http://www.brazosvalleyarchery.com or come by 387 Try hunting and maybe archery hunting! Pritchard Lane, Brock. There are numerous ways to hunt the course or was born but one rapidly growing sport before Sept. 2, 1971. is archery hunting. Archery is a In addition to the Hunter fun and relaxing hobby all ages Education Course, Texas can enjoy. First, decide what Parks and Wildlife also offers type of bow you want to shoot. Bowhunter Education. A longbow is a traditional style Texas bowhunters have you might imagine the soldiers the opportunity for addi- of the past used to defend a castle. tional training through a A recurve looks similar to the special course offered by longbow, but is made up of a riser the Texas Parks and Wildlife and two limbs and is commonly Department through the no longer made of wood. A com- International Bowhunter pound bow, designed for hunting, Education Program and is smaller than the others and has the National Bowhunter a pulley system at either limb that Education Foundation. allows the shooter to hold less The state is seeing a large weight after drawing the string. increase in archery shoot- Hunting is a privilege and there ers, keeping pace with other are rules in place for us to insure states in starting archery the sport continues. One is requir- programs in public and ing a license to hunt. Another is private schools under the successfully completing a Texas National Archery in the Hunter Education course admin- School Programs. istered and regulated by the Texas Brock Independent School Parks and Wildlife Department. District has implemented Every hunter born on or after the NASP program into Sept. 2, 1971, must complete a extra-curricular activities. Hunter Education Training Course, Beginning this year the pro- or be accompanied by a person gram will be taught through who is at least 17, who is licensed agriculture classes in Brock to hunt in Texas, who has passed High School. Classroom VICTORY BAPTIST LADY PATRIOTS

We’re baaaaack!

After a sabbatical of sorts, Victory Baptist Academy Athletic Director Brooklyn McIntosh has resurrected volleyball for 2012. The Lady Patriots, like Weatherford Christian “We haven’t played volley- Coach McIntosh is impressed with her team. School, are set to compete ball for a couple of years,” “They’re coming along a lot faster than I expect- in Texas Christian Athletic she said, “but we decided ed,” she said. “They’ve remembered a lot more Fellowship Division 2, to pick it back up this year. than I thought they would.” District 1. I’m really passionate about The coach is especially excited about the play of volleyball so I was real ada- a couple of especially gifted seniors, including mant we have a team this one-woman sports program Jessica Hamilton, Article by: Phil Riddle year.” and defensive specialist Angela Antoine. McIntosh, who also coaches “Jessica Hamilton one of the most talented girls the team, as well as VBA I’ve ever met,” McIntosh gushed. “She picks girls’ basketball, said the things up super quick. She plays volleyball, is decision was made, in part, point guard on the basketball team, did well in to allow upper class players the district tennis meet. She played for me last a chance to take part. time and I look for good things coming from “We did really well in bas- her.” ketball last season,” the for- Antoine, who is being counted on to anchor mer Weatherford Lady Roo the middle of the Lady Pats front, is working on said. “We won our district. learning her position. We’ve got some very talent- “She is going to be playing our middle front ed girls and we wanted to position,” the coach said. “The girl can jump. go ahead and let a few of the She’s got some hang time. I’m trying to help her girls play all the sports they get her basics down so we can use her to the best could in their senior year.” of her abilities.” According to McIntosh, a With the extended time away from the game, 2005 WHS graduate, the McIntosh thinks it prudent to emphasize Lady Patriots’ roster num- defense, at least early in the year. bers 13, including a player “We’ve been working on a lot of defensive picked up when former drills,” she said “Being hit at, rather than hitting. district foe Aledo Christian I hope that can be our strong point. We haven’t shut down. Interviewed in worked nearly as much on offense, so we’ll the second week of practice, probably be a primarily defensive team.”

34 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine WEATHERFORD CHRISTIAN LADY LIONS

vate school offers some challenges, according to the AD, whose team practices at the North Side Baptist Church. “They are very supportive and they let us use their gym.” Games are played at Weatherford Ninth Grade Center. Steensma, who built the WCS athletic program, coached her daughter as a sixth grade basketball player. Six years later, in 2009, they teamed up to claim the school’s first state title. “It was just one of those things that you know you probably get to do just once in a lifetime,” she Shifting Gears smiled. “To build something like that. It was an unbelievable moment.” Championship basketball coach takes over WCS voleyball So, how does the coach Debby Steensma is no the coach has had to draw the coach reported. “She expect the transition stranger to getting the most upon her experience to set played libero a lot for from basketball to volley- out of young athletes. reasonable goals for the us last year. And did an ball to go? She has a pair of Texas upcoming campaign. extremely good job there. “Coaching, in a lot of Christian Athletic “We’re not putting too She’s also a really good set- aspects, is coaching,” she Fellowship state titles and many expectations on the ter. There’ll be opportuni- said candidly. “There’s a a runner-up trophy to her girls,” Steensma said. “Last ties for me to move her certain amount of coach- credit as head basketball year we were shooting for around some.” ing you can do, almost coach at Weatherford district and every game The Lady Lions district if you’ve never played Christian School. was pushing us to that goal. schedule will be minus one the sport. An encourage- But Steensma, who is This year, we’re young, so tough opponent this season ment. It’s an attention to also the school’s Athletic my goal is going to be more as Waco-based Parkview details.” Director, has taken on a to reach team goals in the Christian Academy, the new challenge – leading sense that we get a bump, defending state champion, the WCS Lady Lions vol- set and hit each time.” has merged with another Article by: Phil Riddle leyball team for 2012. “We’re going to be build- school and opted to com- In spite of the lack of expe- ing and we’ll put goals out pete in another organiza- rience, Steensma, whose there we’re going to see us tion. squad returns just one meeting,” she said. “That’s That does not mean, how- senior from a playoff run not to say we wouldn’t love ever, the road to the post- last year was upbeat when to win district, and we’re season will be an easy one. workouts started in early going to play to that, but With Azle Christian, August. I’m not going to make that Fort Worth Christian “We’re going to be an the emphasis because I’d Life, Aledo Christian and extremely young and inex- rather see them progress- Mineral Wells Christian perienced team,” she said, ing as we go.” joining WCS in the district, adding WCS lost five start- The team’s lone returning competition could be sur- ers from the ’11 team. “But starter is senior Chelsea prisingly stiff. the kids we have are very Rose, who can fill a few “Azle Christian will be dedicated and they are roles for Steensma, the pri- very strong and Christian working hard. Practices are mary being as a defensive Life from Fort Worth going very well.” specialist. should be pretty good,” said But with youth the over- “We can use her in a couple Steensma. riding team characteristic, of different capacities,” Being coach at a small pri-

35 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine G o t t a Believe Roos’ experience and good spring workouts are reasons!

“Two years ago it wasn’t when they were sophomores,” Waller smiled. Believe. “But that group of kid’s work well Weatherford football coach Reid Waller has made it together, they get along. Believe it or this season’s motto for his team. not, they’re all leaders.” “That’s where it starts,” he said, Interview by: Phil Riddle referring to his stalwarts up front, “then all the other pieces come in “You’ve got to believe,” he said in That wasn’t the case when Waller behind that.” a YHS interview just prior to the took over the Roos three seasons Who’ll be pulling the trigger on beginning of workouts. “Before ago. Waller’s spread offense was still a you can be successful, you have to “I took the job in July, so there question rolling into workouts. believe you can be successful. You’ve wasn’t much room for change then,” Either Colton Mallory, who played got to believe in yourself, you’ve he explained. “We came into district some at the varsity level last season, got to believe in your teammates, in that season and we started eight or JV standout Brent Wirtz are your coaches, in your system. Never, sophomores.” expected to line up behind center. ever let the shadow of a doubt enter “Starting those eight sophomores, Whichever it turns out to be, Waller your mind. That shadow of a doubt it was a learning process for them,” is feeling more confident about his provides hesitation. He who hesi- he said, “but they hung in there and signal caller than in seasons past. tates is lost.” battled. Last year we showed some In spring workouts, both quarter- “Believe,” he said simply, “is a huge improvement. We had a few setbacks were in the huddle at practice, deal for us.” backs along the way, but going into something that hadn’t happened And while Coach Waller’s point in this year we’ve got those kids who before in the Waller era at WHS. becoming mentally tougher certainly have played under the lights.” “They were always in other sports,” has a place in teaching young men Among those who have “played Coach said of his former QBs confidence, he also has several con- under the lights,” are members of absence in the spring. “Last spring crete reasons to believe. the Kangaroos’ entire offensive line, we had both quarterbacks out and First, he has several starters return- which returns en masse. that’s going to help us.” ing on either side of the ball. The group consists of guards Jace Plus, even though Waller won’t Admittedly, the Kangaroos suf- Ford and 6-1, 250-pound Hayden name any of the possible to run the fered through a 3-7 season in 2011, Davis, tackles 286-pound Jordan ball for Weatherford, he is excited but with five returning starters Gray, and Destin Dorsett, and center about depth at the feature back posi- on offense and a half-dozen more 253-pound Sammy Stephens. tion, claiming there is no clear-cut defensively, battle-hardened experi- Believing starts getting easier, since starter and there could be as many ence appears to be in Weatherford’s an entire offensive line coming back as four running backs toting the ball. favor. all together is a coach’s dream. That could also be strength of the

36 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine COACH REID WALLER

37 | October 2011 SportsPlanet ROOS 2012

INTERVIEW BY: PHIL RIDDLE ball,” he said. “Here, our initial they’ll try to spread the field.” scheme was the spread. We started “What we have to do,” Coach expanding that and went from the Waller said, “is eliminate the big old triple option, double slot to two- plays, make them drive 80-yards. by-twos, three-by-ones and even That takes a lot of patience and con- some empty backfield sets.” sistency.” “We’ve evolved a little bit,” Defensive standouts expected to “We will run a little 3-4 in some Waller said. “What we try to do make a difference for Weatherford situations,” Waller said. “But our is what every team tries to do: in the 2012 campaign include tack- identity, there’s no doubt, is the Spread the field and isolate. les Kent Sanner, 6-1, 232, and 270- 4-2-5.” Football’s about getting your best on pound Andrew Cape who brings a That defensive scheme allows the their worst. Getting the best match- sub 5-second 40 time to the table, Roos to cover the field, which ups you can.” along with defensive ends Slade is getting increasingly difficult On defense, those matchups could Hodge and Zack Harriman, and as the popularity of spread and be harder for opponents to recog- linebackers Jay Hardy and three- pass-first offenses builds. nize as WHS will generally line up year starter Dylan Powell. in a nickel set with four linemen and Free safety Dalton Club is also two linebackers in traditional posi- expected to be an impact player in WHS offense, since Waller espouses tions. ’12. Club at 6-0 and 163 pounds, traditional football values when he “We will run a little 3-4 in some boasts 4.6 speed and registered 40 talks of his preference of moving the situations,” Waller said. “But our tackles last year. ball on the ground. identity, there’s not doubt, is “He’s got good hands,” Waller said “In our league, offensively, we need the 4-2-5.” of Club. “He’s got some speed and to eliminate mistakes, control the That defensive scheme allows good jumping ability. He had a football,” he said. “We’re not going the Roos to cover the field, which good spring, too.” to make any bones about it, we want is getting increasingly difficult as Add to that a pair of accurate to run the ball. It’s an old adage, the popularity of spread and pass- kickers to anchor special teams and ‘you have to be able to run the first offenses builds. there are certainly reasons for opti- football and stop the run’.” “We’ll play a couple of teams that mism among the Blue and White That ground-based offense is where run a two-back (formation),” the faithful. he is steering the Kangaroos. Roos coach said. “But for the most “We feel like we have two really “Our history has been option foot- part we’ll see mostly one-back and good kickers and we really have

38 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine motorsports four,” Waller said, “This year our more relaxed, because I want my kids to be returning kicker is Trey Rich. He’s relaxed. We want them to follow the tone of grown over the summer and he’s the coaching staff. The most important play is focused on being a kicker. He’s the next one, not the last one.” come in here every day over the Then he returns to the all-encompassing summer to workout.” word for the season. As is the case with any football Believe. coach, Waller said having an effec- “I want our kids to believe,” he reiterated. tive kicker is a boon to both other “That word, believe, runs pretty deep. A kid aspects of the team. has got to believe, ‘you’re not going to beat “It’s huge,” he said. “First of all, if me I’m going to beat you and the reason is you can put it in the end zone on I’m me and you’re you.” the kickoff and don’t allow the big Waller said that belief is to be tested in a play in open space, you can make tough District 3-5A, which boasts the No. them have to drive a long way. Or if 10 Class 5A preseason selection, Arlington you can spot the ball on sky kicks or Martin. pooch kicks, there’s always a chance “The people who make it out of 3-5A are for mishandling the ball there. The going to be battle tested,” said Waller, who kicking game is huge.” OK. says he likes the district. “There are as good The team brings some speed, some of athletes in this district as there are any- skill and some experience. Those are where in the state.” reasons to believe. But he still believes. Still, how do coaches MAKE players His own personal beliefs are nowhere more believe? vividly projected than in his goals for the Waller said it’s a conditioned 2012 Kangaroos. response to pressure. “We have three goals,” the coach said. “Make “When those lights are on on the the playoffs, win our first playoff game. And field,” he said with a grin, “it’s a little be playing the week of Thanksgiving.” bit different than it is in the stands.” “Legitimately, after you win the first play- INTERVIEW BY: PHIL RIDDLE In order to get his charges accus- off game, crazy things can happen,” he tomed to performing on Friday explained. “Then if you make it to the week nights, Waller said practices must of Thanksgiving, you’re starting to see the be, in his word, intense. light at the end of the tunnel.” “We try to give them some pressure in practice so when the game comes I guess he believes. along they are ready to go,” he said. “My days, when I get the most intense, is in practice. When I get into a ball game, I’ve got to be a little Article by: Phil Riddle motorsportsweatherford roos Home Sweet Home Weatherford is facing the same sort of situation as someone who has to have their number changed, even though they are still living in the same house.

Biannual University Interscholastic doesn’t mean the Roos’ mettle won’t League realignment earlier this year be sorely tested. changed the Roos’ district designa- The toughest stretch of the year tion from 4-5A to 3-5A even though appears to be the three games begin- the same opponents populate the ning Sept. 28 when the Roos face new league. predicted playoff teams in Arlington So, one plus they have coming into Bowie and Arlington High at home the grid season is knowing their sandwiched around an Oct. 5 trip to competition. top 10-rated Arlington Martin. There is another, perhaps even more The three Arlington teams, all in one playoff team, former loop mate Burleson, which fin- important positive in the Kangaroos’ the Class 5A playoffs in 2011, com- ished the year with a 6-5 slate. favor. bined for a 27-11 mark last year, led Those numbers mean nothing to Waller and his plans for If home field turns out to be a major by Martin’s 12-2, and all three are 2012. plus, the blue and white could make being counted on to return to post- “Our goal in non-district is to get better,” he said candidly, some noise among their loop breth- season action. recalling a former team’s early-season record. “I’ve been ren. Waller, concerned about the three in a situation in Plano where we went 0-3 in non-district Consider this: The Roos, like nearly games against predicted playoff games, but we got better and wound up winning nine all other high school teams in Texas combatants, is hardly ready to con- games and going into the third round of the playoffs.” play half of their games in their own cede anything. “Everybody would like to go into district 3-0,” he admitted, home stadium. “I’m not sure there is an easy game “but it’s all about getting better and preparing yourselves But also consider this: Coach Reid or a let-up in 3-5.” He said. “All of for the games that count.” Waller’s crew will not travel on (the district teams) are good. There The campaign’s last four games include an Oct. 19 home- consecutive weeks all season. And, were some upsets last year. So we’ll counting their Aug. 24 season- just have to play hard, get through opening scrimmage against Ennis, the non-district games and lock in.” they have back-to-back home games Still, early-season competition, at three times. least on paper, gives WHS an oppor- “Four of our first five events are tunity to ramp up to the level of the at home,” said Waller, begin- new district foes, facing a below .500 ning his third year at the helm of Richland team in the 2012 debut Weatherford football. “You like at Kangaroo Stadium, and a pair that. After that it’s basically home of 4-A opponents in Cleburne and and away. It’s a good schedule for Burleson. us. That three-game stretch pits the Favorable scheduling, however, Roos against teams with a combined 14-17 record last season, and just

40 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine weatherford roos

coming visit by Paschal, a trip to North Crowley on Oct. 26, senior night at WHS against Arlington Lamar and the regular season finale at Arlington Sam Houston on Nov. 9. Those four combatants are a collec- tive 15-27 from 2011, bookended by Arlington’s 6-5 and a 1-9 from Houston, giving Weatherford cause for optimism rolling into what is hoped will be a chance at the playoffs and a first-round game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. “We have three goals this year,” said the WHS coach. “Get to the playoffs, win our first playoff game and be playing the week of Thanksgiving.

And we’ll take them one at a time.”

Article by: Phil Riddle

41 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine must have coupon for offer weatherford lady roos

Digging it

New WHS volleyball coach hopes to ingrain defensive mindset Coach Natalie Hayman

DEDICATED Hayman said bluntly, “I don’t feel coach, may have turned out to be a That’s the one word new like I did my job as a coach to get positive influence in her life. Weatherford volleyball coach them there.” As a freshman in college, her high Natalie Hayman says most describes That may sound more than a little school freshman coach, Eric Morris, her. bold but Hayman’s determination called and asked if Hayman, now And she hopes to take that dedica- has allowed her to be successful retired as a player, would be inter- tion, along with the positives from and to overcome serious personal ested in coaching. last season’s .500 finish and craft a setbacks. “It was really hard,” she admitted. new mindset for the Lady Roos. As a senior in high school the future “It was a tough decision because I’d The Fort Worth native and former coach had to undergo a pair of sur- about decided to become a veteri- Weatherford College student is geries to deal with fallen arches, narian. I decided to give it a try and bringing her own mantra of “success which caused nerve damage in her I just loved it. comes with dedication and determi- feet, calves and ankles. “It’s like having the same drive I had nation” in her plan to make WHS an A podiatrist performed one surgery as a player, “ she smiled, “but I am elite North Texas spike squad. from which she returned after just on the sidelines. Then watching the Hired in May, Hayman has not even six weeks. kids get the same drive you have – had the opportunity to meet all “I finished my year,” she said, cred- that’s so cool. It’s very rewarding.” her players. However, that doesn’t iting her high school trainer who Her team, some of whom she had dampen her excitement. “invented tape jobs for me to help not even met by the time two-a- “I don’t know a lot about that team, “ get me through my last year, because days started, may be surprised by Hayman said of the 2011 Lady Roos, I wasn’t about to give up.” the young, blonde who has taken “but I do know that’s something After her senior year were four over the reins at WHS. to build on. If I can get them up to more surgical procedures in quick “They will find very soon I am very speed fast, get them dedicated, want- succession, ending her volleyball intense,” she said. “I don’t care if the ing to be there and wanting to win, career before playing as a student at team we’re playing is state champ, I the playoffs are attainable.” Texas Wesleyan. expect to go in to win. That’s what Whoa. “I was in two boots for a couple of I put into my players. When they Playoffs? years,” she said. realize we’ve just lost a match 25-2 “If I don’t make it to the playoffs,” But those boots, along with a former and I’m still screaming, they’ll real-

43 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine weatherford lady roos

ize I’m into this to win.” monster on the outside,” Hayman Hayman, who comes to predicted. “She’ll hammer the ball Weatherford after a two-year stint for us. And Jordan Harvey, she’s at Canton, believes winning vol- going to be pretty darn good.” leyball comes from playing effective Coach Hayman, citing what she defense. knew prior to the beginning of the “I love offense,” she said with a con- season, said the Lady Roos would spiratorial smile, “but defense wins likely be a solid offensive unit, but games. Anyone can hit the ball. might need some work to get the Every team has at least one hard hit- defensive edge she sees as necessary ter, but you have to be the ones to to compete in District 3-5A. defend that hit.” “We’re going to be a very good She reiterated. offensive team, but we need to work “We don’t want to hammer the on our defense,” she said. “We’ve ball, offensively. If you’re playing a got all the big Arlington schools. good quality team, then they’ll have Arlington Martin, for instance is a a good quality defense and they’ll great team, but David beat Goliath be able to dig that hit. It may sound so I feel like any team can be taken good and look good, but it’s not a down any day.” point. You’ve just wasted your time.” Okay, an intense new coach, dedica- Hayman has, by her own estima- tion, determination and a renewed tion, inherited a mostly youthful emphasis on defense are all part of team, even though there could be the new agenda. four or five seniors lining up for But how will the new coach judge WHS. whether the season has been suc- “That sounds like a decent number,” cessful. she said, “but otherwise we’re going “If we get the mindset we can beat to be pretty young. We’ve got good anybody,” Hayman said with con- sophomore and freshman classes viction. “I feel like right now when coming up. We’ll be pretty young, kids talk about Arlington Martin or but we’ll be scrappy.” Aledo it’s like, ‘Oh, that’s a loss.’ If Among her expected stars are out- I can get them to the mindset they side hitter Alexis Garner, senior can beat anyone then we’ll be really setter Jordan Harvey, who is mend- good.” ing from a fractured foot, and Emma Murphey, expected to anchor at middle blocker. Article by: Phil Riddle “Alexis Garner is going to be a

44 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine

view from the press box I have got to be the luckiest guy in the world I’ve spent the biggest part of my professional life covering sports.

sive back and, most notably as a champion- Hall of Fame, discussing the 1940 NFL ship quarterback in the 40s and early 50s. Championship, a lop-sided clash his were ingrained in the conversations of my Redskins lost 73-0 to the Bears. broadcasting and sports writing heroes. He reminisced. He waxed nostalgic and he Baugh, who still owns NFL punting laughed. records, once threw for four touchdowns in Then he stopped. a game, while intercepting four passes. It got quiet and I had to stop being a fan By the time I met him, he was into his 70s, and start being a sports writer again. and, though it would have been a stretch “What is the dumbest question you were to say he’d mellowed, he was a fun guy to ever asked as a player?” I queried, filling talk to. He played golf nearly every day at a the silence. 9-hole course at Western Texas College in Without missing a beat, Baugh grinned and Snyder, where he lent his name to a benefit began telling of the post-game coverage of tournament. the loss to the Bears. Football, baseball, softball, soccer, track, I’d heard how, as an NFL star, he rode in As background d for his story, he told of golf, tennis, all on levels from pee-wee to rodeos in the off-season. an early-game drive that was halted when a college. I’d heard about his legendary temper and pass he threw was dropped in the end zone. The thing that makes me feel luckiest is his colorful language. Then it got funny when he remembered a in my job I get to meet athletes, most of One story goes that after his pro football certain sports writer’s question. whom are incredibly gracious human career ended, he took the head- coaching “That idiot asked me, ‘Sam, would it have beings. job at stately Baptist institution Hardin- made any difference in the outcome of the I’ve been on the sidelines when they have Simmons University in Abilene. One after- game if that ball had been caught?’ exceeded their expectations and celebrated, noon, the college president was purported “I said, ‘%$#^ yeah, it would have made a and when they made game-changing mis- to have moseyed down to the field to watch difference. It would have been 73-6.’” takes. Baugh run his team through its paces. The I still really love talking to athletes, One of my first post-game interviews falls president was, at least according to legend, But Sam set the bar pretty high. into the latter category. A West Texas High a little upset at the coach’s language. School quarterback, on the verge of beat- “Coach Baugh,” he is reported to have said ing his school’s arch rivals for the first time at the close of practice, “I’m not entirely Phil Riddle Phil Riddle in nine seasons had unwisely eschewed his comfortable with you taking the Lord’s Editor coach’s call to take a knee with just seconds name in vain.” left on the clock, and threw an interception Whereupon Slingin’ Sammy said, “It ain’t in that turned an upset win into…well, just vain. It’s workin’.” upsetting. I don’t know if that story’s true, but it’s a I felt bad for the kid. But, he didn’t hide great story. from his mistake. He talked for quite a My meeting with the grid legend came while before he went out to face a critical on the occasion of the naming of the public. He went on to coach high school Southwest Conference’s All-75 year team. football. I still wonder if his QB… nah. As it so happened, Baugh, a TCU alum and Surely not. a two-time All-America selection for the That interview was tough. But my favorite Frogs, was elected to the team. all-time had to have been with Sammy Frankly I don’t remember a lot of the con- Baugh. versation. I was admittedly star struck. Yep, that Sammy Baugh. I’d heard of him, But I do remember Baugh, a charter of course. His exploits as a punter, a defen- member of the National Football League

46 | September/October 2012 | Your Hometown Sports Magazine