Five Big Things in #txhsfb: 08/30/15 by Chris Doelle
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Updated: August 30, 2015
Five Big Things in Texas High School Football
Its that time again… time for my Five BIG Things! These are the things that stood out for me recently as it relates to Texas high school football. As usual, they are not listed in order of importance – just as they come to me. And yes, I know another site recently added their "5 big things" but as with just about everything cool surrounding "the greatest sport in the greatest state" ™ we did it here first and best!
Well opening weekend is past us and the stories they generated are countless. Here are some things that stood out for me...
1. A sloppy opening week for some excellent teams - I could to a Five BIG things just about this subject, but I'll lump them into this first one. We started the season with Katy tied for the #1 spot in the Class 6A ranking and while they totally destroyed Kingwood 46-0 in the season opener Thursday night, it was not a state champion level performance by the Tigers. I know, I know... how can I have anything negative to say about a 46-0 win? There were just a lot of things that didn't look like Katy football. The tackling often looked like it was a walk-through for the Tigers as only Collin Wilder appeared ready to play defense. (He was laying the wood all night and if someone came flying in with a devastating hit, you could bet it was Wilder.) Also the kick return coverage had holes all over for the first half of the game. You can bet that Coach Gary Joseph will have a laundry list of items to work on with the team. Rest assured, Katy is still Katy and the Tigers will still be there by playoff time.
De Soto played nothing like advertised. I think we are the only one that didn't have De Soto ranked #1 in the state, but even we had them tied at #3 with Manvel. Their play was a comedy of errors as they couldn't hold onto the ball and our #16 Arlington Martin team came to play.
It is the same story with Manvel falling to Spring Westfield. Don't get me wrong - Spring Westfield is going to have a really good team this year, but the miscues by Manvel were far from what we expect. They had numerous turnovers to start the game. The snaps were more often over D'Eric King's head than to him. King was sacked - he threw interceptions... it was not championship football. Again, they will put it together and be around come playoff time.
How about Cuero losing to Wharton? It wasn't that they lost - it was how they were destroyed 35-13. There are some good teams that are jut not ready to play.
I have said it for years that the first two games should not really factor into your opinion of a team. Let me add... unless they are dominant and destroy a team (like Allen's 48-16 win over Guyer or Odessa Permian rolling all over McAllen 70-14. It appears those teams are just ready to play.
Oh, and let me say the official penalty of week 1 has to be "block in the back" on a return. This is a typical week one error that we have seen numerous times in every game we've watched this short season. We also saw flags for players not being set before the snap... there were a ton of those procedural type mistakes. Those type of miscues will be gone by week three.
2. #1 Team in the Country? – The Euless Trinity Trojans played host to one of the winningest high school football programs in the country and the #1 ranked high school team in the USA - De La Salle, California. No matter what mythical national ranking you put on a team, it still comes down to playing the game and in Texas we know how to play the game.
It doesn't matter how many IMGs, MaxPreps or Scouts try to tell their readers that the shift is happening away from Texas. Our motto "the greatest sport in the greatest state" ™ may sound like bragging to some, but all I can say is... "SCOREBOARD!"
3. La Grange is for real – When we put La Grange at the #1 spot in 4A DII, it raised a couple eyebrows. (Of course, others soon added them to the top of their own polls.) When they went up against a very strong (#5 in 4A DI) Liberty Hill team and walked away with a 35-20, you can bet they will be moving to the top of the rest of the polls. JK Dobbins proved worthy of the "beast" label I've been putting on him as he scored all 5 of the Panthers' TDs.
4. UIL Stadium in Austin! - I know this isn't really news anymore but after watching four games in the Houston area on opening weekend, I am hearing it mentioned alot around the Bayou City. The question on everyone's mind is, "If the dominance of state champions shifts away from the DFW schools, does it make a good case for rotating the location?"
I know that Jerry Jones wants it at Cowboys Stadium and he wants it there every year, but the UIL is going to have to take notice if this affects the championship take-home tally for the Houston area. You can bet that coaches outside of the DFW Region will make a case for either moving it around or my big idea... UIL Stadium in the Austin area!
Think about it. A domed stadium in the Austin area (I'm thinking out near the F1 track down Hwy 183.) You can create a multi-sport facility that can handle state championships in all the major sporting events.
- Centrally located for schools around the state
- Could produce income throughout the year with statewide teacher, coaching and administrator meetings/conventions etc.
- Could produce income as a music/entertainment venue (again being centrally located would bring audiences from around the state for these events as well)
- Designed to be convertible for football, basketball, soccer, track & field, tennis, and many more
I'm on board. Hey UIL, if you need some help designing, promoting or selling the idea... give me a call!
5.Officials are serious about no celebration - In two of the four games I took in this weekend a touchdown was called back because of celebration. Each time, as the running was about to score they gave some indication that they were happy - some gesture that could be construed as taunting or celebrating. Each time it was one a very long scoring play and time the penalty assessed was 15 yards from the point of celebration and the score was taken off the board. Yes, each time the team scored a few plays later, but you know those players heard something from their coach afterward. It appears that the Texas Association of Sports Officials (TASO) apparently is making it very clear that they will not put up with anyone appearing to taunt an opponent. It seems they are okay with a little celebration after the score is made but if there is any celebration as you are reaching the endzone, the flag comes out.
by Chris Doelle
What were the biggest things for you in Texas high school football this weekend? Comment below or call in the voicemail line and be on the show 713-568-6361!
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