Gulf Coast Sports Report 081426

By Ari Trybiarz
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Updated: August 15, 2026

Gulf Coast Sports Report 081426
Season 2, Episode 1

Hosts: Mike Forman and Chris Doelle

This episode of Gulf Coast Sports Report examines the current state of high school football on the Texas Gulf Coast, highlighting the impact of extreme heat on practices. Hosts Chris Doelle and Mike Foreman pay tribute to a young player who died of cardiac arrest and discuss the importance of indoor facilities for protecting athletes. They also explore the situation of local teams like Refugio, which is facing declining enrollment, and Cuero, which is thriving thanks to regional economic growth. The program also promotes sports media internships and services from local vendors, underscoring the importance of community in youth sports. Finally, they preview upcoming games and practices, while inviting listeners to follow their coverage of other sports such as volleyball.

Key Topics Covered

Heat and Safety Precautions: The hosts discuss the extreme weather conditions and a tragic incident involving a student-athlete at Lake Travis. They also highlight the precautions coaches take, such as frequent water breaks and scheduling practices early in the morning to beat the heat.
Practice Facilities: There is a discussion regarding the high cost of indoor practice facilities and how some districts, like Corpus Christi Tuloso-Midway, are opting for more affordable open-air covered facilities to provide shade for football, band, and other classes.
Refugio Football and Enrollment: Mike Foreman shares observations from his visit to Refugio, noting a significant drop in player numbers due to low enrollment. He mentions that while Refurio is currently 2A Division I, they will likely drop to Division II during the next realignment.
Local Industry and Community Impact: The conversation touches on how the lack of industry in Refurio and a potential highway bypass for US-77 could further impact the community and school enrollment.
Team Previews and Player Updates:
- Ganado: Looked strong with most of their starters returning, including their quarterback and Logan Burrish.
- Cuero: Noted for an exceptionally high turnout of over 50 freshmen, which the hosts attribute to the city's successful economic development and football tradition.
- Edna: Discussed their move to Region 3 and their upcoming district challenge against top-ranked Columbus.
Upcoming Scrimmages and Opening Week: The hosts preview several scrimmages, including Shiner vs. Tidehaven and Yoakum at Franklin. They also highlight major opening week matchups such as Calhoun vs. Victoria West, Yoakum vs. Cuero, and Bay City vs. Columbus.
Scheduling Strategy: A discussion on the benefits of "playing up" or facing tough non-district opponents to prepare for the postseason, citing Port Calhoun and Shiner as examples.
Other Sports: The episode briefly mentions the start of the volleyball season, specifically noting Goliad’s win over Victoria East, and the upcoming cross country season.
Internship Opportunities: Chris Bailey and Mike Foreman emphasize their search for interns interested in sports media, explaining how the program helps students build portfolios for future careers.