Winona

Troup by a bunch

It's a sad day for Winona. Not only a great coach, but a superior teacher and a class act. The program has more playoff teams and more teams one blip from the playoffs than it's had in years. Football team went to playoffs for first time in almost 2 decades. After having to rebuild the entire staff this year (not his choice), he had a team with significantly inferior talent and experience from the year before miss the playoffs by one game. Took team to playoffs with a QB who hadn't really taken a snap before. The year before Evans became Head Coach, the kids were getting their brains beat out and sitting on their helmets on the sideline by the time the 4th quarter came around, and most of the crowd was gone after the band played at halftime. In Evans' first year, they were still getting beaten but the crowds were sticking around because the kids were giving 100% until the final whistle. Then the next year, playoffs. We all knew this last year was rebuilding and then starting over with only 1 assistant coach from the year before it was an even bigger challenge. Still, the team was one game from playoffs. It's been a good year for Winona athletics, the best its been in years, but this just leaves a bad taste in my mouth if I'm being honest. Apparently raising the level of the program, improving the discipline, all while being the AD/HFC and still teaching and being an overall class act is not what they are looking for. The only man I know that might have a higher level of integrity than Scott Evans has is C.R. Evans, his father, the Mayor of Overton and one of the classiest guys on the planet. Scott Evans will be much better off, but Winona will not be.

Stop the QB from running = stop the raiders

We have have seen the potential of the offense to pile up rushing yards and score, but we haven't really gotten to see the defense tested yet so that question remains.

To add to what 13TX said, the overall team speed is greater than last year, and the line is quicker. The overall team is younger, but the skill level, overall, is better. New QB, new RB's (2 of which are new to varsity this year), which are quickly becoming a 3-headed threat.

Back in the early 1990's I was doing play-by-play for Cameron. We had sideline reporter with wireless mic who would, as part of what he did, try to get injury reports. We heard a couple of all-timers. "The injury is not nearly as serious as we hoped . . . " "They are taking his right foot off now . . . " On the not knowing the subs names - same school, but baseball on the radio. I'm doing color and we are behind the backstop where some folks close to us can hear every word. Two guys come in late, I think it was for Giddings or maybe Smithville. One was named, last name "Shaub". I turned to my partner and I said "I know . . . his name is Rusty . . . Rusty Shaub" (as in the former Astro, Met, Expo and Tiger Rusty Staub". . . well I got on a roll after he laughed. Next guy was named, first name Forest. I remembered a guy I played against in little league in Houston named Forest Eleuterius, so I said "Let's call him Forest Eleuterius", figuring nobody from the opposing team is listening and not thinking about the people 15 feet away or less from the other team. Turns out, one of the fans was the uncle of Forest Eleuterius that I'd played against in little league . . . wow . . . at least it gave us something to talk about in the late innings.

Pulling for Winona, and I think it will be a close one - certainly the toughest test so far this year. I see it coming down to extra points missed or made. I'll take Winona 28, New Diana 27

Two touchdowns??? Last year Winona pretty much scored at will and this year so far Como has been outscored 120-0. I'm saying Winona by 40 minimum.

New Diana is next week. Winona should win this one handily if they play hard. Put it on them last year.

Winona- coach Evans' bunch defeats his alma mater

We played both teams, no question Arp is the much better team. I say Arp by two touchdowns at least.

I never said I thought we were going to win a state championship - but I do believe we will continue to be competitive. With 4 teams going to the playoffs next year (which I'm not for), we should be in the hunt for that at least. Changing the culture is a huge thing.

WWIKD - I have no idea, for the 2nd week in a row, what in the world you are talking about in changing sites. None of the games for Winona has changed sites this year.

The senior class is certainly a big part of the success but we have a good freshman class as well, plus there's been a change in culture in the program. The change in attitude has affected things more than the growth of athletes.

Garrison by two touchdowns