bordertown

Remember Colt McCoy

In a effort to separate the round ball v the oblong ball games, I have started a new thread. Horns enter the season ranked #12. In an exhibition game, they spanked #10 Arkansas 90-60. It was an exhibition, so the result must be somewhat discounted (but impressive). In their first game at the new Moody Center, the Horns beat UTEP 72-57. One observation from the game, Beard’s insistence on defense was evident. I felt the offense needed more movement, but I am sure it is about developing chemistry with the new players. This team is very experienced, which should bode well in big games. Tonight the take on Houston Christian before hosting Gonzaga next week.

By UIL rules, it is the responsibility of the school to have an Administrator on Duty to handle issues off the field of play. It is “all hands on deck” for TISD administrators at home games. There are at least two administrators on duty at every section of the stands and stationed elsewhere around the stadium. Given the proximity of the stands to the field of play, it is a necessity.

TAMU-Texarkana is NAIA. They are a relatively new program that seems to be adding a new program every couple of years (no football).

By records and seeding, Texas High should be favored. Don’t have a clue about Terrell. But insight of their record, they have shown they can score. At the same time, they have shown their defense can be porous. To date, the Tigers have not demonstrated a shutdown defense. As a result, I anticipate a number of points scored on Friday.

Yes 2/3 goes to the UT system and 1/3 to A&M. As the money originally for the two campuses, the legislature threatened to break up the PUF. (The following is my understanding, but may not be totally accurate). A compromise was to create a UT and A&M system to include other schools. A&M largely incorporated existing universities such as West Texas State, Texas A&I, Tarleton St, & East Texas St. UT system took on Texas Western (UTEP), Arlington State College (UTA - from Texas A&M), and Pan American University (UTRGV). But the UT System took on establishing new ground up universities, including UTSA, UT-Dallas, UT-Tyler, and UT-Tyler. I assume this was an agreement between the legislature and the two schools. Unless it has changed, the PUF can only be used for facilities. The fact the UT share of the PUF is 2x A&M’s share, the UT system has more financial wherewithal to grow plant universities.

I don’t want another hand in the PUF.

Given SFA’s forestry program, it seems to be a better match with A&M.

Glad we escaped Manhattan with a win. The “soft” play in the secondary is concerning. I would rather the opponents beat us heads up in a man to man coverage, than surgically moving the ball in zone coverage.

I am going to paraphrase, “It’s a community issue”.

Think the worst thing to happen to Texas High was being ranked #4 in the state. They kept this lofty ranking even while they were struggling. Many pieces of this team are underclassmen. My gut tells me they read their press clippings and thought it would come easy. Hopefully, the last three games have woken them up. I suspect Terrell is better than Pine Tree, who could have won last night. The seniors on the team need to assume their leadership role or their football careers will soon be over. Pulling for the Tigers and all our district brethren.

Texas High 16 Pine Tree 13 Tigers claim District Championship the hard way.

T-High 9 Pine Tree 3 Half

It was 4th and 5 on WH 25 with 2:20 on the clock. Texas High should have taken care of business no doubt, but it was an obvious missed called. I do believe WH outplayed THS and deserved to win.

Texas High at Pine Tree

I read the players mother was dating the coach, they were living with him, and the couple is still together. That seems to be going above the call to recruit a player. Unless there was another instance of recruiting, seems to be a harsh penalty for the coach.

Unfortunately we got Grim’d at Grim

If you go to Texarkana Gameday Facebook play, you will see two critical missed calls in the Texas High v Whitehouse game. One was a beautiful long pass by Whitehouse QB that was ruled a touchdown but appears to have been incomplete. Who knows, the Wildcats May have scored on the drive. The second call was probably more critical. On a fourth down play late in the 4th quarter, the WH QB under duress threw a sideline pass. It appears the receiver was out of bounds. If you believe it was a catch, it appears to be behind the 1st down marker. To the Wildcats credit, they took advantage and scored the winning touchdown. Sorry don’t know how to link FB.

Congrats to Whitehouse. Deserve the win.

I think there is a difference between throwing Ewers under the bus and saying he was having a bad day and a change at QB is necessary for a game. Think the vast majority of the armchair coaches (which I am in that group) believe Ewers is the better QB 3 games out of 4. But yesterday may have been that 1 out of 4. I think the hostile atmosphere in Stillwater impacted his play.

Boone Pickens Stadium has to be one of the most dangerous stadiums in college football. The stadium seating looks like it begins about 15 ft from the playing field. It is definitely a home field advantage.

A some have them, but won’t go to them when #1 is having an off day.

I have not given up on Ewers, but agree Card have been given a shot after the 1st series of 4th. Ewers did not have it today and seemed the only player he wanted to throw it to was Worthy. He was having an equally bad day. Some games you have to change the chemistry. But overall, the team was flat. Also, not sure what the deal with Red was on the sideline. I would expect the young man to be suspended for a couple of games.

As I was watching the game on Dragon Media, it is difficult to comment on the officiating. My first observation is the Nac coach knew in advance which crew was officiating the game. If he or the T-High coach thought they were biased, they could have scratched them. I cannot intelligently comment on specific calls, as the camera view often had a difficult time following the play (not a compliant as I assume it was student media) and near side corners could not be picked up by the camera. On the first call I suspect you are referencing, was a no call on a pass over the middle in the 1st quarter. My initial reaction was either legs got tangled or the ball was uncatchable. Obviously, the Nac coach disagreed, thought it was a pass interference and he compounded the issue by receiving a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Several minutes later an assistant appeared to be yelling at a sideline official and was “pushed back” by another official (which was not flagged). It seemed to create an us against the officials in the Nac crowd. It appeared both teams were having issues with holding penalties hindering drives. The one call I laughed at was when Nac started a drive at 30, had a penalty, and completed a pass to the 39. The initial call was a Nac 1st down and the chains were moved. One of the officials noted the error, they conferenced and to their credit got it right. As this was #1 vs #7 game, I assume this was not the most experienced crew assigned. Luckily, the teams had a crew so they could play. Rarely has a fan base felt the officials were calling in their favor.

Think the conduct of coaches might be a factor? Officials are reminded that coaching is their livelihood and officiating was not ours. The result is officials cut coaches more slack than in my opinion they deserve. Their primary purpose is to model behavior to the young men. Losing control (even if it is orchestrated) on the sideline is not the proper modeling. If a coach is ejected, they end up in Austin. Personally, I believe this is wrong. If a coach is ejected, he misses the rest of the game and the unpleasantry is removed from the game. Having officiated another sport, I never minded a coach passing information. For example, “Can you watch #67 holding”. But went you dissent vocally, it begins to impact the players on the field and the game. I have watched many games where there is an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and the head coach is the official coordinator. And we wonder why the young men that love the game refuse to officiate. When I called a game, I tuned out the crowd. They were a non factor.