Foreverfan

I think it's 5 games since 1975! Three of those, I was in hospital, one at a wedding out of state (against my will!) and for one, I was at a grandkids's volleyball game because her parents were out of town and the distance between the volleyball gym and the football field was over 60 miles. I hate having volleyball games on Fridays because it's rush, rush, rush to get to football games if they play in different towns. In smaller school districts, our volleyball players are sometimes our cheerleaders and we don't have a large student population to choose from. I've seen parents hustling out of gyms these last few years so their daughters can make it to the varsity games on Friday nights to cheer. I've also seen parents with sons and daughters have to drive like mad to get from the volleyball gym to the football field. I don't like this setup. It doesn't help the small districts, IMO.

I love good football and saw some of the best tonight. I'm a Vandal at heart, but I did love seeing those Hornets run! That's age showing, though! Happy the Vandals pulled it off, but look forward to seeing both these teams in the playoffs. Thanks, Vandals, for keeping cool under pressure and answering the call.

The JV played in Lindale while Freshmen were playing in Van. Can't find that score.

Van Freshman 44 Lindale 0 Trying to find out what JV score was. They played in Lindale while Freshman were playing in Van.

Van 9th 32 Spring Hill 9th 0 What I heard, anyway.

We had a mother rushing out the door to make a 50 minute trip to the football game tonight, so that her volleyball daughter could cheer at the first football game. Several fans were right behind her! It would be halftime before they made it. Why did they have to mess up a good thing?

Just wondering what parents with kids in different high school and junior high sports at the same time think about the situation this year! Two families I know come to mind: One has a son that will play 7th grade football on Tuesday nights and his daughter will play JV volleyball on Tuesday and Friday nights! This guy loves his football and even played in college, so he won't get to see this varsity team play on Fridays. Another family has a boy playing 7th grade on Tuesdays, one playing JV on Thursdays and a daughter playing varsity volleyball on Tuesdays and Fridays. This guy also played in college and loves his varsity football. In these smaller towns that just moved up to 4A, people look to sports for entertainment and most have followed their football teams for umpteen years. Lots of the grandparents do the same thing. Now, you have parents splitting up to see their kids play in different venues. What about the volleyball girls that used to play at 4:30 and rush to see their classmates or even boyfriends play their varsity games? I know some parents that will have to rush their daughters to the football games, some distance away, as soon as their daughters get through playing. Why punish these girls by having them play in different towns? I don't have a dog in this fight, but I think the UIL screwed up. What for? So another team can make the playoffs and generate a little more income? I hope one year is all it takes for the powers that be to see that this is a screwed up mess and hinders the smaller schools where the same kids play all the sports. Maybe I'm wrong, and if I am, I look forward to some of you telling me why I am. Maybe I'm just looking at this the wrong way because I have heard so many parents griping.

Always have 2 officers sign the checks and always count concession $$ in front of another officer and deposit first thing Monday morning. That helps keep person in charge of checkbook accountable. Of course, if someone is stealing while doing concession work, if good inventory control is not in place, it's hard to catch them. A truly crooked person will find a way around anything. Any other solutions from anyone? I've been officer and I've been treasurer of booster clubs in the past, and the officers are not doing their job if someone gets away with stealing very much for very long. Weekly updates and reports should be given at every meeting.

Fadeout, are you talking about Van's or Palestine's linebacker?

Prayers for a quick recovery!

I have also seen top-notch coaches go into losing programs and try to get them turned around. Sometimes, it takes more than one season. Sometime, the history of losing is so embedded that Bear Bryant could not turn it around in one season. I think games there should be some games won in the second season and at least be a district contender in the third. If that doesn't happen, time to talk business!

Don't shed too many tears! I felt the same way. Raised all my kids, playing all sports, and it didn't hit me that I would ever be sad about not having to go to games. When the last one was a senior, it began to sink in. However, the oldest grandchild began jr hi sports the next year and then varsity sports, and now I have 2 more in jr hi sports, and that one in all varsity sports, so I am still attending sports events more than one night a week! Considering the alternative, I think I won't complain and just keep going to volleyball, football, baseball and basketball games, as well as tennis and track meets. Not to mention all that select stuff that they play in year around. And if the truth's known, I'd probably be there whether they were playing or not!

I saw Spring Hill play Van and was really impressed with them. They will do some romping this year. Van is 17-1 and Spring Hill is their only loss. Good, strong girls that play great together!

Sammy Burnett is a heck of a guy! He is a good role model for students and will always have their best interests at heart! He would never let someone go for the trivial reasons mentioned. He is an intelligent man and knows he will be judged by the athletic program in its' entirety and not just in football or baseball. As far as Coach Hector, he will be an asset wherever he goes. He's one of those true coaches, one that's in it for the thrill of it, rather than the pay. For the hours that are spent away from home and at the fieldhouse, at the field or off on the road, many coaches make less per hour than non-degreed personnel at the school. They do this and also put up with more bellyaching from parents than any teacher. YEP, they would have to love it!

How in the heck does the general public have access to a student's SAT or ACT scores? Enough access to post them on public boards? If I was a senior and saw my scores posted on some board, heads would roll (Unless I was one of the top two students)! I think there are some laws against it. A college or university admissions office should have access, but no one else except for the student's home high school. Students have to sign releases in most cases for the parents to have access if they are over a certain age ( If my kids wanted me to pay for the next semester, I was granted the privilege).

Not all Van fans should trip you out- you should just know what you're talking about before you post it. I believe the year after he Calhoun graduated, Van was still playing in December. I think Propser beath them, then played for the state championship. I believe they were in the playoffs last year, too. I think it's too funny the way some of you always rag on 14AAA, saying they have weak opponents, and they usually make it a few rounds deep, too.

Nothing against CAlhoun, because he was in a class by himself, but the next year's class (the less than average w/o him team) went pretty deep into the post season w/o him. That whole year, they got no respect, and I suspect that was because the team was a Van team. It was a team full of good, all American kids that played together as a team, with no superstar on it. And I AM and ALWAYS will be a big fan of Calhoun. The team's cohesive bond was that there was no top gun on it and everyone picked up the slack. Van does have a good team this year, and I've enjoyed watching DS, Lemus, Smallwood, The Ruckers, etc., but I want to "feel the bond." If Van can "feel the bond," I could possibly think of an upset, but "the bond" has to be there.

It's up to the coach and usually according to what the infraction happened to be. It's usually set out ahead of time for the players on a team so they have some idea of what they are facing if that happens to them.

Gosh, I hope ya'll are wrong and Van wins. Who knows, though? With these two teams, the winner is going to be the team that shows up, ready to play. Don't know much about BB this year, but I'll be ready to watch a good game.

I was impressed by Van, but yes, they still have work to do. Van has several talented players and I'm anxious to see how much they improve as we get further into the season. Truett and Ollison from GS, good game! Lead your team, boys! You have a way to go, but you will get there.

JMO: Lindale will take top spot and it's anybody's guess who will make it in the next two spots. This district is always full of surprises.

But if you're the parent that taught them how to bat, just wait and let the coach show them what stance to use, please.

Been keeping up with Van and a couple of other teams so far. Hope the Vandals keep doing well and the bats and pitching keep working for them.

Those Vandals are looking good. Heard last night it was Hakwins 100th win. Think he coached a year in Elkhart before coming to Van. Congratulations if that's correct.

I'll tell you what I think AFTER I see each one play a time or two.