SwashbucklerSam

Union Hill is going 6-man next year, according to one of their staff members. You all may be driving a bit!

PN-G chooses not to go last in 4A at their host contest? That's strange. LC-M always went last in 4A when they hosted. Right after a break, I guess that's good.

Yes, it seems that "classic mustard" is the new gold. It does looks sharp under the lights, though.

James Bowie's David Hensley, class of 2011. Recorded over 120 tackles as a senior linebacker, overshadowed a little by D-Field's Steve Edmond that year.

Only a new home side..read my post from higher up.

Our visitor's side (used to be the home side) at James Bowie in Simms was built with funds from the Works Progress Administration in 1938-39. It, along with our main school (middle school now), an ornamental water tower, and front wall on the highway were built using only hand tools and local labor. Rocks were quarried from local areas and shaped on site. Mule teams leveled the ground for the football stadium, and it still has some of the best drainage I've ever seen on a field in my 18 years in education. 3 years ago, admin chose to move the home side to the west side of the stadium and build a new, modern seating area with press box. Before then, the home crowd would sit staring into the evening sun for a game. Now, it's our visitors that have to do so (sorry). Another thing, those visitor bleachers are 4 rows high, stretching the length of the field, are concrete, and HOLD HEAT. If you ever come to a game here, be sure to bring your lawn chair! Go Pirates!

A great game, indeed. Both teams played hard until the end. This could've easily gone the other way. If the game was played one day later, it may have. Proud of the Pirates for not giving up with so many injuries hurting the team right now. Way to step up and get the job done! Good luck to the Cardinals in your district.

Game has been rescheduled for Oct. 5. That was to be both schools' OPEN week, so it's an easy move. This week will be OPEN, and then a 7 week run of games. Joy!

Not sure how to quote a previous post on a cell phone, but this is for the comment talking about the donkey brea (is that the correct spelling?). If you were to come over to our place and see our PA in the pressbox, you'd notice that it is very simple, and hooking something up to it to play something like that would not be easy. What I think you may be referring to is possibly a highlight video made the following week. Is that possible? I do not remember anything like that playing in real time at the game. As far as last night's game, I do think both teams had a few errors early, and both capitalized on that misfortune. This is a heated rivalry, no doubt, and there are buffoons who rear their ugly heads with trash and smack talk every year. Pre-game taunting is going to be a part of the game, but should be done with a certain amount of pride, not inflammatory gestures, which surely had the obverse effect last night. What some people fail to realize is that the patrons of this game and their respective communities, like it or not, are VERY similar. Both have good and bad people living in them. Usually, it's the negativity that rings the loudest between our two towns. I did not grow up in Simms or Maud, but had an opportunity to teach at both. Our towns and schools are good towns to rear children, but the stigma of being "rednecks" and "country bumpkins" will never go away as long as BOTH towns treat each other as third class citizens. Folks, you do realize that is how both are towns are viewed, don't you? Acting high and mighty really doesn't mean anything when we show our tails on the sporting field. Again, the rivalries between JB and Maud are well-known, but some overshadow the events with some misplaced hatred that is engrained through ignorance, and that goes on from BOTH sides of the creek. I hope that the rivalries continue, but that everyone involved will be healthy about them, not hateful. Thanks!

We've got a pretty good sophomore over here at James Bowie in Simms that flies to the ball. #88 Cody Adams has virtually no regards for his own person and will bring the hits! He reminds me of a #9 linebacker that the Pirates had last last year, and he's younger! Of course, I may be a bit biased, but that's ok. Look for Adams to get better and better! Go Pirates!

I seem to think that Clarksville will go back up to 2A. Their academic standing is back to being better and folks are coming back from being away.

Thanks, fellas, for all of the work! It's looks like the board of old! I just have trouble with the emoticons.

When I was in 9th grade, one of our football coaches told me that he was going to "beat me until your nose bleeds" if I didn't push that weight up (on the squat rack).....classic!

Thanks, fellas...yes, good advice. I do try and give the boys a pat on the back, and yes, I've somewhat taken to some as my own. Some appreciate it, but some look at me as the old band director that doesn't know anything. I played QB, FS, and kicked back in the day and was pretty dang good, but gave it up because I knew that being 5'8" and 100 and nothing lbs wasn't going to get me anywhere, but playing a drum would. Still loved me some track and was a part of the 1988 Silsbee State Champions as a senior, although I was not on the relay team (just an alternate....dang!). Look up that time and see what you think. Again....thanks for the boost!

That would be great, but both options are not there, since the youngest isn't in LL, and the oldest decided not to get beat up for free in college. Coaches figured that since he made a score on the ACT that paid for just about everything, they felt like they didn't need to offer anything (my opinion and observation).

Thanks....wish I could, but I am on the clock on Friday night as our band director.

I'd like to ask Smoaky Nation for your thoughts.... What do you do when your child has graduated (from having a stellar HS career) and you find it really weird on Friday nights not having someone on the field? Yes, I am trying to embrace the fact that he's not out there, rooting for the new guys on the field and all, but it's just strange. I have my Friday night job that I do, but I am a sports fan and find myself not in the normal mold that some in my position are in. I actually like to watch the games and be a part of the Friday night excitement. For the past 3 years, my son has been through a lot from being a sophomore on varsity, missing much of his junior year due to hip surgery, and having a record year and accolades awarded to him as a senior. I am just wondering how some of you cope out there. I do have 2 younger sons, one in 11th grade and one in 5th grade, but the one is not in athletics anymore. My junior is 1st in his class and is focusing on music and academics, the youngest, well, he's just trying not to be sent to the office. Any thoughts from my Smoaky brothers and sisters? Thanks! Go Pirates!

Gotta take the boys in blue for the win this Friday. Go Pirates!

James Bowie (Simms) will play Cumby Thur. & Fri. at 6 PM in Gilmer. Game 3 Saturday at 1, if needed, in Gilmer. Go Pirates!

I don't have any results, and TTFCA.com hasn't gotten them posted yet. They are usually pretty quick with their results. Hopefully, they'll be up today or tomorrow.

I know there is a thread about this in the track / cross country area, but I would like to commend to the staff and coaches at White Oak HS for such a large undertaking. With over 800 athletes competing (that's the number I was told), both boys and girls (since Gladewater did not have their girls' meet this year), the meet was ran off very well. With just about 4 heats in each event, the meet went very smoothly (especially with running events starting at 5:30). I was unable to attend, but when my son got home from the meet just a little past midnight (after an hour or so drive), I knew that it was a big success! Congratulations to WOHS on a very well put together meet for those that are advancing to the next level of competition! I wish that WOHS would put on a clinic on "How to Run Your Track Meet Quickly". I have been to small meets before that didn't go as well (with a lot of help at those, I might add).

Some good times and events yesterday. If I can get to our coach today and get a print out of results, I will try and post them. Sometimes, our district takes a little time to put up the results. From our school (James Bowie), David Hensley won the 110HH in 16.6 (with a knee problem), Lloyd Spurgeon won the 400 (.53) and 800 (2:08), and all three boys relay teams got out to Area, including a 1st place in the mile with a FAT of 3:39. On the girls side, Kayla Burks advances in the 3200 and 1600 meter runs, while Hannah Leidtke advances on shot and discus. Clarksville was the boys winner...not sure about the girls. Hawkins made a very good showing with a lot of kids competing. Same bat place, different bat time next week for Area!

Simms Bowie beats Saltillo in district action last night 12-3. This sets up a good match up between two good teams Friday night with Maud and JB. Both are better teams since the last time they played. Maud is undefeated in district play and JB's one loss was at the beginning of the district contest against the cardinals. The pirates are looking to even the race, making for a possible playoff for the outright title of the district (provided each team wins out the remainder of their games). Great job, Pirates....pitching is on track with more than just one weapon, and the bats are working soundly!

19A...Wednesday (tomorrow) the 6th is our district meet in Hawkins. 19 and 20A will converge again at Hawkins for our Area meet next Wednesday, the 13th. Looking for some good things from the Pirates! :D

In other news, sophomore Lloyd Granbery of James Bowie in Simms ran a 51.22 at the DeKalb Bear relays last night. It was his personal best. The JB 4x400 also had a personal best team time of 3:39. Freshman Kayla Burks won the 3200 and 1600 runs. Go get 'em next week at district, Pirates!