Ace

Anyone else bugged a little bit by the reference by the Fayetteville TV announcers and print media to Texas High wearing "burnt orange" (one newspaper guy said "burned orange"). I think they were trying too hard to play up the Texas v. Arkansas angle. Tiger orange certainly does not qualify as "burnt orange".

I would make the easy drive to Little Rock if the game were to be played there. I just don't have the courage to make that long drive on a winding two lane highway through the hills/mountains of western Arkansas. That drive is lethal ...... and I mean that literally.

Looks like Chris Gaines posted the information just before my question posted.

I have a vague recollection that I read somewhere that the Fayetteville quarterback, Garyt Odom, is the son of Barry Odom, the former DC at Arkansas and former head coach at Missouri, and current head coach at UNLV. Hogman, you may be able to confirm?

Fanatic, was that intentional, or were you just inadvertently clever? "SOC is gonna be a bear". They are, in fact, the SOC Bears, aren't they?

Fayetteville's enrollment is 2800. In Texas, they would be 6A with about half of 6A being larger, and half of 6A being smaller. Undefeated state champs last year. Ranked second in Arkansas right now. They had an open date last week allowing them an extra week of preparation for Texas High. They beat Broken Arrow, Oklahoma the week before.

Dominating performance by the Tigers against a team that is a consistently strong program in the Metroplex. Texas High has had playmakers for many years. This year, they are exceptionally strong in both the OL and the DL. That really gives the playmakers a chance to shine. Big play after big play. Last year and the year before I was concerned about the play of the secondary. This year there are no more frequent blown coverages that were a recurring problem in recent years. Solid play by the secondary behind a front seven that really gets after the opponent.

Give me Liberty Christian, or give me Death. - Patrick Henry.

This matchup reminds me of the Texas High v. Evangel games back in the early 2000s when Evangel was a really big deal.

I had forgotten that the base color of flag of the City of Houston is that shade of blue. So, it's sort of an H-town color, rather than a color specific to the old NFL team. I doubt the Oilers had to get permission from Columbia University to wear Columbia blue back in the day.

Texas High's stretch of game against Liberty Christian, Midlothian Heritage and Fayetteville is against teams that went a combined 39-1 last year. I don't think I have ever seen a better record among 3 teams on a non-district schedule. I realize that does not make it the toughest schedule (that distinction may go to SOC), but it is certainly is an interesting scheduling "quirk". Coach Stanford expects to have strong team. He wants his team to be challenged by strong opponents in order to be ready when playoff time rolls around. In my opinion, that is smart scheduling no matter what the non-district record turns out to be.

It would be really hard for anyone to challenge Matt's statement that SOC has the toughest non-district schedule in 5A.

The schedule posted by Coach Stanford on Twitter/X shows Midlothian Heritage at location to be determined. I guess that means neutral site, but it sure would be good to get that one at home. Otherwise, Tigers have only 4 home games - one in August, one in September, one is October, one in November. Three game stretch in September to Argyle (well over 400 mile round trip), then Midlothian Heritage (neutral site???), then Fayetteville (close to 500 miles round trip).

Where is the Texas High v. Midlothian Heritage game? I have seen conflicting information.

I wonder what time the bus will roll back in to the T-High parking lot on Saturday morning after a Friday night game in Fayetteville, Arkansas? If they leave the stadium at 11:30 pm, will the sun be up in Texarkana when they get back home?