Joaquin 48 San Augustine 30

4 hours ago, Skidmark said:

Why was the New Boston coach being held back from fighting a ref after the JV game? 

To show the kids the correct way to disagree.

Jeffy stream road games?

?GAMEDAY VOL. 1 ISSUE 6?

1 hour ago, Mr. P said:

I've got a good buddy I work with, he was a letter-winner at UT and one of those alums who's got at least one burnt orange vehicle and/or room in his house with 'Horn memorabilia.

Anyway...  he told me that as much as he hates losing to OU (and he hates it with a passion of a thousand suns), he's able to cope with it because, as he says, "OU is a peer, an equal, a worthy competitor." 

But if UT loses to A&M it puts him in a funk for at least a month because he says it's "like losing to your little brother. There's nothing good about it. No moral victory. It's just a thorn in the flesh that doesn't even go away if you beat them next year, because they'll always say, 'Remember that time I beat you.' and you've just got to live with it."

That's extremely accurate... and you might have been talking to my dad because he owns a burnt orange jeep and has a office with nothing but Horns and Rangers memorabilia?

As much as I loathe OU, I respect the program and the history of success that comes with them. I also knew very few Sooners growing up, so didn't really have a personal connection with OU other than we were raised to not like them.

Nothing compares to my hate for A&M though. I used to hate showing up to school the Monday after Thanksgiving if Texas lost... my Aggie buddies were relentless. And it was 6th grade ?. The sting losing to A&M feels more personal than it does with OU IMO.

2 hours ago, Allheartnoquit said:

Teague if is healthy come westwood game will win by 21 plus. Teague best team in 5-7 years. Teague District to win everyone else playing for second take it to the bank.

have not seen or kept up with teague in a while. need to check them out

57 minutes ago, Stoney said:

Folks get spoilt on long term success to the point any sign of adversity becomes doom and gloom. You're one of the premier programs in the state, and I dare to say probably the premier program in East Texas. 

There are two things that just set me off: 

1. Unearned expertise: I understand that it's every fan's God-given right to stand up "courageously" (under a fake Internet name) to criticize hard-working professionals people who bust their ### 60+ hours a week in a public setting where everyone knows who they are and what they do. But what sets me off is the unmitigated gall of people without *any* credentials, experience, credentials, or accomplishments who posture themselves as experts without a shred of evidence. 

I can tolerate someone who says, "I don't understand why Coach Smith is starting Bubba instead of Joe Bob!" or even "Why'd we throw when we shoulda ran there?" Because that shows the speaker doesn't pretend to have all the facts, but is frustrated by the outcome and/or perceived performance. 

But to just arrogantly assert, "Joe Bob is better than Bubba in every conceivable way. Coach Smith is just an idiot." or "Our entire offense should be completely different. I've gone undefeated for 20 straight seasons on Madden and I know what we should do. Coach Smith is just an idiot."

2. Pointless cynicism: Anyone who's read my posts this week (and every season) about the RRS knows that no one is more of a cynical Sooner doomer than I am. I've called out Venables, Riley, and even St. Bob of Stoops without mercy. I regret nothing! But they're part of a billion-dollar college football industry, I'm talking about guys who are teaching history classes, washing jockstraps, sitting in on ARD meetings, and attending HR trainings. Not to mention the fact that the athletes are literal kids. Mostly around 16-18 year-olds, still eating Froot Loops and watching Pokemon. 

Yeah, I can understand fanboy alums being heartbroken when their ol' alma mater loses a big game at home, but to publically excoriate the performance of 16-18 year-old kids because they ruined your night? Well #### you! These are kids! They are the ones busting their behinds all summer long when you're on vacation or the club. They are the ones in the weightroom while the sun's still coming up, then finishing homework long after the sun goes down. 

When a 17-year-old CHILD throws a bad pass under heavy pressure, and you publically, permanently etched in the Internet for all time, post some smartass quip like: "Ugh! Here we go again! Why is Bubba still at QB? He sucks! Bench him! #JusticeForJoeBob" you've officially lost the ####ing plot. You might need to step away, and gain some perspective. Maybe grow up a tad.  

I am closer to the "inner circle" of Lobo Athletics than anyone on this site, and I don't know the ins and outs of the program! I wouldn't dare to say who should or shouldn't start at any given position. I don't know their particular mental, physical, emotional, or intellectual strengths and weaknesses. I don't know who has lingering injuries that haven't been disclosed. I don't know how well they handle pressure during the week and on gameday. I don't know how well they are or aren't grasping the playbook. I don't know who's got the trust of the team and command of the huddle. 

So, because I don't know what I don't know, I try to have a little humility about it. 

Also, as a father, I know that these kids sacrifice their minds, bodies, and spirits in this game. The losses weigh far heavier on them than they could weigh upon any fan. The criticisms sting straight to the soul. 

There's a way to offer rational support and constructive criticism without being a sunshine-pumper or a doom-and-gloomer...  but it does require a little maturity, a little humility, and just a modicum of class. 

Thankfully, most of the fans, alums, and families I've experienced in Lobo Nation have all of these traits in great supply. Lobo97 is a great example. I know he gets frustrated with King, with losses, and etc. But he's an adult about it. What a concept! 

 

It's a shame a few fringe wingnuts have to be the most vocal from the peanut gallery. But I suppose that's the privilege of those without skin in the game or blood on the line.