High School Traditions at Forefront in Football Playoffs
from KHOU
Across the state this week, bands are blaring at pep rallies, fans are painting "We're No. 1!" on car windows, and football players are boarding buses with the hope of driving deep into the postseason. It's playoff time again. Some North Texas schools, such as Mesquite Horn in 5A, Rockwall-Heath in 4A and Lovejoy in 3A, will make their first playoff appearances. Other spots in the brackets are filled with familiar names in Texas high school football lore: Carter, Euless Trinity, Highland Park and Southlake Carroll. Each of those schools has a playoff streak of at least nine years. That makes them traditional playoff teams, but they also have playoff traditions that go beyond winning games. More

Taking One for the Team
from The Dallas Morning News
When Ruddie Fuentes came home from football practice late in his freshman year at Irving Nimitz and told his mother he'd made the team, she cried. And not for joy, either. Rosa Lenda Lara's son has a learning disability. He'd surely be hurt. Steve Hohenberger quickly put her fears to rest. "He's not gonna play," the Nimitz coach assured her, "but he'll be as big a part of this program as anyone." More

State's Best Cross Country Teams Crowned
from Corpus Christi Caller-Times
Nationally ranked girls power Conroe The Woodlands edged Katy Cinco Ranch 61-85 to win the girls Class 5A state title at the University Interscholastic League cross country championships. The Class 5A boys results were delayed while meet officials attempted to resolve discrepancies in the timing. Conroe The Woodlands eventually emerged as the winner over runner-up Katy Seven Lakes. More

Cotten Fondly Recalls Maroons of 1957
from Austin American-Statesman
Austin attorney Mike Cotten was unaware he's the answer to a high school football trivia question. Who is the last quarterback from Austin High School to win a game in the state playoffs? It was, indeed, Cotten, who guided the Maroons to consecutive playoff victories over Corpus Christi Ray and Jefferson High of San Antonio. In 1957. It's been 51 years since the Maroons, the oldest public high school west of the Mississippi River (1881), tasted a playoff victory. That drought nearly ended in a thrilling game against San Antonio Reagan, but the Maroons were beaten 24-20. More

Boys Basketball Season Begins Amid Football Playoffs
from Beaumont Enterprise
Here's what most high school fans know: Boys' basketball teams play their first regular season games this week. Girls’ teams opened the season last week. Now for the ugly truth, while some people are excited that a new season has arrived, others could care less. Well, at least for right now anyway. Football playoffs have most fans' attention these days. The level of play has picked up tremendously and fans seem eager to watch postseason action. But are the playoffs the reason for the high level of interest in football? This is not a trick question, nor is it meant to make any point. It's simply an inquiry. Who really wins the popularity contest in Southeast Texas, high school football or boys basketball? More

Blind High School Sports Announcer
from First Coast News
Texas high school senior Laurel Wheeler is living her dream of being a radio sports commentator by broadcasting her school's football games. But there's one thing her listeners may not know. "There's no way in the world they would have any idea that Laurel is not able to see what's going on," said her father, Larry, who announces the games with her. Laurel, 17, has been blind since birth. More

Playoff Season Delivers Jolts, Top Performances
from Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Week 1 of the "third season" arrived and delivered its usual menu of upsets and top performances. Mansfield rattled the state by knocking out powerhouse Abilene. Everman and Aledo both won to set up their second-round showdown in 4A Division II. The Fort Worth school district nearly broke its postseason drought, losing its top two teams by 12 points combined. Southlake Carroll, still a winner in every first-round game it has played in 5A, and Euless Trinity, business-like in its approach for a potential third title in four seasons, marched on. More

Athletes Should Keep Their Lives Private
from Boulder Daily Camera
Like it or not, your MySpace page or facebook account is a part of your resume to future coaches. Western Kentucky recruiter and assistant football coach Stuart Holt said academics, athletic ability and character are the main three things college coaches look at in their future and current athletes.Holt, who helped recruit former Boone High standout Jamarcus Allen, even has a facebook account due to administrators' encouragement. They want more coaches to monitor the athletes. More