I'll make a confesssion here in the middle of Dallas Cowboy country (and among some fellow Globe-News workers, Denver Broncos country) that I remain an Oakland Raiders fan, for reasons even sometimes I find hard to fathom. This year, though, it appears realistic that the Raiders could be a factor, or at least not an embarrassment in the AFC West. With an actual honest to goodness NFL quarterback in Jason Campbell, there's reason to be optimistic.
But they might not be the group of Raiders primed to make the biggest comeback this season. That might be at Randall High, which after Friday's 35-28 win over Borger, has already equaled last season's win total.
It's still early, but anyone who saw Randall play last season could tell right away that the Raiders are an immensely improved squad over last season. Part of that is certainly the factor of being a year older and a year better under second-year coach Bryan Wood, but an infusion of sophomore talent is another major explanation.
Sophomores Collin Bowen (a 76-yard fumble return for a touchdown), Logan Brittain and Tyler Junell all made major plays which were factors in the win. In addressing his team following the game, Wood wasn't shy about pointing out the contributions of the 10th graders, signaling that they were on equal footing with the upper classmen in terms of status.
Randall shouldn't be declared a playoff team yet. But if not this year, the Raiders will be worth watching for the next two.
Aug 28, 2010
Aug 27, 2010
Final: Sunray 27, Floydada 0
Talon Dooley threw three second-half touchdowns to lead the Sunray Bobcats to a 27-0 nondistrict win over the Floydada Whirlwinds in zero-week football action.
Dooley, a junior QB/DB, also intercepted a pass in the first half and kicked every extra point for the Bobcats.
Dooley, a junior QB/DB, also intercepted a pass in the first half and kicked every extra point for the Bobcats.
Caprock impessive, classy in win over Levelland
You have to love the gutsy way Caprock coach Seth Parr and his Longhorns opened the 2010 football season Thursday night - with a successful onside kick.
That led the way to a 24-point first quarter and a 47-0 lead at halftime over Levelland.
Those 47 points were one more than the 46 the 2002 Caprock team scored the entire season.
Caprock could have scored 90, but Parr showed class in calling off the dogs in winning 53-16. He didn't play his starters in the second half and had starting quarterback Gerardo Ruiz out of the game before half.
Senior Ruiz looked calm and in control tossing three touchdowns and seems headed for a big year.
According to Globe-News records the last time Caprock eclipsed the 50-point barrier in a game was in 1975 beating Lubbock High, 55-21, on Oct. 9. That may be a good omen because 1975 is the last year Caprock made the playoffs.
That led the way to a 24-point first quarter and a 47-0 lead at halftime over Levelland.
Those 47 points were one more than the 46 the 2002 Caprock team scored the entire season.
Caprock could have scored 90, but Parr showed class in calling off the dogs in winning 53-16. He didn't play his starters in the second half and had starting quarterback Gerardo Ruiz out of the game before half.
Senior Ruiz looked calm and in control tossing three touchdowns and seems headed for a big year.
According to Globe-News records the last time Caprock eclipsed the 50-point barrier in a game was in 1975 beating Lubbock High, 55-21, on Oct. 9. That may be a good omen because 1975 is the last year Caprock made the playoffs.
Halftime: Sunray 7, Floydada 0
Sunray's Talon Dooley returned an interception 35 yards in the opening quarter to give the Sunray Bobcats a 7-0 lead over the Floydada Whirlwinds at Dick Bivins Stadium.
One thing is obvious after the first half -- Floydada doesn't have a passing offense.
Floydada's quarterback Greg Aleman is having as bad a day as a passer can have. The senior completed 0-of-2 with two interceptions, the first for a touchdown.
One thing is obvious after the first half -- Floydada doesn't have a passing offense.
Floydada's quarterback Greg Aleman is having as bad a day as a passer can have. The senior completed 0-of-2 with two interceptions, the first for a touchdown.
Aug 25, 2010
High school coaches don't shy away from brutal openers
Unlike the majority of college football coaches on this planet who love to schedule opening games against colleges with directions in the school name for an easy win, high school coaches in our area this year have stepped up with big-time opening game challenges.
Life on opening night doesn't get much better when coach Eddie Metcalf and his Class 1A power Stratford Elks hit the road to meet defending Class 2A state runner-up Bushland on Friday night.
Over at River Road, the Class 2A Wildcats and coach Bryan Welps host the Class 1A Canadian Wildcats. Canadian has appeared in three consecutive state championship games and will see Chris Koetting make his head coaching debut after several years as a Wildcat assistant.
How about the annual Class 3A Perryton vs. Class 4A Dumas game in Dumas on that new turf field? This game is usually a wild one.
Then in Dick Bivins Friday night it's the 49th meeting between Class 5A Tascosa and Class 4A Palo Duro. Tascosa leads the series 24-23-1 and last year won a wild overtime game. While the AHS-Tascosa gets the hype as THE rivalry of Amarillo, the players in the PD-Tascosa game know this game is just as intense.
I applaud our coaches in this area for not backing off opening night and challenging their players.
Don't you wish college coaches would do the same? The BCS has those guys held hostage because an early loss is suicide in the rankings. Still, I'd love to see college coaches step their game up when it comes to openers.
Let me know your favorite legit matchup of opening football weekend in the Texas Panhandle.
Life on opening night doesn't get much better when coach Eddie Metcalf and his Class 1A power Stratford Elks hit the road to meet defending Class 2A state runner-up Bushland on Friday night.
Over at River Road, the Class 2A Wildcats and coach Bryan Welps host the Class 1A Canadian Wildcats. Canadian has appeared in three consecutive state championship games and will see Chris Koetting make his head coaching debut after several years as a Wildcat assistant.
How about the annual Class 3A Perryton vs. Class 4A Dumas game in Dumas on that new turf field? This game is usually a wild one.
Then in Dick Bivins Friday night it's the 49th meeting between Class 5A Tascosa and Class 4A Palo Duro. Tascosa leads the series 24-23-1 and last year won a wild overtime game. While the AHS-Tascosa gets the hype as THE rivalry of Amarillo, the players in the PD-Tascosa game know this game is just as intense.
I applaud our coaches in this area for not backing off opening night and challenging their players.
Don't you wish college coaches would do the same? The BCS has those guys held hostage because an early loss is suicide in the rankings. Still, I'd love to see college coaches step their game up when it comes to openers.
Let me know your favorite legit matchup of opening football weekend in the Texas Panhandle.
Holy Cross confidence
I went out to Holy Cross to check in with the Mustangs and take a few photos Wednesday.
Talking to head coach David Johnson, the Mustangs may just be for real this season. They've got a new kind of swagger to them right now. The Mustangs are confident, they are in shape and they are ready to play.
Johnson credits being able to scrimmage each other now that they have enough numbers.
If there was a player I would look out for heading into this season it would be Ryan Sabala. Sabala was an outstanding running back for the Mustangs when healthy last season. He's healthy now but he's no longer a running back. Johnson has moved him to quarterback and if his arm is anything like his legs he will have a great season.
The Mustangs kick off the season Friday versus McLean and while Johnson didn't say Holy Cross would win, he did say they would compete. Johnson is as excited about a football season as I've ever seen, I wish him the best of luck.
Talking to head coach David Johnson, the Mustangs may just be for real this season. They've got a new kind of swagger to them right now. The Mustangs are confident, they are in shape and they are ready to play.
Johnson credits being able to scrimmage each other now that they have enough numbers.
If there was a player I would look out for heading into this season it would be Ryan Sabala. Sabala was an outstanding running back for the Mustangs when healthy last season. He's healthy now but he's no longer a running back. Johnson has moved him to quarterback and if his arm is anything like his legs he will have a great season.
The Mustangs kick off the season Friday versus McLean and while Johnson didn't say Holy Cross would win, he did say they would compete. Johnson is as excited about a football season as I've ever seen, I wish him the best of luck.
Looking good...
The latest Pigskin Preview will be on newsstands by the time you read this. It is a different approach to the publication with a stock cover instead of the usual newsprint and I like it and I hope you do as well.
Look for our coverage all year long as we follow the stories that will unfold leading up to the title games.
Hope you guys are as ready as the Globe-News sports department cause we can't wait to see what happens out on the field.
Looking good...
The latest Pigskin Preview will be on newsstands by the time you read this. It is a different approach to the publication with a stock cover instead of the usual newsprint and I like it and I hope you do as well.
Look for our coverage all year long as we follow the stories that will unfold leading up to the title games.
Look for our coverage all year long as we follow the stories that will unfold leading up to the title games.
Hope you guys are as ready as the Globe-News sports department cause we can't wait to see what happens out on the field.
Surprise team?
Lots of stories developing in 2A. Bushland is looking to repeat as district champions and continue their success that they built from the previous year. Which team or teams do you think will be the big surprise this year?
Hoping this year will be just as exciting as last season.
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