OrangeFBfan

9-1 WOS over HJ from Sour Lake.

[size=18pt][b]Wisdom[/b][/size]

(Editor’s note: This essay by WO-S senior Luke Domas was submitted to Texas High School Coaches Association Magazine and published in the March 2011 issue)

[b]Special to the Orange Leader:[/b]

Wisdom often comes, not from knowledge, but from trying and tragic life experiences. I have attained wisdom beyond my short seventeen years that serves as a constant reminder of how precious life can be.

On November 18, 2005, my nineteen year old brother was leaving College Station and traveling to a high school playoff football game with friends. Just minutes after leaving town on Highway 30, the vehicle he was in was hit by a young eighteen year old who fell asleep at the wheel. My brother was killed instantly. My mom and I were also traveling to the game and had plans of meeting him in the parking lot because we had his ticket. When the phone call came with the tragic news, I was in shock. My first reaction was that the news was not true. It took me a while to finally believe the news. My big brother was my role model and best friend. I did not think I could handle this terrible situation because I was only twelve years old.

With help from my family and friends and especially my faith in God, I learned to cope with this tremendous loss. During the last five years, I have really come to understand how to live every moment to the best of my ability. I have tried to live my life as a strong Christian. I never realized that my strength and faith would be tested again at such a young age and my experience would allow me to help others with loss and grief.

On September 17, 2010, I ran out onto the football field with my teammates and best friends. We were playing one of our rivals and were very excited about the game. I play center and one of my best friends, Reggie, was the quarterback. I snapped the ball to him and blocked for him as he threw a fantastic pass into the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. He ran to the sidelines while I stayed on the field to snap for the extra point. When I ran to the sidelines to celebrate with him, I found him collapsed on the ground and surrounded by coaches. Moments later he was taken away in an ambulance. The game continued and I had no doubt we would receive word later in the game that he had suffered a mild concussion or had heat exhaustion. He was an awesome athlete and in great physical condition. It never crossed my mind that something bad would happen to him.

With less than three minutes to go in the game, word swept the sidelines that Reggie had died. I could not believe it. Once again I was in shock. As I looked across the field, I saw my coaches and teammates all crying and in shock just like me. Some had fallen to the ground, they were so distraught. I remember crying and saying over and over “It’s not fair. It’s not fair”. After a long night and very little sleep, I began praying and searching for answers. I dreaded returning to school on Monday because Reggie and I had many classes together. I especially dreaded going to football practice. I did not know how I could ever walk into the field house without Reggie.

It did not take me long to realize that God needed me to be an example for my classmates, teachers, coaches and friends. Reggie had been our team captain and leader both on and off the field. He was voted our junior class favorite and won Homecoming King. Everybody liked Reggie because he was a nice guy, smart student in honors classes, exceptional athlete and great friend. He had made a difference in my life while living and I wanted him to continue making a difference in the lives of others even after death. I had already suffered a great loss and was proof that life does go on, so I decided I needed to be a role model and use what I learned from losing my bother to help others. More importantly, I needed to remember Reggie and the impact he had on my life.

I first met Reggie in the second grade. We competed with one another for a trophy our teacher was giving to the student who knew their multiplication facts the best. I won first place and Reggie won second. He gave me a hug and was proud of me. As a second grader, he had good sportsmanship. All through elementary school, junior high and high school we competed in the classroom, but on the football field, we worked together as one. Reggie played football in elementary school, but I did not start until junior high. I was shy and unsure of myself on the field. Reggie encouraged me to continue playing. He taught me to push myself and to always give one hundred percent.

His high school jersey number was twelve, which he incorporated into his personal motto, because he always expected more from himself as the quarterback and team captain. His motto was to “Give 112%”. After losing Reggie, I have set a goal for myself to “Live Life 112%”. Abraham Lincoln once said, “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.” Some people spend a lifetime not realizing how fragile life is, but it has only taken seventeen short years for me to understand and appreciate the value of life and how many people can be touched and changed by a single person. Although I will never understand how my nineteen year old brother and seventeen year old best friend had to leave this earth so soon, I do understand that life is a precious gift that must not be taken for granted.

[i]Texas A&M Undergraduate College Application Essay Written By: Luke Domas, Senior at West Orange-Stark High School, Orange, Texas.[/i]

[quote name="WOSgrad" post="992633" timestamp="1301933307"]
I hope the Leader can get this on their online version.  I have heard many good things about this essay and I look forward to reading it.
[/quote]
I'm sure the OL will. It usually takes them a day or so before updating the online articles. The essay is very good.

Couldn't be prouder of a WOS student. Excellent read.

Nice win 'Stangs. You guys played well and the WO-S coaches out coached the BC staff tonight.

Headed to LU to support K'ville on Friday! Sat. Katy vs. N. Shore (If the wife will let me...) lol

http://orangeleader.com/hssports/x892103988/WO-S-line-powering-a-mean-run-game

Having seen both teams against WO-S, I've got to go with the Cats by a TD in this one (if the QB for O'Field is healthy). The BC defense is suspect against the run, and that's all the Cats do is RUN!

[quote name="Gasilla" post="893018" timestamp="1288556660"]
It may not be as big a margin as people think only because the Stangs have a few nicked up players that may not see the field. You don't want to lose at any time, but this is about as meaningless a district game as they come.
[/quote]
I agree. However, I still look for the Stangs to score 40+! Massey (we're better than you are) has WO-S, 40 over H-J, 4. How in the world the Hawks get two safeties is beyond me! lol

Just minor bumps and a few sprains etc. The kids will be fine come play-off time!  ;)

[quote name="ST413" post="891639" timestamp="1288451890"]
Good athletes yes. There were many on the field. Team wise the Tigers haven't been as impressive as was expexted so far. I remember someone stating in the WOS/Orangefield thread that you couldn't compoare the speed between WOS and Silsbee. I didn't see that much difference overall. The big difference seemed to be controlling the line of scrimmage. Now remember I didn't see the first half when all the scoring took place.
[/quote]
There is no comparison. WO-S was the superior team last night. Good luck Tigers on finishing out the 2010-season.

I was at the game in support of my Stangs and never have I felt the “Eye in the Sky” more so than I felt it at BC. Maybe...just maybe the BC Police Dept. was in cahoots with the officials and new something was about to happen that would P.O. us unruly WO-S fans?!  I do know this…the officiating crew received a bit of a WARNING before the second half began, and the phantom penalties stopped. Go figure, right?  ???

[quote name="BADSANTA" post="887467" timestamp="1288049029"]
I hope Silsbee brings their A+ game and beat WOS! Tigers win in upset 22-20! Silsbee won't fumble or throw a int. You heard it here first.
[/quote]

The tigers won't score more than 14 pts. The Stangs are coming together well and I look for even more improvement this week. With 2 games to go before the D-II playoffs, I look for WO-S to put the pedal to the metal! MY prediction: WO-S 35 vs. Silsbee 13.

Port Arthur Memorial
Galena Park
Dayton
Beaumont Central
Livingston
Little Cypress-Mauriceville
Lumberton
Kirbyville
West Orange-Stark
Silsbee
Liberty
Anahuac
Newton
East Chambers
Buna
New Waverly
West Sabine
Hull Daisetta
Evadale
Brenham

[quote name="bleed orange" post="876699" timestamp="1287203961"]
[quote author=lhsof23 link=topic=74495.msg876680#msg876680 date=1287203519]
i have a question why did WOS throw bombs down the field and try to run up the score when they could of just easily ran the clock out.
[/quote]

Honestly, I don't think it was to run up the score. I think it was to get a young qb ready for the rest of the season. Learning curve.
[/quote]
Exactly. The WO-S "O" didn't have the ball as much in the second half, thus giving J-Salt a chance to get some valuable in-game experience in the 4th. No disrespect to O-Field (which played an outstanding 3rd quarter) but the 'Stangs simply needed to get some more work-in.

WO-S 9th beat the Orangefield 9th, 28 - 6. No JV score to report. The bobcats do not have a JV squad. :( The WO-S JV is 5-0.

Based on the historical data posted on page no. 2 by AAW, BC has a 2% chance of winning the ball-game. However, since the Tigers are 30-6-1 against the cards and are the reigning district champs, I've gotta go with the tigers by +6 in this one. Best of luck to both teams.

No question, WO-S. Their defense is tough and the offense is showing signs of greatness.

Nice job FW! Keep on rollin'!

[quote name="venom33" post="870113" timestamp="1286602127"]
[quote author=ispeakjive link=topic=74149.msg870030#msg870030 date=1286599157]
Nice to see Hooks staying classy with the big blowouts in his old age. 
[/quote]



heres an idea, stop them from scoring! it couldve been ALOT worse than it was.
[/quote]

Well, on a lighter note...HF has HJ next week, so there's always a chance for a win there, or not? WO-S played awesome and was simply WAY too much for the horns.

[quote name="kicker" post="864674" timestamp="1286075452"]
First of all, kudos to kirbyville, yall are as good as advertised.I sure want to know where yall get those kids from. They are huge. I drive through kville all the time, and I sure don't see them. Lol. We played with heart and we will be fine. I honestly think that it was a good thing yall went up on us. It  gave us a chance to let salter pass the ball. He's going to become like a vick type qb, just watch. Well be dangerous once we out it all together. The defence played their hearts out, but you know coach Thompson always has them ready. Well be fine, and we will see you again kville, but this time, get your popcorn ready.
[/quote]

I totally agree. The Mustangs will get their act together with the Salter and the boys. No worries folks, the Mustangs will be just fine. Looking forward to district play! Go 'Stangs!

FINAL
WOS JV 22
Kirbyville JV 8

No prediction needed. Simply happy to see the Mustangs come together as a TEAM, regardless of the final score.  :)

Kirbyville @ [b]WOS[/b] 112%
East Chambers @ [b]Newton[/b]
[b]Baytown Lee[/b] @ Barbers Hill
[b]CE King[/b] @ Goose Creek
North Forest @ [b]Crosby[/b]
[b]Dayton [/b] @ Galena park
Central @ [b]Livingston[/b]
[b]LCM[/b] @ Ozen
[b]PNG[/b] @ Nederland
[b]Vidor[/b] @ Lumberton
[b]Cleveland[/b] @ Splendora
[b]Coldspring[/b] @ Shepherd
[b]Buna[/b] @ Hardin
Kountze @ [b]Anahuac[/b]
Orangefield @ [b]Jasper[/b]
High Island @ [b]West Hardin[/b]
Sabine Pass @ [b]Colmesneil[/b]
Rusk @ [b]Diboll[/b]
[b]Corrigan Camden [/b] @ Crockett
[b]West Sabine[/b] @ Mt Enterprise

Simply amazing guys! Much love to everyone involved.