Coachbearoso

Sorry about the loss West Orange Stark. From central Texas with a report on La Vega since they were an old jr high rival for us Marlin Bulldogs. I now live 10 from the school and watched a couple of practices during 2 a days. Met their HC, Coach Hyde I believe is his name , this summer at 2 a days and congratulated him on last year. They played Carthage very well last year at Jerry World for the state championship. He shrugged and said we gotta play better, kids and coaches got to work harder. On Thursday I reffed a quadruple header at La Vega versus solid football program China Spring, a recent state champ. China Spring is like Waco s version of PNG. La Vega easily won 7B ( I was only ref of my crew arrived at 4:30, 3 Pirate varsity assistant coaches put on stripe shirt and help me ref. The HC and coordinators were there also ( supposedly there were fights a year ago because of a big rivalry and hatred btw the 2 . I was the head line judge but at Coach Hyde s request the chain crew were on the home side. So I got to witness their junior high and varsity staff in action. They had five – – maybe six junior high coaches, and I critique coaches, so I’ll payed close attention to their demeanor. Their kids were discipline and disciplined when they misbehaved or exhibited attitude. Their older jr high coach was about 60 and a Jefferson Moore graduate while the other 4 were La Vega or Connally products. The varsity coaches were there helping, 3 ran my chains and the other 3 were behind the bench and coaching up kids but not stepping on jr high coaches authority. It was VERY impressive. And La Vega and also China spring had athletes but the pirates skill was awesome but discipline. The stands were very crowded but filled out quickly with no incidents. In the end highlight gamee La Vega won by 7 in the 4th. Most coaching staff that go to junior high games, often will just sit together in a pack and watch. That always bothered me because I believe it’s great for the junior high to see varsity coaches helping in anyway possible. And that is what La Vega did. Was very impressed and with Athletes they have Las Vegas gonna be a power For the next few years as long as the staff stay together. The head coach and the high school staff are so important to development of a program. And since I’m not coaching anymore, I love to watch this and compare, but I have to be honest for a junior high staff – – I don’t think I’ve ever seen a junior high staff as a whole, coach as well as the La Vega staff. Just organization and delegation of responsibility was superb. La vega has a 7 grade and then an 8 th grade receiver close to 6 ft each and great athleticism and technique ( route running by these 2 was impressive. Just from this junior high exhibition, I can predict that La Vega will be in the hunt for the state championship the next four or five years. They were very impressive – – maybe they’ll give cartage a little more run for the money if they get to meet. Anyway, I just thought I’d give y’all that report cause I know some of y’all were complaining about the West Orange staff – – and coaches don’t like to admit but often times the people in the stands can see a poorly run unit.. La Vega is NOT poorly run, to the contrary they are an exceptional staff + great players = state contender!

I don't know what WOS has but I went to La Vega to watch their first Saturday practice in full pads. Unfortunately, not much hitting just special teams work and pix. I spoke with their hc Coach Hyde I believe and congratulated him on last year where they lost at Jerry World to Carthage. They actually played a good game and kept it close for a while. He didn't want to hear that. If its the same qb as last year (i think it is cause I saw him at practice) he is built like a refrigerator with great feet but he thinks he is Dan Marino. He doesn't realize the damage he could do on running-- maybe he's more confident this year. Glad i don t have to feed him.

Yes, Kingwood has turned it around last year. I don't know the head coach, but he obviously knows what he is doing. I kind of figured that he would doing what Koch did at Houston Memorial. I know Clayton Maple, he was a bright eyed youngun when I was in my 40's, but he is at Kingwood Park. Does La Porte have any Saturday games? I would love to see them, but Thursday and Friday I am reffing central Texas and then Saturday morning i ref full padded 6 man football btw Waco and Cleburne. They have a league. They combine 2-3 graders, then 4-5 graders. Awesome to watch and ref. Friday I did a 6 man in Waco. It was Waco Home School team vs Bryan College Station. Awesome athletes- qb 6'3" on both teams and can go. FG kickers blasting it from outside of 40. Some of them will play small college. I never went to Jerry World on Day 1 to watch 6 man, but I will this year

I was close to going to Davis around 2010-11 with a guy as his DC--I was excited cause I knew the kids there after being at Ike for a few. But - never happened-- but did you see Ike beat Clear Brook????

Congratulations Dogs from beautiful central Texas!

Congratulations Bulldogs!! From Central Texas, sending best wishes to one of my old schools in Southeast Texas for a great season!! Beating your rival in an opening day classic like this can really propel your team through the season. Only rival game I have seen as intense is old school Baytown Sterling vs Baytown Lee or PNG vs Nederland! Football is BACK! coachbear

Home of new Jets coach Aaron Glenn, right? They use to have some athletes--

Thursday Mcgregor @ Hillsboro 9-jv head line judge Friday Mart @ Whitney official 25-40 clock operator 👍🏻 Should be a good one as I believe Whitney beat the tar out of Mart, embarrassed them last year. Plus hopefully the food selections in Whitneys press box are good. In my coaching years in Southeast Texas, the best food as a pressbox coach were The Rig in Pearland ( always Cajun seafood and chicken) or Port Arthur Memorial ( homemade plates of smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes and macaroni with cheese).

Wow amazing how things have changed. I was there 2003-07 and we couldn't get kids to leave the weightroom after school in the offseason. Great numbers and athletes. Administration, like always has a lot to do with it as far as head coaching hires. Without the right head coach, a championship contender can become a dumpster fire quick. I was there during Coach Carson s last years before moving on to College Park. The head coach is the most important part of a football team. This is why I did it for almost 4 decades and write about it now. FiretheCoach on Substack

Man, I remember hearing about Al, heard he was a beast. I played against his cousin Ted Bundy--think he was at Crawford, didn't stay long, heard he was running from the law. Wonder what happened to him. I heard Al also became a pee wee football coaching legend. Not sure.

I agree, La Porte is so unique surrounded by Houston industry and neighborhoods, but it still has that small town feel. I would like to see a game if its on Saturday--since i will be reffing Friday- but want to get back for some Saturday games. I try to record college games and blast through the commercials;

I understand that you want to have faith in coaches, and he has turned it around in 3 years. But after coaching almost four decades I hate it when coaching ego or "the Franklin way" causes teams to lose. We as coaches can always blame the kids, but often it is the coaches stubborness or lack of innovation or just plain common sense that costs us, and by us i mean the team, coaches, school,administration and town. Right now Jackson Dart who may be a good quarterback from Ole Miss and now at the Giants, cannot take a snap from under center!!!!! Because EVERYONE offensively believes in the air offense, shotgun snap--whatever you call it. There is just things that go on, like in government, that coaches pull the wool over the publics eyes. Coaches, especially head coaches are the MOST important part of any team sport. And many are great leaders and build character in our young men. But some aren't and it , like society is getting worse every year. I would tell my defense at Crosby after each game, win or lose, to not point the finger but to look in the mirror and ask what I could have done different. I worked for Jerry Stewart, who had great success at Dayton, at Clear Lake in his first coaching job and that was the type of head coach he was. We turned a state champion basketball team Clear Lake (the year after La Porte won State) into a football power. Anyway,since i am a coach, retired, I know how much control coaches have. I also understand the pressure we are constantly under. I am going to start an online blog on Substack called "Fire the Coach cause we deserve better!" It will come out twice a week. Please follow and tell me what you think. I will start it on August 25 or26. [email protected] Isn't it great that football season is almost here!

Tremendous rivalry, I was lucky to get to coach in one and we gave it away by shotgun snapping from the goalline/ fumble and missed field goal. I am old school, when you are at the one, quarterback sneak!!!!

Hey Navydawg31, I retired after 38 years of coaching. I am now living back in central Texas and am part of the TASO Waco chapter and I will drive to Southeast Texas to ref youth league at $100 a pop as long as I can get 3 games, seriously. Give my email to the people you know. I copy all my college games and watch commercial free. Seriously if they need help [email protected] yes we are short of officials here to.

Just to let y’all know I received my Texas Football magazine in the mail today in Waco. Now I am going to read for the next 12 hours!!!