Raider24

Nope can't do it today.  Someone would call them all "Cowboy Vigilantes".

Would love to be there this Friday, but my son is having shoulder surgery Friday afternoon. We will be there to support next week and the following week if everything goes as planned! Good luck to "Dem Mighty Mustangs" from Lumberton and The Ward's!

Fall of 1978, Ronnie Thompson's first season as head coach at TJ.We had the honor system, no locks on  lockers cause we are family and a Team. During after school practice things are coming up missing in mainly the varsity locker room.. So....one of our smaller managers is left in the equipment room and placed in a cabinet with a hole drilled so he has a Birdseye view of what's going on. Suspects are identified that day and told to report to the coachs office first thing the following morning. Coach informs the team at the end of practice and stresses that culprits will be in his office at said time. Next morning before school starts the culprits are addressed by coach then funneled out a door and into the arms of the varsity football team..... problem solved.

I pray his surgery goes well!

Congratulations to an awesome young man! Stay humble, continue to "Do Work", and great things will be ahead!

It has been hard raising a football family in Lumberton.  My wife and I didn't think about a schools athletic program when we decided to move here 20 years ago. My oldest just finished his junior season this year which was his 2nd on Varsity. We had opportunities to move him to other school districts and we thought a lot about it. PNG, Nederland, WOS, etc! We thought a lot about it. Not because of the coaching, but because of the community and the make up of the town. Football just is not one of the big priorities and it does not fit my families personality. It's not what we experienced growing up in Beaumont. However, if we had moved and went somewhere else, what would we as parents be teaching our kids? I have coached in middle school, high school, and now I coach my youngest in the STJFL. We decided to stay here and stick it out and do what we can to teach our kids life lessons and be apart of a change that will hopefully carry over to when my 5th grader steps on the field to rep the Raiders on Friday nights. I know Babin and what he is trying to accomplish in a tough situation. I know he has the boys working harder than I've seen any group work in the last 4-5 years! With that you will lose some kids who don't want to put in the work, and hopefully you will gain some who really want to play the game. It is a numbers game! It is not an overnight fix! The mentality has to change! Work ethic has to change! They must "do work"! Compete! I don't always agree with every call they make, and no one ever will! But I do know that Babin is full of fire, energy, and that he has a desire to turn this thing around. My son and I talk about football all the time. We travel every weekend to watch games. Been to the last 3 PNG games and will be there tonight to watch his buddies play CS. He loves playing for Coach Babin! He will not hear complaints from me about his coach. If I do complain about the coaching with my son, then I become part of the problem! Gotta be part of the solution, not the problem!! 

It has been hard raising a football family in Lumberton.  My wife and I didn't think about a schools athletic program when we decided to move here 20 years ago. My oldest just finished his junior season this year which was his 2nd on Varsity. We had opportunities to move him to other school districts and we thought a lot about it. PNG, Nederland, WOS, etc! We thought a lot about it. Not because of the coaching, but because of the community and the make up of the town. Football just is not one of the big priorities and it does not fit my families personality. It's not what we experienced growing up in Beaumont. However, if we had moved and went somewhere else, what would we as parents be teaching our kids? I have coached in middle school, high school, and now I coach my youngest in the STJFL. We decided to stay here and stick it out and do what we can to teach our kids life lessons and be apart of a change that will hopefully carry over to when my 5th grader steps on the field to rep the Raiders on Friday nights. I know Babin and what he is trying to accomplish in a tough situation. I know he has the boys working harder than I've seen any group work in the last 4-5 years! With that you will lose some kids who don't want to put in the work, and hopefully you will gain some who really want to play the game. It is a numbers game! It is not an overnight fix! The mentality has to change! Work ethic has to change! They must "do work"! Compete! I don't always agree with every call they make, and no one ever will! But I do know that Babin is full of fire, energy, and that he has a desire to turn this thing around. My son and I talk about football all the time. We travel every weekend to watch games. Been to the last 3 PNG games and will be there tonight to watch his buddies play CS. He loves playing for Coach Babin! He will not hear complaints from me about his coach. If I do complain about the coaching with my son, then I become part of the problem! Gotta be part of the solution, not the problem!! 

Best post I've read in a long time. I agree 100% with everything. Need more to come to this way of thinking. Eventually, we'll get there. 

It has been hard raising a football family in Lumberton.  My wife and I didn't think about a schools athletic program when we decided to move here 20 years ago. My oldest just finished his junior season this year which was his 2nd on Varsity. We had opportunities to move him to other school districts and we thought a lot about it. PNG, Nederland, WOS, etc! We thought a lot about it. Not because of the coaching, but because of the community and the make up of the town. Football just is not one of the big priorities and it does not fit my families personality. It's not what we experienced growing up in Beaumont. However, if we had moved and went somewhere else, what would we as parents be teaching our kids? I have coached in middle school, high school, and now I coach my youngest in the STJFL. We decided to stay here and stick it out and do what we can to teach our kids life lessons and be apart of a change that will hopefully carry over to when my 5th grader steps on the field to rep the Raiders on Friday nights. I know Babin and what he is trying to accomplish in a tough situation. I know he has the boys working harder than I've seen any group work in the last 4-5 years! With that you will lose some kids who don't want to put in the work, and hopefully you will gain some who really want to play the game. It is a numbers game! It is not an overnight fix! The mentality has to change! Work ethic has to change! They must "do work"! Compete! I don't always agree with every call they make, and no one ever will! But I do know that Babin is full of fire, energy, and that he has a desire to turn this thing around. My son and I talk about football all the time. We travel every weekend to watch games. Been to the last 3 PNG games and will be there tonight to watch his buddies play CS. He loves playing for Coach Babin! He will not hear complaints from me about his coach. If I do complain about the coaching with my son, then I become part of the problem! Gotta be part of the solution, not the problem!! 

It has been hard raising a football family in Lumberton.  My wife and I didn't think about a schools athletic program when we decided to move here 20 years ago. My oldest just finished his junior season this year which was his 2nd on Varsity. We had opportunities to move him to other school districts and we thought a lot about it. PNG, Nederland, WOS, etc! We thought a lot about it. Not because of the coaching, but because of the community and the make up of the town. Football just is not one of the big priorities and it does not fit my families personality. It's not what we experienced growing up in Beaumont. However, if we had moved and went somewhere else, what would we as parents be teaching our kids? I have coached in middle school, high school, and now I coach my youngest in the STJFL. We decided to stay here and stick it out and do what we can to teach our kids life lessons and be apart of a change that will hopefully carry over to when my 5th grader steps on the field to rep the Raiders on Friday nights. I know Babin and what he is trying to accomplish in a tough situation. I know he has the boys working harder than I've seen any group work in the last 4-5 years! With that you will lose some kids who don't want to put in the work, and hopefully you will gain some who really want to play the game. It is a numbers game! It is not an overnight fix! The mentality has to change! Work ethic has to change! They must "do work"! Compete! I don't always agree with every call they make, and no one ever will! But I do know that Babin is full of fire, energy, and that he has a desire to turn this thing around. My son and I talk about football all the time. We travel every weekend to watch games. Been to the last 3 PNG games and will be there tonight to watch his buddies play CS. He loves playing for Coach Babin! He will not hear complaints from me about his coach. If I do complain about the coaching with my son, then I become part of the problem! Gotta be part of the solution, not the problem!! 

It has been hard raising a football family in Lumberton.  My wife and I didn't think about a schools athletic program when we decided to move here 20 years ago. My oldest just finished his junior season this year which was his 2nd on Varsity. We had opportunities to move him to other school districts and we thought a lot about it. PNG, Nederland, WOS, etc! We thought a lot about it. Not because of the coaching, but because of the community and the make up of the town. Football just is not one of the big priorities and it does not fit my families personality. It's not what we experienced growing up in Beaumont. However, if we had moved and went somewhere else, what would we as parents be teaching our kids? I have coached in middle school, high school, and now I coach my youngest in the STJFL. We decided to stay here and stick it out and do what we can to teach our kids life lessons and be apart of a change that will hopefully carry over to when my 5th grader steps on the field to rep the Raiders on Friday nights. I know Babin and what he is trying to accomplish in a tough situation. I know he has the boys working harder than I've seen any group work in the last 4-5 years! With that you will lose some kids who don't want to put in the work, and hopefully you will gain some who really want to play the game. It is a numbers game! It is not an overnight fix! The mentality has to change! Work ethic has to change! They must "do work"! Compete! I don't always agree with every call they make, and no one ever will! But I do know that Babin is full of fire, energy, and that he has a desire to turn this thing around. My son and I talk about football all the time. We travel every weekend to watch games. Been to the last 3 PNG games and will be there tonight to watch his buddies play CS. He loves playing for Coach Babin! He will not hear complaints from me about his coach. If I do complain about the coaching with my son, then I become part of the problem! Gotta be part of the solution, not the problem!! 

Babin is the best thing that's happened to us since Coach Credeur, and honestly imo the best thing that could have happened.
And that statement is coming from first hand experience of his coaching style, his attitude, and his passion for the kids and the game.
People who complain either don't know coach Babin, or little johnny got ran too hard and now their feelings are hurt....

Coach babin cares about this community, these kids, and these programs!! He's the hardest worker I've ever been around!!! Lumberton should be glad they have a great coach but more importantly a great man to teach these kids life lessons and develop these athletes to become successful after  high school!!! We have our Jeff Matthews at Lumberton now let's  support him!!!! 

Some didn't like the hire and that's ok. Some don't like that we are run-heavy and that's ok. Some don't like to work their tail off and that is NOT ok.   But it's all getting sorted out. Hard work is not for everyone. But neither is winning. 

I had an interesting conversation with a Raider fan about Coach Chris Babin recently where he expressed his dismay with him and was more impressed with Larry Haynes. Now, if you could see through my computer you would see my "REALLY" face. So Raider fans, let me tell you a little story. We hired a young coach and the very first year he was at Vidor, he took us to the playoffs. The second coming, we wanted to say. Sound familiar? However, after that initial year, it was 9 years before we made the playoffs again. We had some successful years but I believe the average over that span to be in the 3 - 7 range. A lot of people wanted his head. Now, most of us wouldn't trade Jeff Mathews for any coach in the area. You have a good, young coach who is from Lumberton and cares about the team. It takes time to build a program; years...especially if you have limited talent. We had the revolving coach thing centuries ago when I was in school. New coach every year = zero wins. IH 10 - Vidor / Lumberton 0. Stick with this coach and he'll get you there. It takes time, hard work and a little heartache. Mostly, it requires faith from the community because it is a community effort.  

Btw, Lumberton is not going to slot t or wing t. That is a direct quote from Coach Babin.

Lumberton White Jr and Lumberton Red Jr are both dominate teams in the Junior Division

BMW -26 
PA - 6
There were no fights, ejections or SWAT Team as predicting. Just good ole fashion football with a huge prayer and photos between players, coaches, and Parents. Great sportsmanship.

Sounds about right! I lost count. Vidor started too many possessions in our end of the field. The difference between winning programs and non winning programs is the ability to overcome adversity and not constantly shoot yourself in the foot. You don't have to have the most talent! Play disciplined, hard nosed football, and don't give your opponent free gifts! That's what happened in Livingston and Vidor. Must concentrate on Memorial and compete. Give yourself a chance to compete. Disciplined, assignment football. 

Understand what you're saying, but not worth getting your starters injured if the game is won. Plus, you must develop the others for next year when games are in the bag.

No, I for one understand and I believe you raise a valid point.  There is a difference between showing pride in your community and engaging in good natured ribbing and just being plain mean.  And I will tell what I mean, in this week leading up to this weekends game we have had, among other things, Vidorians subjected to talk about "white sheets," Port Arthur folks subjected to talk that they live in a ghetto and one board member who had his child rearing skills questioned.  And there is probably more that I just didn't happen to see.
When it gets to that point, it is just plain senseless, and more and more threads are getting to that point.
It's sad.

I guess West Beaumont is still poorly COACHED.....lol...2 shut outs...and in 1st place....WOW...Must be pure Talent!!!!

You missed my point. I didn't say we had more talent than Vidor. I was saying in general. Example: Central has more talent than Vidor, but Vidor beat Central. 

Sounds about right! I lost count. Vidor started too many possessions in our end of the field. The difference between winning programs and non winning programs is the ability to overcome adversity and not constantly shoot yourself in the foot. You don't have to have the most talent! Play disciplined, hard nosed football, and don't give your opponent free gifts! That's what happened in Livingston and Vidor. Must concentrate on Memorial and compete. Give yourself a chance to compete. Disciplined, assignment football. 

Sounds about right! I lost count. Vidor started too many possessions in our end of the field. The difference between winning programs and non winning programs is the ability to overcome adversity and not constantly shoot yourself in the foot. You don't have to have the most talent! Play disciplined, hard nosed football, and don't give your opponent free gifts! That's what happened in Livingston and Vidor. Must concentrate on Memorial and compete. Give yourself a chance to compete. Disciplined, assignment football.