Bonecrusher

That consolidation would put them in the top 3rd of 3A enrollment. I know about SW's recent football woes, and doesn't look like Blackford's been having much success, either. Wonder if combining two lackluster programs would net much of a gain. Larger pool of athletes, yes, but what is the quality of those athletes? Speaking strictly about football and not trying to knock the kids. Maybe there would be gains in other sports. What I don't know is how those two communities would feel about consolidating. But doesn't look likely, so it's all speculation at this time.

I'm a tad late to the party on this. Ran the whole SW closing thing up the flagpole with a few members of the wife's side of the fam, who live in the district and know what's going on, but didn't hear back right away. Got basically the same response as this one. I'm glad to hear that. Recent football success (or lack thereof) issues aside, it's a nice school in a nice community. I was skeptical when I first heard about it, but sometimes you never know what's really going on.

This is interesting news. I have family on my wife's side that would be in the know about this; I'll ask around, or have her ask, and see what comes back. Coaching-wise, I would probably pick SW due to the fact that their success has been more recent. Maybe parents/community would be more apt to buy-in if the new guy made some progress? Another factor could be that, besides AC & SA, the ACAC might not be quite as tough of a conference as what Parkway has to deal with?

Curious as to what's attracting the Chicagoans to Decatur? Relocated manufacturing or something like that?

Any of those four would be logical choices. Woodlan would probably have the best "small school" feel, but beggars can't be choosers. Another, albeit not quite as attractive, option is Harding. No action Friday nights anymore at that school, so they wouldn't have to worry about working around the "real" home team's schedule. Little farther drive, but with Maplecrest going straight through to 930 it wouldn't be unreasonable. My father still lives on the outer edge of the SE side and he can make it to Georgetown Square, via Maplecrest, in what seems like no time at all.

I did pick one winner correctly, though. Texas 4A-DI China Spring beat Boerne 24-21. CS went into halftime down 21-0, came out and scored 24 unanswered points. Game winner was a 20-something yard FG kicked with I think 3 seconds left on the clock. They are next to the school district my kids went to, so always pulling for them to do well. They won state last year, so a nice repeat win.

When were looking at houses just prior to our move to TX, I got caught mis-pronouncing Mexia when I saw it on a highway sign. The realtor corrected me immediately.

I know folk that attend Blackhawk's church. Did they only do 1 season of 8-man? Gonna be a big jump. Might get a few wins in the ACAC. First season could be a hefty learning curve. Does anyone know what their attendance numbers are? What class would they be in? Assume 1A or 2A.

Very true. Both were big time underdogs and punched the favorites in the mouth. The previous week (semi's), Hawley beat a local (to me) team, Crawford. My kid's school plays Crawford every year and they are always tough. They seemed to always have our number. Hawley's semi-state win vs. Crawford was by 14 pts; their state win vs. Refugio was by 26 points, nearly double. The game vs. Crawford was very close throughout and only in the 4th did Hawley pull away when Crawford had to sub due to injuries. Hawley was in control vs. Refugio from the start and the guys I talked to that either went to the game or watched on TV said Hawley's lead was never in doubt. Many here feel like the de facto state championship was the previous week vs. Crawford. Fun fact: Refugio is not pronounced like it's spelled. It's pronounced "Refurio". The story behind it is kinda funny if you're ever looking for something to Google. Albany vs. Mart, yeah that did not go according to plan AT ALL. Mart is the Texas 2A, Div. II version of Center Grove (IN) or Aledo (TX). Nobody, I mean nobody, saw that one coming. Not even the Albany people were predicting a woodshedding like what took place. The score does not accurately show how lopsided the game really was, according to those who were there. 15-18 year old kids, go figure.

Been a good week for west Texas teams so far. Both 6-man (1A) classes won by west Texas teams. The Mart vs. Albany game won by west Texas team (Albany). The current game Refugio vs. Hawley, Hawley another west Tx team leads 34-13 at HT. In one of the 6-man games and both 2A games, the central or south Texas teams were heavily favored over west Texas. 3A and larger are all central/south/east TX teams. A few of these are from the DFW/Houston/San Antonio areas. Impressive run for the big country teams, though.

Rep'ing the smaller schools here... Class 2A, Div. 2 (smallest class/div in 11-man) Mart (15-0) vs. Albany (13-2) tonight. This will be Mart's 13th time playing for a championship with 8 wins. Three-peated in 2017, 18,19; runner up in 2020; knocked out in the semi's in 2021 by 4 pts. Class 2A, Div. 1 Refugio (14-1) vs. Hawley (15-0) Thursday. This will be Refugio's 10th time playing for a championship with 5 wins. 2019 was both the last appearance at the ship and the last title. Their coach has been jokingly referred to as one of the most hated high school football coach in Texas. Class 4A, Div. 1 China Spring (14-1) vs. Boerne (15-0) Friday. China been to 4 championships, with 2 titles. One of those wins was last year, so looking to repeat. When my kids played (youngest graduated in 2018) we played Mart, they were a bigger school then and in our district, that was 100% a guaranteed "L" for us. There's something in the water in that community, and also Refugio. I'll bet @foxbat knows about Mart, maybe Refugio. Somewhat familiar with Aledo's program, from reading about them in news and on football forums. I think their coach wasn't real well liked either, for the same reason as Refugio's.

Few more Texas games to add to the list that should really be good, and also a nod to a couple smaller schools.... Class 2A, Div. I Crawford (13-0) vs Tolar (13-0) Crawford rank 7 and Tolar 5 in TX coaches poll per Maxpreps. Class 2A, Div. II Mart (13-0) vs. Lovelady (12-0) Mart rank 2 and Lovelady 7 in TX coaches poll per Maxpreps. The school my kids went to played both Crawford and Mart over the years. Mart is the textbook definition of a perennial football powerhouse. Crawford not too far behind. Like CG, they don't rebuild - they reload. Mart spread but can run, balanced offense, insane speed and athleticism year after year. Crawford will punch you in the mouth repeatedly and when you finally commit to defend the run immediately burn you with the long ball. A couple years my kid's teams might have reached the finals if not for one of these two. Class 4A, Div. I China Spring (12-1) vs. Anna (13-0) CS rank 1 and Anna 2 in TX coaches poll per Maxpreps. My youngest played youth football in the China Spring youth system, they got some ballers.

Keeping my underdog/FW area homer picks going for this game, too. Give me Adams Central by a TD. From a fellow ACAC team member, GATA!

Well said sir. Going with the underdog/FW homer pick. Carroll 28-24.

Tenaha is a 2A, Div.II school in east Texas, the smallest classification that plays 11- man.

We have had drives of 1:45 to 2:00 for regular season games down here. 2:30 is not unusual for playoff games. I think it's all your frame of mind. For central/west TX that is the norm, you get used to it.

So far, the general opinion seems to be going against 3 of the 4 FW area teams getting a "W" this round. Snider by 14.

I'll be the "homer" for this one. I'll take the Knights by a TD. Here's hoping they beat the odds 2 weeks in a row.

AC wins in single digits. Game not decided until late Q4.

Snider & Carroll

I like this thread. Ya'll are startin' ta think like Texans. 1. Football 2. 2-a-days 3. Stick ball 4. Huntin'/Fishin' 5. Brisket smokin' 6. 4 wheelin' 7. Round ball

Really? On THE day of a SC game? Someone please tell me what rationale I am missing out on here, and why this should make sense.

That's a good suggestion - I wish I'd thought of it. We used to live about 1/4 mile away from that stadium when we first got married. That makes me feel even dumber for not considering HN lol! Do they have turf now? I thought I read they do.

That's a fair question. I won't even pretend to know the logistics of it, but down here they make it work. I would think there would be at least a base level of pre-planning required, since all playoff games are neutral sites, and venues aren't decided until that night's games are over. Obviously adults with kids playing wouldn't be expected to stay home and work concessions, or something like that. You would have to have some level of commitment from other staff/faculty/volunteers. I don't even know if those people are paid. The host school does get a percent of the gate, but it's probably not very high after the UIL (IHSAA for ya'll) takes their cut. Probably the longer you do it, you come up with a system. Pros & cons to everything.

There's always Heritage. Turf, 3A sized stands. But the travel advantage flips to Luers in that scenario. Someone's gonna get screwed a little bit re. travel time with neutral sites. Deal with it. Make it worth that extra time and win! (As told to a group of parents - and later the players - by my sons HC several years ago. We won.)