Prayers abound

I’ve had a great career.

In my 35 years of “drinking and eating during games and taking a few notes”, which is what my departed Father called what I did for a living, I’ve had success in many levels. I have covered several State Championships in nearly every high school sport under the sun.

Some of the most memorable were Thorndale’s Back-to-Back State title run in 1994 and 95 where they went 32-0 in the process. Those guys still get together with some regularity to talk about the glory days and having invited me.

Some of the players and their parents have saved the articles I wrote which does this boy’s heart some good. Hope that never changes.

Another memory was watching Hutto in Class 2A go to the Volleyball State Finals in back to back years in the late 90s. Both times they faced Wallis Brazos in the championship. The first time they lost which only fueled their competitive fire the next year.

In the rematch, Hutto took care of business in a three-game sweep to win its State title. It would be Janiece Nelson’s lone State title. She finally decided to retire recently after being at the helm for more than 20 years.

I’ve also seen Ricky Williams break Tony Dorsett’s rushing title and more pro and college sports than I’d ever imagined when I got started. There’s still one dance I’ve never been invited to:

The State Boys Basketball Tournament this weekend.

As of this moment I have one team, the Graford Jackrabbits, who are still in the hunt for a title. The squad played in the Region I Final Friday night (see story, this section) vs. Slidell who has been their nemesis the last two years, knocking them out in overtime in last year’s regional final and by one point in the season opener back in November.

Scouting report had Slidell having lost something since the first meeting. Still, we will see.

Hopefully in my column for the 17th I’ll be able to write about getting ready for my trip to San Antonio.

That’s about it for this week. As always, thanks for listening.

See y’all down the road.