Spradlin's Mark on the Cooper Program Will Last

In the grand scheme of things it was just five years, but Mike Spradlin left a mark on the Cooper football program that will last for a long time.

Five seasons ago, Spradlin inherited a team that was... well to be honest not very good, and turned it into something all the Southsiders could be very proud of.

Here's just a quick list of what Spradlin was able to accomplish: four straight playoff appearances, three straight regional appearances, back to back district titles and a 38-23 overall record.

Accomplishing all of this while most of the region and state paid their attention to Abilene High. But anybody who was actually paying attention knew the Cougars were a force to be reckoned with once the Friday night lights turned on and Spradlin was roaming the sidelines.

With all that being said, I'm going to really miss the guy. He was a media guy like I's dream interview. Always available to be interviewed and a sincere guy that truly enjoyed having a conversation with a nerdy and dorky 20-something year old guy (at least I think he did).

But most of all, Spradlin will and should be known for how much he truly cared about his players. Calling them "his kids," I witnessed time and time again his genuine emotion when talking about his players. I really respect him as a coach, but honestly I respect him just as much as a person.

He will be missed no doubt, but Spradlin left the Cooper program in good shape, much better than when he got there. And whoever takes over will be handed the keys to a Cadillac, and they better keep it cruising in the left hand lane going 75 mph.

My Jason Garrett Experience

I was just an 11 year-old kid sitting at Curtis Elementary in Weatherford Texas starry eyed and speechless. The backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys walked in to our school to give us a speech on "reaching for the stars."

The red headed backup was very engaging for fifth graders and spoke eloquently. He told us to never give up on your goals and always believe in yourself, even though others may not. He went on to say he was going to be a coach one day, and there was never a doubt he was going to do that. Who would have thought the Cowboys though? Sheesh.

After the speech was over, I rushed to get his autograph and he signed my Cowboys cap. From then on, I always rooted for Troy Aikman's backup to get in the game. And he actually did on Thanksgiving, leading an epic comeback for Dallas - throwing for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns ,I believe. I was a fan.

So from a small speaking engagement in Weatherford, Texas, to the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, I would say Garrett reached his goals and beyond. I was impressed with him as an 11 year-old kid, and I am equally impressed with the man who he is now. Go get'em coach!

Now if I can find that cap...

The Day Abilene Was Set on Fire

We have already seen what the Crosstown Showdown is all about over the years. When the Abilene High Eagles and the Cooper Cougars meet, the whole town stops for a moment and watches. Whether you even went to either school (I didn't) you can't help but pay attention.

This years match up between Abilene High and Cooper was the biggest since 2002 when both teams were undefeated and ranked in the top 5 in the state. Abilene High coming off a state championship, and the Cooper Cougars undefeated and looking for some respect. We definitely got what we wanted, a knock out, drag out fight that left everyone wanting more...

So that brings me to this thought - What if Abilene High and Cooper collide in the playoffs? It has never happened before. Neither team has played each other in the postseason - Heck neither team has played in the third round of the 5A playoffs at the same time. Both teams have some work to do, but it is realistically possible for the Eagles and Coog's to meet in the fourth round for another showdown.

Can you imagine the buzz around town? How long would the week go by? Would people actually try to scalp tickets to the game (lol)? Serious question though. I can't imagine how the town would function through that week. Cars turned over, buildings on fire, mass chaos. All joking aside, it would be a fun and crazy week - one that I don't know if I could imagine til I lived through it.

Best of luck to both the Cougars and Eagles throughout the rest of the playoffs.

ESPN Makes the Trip to Abilene

Wow. After the dust cleared and ESPN is long gone - it's still a cool feeling they ACTUALLY came.

When the announcement was made back in the Spring that Abilene High would play Plant High Schools out of Florida, I was stoked. And I didn't realize how excited I would be until I was down on the sideline watching these two teams go at it.

It's kinda weird looking back that ESPN made a trip to Abilene to cover the AHS game against Plant High School out of Florida last week. An awesome match-up - no doubt, and it ended up being what everyone and all the critics expected - an all around good game. Both teams didn't disappoint.

With that said, who would have thought 5 years ago ESPN would be out at Shotwell Stadium covering one of our Abilene schools? Honestly, it's hard to imagine. The World Wide Leader in Sports making a trip to our neck of the woods - awesome! We all care and love our teams around here, and it is really cool to see others appreciate the brand of football that is being played in these parts.

ESPN came here for a combination of things:

1.)High School football across the nation has become more and more popular the past couple of years.

2.)Abilene High and schools all across the Big Country have raised their level of play and the nation noticed.

I've haven't lived here my entire life, but I have always followed the high school's in this area. This is my third season covering Big Country football up close and personal, and it's crazy just how much it has evolved since I arrived back in the Fall of 2008.

I can't wait for ESPN and whoever else wants to come and get a taste of what Big Country football is all about.

Manny's Awesome Wedding Experience

When Manny first asked me to be in his wedding, I was shocked and excited at the same time. Of course I wanted to be in the wedding! We have worked together for over 2 years now and have become really good friends. Many late nights and long hours spent with the guy forced us to be that way, lol.

Manny married Candace (the woman of his dreams) down in San Antonio this past weekend. It was at San Fernando Cathedral in downtown, which is actually where the heroes of the Alamo were buried. A beautiful place to say the least, and the perfect spot to get married.

It was a traditional Catholic wedding, which was totally new to me but fun. There were many traditions and rituals Manny and Candace had to go through before they could get married. Part of the wedding we had to kneel, and I almost passed out. Luckily I realized what was about to happen and sat down on the pew for a bit. They both looked so happy during the whole entire ceremony, which almost... yes I said ALMOST brought a tear to to my eye... a man tear of course, or sports tear.

I am truly blessed to work with Manny and I wish him and Candace the best in their long loving marriage!

Vuvuzela for the Win!

Vuvuzela Madness!

It has been the subject of controversy, and many wanted it banned from the 2010 FIFA World Cup all together. In the end, FIFA decided the vuvuzela was legal... thank goodness.

If you've been buried under a rock for the past couple weeks, the vuvuzela is a horn from the South African culture. Modeled after a kudu horn, the vuvuzela has a very distinct sound, which has been heard on television sets around the world.

I am probably in the minority, and I totally cool with that, but I love the vuvuzela. I embrace not only the sound, but what it means to the nation of South Africa. I think it is great, and find it funny how many people are irritated by the vuvuzela.

Some may say, "I would rather listen to the chants and singing in the crowd!" Meh, I never enjoyed listening to inebriated people ramble and slur for 2 minutes, much less for an entire match (90 minutes, plus stoppage time).

Overall, I am trying to figure out my affinity for this horn. Maybe it's just the fact that I like things that bother people. Weird I know. Maybe it is my upbringing as a big brother and terrorizing my little sister. Who knows, but I find it fun. I might need to mature alittle, at least that is what my mom has been telling me for years. I should consult my shrink about this.

Sure, it may sound like a swarm of bees have congregated around the microphone during the match. Bees have a right to be soccer fans as well! Anyways, after awhile I don't even notice the sound anyways. No matter what, the vuvuzela is here to stay for a couple more weeks. Deal with it.

Plus, you could always watch the matches on mute. :)

A New Year's Resolution Fulfilled

Well, most of the time when I make New Year's resolutions, they fall through within the first few weeks. Somehow that is not the case this year, and I'm pretty stoked I have kept it.

I looked up resolution on dictionary.com and this is what I got:

definition: a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

Hmmm, I guess I finally made up my mind, became determined that I was going to lose some weight before mid-July hits.

I was up to 210 lbs in December of 2009. By far the largest I have ever been, and I don't know if it was just stress from work, working crazy hours or not making time to hit the gym. However you slice it, I was overweight!

So my New Years resolution was to lose about 25-30 pounds before my dad and I go on a vacation this summer. I am down to 187 pounds, 23 pounds lost for you people that aren't so great at math ;)

My plan was to work out almost everyday at Golds Gym, lifting weight and doing cardio. Counting calories, having about 1500-1800 calories per day. And it has really worked.

All in all, I have pretty much met my goal, but I am not going to stop. This has almost become and entire lifestyle change I hope to have the rest of my life.

I feel so much better and have energy throughout the entire day. I can think better, and I'm more creative at work.

I can't wait to hit the beach with my dad.