Beyond the Lights: Football Across Texas

Head football coach David Jones talks about a variety of issues that affect programs and some of the things he does to keep parents involved with their kids as they participate.

While attending Randy Jackson's Fast N Wide Clinic in Plano, I took time to do some short interviews with Joe Cary from Tomball Memorial HS, Brent Pickard of Eau Claire Memorial HS in Wisconsin, Canon McWilliams of Big Spring HS, Dennis Dunn of North Desoto HS in Louisiana and Jeff Caffey of Big Spring.

Coach Eric Luster of Brazoswood HS sits down with me at Randy Jackson's Fast N Wide clinic and talks about the importance of T.H.I.S. : Trust, Heart, Intentionality, and Service.

Michael Hurd, author, sports writer, historian, veteran and occasional baker discusses his book Thursday Night Lights. This book documents the history of black high school football in Texas. Mr. Hurd spent years researching for this book to bring well-deserved recognition to many of the individuals responsible for making Texas high school football what it is today.

Blake Fuschak is in his 3rd season as the head coach for Antonian Prep. His dad helped establish Antonian as a TAPPS powerhouse and now his son is continuing the tradition. Coach Fuschak talks about the importance of humility and always learning and growing as a coach.

Jarrett Lambert was promoted from the DC of the Pearce Mustangs to the head coach 3 years ago and has progressed from 4-6 to 9-3 this year to make the Mustangs a strong contender in the biggest classification in the state. Retired Azle coach and friend, Joel Fuller, joined me for this episode in Richardson.

Post head football coach and AD, John Wright, talks about his movements from west Texas to north Texas and back as he made his way back to Post for a second time. Over the last two years he started over with a new system for the Antelopes that paid off this year with a 13-1 record.

Chris Freytag and I talk with Eric Soza, head football coach and AD for Rockport Fulton. He talks about coaching and playing for his dad and the turnaround season for the Pirates in his first year as the man at Rockport Fulton.

Coach Ricky Beaty takes the helm for the Salado Eagles for his first head coaching job and turns the program around, taking the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs.

Episode 13: Retired head football coach and AD, Randy Jackson talks about his stint in the German football league and the importance of the end-of-season autopsy and mental training for athletes.

Davenport head football coach and athletic coordinator, JD Zimmerhanzel, talks about the unity Friday nights can bring and how the inspiration for his offensive philosophy came from a game of washers!

Carl Abseck talks about the importance of learning from every place you go and program you are in. He emphasizes the need to be able to adjust to best fit the needs of each team. He also talks about how "mudita" has helped keep his teams on track and playing for each other.

Head football coach and AD for Yoakum ISD, Bo Robinson, talks about his coaching blood. Not only is Coach Robinson following in his dad's footsteps of success but his son has entered the profession as well and has found his way back to his hometown of Yoakum to coach with him.

Head football coach and boys coordinator, Todd Patmon, talks about his family and how the Del Valle school district strives to provide the best environment and facilities it can to ensure that its students and athletes have every opportunity to succeed.

Retired AD and head football coach Bob Cervetto joins me to talk with one of his former players, Sterling Doty, who is the current head football coach and AD of the Stephenville Yellow Jackets. Coach Doty talks about what brought him to Stephenville as a kid and the road that brought him back years later.

Head football coach and boys AD for the Benbrook Bobcats, Cody Slater, talks about his coaching staff that have been with him for awhile and the importance of keeping up with former players.

Head football coach and athletic director Billy Mathis discusses how he found his calling as a coach and where pursuing that calling has taken him.

Visit today with head coach and AD Scott Freeman, in his 4th year as Junction head coach. He talks about dealing with adversity with staff and program situations and how he pushes the Junction Boys mentality for his teams with low numbers.

Head football coach and athletic director Jeff Luna talks about the importance of keeping priorities straight as a coach, doing the little things right and what its like to come back and coach in your home town.

Doug Shanafelt joins me again for a visit to Scurry Rosser HS to talk with head football coach John David Caffey. Coach Caffey talks about the importance of faith, family and football.

Doug Shanafelt joins me today in Crawford to visit with Coach Greg Jacobs of the Crawford Pirates and we discuss football, Crawford and some of the reasons behind Crawford's history of success.

We made our first stop in Fredericksburg to visit with head football coach Bill Wilder of the Battlin Billies. Join us as we learn about Coach Wilder and the town of Fredericksburg and part of what makes Texas high school football special.