US Nike Football

GREYHOUNDS RACE PAST FOLLETT

usnikefootball — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:51:36 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- The wind just wouldn't stop blowing Saturday night in Lubbock. And it's not the brisk 45 mph breeze whistling down from the Panhandle, of which we speak. No, Strawn head coach Dewaine Lee was holding court.

"I felt confident all week," said the likable head football coach, "I really did. I really did. But that cofidence made me nervous. I tellya, I was nervous...but confident. Confident and nervous. I knew we could win, but I didn't want this team to be over confident. That's what had been making me nervous all week...overconfidence."

The only emoition apparent in Lee following Strawn's 58-29 win over Follett in the Texas Division I six-man football championship was exuberance and lots of it.

"I am a happy guy," shouted Lee, as hundreds of fans gathered around to offer up congradulations and slap him on the back. This is Lee's second state title. The Greyhounds also won in 2008. Looking like a proud papa, Lee held the championship trophy, while fans stood next to him wanting a photo op. Everyone loves a champion. "

"This win is sweet," Lee continued, "I think the second one might be even better than the first. But I not taking anything away from that one. You just can't describe it..."

Ten minutes later, Lee was still in the middle of Lowrey Field describing it...

Strawn had defeated Follett 46-0 back in August at the Nike sponsored Hico Six-Man Super Saturday and entered the game as a heavy favorite over the Panthers. But Follett did anything but lay down for their central Texas opponent. The first quarter ended with the score tied 16-all. But Strawn scored twice in the second periond and the another two times to start the third quarter to pull away from the Panthers. Trey Doyle led the way, rushing ll tiimes for 103 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Johnny Abbott, who lead the team in rushing with 110 yards, had a pair of TDs as well.

As for Follett, quarterback Branden Blau had a hand in a couple of TDs. He threw a TD to running back Cold Freeman and cuaght a 20-yarder from end Justin Hernandez.

"We just made too many mistakes," said Follect coach John York, "But these kids played tough. I couldn't be prouder of them."

Late in the third quarter, Follett had the opportunity to score, but failed on fourth and goal try from the two. A score could have cut Strawn's lead to 21, and with the harsh wind blowing to Follett's back in the fourth quarter, that meant the Panthers might crawl back into the driver's seat...

"That hurt, all right," concluded York, shaking his head. "Wish we could have that one back."

Strawn ended the season with a 14-1 record, Follett 13-2.

NOTES: At a all-community pep rally on Friday night, coach York made good on his word and allowed the players to cut his hair...into a mowhawk. "I told them if we beat Fort Davis, they could cut my hair." laugh York, running his fingers through the Mohawk doo. The week before the Strawn players had also made the Mohawk the haircut of choice...with a twist. They colored the Mohawk red. But something happened and the colored turned out to be more of a pink color.

Strawn head coach seeks second state title.

usnikefootball — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:26:11 GMT

STRAWN, Texas—Dewaine Lee is hungry for seconds. And we’re not talking a second chicken-fried steak like the one pictured above from world-famous Mary’s Café.No siree. What the Strawn Greyhound head football coach wants to sink his choppers into is his second Texas state six-man football title.

“I want this one bad,” said Lee, standing in the middle of Strawn Greyhound field on a cold, windswept afternoon. “But just not me. The entire town wants it bad too. It’s all everyone is talking about in town.

“But that’s what winning does to you,” he continued. “It makes you want more of it. “

Lee then pointed in the direction of a large marble monument in the shape of Texas located by the concession stand, that reads “2003 State Six Man Champions” adding, “We want another one of those.”

But he knows it want come easy. The number one-ranked Greyhounds face number six-ranked Follett in the title game Saturday night in Lubbock. Strawn enters the game with only one loss, while Follett has been beaten twice. Fact is, one of Follett’s loses came at the hands of Strawn 46-0 on the opening day of the season back on August 29th at the Nike sponsored Hico Six Super Saturday.

But that was fourteen weeks and about 100 degrees ago.

“We played them in our backyard back in August and it was hot” commented Lee. “This weekend we are playing in their backyard and it’s gonna be cold….really cold.”

Follett is located in a uppermost northeast corner of the Texas panhandle, a region of the state known for its cold north winds. It has been said that there are only two trees between the Panhandle and Canada that block the wind as it howls it’s way south.

Asked if he and his team might feel overconfident because of the large win over Follett earlier this, Lee replied, “Are you kidding me. I am nervous. These kids are nervous. This town should be nervous. We know that if you take ‘em lightly, they are going to spank our butts raw. We know we’re in for a game.”

NOTE: According to local lore, if you look close enough at Mary’s chicken friend steak you can see the words State Champions ’08 inscribed in the crust.

Lee, who coached the Greyhounds to a state title in 2003, knows it won’t be easy when Strawn goes up against Follett in Lubbock Saturday night for all the marbles.

TEXAS SIX-MAN CHAMPIONS READY FOR CROWNING…

usnikefootball — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:42:05 GMT

Then, there were four…

After 15 weeks of football, its down to the best of the best in the Texas state six-man championship race.

In Division 1, Strawn (13-1), the top-ranked team in the state defeated Number Two, Abbott (13-1) 102-70. It was the first time, Strawn scored over 100 points this season. While Number Six, Follett (11-2) scored 42 unanswered points to knock Fort Davis (No. 7, 13-1) 64-42. In Division 2 six-man action, Number Two, Woodson (10-4) defeated Number Six, Walnut Springs 101-63, while Number One Borden County (13-0) creamed Silverton (9-5) 52-6.

The championship game, set for Saturday night in Lubbock, will be a rematch between Strawn and Follett. Strawn defeated Follett 46-0 at the Nike sponsored Hico Six-Man Super Saturday (www.hicosupersix.com) back in August. It was the opening game for both teams and the only time the Panthers have been shut out all season. But that was fourteen weeks and what seems like a lifetime ago.

“There’s been a lot of football played since then,” said Follett coach John York.

And a heckuva lot of traveling for the Panthers. Follett is located in the northeast corner of the state. “There’s not a lot up here,” laughed coach York. “Come to think of it, there’s NOTHING up here.” Fact is, Follett is actually closer to Denver, Colorado than Dallas.

Coach Bum Phillips once quipped about the Panhandle of Texas, “It ain’t the end of the world, but you can see it from there.”

Prior to even starting district play, the Panthers traveled to Hico (450 miles), Vernon Northside (250 miles) Throckmorton (300 miles), Kress (180 Miles), Hart (190). And this is just one way. In fact, Follett traveled over 400 miles (one way) to play Fort Davis.

The championship site was chosen because it is “halfway” between Strawn (located between Fort Worth and Abilene) and Follett. “For us, that drive is nothing,” continued York. “We’ll load em up on the buss Saturday and drive down for the game.”

In Strawn, head man Dewaine Lee, who coached the Greyhounds to a state title in 2003, admits he’s nervous. “Follett has some tough athletes. Just because we beat them once, doesn’t mean we let up. If we do, they’ll beat us.” Lee pointed at Panthers Justin Hernandez as one of the keys to the game. “That kid that can hit.” Commented Lee.

This will be coach York’s first trip to the big game as the head coach. In fact, this is only York’s second year at Follett. Prior to coaching, he was in the swimming pool business. Where, just like coaching, it’s important to keep ones head above water.

According to both coaches, the towns of Strawn and Follett, with combine populations of just over 700, are excited about bringing home a state six man title. “We’ve been there before,” said Lee. “And we want to be there again.” “I keep telling the boys to enjoy this,” said York, “It doesn’t come around that often.”

In Division, the Borden County/Woodson game will take place on Saturday afternoon at the Wolfforth Frenship High School Stadium, just west of Lubbock. It will be a great matchup between the top two teams in the state. Borden County will be the only undefeated team in both divisions, entering the final game.

There are two divisions in Texas six-man football. Division 1 has a minimum of 60 students in high school and a maximum of 99 in grades 9 through 12. Division 2, is made up of high schools with less than 59 in the upper four grades.

For all the results, including season long stats for all the teams, go to www.sixmanfootball.com, the Bible of Texas six-man football.

NOTES: A crowd of 15,000 is expected for the championship game…Neither Follett nor Strawn won their districts. Both finished second….Follett lost on the final play of the game to Valley….As a show of support, Follett will host a town-wide pep rally on Friday night.

STRAWN, ABBOTT MOVE CLOSER TO TEXAS SIX MAN TITLE

usnikefootball — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:23:52 GMT

They said it couldn’t be done. But, then again, who exactly is “they” and what do “they” really know?

Quicker than you could say, ‘supper’s ready”, Calvert, the numero uno team in the state, was defeated by Abbott, the birthday place of Willie Nelson, 38-28. Calvert, whom many thought would win the state title in a cake walk, goes home, while Abbott moves to the semi-final around.

The loss by Calvert had the “party lines” ringing all over the state. It was the the talk of every coffee shop between Dime Box and Marathon. No one could believe that mighty Calvert had gone down for the count.

“Abbott’s got a tough bunch down there,” said Strawn coach Dwaine Lee. “You never count them out.”

Next up for Abbott will be the surprising Strawn Greyhounds who avenged an early season loss by defeating arch-rival Gordon 89-58. Over 5,000 fans showed up in Mineral Wells to watch the rematch, in what was described as a carnival setting.

Coach Dwaine Lee credits the play of quarterback Johnny Abbott and running back Jonathan Lindsey as the key factors in the Strawn win. Abbott passed for five touchdowns, while Lindsey rushed for another five TDs on his own.

Lee, who coached Strawn to a 2003 state title, won’t make any predictions, but acknowledges the Abbott –Strawn winner will probably have a leg up as far as the state title goes. In the other semi-final game, Follett will take on Fort David. Earlier this year at the Nike sponsored Hico Six-Man Super Saturday (www.hicosupersix.com) Strawn defeated Follett 46-0.

“That was a long time ago,” said coach Lee. “There’s been a lot of football played since then. We hear Follett and Fort Davis are both playing tough right now.”

Back to this Friday night’s opponent, Abbott., “Those kids are well coached…they understand the six-man game,” continued Lee. “I like our chances, but we’re gonna have to play’em tough.”

But, again, the big shocker came when Abbott took out Calvert. Calvert had been the topped ranked six-man school the entire season. However, Calvert had never finished a game all season, 45ing every opponent on the way to their 8-0 record. In all, Calvert played ONLY 16 periods of football all year. Against Abbott, it was the first time that Calvert played an entire four quarters.

In the Texas six-man Division 2, playoffs, Walnut Springs, which surprised Star 80-73, plays Woodson. In the other semifinal game, Borden County goes up against Silverton.
Star had it’s chance to possible defeat Walnut Springs but on the last play of the game the Star fullback fumbled the ball at the goal line. (see video). Star entered the game with the playoffs most potent offense. Star scored 101 and 98 points in their two previous wins.

NOTES: Follett and Fort Davis are located over 600 miles apart. In fact, the town Follett is actually closer to Denver, Colorado than it is to Dallas, Texas. Both the Six-Man Division I and II state championships will be played next week. The final games are expected to be held in either Abilene or San Angelo. For more information, click www.sixmanfootball.com, the Bible of Texas six-man football.

GORDON AND STRAWN: SHOWING UP AT THE SHOWDOWN

usnikefootball — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:28:23 GMT

It'll be Number Two Vs. Number Four, when the Gordon Longhorns and the Strawn Greyhounds strap it on this Saturday night in the quarterfinals of the Texas six-man state playoffs.

Gordon (11-1) advanced by taking down Greenville Phoenix 66-0, while Strawn
(11-1) beat Saint Jo 60-8. So far in the playoffs, Gordon has allowed only one TD, while racking up 122 points on offense.

Gordon coach Tye Adams says it will take a "little luck and a lot of guts"
for his Longhorns to beat their arch rivals. The two teams met on the district level only a few weeks ago, with Gordon taking a 60-30 win.

"It was a lot closer than that," assured Adams. "We were only up by four late in the third quarter."

What makes the matchup so unique is that the towns of Strawn and Gordon are located only eight miles apart! "It's one of the best six-man rivalries around," said Adams. "A lot of braggin rights go on after this game."

The game will be played down the road from the two towns in Mineral Wells, Texas. An estimated 5,000 fans are expected to show up.

To learn more about Texas six-man football playoffs check out www.lonestarfootball.net and click on six-man, or the "bible" of six man football, www.sixmanfootball.com.

The winner of the Strawn-Gordon matchup will meet either Number one Calvert
(9-0) or Number 3 Abbott (12-0) in the state semifinals. Many believe this will be the state championship game. However, Fort Davis is making plenty of noise out in West Texas. FDHS ran over Northside last weekend 64-42 to go to 12-0 for the season.

In Division 2 of the six-man playoffs, Star, Texas has been putting up some impressive offensive numbers. Star beat Valera Panther Creek 98-66 in the opening round and Leverett's Chapel 101-56, to move into the quarterfinal round against Walnut Springs.

THE HISTORY OF SIX MAN FOOTBALL

usnikefootball — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:19:49 GMT

Back in the 1930’s, when six-man football originated, Richland Springs, Texas was a booming town. And while Main Street may not be as bustling as it once was, the spirit that first brought the town folk out to watch a game of six-man lives on. The vast majority of high schools playing six-man football in Texas are located in rural towns like Richland Springs, communities with small populations but big hearts. On any given Friday night, more than 2,000 fans gather at the local football field to watch the Coyotes. There’s an old saying in Richland Springs, Texas, “On Friday night, you can rob every house in town and never get caught....cause everybody’s at the football game.” When the Coyotes play an out of town game, folks have been known to say, “Would the last person leaving town turn out the lights?”

Contrary to popular belief, the game of six-man football was not conceived in the Lone Star State. Fact is, a fella named Stephen Epler invented the game in 1934 while coaching in Chester, Nebraska. Epler came up with the idea because there weren't enough students at CHS to form an eleven-man team. So eleven-man football became six-man football and rest is football history.

Four years later, the governing body of Texas high school sports, the University Interscholastic League, said okie dokie and six-man football came to Texas. That first year, 55 schools played the game. Now about 125 high schools in Texas play this unique brand of football.

Other states such as Colorado, New Mexico and Montana play six-man football as do Nebraska and Kansas. However, Nebraska and Kansas leagues are not sanctioned by the governing body of the state. Oklahoma? If you know about Oklahoma six-man football, let us know.

Here's another little known fact: Only high schools with less than 126 students can play six-man football on the varsity level. So mostly, the teams that compete are from tiny rural communities such as Follett in the Texas panhandle, Fort Davis in the Big Bend and Calvert in East Texas.

By the way, check out www.sixmanfootball.com for more Texas Six Man football info. Click on maps and see the names and towns of all the schools that play in Texas.

6 Man Football: The Rules

usnikefootball — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:18:24 GMT

You gotta love Texas six-man football. It is one heckuva game. It's like watching a bunch of road runners chasing a rattlesnake up and down the football field.

One minute a team can be down 20 points. Then a couple of minutes later up a couple of TDs. It never over 'til it's over. That's one of the many reasons it's not unusual for fans to travel hundreds of miles for a game.

First, for those who don't know it, high school football is big in Texas. Not just big...gigantic. Even the smallest schools in Texas, the ones that play six-man have been know to draw 2,000 fans on a Friday night. It's these schools, usually located in rural Texas towns with populations under 300, that play this unique brand of football.

Six men on offense. Six men on defense.

The game differs a bit from the eleven-man version. First, it's played on an 80 x 40-yard field. It takes 15 yards to make a first down. A touchdown gets six points. Run or pass a PAT and you get a singleton. Kick a PAT and you get two points. Make it over the 8-foot high goal post with a field goal attempt and a team racks up four points. Kicking the ball in six-man football is very difficult.

The other big difference is this: everyone is eligible for a pass. However, the quarterback has to either pitch or pass the ball before he can run with it. A thousand yards of offense is not uncommon.

"It's like indoor arena football," said one fan. "Except we're outside."

It is a run 'til you puke, hit 'til you collapse kinda game. Maybe that's why country boys play it so well. They're a tough bunch. They grow up on ranches and farms. And come from towns like Richland Springs, Calvert, Lometa, Fort Davis and Marathon. Towns so small that without a GPS unit, you couldn't find them.

While there are usually about 10-20 players on a team, it's not uncommon to see the same six on both offense and defense. It's also not uncommon for these small schools to start the season with seven or eight players and end the season with only six. There is a rule that at least six players have to suit up before a game can start. Games have often ended with only four or five on a team.

But there is a rule called the 'mercy rule." If a team goes up by 45 points or more after halftime, the game is over. No mas! It's called "getting 45'd." "My Kid 45'd Your Kid" is a t-shirt often seen in the stands at six-man games.

The governing body of Texas High school football, the University Interscholastic League, set up two divisions to make things more competitive. Division I consists of high schools with an average daily attendance of 66-125. Division II high schools have less than 66 students in the entire school. But rest assured - smaller numbers have never stopped these teams from going out and leaving it all on the field. That's what six-man is all about.