Get on board for another Henderson County football
season
RICH FLOWERS SPORTS WRITER he changes in the season from the hot summer to the beginning of High School Football can be subtle in Texas .
Yet , somehow , a feeling circulates that causes students , parents and their communities to gather on Friday night to cheer their local teams to come away a winner .
The Fanfare , has become a tradition in itself . This , the 31st issue is not just a preview of the anticipated weekly battles , but also a souvenir , loaded with pictures of players in the midst of their all too brief high school years .
This year , when the first kickoffs come on August 26 , two schools with students in Henderson County will be debuting new coaches . Kevin Chase leads Eustace Bulldogs and B . J . Rider presides at Kemp .
In Brownsboro , Lance Connot is hoping a year in the saddle at head coach is enough to keep the Bears trending upward , with a return to the playoffs and an elusive winning season , last experienced there in 2010 .
This is also the second year for Trinidad Coach Michael Warren , whose team didn ’ t chalk up a win last year , but learned many lessons during their time on the field that will make them better equipped to turn their fortunes around this season .
The other coaches have had their programs simmering for a few years now , and hope that continuity will help tip the scales on Friday nights this year . Zach Hudson at Mabank had the Panthers on the doorstep of the playoffs last year and hopes to make a grand entrance come this November .
Athens Coach Zac Harrell has experience in the skill positions and a passing game that figures to be dangerous anywhere they play . Daniel Pierce is upbeat at Cross Roads , ready to return to University Interscholastic League Play and make some noise in their Class AA district .
Finally , Jamie Driskell ’ s program at Malakoff is respected throughout the state . The Tigers have played for a title during his stay and despite a slow start last year advanced three rounds into the playoffs .
Trinity Valley Community College readies for a run at a winning season and possible bowl bid under Coach Sherard Poteete . The Cards were 5-4 a year ago , a seventh winning season in the last eight campaigns .
This publication required many hours to put together . Travis Tapley and Jennifer Browning snapped hundreds of shots of players and coaches . Browning added feature stories , going behind the scenes to add some spice and character to the many pages of football speak , records and schedules . Jim Rogers was our connection with the businesses in the county whose wares and services you see within these pages . Betty Abendroth , designed the pages to make the stories and photos pop .
Fanfare , of course , is just the beginning of the Athens Review 2022 football coverage . Each week we ’ ll keep you informed of the upcoming games and descriptions of the on-the-field efforts of your favorite teams .
We hope you ’ ll join us on the journey .