Local Interest

Observers of East Texas State/A&M-Commerce football over the past 20 years or so can be excused for not appreciating the rich tradition of the program – a lot of losing seasons, no playoff appearances, let alone post-season victories.  But it was not always thus.

Motorists in Commerce likely noticed more traffic than usual Friday morning as Commerce and University police personnel were directing traffic around an accident at the intersection of Culver and Monroe St.

Local firefighters, police officers and military personnel will be honored at the Cooper-Commerce high school football game in Commerce. 

These four schools start their football season tonight.

These private schools start their football season tonight.

Though the Terrell Tigers have been in a rebuilding phase recently and even had a 0-10 season last year, the fan support has never wavered. 

Anna High School football fans hope that six returning starters on offense and eight returners on defense can help the Coyotes break into the upper echelon of District 12-3A.

Melissa High School, just two years removed from winning the Class 2A Division 1 state championship, fared well in 3A last season with a district championship and a 9-3 finish.

It’s not that Community High School’s football team is a bad one. It’s just that they play in one of the tougher 3A districts in Texas.

Coach David Petroff and the Royse City Bulldogs are coming off a one-win season in 2012, and hope to get a fresh start for a program that has won three games in four years.

Though the North Lamar Panthers had a tough 2012, Tommy Felty’s team did make it back to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2011.

The Paris Wildcats enter 2013 as the reigning champs of District 13-3A and coach Steven Hohenberger is confident they can accomplish even more this season.

The Texas high school football season begins again this week, so it’s an opportune time to reflect on the history of the game. 

With the district newcomer of the year, the defensive MVP of the district and the top three offensive stats leaders in the district returning for 2013, Wills Point is confident it can improve upon a 5-6 finish last season.

Though the Ford Panthers had an 8-4 record last season and won a playoff game, this season could be much more difficult, as coach Todd Wallace has lost 19 seniors.

Things can only improve for Rains High School and head football coach Derek Smith as the Wildcats try to rebound from a 1-19 record over the past two years.

Consecutive playoff appearances for the Heath High School football team is proof enough that coach Mickey Moss’ Hawks can compete at both the 4A and the 5A level. But Heath will look to do more than make the playoffs in 2013.

New head coach Rodney Webb wants to do something in Rockwall that hasn’t been done in over 20 years - win a playoff game.

According to a report from the Greenville Herald-Banner, Governor Rick Perry has just announced that a new business will be taking over an empty Greenville plant, and be receiving some financial funding from the Texas government to help close the deal.

After consecutive 0-10 seasons, Greenville High School brought back local legend Marvin Sedberry to guide the football program back to winning ways. Last season was another winless one, but this could be the year that the Lions break their consecutive loss streak.

Head coach Mart Graham and the Mount Pleasant Tigers are looking to improve on their recent success with their first playoff victory in six years.

The Wildcats enter the 2013 season loaded at almost every skill position, but there are still some spots that head coach Greg Owens will need to fill.

It's only August, but in Cooper, the local buzz about the Bulldogs is building. 

Much of the attention in District 8-2A is on defending champion Clarksville and up-and-coming Cooper. But don't forget about Edgewood, a strong contender for the district title.

Clarksville is the defending district champion, but lost a lot of talent to graduation. Only three defensive starters return.

The Commerce Tigers got their first playoff victory in over 10 years in 2012. Head coach Scott Wells recognizes the expectations that come with success and is cautiously optimistic about this season.

Farmersville High School's head coach Sammy Burnett will try to build on last year's success of a 6-5 season and a playoff appearance.

Coming off a disappointing 2012 season, head coach Steve Sumrow's Caddo Mills team returns with a heavily loaded senior class this year.

Rivercrest High School's football team will rely on a pair of juniors to lead the way in 2012.