Ex-Buffs assisting Dalhart coach
The Dalhart Golden Wolves will wear their usual gold and purple this season under fourth-year coach Stephen Young.
However, the maroon of West Texas A&M will be present.
Former WT starters Josh Young, Seth Hayden and Jared Brock will be assistants for the Golden Wolves. Brock was an All-American linebacker for the Buffs.
The Dalhart coach said he couldn't be happier to have the trio of assistants (Josh is his son) helping the Wolves in their attempt to achieve a feat thought to be unprecedented in school history - a fourth consecutive playoff appearance.
"Having these guys has been great for us," Stephen Young said. "What these guys bring is enthusiasm, excitement and knowledge of the game. And they have received immediate respect from our players.
"That's because they have been there, they've done it and they have lived it. We couldn't be happier they are bringing all that to Dalhart."
# What's in a name: Amarillo Globe-News photographer Michael Norris accompanied me on the DQ Circuit on Monday to Dalhart, Dumas, Stratford and Hereford.
We ran across two players guaranteed to earn their way onto any all-name team.
Start with Dalhart kicker Zinzan Puttick, a junior from South Africa. Puttick has more than a unique name. He has kicked a 57-yard field goal in practice and owns a wonderful accent.
In Dumas, you have tight end Rockne Burt. Of course, the junior is named after legendary Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne.
# Smooth as a computer screen: Early August is a brutally busy time for high school football coaches as they hold practices and get ready for the start of the school year.
We were greeted Monday with smiles, handshakes and coaches who had already written their players' names on sheets of paper to speed along the process of taking their photos.
To Dalhart coach Stephen Young, Dumas coach Mike Burt, Stratford coach Eddie Metcalf and Hereford coach Don DeLozier: We can't thank you enough.
# The voice: Every time I hear Stratford coach Eddie Metcalf's distinctive voice, I have one thought - the voice of the divine. It's deeper than the Grand Canyon and commands respect.
Stratford is the defending Class 1A Division II state champion under Metcalf, and one of the humorous moments of our trip was hearing his players hoot and holler as Norris took his photo.
# What I saw Monday: Former Canyon quarterback Matt Lovorn is an assistant coach at Stratford and still can get it done at QB. ... Ate lunch at the Boot Hill Saloon and Grill in Vega. The owner is the famous Rory Schepisi of reality show and cooking show fame. Great food, and it will take an awfully hungry o-lineman to handle the plate of nachos. ... Hereford's passing game led by quarterback Parker Bridwell and receivers such as Jonathan Davis looks primed for success.
# DQ: After driving 300-plus miles and taking photos of 150-plus players and coaches, we had the bright idea of ending the DQ Tour at a DQ in Hereford.
Mike had a shake. I went for the chocolate-dipped cone.
I've never done that in my 25 years of DQing.
Perfect ending to an enjoyable day.