2017 - Cibolo vs Smithson Valley

A recap of the district game between the Cibolo Steele Knights and the Smithson Valley Rangers.  Also a look at the barbecue served 2M Smokehouse in San Antonio.

My video from this adventure:

I went to Lenhoff Stadium in Cibolo, Texas, just north of San Antonio to see the Cibolo Steele Knights in action against their district rivals the SmithsonValley Rangers.  David Saenz is the first year coach of the Knights.  He had served as the co-defensive coordinator since 2012 before being promoted.  Cibolo only lost two games in 2016: the first to eventual state champion Lake Travis in a thrilling overtime game in week two and their second to De Soto in the 6A Division 2 state championship game up at Jerry’s World.

Smithson Valley is coached by Larry Hill. He has led the Rangers for the past 25 seasons and picked up his 250^th win last week with a victory over Round Rock.  They finished 2016 with an 8-3 overall record.  Their season came to an end in the second round of the play-offs when they lost to eventual state champion Lake Travis.

The Knights enter this game at 1-2.  They need a win to pick up momentum for district play.  The Rangers have a perfect 3-0 record in 2017.  They lost to Cibolo last year and are looking to turn that around.  It should be a good one. . .

But before we talk about football, let me show the barbecue I enjoyed earlier in the day.

The Barbecue

2M Smokehouse is located at 2731 S. WW White Road in San Antonio, on the southeast side of town.  They opened their doors in 2016 and made the Texas Monthly Top 50 list just a year later.  This is some barbecue I needed to try.

There were several cars and trucks in the parking lot when my wife and I arrived around 11:30 AM, but there wasn’t much of a line for barbecue.  My moist brisket was served up in thick slices and could best be described as buttery.  Tasty outer bark and a deep smoky flavor.  The meat was so tender it was easily cut with a plastic fork.  Chewing was almost optional.  The pork ribs were big and meaty.  The meat easily bit from the bone and had a smoky, sweet flavor to it.  My wife ordered lean brisket and turkey which were both excellent.

2M did not have barbecue sauce, but instead what they called syrup, thick and red with a sweet and not spicy taste.  I liked it, but those people who prefer a tangier sauce might not.  The homemade pickles were also very good.  I even have to comment on their selection of Stubborn Soda.  The root beer was fantastic.

Briskets on the pit

The counter staff was super friendly and warm, greeting every customer with a smile.  Joe was doing the cutting and was great to talk with.  When I finished eating, I knocked on the door of their smoking shed and was warmly greeted by Esaul, their pit master.  He was excited to show me their big pit and let me take a peek inside where the smoking magic happens.  Next to the shed was a stack of oak wood they use for smoking all their meats.

Esaul the pitmaster

Joe the cutter

The name 2M is in honor of Esaul’s and Joe’s grandparents: Ignacio Marquez and Joe J Melig, Jr. On their website, they talk about their love of family and their love of cooking.  It was obvious from how good the barbecue was that they are poring a lot of love into what they are doing.  Their spot on the Top 50 list is very well deserved.

2M Smokehouse – great barbecue served by great people.  I give this barbecue my highest rating – two Hook ‘Ems! 

The Game

Cibolo took the opening kick-off and used their punishing ground game to move the ball downfield into Smithson Valley territory.  Brenden Brady piled up big yardage running behind his huge offensive line.  He scored from 1 yard out to give the Knights an early 7-0 lead.

The Knights forced the Rangers to go three and out. Brady burst through the Ranger defense for a 51 yard gain.  Onyx Smith’s pass on second down was intercepted by Jacob Johnson, denying the Knights a chance to go up by 14. 

Brenden Brady (#25) runs for 51 yard gain

The Rangers began their own long drive.  On third and 15, quarterback Levi Williams scrambled for 10 to close the first quarter.  They gambled on fourth and 5.  Williams pass to Diego Cervantes was good for first and goal from the 1.  Williams kept the ball for the touchdown.  The extra point was no good, leaving the score 7-6 with11:33 to play in the second quarter.

Levi Williams (#13) rolls out on fourth and 5

The Knights returned the ensuing kick-off to the 45 and kept moving the chains downfield with their ground attack.  Brady scored from 12 yards out to push the lead to 14-6.

As the clock wound down before halftime, the Rangers moved the ball.  A face mask penalty at the end of a run by Williams gave them a big first down.  Facing third and 9, Williams avoided the rush and passed to Mason Pierce for a first down on the one. Williams scored from there.  The extra point kick was good making the score 14-13 with just 18 seconds left before halftime.

The kick-off bounced in front of the Cibolo receiver.  He wasn’t quick enough to the ball and Smithson Valley recovered.  Williams found a receiver open in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.  In a span of five seconds, the Rangers scored 13 points to take a 20-14 lead into the locker room.

Kick-off bounces in front of Cibolo receiver

The Rangers got the ball to start the third quarter.  Williams was sacked for a loss of 12 on first down.  On second and 22, Williams connected with Ricky Rios for a 49 yard catch and run to the Knights 9 yard line.  Pierce carried the ball for a 7 yard touchdown.  The two point conversion failed leaving the score 26-14.

Ricky Rios (#11) gains 49 yards on catch and run

Only down by 12, the Knights used their ground game to move to midfield.  A bad handoff exchange between Smith and Brady led to a fumble recovery by CJ Kuehler giving the Rangers the ball on the 48.  Smithson Valley never threw a pass as they marched downfield and ate up clock.  Pierce scored again on a 14 yard run to push the score to 33-14. 

Mason Pierce (#19) carries 14 yards for a touchdown

The teams traded scores in the fourth quarter to make the final 43-20 for the Rangers, but the game was decided in the third quarter.  Down by double digits, Cibolo could not use their powerful running attack and were forced to pass.  The Knights defense was pretty much gassed in the second half and unable to get the stops they needed.  The Rangers took advantage of Cibolo miscues and scored 20 points off turn overs. 

There is still a lot football to play this season, but Cibolo needs to turn things around fast.  Next week they face undefeated Converse Judson which is ranked #5 in Texas.  The Rangers won’t play Converse until November in a game that could decide the district champion.

2017 - Georgetown vs Hutto

A recap of the district game between the Georgetown Eagles and the Hutto Hippos.  Also a look at the barbecue served @FullhouseBBQ

Once again I went to the Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex to see the Georgetown Eagles host the Hutto Hippos to open district play.  

Georgetown is coached by Jason Dean.  He has been the Eagles coach since 2009.  He led Georgetown to the playoffs last year where they were eliminated by Brenham in the first round to close the season with an 8-3 record.  Steven Van Meter is the head man at Hutto.  He is in in fifth year as coach of the Hippos.  Last year they were eliminated by Magnolia in the first round and ended the 2016 season with a 7-4 record.

Both teams entered this game with identical 2-0 records and want to maintain their momentum as they move into district play.  I want to give a shout out to ScanCen Tex for suggesting this game.  Before we look at the game,  let me show you the barbecue I had earlier in the day.

The Barbecue

I had eaten at FullHouse BBQ last year prior to the game between Georgetown and Cedar Park.  Unfortunately for me, they were out of ribs when I got there.  Ever since, I have been looking for a reason (excuse) to go back and tonight’s game gave me just the opportunity I needed.

FullHouse is right where I found them last year – a small food trailer park at 402 W. Morrow Street in Georgetown.  Robert Garrett is still the owner, pitmaster, cutter, and counter man.  He greets everybody with a big smile and warm welcome.  I reminded him that I had been to FullHouse last year and needed to sample his ribs.  He said I was in luck, he still had plenty.  I figured I would order my usual brisket and pork ribs, but it took him only about two seconds to talk me into getting a beef rib.  I also got some pork ribs and he threw in a couple of slices of brisket as well.

Beef rib served at FullHouse BBQ

The beef rib was fantastic.  Great outer bark, tender, with a deep smoky flavor.  Fred Flintstone would have been proud.  The pork ribs were also good.  I had to chew the meat from the bone, but it was juicy and flavorful.  The brisket had a nice bark and was deeply smoked.  I prefer mine sliced from the moist instead of the lean end of the brisket, but it was still tender and went down just fine.  There was a squeeze bottle of thick, red sauce on the table.  It had a nice flavor even without much of a spicy kick.

In between serving customers, Robert came out of his trailer and talked with me and some of the other gentlemen eating at his covered picnic tables.  I told Robert that he had lied to me last year when he said his ribs were good.  His eyes slowly widened as I responded “They’re not good.  They’re great.”  He broke into a big smile and went back to his trailer to serve another customer.

Like I said last year, FullHouse is a no frills kind of place.  Just really good barbecue served by a really friendly guy.  A great Texas barbecue joint.

Robert Garrett - FullHouse BBQ

 I give this barbecue my highest rating – two Hook ‘Ems! 

The Game

Hutto took the opening kick-off and began a long, methodical drive downfield.  They used their passing game to open up their running attack.  Chux Nwabuko scored from 7 yards out.  The holder dropped the snap and the extra point kick was no good leaving the score 6-0 at the 6:22 mark in the first quarter.

Chux Nwabuko (#1) scores from 7 yards out

The Hippo defense forced Georgetown to go three and out.  Hutto again moved the ball downfield.  Quarterback Chase Griffin hit DJ Baptist on an out & up route for a 16 yard touchdown.  This time the point after kick was good.  With 2:02 left in the first quarter, the Hippos led 13-0.

Chase Griffin (#11) throws TD pass to DJ Baptist

Once again, the Eagles went three and out and were forced to punt.  They ran a total of just six plays in the first quarter.  The teams exchanged punts as the game moved into the middle of the second quarter. 

The Hippos moved into Georgetown territory.  On third down, Griffin was pressured and the play was ruled an incomplete pass instead of a fumble.  After a penalty gave the Hippos the ball on the 11, a throw back pass to Aaron Castro was sniffed out by Tyler Noles for no gain. The Hippos settled for a 29 yard field goal to push their lead to 16-0 with just 4:07 left in the second quarter.

Tyler Noles (#90) makes touchdown saving tackle

The Eagles returned the kick-off to their 29 yard line.  Quarterback Cooper Bell threw to Caden Legett for a gain of eight.  On the next play, Bell found Leggett behind the defense for a 63 yard touchdown.  The extra point made it 16-7 to close out the first half scoring.

Caden Leggett (#13) out runs the defense to score for Georgetown

Hutto failed on a 35 yard field goal in the third quarter when the holder dropped the snap. The third quarter ended with Hutto still leading 16-7.

The Eagles were on the march to begin the fourth quarter.  Facing fourth and six from the Hippos 25, Bell passed to Leggett for a first down on the 18.  Two plays later, Bell threw off his back foot to Nic Crombie at the goal line.  He caught the pass and fell into the end zone for the score.  The extra point cut the lead to 16-14 with 9:14 remaining in the game.  Now we’ve got a ball game. . .

Cooper Bell (#14) connects with Nic Crombie for six

This time the Eagles defense put up a stone wall and forced Hutto to go three and out.  Brock Brujnoch shanked the punt, giving Georgetown a short field.  After an incomplete pass, running back Erik Anderson ran down the sideline for a 42 yard gain.  Cooper Bell connected with his favorite target Caden Leggett on an option pass for a 16 yard touchdown.  The Eagles two point try failed as Bell’s pass sailed wide.  Georgetown took their first lead of the night at 20-16 with 6:46 to play.

Erik Anderson (#30) runs for big 42 yard gain

That lead was short lived as the Hippos stormed right back.  Chase Griffin connected with DJ Baptist on a 60 yard bomb.  The Hippos missed another point after kick, so the score stood at 22-20 with 5:54 in the fourth quarter.

DJ Baptist (#7) scores on 60 yard bomb from Chase Griffin

Now it was the Eagles turn.  Strong runs by Anderson moved the ball to the Georgetown 42.  And then the lights went out casting the field in darkness.  Lights from people’s cell phones and the scoreboard weren’t nearly enough.  After a seventeen minute delay, the stadium lights returned and the game resumed.  Bell connected with Crombie over the middle for a 39 yard gain to the Hippos 12.  Bell’s passes were batted away incomplete on second and third down, so the Eagles settled for a 27 yard field goal.  This gave them a 23-22 lead with only 2:02 left in the game.

Lights out

The Hippos used their passing attack to move the ball into Georgetown territory.  Chase Griffin connected with Caleb Forrest for a first down on the Eagles 18.  Griffin ran a quarterback draw down to the 12 with 0:24 in the game.  Griffin was tackled on the 15 and the Hippos let the clock run.  They used their last timeout with two seconds left to set up the winning field goal. 

The game came down to one play.  After all the problems the Hippos had with missed extra points and field goals, could they make the game winner?  The snap was good, holder Jared Herrick got the ball down, and Isodoro Barrios 32 yard field goal sailed through the uprights.  The Hutto crowd went wild as the Hippos won 25-23.

Isodoro Barrios (#82) kicks the game winning field goal

Both quarterbacks had an excellent night.  Chase Griffin threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns, completing 26 of his 39 passes for Hutto.  Cooper Bell completed 16 of 28 passes for 245 yards and three scores.  Neither quarterback threw an interception.  Eric Anderson picked up 127 yards on the ground with 16 carries.

Hutto needs to work on their kicking game.  Brock Brujnoch averaged less than 18 yards a punt and the Hippos missed a field goal and several extra points.  But the key takeaway from this game is redemption.  The field goal team redeemed themselves on the final play when Isodoro Barrios made the winning kick.

Again my special thanks to ScanCen Tex for suggesting I attend this came.  It was indeed a good one. . .

2017 - East View vs University

Texas Passions - East View vs University.  Season 2, episode 11.

A recap of the game played between the Georgetown East View Patriots and the Waco University Trojans.  Also a look at the barbecue served at John Mueller Black Box Barbecue. 

I went to the Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex where the Georgetown East View Patriots played host the Waco University Trojans.  

East View first opened in 2008 as the second high school in Georgetown. Robert Davies is their first ever football coach.  Rodney Smith has been the basketball coach at University for the past six seasons and assumed the head coaching duties of the football team this year.  The weather was gorgeous and perfect for football.

Both teams entered this game with an 0-1 record, so each will be hungry to get their first win.  It should be a good one.  But first a look at the barbecue I ate earlier in the day.

The Barbecue

As it says on their website, the Dark Prince of barbecue is back. . .  There have been many incarnations of barbecue joints owned and operated by John Mueller.  This time he is set up as John Mueller BlackBox Barbecue on a beautiful corner lot in Georgetown at 201 East 9^th Street.  The food is served out of a black trailer up front and the cooking magic is performed in the smoking shed out back.  There are several tables set up under a large shady tree where people can enjoy the smoky goodness.

I got my usual half pound of moist brisket and a couple of pork ribs.  The brisket was covered in a black, peppery outer bark.  A little fatty, it was nonetheless tender and moist, with a deep smoky flavor.  Oh it went down good.  The ribs were big and meaty.  They too had been rubbed down with pepper before cooking.  The meat easily separated from the bone and tasted great.  Their sauce was a typical red sauce with chunks of onion floating in it.  The sauce was nice addition to the meat, but not really needed.  Knowing that I’d be eating John’s barbecue, my wife had me bring some lean brisket and turkey back home.  I sampled a couple of bites of each later and they were both outstanding.

Smoking meat is in John’s DNA.  His grandfather Louie and father Bobby are legends in the world of Texas barbecue.  His sister owns La Barbecue.  Even some of his former employees (like Aaron Franklin) have gone on to do great things.  I got a chance to talk with John after I ate.  He’s as cantankerous as ever, but has not lost the touch.  Black Box Barbecue is the real deal.

Sitting under the shady tree, eating some delicious barbecue as the smell from the pits drifted by, enjoying a gorgeous late summer afternoon in Texas – that’s a little slice of heaven.  The drive to Georgetown was more than worth it.

I give this barbecue my highest rating – two Hook ‘Ems! 

The Game

East View connected on a 35 yard field goal to end their first possession.  After holding University to a single first down, the Patriots started their second possession.  They capped off a 65 yard drive when running back Zion Hester took a direct snap, broke through the line, and out ran the defense for a 39 yard touchdown.  The extra point gave the Pats a 10-0 lead.

Zion Hester (#10) takes off for first touchdown

Once again the Trojans could not move the ball and were forced to punt.  A 20 yard run by Torrie Davis gave the Pats first and goal from the 4.  Davis scored on the next play.

Down 17-0, the Trojans began moving the ball late in the second quarter.  A pop pass from Jordan Perkins to Harold Crane moved the ball into the Pats red zone.  Perkins hit Sir Dautrel Bible on a slant pattern on the goal line with just 2 seconds left in the half.  The point after kick was no good, leaving the score 17-6 as the teams went to the locker room.

The Trojans offensive woes continued in the third quarter.  They were forced to punt on their first possession.  Patriot quarterback Aaron Garces rolled to his left, then threw to Stefon Reyes for a 26 yard touchdown.  That pushed the lead to 24-6.  Davis scored again in the third quarter on a 29 yard run to make it 31-6.

Torrie Davis (#30) takes the hand off and scores from 29 yards out

Jordan Perkins took off on a 55 yard run to get the Trojans into Patriot territory.  Another run by Perkins set up a 7 yard scoring run by Michael Lambert to cut the lead to 31-13.

Michael Lambert (#8) scores to cut the lead

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots used their ground attack to move the ball and wind the clock.  Torrie Davis scored again from 23 yards out to make the score 38-13.

Torrie Davis scores his third touchdown

Jordan Perkins is an elusive runner for University, but an ineffective passer.  He was not helped any when his receivers dropped passes.  Aaron Garces completed only 8 passes out of 11 attempts for 82 yards.  The story of the game was the Patriot rushing attack.  Torrie Davis gained 166 yards and scored three times.  Zion Hester added 93 yards and another touchdown. 

2017 - Anderson vs McCallum

Texas Passions - Anderson vs McCallum.  Season 2, episode 10.

A recap of the 2017 Taco Shack Bowl played between the Anderson Trojans and the McCallum Knights.  Also a look at the barbecue served at House Park Bar-B-Que.  

I went to House Park in downtown Austin to see the Taco Shack Bowl, the annual grudge match between the Anderson Trojans and the McCallumKnights.  Jeff Rhoads is in his fourth year at the helm of the Trojans.  Even with a 3-8 record last year, Anderson made the play-offs but lost their opening round game.  Charles Taylor is back for his fourth season as head coach of McCallum.  The Knights finished 2016 with a 10-2 record, being eliminated from the play-offs in the second round. 

It was about 91 degrees at kick-off.  There were some scattered clouds and not much of a breeze.  While the heat might have tested the conditioning of the players, the weather was note a factor in the game.

While everybody in Texas is excited about the start of football season, we are also very concerned about our friends, family, and neighbors along the Gulf Coast.  You’ve seen the footage and heard the stories of the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey.  Please take a moment to open your hearts and open your wallets.  There are many great organizations collecting donations to help the thousands of people ravaged by the storm.  If you have a favorite charity, please contribute.  Here are links to some of mine:


      Hurricane Harvey Relief

          Salvation Army

          Houston Food Bank

          Houston Flood Relief Fund

But before I talk about the game, let me show you the barbecue I ate along the way. . .

The Barbecue

House Park Bar-B-Que is located at 900 12^th Street, just around the corner from House Park Stadium.  Their normal hours are 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, but they reopened a couple of hours before game time to feed people on their way to the game. 

I got my usual brisket and ribs.  The brisket was dry and crumbly, without much of a smoky flavor.  It might have been good as a sandwich, but not as a stand alone item.  The ribs were tender and meaty, but they too were lacking a smoky flavor.  Their sauce had a nice tang to it and was needed to hold the little meat bits together. 

House Park Bar-B-Que has a lot of charm and a friendly staff.  They have several tables inside and many more outside.  Had I been there for lunch, the barbecue may have been better.  While it beat eating a boiled hot dog on a plain bun at the stadium, there are better barbecue choices all over Austin.

This barbecue gets a shaky Hook ‘Em.

The Game

Anderson kicked off to McCallum on a beautiful summer evening to start the 2017 season.  After a 27 yard run by Deron Gage set the Knights up on the Trojan’s six yard line, quarterback Max Perez threw a strike to Gage for the first touchdown of the game. 

Max Perez hits Deron Gage for first TD of the night

Overcoming numerous penalties on their first drive, Anderson tied the game when quarterback Davis Adams threw deep to Trevor Marek for a 51 yard touchdown.

Late in the first quarter, Alex Julian carried the ball 18 yards on a sweep to score.  The extra point was blocked. The Knights led 13-7 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.

The Knights capped off a drive in the second quarter as Perez ran the ball in from 13 yards out.  Their try for two failed, leaving the score 19-7.

On the Trojan’s next possession, Adams’ pass was intercepted by Tyrell Washington and returned 53 yards for the score.  His pick six pushed the Knights lead to 26-7 with 8:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Tyrell Washington scores on a pick six

The Trojans came right back.  Adams connected on a pass on fourth down to the Knights 10 yard line to keep the drive alive.  On third and goal, Andrew Mitchell out jumped the defender to snag the pass from Adams for the score.  The teams went to halftime with the score 26-14.

Adams scored from three yards out on the Trojans first possession of the third quarter to make it 26-21.

The Knights quickly answered.  Deron Gage picked up big yardage to set up Julian’s second score of the night. McCallum was once again up by 12 at 33-21.

Avoiding pressure, Adams found Patrick Beale open.  Beale avoided a tackle and scampered down the sideline for a 66 yard touchdown.  

On McCallum’s next possession, Anderson forced a punt and started a drive.  On fourth down, Adams was dropped short of the yardage needed and the Knights took over.  On the Knights first play, Perez’s pass is intercepted, giving Anderson the on the McCallum 25 yard line mid way through the fourth quarter.

Needing a touchdown to take the lead, Adams was sacked for a loss on first down.  On third and long, Adams was picked off again to kill the drive.

McCallum began a long, time consuming march downfield.  Alex Julian busted through the Trojan defense for a 33 yard score.  The two point conversion pushed the Knights lead to 41-28 with 3:50 left to play.  After Anderson could not move the ball, Julian scored his fourth touchdown of the night on a 27 yard rumble up the middle.  That gave McCallum the win, 48-28.

Alex Julian scores his fourth TD from 27 yards out

Despite numerous penalties, Anderson had a chance to take the lead in the fourth quarter.  Davis Adams completed 22 of 35 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, but that was offset by his two interceptions.  The Knights used a punishing ground attack (470 total yard) to control the game.  Alex Julian ran for 247, Deron Gage ran for 114, and Max Perez added another 109 yards.