2018 - Wakeland vs Lone Star

I went up to Dallas for the big Texas-OU weekend.  That gave me a chance to eat barbecue at Hutchins BBQ in Frisco and see the game between Wakeland and Lone Star.  Here is my video from this adventure:

The Texas-OU game was Saturday afternoon.  I spent Friday night in Frisco.  First off, I had barbecue at Hutchins new restaurant with my brother.  Then we went to the Cowboys Star to see the Wakeland Wolverines face off against their district rival, the Lone Star Rangers.

The Barbecue

I had the pleasure of eating at Hutchins BBQ in McKinney, Texas back in August, 2017 (TP 209 – Kansas City Road Trip).  When my brother suggested we try their new restaurant in Frisco, I was all in. 

Located at 9225 Preston Road, Hutchins BBQ is in an impressive stand alone building in a small shopping center.  Several of their travelling smokers are parked out front with a huge stack of wood just behind them.  Wisps of smoke coming out of the big smokestacks filled the air with the sweet smell of barbecue cooking – ah, Texas perfume.

There was a small line of people waiting to order as we walked in.  Jose was the man behind the counter, taking orders and slicing meats.  I got my standard order of moist brisket and pork ribs.  Having been given a taste of their burnt ends in McKinney, I ordered a quarter pound of those as well.  I looked for the au jus my wife had gotten in McKinney, but missed it.  Probably right in front of me.  Oh well. . .  My brother ordered a brisket sandwich and a couple of their jalapeno poppers (big jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, wrapped in bacon, dipped in barbecue sauce, and smoked).  We got some iced tea, pickles and onions, and found a cozy spot to eat.

The barbecue was outstanding.  The thick slices were tender and juicy.  Great outer bark, deep smoky flavor.  The ribs were big and meaty, with a nice smoky flavor.  The meat was very tender and easily bit from the bone.  They had a spicy red sauce with a hint of vinegar that paired well with the meats.  My brother gave me a sample of the jalapeno poppers:  spicy, but not too hot; super tasty.  The burnt ends were a real treat.  Delicious outer crust, moist and tender.  We couldn’t finish them, so I wrapped a couple in some tin foil to sneak into the football game.  Great for a halftime snack.

While I’m not much for sides, I do like desserts.  As they do in McKinney, Hutchins Frisco offers free peach cobbler and banana pudding for people dining in.  I couldn’t resist and got a scoop of each.  The cobbler was warm, the naner puddin’ was almost as creamy as ice cream.  Both were very good.  

I had a chance to introduce myself to Jose.  I mentioned my visit to their McKinney restaurant and meeting Wayne.  Jose said he had worked at the original joint for some time and that Wayne was his manager.  Jose had only recently started working in Frisco.

When many restaurants start adding locations, they lose control of quality.  The food is not as good, the service is worse, etc.   That’s not the case with Hutchins Frisco.  The barbecue is fantastic, the service is wonderful, and the people are friendly.  Jose and the crew in Frisco are doing an outstanding job.

I rate this barbecue two Hook ‘Ems!

The Game

The Cowboys Star is the new world headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys.  A 91 acre development, it includes office space, restaurants, practice fields, and training facilities.  It also includes the Ford Center, a 12,000 seat indoor football stadium.  Almost a miniature version of Jerry’s World where the Cowboys play.  Comfortable seats, climate controlled.  It must be great having Jerry Jones as a neighbor.

I have seen a lot of really great, exciting football games over the years.  Unfortunately, this game was not one of them.  Far from it.  

Wakeland got the ball to start the game and moved into Lone Star territory.  Quarterback Dylan Laible’s pass was picked off by Jordan Etienne to kill the drive.  Later in the first quarter, Lone Star drove into Wolverine territory, but Darius Cannon’s pass was intercepted by Kevin Rychel.

Mostly what these two teams did was punt.  A lot.

In the second quarter, the Rangers moved the ball past midfield.  The Wolverines were called for pass interference which gave Lone Star the ball on the Wakeland 20.  Darrin Smith busted up the middle to give the Rangers a 7-0 lead which they took into halftime.

In the second half, it was more of the same.  Both teams went three and out over and over again.  Lone Star got a first down on a face mask penalty, then went three and out and had to punt. 

Late in the third quarter, Lone Star picked up a first down.  Then another.  A defensive holding call gave the Rangers a first down on the Wakeland 21.  Julian Larry threw over the middle to Sam Varner for a touchdown.  The extra point made it 14-0.

Down by two scores in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines never showed any kind of urgency.  They continued to waste valuable time trying to figure out what play to run.  They never attempted any type of vertical passing attack, instead throwing short and wide.  They played as if they didn’t care to lose.  And they did, 14 to nothing.

One good to say was that this game was mercifully short, ending in about two and a half hours.  That might be a record for a regulation football game.  My brother and I walked out of the stadium hoping we might see a bit more action in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday.