JOURNAL SPORTS
Chances are that many high school football players will relish memories of their days in helmets and shoulder pads for years to come.
Coaches sure do.
This week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Coaches Roundtable question elicited some compelling responses.
“At any point in your playing career, what game or play, or experience, do you still remember the most today, and why?”
Jason Brotherton, Haughton — “It’s 1992, when I was a junior playing quarterback at Haughton. I threw my first career TD pass against Ruston on a Y drag. I remember going back to the sideline and my dad (on the coaching staff) telling me ‘good pass’ with an expression on his face that made it seem like he was surprised.”
Reynolds Moore, Benton – “Our homecoming game in my senior year of high school was against a district rival — Morton (Class 3A Mississippi). They had just graduated Deuce McAllister and we had a chance to beat them. I hit the game-winning field goal with about a minute left. We won 10-7.”
Gary Smith, Bossier – “In 1989, the Bossier vs. Springhill game. Springhill was a top-ranked 2A team in the state. Bossier was 3A. They were good, but we beat them for homecoming.”
Denny Duron, Evangel – “In 1973 as a Louisiana Tech quarterback, we played in the semifinals of the Division II national playoffs against Boise State. We won in the last 12 seconds to advance to the finals, which we won. One of those team moments … winning such an epic struggle.
“Many, many more coaching moments I treasure, though.”
Gary Cooper, Booker T. Washington – “It’s my freshman summer at Grambling. We would go down to the stadium and work on the passing game — but this was at 1 a.m. We would turn on the stadium lights and work.
“We would all just be hanging out and somebody would say ‘let’s go throw,’ and we would start calling everyone and head to the stadium. No coaches, just quarterbacks and receivers. The work ethic was different, the mindset was different.”
Austin Brown, Northwood – “Most good memories come from practice and out of season, when you are hanging out building a team.
“Most of my other memories are instances where I cost the team with poor attitude or judgement. I believe that drives my decision making today, knowing how important that still is to me today as a coach.”
Adam Kirby, Captain Shreve – “As a junior at West Rusk High School, we beat Garrison 29-19 for our first district win in over three years. In a 22-14 loss to Overton, I was knocked out in the second quarter and I remember being really upset because I couldn’t finish that game with it being our biggest rival.
“We weren’t very good, but I never remember the struggles. Every time I go back to Henderson, I recall the good times I had playing high school football.”
Stephen Dennis, Huntington – “I have two, both against the same college but in different years.
“1) In 2004 against Texas Lutheran University playing (for Louisiana Christian) at home in Pineville, I was a redshirt freshman. We went into quadruple overtime and lost like 68-66. It was almost the longest game, time-wise from kickoff to end, and the highest total scoring game in NCAA Division III at that time. We played football for six hours!
“2) In 2007, the last time I played a football game was in Seguin, Texas, where we beat Texas Lutheran to finish the season with a three-game win streak. It was the first three-game win streak for LC since the 1950s. Coach (Dennis) Dunn was my head coach at LC for this game.”
Coy Brotherton, Parkway – “In high school at Haughton, I remember my first play ever and my last play.
“My sophomore year, in the first game of year I had to come in at center for two plays due to an injury and I was scared to death. My last play in my senior year was against Bossier. The running back was tackled behind me and rolled into the back of my leg, and I broke it.”