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Choice Cut MEAT MARKET
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1006 2 | EAST - June|July 2012
S John Redditt | Lufkin, TX 75904 | (936) 639-1822
Kylie Kristine Photography
Jade Havard
Hudson High School Jade Havard graduated number 25 in her class of 141 with a GPA of 4.360. In the fall, she will attend Navarro College in Corsicana to pursue a degree in Nursing. Her dream is to work in the neonatal ICU. Jade has been a starter for the 2012 State Champions Lady Hornet Softball team playing third base. She has her eyes on a starting position for the Corsicana Bulldogs.
CMC Recycling Proudly Sup
p o r t s O u r C o mm u n i t y
STRONG AS METAL features an outstanding high-school athlete in the community that deserves recognition. Since 1915, Commercial Metals Company has recycled, manufactured, and marketed steel and metal products for customers worldwide. CMC Recycling buys appliances, iron, aluminum cans, car bodies, copper, and brass. Industrial container services are also available. Interested in selling your scrap metal? Visit your local CMC Recycling facility at
4060 Hwy 59 North, Lufkin, Texas | 936.639.3718
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THE SPORTSMAN Gandy Stubblefield LIFE LESSONS Mark Dunn
OUTDOORS Fishing East Texas FAMILY Man of the House
Stephanie Oliver President
Macy Haffey Layout and Design
Beth Johnson | editor@tjmag.com Managing Editor
Lisa Crow | lisacrowphotography@gmail. com www.lisacrowphotography.com Event Photographer
Kim Iribarren | kim@tjmag.com Director of Sales Terry Campbell | office@tjmag.com Office Manager/Accountant
Mike Floyd | mike@tjmag.com Media Consultant
MUSIC Hudson Band ON TARGET National Archery Competition
NEXT LEVEL Carrington Byndom TROPHY ROOM Trophy Hunts
CONTACT US:
Contributors Jeff Awtrey Jeff Buchanan Brad Comeaux Edwin Quarles
MAILING: P O B ox 1 5 0 5 37 L u f k i n , Texa s 759 1 5
Distribution Lisa Crow Janet Glover Jarod Thompson
P H YS I CA L : 1 1 5 E . S h e p h e rd L u f k i n , Texa s 759 0 1 936-634-7188 editor@eastmensmagazine.com
4 | EAST - June|July 2012
GANDY STUBBLEFIELD /// THE SPORTSMAN
Stubblefield “On and off the field he was always a leader. On the field, I could turn my back and know that I didn’t have to watch him. He would always be working. But not only pushing himself, but his teammates, too. It was like having another coach on the field.” -Clay Berry, Lufkin High School Coach
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B
aseball has been an amazing ride thus far for Gandy Stubblefield. He has been putting on a baseball jersey since the tender age of four when playing t-ball. And playing the game of baseball is something he hopes to continue to do for many years to come. Many locals know the name Stubblefield from his extraordinary career at Lufkin High School. His Coach, Clay Berry said, “Gandy had a tremendous senior year. He led us to a 12-1 season. On and off the field he was always a leader. On the field, I could turn my back and know that I didn’t have to watch him. He would always be working. But not only pushing himself, but his teammates, too. It was like having another coach on the field.” After a great senior year (2011), it got even better for Gandy Stubblefield. He was drafted in the 14th round by the Houston Astros; which is a dream come true for anyone who loves the game of baseball. For Gandy, he had his own dreams.
Along with being drafted by the Houston Astros, he was being heavily recruited by major universities-- all with great baseball programs: Texas A&M, TCU, Oklahoma, and Florida (many of the D1 schools). “Growing up, I always wanted to go to A&M.” His father, Gandy Stubblefield, also attended Texas A&M. For Stubblefield, he passed on the Houston Astros to fulfill his dream to play for A&M. His high school coach, Clay Berry said, “He was drafted and chose education. That says a lot about him and shows a lot of character.” Gandy Stubblefield was a starting pitcher for Texas A&M, which at the height of their season, A&M was ranked number two in the nation. The team went on to regionals and lost to TCU. “We had a great season. We were hoping to make superregionals; we just fell apart at the wrong time.” When you ask Gandy about the transition from high school baseball to college baseball he laughs. “It is a world of difference. Our fall training is one of the hardest in the country. Our first day of training, we had to run a mile. The first time we played a game I was pitching against Tyler Naquin, who was recently drafted by the Cleveland Indians, and I was throwing a curve ball. In the past, my curve ball was always hard for anyone I threw to in high school. This curve ball was one of the best ones I have ever thrown. Naquin hit it to the top of the fence in centerfield. Right then and there is when I knew it wasn’t high school baseball anymore!” Lufkin Panther baseball always had a strong crowd and was very well supported by the community. Yet, Stubblefield said, “It was a huge difference between pitching in front of a crowd of 500 people versus 8,000.” “I remember my first A&M game I was going to be on the mound. I went in to close our second game of the season. I was in the bullpen warming up. I couldn’t talk or move. I was so nervous. But the minute I got on the mound, all those nerves went away.” At the end of this season, Gandy’s coach told him he wanted to him to play this summer. They ended their season on a Sunday. Coach told him on Wednesday he was going to be playing with the San Luis Obispo Blues (Summer Collegiate Wooden Baseball Club). He was on a plane Saturday to Las Vegas to meet up with the team, and then pitching in the game that Sunday. Getting to put on the A&M jersey was a memorable moment in Gandy’s life. “I grew up watching A&M play on TV, now I am that guy.” It will be great to watch and see Gandy Stubblefield grow on the field. His hopes are for the team to make it to Omaha next year. Coach Berry says, “No matter what the future holds for Gandy, he is the type of young man that will be successful in life, on and off the field.”
CONTINUED /// THE SPORTSMAN
AT LUFKIN HIGH SCHOOL†enjoyed a standout career at Lufkin High School for Clay Berry, helping LHS reach the state championship game in 2009 | honored as a Louisville Slugger All-American and a first team all-state selection as a senior (2011) when he finished 14-1 with a 1.70 ERA | garnered second team all-district honors as a junior (2010) following a 4-2 record that featured a 2.83 ERA and 32 strikeouts | played summer ball with the Brazos Valley Renegades | chosen by the Houston Astros in the 14th round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft eastmensmagazine.com | 7
Owner: Bo Miller PO Box 632134 • Nacogdoches, TX 75963 (936) 462-3679 • http://scorpionservices.us
8 | EAST - June|July 2012
MARK DUNN /// LIFE LESSONS
MARK DUNN
T
his past Mother’s Day was a beautiful day to take a morning bike ride. Mark Dunn told his wife, Shawn, he was going on a quick bike ride and when he got back they were going to church. He kissed her and said, “ I love you.” Not long after that, his riding partner and good friend, Mark Leshewski, called Shawn and said Mark has been in an accident and she needed to get here fast. When Shawn arrived, EMT was on the scene. He was hit by a moving vehicle, who says she was blinded by the sun. Mark was conscious and Shawn was talking to him. Mark now says he remembers none of that. Even after he woke up from surgery, he still has no memory of this. He would tell people, “I am coming home tomorrow, and going to eat a steak!” eastmensmagazine.com | 9
LIFE LESSONS /// CONTINUED
Mark began riding bikes when he was 14. He would ride his bike to school, at that time, Junior High East. Many years went by, and he got busy after high school and stopped. After he was married, he lived in The Woodlands and picked back up with the sport. That is when he began to take the sport seriously again. As the years progressed, he would take it to the next level, with longer rides, upgrades in gear, etc… When he moved back to Lufkin, he joined the Angelina Bike Club. Here he found many who enjoyed the same hobby. This past April, Mark participated in a Half Ironman, which consists of a combination of swimming, biking and running. It took a lot of training to get prepared. After that was over, he told his buddy “Lew” that he wanted to keep setting personal goals, otherwise he might get lax if he didn’t have anyone to keep him accountable. One of the purposes of the Angelina Bicycle Club is to give cyclists a place to post rides and let others know about it. This way, you can always have a riding partner. On Mark’s Mother’s Day ride, it was a good thing. Talking with Mark and Shawn after the accident, to say they are huge advocates for helmets and riding with a partner would be putting it mildly. “I am a gracious spokesperson for God and Bell helmets. I am alive today only because of the gear I had on and for God’s saving grace,” says Mark. Park of cyclists getting ready to ride is having the proper gear and equipment: Helmets, brightly colored clothing, and a flashing light on the bicycle; all of which Mark had on that day. One fellow bike rider and friend, John Jones, said, “No question in my mind, Almighty God has a specific purpose for Mark. No one walks away from an accident like that. Outside of 10 | EAST - June|July 2012
lacerations, and no internal injuries, the Laws of Physics prove otherwise. The human body can only withstand so many Kn of force. I’d sure like to meet that massive guardian-Angel that stepped between Mark and that car. On any given day, it could’ve been any one of us. I’m certainly glad his ‘divine appointment’ is later!” Since the accident, Mark has been so thankful for the care and love from his wife. “She has taken care of me, the business, and our home. She has been an absolute beacon of strength for me and the kids.” Both Mark and Shawn have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the community, the calls, cards, and texts. Mark said, “Shawn and I see one particular friend at church every Sunday. We always say hello, but do not have a long history together. She went out of her way to send me a card with words of encouragement, and that touched my heart deeply! They are words that I will always hold close to my heart.” “At the end of the day, I wouldn’t take this accident back if it helped even one person or raised one eye brow. Everyone is so busy today with kids in the back seat, on the phone, whatever the situation is. Everyone has to pay attention to the road. And to cyclists out there, always, always, always wear a helmet; even if you are going for a casual ride in your neighborhood, early in the morning when traffic ‘isn’t bad’. The worst case scenario a car doesn’t see you on your bike and it is traveling at a speed of 30 mph, that impact is not good if you are not wearing a helmet!” To find out more about the local Angelina Bicycle Club visit www.angelinabicycleclub.com
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OUTDOORS /// FISHING EAST TEXAS
drought aftermath could lead to
L
RECORD BASS
ake levels hit near record lows during last year’s drought, with Lake Sam Rayburn falling 12.5 ft., and looking like someone had pulled the plug. The record low was set in 1996, when the lake plummeted 13.65 ft. In both instances, experts predicted it would take years for Rayburn to recover, but rain has come to the rescue in the last several months. To the astonishment and delight of all local lake lovers, Lake Sam Rayburn is now only a few inches below pool. The drought may be a thing of the past, but the effects it has had on the biggest lake in Texas are still being felt. The economic impact of the drought hit local business owners at the lake pretty hard. Several local fishing shops and hotels closed due to the lack of fishermen visiting the lake area. Many of these businesses count on the large number of tournament anglers, recreational fishermen, and boaters to survive. When the lake dried up, so many of the boat ramps closed that patrons were forced to go elsewhere. Many of the lake proprietors could not sustain the prolonged lack of business. Now that the lake is back up, people are flocking to Big Sam. Even though the past year has been a challenging time for many at the lake, the effects of the drought are not all bad. While the lake levels were so low, the fishermen that were out on the lake were enjoying some of the best fishing ever. I heard story after story about the great numbers and large stringers of bass being caught all season long. The total size of the lake was 30% smaller than average, but with the same amount of fish in the lake. Fish had less places to hide, and just about anyone with a rod and reel could catch a fish at that time. With miles of new shoreline exposed due to the low lake level, new bushes, grasses, and even small trees grew. Now that the lake is back up, this new growth has provided some of the best bass cover ever. This new cover is one of the things that creates the great fishing on Sam Rayburn. A similar cycle was seen back in 1996 when Sam Rayburn went through its worst drought on record and lake levels also fell for an extended time. The fish caught once the lake rebounded were incredible! In May of 1997, visiting angler Tommy Shelton shattered the Rayburn lake record for largemouth bass by catching one weighing 16.80 pounds--and this fish was caught after the spawn.
Experts say that if this fish was caught during the spawn, it would have weighed 20 pounds or more and would have blasted the state record and even have gotten close to the world record largemouth. Was it a coincidence that this fish was caught the year the lake filled up? I have to say no. At that time, I was guiding full time on the lake and saw several of my customers catch 10 pound plus bass. I personally caught 3 bass over the 10 pound mark in the year that followed the drought of 1996. Lake Falcon and Lake Amistad in South Texas also went through the same drought cycle that we’ve experienced, and both have emerged as two of the best bass fishing lakes in the country as a result. There are several things to keep in mind if you’re hitting the postdrought lake. Although it will be much easier to get your boat in the water, the fishing will be tougher this year with a full lake than it was last year when levels were low. The next thing is the hydrilla and grasses will take a year to reestablish in the shallower water where it didn’t get a chance to grow last year. The main thing about the next couple years on the lake is that we should start seeing some really big fish being caught, because with all the new cover in the lake the bass will go through some huge growth spurts. I expect the next couple of years to be some of the best fishing that we have seen on Rayburn. Maybe with luck, you will be the one that catches the new record largemouth that all Rayburn experts believe lives in this fantastic lake of ours!
Jeff Buchanan is a former FLW professional bass fisherman & former Lake Sam Rayburn guide service owner. He serves on the Angelina County Chamber of Commerce Lake Enhancement Task Force and is the newly appointed tournament director of the Dr. Bill Shelton’s Totally Awesome Fishing Adventure. He and his wife, Heather, own Buchanan Realty with offices in both Lufkin and at Lake Sam Rayburn. They are the proud parents of two growing anglers, Chip(7) and Blake(6), and enjoy coaching them in baseball & basketball and working with the kids at their church, Lufkin First Assembly.
CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!
A Bank Firmly Rooted In Your Community
1721 Tulane Dr. | Lufkin, TX
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340 Parks Circle Lufkin, TX 75904
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FAMILY /// MAN OF THE HOUSE
soccer buff
F
or the first time since my daughter Jenna, 9, started playing soccer when we moved back to East Texas in 2007, she played in the Nacogdoches Youth Soccer spring league. It’s been a great experience playing in the U-10 league, getting used to different rules and players and also playing in an out-of-town tournament for the first time.
When the season first started, way back in February, the plan was for me to take Jenna to practice one night, my wife to take her the other. That worked for all of two weeks, leaving me to take her to practice both on Wednesday and Friday nights until early May. Somehow, I always get the bad end of these deals. I made the best of it and used my time during practice to run laps around the more than one-mile paved trail around the soccer field complex. Jenna doesn’t mind that I take off for a run, as long as I don’t leave the fields to run errands. Used to, I couldn’t be out of eyesight. Jenna fit in perfectly with her new team, which included girls that had played together on that same team in the fall. As the season went on the kids got to know me better, especially since I’d practice with them before practice officially started. With about two weeks left in the season, they decided they wanted to know my real name, and not just know me as Jenna’s dad. Jenna told them my name was Edwin, but I told them not to call me that, that they could just call me Coach Q, like the elementary kids in PE at Pineywoods Academy do.
beginning of a lot of traveling to soccer games. When Jenna first started playing, I really didn’t know much about the game, but as she’s grown up playing, I’ve started to watch more and more games on TV. I’ve developed an appreciation for the skills needed to succeed at the game and watch in awe at times how professionals can control and maneuver a soccer ball. We tell Jenna, who is also in gymnastics one day a week, that one day she’s going to do a bicycle kick for a goal in a World Cup game. We even watch games together and the last time the U.S. Women’s Olympic team played on TV, I forgot to tell her. She was upset that I didn’t let her know. I’ll try not to let it happen again. She’s not interested in playing other sports and as she gets more opportunities for camps and tournaments, we’ll be busy traveling, and apparently, for me, getting called names like Coach Queen.
Well, one of them misunderstood and thought I said queen, and for a few minutes they wouldn’t stop calling me Coach Queen. Ugh! Finally they stopped when I told them I wouldn’t practice headers with them anymore. Then, before the next game, they started calling me that again. Kids can really jump onto something they think is funny, especially when they realize it’s not funny to you. We hosted the postseason party, which Jenna volunteered our house and pool for without telling us. (We found out from the coach’s wife.) We already have plans for more soccer this summer, with camps in Lufkin, Nacogdoches and College Station. I can tell it’s just the 14 | EAST - June|July 2012
Edwin Quarles is a teacher/coach at Pineywoods Community Academy. He has two daughters, ages 9 and 13, and has been married to his wife, Donna, for 15 years.
BY BRAD COMEAUX
HUDSON BAND /// MUSIC
the Hornet Band
(Above: Middle, Right) The following students were selected for the ATSSB (Association of Texas Small School Bands) All-State Symphonic Band (Top Band): Mackenzie Rhodes (French horn) and Patrick Limeta (Trumpet).
M
ore than 9,000 high school band students from across Texas auditioned in twenty different regions for a place in their respective all-region bands. The top chairs in each region band advanced to one of five areas auditions held in various locations across the state, and only 240 of these 1,360 students were selected for All-State honors. Mackenzie Rhodes placed 2nd and Patrick placed 4th in the State of Texas after everything was said and done. The ATSSB All-State Bands met and rehearsed February 8-11 in San Antonio, Texas, and presented a concert on Saturday, February 11, 2012, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre of the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in downtown San Antonio. These students represented Hudson ISD and the Hudson Band Department with such professionalism while rehearsing and performing with guest artists from around the world. When Mackenzie Rhodes and Patrick Limeta make the All-State Band again next year, TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) will award each student with a very nice scholarship towards their college pursuits. The band as a whole has accomplished some pretty amazing things this year, as well, such as receiving 1st division ratings at ALL marching contests (in state and out), especially UIL
marching contest and also receiving 1st division ratings at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest. Receiving 1st division ratings at all UIL band events throughout the year earned the band the title “SWEEPSTAKES BAND.” The Hornet Band of Pride is now officially a SWEEPSTAKES BAND and has lived up to its motto, “Good enough Is the enemy of the very best.” Though the Hornet Band has received many UIL 1st division ratings in the past under Mr. Comeaux’s direction, it has never received the SWEEPSTAKES trophy until this year. “Without the support of great parents, teachers, and administration, none of this would be possible. It takes ALL involved understanding how band/music works and why it’s so beneficial for our students,” asserts Mr. Comeaux.
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Have a little fun this summer.
1410 S. First St. | Lufkin, TX 75901 | 936.632.4533 | hillsautoranch@hotmail.com Owners: Rick Hill & Jack Carroll
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FAMILY LAW • OIL & GAS • ESTATE & PROBATE Rebecca C. Brightwell, PLLC | Attorney at Law 115 Gaslight Blvd, Ste B | Lufkin, TX 75904 | 936-639-2550
ARCHERY /// ON TARGET
NATIONAL
ARCHERY
COMPETITION
S
t. Cyprian’s Episcopal School is a proud member of the National Archery in Schools Program. In the fall, there is an after school archery program for students interested in learning about the sport. Out of those students, many qualified for the state tournament in Belton, Texas, on February 17th, with 19 students attending. Over 60 schools and approximately 1600 students competed in the state tournament. Nineteen of those students were from St. Cyprian’s: Jalen Nerren, Ashton Johniken, Bella Aldred, Chance Shumway, Dylan Winthrop, Garrett Ivins, Garret Thomas, Jake Ellis, Laird Boone, Lauren Gentry, Kristen Robertson, Andrew Tindall, Jacob Tindall, Griffin Salas, Kaleb Morgan, and Bosten Oliver. Out of a possible score of 300, three of the students who competed in the state tournament scored high enough to compete in the national competition. Fifth grade students, Austin Green placed second place with a score of 243 and Jack Woodford placed third place with a score of 242. First grade student, Russell Reid, in the primary division placed third with a score of 208. These three students qualified and were able to attend the National Competition in Kentucky on May 11, 2012. Archery coach, Amanda Gentry said, “I’m proud of their dedication, many of these kids have only been shooting a bow since late November. I’m thrilled that we’re heading back to Nationals. Last year we took one student (who is also going again this year), this year we get to take three. Archery is a great sport because any student can compete no matter their skill or athletic ability. One special note, these three students will always be able to say that they were a part of history! This was the largest archery tournament and the Guinness Book of World records was there. These students shot against 8,000 plus kids from 4th grade12th grade.
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ON TARGET /// CONTINUED OUT OF THE 7800 THAT PARTICIPATED: OVERALL RANK
ELEMENTARY RANK
GRADE RANK
Austin Green
1,453
275
70th in 5th grade division
Jack Woodford
2,914
788
211th in 5th grade division
Russell Reid
3,524
1,080
177th in 4th grade division (Russell is in 1st grade!)
Coach Gentry said, “These boys have worked very hard for the past 7 months. They represented our school in the utmost Christian manner. I am very blessed to coach these kids. I want to thank them for their hard work and dedication, Mrs. Lively, for her support and putting up with me, and lastly, the parents for having them here and sharing them with me.”
WORLD RECORD Of the 8,171 registered archers 7,804 actually participated (only 4.5% no show). This is the highest participation number we have ever had, and everyone was part of setting a new Guinness World Record. The previous record had been held by Mongolia since 2010 at 1024 archers. We surpassed that by the second of nine flights on Friday and wound up exceeding the world record by 6,781 archers.
WHAT DO TEACHERS SAY? Students are enthusiastic about learning archery Student behavior and attendance is improved on archery days Students who historically resisted PE class are eager to participate in archery Students of all genders, sizes, and abilities are enjoying success
WHY ARCHERY? Nearly everyone can enjoy success in archery whether or not they are the tallest, fastest, or strongest person around. The sport or discipline of archery is highly inclusive and is for many enthusiasts, a lifelong activity. Archery is a diverse and supersafe shooting activity with a wide variety of formats and styles. An archer may shoot local, national, and world tournament formats. Many different kinds of bows, arrows, and accessories and countless types of targets placed at various marked or unmarked distances may be encountered. In NASP®-style archery students of all genders, abilities and backgrounds flourish. WHAT DO STUDENTS THINK? 80% like NASP 77% new to archery 70% like the teacher better 65% continue shooting 53% like themselves better 37% start an archery club
Archery Camp will be held August 6th through August 9th for students entering 2nd through 8th grades. Space is still available. Call the school at (936) 632-1720. Cost is $85 and includes camp t-shirt, equipment and snacks. 18 | EAST - June|July 2012
ES AVA GIFT CERTIFICAT
ILABLE
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NEXT LEVEL /// BYNDOM
carrington
BYNDOM
C
arrington Byndom isn’t your average Lufkin Panther.
He’s not even from Lufkin, but from nearby Diboll. And unlike many standout Panthers, he didn’t take the pipeline to Texas A&M but to the rival University of Texas. Byndom grew up in Diboll and went to school there until his 6th grade year, when he followed his father, a teacher, to Lufkin ISD. Byndom became a part of the Lufkin Panther tradition, where he played cornerback for the Pack and the late Coach John Outlaw. “It was a great opportunity for me,” Byndom said. “He was a good role model and only wanted what was best for you. He pushed me to the point where I was able to handle success and I looked up to him as a father figure.” Byndom started three years as a defensive back, where he was named to first-team all-district every year. By the time his senior year rolled around, Byndom had caught the eye of power college football programs around the nation. He didn’t wait long to make a decision and chose early in his senior year to commit to the Longhorns. “I knew it was the place to be and it gave me the opportunity to play football,” Byndom said. “I knew this is where I wanted to be.”
The year Byndom committed was the year the Longhorns faced Alabama in the national championship. Byndom may have been thinking this was the start of a successful college career. Instead, in Byndom’s freshman year, the Horns suffered their worst season in several years, not even making it to a bowl game. The 2011 season wasn’t much better, as Texas played above-average ball, but Byndom was turning heads again. He was named to the AP All Big 12 first team and tied for the team lead with 15
pass breakups to go along with 58 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Byndom was named defensive player of the week for several games, including against Oklahoma State, where he faced off against one of the greatest wide receivers in the nation, Justin Blackmon. Byndom got the tough assignment and limited the all-world receiver to just 74 yards and broke up four passes.
BY JEFF AWTREY
“Coach told me it would be a challenge,” Byndom said. “I had to prepare myself all week and I knew they were going to get their shots at him.” Byndom explained that his coaches gave him a game plan in covering Blackmon, and that’s what he followed. “You have to go with the game plan,” Byndom said. “But if you get in trouble, you always fall back to technique. It always works in the end.” Byndom’s hard work in preparing for a game is coupled with his soft demeanor. During a phone interview in April, Byndom was leaving the annual spring game and thanking fans for coming to see him play. Deion Sanders is his favorite athlete, but he has no show stopping skills when it comes to celebrating an interception. It’s something Byndom says he learned from his father, C.B. Byndom, who also played college football. Byndom admits his first two years as a Longhorn haven’t been what he’s hoped for, but he says that can change. “We’ve got to come together as a unit,” he said. “We’ve had individualism before, and now we need to just drive and work hard and it will come together.” And now he plays for someone who reminds him of his high school coach: Mack Brown. “He’s a real straightforward guy,” Byndom said. “He’s an honest guy. I know some coaches say things to try to get recruits. He only wants you to do your best and be a better man in life. He teaches what he’s been through. He’s a great guy.” With just two years as a college player under his belt, Byndom has already found success and experts predict he’ll turn into one of the defensive backs in the nation. PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY
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TROPHY ROOM /// TROPHY HUNTS
Worth Gabriel- 14 years old Wild hog kill at family farm in Overton.
Mosaic Center Tennis Tournament “Team Strength!” in memory of Eric Willmon. Jeffrey Rollins & Jacob Ward (Hudson, 10th graders)
Deaton Family Fishing Trip The family caught 175 White Bass on Toledo Bend.
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Charlie caught a 24” red fish!
Russell & his first turkey. Killed in Bracketville over spring break.
Carlye Morris Canyon Ranch Sonora, TX
Charlottes little 17” speckled trout! She was so proud!
Caroline caught a 25 1/4” speckled trout
Texas Tribe 7U Baseball team won 1st place at the Bat Wars Tournament April 21-22 at Baseball USA in Houston, TX. First Row (L-R): Cooper Perry, Gavin DelTorro, Breece Cathcart, Clayton Wigley, Mathew Gardner. Second Row: Trevor Bynum, Mark Requena, Blake Slaga, Collin Ross, Christian Mumphrey, Malcolm Deason, Jr. Coaches: Jeff Slaga, Court Perry, Saul DelTorro, Oscar Requena, and Malcolm Deason, Sr.
Turn Two 10U won the USSSA Super NIT in Beaumont on April 21-22 by going undefeated. This was their 2nd straight Super NIT tournament championship. Front row: Shaun Bowers, Garrett Luce, Colton Castilaw, Bryson Adair, & Jack Bowers (bat boy). Second row: Jose Acevedo, Alberto Alanis, Drayton Brown, Caleb Morgan, Sam Belasco, & Caleb Newsome. Coaches: Ricky Brown, Casey Bowers, Chad Morgan, John Adair, & Shelley Adair.
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