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Howe at Commerce Broadcast Notes

Game number 773 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 388-360-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

For a Playoff Spot

Howe (3-5; 2-2) and Commerce (2-5; 1-2) both are fighting for a playoff spot tonight to keep pace behind Pottsboro (undefeated in district), Van Alstyne (one loss to Pottsboro), and Rains (one loss to Van Alstyne and playing Pottsboro tonight). Lone Oak and Bonham have yet to win a district game. Those two will face each other tonight.

In district play, Howe and Commerce have each played Pottsboro and Lone Oak. Commerce lost to Pottsboro, 63-14 whereas Howe lost, 42-3. Commerce beat Lone Oak 40-12, whereas Howe won 42-6. This gives Howe a +18 point advantage in games with common opponents. However, both games were virtually uncontested past the second half of all four games.

In district play, Howe is averaging 34.75 points per game while allowing 32.75 (plus two points). Commerce is averaging 30 points per game while allowing 40.33 (minus 10 points). Commerce has yet to play Bonham and Rains. Howe has yet to play Van Alstyne.

School Name*W-L*Pct.*PF*PAW-LPct.PFPAStrk
Pottsboro4-01.000214508-01.0003801128 W
Van Alstyne3-10.7501381054-40.5002122422 W
Rains2-10.667142574-30.5712192112 W
Howe2-20.5001391313-50.3752192331 W
Commerce1-20.333901212-50.2861892481 L
Lone Oak0-30.000181181-60.1431102885 L
Bonham0-30.000341931-60.1431403844 L

Commerce 2019

The Tigers are led by quarterback J’Den Wilson and his 960passing yards, 13 touchdowns and 196 rushing yards. Last year’s quarterback versus Howe was Brad Caldwell and he now plays receiver where he’s caught 14 passes for 222 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Conner Smith is also a weapon with his 14 catches for 300 yards and three touchdowns.

But it’s on the ground where Commerce does their damage with running back Xzay (Zay) Basham who averages 7.89 yards per carry on 56 attempts. He splits time with Dayton Dunbar who averages 7.24 yards per carry on his 54 attempts.

Howe is 1-2 overall versus Commerce.  The first game was played seven years ago tomorrow as Commerce beat Howe, 46-0 at Bulldog Stadium.  The following year, six years ago today, Howe won in Commerce, 26-6. Last season, Howe lost 40-14 at home.

Howe vs. Commerce History

Commerce has outscored Howe, 92-40 overall.

Howe stats

The Bulldogs have rushed for 1,333 yards through 8 games in 2019.  Last week against Lone Oak, Howe rushed for a season-high 220 yards.  While the rushing game has averaged 159.5 yards per game, the passing attack has been even better at 182.8 yards per game.  Howe averaged 212.9 yards per game a year ago and are currently averaging 351.38. Howe is averaging 27.35 points per game, whereas a year ago averaged 15.8.

Howe’s defense is allowing nearly the same as a year ago in yardage with 334.38 allowed in 2019 compared to 333.4 in 2018. While the yardage is nearly the same, the points allowed have improved from 32.3 per game to 29.0.

Individual stats

Passing

Austin Haley, 70-124-6-1,249, 12 TD

Rushing

Jalen Thornton, 105-816, 7TD

Brandon Williams, 54-258, 4TD

Receiving

Jalen Thornton, 31-336, 2 TD

Kolby Windon, 11-358, 3TD

Caiden Harmon, 14-292, 3TD

Jordan Jones, 10-222, 3TD

On This Day in Bulldogs History (8-2)

1935, beat Dorchester, 12-0 in the third-ever game at Bulldog Stadium

1940, won at Gunter, 54-7

1946, beat Sherman B, 20-7 at Bulldog Stadium

1963, lost to Leonard, 28-0

1974, lost at Sanger, 28-14

1985, beat Pottsboro, 28-6 in the “Double-Crack Game”

1991, won at Callisburg, 50-0

1996, won at Aubrey, 14-6

2002, beat Anna, 20-12

2013, won at Commerce, 26-6

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Lone Oak at Howe Broadcast Notes

Game number 772 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 387-360-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

Lone Oak

Lone Oak (1-5; 0-2) is coming off a 36-0 loss to Van Alstyne last Friday night. After the game, their first-year Head Coach Vince Taylor was re-assigned and former Howe Bulldogs Head Coach Larry McFarlin was elevated to head coach. McFarlin was 6-14 in his two seasons in Howe in 2001 and 2002. He also was the head coach at Bonham from 2004-2006 where he went 16-17.

Howe

Howe (2-5; 1-2) is coming off a 42-3 loss to Pottsboro who is ranked fourth in Texas. The Bulldogs look to get back on track offensively where they’ve racked up yardage nearly evenly on the ground and through the air. Howe is led by Jalen Thorton who has 1,030 yards (711 rushing and 319 receiving) and seven touchdowns.

Freshman quarterback Austin Haley brings his 1,084 yards and 10 touchdown passes to Bulldog Stadium tonight where his completion percentage is 55.6 percent and ranks first in school history among all passers with more than five attempts.

Howe has rushed for 1,113 yards (159 per game) and passed for 1,277 yards (182.43 per game). The total of 2,390 is good for 341.43 yards per game which is up from 212.90 in 2018.

District Standings

School Name*W-L*Pct.*PF*PAW-LPct.PFPAStrk
Pottsboro3-01.000153447-01.0003191067 W
Van Alstyne2-10.66792693-40.4291662061 W
Rains2-10.667142574-30.5712192112 W
Commerce1-10.50054752-40.3331532021 W
Howe1-20.333971252-50.2861772272 L
Lone Oak0-20.00012761-50.1671042464 L
Bonham0-20.000281321-50.1671343233 L

Howe vs. Lone Oak History

Lone Oak leads the series, 4-2 having won the last two meetings with the two schools including a year ago 20-12 in Lone Oak and back on Sept. 9, 1999 in Lone Oak by a score of 35-7 at Buffalo Stadium.  Howe’s first win in the series was a big one as Howe defeated the Buffaloes 21-12 on Nov. 27, 1970 for the bi-district championship at McKinney’s Ron Poe Stadium.  Howe’s other win against Lone Oak came at Bulldog Stadium on Sept. 4, 1998 with a 41-7 score.

1970 Howe vs. Lone Oak game film

1998 Howe vs. Lone Oak game film

This Day in Bulldogs History, 6-3-1

1940, won at Anna, 25-0

1946, won at Gunter, 20-0

1963, lost at Celeste, 46-0

1968, beat S&S, 44-6

1974, tied at Van Alstyne, 0-0

1985, won at Tom Bean, 35-0

1991, won at Whitewright, 32-0

1996, beat Gunter, 21-7

2002, lost at Whitewright, 8-3

2013, lost to Caddo Mills, 12-7

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Betty Cordell, 1939-2019

Betty Cordell

Betty Ann Cordell passed away on September 12, 2019 in The Woodlands, Texas. Betty was 80 years old born on January 31, 1939 in Fort Worth, Texas. Arthur P and Zora Banks Smith of Dallas, Texas adopted Betty from the Edna Gladney Home. Betty graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas in 1958, attending college at Arlington State College and then East Texas State University graduating with a degree in History and English in 1962. In May 1962, Betty married Carlie Joe Cordell of Sadler, Texas and they were married for 34 years until Carlie Joe’s passing in 1996.

Betty taught at S&S High School teaching English (Freshman-Senior), History, Speech, and Theater class starting in the early 70s. Betty finished her teaching career at Howe High School.  In the mid 70’s Betty was teaching world history at S&S and just so happened to find an article looking for home/host families who would sponsor a high school student, from a foreign country, for a school year. Betty volunteered her family and set off an extended family of children in her home from Denmark, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany. The program was such a success that during a few years there were as many as 10 students from around the world at S&S and surrounding high schools. The end result changed the Cordell family and Sadler for the better. Betty also brought a love of the arts to the two high schools where she taught. Many years were spent instructing students in debate, persuasive speaking and writing and many other literary events to compete in Texas UIL local and up to state competitions. But her was passion was drama. Three times she led troops to the state competition – 1980 The Tortoise and the Hare, 1987 The Magicians Nephew and 1989 The Wizard of Oz. But many of Betty’s former students remember her best for the recitations she made each student learn – that still can be recited today!

When not teaching and on into retirement, Betty loved to travel. Often the response to a trip would be “for how long and when”! During her life, she has seen most of all 50 states and many trips that she would lead to Europe with high school students every summer. Travel with her husband; her daughter; her grandchildren; college friends; co-workers; with strangers doing Elderhostel trips. Trips to Australia, Turkey, Sweden, Greece, Italy, France, to her beloved England and so many places in-between are just too numerous to list in entirety.

Betty was a lifelong, very active Methodist, being a member of the Sadler Methodist Church and was instrumental in the Sadler Methodist Church getting its historical marker in 1977. Betty was also active in many groups, organizations too numerous to include. Before starting her teaching career, Betty worked at Sears in the children’s department – working her way up to head buyer for the store.

In 2012, Betty moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be closer to her family. Betty is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Clay Spires of The Woodlands, Texas; Grandson and wife, Austin and Jennifer Spires of Denver, Colorado and Granddaughter and husband, Julie and Chase Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Visitation will be held at Meador Funeral Home of Whitesboro on Friday, October 18, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Graveside services will be held at Sadler Cemetery on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10:00 AM, officiated by Reverend Doyle Henderson.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.

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Chamber and KHB planning for Downtown Howe-lloween and chili-cookoff

The Howe Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its 3rd Annual Downtown Howe-lloween Festival.  The date is set for Oct. 26 from 6 pm—9 pm on Haning Street.

The idea of a downtown Trunk ‘R Treat type of event began in 2017 when members of FUMC (First United Methodist Church) approached the chamber about combining to make one big event downtown.  The first year saw a great number of people downtown, but last year’s crowd grew exponentially from the first year. 

“This event helps Howe by attracting people to our downtown area and letting people know that we are an active community,” said Robert Cannaday, president of the Howe Area Chamber of Commerce.  “In the past, this event has attracted people from inside and outside of Howe, which is great for bringing awareness to our town and activities. People who might have not known about our downtown and local businesses before are now fully aware of what we have going on here.”

Downtown Howe-lloween Festival

FUMC is still a huge part of the Howe-lloween event as they have eight vendor spaces for games and candy.

“Kids will get to wear their costumes, play games, and collect candy from businesses and vendors,” said Chamber Board Treasurer Sarah Whitt.  “It will be an evening of good old fashioned Halloween family fun.”

Keep Howe Beautiful will host their 2nd Annual Chili Cook-off on the same night on Haning Street in front of the Fire Department.  With sponsorships, KHB raised over $1,800 a year ago with this event which is being used to construct the flower garden at Summit Gardens (formerly the First Christian Church).

2018 Chili Cook-off winners Jeff Stanley, Herb Bearden, and Leslie Defrange (champion).
Chili Cook-off

Those willing to place their homemade chili in the competition can sign up to do so online at Eventbrite.  The chili cook-off is an Unsanctioned on-site cooking event (any chili, any flavor, floaties, non-floaties), Chili entrants are responsible for supplying crackers, tasting cups, and their tables and chairs.  There’s a two-gallon minimum. (Keep Howe Beautiful will supply the spoons). The entry fee will be returned for the Most Decorated Booth.  Leslie Defrange is the defending chili cook-off champion.

Cannaday says that the Howe-lloween event is not one that makes the chamber a lot of money, but it does great things for exposure to local businesses.

Whitt says that the chamber will be on-site to help organize the event and direct vendors to their location, but her favorite part is handing out candy to the youngsters.

Vendors that have signed up to date are:  Howe church of Christ, Amanda Byrd (pizza), TC Gutters & Home Remodeling, Howe Youth Softball, Fairytale Parties by Sidney, Caterly Couch, Howe Mercantile, Hester Magic, Origami Owl Custom Jewelry, Scentsy by Michelle B, Karen Hernandez, Feathered Indian Designs/Southern Grace Boutique, Maroon Red Soap, Lovely U Beauty Bar, Dusty Rows Farms, FUMC, and Renewal by Andersen.

Those interested in being a vendor can register for $10 per parking space (click here).  No electricity will be provided  – only space.

2018 Downtown Howe-lloween Festival
2018 Chili Cook-off photos
Monday’s edition
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Howe Mayor Jeff Stanley resigns; Bill French voted as new mayor at Tuesday’s City Council meeting

Jeff Stanley served as Mayor of Howe from 2009-2019.

Jeff Stanley, a Howe High School Graduate was appointed mayor back in April 2009 and has run unopposed each consecutive term since. On Tuesday night at the regular Howe City Council meeting, Stanley resigned from the position of mayor effective immediately citing that he no longer has the time necessary to fulfill the duties.

Upon the city council’s approval, Stanley recommended that the position of mayor be acted upon in favor of Bill French, a longtime council member. The council voted in favor of French with all in favor besides French who abstained.

“I’ve put stipulations on myself that if I could not continue to do the job or did not have the time for the job, that I would step down. That time has come,” said Stanley in open forum at the council meeting. “Over the years, I’ve had to back off of a lot of the jobs that I do and don’t spend as much time at City Hall and I’ve had to step off of boards. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but it’s time.”

Stanley went on to say that he had talked with French several times over the past year about setting this plan in place.

“We’ve never set a date, but I called him up last week and said, ‘it’s time – if the council would agree,'” said Stanley. “I think it’s time for somebody new.”

Stanley is the longest-tenured mayor in the City of Howe history behind W.P. Thompson, who was voted mayor of Howe for at least nineteen consecutive terms spanning from 1913-1949.

French is a 26-year resident of Howe and has served on the Howe City Council for several consecutive terms and on two separate occasions dating back as early as the 1990s.

Bill French took the reigns as Howe’s mayor Tuesday night at the end of the meeting.

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Former county court, district judge and Howe High School graduate Steve Underwood dies at 65

KCBD in Lubbock, Texas has reported that former Texas District 364 and Lubbock County Court Judge Brad Underwood, known during his days in Howe as “Steve” died at the age of 65 on Sunday, Oct. 13.

Underwood, a graduate of Howe High School in 1972, North Texas State, Midwestern State and the Texas Tech School of Law, retired from retired as judge of the 364th District Court in 2014 after his appointment in 1989. Prior to that, he was the Judge of the Lubbock County Court at Law No. 2 from 1986 to 1989.

He was the first judge of the 364th District court and after leaving that position he went on to work as a senior judge.

He started his career in 1979 as a law clerk for the Criminal District Attorney’s Office and from 1980 to 1986 served as Lubbock’s assistant criminal district attorney.

He was a past president of the Lubbock County Bar Association and a former member of the Texas Supreme Court Task Force on Foster Care. He was also a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Lubbock County Bar Association.

Underwood worked as a member and director of the Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association and former Director of the Lubbock County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Lubbock Lions Club since 1989.

Underwood also received awards for his charitable work including the One Who Cares Award by KCBD NewsChannel 11 and the Get Involved Award by the Volunteer Center of Lubbock. He also received the Lubbock County Bar Association President’s Commendation for his work on the Bar Association newsletter, the Law Notes.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis, mother Alma, daughter Courtney and granddaughter Lilly, son Jared, brother Tim and wife Mari, and sister Tina and husband Scott.

(Information in this article by KCBD-11 of Lubbock).

From the 1972 Howe Spotlight Yearbook
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Howe at Pottsboro Broadcast Notes

The live broadcast will be played in the box below.  Radio feed will be available inside the stadium on 104.1 FM.

Game number 771 for the Howe Bulldogs.  Howe has a record of 387-359-24 since the first game on Sept. 20, 1935.

POTTSBORO

Pottsboro has been outstanding this season by starting 6-0 and 2-0 in district play. The Cardinals have scored 277 points (46.2 points per game) and allowed 103 (17 points per game). In each game, the Cardinals have been able to set the game on cruise control about 17 minutes in each contest as they average 16 points per game in the first quarter while only allowing 2.33 in the first. The second quarter is as impressive by scoring 17 and allowing only 3.5. This equates to an average lead at the half for Pottsboro of 33-6. Pottsboro relaxes in the second half where they only outscore their opponents 14-11.

The Cardinals are led by a powerful offensive line of three seniors and two juniors. Adrian Delacruz, Hunter Fulton, Daniel Graham, Landon Simpson, and Riley Deaton set everything up for quarterback Braden Plyler (73-105-4-1129, 15 TD; 79 carries for 463 yards). Plyler has thrown for at least three touchdowns in every game so far this season with the exception of Gunter where he threw two. Their air game is enough to allow the run game to flourish with Cy Shope (97 carries for 780 yards, 14 TD) who has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last three games and averaged over 10 yards per carry during that span.

Pottsboro has four players starting on both offense and defense: Riley Deaton (OL/DL), Hunter Fulton (OL/DL), Jasek Hooker (WR/S), and Cy Shope (RB/S).

The Cardinals are led by Head Coach Matt Poe who is in his 16th year in Pottsboro accumulating a record of 121-40 there with six district championships. He’s 11-1 vs. Howe with the only loss coming in 2010 at Bulldog Stadium where Howe won, 20-13.

HOWE

Howe’s offense is much more explosive than in 2018 and able to score points much quicker than in the past. The Bulldogs have scored 174 points (29 points per game) and allowed 185 (31 points per game). The Dogs’ scoring output is much more spread out through the game as they average an 8-6 advantage after the first quarter. However, the second quarter has been the Achilles heel for Howe, where they’ve allowed 63 points (11-point average) while only scoring 28 (average of 5). The average first-half score for Howe is a deficit of three points (16-13). The Bulldogs have been a second-half team, however, in 2019 and have outscored their opponents in each of the third and fourth quarters with the fourth being their best scoring of all. Howe’s 98-80 scoring advantage in the second half gives them an average second half advantage of 16-13.

Howe is led by running back Jalen Thorton who has 82 carries for 700 yards rushing (8.5 per carry) and 20 receptions for 216 yards (10.8 yards per catch). Thornton, who averages 8.98 yards per touch, also returns punts and kickoffs. Thornton’s cousin Brandon Williams has rushed for 205 yards on 43 carries in the last four games.

It is through the air where Howe has turned from caterpillar to butterfly. Freshman quarterback Austin Haley has thrown for 879 yards in only four starts and averages 18.3 yards per completion. His favorite targets, outside of Thornton, have been Jordan Jones, Steven Waldrip, and Arturo Lowder, each with 10 catches. His big-play target is Kolby Windon who has three touchdowns. Caiden Harmon, when healthy, has been a big part of the offense both in the rushing and receiving game.

Howe’s defense is led by J.C. Helpenstell with his 80 tackles. The biggest surprise of the year has been the play of Hunter Brussow who is playing football for the first time since junior high. Brussow has two interceptions that both were returned for touchdowns. Layton Elvington leads Howe with five interceptions. Howe is averaging over two takeaways per game in 2019).

DISTRICT 5-3A-1 STANDINGS

School Name*W-L*Pct.*PF*PAW-LPct.PFPAStrk
Pottsboro2-01.000111416-01.0002771036 W
Rains1-10.50076573-30.5001532111 W
Van Alstyne1-10.50056692-40.3331302061 L
Commerce1-10.50054752-40.3331532021 W
Howe1-10.50094832-40.3331741851 L
Lone Oak0-10.00012401-40.2001042103 L
Bonham0-10.00028661-40.2001342572 L

HOWE VS. POTTSBORO HISTORY

Pottsboro leads the series, 20-10-1.  Before Matt Poe arrived as Pottsboro’s head coach in 2006, the series was 9-10-1.  Howe had scored 294 and Pottsboro 293.  Since Poe, the Cardinals have won 10 of 11 and have outscored Howe, 408-99.

Howe is 4-10-1 at Pottsboro going back to the first-ever matchup on Nov. 3, 1972.  Howe’s last victory at Pottsboro came 31 years ago on Oct. 14, 1988, in a 21-14 game. Since then, Howe has lost 7-straight at Jim Henderson Stadium. The Cardinals have outscored Howe in Pottsboro, 381-194.  The ‘Dogs have not scored over 20 points on the Cardinals since 2006. Last year, Pottsboro won 27-0 at Bulldog Stadium.

11/3/197221Pottsboro0100
11/2/197344at Pottsboro22100
11/15/19740at Pottsboro21010
11/14/19750Pottsboro40010
11/5/19766Pottsboro19010
11/4/19770at Pottsboro33010
9/8/197821Pottsboro0100
9/7/197914at Pottsboro14001
10/10/198020at Pottsboro6100
10/9/19818Pottsboro33010
10/15/198216at Pottsboro18010
10/14/19836Pottsboro7010
10/26/198410at Pottsboro3100
10/25/198528Pottsboro6100
10/17/198614Pottsboro16010
10/16/19873at Pottsboro16010
10/14/198821at Pottsboro14100
10/20/198941Pottsboro0100
9/13/19967Pottsboro6100
9/12/199714at Pottsboro19010
11/10/200624at Pottsboro49010
11/9/20076Pottsboro34010
10/29/201020Pottsboro13100
10/28/20110at Pottsboro34010
9/28/201215at Pottsboro48010
9/27/20130Pottsboro28010
9/26/201414Pottsboro56010
9/25/20157at Pottsboro49010
10/7/20167Pottsboro35010
10/13/20176at Pottsboro35010
10/12/20180Pottsboro27010
10/11/2019at Pottsboro001
 393070110202

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK

Freshman quarterback Austin Haley went 13-of-24 passing for 215 yards and one touchdown a week ago. The touchdown pass gives him 10 on the season and career. He ties Brian Freese for ninth all-time. Freese had 553 passing attempts compared to Haley’s 86.

With two touchdown passes, Haley would tie Andreas Liss (12 from 1982-85 ) for 8th all-time. With three, he would tie Josh Farris (2001-03) for 7th all-time.

With 95 passing yards, Haley would pass 2-year starter Scott Taylor in career yardage (973). 211 passing would push him ahead of Halen Kirby (1,083 career yards) for 10th all-time.

Haley’s 55.8 pass percentage ranks first all-time for any Howe passer with more than five attempts.

THIS DAY IN BULLDOGS HISTORY (4-5-1 on games played on Oct. 11)

1935 – Howe lost at Whitewright, 25-0 in the third game ever.

1940 – Howe beat Collinsville, 63-0

1946 – Howe won at Bells, 33-0

1963 – Howe lost to Wolfe City, 28-6

1968 – Howe beat Collinsville, 19-8

1985 – tied Anna, 7-7

1991 – beat Aubrey, 33-6

1996 – lost at Van Alstyne, 35-0

2002 – lost to Blue Ridge, 20-14

2013 – lost at Farmersville, 55-13

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Grayson County Sheriff’s Office receives an ambush-protected vehicle

On October 8th, 2019, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office received an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle through the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) program.

This vehicle will be used by the GCSO Special Response Team. It will provide protection for officers during Special Response Operations to protect the officers and the public from dangerous situations. Some of these types of situations include barricaded person, high-risk warrant, active shooter, and retrieving injured officers if needed. It also can be used in high water rescue operations and natural disasters. This vehicle is being provided to the GCSO at no cost to Grayson County. It has a market value of $500,000