the Eagles have seen a string of players limited
That attitude is shared by most officials working today, at least in the Ed Myer mens varsity jackets chapter. Named for a man who spent more than 50 years in the stripes and also was a key figure in the Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club of South Jersey, the leaders of the group both in title and experience are adamant about how their members should do things on the field.
Countless details go into that on-field work that the average fan might not even think about, from appearance and uniform to keeping the game moving and spotting the ball as quickly as possible. But that begins long before those Friday night lights come on and those men earn the patch to qualify them to officiate those games.
As for undersized players, nose guard Taz Sims, a 185-pound junior, has given up as much as 80 pounds to offensive linemen he lines up against. While bothered by a shoulder injury most of the season, Sims has managed to remain in the lineup.
“If you don’t play scared, then nothing will happen,” he said. “Sometimes you get hurt, but you get back up. I’m quicker, so it really equals out.”
Despite their best efforts, the Eagles have seen a string of players limited or sidelined by injuries. Offensive lineman Lorenzo Martinez missed the first two District 3-5A games with a sprained ankle and has played only briefly the last two weeks. While his status for tonight’s game at Odessa Permian in to be determined, Martinez said the time off should prove beneficial once the playoffs begin.
“It means I’m going to be refreshed and ready to go play a game,” he said. “(Contact is) part of the game. I know it’s varsity Jackets wholesale going to happen, so that’s what I’m ready for.”
With Martinez out, Tyler Cagle moved from defense to offense, only to incur a shoulder injury.
“With my thing, I just didn’t practice Cooper week,” Cagle said. “Thank goodness I didn’t have to play. We’ve got a lot of guys who are going to step in. Pate Hughes did a good job, then we’ve got Ethan Miko, who played both ways. With me and Lorenzo being out, we’ve just got to count on our backup people. They’ll do the job.”
Abilene High will also be without safety Hunter Holcomb (concussion) for at least another week. In his place, Michael Seely and Jacob Green have split time. The two have combined for 22 total tackles the last two games.
“We’re seniors and we’ve been in a game before,” said Seely, who had six tackles with two for loss and a fumble recovery last week against Cooper. “It’s a different level, but we know how to play the game. We’ve done it before. We just go out there and do what our coaches tell us to do.”
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