Team from Mexico brings intrigue to Barbers Hill

[BH96]

MONT BELVIEU – The area’s most hyped game of the opening week of the 2012 high school football season is the 46th annual Ross S. Sterling-Robert E. Lee clash on Friday night at Stallworth Stadium.

But the most intriguing game of the week could be Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Mexico vs. Barbers Hill.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Eagle Stadium.

“From a fans’ standpoint, this is a very intriguing game,’’ said Barbers Hill head football coach Ronnie Gage. “Just the make up of the game. It is kind of the unknown.’’

Gage was sent searching for a season-opening game after the University Interscholastic League realigned District 19-4A. He advertised in various publications and found a ready, able and willing team from Mexico.

“We kind of found each other,’’ Gage said. “They have played in Texas before and they are trying to play more games. They saw we had advertised for a game, gave us a call and after a few weeks of negotiation, Dr. (Greg) Poole said we could play. They have agreed to come here for two years (in a row).’’

Gage said the Tigres didn’t ask for anything to make the trip to Texas.

“They were just willing to come,’’ he said. “We will help them out some, but we will get the majority of the gate.’’

Nuevo Leon is scheduled to arrive on Thursday. It will hold a walk-through practice and then spend the night in a hotel before Friday night’s clash.

“Their coach told me in the spring that everything they do is built around Texas football,’’ Gage said. “They get a lot of film from different people, study hard and work hard and they are growing and getting better every year.’’

The Tigres return three offensive and three defensive starters from last year’s team, Gage said.

“They have a big quarterback, 6-2, 220 pounds,’’ Gage said. “They also have a couple of returning running backs.’’

For years, many fans have suspected some of the players from Mexican teams to be older than Texas high school players. Gage said that is not the case.

“They are legit,’’ Gage said. “We asked all those questions. Their coach said we could check visas and whatever. We feel confident that everything is on the up and up.’’

Nuevo Leon also will travel to meet Killeen Shoemaker on Sept. 7 and Tyler on Sept. 29.

“They just enjoy coming in and playing in front of Texas crowds,’’ Gage said. “They are excited to come to Texas and play. But they also want to win. I think it is going to be a great test for us.’’

Gage said the Eagles are going through a “transition period” to start the 2012 season.

“It is going to take some time,’’ he admitted. “We should get better every week, but we don’t have a lot of time to get there.’’

Barbers Hill will lean heavily on two-year starting quarterback Kaleb Denny, who was the district’s Most Valuable Player a year ago and is an all-district third baseman in baseball.

“We have some returning players who are going to be under fire to hold the glue together while our young guys get some snaps,’’ Gage said. “We are not as strong in some areas (as we were last year). We just have to coach harder and cut down mistakes. The kids have to play harder. I know they will do that.’’

Denny will be joined in the backfield by fullback Nick O’Neal and junior Dalton Opry, among others.

On defense, Barbers Hill will be tested due to the loss of free safety Ryan Dutton, who is out with a knee injury.

“They are going to run the spread and throw the ball around quite a bit,’’ Gage said of the Tigres. “It will be a good test for us.’’

A year ago, the Tigres traveled to Round Rock to meet Class 5A powerhouse Stony Point and almost came up with one of the most stunning upsets in school history.

In fact, the game came down to Carlos Alberto Diaz’s 34-yard field goal attempt on the final play. The kick had the distance, but it sailed just wide as Stony Point hung on for a 16-14 victory.

Coach Carlos Cabral, who guided the Tigres to the 2009 Mexican American football national championship, was pleased with his team’s progress, nonetheless. In 2010, the Tigres lost to Copperas Cove 49-6 and Stony Point 48-7.

“Last year (in 2010), our lack of speed was a big problem for us,” Cabral said after the 2011 loss to Stony Point. “This year, we worked on it in the offseason. Coaches came to the states and worked in high school clinics in Texas to learn about offensive programs and speed work. We’re preaching that to our kids and they’re reacting pretty well.”

[BH96]

Depending on how this game goes this might turn into a reoccurring game for years to come from what I heard.

[bronco1]

Pretty interesting, but I think you can get Visa's in a convience store down south and birth certificates don't have pictures on them.

[bronco1]

[quote name="BH96" post="1253715" timestamp="1346237214"]
Depending on how this game goes this might turn into a reoccurring game for years to come from what I heard.
[/quote]

I hope it works out, pretty cool way to start the season every year.

[BH96]

However I do think it is going to be a worthy annd tuff team too. I wouldnt be surprise to see more teams start scheduling teams and games like this. I wouldnt be surprised to see some coaches from around the area there just to watch and scout the Mexico team to see if they are worth scheduling in the future.

[BH96]

Here is a youtube video I found of them

[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52kzesCLbQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x52kzesCLbQ[/url]

[bh89-2]

That story was a great read until they kind of threw in there Dutton is out AGAIN......  Poor kid, what's that 3 years in a row now? Dang fine player with a ton of potential and just can't stay healthy.  Got to feel bad for him.

[BH96]

Yea my daughter is recovering from a knee surgury and ran into him and his mom the other day at the doctor and its not good for him. Thats all Im saying about that.

[liltex]

I hate hearing that bout Dutton kid,just can't catch a break on early injuries.I know Smokin that was 1 of your favs to step back in and fill a void.So are you crawfishing now on our bet.

[Guest KHS 89]

[quote name="BH96" post="1253715" timestamp="1346237214"]
Depending on how this game goes this might turn into a reoccurring game for years to come from what I heard.
[/quote]

Translation: If Barbers Hill can beat this team handedly, they will ask them to come back next year.  ;D

[BH96]

Correction they are already scheduled to come back next year.  :P

[TradinUp BH]

I think they're going to be good and be a solid team. Atleast we are stepping into the unknown and not scheduling like say South Houston or some weak team like that.

[BellBiz30]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W0aQj6Ira8 I think BH is in big trouble!  ;D ;D

[BHFAN]

[quote name="BellBiz30" post="1253833" timestamp="1346249203"]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W0aQj6Ira8 I think BH is in big trouble!  ;D ;D
[/quote]

Thats not them, but cool video

[Laurie720]

This will be an interesting game to watch. I'll be there!!!  So excited it's football season again! :)

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

[quote name="TradinUp BH" post="1253829" timestamp="1346249022"]
I think they're going to be good and be a solid team. Atleast we are stepping into the unknown and not scheduling like say South Houston or some weak team like that.
[/quote] ::)

[Guest UHCoog14]

[quote name="Mr. Buddy Garrity" post="1253906" timestamp="1346256134"]
[quote author=TradinUp BH link=topic=102185.msg1253829#msg1253829 date=1346249022]
I think they're going to be good and be a solid team. Atleast we are stepping into the unknown and not scheduling like say South Houston or some weak team like that.
[/quote] ::)
[/quote]

Who did this NL team replace on BH's original schedule?

[Steven Avery]

I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.

[bh89-2]

[quote name="joebob" post="1253928" timestamp="1346258478"]
I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.
[/quote]

That is correct. A.K.A. Brenham's Daddy..... ;D ;D  Ok Brenham fan, fire away.... ;)

[Mr. Buddy Garrity]

[quote name="Smoking Baby" post="1253932" timestamp="1346259011"]
[quote author=joebob link=topic=102185.msg1253928#msg1253928 date=1346258478]
I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.
[/quote]

That is correct. A.K.A. Brenham's Daddy..... ;D ;D  Ok Brenham fan, fire away.... ;)
[/quote]Crosby is Barbie's Hill daddy. Ozen is their step-daddy  ;)

[bh89-2]

[quote name="Mr. Buddy Garrity" post="1253934" timestamp="1346259222"]
[quote author=Smoking Baby link=topic=102185.msg1253932#msg1253932 date=1346259011]
[quote author=joebob link=topic=102185.msg1253928#msg1253928 date=1346258478]
I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.
[/quote]

That is correct. A.K.A. Brenham's Daddy..... ;D ;D  Ok Brenham fan, fire away.... ;)
[/quote]Crosby is Barbie's Hill daddy. Ozen is their step-daddy  ;)
[/quote]

You got that right........Crosby that is.  Ozen, well nah just a one hit wonder.

[uandme08]

[quote name="Smoking Baby" post="1253937" timestamp="1346259397"]
[quote author=Mr. Buddy Garrity link=topic=102185.msg1253934#msg1253934 date=1346259222]
[quote author=Smoking Baby link=topic=102185.msg1253932#msg1253932 date=1346259011]
[quote author=joebob link=topic=102185.msg1253928#msg1253928 date=1346258478]
I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.
[/quote]

That is correct. A.K.A. Brenham's Daddy..... ;D ;D  Ok Brenham fan, fire away.... ;)
[/quote]Crosby is Barbie's Hill daddy. Ozen is their step-daddy  ;)
[/quote]

You got that right........Crosby that is.  [b]Ozen, well nah just a one hit wonder.[/b][/quote]
But one that you and so many others will remember  :D

[bh89-2]

[quote name="uandme08" post="1253939" timestamp="1346259551"]
[quote author=Smoking Baby link=topic=102185.msg1253937#msg1253937 date=1346259397]
[quote author=Mr. Buddy Garrity link=topic=102185.msg1253934#msg1253934 date=1346259222]
[quote author=Smoking Baby link=topic=102185.msg1253932#msg1253932 date=1346259011]
[quote author=joebob link=topic=102185.msg1253928#msg1253928 date=1346258478]
I think kingwood park, one of the schools moved into their district.
[/quote]

That is correct. A.K.A. Brenham's Daddy..... ;D ;D  Ok Brenham fan, fire away.... ;)
[/quote]Crosby is Barbie's Hill daddy. Ozen is their step-daddy  ;)
[/quote]

You got that right........Crosby that is.  [b]Ozen, well nah just a one hit wonder.[/b][/quote]
But one that you and so many others will remember  :D
[/quote]

Yes I will, just like all the other 10 or so one-shot wonders.  Admit it, you stained them drawers when the last pass headed for the endzone in and fell in/out of the BH receivers hands.  ;)

[BHFAN]

[quote name="GCMPats" post="1253919" timestamp="1346257553"]
[quote author=Mr. Buddy Garrity link=topic=102185.msg1253906#msg1253906 date=1346256134]
[quote author=TradinUp BH link=topic=102185.msg1253829#msg1253829 date=1346249022]
I think they're going to be good and be a solid team. Atleast we are stepping into the unknown and not scheduling like say South Houston or some weak team like that.
[/quote] ::)
[/quote]

Who did this NL team replace on BH's original schedule?
[/quote]

We were scheduled to play Humble then the UIL put us in the same district

[Grayghost]

I think this is the same Mexican team that is scheduled to play Tyler John Tyler