The Competitive Edge by Digital Publisher

EDGE THE COMPETITIVE

ISSUE #22

ALL ARE A SPORTS MAGA ZINE

CARLEE RATCLIFF

page 20

903-276-2107

ISSUE #21

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East Texas Executive Advisor Roger Sheppard

contents : : 14 Surrounded

by Tim Montgomery

You are not alone! Others are cheering for you through the example of their lives.

Always at His Best

Touching all the Bases

by Jason Boston

by Tim Graham

Former Hooks High School head boys basketball coach,Jerry Boston (1940-2019)

Baseball player Dane Peavy

16 Gone Fishing

The Liberty Eylau fishing team

28 Kid's Page

12 Mentor of Men by Jason Boston

Texas A&M University-Texarkana head baseball coach, Steve Jones

22 Player Profiles Some of Texarkana's best baseball & softball players

Award-Winning Season for Eagles Softball ON THE COVER

Carlee Ratcliff W W W.THEEDGET XK .COM

from the fieldhouse : : On June 5th, 1997, I started a challenge that in a large way changed my life and my way of thinking. I began a challenge that I had in the back of my mind for a very long time. The project at hand was to fly an airplane and to get my pilot’s license. After years of flying and owning my own airplane, I look back at this endeavor as probably one of the most important periods in my life. The many things that this study taught me are difficult to explain. It has great similarities to my experiences in my athletics. What it did for my self confidence and my introspection was nothing short of remarkable. Because of the limited time I had to train and study, it took from June of 1997 to January of 1998 to finally fly solo. It was an exciting afternoon being able to get into an airplane all by myself and take off and land without the observation of a trainer. In talking to others who have obtained their pilot’s license, I found that most of them laughed at how long it took me to get there. I understood their criticism, but I was not affected because getting to the desired point wasn’t a thing of speed to me. I wanted to be sure that I had everything possible in terms of how to fly an airplane in any type of condition. My most important issue was allowing my trainer to put me in the most challenging conditions and allowing me to get out of them. You see, I was not interested in having things done quickly. I would look back at a little note that I have had taped on my computer for years that was delivered by a famous Chinese teacher named Confucius. This note is a gentle daily reminder not to do anything that will prevent “great affairs” from being accomplished. It seems to me that we have a great deal to learn from our nature and how we hinder our own progress and greatness. Yet it is our nature that we often ignore in favor of what our minds or others tell us is the way things ought to be. The note I have taped to my computer simply says, “Do not be desirous of having things done quickly. Do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” This has taught me that patience is a key ingredient in the process of the natural world. For instance, if I scrape my arm or fingers or break a bone, the healing process proceeds precisely at its own pace independent of any opinion I may have about it. That is the natural world at work. My desire to have it fixed quickly is of absolutely no consequence. If I apply that impatience to my personal world, I will prevent it from healing thoroughly, as Confucius advised over twenty-five centuries ago. There are many of you that want an athletic skill to develop quickly on your terms. You will not allow the natural process to occur consistently trying to hasten the process.

This impatience usually leads to undesirable results. To be good at something takes patience and perseverance, not haste. Take your time in the training process and do not overlook the small things for they are what lead to large things. I am glad that spring is arriving and the trees are again turning green. It is time to start the cycle again. Train hard, take your time, and be the best you can be.

Roger Sheppard

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always

at his best FORMER HOOKS HIGH SCHOOL HEAD BOYS BASKETBALL COACH, JERRY BOSTON (1940-2019) Jerry Boston arrived at Hooks High School as the head boys basketball coach and assistant football coach in 1972. His first Hornets team captured the District Championship and advanced to the Regional Final. The 1973 Hooks Hornets football team was State Finalist. In describing that team’s star running back and 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims, Coach Boston said, “If Simbo would have grown up in New York City, he would have played in the NBA.” Boston coached at Hooks from 1972-80 and then returned to the sidelines as the head girls basketball coach for one season in 1995. Students from the Hooks Independent School District knew him as their eighth grade science teacher, high school biology teacher, bus driver, drivers education instructor, and always “Coach Boston.” His life away from coaching revolved around his wife of 45 years, Marie, who passed away in 2010. It also included his three children, six grandchildren, church, and basketball. Former

by Jason Boston

Texas High head boys basketball coach Jim McManus said years ago, “Nobody has witnessed more basketball games in this area than Coach Boston.” Following his playing career as an All-District player at Whitesboro High School and a college career that included East Texas State University and playing for legendary college coach Bloomer Sullivan at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Boston began his teaching and coaching career in New Mexico. He worked in Roswell and Carlsbad where he learned all about the fullcourt pressure defense as an opposing coach to Ralph Tasker, one of the greatest high school basketball coaches in history. Boston began his 16 year career as a head basket-

As his oldest son, I was the one

9 THE COMPETITIVE EDGE MAGAZINE

It should come as no surprise that both of his sons followed him into the teaching and coaching profession. In December, his sons, Jason and Jarrod, coached against each other for the first time in their careers. The original and best Coach Boston had no desire to watch his sons battle each other on the sidelines. So he decided to leave the gym after watching his boys’ two teams win each of their games earlier in the day. Ironically, he never watched another game coached by either of his sons. It was as if he got the two coaches to the place where they met on the court and then his work was done. From him, his sons learned how to play basketball. They learned how to coach. Most importantly, they learned how to be men.

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ball coach in Texas at Center High School, where he led the Roughnecks to the District Championship in 1969. He went on to be the head coach at Navasota and Terrell before coming to Hooks. One of his former students recently commented that he loved Coach Boston because there was no gray area. “It was his way or his way.” Two of his favorite basketball players of all-time were old Boston Celtics, “Jungle” Jim Loscutoff and Bob Cousy. He said the greatest player ever was “Pistol” Pete Maravich and the greatest player he ever watched play in person was Oscar Robertson. Coach Boston was not a singer, but there was one song for which he made an exception. At the point in a game in which he felt a team had things well under control for the victory, he would begin singing, “Turn out the lights. The party’s over. They say that all good things must end.” And then he would finish it out by humming “do, do, do, do.”

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His words of wisdom covered wide-ranging topics and were so true and colorful:

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who often butted heads with him as I was growing up. I grew to listen to him and realized that had I just followed his lead in all things, life would be so much simpler. But as the self-proclaimed screw up who finally grew up, it is not surprising that on one point of his, I will respectfully disagree. You see, Dad often quoted Wilt Chamberlain when describing people’s feelings about those who have gone on before us, “We are at our best when we are laid to rest.” I say no to that because Dad was at his best always. Bright and early every morning when we were kids, he would bound into our rooms and say, “Rise and shine. Hit the deck. Get among ‘em.” On the school bus picking up the students of Hooks. Teaching biology and helping fellow faculty members and staff. Coaching the game he loved. Safely delivering children home on “that old yellow dog.” Sitting at the dinner table with his family. In the stands for every game! Encouraging athletes. And teaching. Always teaching. And always at his best.

Human nature: “People have an overblown impression of their own importance.” Finances: “Save for a rainy day.” Work Ethic: “Labor conquers all.” Arrogance: “I’d like to buy that fella for what he’s WORTH and sell him for what he THINKS he’s worth.” Urgency: “GET ON IT!!!” Realism: “Not everyone was created to play basketball.” Defensive Philosophy: “We pressed them when they got off the bus.” Lack of Toughness in Today’s Game: “They wouldn’t drive the lane like that on Muldrew (his former college teammate). He’d put them in the third row!” On watching NBA games: “I wouldn’t pull the curtain so I could watch...if they were playing in the front yard.” New Job: “Don’t go in there saying what you’re going to do. Keep your mouth shut and just get it done.” Changes in Job Following Success: “You’ll do a great job getting things turned around and then all of a sudden people won’t think you are smart enough to coach them anymore.” Potential: “Potential just means you haven’t done anything yet.”

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mentor of men

HEAD BASEBALL COACH STEVE JONES BY JASON BOSTON

Texas A&M University-Texarkana head baseball coach, Steve Jones, has a love for the game of baseball and respect for the title of coach. He has been a mentor to both those who have worked with him, as well as those who have played for him.

allow his players to be just good enough.”

In the eyes of Galvan, Coach Jones’ willingness to coach from the first pitch to the last out, regardless of the score, is what separates him from many others in his profession. Galvan remembers Jones’ team being on the wrong end of a lopsided score and his subs were finishing up the game. Jones was still coaching

Texas A&M University-Texarkana Director of Athletics Mi-

them like he would coach the starters and he corrected their

chael Galvan said, “Coach Jones is someone who is passionate

mistakes as quickly as he would if it was a one-run game.

and he wants to share that passion with ev-

John Bentley coached with Steve Jones for eight years at New

eryone he encounters,

Mexico Highlands University. During that time, the two men

especially his play-

combined forces to create a successful baseball program. Coach

ers. He is not an easy

Jones was in charge of hitting and Coach Bentley oversaw the

coach to play for since

pitching and defense. Due to the respect between them, the

he will not congratu-

two men had heated exchanges during games that never affect-

late you for hustling,

ed their relationship. Both knew the bottom line was to grad-

he will not accept fail-

uate students and win baseball games. Coach Bentley described

ure, and he will not

Jones’ leadership this way, “We won a lot of games, and Coach

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Jones always gave the credit to everyone else. Though you knew he was in charge, he always found a way to make everyone else involved feel special about what was going on.”

13 many other sports is the upkeep of the playing field

Speier also remembers Coach Jones motivating a lackluster team

by the head coach. Bentley witnessed countless hours spent by

during pre-game by bouncing from fence to fence like he was in

Jones making the field better and believes there is not anyone

a WWE Wrestling ring doing his best Ric Flair impersonation.

that cares about his school’s playing field more than his former

Speier also credits Jones for teaching him so much about the

head coach. He also recalls Jones spending all day and part of

game and being able to break down hitting mechanics to a level

the night clearing the field of snow, as well as spending Super

he had never experienced.

Bowl Sunday on a tractor improving the facility. Jones’ dedication has always impressed Bentley, who also added, “I am very

From those who have worked with him to those who have

grateful for the time I spent with Coach Jones. He is very honest

played for him, it is apparent that TAMU-T head baseball coach

with players and that not only makes them better players, but

Steve Jones’ passion, leadership, and example have made a tre-

it helps make them better husbands, fathers, and men. He was

mendous impact on men not only on the diamond, but in the

and still is my mentor. I would like to believe that through my

home and the workplace.

time coaching with him, not only did I become a much better baseball coach, I became a better man.”

Steve Jones is the all-time winningest baseball coach in New Mexico Highlands University history and he was inducted into

Often times, reading the perspective of a former player that can provide the best look at the true man within the coach. Taylor Speier shared his fond memories of his unique recruiting trip to New Mexico Highlands. “My recruiting trip was a unique one. After being shown around campus and taking batting practice, I played 18 holes of sock golf with Coach Jones in his home. I also attended a wedding where I witnessed Coach Jones’ skills on the dance floor. After listening to his baseball philosophy and getting to know his personality off the baseball field, I knew this was the place I would attend school and play baseball.”

the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

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One of the things that makes baseball different from

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surrounded Each major city in the United States

encouraged their teams to victory.

has a stadium or a ball park where hometown favorites compete for fame and glory, a chance to be named among the champions. AT&T Stadium, often referred to as Jerry’s World, is the most spectacular sports and entertainment venue in Texas. This magnificent 80,000 seat stadium opened on May 27, 2009 and is home to the Dallas Cowboys, the Cotton Bowl Classic and the Big 12 Championship Game; it has also hosted an N.B.A. All-Star game, Wrestle Mania 32, as well as multiple concerts of every genre imaginable. Maximum capacity in this $1.3 billion wonder, including open areas and elevated platforms, boasts crowds as large as 108,000 plus. Since its inaugural season, hundreds of thousands of fans have cheered and

by Tim Montgomery

The word surrounded in this verse is the Greek word, peikeimenai, and

From time to time, we all could use encouragement to keep moving forward to fulfil God’s purpose for our lives. It is for this reason that the Bible uses the image of athletic competition to illustrate life and even gives us the image of a stadium full of cheering spectators,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT

it portrays the idea of being completely circled by something that is stacked high on every side.

What

is it that is stacked high and circles us on every side? We are surrounded by powerful examples of people, just like you and me, who were challenged in their faith, but held fast to the Word of God, and saw God’s promises come to pass in their lives! You are not alone!

Others are

cheering for you through the example of their lives. For example: Noah: if you wonder if your life matters. Joseph: ing Ruth: best

out

life like

not

you

turn-

dreamed.

you

think

your

days

are

behind

you.

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Noah and the Ark is one of the most beloved stories in the Bible for many reasons. If we were to hear from Noah today, he would be cheering us on when we wonder if our life matters. We can be sure that through the long years of building the ark, Noah must have felt that his life was mundane. Day after day he was working on the same project and waiting to see if it would ever make a difference. However, the day the rains began, he knew his life mattered not only to his family but to future generations of humans and animals alike. Perhaps today, you may think your life does not matter as you faithfully go

is left a widow. Over the course of

than a fashion show. After being

time, she discovers God’s love for her

betrayed by his brothers and sold

and experiences His favor in her life

into slavery, Jospeh is then accused

in amazing ways. Ruth remarries

of a crime that he did not commit

a wealthy, godly man and together

and ended up in prison. Howev-

they have a son; she will also be an

er, through it all, he maintains his

ancestor to King David of Israel. To-

faith in God and continues to devel-

day she is shouting to us to discov-

op his character and his skills. As

er God’s love for us and to trust His

a time appointed by God, Jospeh is

desire to give us a hope and a future.

honored and becomes the Prime Minister of Egypt, the second most powerful man in the world. Joseph is cheering for you today to keep trusting God and maintain your character. In time you’ll be rewarded and recognized for all you have become through good times and bad.

about your daily responsibilities, but

RUTH: Your Best Days Are Ahead

do not grow weary.

When one considers Ruth, she is an

Consistently

following through on your daily duties honors God, builds your family and strengthens your community.

underdog in every way imaginable. She was raised in a backward and uneducated class of people who had no reverence for God. As a young wom-

JOSEPH: God is Working Everything Out for Your Good Jospeh is best known for his coat of

an, she fell in love and marries a man who had a wonderful heritage and a promising future, but soon after she

These are just three of the “fans” in the stadium shouting to you and to me as we are on the field of life. They are cheering us on to believe that God is faithful and that we can trust His game plan and promises. Spend time in the Bible today to learn more about those filling the stadium seats to motivate you today through their witness.

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NOAH: Your Life Matters

many colors, but his story is more

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gone fishing THE LIBERTY EYLAU FISHING TEAM QUALIFIED 2 MEMBERS TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT IN ATHENS TEXAS... CONGRATS TO BLAKE CARTER AND TANNER RANKIN

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Pleasant Grove

FLORIST 903-838-0800

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CARLEE RATCLIFF New Boston High School 11th Grade Favorite Sport: Softball Position: 3rd College Intention: Iowa State Favorite Food: Pizza Favorite Song: Believe Favorite Movie: After Favorite Subject: Math Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Pool Greatet Influence: Great Aunt Future Career: Physical Therapist Favorite Team: Arkansas

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22 22

CASON BRIGHAM

Nick Name: Brigs School: Genoa Central Grade: Junior Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Pitcher College Intent: Baseball Scholarship What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Luna Favorite Food: Cheeseburger Favorite Song: 11 Blocks Fovorite Movie: Project Almanac Favorite Video Game: Fortnite Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Ditmore Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Mom Career you would like most: Physical Therapist Favorite Sports Team: Golden State Warriors

LAUREN BIERSCHENK

Nick Name: Elby School: Texas A&M University-Texarkana Grade: Junior Favorite Sport and Position: Softball/Infield What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Nestle Favorite Food: Tacos Fovorite Movie: Benchwarmers Favorite Video Game: Mario Kart Favorite Subject in School: Math Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Lauren Chamberlain Career you would like most: College Softball Coach Favorite Sports Team: Texas Rangers

TANNER ROSS

Nick Name: T Ray School: Texas Middle School Grade: 7 Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Pitcher & Shortstop College Intent: University of Arkansas What kind of pet and its name: 4 Dogs - Champ, Cali, Maple, Jake Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Song: Welcome to the Jungle Fovorite Movie: Avengers Favorite Video Game: Fortnite Favorite Subject in School: Athletics and Math Favorite Teacher: All, but if one, Ms. Merrick Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Dad Career you would like most: Baseball Favorite Sports Team: Texas Rangers

CARSON RHODES

Nick Name: Rhodesie School: Pleasant Grove Grade: Sophomore Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Infield What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Toby Favorite Food: Fruit Favorite Song: He Knows Favorite Video Game: Fortnite & Minecraft Favorite Subject in School: World History Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Smith Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: My Parents Career you would like most: Physical Therapist Favorite Sports Team: Texas Rangers

TYLER STRAIN

Nick Name: Rooster School: New Boston High Grade: Junior Favorite Sport and Position: Softball/Shortstop College Intent: TC or TAMUT What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Bella Favorite Food: Deer Steak Fovorite Song: In Color Favorite Movie: Man From Snowy River Favorite Video Game: Fortnite Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Parson Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Dad Career you would like most: Anything to do with Outdoors Favorite Sports Team: Arkansas

ALEX GALVAN

Nick Name: Baby G or AG School: Pleasant Grove Grade: Freshman Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Pitcher What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Major Favorite Food: Italian Favorite Song: Welcome to the Rodeo Fovorite Movie: The Mule Favorite Video Game: MLB the Show 19 Favorite Subject in School: Science Favorite Teacher: Mrs. Womack Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Dad Career you would like most: Playing in the MLB Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs

RYAN GALVAN

Nick Name: Ry or Guido School: Pleasant Grove Grade: Senior Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Pitcher What kind of pet and its name: Dog - Bugz Favorite Food: Chicken 'n Waffles Favorite Song: Wet Dreamz Favorite Movie: For Love of the Game Favorite Video Game: Apex Favorite Subject in School: History Favorite Teacher: Mr. Strunc Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: My Father Career you would like most: Veterinarian Favorite Sports Team: Texas Rangers

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School: Texas A&M Texarkana Grade: Junior Favorite Sport and Position: Baseball/Outfield College Intent: Criminal Justice What kind of pet and its name: Cat - Melo Favorite Food: Mexican Food Favorite Song: Devil Eyes Fovorite Movie: Forever Strong Favorite Video Game: Fortnite Favorite Subject in School: History Favorite Teacher: Ms. Riley Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: Parents Career you would like most: Firefighter Favorite Sports Team: Seattle Mariners

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COLE CHAMBERS

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touching all the bases Often times, when people achieve success, we want to model or mirror their behavior so we can do the same. Thousands have had documentaries or movies made about their lives to inspire others, and millions of others have written books to capitalize on their fame and situation. Just as there are varying definitions of success, there are as many different avenues that one must travel to achieve it. Victory may not even come in the fashion that the dreamer originally had in mind, but it eventually finds them. This story is about one of those men, the one whose dream may have eluded him in its original form but has since materialized in ways that even he could not have imagined. Dane Peavy grew up in Texarkana, Arkansas, hearing his dad, uncle Lance and grandad tell stories of Arkansas Razorback high school baseball. There was a lot of pride instilled in him as a young man for the program, so for him to take to the diamond as a freshman, it was a

surreal experience. In his own words, he was not the greatest player, but he did work hard at his craft with the abilities that God had given him. As a freshman and as a sophomore, he did not see much playing time. In his junior year, he was rather sporadic and inconsistent as a player. When given the opportunity to play full time for the squad as a senior, he made the most of his opportunity. He won the Tim McKnight Award, an annual award given to a baseball player, recognizing an athlete that exhibited grit, heart, determination and leadership. Although thankful to receive it, he wondered if other players were not more deserving. He also earned 1st Team All Conference and All State Honorable Mention for his play on the diamond. For his efforts, he was selected to play for the Arkansas American Legion team, Playing for them during the summers of his junior year in high school to his freshman year in college. It was during those seasons that he played under the tutelage of his dad, who was an assistant

by Tim Graham coach in 2002 and then head coach in 2003 and 2004. Dane credits that experience as one of them that drives him today to coach baseball. The thrill of competing with your high school teammates and new ones from around the area, as well as helping young men hone their skills to compete at a high level, maybe even in college and in the majors. Experience is always a great teacher, and Dane credits his many stops along the way to being able to relate to the players and their mindsets. The first stop after graduation from Arkansas High was Pratt Community College in Pratt, Kansas. Following Bryan Bearden, one of his Razorback classmates, to the college was an experience. It was a â€œcold oneâ€?, and not the one he was expecting. So he packed his bags after his freshman year and travelled even further north to Kankakee, Illinois to play for the Cavaliers at Kankakee Community College. They had recruited him in high school, so they were familiar with his talents and

In 2008, he approached Larry Hughes, who was coaching the American Legion Razorbacks at the time, to inquire if he could help him coach. In that season, in his position as an assistant to Hughes, they went 30-15 and came in third in state. In 2009, he took over as head coach and led the Razorbacks to back to back State Championships in 2010 and 2011. They would win two more State

25 THE COMPETITIVE EDGE MAGAZINE

abilities. They honored his scholarship offer to play baseball for the program, and he played with them for two years. Academic achievement eluded Peavy in Illinois, and he found himself transferring back to his home state and playing for the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas University. His baseball stops along the way gave him the experience of seeing more of the United States, witnessing different coaching styles, and playing with various athletes. When asked why he did not go play Division 1 with the Razorbacks, he simply replied “well, I probably was not good enough to go to Arkansas to be honest with you”. After three years away, coming back home to be closer to family and friends was also important as he was able to play in front of them for the first time in his collegiate career.

In 2014, he hired on with the Pleasant Grove Hawks staff when Craig Jones brought him on board. Even though he only spent a year with the program, Peavy picked up some tips, some ideas that he implements today. He talks about how every stop along the way is a give and take, where you give something to the program and you take something away that will benefit both parties in the future. Peavy speaks of the baseball world being a “pretty unique fraternity”, and when he starts to embark on the stories of how this job led to that job or this coach opened this door or that door, you begin to get a glimpse

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In 2008, he returned to Texarkana to play in the inaugural season for the Texarkana Gunslingers, which was a phenomenal experience. “I did not play much, I think I ended up starting maybe 4 or 5 games for them out of like the 72 game season that we had”. Yet he attributes that experience to his success and his development as a coach. When you spend a lot of time on the bench, you have a lot of time to analyze the game. It was always in the back of his mind that he could coach, because he had a story to tell. Through successes and failures, he knew that he could influence young players that might have the same dreams that he had.

Championships in 2013 and in 2016, winning the American Legion World Series in 2016. To achieve such a pinnacle so early in his coaching career, it set him apart from many of his peers. He has managed to keep a pretty low profile despite that achievement, because he understands that the players are the ones that did the heavy lifting. He relishes the memories and the players that were on that team and still keeps in contact with them.

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PHOTO CREDIT MAVA ODEN of much they care for one another. Kyle Slayton from Nashville, texted him to ask him if he wanted to be a head coach. Peavy answered “Sure”, even though he did not have a clue what Slayton meant. “Have you ever been to Springhill, Louisiana?” If Peavy was ever going to make a living doing what he loved, getting his foot in the door would be paramount. So he agreed to talk to the district about the position. The one that ended up contacting him was Jonathan Orr, one of his Assistants from the 2016 World Series team. Orr did not work for the school, but his son was on the team. He wanted to make sure that the baseball program was in good hands. So Orr brokered a meeting between the North Webster High School Assistant Principal who was the former baseball coach, and Peavy. After meeting with the Principal, a week later they hired him as their new baseball coach. It did not take long for their new coach to reap huge dividends for the small 3A baseball program in Webster Parish. In 2016, the team won 26 games, went to the state quarterfinals and were ranked #6 in the state. But the highlights did not end there. Coach Peavy would garner the Shreveport Times Coach of the Year honor that spring, the American Legion Arkansas Razorbacks would win the American Legion World Series later that summer, and he would get engaged to his wife Brittany Alexander. It is hard to stay under the radar when you have that sort of success and it did not take long before other schools came calling. In 2017, Peavy left North Webster as the head coach to become an assistant on Toby Todd’s staff at Airline in Bossier City. Peavy considers this program

“the mecca of north Louisiana baseball”, and it was another opportunity to be around a perennial, successful baseball program full of tradition and history. With Peavy’s ultimate goal of being able to coach at the highest level, a stint on Todd’s staff would certainly be beneficial to his development and maturity as a skipper. After two years with Airline as an assistant, he moved over to Deridder, Louisiana to become their baseball coach. The 2018 -2019 Season will be his first with the Dragons, and he has loaded up the schedule with plenty of quality opponents. Never one to shy away from stiff competition, Peavy is looking to make an impression

on this team what quality baseball looks like. DeRidder went to the state championships last year, but they only return one starter. They will be a young team, but they will play hard. Slowly but surely he is looking to build another quality program. One that the school, the town and Beauregard Parish can revel in their success. Peavy has had a lot of success in American Legion in baseball, but the curious thing about DeRidder, is that it has no American Legion today. That may change in the near future with Peavy’s passion for the program. Up to this point, we have talked strictly

baseball without giving much attention to anything else. There have been numerous mentors to Peavy along his path, none bigger than his dad Joey Peavy. Never overbearing and allowing Dane to make his own mistakes, he was allowed to be a kid. Always in his corner and at his beck and call was Coach Denny Burdine, his Athletic Director while at Arkansas High. Johnny Toombs also played a large role in mentoring Peavy along life’s journey. Peavy has managed to surround himself with successful people and learn from their successes and failures. It has allowed him to have triumphs early and often in his budding coaching career. Peavy understands that there are many people along his career path that have helped him financially, professionally, and given him unconditional love when he probably did not deserve it. He will be quick to tell you that there is much more that goes on behind the scenes that the public may never realize. His wife has been a huge staple in his life, and his most ardent supporter. Having a pretty good team at home, certainly gives you an advantage on the road. He and Brittany welcomed their first child, Palmer Kay, in January. He mentions that adjusting to life with interrupted sleep, especially during baseball season, has been tough. Yet after our conversation today, I realize he and his wife are up to the challenge. They are not determined to do things on their own, they realize that marriage takes three, and oftentimes many more. Peavy has been about the task of building teams his whole life, and I have no doubt that this one will be the one that he treasures the most. Dane and his wife and daughter attend First Baptist Church in DeRidder, LA.

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Radio Spotlight SOULMAN BILLY BLAND Years in the Business: 1975-2019 (44 Years) Station: KTOY

As a child I loved the way sportscaster Harry Carey called play by play for the St. Louis Cardinals and I wanted to do that when I grew up and with God's grace I did grow up to have a career in radio, albeit not as a sportscaster as my interests in the radio broadcasting business changed as I grew older. I thank God for blessing me with my hearts desire.

Awards: Community Service, Man of Year 2008 TXK Civic Group, Outstanding Service ( Lifetime Award) Polly Chapel Baptist Church Favorite Tagline: Soulman Billy Bland, The Man with the Plan!!!! High School/College: LE High School/Bishop College LACC Favorite Food: Cabbage, Meatloaf, Candied Carrots Favorite Song: My Latest, Greatest, Inspiration - Teddy Pendergrass Fovorite Movie: The Book of Eli Favorite Subject in School: English Favorite Teacher: Lois Harden (9th Grade English) Greatest Influence/person you admire the most: My Father, John Bland Sr Career you would like most: Radio Personality Favorite Sports Team: Golden State Warriors

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trace the laces to the correct shoe

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AWARD-WINNING SEASON FOR EAGLES SOFTBALL The Texas A&M Universi-

Coach of the Year and se-

outfielder Jordyn Logan.

ty-Texarkana Eagles soft-

nior Hannah Cooper re-

First

ball program received many

ceived Player of the Year.

Bierschenk, a junior, was

accolades when the Red

The conference Pitcher of

named to the All-Con-

River Athletic Conference

the Year was senior Cassie

ference Second Team and

presented their all-confer-

Vasquez and sophomore

sophomore Jewels Caro

ence awards recently. The

Jaden Lance was honored

was selected to the Cham-

Eagles, who finished the

as Newcomer of the Year.

pions of Character Team.

season with an overall re-

Joining catcher Cooper,

cord of 25-14, advanced to

pitcher Vasquez, and short-

the championship round

stop Lance on the All-Con-

of the Red River Athletic

ference First Team were

Conference Tournament.

senior

Marie Stone was named

Kacey Maines and junior

second

baseman

Lauren

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OPEN

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