Great Championship Teams ---

[Eagle Hombre]

Every fan of 5A football remembers the great '85 Yates, '88 Carter and the '01 Mesquite teams that were loaded with D1 talent. They were expected to win it all, and they did. I'm wondering about those "Hoosier-Like" teams that went all the way or made great runs in the playoffs with minimal talent, great coaching and alot of heart. I'm sure there are some great stories out there that get overshadowed. Think of it as what could of been or "man we were close" -- Any thoughts -- :D :D

[GoOwls]

Garland was expected to fight for the third playoff spot, by the experts and us old GHS cronies, in 1999, lost the first game to Highland Park, and swept to the title. Many great stories from that team that is too long to get into here.

[singularity]

Smithson valley last year. After losing to both Plugerville and Judson, they made a run all the way to the state finals to lose to the #1 team in the nation in the last seconds by a field goal. They have less talent than most, but a stellar coaching staff and a lot of pride and heart.

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

87 Plano Wildcats.

Second of back to back 5A championships when only 2 teams made the playoffs from each district and their was truly a single state champion and none of this watered down 1 and 2 division bs.

Team finished 16-0 and was in the middle of a 29 game consecutive win streak that spanned 3 seasons. It was the 3rd state championship in 10 years for Coach Tom Kimbrough.

Best game that year semifinals against Permian at Ratliff beating a junior filled Friday Night lights team 29-21.

Also give props to 85 Yates and the 92 Temple Wildcats

[dragonfootballfan]

2002 Carroll. That year Carroll was moving up from 4A to 5A and was placed in a district with traditional powers Lewisville, Marcus, and Coppell. The "experts" predicted that Carroll would be lucky to finish 5-5 and may luck into a playoff a spot. After blowing out everyone in their district the Dragons still faced a lot of criticism. The Dragons pushed through the playoffs with two close calls and a few memorable games in the playoffs, including a classic win over the defending state champion Lufkin Panthers. They finally met another cinderella story in Smithson Valley. They also had just moved up from 4A to 5A and had just beaten a traditional 5A power in the Katy Tigers. The Dragons ended up winning that game and the state championship, but both the Rangers and the Dragons have a lot to be proud of in their 2002 season.

[singularity]

I definitly agree. I never thought SLC and SV got enough appreciation for there 1st 5A seasons. It is simply phenomenal for two 4A teams to go to the state finals immediatly after becoming 5A. I would attribute it to lack of respect (underdogs) and great coaching staffs.

[TXfbfan]

Katy 03,02,00,99,98

[dragonfootballfan]

I definitly agree. I never thought SLC and SV got enough appreciation for there 1st 5A seasons. It is simply phenomenal for two 4A teams to go to the state finals immediatly after becoming 5A. I would attribute it to lack of respect (underdogs) and great coaching staffs.
The greatest thing about it was that both teams beat either the defending champ or the champ from two years ago to get there. That really showed everyone what Carroll and Smithson Valley was all about.

[TXfbfan]

Also what people dont understand is that many Dallas schools like SLC only count JR and SR enrollment as were others count Fr SO Jr Sr. so they had just as many as others

[dragonfootballfan]

Also what people dont understand is that many Dallas schools like SLC only count JR and SR enrollment as were others count Fr SO Jr Sr. so they had just as many as others
every school in Texas counts all their students. Nobody gets to discount their freshman and sophomores. Show me proof of this. I gaurantee you that you will not find any

[Tut]

I'm wondering about those "Hoosier-Like" teams that went all the way or made great runs in the playoffs with minimal talent, great coaching and alot of heart.
"03 Katy - After getting routed by Lufkin, seemed like winning district was a stretch. District wasn't easy, but they got it done and surprised everyone by winning state. :)

[Fleeman93]

Katy 03 had no business winning state, but their heart said otherwise.