IF SLC & Abilene HS

[BigRing5311]

take care of business in R2. Where/What are the venue possibilities for the SLC/AHS matchup in R3?

[Shoot2thrill]

I have been wandering the same thing. There has been some talk that the game could even be played @ Shotwell in Abilene due to us having to travel to Texas stadium last year. I guess we will know soon enough. :confused:

[BigRing5311]

Shotwell has a capacity of 15,075...this game could have 35-40,000+ in attendance. Shotwell doesn't look like a suitable venue.

[Shoot2thrill]

Shotwell has a capacity of 15,075...this game could have 35-40,000+ in attendance. Shotwell doesn't look like a suitable venue.

True but that doesn't play into it usually. If two teams meet in the playoffs in consecutive years they go on a home and home basis. The question is, was last year's game at TS considered a home game for SLC due to the proximity to their community? Who was considered the home team last year? I truly don't know. :cool:

[BigRing5311]

Shoot2thrill: Totally agree. I don't know what the status of last years game @ TS was. One good thing; if the game is at Shotwell, we'll be in Abilene at my wife's mom's for Thanksgiving and can go out to the stadium on Friday and block of some seats for our SLC friends...15,075 of them :)

[farmerfan]

Shotwell has a capacity of 15,075...this game could have 35-40,000+ in attendance. Shotwell doesn't look like a suitable venue.

I don't think Coach Warren or the Abilene players care how big the crowd is. Their concern will be giving Abilene a shot at home since they came to Tx Stadium last year. As fans we would love to have this game at a big venue, but for the Eagle players I would think they would want Carroll at home and to me that only seems right.
However Carroll has traditionaly played well at Shotwell, I know they beat Cooper there in 02 and had some big wins there in their 3A days.

[cougardude]

Southlake Carroll beat Midland Lee at Shotwell to start the season.

[Shoot2thrill]

Shoot2thrill: Totally agree. I don't know what the status of last years game @ TS was. One good thing; if the game is at Shotwell, we'll be in Abilene at my wife's mom's for Thanksgiving and can go out to the stadium on Friday and block of some seats for our SLC friends...15,075 of them :)


LOL...Only if you can beat me to 'em since I live here! Seems like a travesty to have the game here when we could draw 35,000k+ at TS. But we'll see how it plays out next weekend. :)

[dragonfootballfan]

LOL...Only if you can beat me to 'em since I live here! Seems like a travesty to have the game here when we could draw 35,000k+ at TS. But we'll see how it plays out next weekend. :)
the main reason that there were so many people there is because it was the start of a triple header and the second game was Ennis vs. Texas High which was another high profile matchup. I doubt that if the game was the only one going on that day that there would be more than 16,000

[BigRing5311]

I don't think Coach Warren or the Abilene players care how big the crowd is. Their concern will be giving Abilene a shot at home since they came to Tx Stadium last year. As fans we would love to have this game at a big venue, but for the Eagle players I would think they would want Carroll at home and to me that only seems right.
However Carroll has traditionaly played well at Shotwell, I know they beat Cooper there in 02 and had some big wins there in their 3A days.

I don't know if I would agree to Coach Warren or the Eagles not caring how big the crowd is, or that possible crowd size doesn't play into the equation. If crowd size consideration doesn't matter why would SLC choose to play at TS last year (if that was home field) as opposed to Dragon Stadium? Also, I sure might be wrong here, but I would imagine that both Coach Warren and his Eagles, and Coach Dodge and his Dragons, have a certain sense of fan loyalty that they would want to incorporate in a play-off game. Especially one of this magnitude.

[Shoot2thrill]

the main reason that there were so many people there is because it was the start of a triple header and the second game was Ennis vs. Texas High which was another high profile matchup. I doubt that if the game was the only one going on that day that there would be more than 16,000

And I am betting that there would. ;)

[BigRing5311]

the main reason that there were so many people there is because it was the start of a triple header and the second game was Ennis vs. Texas High which was another high profile matchup. I doubt that if the game was the only one going on that day that there would be more than 16,000

I'd bet there would be 16,000 Abilene fans alone. Plus this game will bring a lot of Texas Tech fans out to watch at least 3 (and possibly 5+) of their verbal commits (AHS>Potts/Leong|SLC>McElroy) square off against each other.

[farmerfan]

I don't know if I would agree to Coach Warren or the Eagles not caring how big the crowd is, or that possible crowd size doesn't play into the equation. If crowd size consideration doesn't matter why would SLC choose to play at TS last year (if that was home field) as opposed to Dragon Stadium? Also, I sure might be wrong here, but I would imagine that both Coach Warren and his Eagles, and Coach Dodge and his Dragons, have a certain sense of fan loyalty that they would want to incorporate in a play-off game. Especially one of this magnitude.


Fan loyalty goes so far, if fan loyalty was a issue then why didnt Coach Dodge and Coach Flo move the game from dragon stadium to Tx stadium during the regular season matchup in 2004? obvisously more than 9,000 wanted to attend that game and would have, but they didnt move it to a bigger venue.

For Abilene those kids traveled 3 hours to Tx Stadium last year to play in Carroll's "home", if im Coach Warren and Abilene high then I want Carroll to do the same thing this year. If I have a chance to bring Caroll into my home stadium to play a playoff game, then I do it, I dont care if the crowd will only be 16,000 instead of 36,000. So no I dont think the size of the crowd will be a determining factor when the venue is chosen for the coaches. As long as the parents of the kids have tickets to this game that is all that matters and if the game is in Abilene the parents of both teams players will have tickets. Coach Warren owes it to his team to put them in posistion to win the game, last year he had to go to Carroll's home this year you make Carroll come to your home.

[farmerfan]

the main reason that there were so many people there is because it was the start of a triple header and the second game was Ennis vs. Texas High which was another high profile matchup. I doubt that if the game was the only one going on that day that there would be more than 16,000


Abilene had at least 16,000 of their own fans their last year. Triple header or not, this game would have had over 30,000 last year. The Texas High/Ennis fans did not start coming in full force till the second half, by that time the second deck had already been opened up.

[dragons08]

lets wait 6 more days to talk about this

[PHL4SLC]

I believe all games played at Texas Stadium during playoffs are considered a "Neutral Site" . . . I have seen that in many news articles such as this one . . .

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/mwixon/stories/111305dnspohswixon.162a439.html

But then again, they said that the coach had the decision to play either at home or a neutral site . . .

All I know is that I'm flying out to Texas for this game - really hoping its at Texas Stadium so I at least have a chance of getting a good seat . . . not sure if a Venue with a capacity of 15000 would be enough!

[farmerfan]

I believe all games played at Texas Stadium during playoffs are considered a "Neutral Site" . . . I have seen that in many news articles such as this one . . .

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/mwixon/stories/111305dnspohswixon.162a439.html

But then again, they said that the coach had the decision to play either at home or a neutral site . . .

All I know is that I'm flying out to Texas for this game - really hoping its at Texas Stadium so I at least have a chance of getting a good seat . . . not sure if a Venue with a capacity of 15000 would be enough!

I believe that is just between the DFW area teams where TX stadium is used as a neutral site.

[dragons08]

I believe all games played at Texas Stadium during playoffs are considered a "Neutral Site" . . . I have seen that in many news articles such as this one . . .

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/mwixon/stories/111305dnspohswixon.162a439.html

But then again, they said that the coach had the decision to play either at home or a neutral site . . .

All I know is that I'm flying out to Texas for this game - really hoping its at Texas Stadium so I at least have a chance of getting a good seat . . . not sure if a Venue with a capacity of 15000 would be enough!
eagle fan??? TO..enough said...speaking of which i did the TO thing in the endzone yesterday after the game, man i felt cool...also speaking of star, i like how the crew takes the flag and does it on the star it looks so cool

[BAMF cowboy]

although texas stadium is slightly closer to southlake than abilene, i believe abilene was still considered the home team (if you remember they wore their home uni's)

[zippy]

35-40K? I doubt that. Last year the state finals only had 26K



Shotwell has a capacity of 15,075...this game could have 35-40,000+ in attendance. Shotwell doesn't look like a suitable venue.

[dragonfootballfan]

35-40K? I doubt that. Last year the state finals only had 26K
ya and that was a double header too

[farmerfan]

35-40K? I doubt that. Last year the state finals only had 26K


last year Abilene/Southlake drew 36,000, if they were to meet again at TX Stadium then I would expect at least 40,000 considering how good the game was a year ago.

[farmerfan]

ya and that was a double header too


I believe that the state finals was a single game. I dont recall another game following the Carroll/SV game.

[zippy]

It sure was. I was too out of it to remember that. 26K is a lot more than it sounds like. I dont see a playoff game this early bringing any more than this. I could be wrong, but 40K is more than most think.


ya and that was a double header too

[zippy]

Thats hard to believe, but I was not there, so I wouldnt know. That is a lot of fans for just one game it seems. Are you sure there was not another game, and this was the total in attendance between the two?


last year Abilene/Southlake drew 36,000, if they were to meet again at TX Stadium then I would expect at least 40,000 considering how good the game was a year ago.

[zippy]

Like I said, I was focused on the SV/SLC game and nothing but, so I am not sure. When he said that, it seemed like I remember maybe one afterward. I do remember seeing a van pull in as we were leaving, and it had shoe polish from some other school


I believe that the state finals was a single game. I dont recall another game following the Carroll/SV game.

[farmerfan]

Like I said, I was focused on the SV/SLC game and nothing but, so I am not sure. When he said that, it seemed like I remember maybe one afterward. I do remember seeing a van pull in as we were leaving, and it had shoe polish from some other school


Their was not another game at TX stadium.

[farmerfan]

Thats hard to believe, but I was not there, so I wouldnt know. That is a lot of fans for just one game it seems. Are you sure there was not another game, and this was the total in attendance between the two?


I am positive the announced attendance for this game was 36,000, the whole lower bowl was full and TX stadium had to open up the second deck, this is the 1st time I ever seen this happen.

[abilenefan]

I believe last years game was a neutral site game. I remember hearing about a discussion at booster club meeting where someone asked why we would play at TS and that be neutral, especially after SLC had played 2 playoff games there and travels only 30 min to play.

If this game happens, I'm hoping that a neutral site such as Kyle Field or UT's stadium is chosen so that SLC can get in on a little pregame travel. I think it will give AHS an advantage since we do it week in week out. JMHO.

[zippy]

Now that I think about it, there was a game last year that brought in a huge number of fans and I did not expect it. It might have been this one. I wonder why that was? As for shotwell, Abilene would be crazy to not host the game due to the size. 7K on each side is enough room for family and friends of both sides, and thats all that really matters. There is room for about 8-9 people per player on each side.

I am positive the announced attendance for this game was 36,000, the whole lower bowl was full and TX stadium had to open up the second deck, this is the 1st time I ever seen this happen.

[drgnbkr]

I believe last years game was a neutral site game. I remember hearing about a discussion at booster club meeting where someone asked why we would play at TS and that be neutral, especially after SLC had played 2 playoff games there and travels only 30 min to play.

If this game happens, I'm hoping that a neutral site such as Kyle Field or UT's stadium is chosen so that SLC can get in on a little pregame travel. I think it will give AHS an advantage since we do it week in week out. JMHO.

Bring your travel...we love to travel.... I wish the Alamodome was still open for high school games...:cool:

[dragonfootballfan]

I believe last years game was a neutral site game. I remember hearing about a discussion at booster club meeting where someone asked why we would play at TS and that be neutral, especially after SLC had played 2 playoff games there and travels only 30 min to play.

If this game happens, I'm hoping that a neutral site such as Kyle Field or UT's stadium is chosen so that SLC can get in on a little pregame travel. I think it will give AHS an advantage since we do it week in week out. JMHO.
why should both teams travel to Dead Dog field or Royal Memorial stadium. that makes no sense. They should play in either DFW, Abilene or somewhere in between.

[zippy]

I do know that SV uses (or used) the Alamodome as a home site. They have to travel a little more than 30 min's to that one. I dont see why it would not have been SLC's home turf, and it it wasnt, that is Abilene at fault. They must have agreed before the toss.


I believe last years game was a neutral site game. I remember hearing about a discussion at booster club meeting where someone asked why we would play at TS and that be neutral, especially after SLC had played 2 playoff games there and travels only 30 min to play.

If this game happens, I'm hoping that a neutral site such as Kyle Field or UT's stadium is chosen so that SLC can get in on a little pregame travel. I think it will give AHS an advantage since we do it week in week out. JMHO.

[zippy]

I agree with you, believe it or not. Also removed my sig for you.


why should both teams travel to Dead Dog field or Royal Memorial stadium. that makes no sense. They should play in either DFW, Abilene or somewhere in between.

[drgnbkr]

After checking..Texas stadium was a neutral field last year..both teams wanted the room for the fans..who knows where it will be this year if we both make it...All I know is..I'll be there along with about 15,000 green people!

[abilenefan]

why should both teams travel to Dead Dog field or Royal Memorial stadium. that makes no sense. They should play in either DFW, Abilene or somewhere in between.

We'd love to play at Shotwell. My understanding is that Dodge declared Dragon Stadium as home and Coach Warren would not flip home and home because SLC's stadium would not accomodate our crowd. Shotwell on the other hand would accomodate both schools.

If this game happens then maybe Coach Dodge will declare Texas Stadium as home and then I'll bet Coach Warren will flip home and home. Otherwise I want SL to have to travel an equal distance vs. playing at home (TS).

There are no stadiums in between Abilene and the Metroplex that will accomodate our crowd or SL's much less both.

[farmerfan]

Well I know Plano and Permian played in Lubbock back in the 70's, I wonder if Lubbock would be a option here, if not then I could see Waco.
I know how the home and home works in the playoffs, what are the rules behind neutral site games? my thinking is that if it was played ata neutral site one year the it would return the following year.

[AHSeaglefan87]

Most people in Abilene would love to see this game at Shotwell. I don't know if TX Stadium is considered home or neutral for Metroplex teams but it should be when the opponent is travelling 3 hours to get there. SLC should come to Abilene to play 3-5a best...not the pretenders they beat up on in preseason. This is the matchup Eagle fans have wanted all year...so after we mop up Monterrey for the 5-6 time in a row let's have the showdown in A-town. We got close in your backyard last year...now come to OUR house for the rematch.

[abilenefan]

Most people in Abilene would love to see this game at Shotwell. I don't know if TX Stadium is considered home or neutral for Metroplex teams but it should be when the opponent is travelling 3 hours to get there. SLC should come to Abilene to play 3-5a best...not the pretenders they beat up on in preseason. This is the matchup Eagle fans have wanted all year...so after we mop up Monterrey for the 5-6 time in a row let's have the showdown in A-town. We got close in your backyard last year...now come to OUR house for the rematch.

As much as we'd all like it, it isn't going to happen at Shotwell. Coach Dodge will declare Dragon Stadium (seats 7000) as home. Coach Warren won't go for it because we will bring more than the 3000 seats they have allocated to the visitor.

Our only hope for a non Texas Stadium Home game for SL is for a neutral flip of maybe Waco, Lubbock, Austin...... geez anywhere but there on back yard.

[farmerfan]

As much as we'd all like it, it isn't going to happen at Shotwell. Coach Dodge will declare Dragon Stadium (seats 7000) as home. Coach Warren won't go for it because we will bring more than the 3000 seats they have allocated to the visitor.

Our only hope for a non Texas Stadium Home game for SL is for a neutral flip of maybe Waco, Lubbock, Austin...... geez anywhere but there on back yard.


Would Odessa or Midland be considered?

Also is the process of neutral site determined by coin flip, meaning once the coaches agree upon neutral site games, do they then flip for whatever site the other team has designated?

[cougardude]

why should both teams travel to Dead Dog field or Royal Memorial stadium. that makes no sense. They should play in either DFW, Abilene or somewhere in between.


The year Midland High played in the Div I title game they played a game at the Alamodome against Arlington Lamar. ;)

[dragons08]

Thats hard to believe, but I was not there, so I wouldnt know. That is a lot of fans for just one game it seems. Are you sure there was not another game, and this was the total in attendance between the two?
at halftime of slc/abilinie game (maybe 3rd q) they did "offical attendance"

[BAMF cowboy]

i think someone said this earlier, but after the SLC - Abilene game last year was a major 4A matchup between Ennis and Texas High. With the SLC running a little late, and a lot of those fans arriving earliy, it definitely boosted the attendence. Especially since no fans would be leaving early since the game went down to the wire!

But yes, 36,000 is correct

[dragons08]

how about the cotton bowl its like what 15 more min for slc to travel?? :D

[farmerfan]

i think someone said this earlier, but after the SLC - Abilene game last year was a major 4A matchup between Ennis and Texas High. With the SLC running a little late, and a lot of those fans arriving earliy, it definitely boosted the attendence. Especially since no fans would be leaving early since the game went down to the wire!

But yes, 36,000 is correct

The Ennis/Texas High fans did not start arriving in full force till the end of the 3rd quarter, at that point the second deck was already opened up, on the Carroll side the second deck had 3 sections full while on the Abilene side there were quite a few as well. Once the Carroll game was over, the Texas High/Ennis game had less than 20,000, so I believe it is safe to say that a good 90% of the crowd at the time of announced 36,000 was there for the Carroll/Abilene game. I would also argue that by the end of the Carroll/Abilene game over 40,000 were in TX Stadium.

[dragonfootballfan]

The Ennis/Texas High fans did not start arriving in full force till the end of the 3rd quarter, at that point the second deck was already opened up, on the Carroll side the second deck had 3 sections full while on the Abilene side there were quite a few as well. Once the Carroll game was over, the Texas High/Ennis game had less than 20,000, so I believe it is safe to say that a good 90% of the crowd at the time of announced 36,000 was there for the Carroll/Abilene game. I would also argue that by the end of the Carroll/Abilene game over 40,000 were in TX Stadium.
actually I got there about an hour before gametime and sat next to nothing but Ennis fans. They were everywhere and kept pouring in as the game went on.

[Eaglewatcher]

If I remember correctly, the TS people told Coach Warren that by the end of our game they estimated about 43,000 people in the stands. That would of course include the people there for the next game.

[farmerfan]

actually I got there about an hour before gametime and sat next to nothing but Ennis fans. They were everywhere and kept pouring in as the game went on.

I arrived about the same time, saw no Texas high fans, I was on the Abilene High side, Ennis might have had their fans there early, but the Texas High fans were not arriving till late inthe 2nd half, and I would even say that most ofthe Ennis fans who watched the Lions and Tigers did not arrive till after halftime as well. Once the game between SLC/Abilene was over the size of the crowd had shurnk by a very large number.
Abilene alone had at least 15,000 fans on their side and I know Carroll had just as many.

[sltnusmc]

I also went to this game and had to listen to most of the 1st qtr in my car while sitting in traffic, trying to get into the parking lot. The traffic on I-20 on the way from Abilene was insane. I only wish I was still in Texas to see the rematch, the 1st game was a classic

[SLC13]

I believe last years game was a neutral site game. I remember hearing about a discussion at booster club meeting where someone asked why we would play at TS and that be neutral, especially after SLC had played 2 playoff games there and travels only 30 min to play.

If this game happens, I'm hoping that a neutral site such as Kyle Field or UT's stadium is chosen so that SLC can get in on a little pregame travel. I think it will give AHS an advantage since we do it week in week out. JMHO.
Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco is pretty equal distance for both teams and would be a great venue for a game like this.

[farmerfan]

Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco is pretty equal distance for both teams and would be a great venue for a game like this.


Floyd Casey wont be available due to the TAPPS state championship games. TAPPS has a deal worked out with Baylor to where they get Floyd Casey the saturday after thanksgiving for their state championships.

[dragonfootballfan]

Floyd Casey wont be available due to the TAPPS state championship games. TAPPS has a deal worked out with Baylor to where they get Floyd Casey the saturday after thanksgiving for their state championships.
what about a Friday Game there. Do they have it reserved for Friday too.

[farmerfan]

what about a Friday Game there. Do they have it reserved for Friday too.

no
just saturday
a friday game would not be a bad idea. I think Waco makes the most sense, so maybe a Friday game could be a possibility. If I am not mistaken, Cooper and SLC played on a Friday in 2002.

[dragonfootballfan]

no
just saturday
a friday game would not be a bad idea. I think Waco makes the most sense, so maybe a Friday game could be a possibility. If I am not mistaken, Cooper and SLC played on a Friday in 2002.
Cooper in 2002 was a friday. I am not sure when the game was last year. I thought it was Friday but I am not sure.

[farmerfan]

Cooper in 2002 was a friday. I am not sure when the game was last year. I thought it was Friday but I am not sure.

last year was a saturday game.

[dragonfootballfan]

last year was a saturday game.
It the game were to be on Friday, would they be able to have it as a day game. I am not sure what the UIL rules are for the Friday after Thanksgiving.

[farmerfan]

It the game were to be on Friday, would they be able to have it as a day game. I am not sure what the UIL rules are for the Friday after Thanksgiving.

you can play at night on friday. GA Moore always perfered to play on Thanksgiving night while he was at Celina. So there is no UIL rule that does not allow you to play at night. Tx stadium usually has two triple headers on thanksgiving weekend, 1 on friday and 1 on saturday.

[dragonsdaddy]

sv fans don't travel as well as abilene fans. never had to while west texas fans do it every week.

dodge has always flipped dragon stadium in a home and home situation, except in the state championship game. it seems like i remember ts being a neutral site last year.

[Favpack]

sv fans don't travel as well as abilene fans. never had to while west texas fans do it every week.

dodge has always flipped dragon stadium in a home and home situation, except in the state championship game. it seems like i remember ts being a neutral site last year.

A bit of a joke calling TS a neutral site - but, whatever. AHS fans will travel where they have to travel. Seems like Coach Warren would opt for Floyd Casey if he really wants to go neutral, but SLC will have no problems traveling to Shotwell - they pummeled Cooper in '02 there. but, it sure seems AHS should play somewhere other than SLC east.

[cougardude]

I arrived about the same time, saw no Texas high fans, I was on the Abilene High side, Ennis might have had their fans there early, but the Texas High fans were not arriving till late inthe 2nd half, and I would even say that most ofthe Ennis fans who watched the Lions and Tigers did not arrive till after halftime as well. Once the game between SLC/Abilene was over the size of the crowd had shurnk by a very large number.
Abilene alone had at least 15,000 fans on their side and I know Carroll had just as many.


And you would have been able to see and distinquish "every" Texas High fan because......? :rolleyes:

[cougardude]

how about the cotton bowl its like what 15 more min for slc to travel?? :D


The Cotton Bowl would be a cool venue.

[cougardude]

A bit of a joke calling TS a neutral site - but, whatever. AHS fans will travel where they have to travel. Seems like Coach Warren would opt for Floyd Casey if he really wants to go neutral, but SLC will have no problems traveling to Shotwell - they pummeled Cooper in '02 there. but, it sure seems AHS should play somewhere other than SLC east.


I had always heard that teams wanted to play at Texas Stadium because of it being the home of the Dallas Cowboys! Big whoop! SLC should have to travel - almost seems as if they are getting some kind of preferential treatment just because they are SLC. And I said "seems", I know it's all agreed upon or flipped for.

[CCHS77]

Big whoop! SLC should have to travel - almost seems as if they are getting some kind of preferential treatment just because they are SLC. And I said "seems", I know it's all agreed upon or flipped for.


If you "know it's all agreed upon or flipped for", then why even post the "preferential treatment" accusation?

[warbird00]

If Dodge insists on using Dragon Stadium as his home for a home flip, then I would use Ratliff stadium in Odessa as my home for Abilene High. Shotwell can squize in almost 19K, but Ratliff's normal capacity is almost 20K, and their will be a lot of our district friends their cheering on Abilene High as if the game was at home. In fact Permain fans used to be pretty good at filling their home and half the away side... and they can be VERY loud. They [Mojo fans] will probably start buying up tickets on the visitor side to surround the Dragons. Someone has said that TS was for sure the neutral site, and that may be, but I do remember Dodge and TS management had to go to great lengths with Warren to get the game there and not somewhere else.

--As far as the croud, IF there were fans from Texas High or Ennis there early, why in the WORLD shouldnt they count as fans in attendence? They bought tickets and came early to see both games, otherwise they would have been with the other group that started entering the fourth quarter. How was the triple header this past weekend at TS? Any one draw a crowd near the one mentioned here? There were even some great matchups, but I doubt there was a crowd anywhere near the size that witnessed our game vs. SLC.

[warbird00]

If you "know it's all agreed upon or flipped for", then why even post the "preferential treatment" accusation?

The only preferential treatment I can say SLC gets is the fact that (at least to us) their stadium is quite small and so none of us really want to risk playing there.

[BigRing5311]

The crowds at TS for this past weekends games appeared to be good. I was there for both the Trinity/Ridge and SLC/IrvMac games. Just guessing the crowd for the SLC/IrvMac game was 24,000 for the 1st half and 12,000 at the end of the 3rd Q.

[CCHS77]

The only preferential treatment I can say SLC gets is the fact that (at least to us) their stadium is quite small and so none of us really want to risk playing there.

That hardly qualifies for ?preferential treatment? in my book. Maybe a new ?term? would have made your initial post sound a little more well thought out.

[mojo61]

This is prob. a bad thread for a 3-5A fan to post on since Ab. has to first beat Lub. Mont. (which I think is a very good team, say what you will about South Plains teams), but I'll post anyway. Odessa's Ratliff sta. would indeed be a home field advantage for Ab. w/ many fans in Od. & Mid. attending, I'm sure, to supp. Ab. I think there were 50K+ attended the 1975 Texas Sta. st. title match between Permian & PA Jeff.--the sta. was full. Ab. will bring alot of fans to any away-playoff game, as I'm sure SLC will, too.

Someone posted that 7k for ea. side of the field would be enough seating; that makes me laugh. Whoever posted that is not the least bit familiar w/ 5A West Texas fb crowds. I once say 40k @ a Per./Mid. Lee playoff game played in Lubbock's Jones Sta. Ab.'s Shotwell Sta. wouldn't even commence to accodate the fans that would want to see an Ab./SLC game, but of course I'd like to see it played here in Ab. just for my own convenience.

[SLC13]

If Dodge insists on using Dragon Stadium as his home for a home flip, then I would use Ratliff stadium in Odessa as my home for Abilene High. Shotwell can squize in almost 19K, but Ratliff's normal capacity is almost 20K, and their will be a lot of our district friends their cheering on Abilene High as if the game was at home. In fact Permain fans used to be pretty good at filling their home and half the away side... and they can be VERY loud. They [Mojo fans] will probably start buying up tickets on the visitor side to surround the Dragons. Someone has said that TS was for sure the neutral site, and that may be, but I do remember Dodge and TS management had to go to great lengths with Warren to get the game there and not somewhere else.............

Warbird, I don't see why naming Ratliff as your home stadium would make any difference if Coach Warren doesn't want to chance a home and home flip.

[farmerfan]

And you would have been able to see and distinquish "every" Texas High fan because......? :rolleyes:


A). The orange
usually orange will stick out in a crowd of Black and Gold.

B.) Texas High fans started arriving well after halftime as we could start to see them fill up the concourse areas and tunnell areas leading down to teh seating bowl. I also had some friends sitting about 7 sections down from us, we were in 25 they were in 32, as I was walking down to talk to them at halftime, I started to notice some TH fans making their way into the satdium. Also Abilene High has about 10,000+ fans at TX stadium a hour before game time, amongst those fans you could not see any TH fans. Now there might have been some casual football fans there but I did not make out any Texas High fans, it is very easy to tell the difference between orange and gold.

[warbird00]

That hardly qualifies for ?preferential treatment? in my book. Maybe a new ?term? would have made your initial post sound a little more well thought out.


Since I didnt MAKE the original post using that term now your response looks like it wasnt well thought out. I was being jovial, not serious... :rolleyes:

[warbird00]

Warbird, I don't see why naming Ratliff as your home stadium would make any difference if Coach Warren doesn't want to chance a home and home flip.


To make SLC travel, and get them out of Texas Stadium. Im sorry, I thought that was obvious...Odessa is two hours further then Abilene and so that would make the dragons have to travel even further. Ratliff might be far enough away to get Dodge to agree to a better neutral site (for Abilene) then Texas Stadium, and if not it will make for a very unfriendly stadium for the Dragons.

[Eaglewatcher]

I would rather be talking about our match up this week with Lubbock Monterrey, but just to put a rest to the speculation, if a matchup with SLC happens next week, it will be in Waco at Floyd Casey (sp?) stadium. We just got word at the booster club meeting today. (By the way the location will be the same if Allen wins against SLC this week.)

[BigRing5311]

I would rather be talking about our match up this week with Lubbock Monterrey, but just to put a rest to the speculation, if a matchup with SLC happens next week, it will be in Waco at Floyd Casey (sp?) stadium. We just got word at the booster club meeting today. (By the way the location will be the same if Allen wins against SLC this week.)

An earlier response to this post stated that Floyd Casey is reserved for Saturday 11/26. So are you saying it will be played on Friday?

[farmerfan]

I would rather be talking about our match up this week with Lubbock Monterrey, but just to put a rest to the speculation, if a matchup with SLC happens next week, it will be in Waco at Floyd Casey (sp?) stadium. We just got word at the booster club meeting today. (By the way the location will be the same if Allen wins against SLC this week.)


so the game will be next friday night?

[Eaglewatcher]

Yes, on Friday.

[SLCDRGN]

This thread is stupid........Lets wait and battle next week if it happens. I think Abilene better concentrate on their match-up this week or they will be home for the holidays. Remember, your opponent has a great chance of beating your butt if you look past them. This is an away game and your opponent has been know to play well in the post season. Abilene & their team better be ready......Remember....Longview lost Saturday.....no game is a for sure!!!!!

[ALLIN]

Good, we like Waco too!! It will warm someone up for Lufkin..............MAYBE!!

[warbird00]

I think Abilene better concentrate on their match-up this week or they will be home for the holidays. Remember, your opponent has a great chance of beating your butt if you look past them. This is an away game and your opponent has been know to play well in the post season. Abilene & their team better be ready......Remember....Longview lost Saturday.....no game is a for sure!!!!!

Oh your right...and there were NO SLC fans posting here. Your absolutly right, but you imply that only Abilene runs the risk of an upset. Look above for a great example as to why posters think so poorly of SLC fans...

[farmerfan]

This thread is stupid........Lets wait and battle next week if it happens. I think Abilene better concentrate on their match-up this week or they will be home for the holidays. Remember, your opponent has a great chance of beating your butt if you look past them. This is an away game and your opponent has been know to play well in the post season. Abilene & their team better be ready......Remember....Longview lost Saturday.....no game is a for sure!!!!!

since when did the fans start playing the game?
i think its stupid when people tell us as fans we are stupid for looking ahead, last time I checked my eligibility ran out a long time ago, so me looking ahead does no harm to Abilene or SLC.

[SLC13]

To make SLC travel, and get them out of Texas Stadium. Im sorry, I thought that was obvious...Odessa is two hours further then Abilene and so that would make the dragons have to travel even further. Ratliff might be far enough away to get Dodge to agree to a better neutral site (for Abilene) then Texas Stadium, and if not it will make for a very unfriendly stadium for the Dragons.
Both coaches have to agree on the neutral site, so if AHS didn't want TX Stadium your Coach just needs to say no to playing there......he doesn't need to do anything extraordinary in designating your home field.......

Floyd Casey on Friday sounds like an excellent choice for both teams, now we both need to take care of business this week. Good luck against Monty!!

[warbird00]

apparently its a done deal so the venue talk is now pointless. The only thing we can debate now are the match ups and who will win!

[SLCDRGN]

Well, Warbird has spoken.....what a homer!!!

[warbird00]

Well, Warbird has spoken.....what a homer!!!

ummm now back to insults. You post a dim witted response on page four, blasting Abilene fans for looking past Monty and go on about how every team could end up like Longview and if AHS doesn’t watch it they are going to lose...and you completely ignore the fact that half the people engaged in this thread are SLC fans, and make NO MENTION of them. Who is the homer?? Instead of throwing insults because your brain has reached its maximum capacity of understanding, try talking football.

[Favpack]

I would rather be talking about our match up this week with Lubbock Monterrey, but just to put a rest to the speculation, if a matchup with SLC happens next week, it will be in Waco at Floyd Casey (sp?) stadium. We just got word at the booster club meeting today. (By the way the location will be the same if Allen wins against SLC this week.)
That's a venue that makes sense -- I guess the Friday night time was to allow the TAPPS game(s) Sat. Farmer Fan referred to. We do need to remember AHS has played, what, 5 times at TS in two years?

[DrEdward]

35-40K? I doubt that. Last year the state finals only had 26K


Doubt away, but they did open the second deck and the crowd, as I recall, was approximately 36,500. There were more fans for the Carroll-Abilene game than there were for the Carroll-SV game.

[SLCDad]

Doubt away, but they did open the second deck and the crowd, as I recall, was approximately 36,500. There were more fans for the Carroll-Abilene game than there were for the Carroll-SV game.That's exactly right. Was the attendance at the SLC/Abilene game the highest of any HS game last year? We should also note that there were more fans on the Abilene side last year than on the SLC side.

[Purple Haze]

That's exactly right. Was the attendance at the SLC/Abilene game the highest of any HS game last year? We should also note that there were more fans on the Abilene side last year than on the SLC side.

I would bet so. Unless one of the Houston playoff games in the Astrodome pulled in more but I doubt it. :eek:

[dragons08]

so the game will be next friday night?
i heard the same thing, the chances of it being friday were pretty high

[dragons08]

That's exactly right. Was the attendance at the SLC/Abilene game the highest of any HS game last year? We should also note that there were more fans on the Abilene side last year than on the SLC side.
how many students attend Abilinie HS?

[farmerfan]

how many students attend Abilinie HS?

according to Texas Football, 2365 attend Abilene high.

[rancher52]

according to Texas Football, 2365 attend Abilene high.
The 2365 is the OCT 2003 number used in the FEB 2004 UIL meetings to determine alignments for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. OCT 2005 numbers will be used in a similar fashion for the upcoming Feb 2006 meeting. Both Abilene schools seem to have falling enrollments. Abilene had an enrollment in the fall of 2004 of 2325 and it was 2078 by the end of the school year. Abilene Cooper had an Oct 2003 enrollment of 2177 per UIL and I see on the school website their number was 1846 at the end of the 2004-05 school year. I saw somewhere that Cooper turned in 1975 as a count from Oct 2005. Bottom line, it looks like enrollments are declining there.

[dragons08]

so is their school pop less than ours?

[rancher52]

so is their school pop less than ours?
Yep (currently -- not two years ago)

[dragons08]

Yep (currently -- not two years ago)
so i wonder, abilinie has 2 schools right? so i wonder if both schools "support" eachother when one team is not playing, that oculd lead to a big turn out as well

[rancher52]

so i wonder, abilinie has 2 schools right? so i wonder if both schools "support" eachother when one team is not playing, that oculd lead to a big turn out as well
I would think that is highly likely. There would not be a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar out there (as compared to DFWa area) and HSFB is great entertainment. Does anyone know what number SLC turned in to the UIL .... I predict 2390 (but could be higher).

[dragons08]

I would think that is highly likely. There would not be a lot of competition for the entertainment dollar out there (as compared to DFWa area) and HSFB is great entertainment. Does anyone know what number SLC turned in to the UIL .... I predict 2390 (but could be higher).
well i know the sophomore class is like 650 roughly maybe a little lower, with i think the freshman class being a tad bigger

[rancher52]

well i know the sophomore class is like 650 roughly maybe a little lower, with i think the freshman class being a tad bigger
The CHS web site list the Sophmore class as 635 and the freshman class as 628. That may be from end of last year though.

[farmerfan]

so i wonder, abilinie has 2 schools right? so i wonder if both schools "support" eachother when one team is not playing, that oculd lead to a big turn out as well


When Cooper or AHS is in the playoffs the other schools fans support the local school. The 3-5A schools all rally behind each other and come together during the playoffs. That is one of the reasons AHS had a big crowd at TX Stadium last year is due to the support they got from the Cooper faithful as well.

[dragons08]

The CHS web site list the Sophmore class as 635 and the freshman class as 628. That may be from end of last year though.
i know last year (sophomores this year, freshman last year) westfall (princepal) told us we had the biggest freshman class at carroll hs, i thought the freshman class was even bigger this year, i guess not

[dragons08]

When Cooper or AHS is in the playoffs the other schools fans support the local school. The 3-5A schools all rally behind each other and come together during the playoffs. That is one of the reasons AHS had a big crowd at TX Stadium last year is due to the support they got from the Cooper faithful as well.
thats what i thought, for a school to have less people then SLC and still outnumber us by a ton is remarkable! i was wondering where all the support came from! its always great to see local teams rally around eachother!! good luck abiline in round 2!

[farmerfan]

thats what i thought, for a school to have less people then SLC and still outnumber us by a ton is remarkable! i was wondering where all the support came from! its always great to see local teams rally around eachother!! good luck abiline in round 2!


Carroll brings a army to its game. Before the game started on saturday night, my buddy who grew up in Southlake made the comment to me that they (southlake) brings a Army. It is impressive to see the Dragon nation.

[rancher52]

Funny thing about the enrollment numbers in Abilene... the city is larger than 116,000, yet there are only 4,300 in the two public high schools. (I am not including anyone outside of the city limits either.) That is less than 4% of the population. Are there a lot of private schools in Abilene?

[zippy]

Thats what I cant figure out. I went back and did find an article that there were just over 35K at the Abilene vs SLC game last year. In the SLC vs SV state champ. game there was just over 26K, and SV sold over 12K alone for sure. This would put Abilene bringing over 20K to that game??? I would assume that SLC had the same or more fans at the title game right? I would say they had around 15K tops..


Carroll brings a army to its game. Before the game started on saturday night, my buddy who grew up in Southlake made the comment to me that they (southlake) brings a Army. It is impressive to see the Dragon nation.

[dragons08]

Carroll brings a army to its game. Before the game started on saturday night, my buddy who grew up in Southlake made the comment to me that they (southlake) brings a Army. It is impressive to see the Dragon nation.
its freaking insane!! one of my favorite parts of the game is half time, when were playing the fight song in the words Carroll Dragons, and have charlie (the mascot) breathe smoke, as dragon nation is standing up clapping love it!

also when they do the run through, that is freakin sweet to...also eye of the tiger song gets me pumped for the game...lastly, when we score a td!! it is insane watching the fans celebrate, throwing canfetti things, hearing the loud blow horn, playing the fight song, its definatly awesome.....speaking of dragon nation, i was watching dodge highschool sports extra last night, and in the segment "game faces" they showed dragon nation bouncing around the big ball, thats the biggest ball i have seen being bounced around like that!! i remember i was walking to the tunnel right before halftime, and it fell into the row thats blocked off, the securtiy guy takes and is trying to pop it or something, that guy was an a-hole for doing that!

[SLCDRGN]

Warbird.....You need to do something about that rage son!! Wait till next week to jump on the defensive!!

[zippy]

A lot of the population might be due to the college population, as well as the huge AFB there.

Funny thing about the enrollment numbers in Abilene... the city is larger than 116,000, yet there are only 4,300 in the two public high schools. (I am not including anyone outside of the city limits either.) That is less than 4% of the population. Are there a lot of private schools in Abilene?

[dragons08]

Thats what I cant figure out. I went back and did find an article that there were just over 35K at the Abilene vs SLC game last year. In the SLC vs SV state champ. game there was just over 26K, and SV sold over 12K alone for sure. This would put Abilene bringing over 20K to that game??? I would assume that SLC had the same or more fans at the title game right? I would say they had around 15K tops..
population of southlake is like what 28k?? remember the state game was during xmas break i recall so a lot of slc fans could of been out of town for the holiday..and i wonder how true those numbers are....plus i dont think attendance counts the crew, belles, band, and any other spirit team that gets in free

[farmerfan]

its freaking insane!! one of my favorite parts of the game is half time, when were playing the fight song in the words Carroll Dragons, and have charlie (the mascot) breathe smoke, as dragon nation is standing up clapping love it!

also when they do the run through, that is freakin sweet to...also eye of the tiger song gets me pumped for the game...lastly, when we score a td!! it is insane watching the fans celebrate, throwing canfetti things, hearing the loud blow horn, playing the fight song, its definatly awesome.....speaking of dragon nation, i was watching dodge highschool sports extra last night, and in the segment "game faces" they showed dragon nation bouncing around the big ball, thats the biggest ball i have seen being bounced around like that!! i remember i was walking to the tunnel right before halftime, and it fell into the row thats blocked off, the securtiy guy takes and is trying to pop it or something, that guy was an a-hole for doing that!

never understood why the Dragon band plays eye of the Tiger. I have seen many team with the mascot Tigers play that song it just cracks me up when I hear it from the Dragon band or the Raider band.

[dragons08]

never understood why the Dragon band plays eye of the Tiger. I have seen many team with the mascot Tigers play that song it just cracks me up when I hear it from the Dragon band or the Raider band.
i dont know either, but its a freaking good song...what got me mad was when we played it at halftime..it was a pump up song and what not, colorguard did a weak show for that kind of song IMO, this weeks show is more suitable for the song we wil be playing though..

[farmerfan]

Thats what I cant figure out. I went back and did find an article that there were just over 35K at the Abilene vs SLC game last year. In the SLC vs SV state champ. game there was just over 26K, and SV sold over 12K alone for sure. This would put Abilene bringing over 20K to that game??? I would assume that SLC had the same or more fans at the title game right? I would say they had around 15K tops..


Carroll had at least 15,000 for the state title game, their fans literally wrapped around the corner and into both endzones during the state championship game last year.

[rancher52]

A lot of the population might be due to the college population, as well as the huge AFB there.
Thanks, I bet that is why things it looks so strange.

[zippy]

Those numbers are just fans (or anyone that buys a ticket), and come from the counters that you walk into, so they are a good estimate. They dont let you click them twice or skip them too often.


population of southlake is like what 28k?? remember the state game was during xmas break i recall so a lot of slc fans could of been out of town for the holiday..and i wonder how true those numbers are....plus i dont think attendance counts the crew, belles, band, and any other spirit team that gets in free

[dragons08]

Carroll had at least 15,000 for the state title game, their fans literally wrapped around the corner and into both endzones during the state championship game last year.
yea we wrapped pretty far, we usually pack from about the 10-10 roughly, then scatered from 10-to cut off on both sides..little kids seem to be on the outside more..

[zippy]

That is if they count dorm, and miliary in the population, I would assume they do. Just an idea. They also have another school, Wiley, or Whyle, or Wylie (that looks right) something like that anyway. Its like 2A or 3A. All I know is that they are a good football team.

Thanks, I bet that is why things it looks so strange.

[dragonfootballfan]

Those numbers are just fans (or anyone that buys a ticket), and come from the counters that you walk into, so they are a good estimate. They dont let you click them twice or skip them too often.
actually I don't know if they do this at Texas Stadium, but at college football games they count all employees that work the game in their attendance in order to make it look higher.

[zippy]

I do know that a lot of people from SV drove, and the stads were packed on that side as well. I guess Abilene did bring 20K to that game. Must be supporting both fo the schools from there.


yea we wrapped pretty far, we usually pack from about the 10-10 roughly, then scatered from 10-to cut off on both sides..little kids seem to be on the outside more..

[zippy]

They dont at the Alamodome, all of these people do have other routes into the stadium, but they might at Tx Stadium. I also noticed some crew going in, and they let them bypass the counter. Go count one sometime this weekend and get back to us.. ;)


actually I don't know if they do this at Texas Stadium, but at college football games they count all employees that work the game in their attendance in order to make it look higher.

[dragons08]

actually I don't know if they do this at Texas Stadium, but at college football games they count all employees that work the game in their attendance in order to make it look higher.
TS has like 30 people alone standing outside by the tunnel, they were grilling i think i saw them, or making a fire for warmth one of the 2

[dragonfootballfan]

They dont at the Alamodome, all of these people do have other routes into the stadium, but they might at Tx Stadium. I also noticed some crew going in, and they let them bypass the counter. Go count one sometime this weekend and get back to us.. ;)
they don't need to go through the counter to be counted. They know how much staff they have so they can just add that to the number for official attendance.

[cougardude]

Funny thing about the enrollment numbers in Abilene... the city is larger than 116,000, yet there are only 4,300 in the two public high schools. (I am not including anyone outside of the city limits either.) That is less than 4% of the population. Are there a lot of private schools in Abilene?

We do have one private high school in town and another school district in the southern part of town - Abilene Wylie. They are a large 3A school and in the area of town where all the growing is going on. The Jim Ned school district is getting a lot of people as developments are continuing to expand to the south of Abilene.

[Shoot2thrill]

I do know that a lot of people from SV drove, and the stads were packed on that side as well. I guess Abilene did bring 20K to that game. Must be supporting both fo the schools from there.

I have been quite amused reading the responses to how the SLC-Abilene had an estimated 35,000 at it. Seems a lot of people think know a lot about a town they have never lived in (except favpack). We here in Abilene do support all three high schools when they are in the playoffs. Five of the last 7 years, all three public high schools have been in the playoffs. Last year, Abilene Wylie (3A) won the D1 title and we all celebrated.

Something that nobody has even mentioned, how many former Abilene High grads do you think now live in the metroplex? Answer: a BOATLOAD or two. A boatload as in CRUISESHIP size. :rolleyes: You can imagine the pleasure they got in watching their alma mater play without having to travel far. I personally know about 10 that attended that LIVE IN THAT AREA. So, if we did bring 20,000 fans, you can be assured that many didn't travel very far. It didn't hurt that it was on a Saturday of a holiday weekend when many people are off. Historically, Abilene High fans will go anywhere to watch playoff football. :cool:

[slcsportsfan]

If both teams win, they will play on Friday after Thanksgiving at Floyd Casey in Waco, 7:00 kick off.

[Sakatha]

Are you sure about that?!?

~DnM

[Purple Haze]

Are you sure about that?!?

~DnM


YES!

[Sakatha]

YES!

Just out of curiosity, where'd this info come from?

~DnM

[slcsportsfan]

Booster Club meeting last night.

If LM happens to win, they owe us a trip to Dragon Stadium. Hopefully we would play at Texas Stadium. More seats.

[Purple Haze]

Just out of curiosity, where'd this info come from?

~DnM

Abilene High booster club meeting- straight from Coach Warren. :cool:

[eagledrummer06]

heard last nite that we will go to baylor to play. it would be a true neutral site.....

[dragonfootballfan]

heard last nite that we will go to baylor to play. it would be a true neutral site.....
who will be the "home" team.

[BigFoot]

It is my understanding that if the coaches agree to play in a venue...then that is it. If they can't agree then they toss a coin. So if Abilene agreed to TS then it is not an issue this year. If they don't agree this year then the toss comes into the equation.

[dragons08]

If both teams win, they will play on Friday after Thanksgiving at Floyd Casey in Waco, 7:00 kick off.
that'll be cool, nice stadium!