Converse Judson
12-10-2005, 08:29 AM
Clint Hale
Express-News Staff writer
Judson coach Jim Rackley pauses, unable to find the words that adequately illustrate his team's improbable run to the state championship game.
Silence saturates Rackley's office. Tears flood his eyes.
After a few moments, a strangely subdued Rackley recounts the Rockets' early hardships, the injuries, hitting bottom.
"Those were the dark days," Rackley says, staring at the floor, a look of despair etched across his 57-year-old face. "We were searching our souls."
Within seconds, Rackley's trademark firebrand persona resurfaces.
"But we held on," he said, teeth clenched, fists pumping. "If adversity is overcome, it's a great thing."
The Rockets have learned as much this season.
Having overcome a 4-4 start, numerous injuries, academic troubles and disciplinary dismissals, Judson is one victory from its seventh state title. The Rockets face Euless Trinity today for the Class 5A Division I state championship.
Judson (10-4) has won six-straight games, including last week's upset of previously unbeaten Spring Westfield, the second-ranked team in the state.
"We had to keep fighting to get to this point," Rockets assistant coach David Brothers said. "These kids didn't want to be recognized as the Judson team with a losing season, to end that tradition."
With 29-straight winning seasons, the longest active streak in the state, Judson's lore provides an intangible edge over most opposition.
That holds particularly true for Trinity.
The Trojans, playing in their second state title game, faced the Rockets in their previous appearance in 1992. Trinity entered that season's playoffs 5-5 — the first time in UIL history a team with five losses reached the state finals — and faced a 13-1 Judson team.
As expected, the Rockets pounded Trinity, winning 52-0 to claim their third state championship.
This time, the roles have reversed.
The Trojans (13-1) hold a top-10 state ranking. Judson had to defeat Reagan by 21 points, which it did with a 38-13 victory on Nov.4, simply to secure a playoff berth.
"We're not falling for that underdog stuff," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said. "We're playing Judson, a storied tradition, a championship-level team."
Lineweaver, in his sixth season with the Trojans, wasn't involved in that 1992 rout. But former Judson coach D.W. Rutledge, who guided the program to four state titles in 17 seasons, was there.
Though that Rockets team lost only one game — three fewer than this season's Rockets — Rutledge notices several similarities between the two.
And one parallel, in particular.
"That 1992 team got better every week, and I think you're seeing a lot of that with this Judson team," Rutledge said. "Every week they're getting stronger. And I don't think anyone could have handled this team better than Jim Rackley."
Rackley won't take full credit for the Rockets' resounding reversal of fortune.
Nor does he mind playing the underdog one more time.
"It has certain advantages, and of course, being where Judson has been in the past has its advantages, too," Rackley said. "We have a destiny, if we'll just do our part. As long as our players go out there and compete every play, try to get better, we'll be fine.
"Something good will come our way."
Express-News Staff writer
Judson coach Jim Rackley pauses, unable to find the words that adequately illustrate his team's improbable run to the state championship game.
Silence saturates Rackley's office. Tears flood his eyes.
After a few moments, a strangely subdued Rackley recounts the Rockets' early hardships, the injuries, hitting bottom.
"Those were the dark days," Rackley says, staring at the floor, a look of despair etched across his 57-year-old face. "We were searching our souls."
Within seconds, Rackley's trademark firebrand persona resurfaces.
"But we held on," he said, teeth clenched, fists pumping. "If adversity is overcome, it's a great thing."
The Rockets have learned as much this season.
Having overcome a 4-4 start, numerous injuries, academic troubles and disciplinary dismissals, Judson is one victory from its seventh state title. The Rockets face Euless Trinity today for the Class 5A Division I state championship.
Judson (10-4) has won six-straight games, including last week's upset of previously unbeaten Spring Westfield, the second-ranked team in the state.
"We had to keep fighting to get to this point," Rockets assistant coach David Brothers said. "These kids didn't want to be recognized as the Judson team with a losing season, to end that tradition."
With 29-straight winning seasons, the longest active streak in the state, Judson's lore provides an intangible edge over most opposition.
That holds particularly true for Trinity.
The Trojans, playing in their second state title game, faced the Rockets in their previous appearance in 1992. Trinity entered that season's playoffs 5-5 — the first time in UIL history a team with five losses reached the state finals — and faced a 13-1 Judson team.
As expected, the Rockets pounded Trinity, winning 52-0 to claim their third state championship.
This time, the roles have reversed.
The Trojans (13-1) hold a top-10 state ranking. Judson had to defeat Reagan by 21 points, which it did with a 38-13 victory on Nov.4, simply to secure a playoff berth.
"We're not falling for that underdog stuff," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said. "We're playing Judson, a storied tradition, a championship-level team."
Lineweaver, in his sixth season with the Trojans, wasn't involved in that 1992 rout. But former Judson coach D.W. Rutledge, who guided the program to four state titles in 17 seasons, was there.
Though that Rockets team lost only one game — three fewer than this season's Rockets — Rutledge notices several similarities between the two.
And one parallel, in particular.
"That 1992 team got better every week, and I think you're seeing a lot of that with this Judson team," Rutledge said. "Every week they're getting stronger. And I don't think anyone could have handled this team better than Jim Rackley."
Rackley won't take full credit for the Rockets' resounding reversal of fortune.
Nor does he mind playing the underdog one more time.
"It has certain advantages, and of course, being where Judson has been in the past has its advantages, too," Rackley said. "We have a destiny, if we'll just do our part. As long as our players go out there and compete every play, try to get better, we'll be fine.
"Something good will come our way."