What it should always be is fun for those who desire to play it.
John Ash is attempting to incorporate some of all of those things as the coach of the Centex Homeschool Chargers, a six-man team that is four years in the making. The Chargers play a full junior varsity schedule and were 4-1 going into the weekend.
Not bad for a team that came together primarily at the behest of a persistent 13-year-old, Stephen Ash, John's son, who is now the Chargers' sophomore quarterback. A few phone calls were made and the makings of a middle school six-man team came together. Local public and private schools donated equipment and, amazingly, they were able to put together a nine-game schedule that year.
Along with assistant Shannon Cloe, the team culled together interested homeschoolers from throughout the region to join the club.
"This was unexpected," John Ash said. "We never thought this could happen."
Of the seven independent homeschool six-man teams in the state, the Chargers are ranked at the top by sixmanfootball.com. Last week's ranking had the Chargers at No. 156 among 240 teams among all public and private schools. Every game is on the road because they don't have their own field, and they usually practice three times a week at Heritage Park in Belton.
"They want an opportunity to compete and learn teamwork and develop skills throughout their life," John Ash said. "These are some sharp young men with character. They've set high standards and it's been very rewarding for the kids."
Texas has been reluctant to filter homeschool athletes into public and private school team sports, unlike Florida, which ultimately produced Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow from the homeschool ranks.
Ash points out that allowing homeschoolers into the public school extracurricular sports would be a financial benefit worth potentially millions, as the same families are paying school taxes anyway.
"A lot of families who have a decent athlete enroll them in public school," he said. "More families might opt for homeschooling, which would be an even greater savings, but nobody looks at it that way."
Besides the younger Ash, the Chargers are paced by linebacker Barak Cloe, Andrew Kiesle, Philip Fischer and Cheyne Murray. John Ash said he hopes the Chargers can become members of the Texas Christian Athletic League (TCAL) next year to allow potential access to a formal playoff format. He'd like to secure a home field as well.
Ash, an insurance salesman by trade, has ample football experience to draw from. He was a three-year letterman as a fullback and defensive back for a pair of Belton district championship teams in the late 1970s, playing side-by-side with future NFL star Ricky Sanders. His nephew, David, is a standout junior quarterback for the current Tigers.
The Chargers aren't drawing plays in the sand, either. Ash has educated himself in the intricacies of the six-man offensive game.
"It's taken time to learn all these devious plays they run," he said. "It's tricky, but we're getting into that bag of tricks."
What Ash has that many coaches don't is job security.
He laughed and said, "They're not paying me, so they can't fire me."
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Jacob Bane always believed he could play a significant role for a four-year college program. Transfers and injuries have extended the process, but the former Rogers warrior is settling into a stellar senior season for Central Arkansas. The Bears linebacker led the team in tackles - 33 overall, 19 solo and six for a loss - going into Saturday's game against Stephen F. Austin.
Bane had a fine two-year stint at Trinity Valley Community College before making a trip to Albuquerque, where he never played for New Mexico. His 2008 season at Central Arkansas was cut way short because of injuries. Bane's only appearance in Texas this year will be a Nov. 14 game against Sam Houston State in Huntsville.
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Just as she was in Moody, Kara Jones is even more of wall playing collegiate volleyball for Louisiana Tech. The 6-3 junior middle blocker leads the 12-10 Lady Techsters in blocks with 82 and is second in points at 198 and kills at 140.
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Ten more greats will be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in February.
From football, former Houston Oilers and current Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams will be joined by former Dallas Cowboys running back and NFL coach Dan Reeves, the late former Cowboys all-pro defensive end Harvey Martin, Cowboys linebacking great Chuck Howley, strong-armed quarterback Tommy Kramer from San Antonio and Brownwood native and stellar Baylor receiver Lawrence Elkins.
From basketball, current Baylor women's coach Kim Mulkey and Max Williams, an early pioneer of the professional game in Texas.
From baseball, New Braunfels product and Houston Astros first baseman Lance Berkman goes in with former University of Texas and veteran major league pitcher Burt Hooton.
I once got a solid base knock off of Hooton. I might have stretched a double out of it, but the donkey I was riding wouldn't cooperate.
twaits@temple-telegram.com
