Rockdale and Cameron High School football players listened to a roster of speakers that included Milam County Judge Steve Young, Rep. Terry Wilson, Senator Charles Schwertner, Houston attorney Wayne Fisher and R.C. Slocum, who was the keynote speaker for the evening.
Slocum spoke about his humble upbringing in Orange, Texas, to his tenure as the head football coach at Texas A&M University. The one thing he said got him there was working together with people.
“We got enough hate in this world that we don’t need anymore of it,” Slocum, who is the winningest coach in TAMU history, said. “I had guys of all different backgrounds when I coached.
“I had a player from Tonga, I had a Vietnamese player and guys from all walks of life. We all worked together and that’s why we were successful.”
Fisher, a Yoe High grad that was once named the Houston Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year, emphasized the importance of education in a small community.
“For economic growth to continue in Milam County,” Fisher said. “Our education systems have to be supported with no reservation.”
Young saw the event as a way to help bring Milam County together to help bring potential growth, especially after the loss of Alcoa and Luminant, two of the biggest employers in the area.
“The Rockdale and Cameron game is the biggest event in the county,” Young said in July. “But in order to see growth that we want to see here, we have to put our differences aside.”
RHS football coach Jeff Miller said he enjoyed all that went into the evening.
“I thought it was a really neat deal,” Miller said. “I really appreciate Steve Young’s effort to put something together and I think it was great for everyone.”
Cameron head football coach Tommy Brashear also thought the event had a positive effect.
“It was a good thing for Milam County,” Brashear said. “We want to bring jobs to the area whether it’s Cameron, or Thorndale, or somewhere outside one of our towns.
“In order for that to happen, we’re all going to have to work together.”
The event was catered by Thorndale Meat Market which was served by city officials in both towns. Pastor John Seaton of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Rockdale gave the invocation and Rev. Charles Wyatt of Trinity Life Worship in Cameron gave the benediction.
SCRIMMAGE-The Tigers make their preseason debut on Friday evening when they scrimmage against Groesbeck at Tiger Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Goats are coming off a 2-4 record in District 9-3A which includes 2018 state champion Grandview.
GHS is also under the direction of their kind of new coach Jerry Bomar, who comes from Beeville Jones.
Bomar won a state title with Groesbeck in 1991.
According to Texas Football Magazine, the Goats only have two returning starters on offense, but are led by junior Zach Wilson, a 6-2, 210-pound quarterback who is dangerous with his legs. Wilson also contributes on defense.
On defense, GHS is led by sophomore defensive lineman Joseph Brother-ton who had 40 tackles and three sacks as a freshman.
The Tigers will also scrimmage at home on Thursday, Aug. 22 against Mexia. Their practice game with the Blackcats is their final before facing the Giddings Buffaloes at home on Friday, Aug. 30, for the season opener.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
MILANO-Unlike most area schools, the Milano Eagles don’t have a scrimmage this week and will take the field for the first time on Thursday, Aug. 22, at Pruitt Field when they have a practice game with Class 3A Anderson-Shiro at 7:30 p.m.
The Eagles play in their first game eight days later when they face Grapeland at home on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m. The San-dies are Class 2A-Division II’s fifth-ranked team in the latest edition of Texas Football Magazine.
MEET THE EAGLES-
Milano ISD will also hold meet the Eagles in the MHS gymnasium on Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.
THORNDALE—The Bulldogs go to Centerville for their firstscrimmage of the season on Friday evening.
Thorndale also has one more scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 23, when they travel to Granger for a start at 6 p.m.
THS plays their first game of the season on Friday, Aug. 30 in Florence.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
MEET THE DOGS- The Thorndale High School gymnasium will host Meet the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21.
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