2005 Wise County Football Season in Review (page 3)
Decatur Eagles
The Decatur Eagles returned to form in 2005 after losing a talented group of players from the 2004 team to graduation and transfer. The Eagles started to season off with impressive wins against Burkburnett (31-21) on the road and Fort Worth Dunbar at home (45-25). These wins led to their first big test when they had to travel to Gainesville to face off with a tough Leopards squad that was looking for redemption after the Eagles ended their season in the 2004 state playoffs. Acting in a different role, as the underdogs, the Eagles were unable to pull off the upset this year, losing to Gainesville 43-21. After taking care of business against Graham at home (36-2), the Eagles had another rough road game against the defending state champion Abilene Wylie Bulldogs. While Decatur had some bright spots in the game, they fell short in a 43-26 loss.
The battle-tested Eagles came in to district 7-3A with a 3-2 record and looking to defend their district championship. The Battle of the Big Sandy was well hyped this year, but someone forgot to inform the Eagles that the Bulls were much improved. Decatur dominated the Bulls with an explosive offensive game plan and great special teams play to get the win, 66-34. After beating Little Elm on the road (48-16), the Eagles hosted a determined Lake Worth team that played the perfect game to upset the Eagles 28-17. The Eagles did repeat as district champs, but the loss to Lake Worth meant that they would have to share that distinction with Bridgeport.
After handling the West Trojans in the first round of the state playoffs (31-7), the Eagles ran into the Gainesville Leopards once again. Gainesville was just too dominant at this point in the season and rolled past the Eagles, 46-0.
Head Coach Kyle Story headed a staff that was voted Coaching Staff of the Year in District 7-3A. The Eagles were well represented on the All-District team by Brandon Cobb, Jacob Maxon, Kristo Cardenas (Newcomer of the Year), Casey Fain, Michael Koch, Ryan Spence, David Saenz, Chance Fuller, Thomas Staley, Jessie Lopez, Steven Behringer, Brad Oates, Jose Gomez, Jessie Ortiz, Brent Jones, Joseph Staley, Hunter LeMaster and Tyler Cobb. In addition, both Cobb and Spence received All-State recognition.
Bridgeport Bulls
Exhilarating nail-biters. That pretty much sums up the majority of Bridgeport games in 2005. The Bulls played seven games that were decided by a touchdown or less.
With much preseason hype, the Bridgeport Bulls came into the 2005 season with a lot to live up to. Ranked 8th in Texas Football Magazine’s preseason Class 3A rankings, the Bulls would attempt to fight through a tough schedule and secure a district championship and a long run in the state playoffs. After an impressive win at home over Breckenridge (34-25) to open the season, the Bulls ended up on the losing end of a lopsided match-up with Mineral Wells (55-24). The loss to Mineral Wells was the first of four consecutive losses that would leave the Bulls sitting at 1-4 heading into district 7-3A play. Losses to Argyle, Burkburnett and Kennedale were all decided by a touchdown or less.
The Bulls opened up district play with a close win over Little Elm (34-33) that would help separate them from the rest of the crowd in the district. After taking care of business at home against Castleberry, the Bulls rolled across Wise County to face off with Decatur in the Battle of the Big Sandy (dating back to 1920). Both teams came out with their offensive guns blazing, but the Decatur special teams and defense pulled off too many big plans and the Bulls fell short, losing 66-34. The following week, the Bulls played in one of only two games in the state to require four overtimes to decide a winner. The Bulls battled Lake Worth on the road in a memorable match-up that would determine that playoff fate for both teams. The Bulls won 58-56 when the Bulls stopped the Bullfrogs on their two-point conversion attempt when Colin Jones sacked the quarterback. The Bulls finished district play with an impressive win over Carrollton Ranchview (56-28), and headed to the playoffs at 5-5.
The Bulls once again faced off with Comanche in the first round and once again won in impressive fashion, 27-14. Their second round match-up would be with Breckenridge, whom they defeated to open the season nearly three months prior. The game was back and forth with the Bulls finishing on top thanks to a strong defensive stand at the end of the game. The Bulls would have to travel to Sweetwater the following week to play Monahans in the third round. In yet another thrilling game, the Bulls fell just short of advancing to the next round, losing to Monahans 43-42 in overtime.
Head Coach Danny Henson led this strong team deeper into the playoffs than many would have thought after the rough start that the Bulls endured. Like all other Wise County teams, the Bulls were very well represented in District 7-3A. Those receiving recognition included Colin Jones (District MVP), Taylor Sanchez, Jordan North, Ross Basham, Ryan Durban, Jess Olmos, Chris Meekins, Jason Garrett and James Kilpatrick. Jones, Durban, Sanchez, Basham and Garrett all also received All-State recognition.
