Skywatch Friday

Other Skywatch Friday pictures are here.

Tomorrow is the Hotcake Hustle 5K/10K in Addison.  Its going to be cold, but at least it will be dry.  The following weekend is Too Cold to Hold 5K/15K at Norbuck Park. Both races are part of the Run Project, a series of 7 races in the Dallas area.  Brian and I were one of the 200 people that signed up for all 7 races.

We also signed up for the Patriot Half Marathon in Rockwall, TX on May 28, 2012.  That will give us 2 half's for the first 6 months of 2012, the other the Dallas Rock-n-Roll Half in March.  

The heat is still on Dr.Pepper/Snapple for their handling of the Dublin Dr.Pepper fiasco.  DPS has promised to continue the Dr. Pepper Days in June in Dublin.  There are a lot of people pledging to boycott all Dr. Pepper products, but we need to support the Dr. Pepper Days held in Dublin.  Supporting the Dr.Pepper Days and the accompanying 10.2.4k run will show support for the community of Dublin.  They are already going to be taking a financial hit with the loss of jobs. I am sure the people of Dublin will make sure Dr.Pepper Days is fun for everyone.

Dublin Dr Pepper RIP 1891-2012

Dr.Pepper/Snapple has been in an extended dispute with the family that owns Dublin Dr. Pepper.  The dispute ended yesterday when Dr.Pepper/Snapple purchased the Dublin Dr.Pepper bottling plant.  Each June, Dublin, TX celebrates the birthday of the plant.  Last year was the 120th birthday and we went out there to take part in their 2.4.10 run.  Dublin is a small town, and the major employer was the bottling plant.  At 5PM today, Dr.Pepper/Snapple laid off 14 of the 40 workers.  The dispute was over the Dublin plant selling Dr.Pepper outside of their designated area.  The drink was popular because it was made with pure cane sugar.  Regular Dr.Pepper is made with corn syrup.  People swear they can taste the difference.  I am sure the issue is deeper than just the selling area, but to me, it's just another example of a big corporation taking out the small businessman because they want the profits for themselves.

RIP Dublin Dr. Pepper

Finish line of 10.2.4. Dublin Dr. Pepper run from 2011

Inside the Dublin Dr. Pepper bottling plant

Each June, Dublin, TX is renamed Dr.Pepper, TX

Footballs over, move on

Sammy the Bearkat gave some Bison fans a thrill

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Sam Houston State has the big heads

A tough day for the BEAR ATS, missing the K

Occupy Frisco

The attendance for the FBS Championship game played in Frisco, TX. was a sell out with over 20,000 fans in the stadium.  I would guess over half were rooting for the Bison.  Here are some of the North Dakota State fans and their signs.

I'll wrap up my football postings tomorrow with a few Bearkat fans.

NDSU Bison occupy Frisco

QB Brock Jensens big head.  

A green and yellow NDSU Bison clown. 

One happy NDSU fan

There is that big head and the clown again. 

On field action

Tonight is the BCS Championship game between LSU and that other school.  The winner will be declared Division I FBS National Champions.

Here are a few more shots from Saturdays Division I FCS Championship game won by North Dakota State.

National signing day is about a month away.  For high school athletes not recruited by the large schools, the FCS schools are an excellent way to get an education and continue to play football.

The atmosphere at Saturdays game was electric, fans from both sides were enthusiastic the entire game.  I'll share some of the faces in the crowds in the next couple of days.  If you cant wait, visit the Facebook page for all of the pictures from Saturday.

Sam Houston State Tim Flanders against North Dakota State

North Dakota State WR Ryan Smith in the FCS Championship game

Brock Jensen drops back to pass against Sam Houston State in the FCS Championship game

Sam Houston State Brian Bell in the FCS Championship game against North Dakota State

Sam Houston State  WR Keith Blanton tries to run back a bison punt

Sam Houston State DB Kenneth Jenkins intercepts a Brock Jensen pass.  

North Dakota State earns FCS Championship

Saturday afternoon in Frisco, TX. North Dakota State defeated Sam Houston State 17-6 to capture the FCS Championship.  The Bison limited the Bearkats, who were averaging 421 yards a game, to only 220 total yards.  Sam Houston held a 6-3 lead at halftime but ND State scored early in the 3rd quarter after a fake punt put the Bison in Bearkats territory.  The Bison added one more touchdown following an interception that put the ball at the Bearkat 1 yard line.  

Brock Jensen scrambles to his right. He finished the game 10-20-120, 1 TD passing, 1 TD rushing

North Dakota State WR Ryan Smith turns the corner on the Bearkat defense

Sam Houston State RB Tim Flanders walks the sideline.  Flanders set a conference record for most rushing yards in a single season with 1,642.  He finished with 84 rushing yards

The Bison celebrate on the field as the game ended

Lady Tiger basketball

I went over to the complex last night to catch a little of the girls basketball game between Terrell and Ennis.  Terrell didnt win the game, but I could see the improved effort from everyone.

There are a few more pictures from the game posted to the Facebook page.

Click on any of these pictures for a larger version.

Skywatch Friday, Football Saturday

Clouds burning off as the sun was coming up made a nice contrast.  Other Skywatch sites can be found here. 

Tomorrow in Frisco, TX is the NCAA Division I FCS Championship game.  The Bison from North Dakota State will take on the Sam Houston State Bearkats from Huntsville, TX.  The game is a sell out.

Shasta Tebowing?

Is the University of Houston mascot Shasta, Tebowing or just taking a break?  I think he was just adjusting his gear. 

Shasta, University of Houston mascot Tebowing on the sideline?

Here are a few other shots from Mondays University of Houston vs Penn States TicketCity Bowl game. All of the shots have been uploaded to the Facebook page.

Patrick Edwards,Houston WR, catches a TD pass in the TicketCity Bowl

Penn State QB Rob Bolden eludes a Houston defender

Terrell cant hang with Lancaster

The Tigers boys basketball team gave a valiant effort against a faster, taller and more experienced Lancaster team, but they came up on the losing end of a 75-43 score.

Darrell Jordan

The big news coming from Terrell ISD yesterday, reported    
by the Terrell Tribune, was AD and head football coach
Darrell Jordan has been placed on administrative leave.



More Houston vs Penn State TicketCity Bowl pictures tomorrow. Or check the Terrell Daily Photo Facebook page.

Sunnyvale athlete plays in TicketCity Bowl

Freshman OL Emeka Okafor who graduated from Sunnyvale HS plays for the University of Houston.  He was on the field for all field goal and point after attempts for the Cougars.  Okafor is the first athlete from Sunnyvale to earn a full scholarship.

#65 OL Freshman Emeka Okafor, University of Houston Cougars

George Bamfo is a graduate from Rockwall Heath.  Bamfo, who is a reserve linebacker, didnt get any game action in this years TicketCity Bowl but he will have two more years to make a return trip.   

#38 George Bamfo, Rockwall Heath graduate

Keenum breaks records while dispatching Penn State

Houston quarterback Case Keenum set an all time NCAA bowl record by passing for 227 yards in the first quarter of the 2012 TicketCity Bowl.  Keenum finished the game 45 of 69 for 532 passing yards and 3 TDs in the Cougars 30-14 win over Penn State.  Keenum, who was named Most Valuable Player, also set 4 Cotton Bowl Stadium records for most plays, most passing yards, most attempts and completions.

#7 Houston QB Case Keenum 

Cougar Patrick Edwards scores on a 75 yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum, who celebrates in the background. 

Houston Cougar coach Tony Levine's first collegiate win in the TicketCity bowl is capped by a shower of green. 

Houston finished the season 13-1, Penn State finished 9-4.  Pregame pictures are posted on Facebook, more photos to come later tonight.

Another reflection

This is the same view as last Fridays post, but processed just a wee bit.

Theme Day-Photo of the year 2011

Hard to pick just one photo from last year.  I picked out a couple and I had Brian pick a couple, these are the ones we both agreed on.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I tried to not include any sports.  My photo of the year is the birds flying in the park after a snowstorm.  This was taken last February.

These four would be my runners up. Top left is 6th Street in Austin. Top right are ducks feeding at Ben Gill Park.  Bottom left a marina at White Rock Lake.  Bottom right is the USMC honor guard at the State Fair of Texas.