3afan
07-26-2005, 06:20 AM
W-H players snapping with the enemy
Seniors may be moved to football rival Madison
05:19 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005
By DAVE LANCE / The Dallas Morning News
While many folks in the community were relieved to hear that Wilmer-Hutchins students would have a home this school year, there was some grumbling in the locker room.
The Dallas school board voted unanimously Monday to take in the district's 2,700 students this year. But some senior football players were not pleased with the prospect of merging with a rival power – Madison.
"I don't like that one bit. They were never one of my options," said Anthony Webb, a senior cornerback who has orally committed to Kansas. "For one thing it's too far for me to go to school. And the rivalry we've had with Madison ... this is not too good."
Students will be bused to dozens of schools in South Dallas, and athletes should know their new assignments midweek – in time for football practice Monday. The Dallas high schools under consideration are South Oak Cliff, Roosevelt, Carter and A. Maceo Smith.
But Madison is being considered as a home for the entire senior class.
Senior football player Frankie Solomon said his first choice would be South Oak Cliff.
"I really don't like going to Madison. We've been playing them all these years. It's a rivalry. It's really too far for me to go."
Webb added that it will be hard to make the social adjustment to a new school and a new team.
"We had senior activities and things to do for our school," he said. "It wouldn't be right to do it with people you don't know and never met before. I'm just not feeling Madison."
Texas Football magazine has Madison picked to finish second in district 10-3A – behind Wilmer-Hutchins. Last year was a renaissance for Madison. It finished 9-4 and made the state playoffs for the first time since 1991.
"The kids deserve an education, No. 1. If they decide to play football, we'd welcome them," said Madison coach Ronald Johnson. "With the talent we have – and don't overlook that – we felt we were going to compete for a state championship. We thought it was going to be between us and Wilmer-Hutchins.
"With our caliber talent, and if they decide to bring Wilmer-Hutchins over here, that'll push us over the edge."
Johnson said that 25 to 30 kids usually come out for his varsity squad. As for adding more players, he said: "That's a pleasant problem. We'd welcome it."
Some adults were more pleased with Monday's decision.
Joyce Page, whose grandson is a Wilmer-Hutchins senior, said she's saddened that the district is being eliminated – but happy that the children "are getting a chance to shine."
"There are a lot of people who contributed to this demise," Page said. "The board has been in a disarray for a long time. Our schools are dilapidated. But now our kids have an opportunity to go for it. I hate to see it happen, but we have to be concerned about the children at this time."
Beverly Smith, whose children graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins in 1988 and 1989, said the district used to be better.
"But I think this ought to be permanent because Wilmer-Hutchins isn't doing its job anymore," Smith said. "Dallas has more stability. We've neglected our children's education the past couple of years."
With the start of school just around the corner, Monday's decision brought many questions from students. They said the school crisis has been a constant source of conversation this summer.
"We're all reading the newspaper to find out where we'll end up," said Cloyce Reed, 17. "They never sent us a letter or called us."
Some students – and football players – said they are making their own school choices. Brothers Mondrel and Jarele Shaw say they're planning to move away from their parents to attend Gatesville High School, southwest of Waco.
They said a family friend, a relative of a Gatesville coach, persuaded them to move.
"He said they'll treat you like a star if you come out there with speed and talent," said Mondrel, a 15-year-old sophomore. "There's a chance for more scholarships and a place to start. There are less people at that school, so there are better opportunities."
Staff writers Herb Booth and Paul Meyer contributed to this report.
E-mail dlance@dallasnews.com
Seniors may be moved to football rival Madison
05:19 AM CDT on Tuesday, July 26, 2005
By DAVE LANCE / The Dallas Morning News
While many folks in the community were relieved to hear that Wilmer-Hutchins students would have a home this school year, there was some grumbling in the locker room.
The Dallas school board voted unanimously Monday to take in the district's 2,700 students this year. But some senior football players were not pleased with the prospect of merging with a rival power – Madison.
"I don't like that one bit. They were never one of my options," said Anthony Webb, a senior cornerback who has orally committed to Kansas. "For one thing it's too far for me to go to school. And the rivalry we've had with Madison ... this is not too good."
Students will be bused to dozens of schools in South Dallas, and athletes should know their new assignments midweek – in time for football practice Monday. The Dallas high schools under consideration are South Oak Cliff, Roosevelt, Carter and A. Maceo Smith.
But Madison is being considered as a home for the entire senior class.
Senior football player Frankie Solomon said his first choice would be South Oak Cliff.
"I really don't like going to Madison. We've been playing them all these years. It's a rivalry. It's really too far for me to go."
Webb added that it will be hard to make the social adjustment to a new school and a new team.
"We had senior activities and things to do for our school," he said. "It wouldn't be right to do it with people you don't know and never met before. I'm just not feeling Madison."
Texas Football magazine has Madison picked to finish second in district 10-3A – behind Wilmer-Hutchins. Last year was a renaissance for Madison. It finished 9-4 and made the state playoffs for the first time since 1991.
"The kids deserve an education, No. 1. If they decide to play football, we'd welcome them," said Madison coach Ronald Johnson. "With the talent we have – and don't overlook that – we felt we were going to compete for a state championship. We thought it was going to be between us and Wilmer-Hutchins.
"With our caliber talent, and if they decide to bring Wilmer-Hutchins over here, that'll push us over the edge."
Johnson said that 25 to 30 kids usually come out for his varsity squad. As for adding more players, he said: "That's a pleasant problem. We'd welcome it."
Some adults were more pleased with Monday's decision.
Joyce Page, whose grandson is a Wilmer-Hutchins senior, said she's saddened that the district is being eliminated – but happy that the children "are getting a chance to shine."
"There are a lot of people who contributed to this demise," Page said. "The board has been in a disarray for a long time. Our schools are dilapidated. But now our kids have an opportunity to go for it. I hate to see it happen, but we have to be concerned about the children at this time."
Beverly Smith, whose children graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins in 1988 and 1989, said the district used to be better.
"But I think this ought to be permanent because Wilmer-Hutchins isn't doing its job anymore," Smith said. "Dallas has more stability. We've neglected our children's education the past couple of years."
With the start of school just around the corner, Monday's decision brought many questions from students. They said the school crisis has been a constant source of conversation this summer.
"We're all reading the newspaper to find out where we'll end up," said Cloyce Reed, 17. "They never sent us a letter or called us."
Some students – and football players – said they are making their own school choices. Brothers Mondrel and Jarele Shaw say they're planning to move away from their parents to attend Gatesville High School, southwest of Waco.
They said a family friend, a relative of a Gatesville coach, persuaded them to move.
"He said they'll treat you like a star if you come out there with speed and talent," said Mondrel, a 15-year-old sophomore. "There's a chance for more scholarships and a place to start. There are less people at that school, so there are better opportunities."
Staff writers Herb Booth and Paul Meyer contributed to this report.
E-mail dlance@dallasnews.com