Kusenberger has been with TSRN for about 13 years (correct me if I am wrong, Mark). I have worked many games with Mark and he is always prepared and has many many many notes and details about the teams. If a player has a favorite spice, Mark will know it! He can give you the stat line for any particular player for any game and also tell you his baseball stats as well. Mark also has a knack for all the different scenarios when the playoffs are approaching.
I remember one game where we had a lightening delay and Mark recited George Carlin’s baseball vs football comedy bit!
Eric is relativity new to TSRN. I think he has been with us for a few years. He brings a unique perspective to the broadcasts since he was an offensive lineman when he was in high school. I am bit jealous of Eric! Why? Well, he gets to ride in the WOAI sky news4 helicopter and report on what he sees!!!
Okay, now for the district 27-5a game between the Brandeis Broncos and Stevens Falcons at Gustafson stadium. When they renovated the press box, they kept the same vantage point and you can also open the windows and smell the game. The athletic staff and press box officials are friendly and helpful to us. Besides Lehnoff stadium in Schertz, Gus is another favorite stadium of mine!
Our booth in the old press box was right next to the bathroom! One time, someone used that bathroom and when the door opened, I thought I was going to die!!! The smell was so bad!!! Now, we have a room and the ability to shut the door!
I graduated high school in 1995 from Clark (also in this district) and these 2 schools weren’t even built yet! It’s amazing how fast the Northside Independent School District is growing. When I was at Clark, there were only 4 other high schools; Taft, Jay, Marshall, and Holmes! Today, they have 5 more!!! Wow!
During the pregame show last night, the Superintendent of NISD, Dr. John Folks, popped his head in our booth and I made it my duty to say hi and shake his hand!
The Stevens Falcons lost Mykkele Thompson to the Texas Longhorns. Thompson was the stud for several years at Stevens. Last season, he had over 2,800 yard rushing and 40 touchdowns. Wow! Hard to replace those kind of numbers!
I took my dad to a Stevens playoff game last year at the Alamodome. This was the first time he has seen me work!! He was having a blast taking pictures and hanging with his favorite son (sorry Evan). I was telling him to watch Thompson. On the next play, Thompson ran the ball 70 plus yards for a touchdown! I was like, that is why he is going to UT!!!!
The Brandeis Broncos were the top team in District 27-5a last year. They used 2 quarterbacks and had a workhorse at running back. They also had a really strong defense. They lost to Steele in the playoffs last year. Those 3 players graduated so where would they turn to? Well, they turned to the backup running back, Tristan Ynclan! He had 172 yards running in the first game this season, 238 yards running in the second game, and 188 yards running in his third game (he also played quarterback late in the game when the starter got injured).
One touchdown, two field goals, a horrible passing game, and a defense that held Stevens scoreless was all the Broncos needed for the victory. Ynclan was very impressive running the ball, he had 22 carries for 114 yards and the lone touchdown but he couldn’t throw the ball, well neither could Stevens. The teams combined for 2 for 21 passing for 15 yards and 2 interceptions. Very pathetic passing game. Ynclan also kicked both field goals and the point after for his rushing touchdown.
Ynclan should’ve been the player of the game, but when the defense holds a team to 103 total yards and no points, we look at the defense. Josh Lewis ended up being the player of the game; he had the interception for Brandeis and that led to the only touchdown.
Brandeis won the game 13-0.
Next Thursday, I will be at Farris stadium for the O’Connor Panthers Vs Taft Raiders.
Friday night, I will be at Rutledge stadium for the Judson Rockets Vs Madison Mavericks. This will be yet another rival game for the Rockets.
Not sure if am I am working Saturday night.
After seeing the top 3 teams this week play, I would have to rank them like this:
1. STEELE
2. JUDSON
3. BRANDEIS