This is a feature which ran in The Gilmer Mirror about former Buckeyes who are now playing on Saturdays or Sundays, as the case may be.
Courtesy Photo / Dolly Robison
GILMER’S CURTIS BROWN (3) defends against a Rice University receiver. The true freshman led the Longhorns in solo tackles (5) in Texas’ 58-14 win over Rice last Saturday night.
UT's Curtis Brown shines against Rice
Curtis Brown says goodbye to his freshman redshirt as the Texas Longhorns (ranked No. 7 nationally) made a statement with a decisive 58-14 win over Rice at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 22.
Thus far in the Longhorns’ pre-Big XII season, Curtis has been adjusting to his new defensive role as a cornerback and special teams regular. He has seen action and recorded tackles in every game for the Longhorns this season, but saw his first action at cornerback in the second half of the Rice game, where he broke up a pass in the fourth quarter. Curtis led the Longhorn defense with five tackles against Rice and expects to continue developing each week this season.
“It’s a lot different being a freshman all over again.” said a smiling Brown after the game. “First of all, I’m not sure that you ever really get used to playing in front of 85,000 people. The rush you get just takes your breath away when you get out on the field.
“Then the guys coming at you are really big and really fast. The speed of the game doesn’t give you time to think. You’d better know your job and where you’re supposed to be before the snap, because if you hesitate you’re going to get embarrassed.”
A point not lost on the crowd in the Longhorns’ home stadium, which houses one of the world’s largest high definition video boards.
“The first time I looked up there and saw a close-up of myself, I stopped breathing!” laughed Brown. “The camera people just follow you wherever you go, so I was trying to find a big lineman to hide behind! When you see yourself live up there 30 feet tall, you just freeze. I just try not to look.”
Something tells me he had better get used to seeing himself on that big screen.
Tay Bowser playing for Mississippi State
Gilmer’s Tay Bowser is a 6’-3”, 185 lb. redshirt sophomore at Mississippi State University. With legitimate 4.4 40-yard speed, Tay was an integral part of the Buckeyes’ 2004 State Championship run. Although he is tall and skinny, Tay’s toughness and attitude has qualified him to play on the defensive side of the ball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
“A lot of people underestimate me because I’m tall and skinny, but I’ll handle whatever comes my way.” Tay says of himself.
But as a two-way starter for the Buckeyes at cornerback and wide-out, Tay proved his mettle and earned himself a scholarship at a major SEC school.
Last year as a redshirt freshman, the Bulldogs utilized Tay’s considerable talent and speed on special teams, where he appeared in nine games.
This fall, Tay showed flashes of excitement in Week 1 against the nation’s top raked LSU Tigers. In Week 2 he was credited with two tackles playing cornerback and covering special teams in the Bulldogs’ 38-17 win over Tulane.
Tay also posted a solo tackle in the most extensive playing time of his college career in the win over Auburn and earned his first career start against Gardner-Webb, where Tay recorded three solo stops in the Bulldog’s 31-15 victory.
The future looks bright in Starkville for this native Gilmer Buckeye, turned Mississippi State Bulldog.
Jared Baker making noise for the Roos
Named by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Colleges for 2008, Austin College in Sherman is the state’s oldest institution operating under its original charter. This small liberal arts school with a rich tradition of achievement enjoys a stellar reputation as one of the nation’s premier institutes of higher learning.
Understandably, they do not admit just anyone to be an Austin College Kangaroo. But then again, Gilmer graduate Jared Baker is not just anyone.
Before he lines up, senior ’Roos Defensive Lineman Jared must first address his hectic class schedule and take care of some rigorous academic requirements.
Of course, the long workouts, weight-room sessions and film room study required of a college athlete are still required for Jared. After all, he already has an accomplished college football career. Last year, Jared was Honorable Mention All-SCAC where he had 45 tackles (12 of which were for a loss) and a team best, 5.5 sacks.
This year he has picked up where he left off, having already registering 27 tackles (8 for losses).
So like most “Big-Time” college football players, Jared chases conference championships and dreams of undefeated seasons. But despite football being his first love, academics must be his first priority. It’s a difficult balance to maintain in a smaller division where stadiums hold hundreds, not thousands.
But football is football, wherever it is played, and Jared has certainly done well for himself on the Austin College gridiron circuit. He has logged time in 33 games, registered 127 tackles, 32 tackles for losses (for 120 total yards), three forced fumbles, 13 sacks (for 67 total yards).
This season through five games, the former Buckeye has 27 tackles including 8 for losses (27 yards), 3 sacks (14 yards), 2 forced fumbles and 1 blocked kick.
Although Jared will likely never see his Saturday highlights on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the discipline and character this Gilmer graduate has shown playing the game he loves, while excelling at one of the nation’s leading academic institutions is extremely impressive.
Next year, Jared will most likely be done with his football career. However, with a degree from Austin College in his back pocket, he will enter the next season of his life ranked among the nation’s elite.
Derek McKenzie: Persistence Personified
Derek McKenzie could claim “Founding Father” status on what thousands of fans all over the state now know as “Buckeye P.R.I.D.E.” As a fixture in the Buckeye Football Program from 2000 – 2003, “D-Mac” could list his accomplishments during his career at Gilmer High School, which were nothing short of spectacular.
He could tell you about being second team all-state, a finalist for Class 3A player of the year, first team all-district, and district MVP. He could tell you about scoring 54 touchdowns while generating 4,000 yards of total offense in 2003, and he could recount leading Gilmer to district, bi-district and area championships. Derek could tell you a lot about the pivotal role he played in getting the Gilmer Buckeye Football Program to where it is today. He could, but he never would.
“That’s not the real truth.” he protests when presented with those very same facts today.
“Coach Traylor will tell you, it’s never about one guy. It’s always about the team, and nobody is bigger than the program. There were a lot of guys that came before me who probably deserved those same honors I got, but I happened to come along when Gilmer Football was starting to hit everybody’s radar screen, so, as the quarterback, I got recognized. We never won a state title, but we played Atlanta (the eventual Class 3A Division II State Champions) about as tough as anybody and we knew we were knocking on the door.
“Then Manuel and Kevin and them took the reins and just kicked it in the next year. That’s the great thing about being part of a tradition. You get your time to carry that baton and do the best you can to take things to that next level. Then it’s up to the next group of guys when you hand that tradition off to take another step. I come home all the time and look at those facilities and the trophies, and it just makes me proud to be a Gilmer Buckeye. Our coaches and our guys deserve it, and I think they raise the bar every year. That’s what it’s all about and I still feel connected.”
Derek is still very much connected to the sport he loves, pursuing his gridiron dreams and his college degree.
But his journey through the college football landscape has presented him with more than a few hurdles. After a stellar senior season in 2003 for the Buckeyes, Derek enrolled at Trinity Valley Community College, where he reported as a candidate for the Quarterback position. Unfortunately, a log jam there sent him off to Central Arkansas and a position change to Running Back, where he was redshirted in 2005.
Once again, his persistence was tested by circumstances out of his control, and he decided to transfer to Texas A&M-Commerce, where he saw significant time for the Lions at running back, appearing in six games and rushing for a season- high 88 yards and a TD on just 7 carries against Fort Hays State.
This season, Derek was once again asked to switch positions, this time to the defensive side of the ball.
“Sure, it’s been challenging.” admits Derek. “Nobody ever said it was going to be easy. Anything worth having never is. But one thing I’ve learned is that you have to make the most of your chances when they come. That’s just football at any level.”
Despite the roller-coaster college career he’s had thus far, Derek isn’t shy about his intentions.
“I want to get my degree, and then I’m going to see how far football will take me. I’m going to play anywhere I can until I can’t play anymore. If that’s in the Arena League, or a development league, or in the NFL, wherever I get my chance, I’m going to follow my dream. One thing I will never do is wonder what might have been if I’d have only tried a little harder. I’m playing on Saturdays now, and there was a time in my life that seemed impossible. So who’s going to tell me that Sundays are impossible for me now?”
It certainly won’t be anyone who knows this young man very well.
Derek McKenzie will always be one of the greatest Gilmer Buckeyes to have ever worn the “G”. And for the next two seasons, he will continue to be a force for the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions. But whatever the colors of his uniform after that, you can bet that Derek will be making the most of his opportunities.
Courtesy Photo / Vladimir Cherry, TAMU-Commerce Sports Information Office
DEREK MCKENZIE of the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions fights off a blocker against the Angelo State Rams.
Pettway likes playing for Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Gilmer Buckeye still true to his school
By ELWYN HENDERSON
Everyone in Gilmer knows who Kenny Pettway is, and now everyone around the National Football League is becoming familiar with him.
Kenny graduated from Gilmer High School in 2000, and STILL holds the school record in the discus.
He participated in four sports while at GHS. After high school, he spent two years at Southern Arkansas, then sat out a year and transferred to Grambling (La.) State University.
He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2005 draft and spent 12 games on the team’s practice squad before being activated for the final four games of the season.
Unfortunately, with the coaching change in Houston in 2006, new head coach Gary Kubiak apparently didn’t feel he had the time for Pettway to make a successful transition from linebacker to defensive end, so he was cut before the season began.
Kenny spent the first few weeks of the 2006 season searching for a second chance at an NFL career. After some frustrating weeks, he was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Oct. 18, 2006, and then was activated to the 53-man roster for the final eight games of the season. During those final eight games, he had two sacks, and Jags Coach Jack Del Rio saw the potential that the Texans had missed. Houston’s loss turned into Jacksonville’s gain.
Pettway made the most of those games, having the biggest game of his career on Dec. 3, 2006. He got his first career sack that day in Miami, had two solo tackles, and three quarterback pressures. That performance garnered him more play at defensive end the rest of the 2006 season.
This season, along with playing on special teams, the Jags asked him to work on becoming an outside linebacker as well, a challenge he willingly accepted. He’s done so well making the transition that he’s now listed as number two at outside linebacker on Jacksonville’s depth chart.
Following his team’s 42-28 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, Kenny reflected on his maturity and discussed the team’s upcoming playoff run.
“I love the team (Jaguars) down there. The way they let me play and get out there and use my abilities is great. Ever since the day I got there, I fell in love with Jacksonville. This is the team that I can see myself playing on. I’m primarily a defensive end and I’m trying to learn linebacker. At the present time, I’m trying to get down both positions at the same time, so it can give me more stuff to do on the team, as well as going with special teams, so hopefully, I can try and get all three of them down, and perfect them well.”
“I always hope that I can stay with the Jaguars long-term. This is my last year on my contract, and hopefully, I’ll be able to re-sign with them and come back next year. As long as I keep doing what I’m doing on special teams and play good snaps on defense at defensive end or linebacker either one, I’ll hopefully be here for a long time.”
When asked what the keys to Jacksonville’s successful season and qualifying for the playoffs were, he responded, “We just work hard every day, go to practice, and go through our reps and make sure everything’s perfected. We try to make sure there’s no holes in the defense or anything like that. From day one, Fred Taylor (starting running back) talked about working hard and being committed to what you do on the field. There’s not one selfish player on this team. Everybody knows their role, and they do it well.”
Kenny noted the biggest difference he’s seen between the mediocre Texans and the playoff-bound Jags. “We are together off the field more. I’m with my teammates almost 24/7 a lot of the time. We’re always around each other. We know each other like the back of our hands, so when you’re on the field with those guys, you know each other inside and out.”
Jacksonville will begin the Wild Card playoff round in Pittsburgh Saturday night at 7 p.m. Central Time. The game will be broadcast on NBC.
At the time of our interview, it was still up in the air as to whether they would travel to San Diego or Pittsburgh this weekend.
When quizzed about whom they might have preferred to play, he replied, “We haven’t had any discussions about who we’d like to play. We played both of them this year and did pretty good against them, so we’ll just go in and prepare for whichever team we play, and take it one game at a time. You always want to think that your team has as good a shot as anybody going in to the next game. You don’t want to under think yourself and say this team’s better than us. I think all our players think that we’re good, and as long as we take it one game at a time, and prepare for these teams every week and don’t look ahead, we’re going to be okay.”
There is a good possibility that the Dallas Cowboys could be the NFC participant in the Super Bowl. Being from Texas, it figured that would be a match up Kenny would enjoy. “That would be something special right there, it would be. The Cowboys, when I was growing up, were America’s Team with Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and those guys playing, and there’s a lot of tradition behind that team going to the Super Bowl. They’ve been there a couple of times and won it, and they know what it takes to get there. That would be something interesting, but at the same time, it would be interesting for us to make it there, so if we make it there, I don’t care who’s on the other side, as long as we’re there.”
Kenny also had some comments about the Gilmer Buckeyes and their appearance in the State Championship game this season. “Man, those guys up there are doing a great job. I had an opportunity to actually work with some of them during the summer camp this summer, and just from working with them, I saw how disciplined they were. They were just headstrong about playing football.
“I worked with Coach Traylor out there and everything was just in order and they do everything right, so I can see why they’re 85-15 (in Jeff Traylor’s eight seasons as head coach). The team is just so disciplined, and when you have a disciplined team, and the team works together, and nobody’s bigger than the other players, you’re going to always have a winning program. As long as they keep running it like that, it’s always going to be there, and I hope he (Coach Traylor) stays there forever and keeps it going the way he’s got it going.”
He knew the team was disappointed in not bringing the Championship Trophy back to Gilmer, but he had some good advice for the Buckeyes.
“Don’t be down. It’s an accomplishment just to make it to the State Championship. Only four teams get to play in that throughout the whole State of Texas. It’s another accomplishment to finish it. They didn’t get a chance to finish it this year, so they just have to come back next year and work that much harder to finish it.
“I would tell them never to be down because you beat everybody that stepped in your path, you made it to the big show, you just didn’t get the chance to finish the big show. The next time you get there, just make sure you finish it out.”
Pettway concluded, “I appreciate my (Gilmer) fans, and all their support, and just keep rooting for us.”
Without a doubt, everyone in Gilmer WILL root for Kenny and the Jaguars to make it to the Super Bowl, but if the Cowboys end up being the NFC representative, it will probably make it a little harder then. Of course, there’s that little team in New England that will eventually stand in the Jaguars way IF they want to play in Phoenix in February, but for now, life is good for Kenny Pettway and the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Gilmer is proud of their accomplishments so far this season.
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