The 2010 schedule for the Denison football team has been completed. With its last opening filled, the honor goes to......Belle Glade Central of Florida.
The two teams will take part in a Texas-Florida Classic at DeSoto during Week 2. Abilene and Cocoa will play on Friday night while the Jackets and Belle Glade Central will kick off the action on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. before DeSoto plays Miramar. There is a chance that the games will be televised on the ESPN family of networks.
But here is the kicker, and I'm not talking Dalton Hestand. The organizers of this Texas-Florida showdown will send the Texas teams to Florida -- and cover the cost -- for the 2011 season and take on either to-be-determined opponents or the teams they play in 2010.
It will be the second time Denison will play in the Sunshine State, having lost to AC Reynolds at Disney's Wide World of Sports in the fourth week of the 1999 season.
Belle Glade went 13-1 in 2009, losing the Class 2A state title game, 27-13, to defending champ Cocoa. Belle Glade was trying to win its seventh state title and third of the decade. Even though they are 2A in Florida, the school has roughly the same enrollment as Denison.
And in terms of sending players to the NFL, very few can match Belle Glade. Among the school's nearly two-dozen football alumni --there are nine in the league right now (the most of any high school in the country -- include Pittsburgh receiver Santonio Holmes and New England running back Fred Taylor.
UPDATE: I confirmed with Coach White, who also posted on the blog, that both the Kennedale and Frisco Liberty games will be at Munson. So this season Denison will have five home games and will have four next year. The order below is correct.
Comments ... 40 found!
Texas vs. Florida : 3/5/2010
Looking forward to seeing Denison play Belle Glade Glades Central. After covering Texas football for eight years and Florida sports for 9 years, I think Texas has the most top football players but Florida has the best football players per capita of any state in the nation.
What sets Florida apart is that EVERY team in the state has spring football - after all the other sports are done. They finish the other sports by mid-May (including state championships) so football can get in 2-3 weeks before finals (not sure if Texas still has it just for the top classes, but UIL makes them choose to have spring ball or have a full summer workout; FHSAA doesn't). Plus the weather's better too - most years.
It seems that Texas teams, in general, focus more on the systems, while Florida focuses more on athletes.
Denison will have a fight on its hands vs. Glades Central, but I hope Texas football shines in this case. Go Jackets!
DHS '88 / Herald-Democrat alum
D Green : 3/4/2010
Since you decided to exit the site, I suppose that I write to you in vain. If you were still here, I would tell you that one of the happy thoughts in my troubled life... IS JACKET FOOTBALL!!! I have loved and supported them in good times and in bad. What will we do if we don't have "continued success?" I would imagine that we will all be here cheering them on as long as Jason Della Rosa so kindly provides us a forum. You can bet we'll still be EXCITED about and talking about Denison sports. Mr Green, I hope that whatever your many interests are, they bring you as much happiness as I find in Denison Yellow Jacket football......
Jacket Mom
Jacket Mom : 3/4/2010
You're right Jacket Mom life is not all about Jacket football and this website. I will excuse myself from this site and let you people rant on about your beloved Jackets. Hope for continued success because what in the world will you people do if not?
D Green
Ps abd Qs : 3/4/2010
I believe that the point is.... D Green is not being forced to click on this particular topic if he is weary of reading about it. Why should those who are interested in it "give it a rest?"
Jacket Mom
My Old Friend : 3/4/2010
Thank you Mind Your Ps and Qs, just stating my opinion for what it's worth.
D Green
Mind Your "Peas"... : 3/4/2010
I remember you from last year when you told us how bad the bearkitties were gonna stomp all over Denison. Nice to see you again. Took you a while to show your "face" again ?
Denison Fan
lets go D : 3/3/2010
D Green is entitled to his opinion, so before you start barking orders, just read my poster name!
Mind your Ps and Qs
D Green : 3/1/2010
Some of us enjoy discussing high school sports. In my case , I enjoy h.s. sports because it seems to be the only sports organization left that the media and promoters have not ruined yet. The participants play hard for an education and for the love of the game. I appreciate your opinion , but if it seems too much, try another blog.
lets go D
Not to Loud : 2/28/2010
Not to loud just too much after a while.
D Green
Belle Glade Central : 2/27/2010
I think it is pretty cool for a high school team to play before a national TV audience. I believe the team this coming season is going to be kind of like the team that previously played in the Disney Bowl(?). The previous season(s) the Jackets were very strong with great depth, then the season they play the TV game happens to be a down year for them. I have great confidence in the Jackets & know they will represent Denison very well.
My younger brother, DHS '76, has lived in Vero Beach, FL since around '80. VB is just up the road from Belle Glade Central High. I sent him this article & asked what he knew about the team. He replied, "They chase rabbits through the sugar cane fields & run up and down the dike of Lake Okeechoee for conditioning!"
I'm not posting this to put BGCHS on a pedestal of any type, just relaying the info I received. It does give me insight as to why they may be so successful. My brother also sent a few links about them:
http://hometeam.tampabay.com/blog/2009/nov/30/round-3-know-foe-glades-central/
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2001-10-25-top10-stadiums-belleglade.htm
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/footballpreps/2a-football-belle-glade-glades-central-33-robinson-0/1056654
DHS athletics has a great history & the records speak for themselves. And to that I say STING 'EM JACKETS!!!
LongTallTexan
D Green : 2/26/2010
You just can't get enough of that 'Jacket Thang'. Remember, If it's Too Loud, Your Too Old. Read the Obits..
Jacket Master
Denison has become The Dallas Cowboys : 2/26/2010
Yeah, I said it. We are little Dallas. The last 25 years have proved it. The Jackets and the town expect big things every year. We have passed Sherman by a 4 miles? as the dominant team in Texomaland. 6 of 7 Battle of the last axe wins!. We are no patsies as in the past. Denison is known all over Texas for Winning tradition. I travel all over the our Great State and i usually wear my Armani Yellow Jacket clothes and, soo many people acknowledge it, from all over. It's really a good feeling when i'm approached in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Odessa, all over the place. You don't get that without doing something right for a long period of time. The Denison Yellow Jackets may have their up and down years but, The fact is, The word is out and that is that the Jackets are StateWide Respected, And we are the Premier Team of North Texas. When we dropped down to 4-A football in 1983, We showed everyone that one drop in classification put us on the path to Football history. One more win in Boys basketball would set a Third round school record in Basketball?. Our baseball team will be better this year as i know Coach Hughes will turn it around. A true testiment to the tradition of winning that has not slowed down in 25 years and shows no signs of it either!!! Go Jackets!!
Jacket Master
And So We Digress- Random Thoughts : 2/26/2010
Isn't it great living in this country where we can openly express our (sometimes opposing) opinions? It's obvious that we agree on one thing. We love and miss our high school football! Spring football is only two months away, and we'll be back under Friday night lights before you know it. I hear that the off season is going well. I have a question for you. Do you think that the success the Jackets had this last year will hold more kids in the program? Will it revitalize our longstanding TRADITION and inspire the hard work and determination necessary to keep us on the path of excellence? I would like to know if the Booster Club can raise funds to enable our boys to attend football camps in the summer; or is it the responsibility of the parents to do so? Is Denison going to play SQT 7 on 7 this summer? I read that Sulphur Springs coaches credit this for the turnaround in their football program. I noticed on one of the sites that 7 on 7 has become so popular that the tournaments are filling up fast. Anyone know who are the top prospects at RB and QB? I guess we will have to wait for spring ball. This much I know about Jacket football.... We always lament the graduation of great players, and then someone rises to the occasion and surprises us! In this case, we need 18 of them...Go Jackets!!
Jacket Mom
Give It a Rest : 2/26/2010
Why don't you boys take a break for a while you are wearing me out.
D Green
Jacket Master : 2/26/2010
Jacket Master: I wasn't beating up on Jason at all. In fact I have commended him more that once over the last year. Just pointing out that he often seems a little negative to me, but perhaps it's just being realistic. It's just that I remember a team in recent history (was it "05?)that surprised us all because they weren't supposed "to do anything", and we went pretty deep in the playoffs. Remember the awful game in Abilene? Which brings up another subject..the elephant in the living room. Thank you for mentioning the play calling in the Aledo game. I have been gnashing my teeth over it ever since the game. GRRRRRRRRRR. Even the Aledo fans couldn't believe that we didn't pass more. So many times over the years I have seen the coaches panic when we play these big games. LaMarque, Aledo(years ago), Aledo again, Frenship, etc. It's like the coaches have a brain freeze when it counts the most and abandon things that work and keep trying to do things that aren't working! Maybe hooking you up to Eddie wouldn't be a bad idea next year!! Cody is very young in his head coaching career. I was so concerned last year over all of the penalties and Cody felt that the aggressiveness was a factor that made us so good. Many of us knew that the lack of discipline would one day bite hard. And it did. We met up with a very talented and very DISCIPLINED team. As in the game with Aledo before, the coaching those kids have made a big difference in the game. I agree that now we will find out about what we truly have in Coach White. Let's hope that the agony of defeat will work some good going forward. It was so painful to watch that particular group of kids lose and not get to go on to state. Please don't everybody jump on me at once. I am a fan of White's and believe that he influences our kids in ways that go beyond sports. We are fortunate to have him. It must be beyond hard to be a coach in a one high school town with the successful tradition that Denison has. Let's keep that tradition going forward. GO JACKETS!!
Glass Half Full
sportsmanship : 2/26/2010
Bearcat Fan: I would like to refer you to another blog. Check out Spinks blog on District or Bust. There you will find an equal and opposing view of poor sportsmanship on Sherman's side. Over the years I have personally witnessed and heard some of the worst stuff coming from Bearcat players in every sport! Are you blind and deaf to the faults of your own teams? Guess so. FYI: For years Sherman's reputation for being ill mannered and rude (players and fans) has preceeded them. Just be realistic and admit that often a few rotten apples spoil the bunch and that goes for any team in any town.
the buzzie body
: 2/26/2010
I hope this year the Jackets play a clean game and make themselves worthy of all the praise there hard work has earned them. It does no good to have bad sportsmanship it overshadows all the positive work.
Bearcat Fan
Contacting Cody : 2/25/2010
Let's all just beat-up the sports writer. Man, He has the right to pick the final district standings like anyone but, since Jason is the Medium on here to use locally, People want to judge him, GET REAL PEOPLE! The kid is just doing his job..Now, Why do y'all think Cody wants to play in florida the 2nd game?. Because we all will want to run him out of town by District!. JUST KIDDING!. Coach has done a fine job the last 3 years with a talented squad. Now the real coaching begins. What can Cody White do in a rebuilding year?. The litmus test will be in place this year. I wish the Denison coaching staff the best. I have been successful contacting Coach Codys Email. Last year i wrote and asked him to plaese try Shalamar Traylor at Kick off return runner. Cody indeed tried it and the first time Trylor received a kick off, Well, Shalamar either ran it all the way back or close to it. I appreciate Cody taking my advise. I now would like to ask Cody to Hook-Up a set of headphones on the East side of Munson Stadium So, We, The members of The Dawg-Pound can help Handcock call plays better than the plays in the Aledo game. The Big one that got away!!!. I would like to also say that i pick Denison to Finish 3rd or 4th in District. 6 or 7 wins maybe. Why not!. We have lost some heavy talent and i don't see it coming back. I hope i'm wrong. Just keep the axe! Love Dem Jackets!!
Jacket Master
Coach White Supporter : 2/25/2010
I think Jason has done a great job on here. He has taken the initative to host LIVE web chats, etc. For such a small paper, I think that is great. I too have supported the program my entire life, as most of us had. I would like to think that I am realistic. I think 4th for next year is a stretch. We have a great O-line coming back, and what else ? I will be at every game home and away cheering for the kids, but this isn't Frisco and Mckinney North, and we won't be the dominant force we were. Coach White being thin skinned ?? I say it is really cool that he came on to discuss something that is important to alot of people. And let me say something else about Coach White...I have seen him at almost every basketball game cheering...not just sitting there like so many AD's do..He seems to really care about Denison and the kids of Denison...He mentioned "showcasing" Denison...I think that was in a little bit broader terms than just football...Any chance to get our town's name on a national stage can only help. My only gripe was I thought we were only having 3 home games..Now, that is not the case. I can't wait to those cool Fall nights back in Munson stadium.
Denison Fan
Glass Half Full : 2/25/2010
I know I won't please everybody but first and foremost as a reporter I'm a realist and objective. I'm not sure what I've written where I seem to be a glass half-empty person. In terms of projections, as of right now, without the benefit of spring ball and two-a-days, I see the football team battling Sulphur Springs for third in the district. What's funny is that you see that has half-empty yet many see me picking that as the opposite since there are 18 starters to replace, among them the all-time leading passer, rusher and two of the top five receivers.
In terms of contacting Coach White, I'm not sure where you are looking but in the DISD website under High School portion of the contact directory, one can find his email.
Jason Della Rosa
A Great Opportunity?? : 2/25/2010
Let me begin with expressing that I appreciate Coach White and all of our coaching staff and the fine work that they have done and will be doing with our kids in every sport. I am glad that Cody is a glass half full kind of guy, because it would take that to love the decision to play in Florida. Jason, you are usually a glass half empty kind of guy, I have noticed. Do I remember correctly that you picked next year's YellowJacket team to finish 4th in district? We really don't know what we have coming back next year in football and I too love our team(s). I was supporting them way before you or Cody arrived. Just because we have had some success under this coach doesn't mean that he is infallible. Let's have some balance here. It's pretty thin skinned of Cody to be so offended at some of the comments that were made previously on this thread. I am sure that he is more than aware that not everyone will bow down and love his every decision. That said, I have found a glass half full attitude in playing on national televison. I am sure that we won't be embarrassed, and that our fine team will do their very best as always. Even better maybe "showcasing Denison" will result in some students transferring into D.H.S. so that they too can be on T.V. next year! Heck, maybe even J. Gray will transfer in to be nationally showcased! On another note, I defy anyone to reach Coach White "to vent". He is not on the coaches email list, or on the faculty email list;not a chance that you can reach him by phone. Think he's serious about caring what we think?? One thing I can agree on said by one of Denison's finest coaches to date, "It's Great To Be A YellowJacket".
Glass Half Full
Relieved : 2/25/2010
I think knowing that we do indeed have 5 home games is a relief. My mom loves going to games and is too old to travel.
Jackets Rule
: 2/25/2010
Take a look at what Texas High's football schedule is this fall. They are not going to Florida, but they are going a long way for sure on Friday nights.
Texas High has 6 of 10 on the road this fall. These are round trip miles.
300 miles - Nacogdoches -(Vidor)game at halfway point.
300 miles - Jacksonville, Texas
530 miles - Bentonville, Ark.
320 miles - Denison, Texas
260 miles - Greenville, Texas
200 miles - Sulphur Springs, Texas
texark66
Live Chat : 2/24/2010
I will see about that in the coming months. I think a good time for that might be at the end of spring football since there will be so many open spots and a lot of people will be interested in how things are looking then. I also know that despite his post on the blog, he is not normally concerned with the media/internet portion of the job, leaving that up to others. But it certainly can't hurt to ask. Another downside is the timing issue so that fans could log on and he would be available, but I'm not making any promises.
Jason Della Rosa
Live Blog Request : 2/24/2010
Hey Jason, Do you think you could get Coach White for a Live Blog on here and talk about our football team for this upcoming season. That would be so cool! I know that it would be a great success. Alot of information could be shared. Would you try?. Awesome to see Coach Cody on here.
Jacket Master
: 2/24/2010
I am excited for our kids.I know our kids will overcome any obstacle placed in their way> I have faith in our boys!!!
Jacket parents
DHS Booster : 2/24/2010
I understand people wanting an even balance of home and away games and wanting to see all the games. While the schedule may be hard on most, in regards to a game in Florida, I do not see how it will be detrimental to the players in anyway. I agree wholeheartedly with Coach White that it is an incredible opportunity for the kids. No, I am not from Sherman. I just support Coach White and the decisions he makes. People are going to complain about the schedule no matter what it looks like. For years Wichita Falls has been the primary complaint. You'd think after playing at least one of the schools for all but two years in the past thirty years people would get over it. Now that Texarkana has been thrown in the mix people think Wichita Falls looks pretty good. People will complain about having to drive through the metroplex or about an opponent's stadium. People are always going to complain! Coach White cannot please everyone and I know his job is not to please me! In the end to me I don't care where the games are played. I know I will always be able to make the vast majority of them and will do so and support our coaches and our boys.
Tired of Complainers
Schedule : 2/24/2010
Sorry to have misunderstood about the number of home games. I thought that I had read somewhere on the blogs that the Kennedale and Liberty games were to be played at a neutral site. That is great news that my son's grandparents will be able to see him play five games at Munson next year! They weren't going to be able to travel to away games.... It's fun to see Coach White on the blog. Thank you for your explanation and glass half-full approach.
DHS Booster
You See! : 2/24/2010
I told ya'll that The Jackets would play anybody, anywhere!!! Too bad i won't be there but thats ok. Hey, Coach White What do we have coming back that might be worth showcasing?.
Jacket Master
: 2/24/2010
i hope this isnt the order of the games either. it doesnt seem right to not having sherman-denison be the final game of the year!
sports fan
A great Opportunity : 2/24/2010
What a geat opportunity for the Denison kids to get to experience an air travel game. When I was in school I only dreamed of getting to travel to Florida for a game. For those who are sad about not getting to travel to the game, maybe they should watch it on NATIONAL TELEVISION. Oh wait, its everyday High School kids get to play for a national audience...
Congrats Denison
schedule : 2/24/2010
Jason-you'll be proud that I actually have read my first blog! Perhaps I am a glass half-full kind of guy, but this is an incredible opportunity for our kids. While it may be inconvenient for some, this is a neat way to showcase Denison. I assure you that my staff and players will try real hard not to "embarass" Denison. I expect a great learning opportunity to be had here against a wonderfully talented football program. FYI- five home games next year and four the following. That is the only drawback which is more than countered by the opportunity to experience an air-travel game. Hope this answers any questions y'all might have. My door is always open if you feel the need to vent. As Coach Criswell says, "It's great to be a yellow jacket!"
Cody White
Schedule : 2/24/2010
We can't drive to Texarkana, but we can fly to Florida ???
(And yes, I know it is being "paid" for by the orgamizers.)
I don't like it at all...We should have 5 home and 5 away games.
Denison Fan
Kennedale/Liberty : 2/24/2010
One of these games is a home game. There is a chance that both could be at home but I would wager that it will be a home/away split.
Jason Della Rosa
Tired of Complainers : 2/24/2010
If you think there is NOTHING wrong with this schedule, then you must be from Sherman. If that is the case, then I could see why you might think this is "good work" by the coach. This schedule makes it really hard on the players, parents, and fans.
DHS Booster
Ludicrous : 2/24/2010
Does this means that Denison starts out with five away games next fall? Three are only THREE home games in the season!
DHS Booster
Schedule : 2/24/2010
There is nothing wrong with the schedule at all. The UIL other than placing Denison in a district should have NOTHING to do with scheduling! Keep up the good work Coach!
Tired of Complainers
Good Grief! : 2/24/2010
Oh, okay. We wouldn't play Allen, Waxahachie, or Southlake in a rebuilding year.... but we will play a powerhouse from Florida. Great decision! Our very talented and senior-laden team was overwhelmed and couldn't even handle a trip to Big Spring last season. I remember how embarrassingly poorly the Jackets played on television in the 1999 Florida fiasco. Well, at least the kids will have a trip to remember.
Dumbfounded
Schedule : 2/24/2010
It's "interesting" alright. Fine this year but not next with basically a 9 game schedule. I can't imagine many Denison fans going to Florida for a three hour game. O yeah, I know, vacation, right. It appears that the three Texas schools involved all needed games. Two of the three could have played each other leaving one team needing a game. I really don't understand all this. Has everyone in Texas filled out their schedules so no 3 or 4A schools needed a game let's say with Denison? Abilene and DeSoto are both 5A and could have played. This borders on lunacy. Where are you UIL, what role should you be playing if any? Your realignment process creates part of this mess in my opinion.
Puzzled
Denison football's final game : 2/24/2010
Congratulations on your schedule. This should be a great match up. I remember when Texas High went to Ohio to play Findlay High school. At that time the Tigers had Ryan Mallet at QB.Now at Ark U. Texas High won and several Tiger players rode in an airplane for the first time. A unique trip and one I'm sure the players will always remember.
One question I do have is how are the JV teams getting their schedules worked out in non district. If possible, please try to post the Denison and Sherman JV schedules when they are finished.
texark66
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