The Loss of Stew

Wrestling fans are a different breed especially in the independents scene. For few hours on a certain day of a weekend we go and meet each other at a show exchanging pleasantries asking how's life and talking about what's going to happen on tonight show to WWE or AEW to wrestling rumors and news. It's like a strange family of misfits. Even though I no longer live in Austin area I still keep in contact with some down there along with San Antonio crew. Sadly yesterday I received a message that we lost one of best fans few weeks ago. His name is Stewart Buckingham or Stew as many called him. Despite wheelchair bound he got a zest for life. You felt it when you talk to him the very first time and it continues on every time when we meet. His zest was shown at the Anarchy Championship Wrestling and Inspire A.D. shows where he would up and front. He would cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys tossing in few expletives. His enthusiasm felt all over the building that wrestlers would let him be part of the show and get in the action. They would hold their opponent up in front of him so Stew can punch him. That would get cheers from the crowd. Stew would be super into it that he will be yelling, "LET ME AT HIM!" when wrestlers get close to him. At every show he's been at in Austin he's at he having exciting time of his life. I'm going to miss Stew and he's not the only one missing him. Everyone he met from fellow fans, wrestlers, UT athletes and staff were touched by his exuberant happiness on life. I offer my condolences to his family for the loss. RIP Stew. You will forever be missed.

Friday Night Lights Rivalry

Friday nights in Texas on a fall day are meant for one thing: high school football. It's the past time down here with big crowds filled with parents, students, alumnis, and local support feel all over the stadium. The thing is you graduate from high school and leave the area decades in life but you will always have look forward to the football scores on the local news of Friday night or the sport pages on Saturday to check how your high school football team won. I graduated from high school over two decades ago. Even I left the area for a good seven years I still check the scores if my former high school won as well checking other rival schools within the district despite it kept changing every two years. It was rivalry week as cross-town schools Legacy (formerly known as Midland Lee) and Midland High battle each other on the gridiron. I know its an intense big game every year. Back in my high school days there was one year students from both schools caused near riot at mall food court during lunch break on the day before the game. The action didn't end there as few students from both schools to crash other off the road. I'm not kidding on that part! The following year the school boards changed lunch periods for both schools so there be no repeat of it. If Legacy wins they clinch the state high school playoff spot. The game took place at Grande Communication Stadium. If that name sounds familiar the stadium was used for filming of Friday Night Lights movie. Legacy are the home team going in to the game.

Before the game they introduced five former high school athletes to MISD Hall of Legends. 1960 Midland High track and cross-country runner Tevis Herd, Midland Lee/Legacy tight end and former NFL player Eric Winston who was part of the school 3-peat from 1998-2000, MHS swimmer and bronze medalist Olympian Natalie Hinds, MHS track and cross-country runner Bryce Hoppel, and Lee/Legacy running back who lead to school 3-peat from 1998-2000 and former NFL player the late Cedric Benson honor posthumously by his mother and brothers. 

Legacy explosive offense jumped to a lead and never looked back as they put up 22 points by end of first quarter. Midland High would score making it 22-7 but onside kick backfire as Legacy returns it back for a touchdown. By halftime it was 43-14 Legacy.

Both school bands played during halftime to elaborate precision.

Legacy rushing back out to the field for the second half

Midland High make an effort but Legacy takes it 57-27 clinching a state playoff spot

I usually don't go to high school football games unless its rivalry week. It's worth a brag and support against the Bulldogs. Way a go Rebels! Sign Midland Lee/Legacy alumni.

Have a nice shot of the moon I took at the stadium