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If you're in the Lubbock area and looking to get into shape, but don't know where to start, check out the website for Cardinal's Fitness. You can sign up for individual classes -- no contract or membership required -- that are good for people at any fitness level.
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We got a chance to catch up with Oklahoma City (Okla.) Douglass offensive tackle Mildren Montgomery on Thursday night, and the offensive tackle is very happy with the 6-1 start that he and his squad have gotten off to. The only team they've lost to, coincidentally, is OKC Millwood, Cameron Batson's team.
"I'm very excited," Montgomery said. "That one game, we had a lot of problems that we let get out into the game. But, ever since then, we've all been about the team, going hard in practice, and I think these two last weeks have made a testament to our will and how much we want to play and be a part of all this."
Personally, Montgomery couldn't be happier with the way he's playing. He feels he's getting better every week and peaking at the right time.
"I get better every game," he said. "My dad is out there giving me some coaching tips from the stands, and I'm getting it from my coaches. They're coaching me up, motivating me on everything I need to do, and I think I'm playing better each week."
The playoffs are right around the corner, and Douglass is fully expecting to bring home a state title. The Oklahoma native is ready for the postseason, but it all feels a bit crazy right now being that he's only got a handful of games left in his high school career.
"We live for December around here," he said. "It's really crazy that this is my final run. Where I am, I wouldn't say it's unexpected cause I put in the hours and worked hard. My work ethic is unquestionable. But, it is surprising that we are where we are. It's right fitting for me, and it feels good to see all your hard work pay off. It's just really exciting."
Everything is going great between Montgomery and Texas Tech right now, too, as he's been keeping in touch with Sonny Cumbie on a regular basis. The tackle is going to make his way to Norman to catch Tech in action this weekend, and he can't wait.
"Everything's going really good," Montgomery said. "Still sending me messages, still calling each other. I'm actually going to the Tech-OU game on Saturday, and I'm gonna watch that. It's gonna be really exciting. I can't wait for it."
As far as the actual game, Montgomery is expecting a good one. He's watching two players in left tackle Le'Raven Clark and tight end Jace Amaro.
"I think it's going to be a really good game. I'm ready to see how Le'Raven Clark has progressed since I've been out there, when I went down there for a junior day," he said. "I want to see how he's doing, how Jace Amaro is doing too, because I think he has a really strong likelihood of playing on Sundays."
Being that Tech is 7-0 and doing so well, it makes Montgomery that much more excited to stay in Lubbock. With all the success, he's also hoping that head coach Kliff Kingsbury will stay for his entire career, but that's not something that he'll likely have to worry about as of now.
"I'm really excited. I'm really hoping that Coach Kingsbury is gonna stay to coach me up, because I want to run that style of offense," Montgomery said. "I think it fits me, and I'm really excited for it."
- McKay
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Speaking of Oklahomans, OKC Millwood Cameron Batson played his 9th game of the season last night. I spoke to him before the game and he felt that it would be a good game for Millwood to try and work some kinks out before the postseason starts in a few weeks.
This will be Batson's fourth playoff run in four years, and he feels good with where the team is right now.
"It feels good," Batson said. "The hard work from over the summer is paying off, so that's a good feeling to know that all your hard work is paying off. Playoffs, we should be rolling in good. We should definitely be make it to the state title game and win it all, but we have to stay focused and dedicated."
We spoke with former Millwood offensive coordinator Kevin Cox a few weeks ago about Batson and his future career, and Batson had nothing but great things to say about his former offensive coordinator.
Batson is currently debating on whether or not he'll graduate in December and head to Tech in January. He's not sure yet, but he's definitely got the credits in order to do so.
"I'm still in the thought process of if I just want to focus on me and my career or go out and finish my high school career," Batson said. "I'm still undecided on what I want to do. I have the credits to graduate in December, but I'm still undecided on what I want to do."
The senior is also a prospect trying to find a way into the Tech-OU game in Norman on Saturday afternoon. He's hoping for a big win by the Red Raiders and he'll be in Lubbock next week for Tech's contest against OSU.
"I'm trying to find some tickets to the game," he said. "I hope to find some tickets, but I'm definitely gonna be in Lubbock next weekend to play OSU. I hope they beat the crap out of OU and OSU both. Me being from Oklahoma and them not paying much attention to me, I hope they go out there with a bang."
- McKay
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One of the big fish still left on Tech's radar for the 2014 class is Glen Ellyn (Illinois) College of DuPage offensive tackle Fahn Cooper.
Cooper, a former Bowling Green player, visited Lubbock several week ago.
The offensive tackle said that he's really looking at Texas Tech and Texas A&M right now, but he's hearing from a few new schools. Cincinnati in particular.
"For me, really, it's still Tech and A&M," Cooper said. "That's who I'm really torn between. Cincy called last Friday, too, and their O-line coach offered me as well. They're wanting to talk to me."
Cooper was hoping to take a trip down to College Station during their season, but it looks like that may not happen now due to his own football schedule.
He will get a visit in by December, however.
"I'm really still trying to get a visit set up with A&M, but I really don't want to miss any of my games I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it in time," he said. "It's looking like I might not be able to get down to A&M until December. That's not a huge deal, though."
As I said earlier, Cooper visited for the Iowa State game and had a great trip. It was everything he was looking for.
He could definitely see himself wearing the red and black.
"I was out there two weeks ago," he said. "The visits went well. I'm glad I got a chance to go down there and see a game at Jones Stadium. I got to meet Coach Kingsbury, Coach Hays and all the rest of the coaches. I got to see what they bring in practice, on game day and stuff like that. It was a cool experience. I haven't ever really been to Texas, so it as a cool experience. I could definitely see myself there, and I think I fit in there really well."
In fact, Cooper would probably say that Tech is his number one school right now. A&M is definitely a close, close second, but he found everything he was looking for at the D-I level in Lubbock.
"If I had to say, that would definitely be my number one school," Cooper said. "I've still got to go down to A&M and check it out. But I got to go to Tech and see what it's really like to be a Texas Tech football player. A&M is still right there, but, at the same time, getting a chance to go down there and check out (Tech) it was everything I wanted to get out of a school when I went back to junior college. "
As far as a decision goes, Cooper may decide after visiting A&M in December, or he may wait a few weeks until mid-term signing day.
Regardless, it definitely looks like it will be Tech or A&M at this point.
"I feel like as soon as I can get down to A&M to check it out, after that, I'll be ready to make my decision," Cooper said. "I'm really thinking about waiting until signing day in December, weighing all my options out and all that. Taking all the visits that I can before signing in December."
Cooper currently holds offers from Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Boise State, Oregon State and Idaho.
- McKay
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Jah'Shawn Johnson and Ennis (Texas) look like they could contend for a 4A state championship
Johnson, a Tech commit listed as an athlete, primarily plays safety and helped oversee a 56-14 win against Mansfield Legacy in a battle of unbeatens last week. The win allowed the Lions to clinch a playoff spot at the earliest possible point they could.
"The season is going very, very well for us," Johnson said. "For three weeks, they thought they would come down here and run all over us. We played a good game against them."
Johnson stars at safety for Ennis, but he also plays
"I'm starting at free safety for us, and I rotate in as a receiver," Johnson said. "We don't really get a lot of the plays toward the back end. I have three interceptions right now. I have 30, 36 tackles, a few pass breakups. Offensively, I have a receiving touchdown, a rushing touchdown and I've thrown a touchdown."
Johnson would like to visit Tech next week for the Oklahoma State game.
That plan is up in the air right now.
"The relationship is still very good," Johnson said. "I'm supposed to go for the Oklahoma State weekend, but it depends on football here. If not, I'll be up for the Baylor game in Arlington for sure. Other than that, the relationship has just gotten better. I talk to them almost every day."
- Graham
This post was edited on 10/25 12:22 PM by A. Dickens
If you're in the Lubbock area and looking to get into shape, but don't know where to start, check out the website for Cardinal's Fitness. You can sign up for individual classes -- no contract or membership required -- that are good for people at any fitness level.
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We got a chance to catch up with Oklahoma City (Okla.) Douglass offensive tackle Mildren Montgomery on Thursday night, and the offensive tackle is very happy with the 6-1 start that he and his squad have gotten off to. The only team they've lost to, coincidentally, is OKC Millwood, Cameron Batson's team.
"I'm very excited," Montgomery said. "That one game, we had a lot of problems that we let get out into the game. But, ever since then, we've all been about the team, going hard in practice, and I think these two last weeks have made a testament to our will and how much we want to play and be a part of all this."
Personally, Montgomery couldn't be happier with the way he's playing. He feels he's getting better every week and peaking at the right time.
"I get better every game," he said. "My dad is out there giving me some coaching tips from the stands, and I'm getting it from my coaches. They're coaching me up, motivating me on everything I need to do, and I think I'm playing better each week."
The playoffs are right around the corner, and Douglass is fully expecting to bring home a state title. The Oklahoma native is ready for the postseason, but it all feels a bit crazy right now being that he's only got a handful of games left in his high school career.
"We live for December around here," he said. "It's really crazy that this is my final run. Where I am, I wouldn't say it's unexpected cause I put in the hours and worked hard. My work ethic is unquestionable. But, it is surprising that we are where we are. It's right fitting for me, and it feels good to see all your hard work pay off. It's just really exciting."
Everything is going great between Montgomery and Texas Tech right now, too, as he's been keeping in touch with Sonny Cumbie on a regular basis. The tackle is going to make his way to Norman to catch Tech in action this weekend, and he can't wait.
"Everything's going really good," Montgomery said. "Still sending me messages, still calling each other. I'm actually going to the Tech-OU game on Saturday, and I'm gonna watch that. It's gonna be really exciting. I can't wait for it."
As far as the actual game, Montgomery is expecting a good one. He's watching two players in left tackle Le'Raven Clark and tight end Jace Amaro.
"I think it's going to be a really good game. I'm ready to see how Le'Raven Clark has progressed since I've been out there, when I went down there for a junior day," he said. "I want to see how he's doing, how Jace Amaro is doing too, because I think he has a really strong likelihood of playing on Sundays."
Being that Tech is 7-0 and doing so well, it makes Montgomery that much more excited to stay in Lubbock. With all the success, he's also hoping that head coach Kliff Kingsbury will stay for his entire career, but that's not something that he'll likely have to worry about as of now.
"I'm really excited. I'm really hoping that Coach Kingsbury is gonna stay to coach me up, because I want to run that style of offense," Montgomery said. "I think it fits me, and I'm really excited for it."
- McKay
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Speaking of Oklahomans, OKC Millwood Cameron Batson played his 9th game of the season last night. I spoke to him before the game and he felt that it would be a good game for Millwood to try and work some kinks out before the postseason starts in a few weeks.
This will be Batson's fourth playoff run in four years, and he feels good with where the team is right now.
"It feels good," Batson said. "The hard work from over the summer is paying off, so that's a good feeling to know that all your hard work is paying off. Playoffs, we should be rolling in good. We should definitely be make it to the state title game and win it all, but we have to stay focused and dedicated."
We spoke with former Millwood offensive coordinator Kevin Cox a few weeks ago about Batson and his future career, and Batson had nothing but great things to say about his former offensive coordinator.
Batson is currently debating on whether or not he'll graduate in December and head to Tech in January. He's not sure yet, but he's definitely got the credits in order to do so.
"I'm still in the thought process of if I just want to focus on me and my career or go out and finish my high school career," Batson said. "I'm still undecided on what I want to do. I have the credits to graduate in December, but I'm still undecided on what I want to do."
The senior is also a prospect trying to find a way into the Tech-OU game in Norman on Saturday afternoon. He's hoping for a big win by the Red Raiders and he'll be in Lubbock next week for Tech's contest against OSU.
"I'm trying to find some tickets to the game," he said. "I hope to find some tickets, but I'm definitely gonna be in Lubbock next weekend to play OSU. I hope they beat the crap out of OU and OSU both. Me being from Oklahoma and them not paying much attention to me, I hope they go out there with a bang."
- McKay
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One of the big fish still left on Tech's radar for the 2014 class is Glen Ellyn (Illinois) College of DuPage offensive tackle Fahn Cooper.
Cooper, a former Bowling Green player, visited Lubbock several week ago.
The offensive tackle said that he's really looking at Texas Tech and Texas A&M right now, but he's hearing from a few new schools. Cincinnati in particular.
"For me, really, it's still Tech and A&M," Cooper said. "That's who I'm really torn between. Cincy called last Friday, too, and their O-line coach offered me as well. They're wanting to talk to me."
Cooper was hoping to take a trip down to College Station during their season, but it looks like that may not happen now due to his own football schedule.
He will get a visit in by December, however.
"I'm really still trying to get a visit set up with A&M, but I really don't want to miss any of my games I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to make it in time," he said. "It's looking like I might not be able to get down to A&M until December. That's not a huge deal, though."
As I said earlier, Cooper visited for the Iowa State game and had a great trip. It was everything he was looking for.
He could definitely see himself wearing the red and black.
"I was out there two weeks ago," he said. "The visits went well. I'm glad I got a chance to go down there and see a game at Jones Stadium. I got to meet Coach Kingsbury, Coach Hays and all the rest of the coaches. I got to see what they bring in practice, on game day and stuff like that. It was a cool experience. I haven't ever really been to Texas, so it as a cool experience. I could definitely see myself there, and I think I fit in there really well."
In fact, Cooper would probably say that Tech is his number one school right now. A&M is definitely a close, close second, but he found everything he was looking for at the D-I level in Lubbock.
"If I had to say, that would definitely be my number one school," Cooper said. "I've still got to go down to A&M and check it out. But I got to go to Tech and see what it's really like to be a Texas Tech football player. A&M is still right there, but, at the same time, getting a chance to go down there and check out (Tech) it was everything I wanted to get out of a school when I went back to junior college. "
As far as a decision goes, Cooper may decide after visiting A&M in December, or he may wait a few weeks until mid-term signing day.
Regardless, it definitely looks like it will be Tech or A&M at this point.
"I feel like as soon as I can get down to A&M to check it out, after that, I'll be ready to make my decision," Cooper said. "I'm really thinking about waiting until signing day in December, weighing all my options out and all that. Taking all the visits that I can before signing in December."
Cooper currently holds offers from Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Boise State, Oregon State and Idaho.
- McKay
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Jah'Shawn Johnson and Ennis (Texas) look like they could contend for a 4A state championship
Johnson, a Tech commit listed as an athlete, primarily plays safety and helped oversee a 56-14 win against Mansfield Legacy in a battle of unbeatens last week. The win allowed the Lions to clinch a playoff spot at the earliest possible point they could.
"The season is going very, very well for us," Johnson said. "For three weeks, they thought they would come down here and run all over us. We played a good game against them."
Johnson stars at safety for Ennis, but he also plays
"I'm starting at free safety for us, and I rotate in as a receiver," Johnson said. "We don't really get a lot of the plays toward the back end. I have three interceptions right now. I have 30, 36 tackles, a few pass breakups. Offensively, I have a receiving touchdown, a rushing touchdown and I've thrown a touchdown."
Johnson would like to visit Tech next week for the Oklahoma State game.
That plan is up in the air right now.
"The relationship is still very good," Johnson said. "I'm supposed to go for the Oklahoma State weekend, but it depends on football here. If not, I'll be up for the Baylor game in Arlington for sure. Other than that, the relationship has just gotten better. I talk to them almost every day."
- Graham
This post was edited on 10/25 12:22 PM by A. Dickens
