Who'd a thunk it?

Who’d a thunk it, huh?
While high-school football fans in Gonzales County are dancing in the streets these days (in between tropical storms), there’s some head-scratchin’ going on over in DeWitt County, where they’re not used to seeing more numbers in the “L” column than in the “W’s.”
Two weeks into the season, Gonzales County is a combined 6-0 (counting St. Paul, because of its Gonzales players, as a county school), while DeWitt County’s Cuero, Yoakum and Yorktown are a combined 2-4.
A word to the wise: don’t let those numbers fool ya.
While it’s good to see Gonzales and Nixon-Smiley winning — and winning big, at that — neither has admittedly faced a first-division opponent yet. The confidence they’re building can certainly go a long way in turning them into playoff-caliber teams, but to get to the playoffs, they will have to beat some playoff-caliber teams once district play starts.
And while it’s unusual to see Cuero winless after two games, the Gobblers have played two of the state’s strongest Class 3A teams to start the season. Likewise, both Yoakum and Yorktown have faced some quality opponents and each has managed a win.
We’ll get a chance this week to see some of that start to even out a little as Nixon-Smiley takes on Yorktown in what should be a dandy little contest.
The one thing that has changed at the two Gonzales County public schools: the attitude. I saw both teams the second half of last season, and it really wasn’t very pretty.
In Gonzales’ case, the re-arrival of Ricky Lock and a staff that won’t tolerate defeatism has rejuvenated spirits from the seniors all the way down to the junior-high level. The kids are taking the field feeling they can win.
In Nixon-Smiley’s case, it’s a matter of coach Carlton McKinney having had a full spring to get his system in place. My visits to the Mustangs’ workouts have shown me a group of kids that has re-found their bravado and confidence because they have a much better grasp of what they’re doing.
The attitude in both of those teams is something that was already present at St. Paul, where winning is almost expected these days. It becomes contagious, not only just on the football field but also in other sports and even in the classroom.
The saying holds that success breeds success. Here’s hoping we see more success from Gonzales and Nixon-Smiley.
*****
Speaking of success, since this is the opening weekend of the NFL season, it’s time to humiliate myself by making pre-season predictions which never, ever come true. But maybe a little success will rub off on me.
This will be the breakout year for the Houston Texans. They will make the playoffs. The Colts are still the team to beat in the AFC — along with the Patriots, the Chargers and I think the Jets will be in there, too.
In the NFC, Dallas will reach the Super Bowl. Sorry Nawlins, the Saints win a division title but that’s it. Also expect to see the Vikings, the Cardinals and the Eagles in the playoffs. Give the Packers a nod as your dark-horse.