Water Level
|
632.86 ft
updated 9:00 PM
|
Live Webcam
Vacation Rentals
|
Former Bay City coach returns for camp
Posted: Thu, 21 May 2009 11:08 AM - 8,171 Readers
By: Mike Forman
Chad Morris remembers the blister on Andrew Smith's index finger. "He would keep the nail on his index finger a little longer because it was the last finger the ball touched when he threw and he wanted to hear it flick when he let it go," Morris said. "He would show me the blister on the end of his finger." Morris also recalls Smith's infectious smile and the smile he brought to the faces of Bay City fans by directing the team to the 2000 Class 4A, Division I state championship. "I remember that smile on the first day I came on the field and told him that we were going to throw it around a lot," Morris said. "I also remember his quick release and his ability to make plays and get us in the right situation. He was just a winner." The same could be said of Morris, who was in his first season as the head football coach at Bay City when the Blackcats won their second state championship. Bay City advanced to the 2001 Class 4A, Division I state final and into the bi-district playoffs in 2002 before Morris left for Stephenville, where he had 48-10 record in five seasons. Morris became the head football coach at Lake Travis last season and led the Cavaliers to a 16-0 record and the Class 4A, Division I state championship. "I've never been afraid of a challenge," said Morris, who has 150 wins and appeared in five state finals in his 15 years as a head coach. "Going from Elysian Fields to Bay City, I never felt like going from Class 2A to 4A was going to be a challenge. "When I went from Stephenville to Lake Travis, they had just won a state championship. They contacted me and we met at an undisclosed location. I wanted to see what it was like. It sounded really good. I thought it was a place that was just scratching the surface of what it could do. I knew they had just won a state championship and there was no way to go but down. I wasn't afraid. It was just a matter of coming in treating the kids right and developing relationships with them." Lake Travis is currently holding spring football drills, but Morris will take a break Saturday to travel to Bay City for the annual Andrew Smith Jr. Football Camp. The camp is held in honor of Smith, who died in a car wreck in August of 2004, while returning to Denton for fall practice at the University of North Texas. Proceeds from the camp, which is open to boys ages 6-17, go to the Andrew Smith Jr. Scholarship Fund. Smith passed for 1,206 yards as a red-shirt freshman and led North Texas to a 24-19 win over Cincinnati in the 2002 New Orleans Bowl, the school's first bowl win since 1946. "When Andrew went to North Texas, we kept great communications," Morris said. "I told him that if he got into a bowl game, I would be there. My dad and I went to see the New Orleans Bowl. He knew I would be there and when he saw me, he just laughed. He had a great impact on my coaching career." Morris is looking forward to visiting with old friends and seeing former players like Archie McDaniel, who played linebacker on Bay City's state championship team and at Texas A&M and is currently a graduate assistant coach for the Aggies. "You learn a little bit of something from every state championship game," Morris said. "As a coach, you take it all into perspective. I really enjoyed that win in Bay City. I remember how much our kids relished that year, but still worked hard. I've tried to take from what we did at Bay City. We didn't lose focus and remembered what we were there for. We did the same things at Lake Travis."
[edit]
|
Lake Travis News
LCRA to reopen Lake Travis for public use Wednesday
Nov 6, 2018
|
34,721 Readers |
LCRA: Lakes could open by Nov. 2 depending on conditions
Oct 30, 2018
|
28,415 Readers |
Mansfield Dam floodgates to close starting Thursday
Oct 30, 2018
|
31,368 Readers |
LCRA will not open more gates at Mansfield Dam at this time
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,513 Readers |
Lago Vista residents prepare to evacuate due to flooding of Lake Travis
Oct 18, 2018
|
33,524 Readers |
An incredible view of an open Mansfield Dam : Youtube video
Oct 18, 2018
|
29,880 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to hit highest level since 1991 by Friday
Oct 17, 2018
|
27,657 Readers |
Hike and bike trail on Lady Bird Lake closed due to rising water
Oct 17, 2018
|
26,897 Readers |
Lake Travis expected to open 4 more floodgates. Take Precaution
Oct 17, 2018
|
30,647 Readers |
Record number of Mansfield dam floodgates could open
Oct 17, 2018
|
23,174 Readers |
Alamo’s Jaws on the Water is back to scare you while you float on Lake Travis
May 15, 2018
|
27,779 Readers |
This student’s wakeboarding graduation photoshoot is so epic she deserves another degree
May 8, 2018
|
25,787 Readers |
Here’s why you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. Wait — you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake?
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,322 Readers |
5 Ways to Try Paddleboarding in Austin
Aug 4, 2017
|
28,216 Readers |
Why Is Hippie Hollow Clothing-Optional?
Jul 31, 2017
|
32,026 Readers |
JAWS on the Water - Friday, June 30th
Jun 27, 2017
|
27,740 Readers |
Memorial Day Weekend watercraft ban on Lake Austin
May 25, 2017
|
30,002 Readers |
Travis County officials prep for Memorial Day weekend on Lake Travis
May 23, 2017
|
27,566 Readers |
West Austin 4-H Offers Opportunities Beyond Just Raising Animals
Aug 9, 2016
|
37,800 Readers |
Large Crowds Expected at Lake Travis For Holiday Weekend
Jul 1, 2016
|
39,490 Readers |
Lake levels falling fast as Texas drought continues
Jul 27, 2022
|
15,039 Readers |
Repairing Lake Travis homes damaged by flooding
Nov 2, 2018
|
29,699 Readers |
Lake Travis now more than 120 percent full
Oct 17, 2018
|
23,005 Readers |
Graveyard Point residents brace for flooding
Oct 17, 2018
|
24,479 Readers |
Floodgate Operations Underway at Local Lakes During Flooding
Oct 16, 2018
|
24,512 Readers |
As Flood Risk Increases, Austin Will Revisit Its Floodplain Building Rules
Oct 15, 2018
|
24,777 Readers |
Up to 35 days of 100-degree heat this summer in Austin area, LCRA says
May 9, 2018
|
26,524 Readers |
Lake Buchanan rises nearly 8 inches due to rain
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,714 Readers |
One floodgate open at Starcke Dam
Aug 7, 2017
|
27,200 Readers |
Driving on RM 620, I see islands sticking out of the lake. Is the drought returning?
Jul 14, 2017
|
28,462 Readers |
Spectacular catch highlights our High School Plays of the week
Oct 16, 2018
|
22,547 Readers |
Classic Berth, Big Payday On The Line At Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest
May 15, 2018
|
27,102 Readers |
Several newcomers already set to play for Texas in 2017
Aug 7, 2017
|
28,501 Readers |
PGA to Austin: We had lots of fun, so let’s do it again in 2017
Apr 1, 2016
|
38,787 Readers |
Jordan Spieth Off To Good Start In Austin Return
Mar 24, 2016
|
38,396 Readers |
Katy vs Lake Travis game makes the list!
Jan 13, 2016
|
36,070 Readers |
Game of the week: Lake Travis (7-0) at Westlake (7-0)
Oct 19, 2015
|
38,145 Readers |
Lake Travis repeats as regional golf champions
Apr 17, 2015
|
40,520 Readers |
Lake Travis’ Bacon ties national HR record
Mar 14, 2015
|
40,897 Readers |
Westlake, Lake Travis sweep District 14-6A awards
Mar 11, 2015
|
41,796 Readers |
Shack 512 Relaxed, lakeside dining accessible by car or by boat
May 16, 2018
|
26,788 Readers |
Residents addressing wildfire risks in Lake Travis, Westlake
May 16, 2018
|
25,823 Readers |
Ex-Point Venture water employee accused of misappropriating $65K
May 16, 2018
|
26,387 Readers |
West Lake Hills’ new drainage manual created in an effort to reduce flooding
May 15, 2018
|
27,058 Readers |
Round Rock City Council approves cost share for zebra mussel control in Lake Travis
May 11, 2018
|
27,799 Readers |
Nautical Boat Clubs Launches Lake Austin Location in Westlake
May 5, 2018
|
27,521 Readers |
City looking for help to curb storm drain pollution
Aug 5, 2017
|
27,346 Readers |
Apache Shores features waterfront views, trails, park
Jul 14, 2017
|
26,614 Readers |
10-year Mansfield Dam rehabilitation project will keep Austin safe
Apr 27, 2017
|
27,929 Readers |
Overflowing Lake Travis isn't all bad news for businesses
Jun 8, 2016
|
36,528 Readers |
Appraisal protest trend continues as assessments rise
May 16, 2018
|
26,335 Readers |
Go Inside This Lake Austin Remodel
May 10, 2018
|
24,198 Readers |
Modern guesthouse tower adds space, views to lakeside cabin
Sep 28, 2017
|
29,474 Readers |
A Striking Sanctuary in Texas Inspired by a Sand Dollar
Aug 8, 2017
|
29,909 Readers |
Contemporary Architectural Masterpiece on Lake Austin
Jul 30, 2017
|
27,549 Readers |
Lake Austin mansion with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, including dramatic backstory
Jul 28, 2017
|
27,775 Readers |
Midcentury-modern home overlooks Lake Austin, Pennybacker Bridge
May 27, 2016
|
37,714 Readers |
Lake Travis Waterfront Retreat Offered by Heritage Luxury Real Estate Auctions
May 18, 2016
|
37,908 Readers |
In Lago Vista, big dreams for $68 million ranch property
May 14, 2016
|
37,823 Readers |
This Texas Barn Mansion on Lake Travis is Out of This World
May 6, 2016
|
41,628 Readers |
News Archives 2009 - Select a Month
|