COUNTY NEWS
PUNKIN DAY BY AIR--This aerial photo captured the crowds in
Floydada on Punkin Day, October 13. Parking places were hard to come
by in downtown Floydada. Booths on the square and downtown businesses
reported a brisk business.
Floydada Celebrates 14th Punkin
Day
By Jessica Coronado
WTA&M Communications Student
Floydada citizens celebrated its annual Punkin
Days Saturday, October 13. This was the 14th year of the event in
Floydada, Texas.
According to a festivities brochure, Punkin Days
began in 1987 when a local pumpkin producer ran an idea by the
Chamber of Commerce. A few citizens took on the suggestion and Punkin
Days was since born. Three years after its inception, Punkin Days
began to receive local, statewide, and national media attention and
has continued to grow.
Donna Grundy, chairman of the event and president
of the Floydada Chamber of Commerce estimated that after about four
months of planning nearly 3,000 people attended this year's
festivities.
"This year we have 70 arts and crafts booths,
which is more than we've ever had, and 20 food booths," Grundy said.
"We also have a biker rally and the Nifty Fifties Car Club in
attendance this year."
For the third year running, Sue Burnett made her
way to the celebrations with an arts and crafts booth garnering items
such as candles, bag holders, stuffed animals, aprons, and tissue
holders, which she mostly makes herself.
"It's my psychiatrist," said Burnett of her hobby.
"I just make it to sell."
Despite the booth count reaching a number
surpassing that of any other year, Burnett said that there has been
no difference in business. "There are a lot of people out today. The
weather has helped," Burnett said.
As stated in the brochure, the Punkin Days
committee's philosophy has always been "fun for everyone."
"Through Punkin Days we just want to promote our
pumpkins that we have here since we are 'Pumpkin Capital, U.S.A.',"
said Grundy. "We also want to bring more people to Floydada to show
what we have to offer."
People from all over did indeed attend. Burnett
herself is from Snyder, Texas and says that she chooses to set up a
booth at Punkin Days in Floydada because "it just looked like
friendly people."
So friendly in fact, that this year Burnett's
husband Melvin decided he wanted to partake in all the fun as a food
vendor for the first year. He sold BBQ, Frito pie, sausage, hot dogs
and much more out of his booth.
A dance featuring the band Chuck McClure and
Double Take was another event that went on into the evening. As "The
Pumpkin Capital, U.S.A.", Floydada produces more than one million
pumpkins each year.
Whirlwinds Capture Trophy
2001 COUNTY CHAMPS--The Floydada Whirlwinds
took over possession of the County Trophy after the rival match, and
district game, between Longhorns and Whirlwinds, Friday, October 12,
ended with a score of Whirlwinds 45 and Longhorns 14.
Whirlwinds Capture Floyd County
Championship
By: Bill Gray
Displaying their biggest offensive output of the
2001 season, the Floydada Whirlwinds ran through, around and over the
Lockney Longhorns for an impressive 45-14 victory in the annual Floyd
County Championship game last week at Lockney's Mitchell-Zimmerman
Field. Andrew Arvizu's 151 yards on 10 attempts spearheaded a
Floydada offense which produced 371 yards on the ground. Dustin
Covington carried 14 times for 113 yards and a touchdown, and T.J.
Fuller accounted for 95 yards on only 7 carries, producing two
scores.
Winning for the fifth time against two setbacks
for the season, the Whirlwinds won for the first time in District
5-2A action for second-year head coach Lee Hurt. Lockney drops to 2-4
for the year and 1-1 in district play.
The Longhorns carved out 235 yards on the ground,
with freshman sensation Mark Ford carrying 15 times for 86 yards.
Ulisis Martinez totaled 72 yards on 18 attempts and Jesus Rios ran
for 57 yards on 11 totes. Quarterback Ben Sherman was 5 of 11 for 77
yards and two touchdowns.
Floydada opened the scoring with Dustin
Covington's 59-yard touchdown run on the Whirlwinds' second
possession. Tyler Helms connected on his first of six extra-point
kicks as the 'Winds took an early 7-0 lead. Junior Andrew Arvizu had
the biggest night of his varsity career, highlighted by a 76-yard run
which set up Floydada's second score. Helms crashed through on a
quarterback sneak from two yards out late in the first quarter to cap
the 6-play, 81-yard drive.
Long runs by Mark Ford and Ulisis Martinez moved
the Longhorns down field following the ensuing kickoff. A
perfectly-tossed, 28-yard aerial from Sherman to Frankie Gonzales put
Lockney on the board - three minutes into the second quarter. Jesus
Rios added the extra point to cut the Floydada lead in
half.
The 'Winds capitalized on good field position on
the kickoff and moved 60 yards in only 5 plays. Helms connected with
Arvizu on an 18-yard scoring strike, and added the conversion, to
extend Floydada's lead to 21-7 at the 7:08 mark of the second period.
The Whirlwinds had good field position on their next possession, due
to a short Longhorn punt against the stiff wind. Helms tossed a
28-yarder to Brady Rainwater to move inside of the Lockney 20. A
second-down penalty helped stall Floydada's drive, and the 'Winds
were forced into a field goal attempt. Helms answered the call with a
28-yarder - his fourth 3-pointer of the season - to propel Floydada
to a 24-7 lead at intermission.
The Longhorns roared back with an 11-play, 69-yard
scoring drive to open the third period. A 17-yard pass from Sherman
to Jared Lambert moved the 'Horns to mid-field. Ford and Martinez
again ran with authority, setting up a 3-yard touchdown toss from
Sherman to Chad Johnson. Rios added the conversion to bring Lockney
to within 10 points. However, that was the closest the 'Horns would
get to overtaking Floydada's lead.
T.J. Fuller responded with a 44-yard run, setting
up his own 1-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Rainwater
intercepted a Sherman pass on Lockney's ensuing possession to put a
halt to a Longhorn comeback. Jeremy Duran's 72-yard touchdown return
of a Lockney fumble on the third play of the fourth quarter pretty
well sealed the victory for the Whirlwinds.
Floydada defensive coordinator David Kennedy
commented, "All year we've asked the defense to try to score at least
once in a game...Jeremy came through with the long fumble return to
uphold that request."
Floydada sophomore Gerald Henderson put a stop to
a Lockney drive midway through the final stanza by intercepting a
Sherman pass. On first down from the Lockney 42-yard line, T.J.
Fuller broke into the clear and galloped to the end zone. Helms added
the extra-point for the final 45-14 margin of victory.
It was a sweet victory - particularly for
Floydada's seniors. Lineman Frank Hernandez commented, "We hadn't
beaten Lockney during my varsity years, and I am awfully happy that
we did it tonight. I think our line kind of dominated tonight, and
our backs ran hard...it's just good to win this one."
Floydada Coach Lee Hurt said, "We had those two
district losses which put our backs to the wall. After the Abernathy
loss, we were really flat...but they came back and worked hard all
week and were well-prepared for anything that Lockney would throw at
them. We got off to a good start with those two touchdowns against
the hard wind. That seemed to give us the momentum that we never did
give up. Good teams take advantage of turnovers, and we scored 21
points off their turnovers in the second half."
The coach added, "We've got to just keep taking
them one at a time. Morton comes to town this week, and they've got a
very talented freshman quarterback who will give us a problems if we
aren't well-prepared for them. They have a very explosive ball
club...the QB keeps you spread out, developing running lanes, and
they have some good speed in the backfield." Coach Hurt closed by
saying, "Our kids know that we have to take care of business these
next three games. We'll continue taking it one game at a time in
hopes of getting by the next three...and into the
playoffs."
Lockney will travel to Hale Center this week. The
Owls lost to district-leading Abernathy 40-15 last Friday.
Bill's Notes: The 78th meeting between the
Whirlwinds and Longhorns was not as close as some in recent memory,
but the game still had an almost-playoff atmosphere. The tension was
so evident in the early going, one could feel it on the sidelines!
The Whirlwind offensive line once again did a super job as did the
special teams. Chase and Dustin are the perfect combination to make
Tyler's kicking game work. Good job again performed by all three.
Offensive play of the game has to be Andrew Arvizu's long run. He
didn't score, but it set up a short TD moments later. Jeremy's fumble
recovery for the 72-yard TD has to be the defensive gem of the game.
A note worth mentioning about Lockney...freshman Mark Ford is one
fine ball player, and one we'll be seeing and hearing a lot about
these next several years. He has football-savy way beyond his years.
Lockney's offense will be one to have to contend with in their final
four games...they could put a real dent into Hale Center's playoff
hopes this week. I look for the 'Horns to win at least three of their
next four outings, staring with a 20-16 victory over the Owls
tomorrow night. The Whirlwinds will take many scalps at Wester Field
this week against Morton.
Cogdell Trust Makes
Donations
W.J. Mangold Memorial Hospital was the recent
recipient of a $50,000 donation from the Martha Ann Cogdell
Trust.
In Floyd County, the Caprock Hospital District
Ambulance Fund, and the City of Lockney Ambulance Fund, were also
recipients of $10,000 each.
Other entities receiving donations from the trust
were: City of Turkey Ambulance Fund, $10,000; City of Quitaque
Ambulance Service, $10,000; Silverton Voluntary Ambulance Service,
$10,000; City of Claude Volunteer Ambulance Service, $10,000; The
Wayside Emergency Team Inc., $10,000; Motley County Ambulance
Service; Hall County EMS Ambulance Service; and Tulia Rural Health
Clinic.
"We are very appreciative and grateful for the
donation," said Sharon Hunt, administrator of W. J. Mangold Hospital.
"The longtime support of the Cogdell Trust Fund
has meant so much to this hospital, as well as to the community of
Lockney and other surrounding communities. It is difficult for small,
rural hospitals and EMS services to survive in today's time.
Contributions from the Cogdell's have helped to ensure that these
services remain available for the citizens in this area."
For many years the Martha Ann Cogdell Trust has
purchased ambulances for various cities and hospital districts in
this area, including the Caprock Hospital District Ambulance Fund,
the City of Wayside Emergency Team, the City of Claude Volunteer
Ambulance Service, the City of Turkey Ambulance Fund, the City of
Quitaque Ambulance Service, the Silverton Voluntary Ambulance
Service, the City of Lockney Ambulance Fund, and the Motley County
Ambulance Service.
In addition, many thousands of dollars have been
made in annual gifts to these various ambulance services to assist in
operation expenses. The Trust has also built clinics in Floydada,
Lockney, and Silverton.
The members of the board of directors of the
Martha Ann Cogdell Trust are: Connie Cogdell, Billy Cogdell, Carol
Cogdell Courtney, Bette Cogdell, and Norma Birdwell.
Trunk or Treat!
The annual Trunk or Treat, sponsored by Floydada
Chamber of Commerce, will be held Saturday, October 27th. Trunk or
Treating is encouraged in Floydada, in lieu of Trick or Treating in
the neighborhoods.
Trunk or Treat candy is distributed to costumed
youngsters out of the trunks of "pre approved" vehicles parked along
the jogging path in front of Floydada High School.
All candy is supplied by donations to the chamber
and the chamber is currently seeking those donations. Anyone wishing
to donate candy, or money to buy candy, should bring the donations to
the Chamber Office, located in City Hall, or by dg
Designs.
Anyone wishing to pass out candy along the jogging
path needs to call Donna, 983-5506, or Angie, 983-3434.
In the event of inclement weather, Trunk or Treat
will be moved inside the High School.
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