Harold Wilson

Quality production streams from the John Tyler fieldhouse still, whether in the form of top-notch talent or big-time matchups.

Even in a down decade by the school's standards, JT still owns a state championship appearance and three postseason berths and two NFL draftees, and one upset win over a top-ranked team.

But numbers of another sort truly show the value of the program.

Playing for the Lions produces dividends, just look at the number of ex-JT football players still going. At the end of last season, right at 30 former Lions remained on rosters at the professional and collegiate level, with the number tailing off just slightly for 2008.

A handful presently compete in the professional ranks, three in the NFL -- Denver Broncos defensive end Tim Crowder, New York Giants Super Bowl-winning cornerback Aaron Ross, and free agent defensive back Gary Baxter, who is hoping to catch on to another team after recently being released by the Cleveland Browns.

Daniel Hernandez, a former JT kicker, plays professional soccer in Mexico's Primera Division, and just recently the likes of LaDophyous Shaw-McCalla and Quincy Stewart wrapped up professional careers in the Canadian Football League.

Another former JT football player, UT-San Antonio sprinter Teddy Williams, earned All-American track honors last month and won a gold medal with the USA national team in the 400-meter relay.

Proving JT's talent pool still rivals most, Ross and Crowder went in the first two rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft with the 20th and 56th overall picks, respectively. How many high schools can boast a stat like that?

So excuse JT for not backing down to the big names around Texas, and for its ability to still draw premier matchups. After all, the Lions are about as big as it gets, having produced arguably the state's top player (Earl Campbell), top team (1973 state champions) and most memorable game (1994 state champions that won an ESPY).

The 2008 schedule includes perennial Class 4A force Texas High; Class 5A power Lufkin; the second-ranked team in 4A, Wichita Falls Rider; and road games with annual 5A playoff participants in Arlington Lamar and Lewisville.

"The non-district schedule is no easy task," said JT head coach Dereck Rush. "We're playing teams with great tradition. John Tyler's got that reputation -- people don't want to play us. But we want to play quality teams. Our main focus is to get ready for district. We don't want a false security about ourselves."

Harold Wilson covers John Tyler High School sports for the Tyler Paper.
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