Stepp's Ten Thoughts from Week 9 of the TXHSFB Season

More Statewide Coaching Movement
It’s not often the coaching carousel gets spinning in the middle of the regular season, but 2018 has been the exception and we had two more coaching changes this past week. We start in Houston at Class 4A Division I Brazosport where second-year head coach Mike Ferrell was relieved of his duties on Thursday. It has not been disclosed what the reasons behind Ferrell’s departure are at this time, but we do know offensive coordinator Scott Smithey has taken over the role as head football coach on an interim basis. Out in West Texas, Stanton head coach Jerry Burkhart resigned his post on Wednesday and assistant coach Cody Hogan was named interim head football coach. Burkhart, who is one of the state’s most successful six man coaches, hadn’t had much success at Stanton in year one and a couple of weeks ago, it was reported had withdrawn his son from Stanton ISD. The withdraw from school was cited as a safety concern for Burkhart’s son.

Houston Yates Forfeits
Shortly before the kickoff of Friday’s games, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football learned that the District 12-4A Division I District Executive Committee had ruled that Houston Yates must forfeit both of its wins in 2018 due to the playing of an ineligible player. That ruling makes the Lions 0-7 on the season and 0-4 in district play and all but eliminates them from playoff contention and moves Houston Wheatley, who had a defeat against Yates, to 4-0 in district play and setting it with Navasota for a potential battle for the district title. DCTF also spoke with a source in Houston ISD and confirmed that head coach Michael Watkins and the Houston Yates offensive coordinator would not be back on the sidelines in a coaching role for Yates until further review of the situation by Houston ISD administration.