Shannon Reed makes name for herself on TXHSFB sidelines

Shannon Reed’s voice quickens in cadence with each second that counts down on the south end zone scoreboard. She’s never been prone to pregame jitters, not when she played collegiate basketball or in two decades coaching high school athletes. But tonight, she’s nervous.

She lets out a sharp exhale and paces along the sidelines as the clock ticks under five minutes. When it hits 0:00, the Austin Crockett High School football team will play for a share of the District 12-5A DII title. Yes, the same Crockett Cougars with one playoff win in the program’s 50-year history, but who at 6–3 have secured their first winning season since 2008 and can wedge themselves into a three-way tie for first with a win tonight.