ASCO Madness hits Midland

In a couple of ways, the third ASCO Midland Football Madness will be different than years passed.

This will be the first time the five Midland schools will participate, giving the event a true Midland feel.

Additionally, ASCO has upped the scholarship amount this year, as one player from each of the 10 teams will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Last year, it was $1,000.

"They are all about doing things for the community," Nancy Surber, one of the event's board of directors, said of ASCO, the main sponsor. "They realized it's been such a successful event and they wanted to give more (to the scholarship allotment)."

It all kicks off at 7:30 p.m. today as Greenwood plays Fort Stockton at Grande Communications Stadium.

Just as importantly, Surber said, the organizers were pleased they were able to host the Midland teams because the event was partly created to keep the squads from traveling for zero week.

Now, the Madness has been so successful that it's been able to attract Metroplex schools - DeSoto plays Midland at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Rockwall faces Midland Lee at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The head coaches involved see the advantages, too.

Greenwood head coach Steve Taylor said his team was asked to participate in the first Madness, but he had already committed to a similar event in Abiline. With a much shorter drive and a home crowd behind them, the Rangers are glad to be in it this year.

"It's one of the first games of the football season," Taylor said. "And all of Midland's there. It's a chance for people who haven't seen Greenwood before to watch us."
Panthers head coach Tom Howard said his team dealt with the short week by starting its preparations for Greenwood a little earlier.

It will be the first year Fort Davis participates. The Indians cap the event at 7 p.m. on Saturday against Midland Trinity.

Head coach Lonnie Flippen said he's tried to get into the Madness since its first year. The last time Fort Davis played at Grande Communications Stadium, he said, was four years ago, and there are just four seniors on the current team that were there.

"It's like we're the country boys going to town, and we'll have to see if the lights and the stage affect us," Flippen said. "But I hope not."

Flippen said the team might benefit later in the season and perhaps in the postseason from having played in a big venue.

"We'll get there early to just soak it all in and get used to that big-game environment," Flippen said.

Monahans head coach Mickey Owens is looking forward to his team's matchup at 2:30 p.m. against Midland Christian on Saturday, he said. And even though the teams will play at Monahans next season - the Loboes haven't had a home game during zero week in a few years - Owens will try to make the most of this Madness.

"The kids love it," Owens said. "The fans are into it, and we're excited because it'll be right after the Lee-Rockwall game, so hopefully we'll get a nice turnout, too," Owens said.