The Bennett Brothers are not Coming Alone this Saturday; The Judson Connection’s Alive, Well and Highly Touted With Rutledge’s Charges McCollum, Stephens, & Douglas

By: A.D. Ibarra

One may say that when they are asked who has had a major impact on their life besides their
parents, it’s usually a teacher, mentor or a very close friend. In many cases, such as my father and many of his close friends, it would be their high school football coach Cozel Foster a legend in his own right here in Eagle Pass, Coach Foster has touched countless young lives in ways only they can explain. I too can say that Coach Foster has meant a lot to me in my years growing up as a young boy in Eagle Pass and for his wis- dom, tutelage and experience, I am forever grateful. I love this man and I’ m sure Frank Chisum, Eddie Lerma, Eddie Fisher, Rudy Bowles, my dad Sammy and my uncles Daniel & Enrique Ibarra would and would’ve said the same. He touched the lives of athletes across generations. I’ m hon- ored to write and say these words and I’ m also glad my son can say that he too has met my coach and my dad’s coach and is all the better for it.
D.W. Rutledge was the man who spearheaded the power- house Judson Rocket Football Program that has garnered state championships and many a state playoff run in Region IV. In the case of Brent McCollum, Darnell Stephens and Jerod Douglas, the aforementioned question of who has had a major impact on their lives would probably hold true for D.W. Rutledge, the dean of all high school coaches and the pres- ent Executive Director of the Texas Association of High School Coaches, a legend in his own right and one of the most successful high school football coaches to have ever hit the gridiron. Coach Rutledge was the architect of four State Class AAAAA Championships at Converse- Judson High School in San Antonio, Texas and as a mem- ber of the Texas High School Coaches Hall of Fame, has produced some of the most
successful college and profes- sional athletes to have ever come out of the great state of Texas, a hotbed for football talent across the nation. Although Eagle Pass can well remember the times we have had to face Judson in the Texas State Quarter Finals without much success, McCollum, Stephens and Douglas are coming to town to share their secrets with the future stars of Eagle Pass and C.C. Winn football. Believe me, these gentlemen have given more teams ...