Tim Polzer: Rumors & Facts

Coppell's Next Coach... If Coppell administrators have decided on the Cowboys' next football coach, they're keeping a tight lid on it. Bob Shipley left Coppell for the Brownwood job, taking coveted wide receiver and son Jaxon Shipley with him. A New Zero Week Football Showcase Look for Frisco's Pizza Hut Park to host a new high school football showcase during Zero Week. The North Texas Classic will be produced by the Texas High School Football Fraternity. The event will join a crowded schedule of Zero Week games. The Tom Landry Classic returns to SMU's Gerald Ford Field, but no word on a 2009 version of the Kirk Herbstreit Classic. I hear the Herbstreit organizers are seriously considering passing on Texas Stadium in 2009, or at the very least, matching in-state powers. Last year's out-of-state teams did not travel well and failed to generate much of a local walk-up ticket buy. If Herbstreit's series does play in Texas, it'll benefit from ESPN's desire for high school football programming. Best Loss Ever? After losing to The Covenant School of Dallas, 100-0, Dallas Academy's girls team may not be this week's television darlings, but Nike will promote the team and pay for a trip to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. I'm still hearing three things: 1. Some Dallas Academy parents think enough is enough. 2. Covenant School officials are not looking forward to the publicity boomerang when the 2009 season tips off. 3. The Covenant Christian Academy in Colleyville REALLY wants writers to make sure their school isn't confused with the Dallas-based school. Teams Lining Up to Play The Ticket Speaking of Dallas Academy, when Corby Davidson of The Ticket's Hardline afternoon drive time show challenged The Covenant School of Dallas to a game, the Covenant School wisely passed. Now girls hoops teams at least two schools - Garland Christian Academy and Lake Highlands - have offered to play The Hardline's lineup consisting of mostly out-of-shape broadcasters who haven't picked up a basketball in years. Garland Christian has first dibs, and it seems that The Hardline would prefer to play a smaller private school than 5A Lake Highlands. I've been told more coaches will be contacting The Hardline to play, but don't look for this to go past Garland Christian. Your 5A State Champs...Duncanville? Didn't I tell you to watch out for Duncanville in its rematch with Cedar Hill? Duncanville is piquing toward the playoffs. Now that the Panthers' national barnstorming tour is over, the team is focusing on earning the top seed in District 7-5A and the state playoffs. We're not giving the Panthers the title, but you'll likely see D'Ville move up national and state rankings. The Texas Association of Basketball Coaches has the Panthers third behind Houston Strake Jesuit and San Antonio Madison. Strake Jesuit? Really? How Pacman Can Return to Cowboys If Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has agreed to add the winner of Michael Irvin's reality show to the Cowboys training camp roster, what's keeping Pacman Jones from joining the show and winding up back with the team? Don't laugh this off too quickly. More than one of my NFL contacts is wondering if Irvin will keep Pacman in his pocket in case early ratings sputter. It's not unheard of for "reality" shows to shoot multiple endings. Hopefully, Jerry Jones retains some veto power. March Baseball/Softball Preview Cover Shoot The VYPE staff hosted four area baseball players for a March cover shoot session. Who are they? You'll have to wait for the March issues to hit the website and free stands. Heat & Hydration Safety Wakeup Call Don't think the recent tragic deaths of high school football players in Kentucky and North Carolina hasn't caused coaches and administrators in our area to double-check their safety procedures. The majority of area coaches are well versed and vigilant when it comes to heat and hydration safety. Which brings me back to my seventh-grade football coach who gave our team one water break in which we stood in line to drink out of a plastic dog food bowl. VYPE on the Radio? VYPE DFW is talking to two major area radio stations about a weekly high school sports show. Stay tuned. Literally. VYPE on TXA 21 Tuesday High Def TV owners should hide their small children Tuesday around 7:45 p.m. That's when I'll make the next VYPE television appearance on TXA 21's sports segment. We'll talk about local hoops playoffs and other breaking news. Where was HD technology when I was younger and thinner? Prestonwood Christian On a Roll Don't look now, but Prestonwood Christian's boys basketball team has won 9 straight games and 11 of 12 heading into Thursday night's game against John Paul II. The Lions have been dominating posting a 15-point average margin of victory. Do you think the streak coincides with Zach Peters getting his basketball legs after football season? The freshman has averaged 27 points in his last four games. Editor's Note: Editor-In-Chief Tim writes on Dallas-Fort Worth area high school sports every Friday on VYPE.com/DFW.