VYPE Class 5A/6A Helmet Stickers powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine: Week 5 (Oct. 22-24)

HOUSTON – There are always two sides to every story.

In this instance, one comes from the vantage point of Tomball defensive coordinator Dave Handal. The other from that of his son – senior middle linebacker and one of the Cougars’ team captains Keegan Handal.

The scene is the Alamodome. It is the third round of the playoffs and Tomball is facing Rockwall-Heath, a team that both Dave and Keegan knew players off of - including QB and TCU-commit Josh Hoover, as he grew up playing baseball with some of them in the Dallas-area. Late into the game, a pass is intercepted by the Tomball defense, which virtually sealed the deal en route to a 35-21 victory over the Hawks.

Within the celebration frenzy on the sidelines, there was Dave and Keegan having a moment neither will ever forget.

“My dad was the first person I saw, and I just jumped into his arms,” Keegan said. “My shoulder pad ended up hitting his nose and he went to the ground. I saw him get up and he was bleeding. We laughed about it and hugged. It was a really special moment that I’ll remember forever.”

Dave added with a laugh: “Blood was on my coaching shirt and my pants. It was well worth it.”