Boswell Sports -

The story actually began in the fall of 2006. Our daughter joined the Boswell High School dance team known as Pure Gold. Pure Gold performs at all the Pioneer football games during half time, so after twenty two years I became reacquainted with High School Football. Anyone who knows me can attest to my passion for all things football related. At the end of the 2006 season, I began inviting various friends and family to the games.

My good friend Fred Hall began attending games with me shortly after the season began. We enjoyed the atmosphere so much that he and I made a pact. We agreed that we would continue to support the team and attend games even after my kids graduated.

September rolled around the following year and we could not wait for the first Boswell Pioneer football game! I think Fred and I could actually smell the freshly cut grass of Pioneer Stadium, which is a miracle in itself because the field is artificial turf.

The first game of the season was a non district game against a rival from my past. The L.D. Bell Blue Raiders! They have a long tradition of good football teams so with that in mind, I anticipated a great game.  The Blue Raiders came out firing and where quickly up on the Pioneers, 28-7, Boswell fought back an actually won the game in overtime 34-28. It was one of the most exciting games I have ever seen!

I was so "pumped" the next day that I wanted to see what the news outlets were saying about this "magnificent" comeback. Talk about huge let down. I searched what seemed like an eternity for just a glimpse of what we had witnessed the night before. My efforts  ended in frustration. I did not find a single article, not even a whisper of what was chronicled that night.
What I did find was a website put out by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram called Friday Night Sights at DFWvarsity.com. Linked to that site is a message board where I penned my own account from the night before.
After the euphoria had worn off (three days to be exact) I got ready for Boswell's next opponent. It just happened to be my wife's alma-mater and our former hometown, Alvarado. The game was another thriller.  Circus style catches and smash mouth football kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the evening.  I yelled so much that at one point I almost passed out. The next day after recovering from a Dr Pepper, Chili Cheese nachos high, and with a pride as big as Texas, I searched in vain once again for any information on the game.

Again, I came up empty handed. I quickly learned that the "major" news outlets did not share my enthusiasm for Boswell Football. Armed with that thought I once again posted my own account to the Star-Telegram message board.
I began thinking back to my days of playing football in Burleson. I even pulled out an old newspaper clipping my mom had kept from one of our games. I remembered how proud I was, and what a great feeling it was to see my name in print even if it was just the Burleson Star. Somebody had recognized our accomplishment as a team.
As I was visited by the ghost of football past I realized what a travesty it was. These kids had worked there tails off and it had gone unnoticed, what was worse...no one in the media seemed to care.
Knowing very little about our small hometown newspaper inspired me to turn to the Northwest Tarrant County Times-Record. It is small locally owned operation that was purchased back in 2001 by two wonderful people; Art and Joan Jones.
My wife had only recently subscribed to the Times-Record and we began receiving weekly issues. That is when I got the hair brained idea to look for coverage there.
We received the Thursday addition of the Times-Record six days after the L. D. Bell game. The story left me feeling empty and betrayed. I decided to take action. I searched for the Times-Record website and it didn't take long. You know those little buttons on a website that say 'Email Us', it quickly became the link to one of the greatest opportunities I have ever had.
I emailed Joan a copy of the account I posted to DFWvarsity.com with a simple note that read "Use this if you want, if not that's okay". Within two hours I received a response. She sent me an email with subject line of Football Coverage -

"Please Call Me. Hi Jim - Thanks for sending the Boswell football game coverage. Suspect you heard we're looking for someone to do a good job covering BHS football!!!! Please give me a call today if possible. I will be in the office a good part of the day and evening (817-237-XXXX). If it's later in the evening, you can reach me at home (817-236-XXXX). Look forward to visiting with you! Joan Jones Times-Record Newspaper "

I was shocked! I called her as soon as I had the chance. The first thing Joan said was "You must have seen our ad in the paper ". I was embarrassed to confess that I had not seen it. I simply explained that I was just a "painted faced fan with a passion for football'. She told me how she had read the story and how much she enjoyed it. She asked if I would be interested in covering all the games and that the paper would pay me to do it. I responded in that shy quiet voice that I am typically known for "THE JOKES ON YOU! I WILL DO IT FOR FREE!"
Four days later she delivered on her promise to send me a Press Pass. Now I get into the games for free; sit in the best seat in house, get exclusive interviews with the head coach, and all the players, and at half time the booster club delivers fajitas!
Sitting in the press box I realized America is the land of opportunity. I had not been looking for a job, but a job found me. For a regular "Joe" that listens to sports talk radio all day and plays football on the Xbox at night... This must be what heaven is like.