Carthage Standouts Now with Mean Green Football at UNT

[Harry]

Submitted by Dave Tracy, former Carthage High School Instructor

The sign on the Practice Field at the University of North Texas boldly said Practice was Closed and there was even a padlock on the big gate.
Nevertheless, I strode up to the 6-foot chain link fence wearing a bright red Carthage Football t-shirt and hoping for the best. Spotting a coach, I identified myself and said two of my former students, Tee Goree and Okeeron Rutherford, were now playing wide receivers for the Mean Green. Was there any way, I asked, that I could get on the field to see them practice?

He asked my name then walked away. Five minutes later he’s back with a field pass with my name on it, courtesy of Head Football Coach Dan McCarney.
I strolled down to watch Goree and Rutherford run routes and catch passes from one of the six quarterbacks fighting for the starting job. Then, the added defensive backs to the practice to make it tougher to catch the passes.

After a half hour of 100+ degree heat, a coach on a loudspeaker told the players to head for the shade of a huge tent on the practice field. I waited a minute of two for Tee and Okeeron to get something the drink. Then I went over and shook their hands and asked how they were. They were tired, but glad to be at UNT playing football.

I asked if this practice was harder than practice under Coach Scott Surratt at Carthage and they both smiled and said yet it was. Tee asked me what building I worked in so I told him, and suggested he and Okeeron stop by and see me when they were on campus.

A share whistle let everyone know it was time to go back to work. I watched for a few more minutes, then shook their hands and headed home. It was way too hot for me just to watch practice.

Before I left, a couple coaches came up and introduced themselves, saying they were glad to have Goree and Rutherford at UNT. I thanked him and said both of my former students were glad to be playing here.

I think Tee and Okeeron will represent Carthage very well here in Denton and at UNT. I’m proud of them and the Carthage school district where I was a teacher for 4 years, and where they learned to become valued young men.