Texas Tidbits

On a recent trip from Austin to Port Lavaca, I drove through many hamlets and I passed just as many water towers. Some towers simply had the town’s name painted on them; one, in Luling, looked like a watermelon. The majority, though, proudly boasted the town’s high school mascot name. But it wasn’t until I arrived in Port Lavaca and saw “Sandcrabs” on the tower that I remembered how important these names are—and that back in 1998 I had asked Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for a list of some of the better mascot names across the state. These monikers reflect a town’s personality and sense of community. For example, say you have no idea where Port Lavaca is located and you run across an article that mentions the “Sandcrabs of Port Lavaca.” Most people would make the obvious guess that Port Lavaca is on the coast. Not all mascot appellations have to do with location, though; some simply show a bit of creativity and sense of spirit. (The list below provides some good examples.) Of course, one of the best ways to tap into a community’s character is to actually attend a high school football game. It is where you will find the leaders—in the stands, the booster booths, on the sidelines, and on the field. Besides, there’s nothing more exciting on a Friday night in Texas.

Booker Kiowas, Class A
Breckenridge Buckaroos, Class 3A
Cameron Yoe Yoemen, Class 3A
Crane Golden Cranes, Class 3A
Cuero Gobblers, Class 3A
Devine Warhorses, Class 3A
El Campo Ricebirds, Class 4A
Fredericksburg Battlin Billies, Class 4A
Frisco Fighting Racoons, Class 4A
Hamlin Pied Pipers, Class 2A
Hereford Whitefaces, Class 4A
Hutto Hippos, Class 2A
Itasca Wampus Cats, Class A
Knippa Rock Crushers, Class A
Munday Moguls, Class A
Progreso Red Ants, Class 3A
Roscoe Plowboys, Class 2A
Trent Gorillas, Class A
Winters Blizzards, Class 2A