east magazine november 2012

4 | EAST - November 2012

1930 Kurth Dr. • Lufkin, TX 75904936-634-0702 • www.aaxioninc.com

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6THE SPORTSMANPine Island

10TROPHY KILLThe Perfect Shot

12COACH’S SPOTLIGHTCoach Stewart x2

144-HThe 411 on 4-H

16NEXT LEVELAlton Dixon

19SPORTS CENTERPlay Ball

21TROPHY ROOMTrophy Hunts

COVER PHOTO BYMORGAN DUE

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NOVEMBER 2012

Stephanie OliverPresident

Beth [email protected] Managing Editor

Kim [email protected] Director of Sales

Kevin [email protected] Marketing Consultant

Terry [email protected] Office Manager/Accountant

Macy HaffeyLayout and Design

Lisa Crow [email protected] www.lisacrowphotography.comEvent Photographer

DISTRIBUTORS Lisa CrowJanet GloverJared Thompson


“Many think hunting is about killing a deer. For me and my family, it is about being somewhere out in the woods, away from everything and building memories with your loved ones,” says John Koch.

John Koch, his father, Dr. J.C. Koch, his grandfather, VG Koch, and now his son, Dr. Joey Koch have a very unique bond. They share 4 generations of not only hunting, but doing so on the same hunting club. The Kochs have been Pine Island members since the mid 1950’s beginning with VG Koch and this year, the fourth generation, Dr. Joey Koch, was invited to become a member.

“There are several phone calls from your children that you look forward to getting, and several that you always remember. The phone call when I heard Joey was invited to join Pine Island was one of those calls. Now, we can share those experiences and share those memories, just like I did with my dad. There have been a lot of things that have changed since my grandfather was a member. Technology has changed, vehicles have advanced, but the experience of hunting is still the same,” says John Koch.

Pine Island was founded in 1932. It is the second oldest club in East Texas. The name came from the piece of property where the Neches River Splits. The property is covered with a variety of animals native to East Texas and is primarily used for duck and deer hunting. The land is next to 30,000 acres used as a hunting property: Boggy Slough is on the West and South side of Pine Island, Piney Ridge and the Vines Hunting Club to the East, and the Todd Farm to the North. Pine Island is rich in history. There are primitive camp sites, Indian artifacts, old tram roads used for logging, an oil well site that dates back to the early 20th century, and an old saw mill dating back to the early 1900’s.

The hunting club is unique in its membership. Since its inception, there has always been a mix of men, businesses, and generations that are a part of the club. John Koch remembers, “I first began going to Pine Island when I was 4 or 5 years old. I was always around my father and grandfather’s friends who were members there. It was a wonderful experience to be in the World War II

PINE ISLAND

eastmensmagazine.com 76 | EAST - November 2012

PINE ISLAND /// THE SPORTSMAN

veterans’ presence and hear their life stories. It was a great time to grow up.”

One of those men that John remembers is his father’s friend and the longest tenured member, Earnest Bartlett Jr.

John Koch may have been raised on WWII stories, but his son Joey shares a very similar story about Pine Island. “One of the best parts of growing up at Pine Island is the camaraderie we all share. We have all heard the stories and share a common interest that ties us to the generations that came before us.”

Joey continues on, “Hunting has very old traditions. The skills it takes to master the sport of hunting are older than my great-grandfather, VG Koch. Here I am today, fifty years later, using those same skills and traits on the exact same land he was on.”

Joey’s father, John, recalls, “The memories I have created here are still so vivid. My dad showed me where he shot a deer and where he missed a deer. I can still see them today.”

Pine Island prides itself in the legacy and the membership it has held over the years. Ben Bartlett shares, “We are very much a family driven club. There are many father/son membership legacies here. The Kochs are the first family to have four generations that are a part of our membership.”

The Kochs share a very unique bond with each other. Dr. J.C. Koch killed his first deer at Pine Island. John Koch killed his first and second deer in the same year when he was 8 years old. Joey Koch continued that tradition and killed his first deer when he was 8 years old, as well.

Joey proudly says, “My daughter will be the fifth generation that will shoot her first deer here at Pine Island.”

The camaraderie and the passion for

Pine Island that is shared by each member is what keeps the club going. There are no required work days or any rules on maintenance. “We all use our own resources and elbow grease to pitch in and do whatever needs to be done,” said Dr. Joey Koch.

Pine Island has been around for many generations, and with the newest generations joining the membership, Pine Island looks to be around for many more to come.

eastmensmagazine.com 7


REBECCA C. BRIGHTWELL

Rebecca C. Brightwell, PLLC | Attorney at Law115 Gaslight Blvd, Ste B | Lufkin, TX 75904 | 936-639-2550

Not Certified by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization | Licensed by The Southern and Eastern District Federal Court

FAMILY LAW • OIL & GAS • ESTATE & PROBATE


congratulations

BRANDON BELT& the

SAN FRANCISCOGIANTS

for winning the

2012WORLD SERIES!

CLEAN UP THE ANIMALPICK A LOCATION

FOR THE SHOTPOSE THE ANIMAL

TROPHY KILL /// THE PERFECT SHOT

A shot of an animal with blood all over its face is disrespectful to the animal and will put off many folks that you share it with. Think about everything in your photo. Do you really want a bloody picture hanging in your house? Take the time to clean up your animal. It’s a good idea to have paper towels and water handy for the shot.

Animals don’t always die in a picturesque spot. Move the animal to a nice looking setting with interesting surroundings. It’s important to capture the outdoor setting where you hunted the animal. Remember that interesting backgrounds make interesting photos. Don’t make the background the star of the shot but have it featured in the shot. For example, hanging a big Gobbler from an old fence post and kneeling down next to it creates a great picture. Use your imagination.

Set the animal up like you would with people in a portrait. Prop your buck up on its belly with feet supporting it and stretch his neck out so you can turn it, facing the head different ways for different angled shots.

HOW TO TAKE PHOTOS WORTHY OF

YOUR TROPHY KILL

1 2 3


ost people are really impressed when they see a great photo of an animal you shot. The photo can make the animal look really good or really bad. It’s well worth a little extra effort to take the time to set up a shot to make it really worthy of a place in your home rather than under the visor of your truck. For many of us that can’t afford taxidermy, this is a very cheap way to preserve the memory ot your hunt.Here’s a few tips to take a quality photo.

In order to take good pictures, you must learn about composition. After you choose a good location, clean up the animal and pose it with the hunter, it’s time to frame the shot.

Shoot at the hunter and animal from their level or below them. Get down on the ground or even lay down in front of them. If you can, pick a spot where you can put some sky behind the horns to showcase their beauty. Antlers with tree branches and weeds behind them get lost in the shot. Have the hunter sit on the ground behind the animal leaning on it or holding up the head from behind, but not sitting directly behind the horns. Sit off to the side of the antlers so you can see them separately.

Have the sun light the shot for you. Face the hunter into the sun in the daylight and tip your hat back if the sun shadows your face so you can identify the hunter rather than seeing a black shadow for a face. If you need to, use your flash to light the hunter’s face.

When you take the shot, fill the frame. Shoot the hunter and animal right up to the edges of the frame and fill the entire shot with the interesting subject matter. Lots of people see a picture and say, “That would be a killer shot if you cropped out all of the junk.” Crop the shot in your view finder before you take the picture.

Don’t sit ten feet away from your trophy to make it look bigger! Be proud of what you shot, and get in the picture with it.

COMPOSE THE SHOT TAKE LOTS OF SHOTS!

Especially with digital photography, it doesn’t cost more money to shoot lots of pictures. Keep shooting, and take pictures from several different angles and backgrounds. Don’t forget to shoot the animal by itself, too.

It pays to have too many, rather than not enough. You can always cull through them and get rid of what you don’t want. Odds are, you’ll get that perfect shot!

M4 5

WWW.AFRICAHUNTING.COM

his powerful coaching duo is a husband and wife team. Coach Amy and Josh Stewart have the unique privilege of not only working together, but also coaching together. They are both the Head Cross Country coaches for the boys and girls at Hudson High School.

They met when they were both students at SFA and shared a mutual passion for running. Both Josh and Amy were on the Cross Country and Track teams.

Once they graduated, they got married and went on to get real jobs. Amy went on to become the Cross Country and Track coach at Hudson. Josh used his accounting degree and worked in the accounting department for a local business.

“Josh always helped me and worked with me. He was at all of my practices. His grandmother always told him to get his teaching certificate while he was in college,” says Amy.

So, just as his grandmother predicted, Josh quit his job and wanted to join Amy in their passion of running and working with kids.

Today, they are doing wonders for the Hudson Cross Country and Track team.

Out of the last 14 years, the boys have been to state 12 years and the girls 5. This year they had a phenomenal year. From middle school to high school, Hudson won district in all 6 divisions.

Cross Country has had a growing interest over the years. The Stewarts have tried to get the community involved, along with others who are not at the middle school level yet. They began hosting a Youth Cross Country night. “It’s a way to introduce them to Cross Country and get them involved in the sport at an early age,” said Amy. The program has been a huge success with over 100 kids in attendance.

One parent says, “They think of their athletes like their own kids, totally devoted to helping each kid reach their full potential. They run with the kids to encourage them along the way while training with endless energy that shows at the meets. They keep up with all the kids and their finishes.”

Going into regionals, the boys are ranked second. The Stewarts look forward to regionals to see if their teams can work to come out on top.

T

COACH STEWART x2AAA TROPHY T-SHIRT & SPORT SHOP


COACH STEWART x2AAA TROPHY T-SHIRT & SPORT SHOP

COACH STEWARTAAA TROPHY T-SHIRT & SPORT SHOP


THE 411 ON 4-H

100 Regal Row • Lufkin, TX 75904 • (936) 634-6726

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Back Row (L-R): Preston Polk: 4-H Horse Club President, Mikayla Young: Blue Ribbon 4-H & County 4-H Council Secretary, Cade Milligan: 4-H Horse Club Council Delegate, Cheyenne Swor: Diboll 4-H Council

Delegate, Courtney Daniels: Huntington 4-H Club President & County 4-H Council President. Front Row (L-R): Addison Mosley: Blue Ribbon 4-H Council Delegate, Grace Marshall: Blue Ribbon 4-H Council Delegate,

Corinne Caraway: 4-H Horse Club President, Callan Claussen: Huntington 4-H Council Delegate, Jake Knight: Zavalla 4-H Club President & County

4-H Council Vice President

2012-2013 4H Officers:President – Courtney DanielsVice President – Jake KnightSecretary – Mikayla YoungTreasurer – Sean Reynolds

4-H is an important organization to many area youth. One important aspect of the club is that it is student lead. The board and officers are leaders in the local clubs.

The board is in charge of making decisions and guiding the area clubs. They meet on a monthly basis to handle issues that keep the organization moving forward. One very unique trait about 4-H is that it is student lead, the board meetings are closed for only the board and the representative from the County Extension office.

Research Shows 4-H Helps YoungPeople Excel Beyond Their Peers

The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring thatyoung people receive through their participation in 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve future life successes. For nearly a decade,preeminent youth development scholar, Dr. Richard Lerner, and the team at the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts University have been working with faculty at land-grant universitiesto conduct The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development.

The 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development is a longitudinal studythat began in 2002, and continues today, surveying more than 7,000adolescents from diverse backgrounds across 44 U.S. states. The study is made possible by the contributions of our nation’s land-grantuniversities and National 4-H Council.

This in-depth study has discovered that, when compared to other youth, young people involved in 4-H:

• Have higher educational achievement and motivation for future education • Are more civically active and make more civic contributions to their communities

4-H’ers Excel in School and the SciencesThe advantages of 4-H participation also include higher educationalachievement and higher motivation for future education. Youngpeople in 4-H:

• Report better grades, higher levels of academic competence, and an elevated level of engagement at school,

• Are nearly two times more likely to plan to go to college,

• Are more likely to pursue future courses or a career in science, engineering, or computer technology.

The study also finds that girls in 4-H are 2 times more likely to pursuescience careers over their peers.

Andi & John Howell(936)564-5722

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or the last 15 years, many Lufkin Panther football greats have come and gone through the system, and one has found his way back.

Alton Dixon graduated in 2005 and went on to play at Texas A&M as a safety. He had a successful college career. In fact, if it weren’t for a bad shoulder, he may have been in the NFL today.

Instead, after wrapping up his senior year at A&M, Dixon became a strength coach for his alma mater. However, as it usually goes in coaching, his boss, Coach Mike Sherman, was fired and Dixon was let go along with him.

Today, Dixon is back where he started, at Lufkin High School. This time, he is a coach.

“I always talked to Coach Outlaw and Coach Quick,” Dixon said. “It’s always important for me to talk to them. They laid my foundation, as far as football.”

It was shortly before he lost his job that Dixon learned about John Outlaw dying.

“I got the note that he had passed,” he said. “It really hurt my heart. He used to always ask what I was going to do, and I’d talk to him about being a coach.”

Dixon bounced between odd jobs until Outlaw’s replacement, Todd Quick, called him in the spring of 2012.

“He said, “I want you to come down here and talk a little bit.” Dixon said, “I got a warm feeling, because I love Lufkin. I got down here, and he offered me a job. I was so excited and ready to be back home. I gotta tell you, it’s a good thing; a real good thing.”

Dixon began starting as a sophomore in Lufkin and was part of two of the Pack’s more successful seasons in history, as they made it to the state semi-finals in his sophomore and senior years.

With him along the way was his neighbor and best friend, Jorvorskie Lane.

“We grew up together and we were always together,” he said.

Dixon joined his best friend at Texas A&M and both found success. Today, Lane is a member of the Miami Dolphins.

F

altondixon

eastmensmagazine.com 1716 | EAST - November 2012

“The thing about that is people don’t understand what he endured, what he took,” Dixon said. “He took all the criticism that he’s too fat and too lazy. It’s a true blessing to see him succeed. I’m so happy for him.”

Dixon had decided to play for Oklahoma, but then his grand-father got sick.

“He got mesothelioma,” Dixon said. “He worked at the foundry for 25 years. So I decided to stay close to home and it ended up being a great time at A&M.”

Dixon stuck with his grandfather because his grandfather stayed with him.

“I’m close with both grandparents and my mother,” he said. “My father, I really don’t know that guy. My grandfather was my father figure. He taught me about hard work. The man is 83 and he’ll still mow a lawn, still stay busy.”

Today, Dixon is in his rookie season of high school, coaching student-athletes like he was just a few years ago. He’s developed a new appreciation for high school coaches.

“As a kid, I just went to practice and went to work out,” he said. Dixon continues, “These guys stay late. They miss out on their family. They work on Sundays. It’s something they care about and they love, and they want an edge in the game. They want to support their athletes. I truly did not know the work they put in. Every day at 5 in the morning, Coach Quick’s got a hot pot of coffee and he’s watching film, and I’m gonna be there too, because I don’t want to be the one missing out.”

Dixon is beginning to understand how to work with high school students.

“High school kids have different lives. Some are privileged and some have tough lives. As a coach, you have to know how to deal with everybody. There is no formula. You gotta treat everybody right. Some you have to treat in a different way, because Jimmy ain’t just like Joe here. Learning how to treat them is less of a science and more of an art.”

ALTON DIXON /// THE NEXT LEVEL


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PLAY BALL /// SPORTS CENTER

fter 40 years of coaching, Bud Maddux has done it again. This year, he was able to take the Texas Stampede all the way to the World Series. He not only took them to the World Series, but won!

Maddux has had the privilege of leading 20 teams to state championship wins and 10 teams to World Series wins. “At this level, everyone is good, so with a World Series championship title at stake, nothing is a walk in the park,” states Maddux.

This team was an extraordinary team. “They had great chemistry together. Everything clicked and they played together as a team.”

Maddux states that he is not the coach for everyone. “I let everyone know right off that we practice. We practice a lot. If I don’t, then I am not doing my job. My job is to prepare you to play the game.”

Through the years, he has coached many boys. They come back and visit and keep him up to speed in their lives.

This year was a hard year to convince him to coach, so we are not sure if he is in or out. But if he is in, he will work hard to move the boys along and add to his trophy collection.

2012 Texas StampedeAndrew Wood, Kyle Lovelace, Manuel Garcia, JT Penick, Dillon McCarver, Brock Lawson, Chandler Reece, Kyle Guevara,

Weston McKinley, Kevin Hurley, Ryan Havard. Coaches: Bud Maddux, Mike Lovelace, and Justin Penick.

A2012 TEXAS STAMPEDE


loadyour gun& aim to win

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Mike McBurney & Clifford Wiedman Peacock Bass & Largemouth Bass

Miami, FloridaCole Davis

10 pt. 13.5” spread

Dayne BridwellJavelina

Aguilares, TX

Bradley Morris & Jason BurtonCanyon Ranch

Sonora, Texas 2012

8U 1st Place Super Series Tournament in Nacogdoches. 8U Coach Pitch. Season: 22-2. L-R: Tryton Kruse, Garrett

Philbrick, Kade Godfrey, Keelan Elder, Jace Bobo, Drew Bobo, Justin Bradford, Kaden Lester, Cermodrick Bland & Braden

Davidson. Coaches (L-R): Lance Kruse, Stephen Godfrey, Jason Bradford & Michael Davidson.

Bombers 1st Place Diboll Days Tournament. Coaches: Jeff Buchanan, Robert Davis, Clay

Oliver & Ryan Deaton. Back Row (L-R): Blake Buchanan, Cole Davis, Chip Buchanan, Jaime

Flores & Jacob Weibe. Front Row (L-R): Charlie Deaton, Will Stafford, Cooper Knight, Bosten

Oliver & Carter Jenkins. Not Pictured: Griffin and Armando Salas.

Russell Reid & Jeff Reid at the NWTF Jakes

Event

David West Southern Illinois

181” Buck with a bow Randy BakerPine Island

161”

Bradley Morris33.75” Axis BuckCanyon RanchSonora, Texas

TROPHY HUNTS /// TROPHY ROOM

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We are blessed because of you.The Hunts thank you for 2012!

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STRONG AS STEEL features an outstanding high-schoolathlete in the community that deserves recognition.

Sara DugatZavalla High School

CMC Recycling Proudly Supports Our Community

It seems only yesterday that a little blond- headed wisp of a girl started winning cross country titles for her hometown. As a 7th grade competitor in 2007-08, Sara Dugat set the bar high for herself with the very first meet and has never looked back. Fueled by the will to train extensively, a fierce competitive streak, and an immeasurable amount of mental toughness, Sara has systematically racked up 5 consecutive individual District Cross Country Championships. District Championship #6 will be on the line October 24th when Zavalla hosts the District 23-A Meet. Sara has also advanced and been very successful on the Regional and State levels, as well. As a freshman, she led her team to a Region IV Championship, and her sophomore year the Lady Eagles were the Region IV Runners-Up. Both teams finished 10th at the State Meet. Her junior season, Sara finished 2nd in Region IV and was bestowed the silver medal, advancing as an individual to State. Sara has finished in the top 30 all three years of state competition, as well as earning All-State honors in Cross Country from the Texas Girls Coaches Association. In this final season, she is looking forward to one more State run for herself and her team. It will have a different look at the Regional level, since realignment has sent Zavalla to Region III. Cross Country is just the way Sara begins her school year, she is also a starter for the Lady Eagles basketball team and a Regional level competitor in track. She is currently ranked #1 in her class and works hard in the classroom as she plans to pursue her studies at the university level. She has been serving as president of her class and is vice-president of the National Honor Society at Zavalla High School.

east magazine november 2012

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