Snyder advances to first state semifinal game in 2004

Snyder made school history during the 2004 football season by winning a third-round playoff game and advancing to the state semifinals.

Snyder, which won a school record 12 games, lost to Gilmer at Texas Stadium in the semifinals.

Snyder, Sweetwater and Wylie tied for the district championship. Wylie won the Division 1 state title while Sweetwater advanced to the Division 2 state quarterfinals, losing to Snyder.

Quarterback Matt Reigh remembered the 2004 Wylie game when Snyder trailed 23-6 at halftime and rallied to win, 27-23.

“Coach Roger White gave us a pep talk and challenged us at halftime,” Reigh said. “We came out in the second half and Wylie never scored another point. Our defense kept pressure on Case Keenum. There wasn’t much he could do. Our offense began moving the ball and got into a rhythm. It was a lot of fun to watch Dee Walker run. I had a good seat to watch how talented he was.”

Zach Garcia, a starter on the offensive line and now a Snyder assistant coach, remembered the team was not picked to make the playoffs.

“Snyder football was at its height,” Garcia said. “I remember a story in Dave Campbell Texas Football saying Snyder would need to depend on the junior class. Dee Walker came to Snyder, ran for more than 2,000 yards and the rest is history. We had a good group of players. The success came from our offseason work.”

Garcia recalled the excitement in town before the Gilmer game.

“Coach (Chad) Rogers told us early in the morning about the big sendoff,” Garcia said. “He told us it would be something that we would always remember. I still remember people standing and cheering us at the school, in front of the courthouse, outside The Coliseum and all the way to Hermleigh. It was amazing and one of the reasons I came back and coached at Snyder.”

Reigh said he will never forget the community support.

“I remember we always had great support from the community,” Reigh said. “Snyder fans traveled to games. Each time I watch Snyder play and the team runs out on the field and the fight song plays, I always get goosebumps. I am proud to have played for Snyder.”

Reigh also remembered the relationships among players.

“I believe our work ethic set us apart from other teams,” Reigh said. “We loved working to get better at our positions. Workouts were not a matter of participation or attendance. You got there or a teammate was calling you asking why you weren’t there ready to go. Everyone showed up. One of the many mottos was ‘Tradition starts today.’”

The 2005 game against Wylie at Tiger Stadium is also a high point for Reigh.

“We were down late in the fourth quarter and Wylie punted,” Reigh said. “A penalty on the return moved us back to the 20. We call a boot left, throwback pass to D’White Wells. I let the ball go and knew it was a bad pass. The ball luckily got tipped by their safety right into D’White’s hands. He broke two tackles and scored the game-winning touchdown. It was the ultimate ‘No. Oh wait, yes moment.’”

Garcia and Reigh credited the coaching staff for preparing players for life beyond high school.

“Coach Rogers, coach White and coach (Armando) Martinez were important,” Garcia said. “They gave me rides home. When I needed somewhere to stay, they will welcome me to stay with them. They are the reason I’m coaching. I want to be a role model to our players today, a person they can look up to and help them to a better life.”

“Playing at Snyder played a crucial role in my development as a person,” Reigh said. “It taught me to never give up on my goals and to fight for what I want to accomplish. It taught us how to work together. It taught us respect for authority and others. I’m a firm believer that sports and life are a direct correlation of each other. You get out what you put into it. I am truly thankful to the coaches that invested in us. They were there to instill honor, integrity, respect, dedication and hard work.”

Current Snyder head coach Cory Mandrell played on the 1997 and 1998 teams.

“I talked with the players after last week’s character talk about making friendships for the rest of your life through high school football,” Mandrell said. “I told them things that coach (David) Baugh said to us as players and now he is on the other side watching me coach. I never would have guessed the person who is the reason I got into coaching would be available to give me advice.”

One of Snyder’s most recognized names played on the 1998 and 1999 teams — Sonny Cumbie. He was a walk-on at Texas Tech and earned a scholarship his third year. He was the leading passer in the nation in 2004 and led the Red Raiders to a win over California in the Holiday Bowl.

Cumbie played in the Arena Football League before becoming an assistant at Texas Tech. He is the currently the offensive coordinator at TCU.

Tremaine Johnson, who played on the 1999 and 2000 teams, returned to Snyder as an assistant coach. He wants today’s players to benefit from his experiences.

“Our expectations were always high,” Johnson said. “You worked hard for your teammates and coaches and played with passion and respect. Coach Baugh is the main reason I decided to get into coaching.”

Johnson recalled playing Andrews, which was undefeated and ranked among the top teams in the state, in 1999.

“It was my favorite game,” Johnson said. “Andrews was No. 6 in the state with two Division 1 players. They were picked to beat us by three touchdowns, but we won, 31-0.”