Homecoming: Where the Past and Present Come Together

Nothing says “tradition” like Rockwall High School Homecoming Week.  The students are walking around like Rock Stars, TV Characters and Sports Heroes as they embrace the different themes.  Parents and fans are preparing for the big Friday Night Football Game and everyone from the chiropractor to the crazy botanist marvel at the depiction of a chrysanthemums put together showing how much school spirit one can wear on their heart!

Rockwall High School Homecoming is a special time in the featured town of the smallest county in Texas.  This year, the Rockwall Jackets Football Team will battle #3 Longview Lobos out of historic East Texas while the Rockwall Lady Jackets Volleyball Teams will take on North Mesquite Tuesday and Longview Lady Lobos in district matchups.  Many fans of Rockwall Sports will get to see the past gladiators of high school as they make their entrance just as the scripted pause and perceived spotlight draws your attention to them often prompting stories of the “Glory Days” (insert Bruce Springsteen’s song here).

For those of you no familiar with all of the past, the Rockwall Jacket Backers Booster Club is proud to remind you of some of our Orange and White Champions.  We will periodically announce the accomplishments of our “Rockin R Warriors” and you can stay up to date by liking our Facebook Page or visiting the Jacket Backers Website at https://www.jacketboosters.com.

Many Rockwallians know about Carlton Massey 1946-1949 alumni who was the High School’s first collegiate All-American out of Southwestern University in Georgetown and University of Texas as well as the first NFL Player.  Massey was drafted in 1954 by the World Champions Cleveland Browns and was the starting defensive end.  In 1955 The Browns repeated again as World Champions and he played in the All Pro Game. After the 1956 season he was traded to the Green Bay Packers where he played until mid-1958 season when an injury took him out of a game, ultimately leading to his retirement in 1959.

Maggie Brindock, 2009 Lady Jackets Volleyball alum took her talents to the University of Notre Dame becoming one of just 16 players in program history to be a two-time captain and finishing her career with 3,207 assists which is fifth in school history averaging 8.29 assists per set sits ninth in school history.  Brindock’s career accomplishments at Notre Dame are a Two-time captain (2012, 2013), second team all-BIG EAST (2012), Shamrock Invitational all-tournament team (2012), U.S. Women's National A2 Team Program (2012), BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Nov. 5, 2012, Oct. 22, 2012), four-year monogram winner (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Notre Dame Monogram Club co-MVP for volleyball (2013), two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star (2011, 2012), all-ACC Academic Team (2013), ACC Academic Honor Roll (2013) and two-time Rosenthal Leadership Academy participant (2012, 2013).

The New York Yankees selected RHS 2013 outfielder, Kendall Coleman in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Amateur draft prompting him to forgo his education at University of Iowa for the chance to play in the MLB.  Injuries have slowed down the 6’4” tall, 200 lbs Coleman, but he looks to revive his career after being traded to the New York Mets farm system for LJ Mazilli in April of 2018.

Today people call Audrey Farfan “Coach”, but before she earned that title she was an outstanding high school softball player for Rockwall High School graduating in 2011.  She is now entering her second season as an assistant softball coach for Stephen F. Austin State University.

Audrey Farfan worked under SFA head coach Nicole Dickson as an assistant at Tyler Junior College during the 2016 season, before accompanying Dickson in Nacogdoches. In just the second season of existence for the TJC softball program, Farfan helped the Apache Ladies compile a 60-6 overall record, win a conference championship and record a fifth place finish at the national tournament. The coaching staff was named the Region 14 Coaching Staff of the Year for the abundance of team accomplishments.

Prior to coaching at TJC, Farfan attended Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, where she played for the Lady Muleriders and claimed all-conference honors as a junior. Originally a native of Rockwall, Texas, Farfan was named First Team All-Great American Conference as a third baseman in 2013-2014 as the Lady Muleriders finished 37-26 and set 31 team and individual records. Farfan ranked in the top five on the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles, total bases, sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies and stolen base percentage. She also earned NFCA DII All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition and was named to the GAC All-Academic Team. During her senior season, the Lady Muleriders finished with a record of 26-24 while Farfan posted a batting average of .358. She was named to the GAC All-Academic Team and SAU’s President’s List the same year.

Before her time at SAU, Farfan attended Paris Junior College, in Paris, Texas, where she was a second-team all-region shortstop. She led the Lady Dragons to a Region 14 East Conference Title, a regional championship and a NJCAA National Tournament appearance, where the team tied for ninth. The postseason berth marked the first NJCAA National Tournament appearance by a Paris Junior College women's program. As a freshman in 2012, Farfan was named second-team all-conference as a catcher and earned the Vernon Carter Cup (MVP) for the Lady Dragons after batting .371 for the year and playing 37 games behind the plate.

“Rockwall High School is a great place to be with awesome teachers and coaches who genuinely care about their students’ success.  Many vital lessons were learned on that softball field playing for Coach Acosta.  My advice to students at RHS is to be a lifelong learner because life never stops teaching!” shares Stephen F. Austin State University Assistant Coach & 2011 RHS Alumni Audrey Farfan.

The Rockwall High School Jacket Backers Booster Club would like to welcome back all of our Alumni this week and wish you continued success.  If you have a story or update about a Rockwall High School Athlete, please email them to James Schaefer at jschaefer@deliverymaxx.com. Jacket Fight Never Dies!!!