Beyond the Lights: Football Across Texas
Go beyond the Friday night lights and get an insider’s look at the world of Texas high school football and the coaches and towns that make it so unique. Hosted by retired head coach and athletic director Brandon Brown. Follow Beyond the Lights Instagram: @FootballAcrossTexas Facebook Beyond the lights: Football Across Texas and X: @fbacrosstexas
Episodes

Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Sunday Jan 26, 2025
Coach Eric Luster of Brazoswood HS sits down with me at Randy Jackson's Fast N Wide clinic and talks about the importance of T.H.I.S. : Trust, Heart, Intentionality, and Service.

Sunday Jan 19, 2025
Sunday Jan 19, 2025
Michael Hurd, author, sports writer, historian, veteran and occasional baker discusses his book Thursday Night Lights. This book documents the history of black high school football in Texas. Mr. Hurd spent years researching for this book to bring well-deserved recognition to many of the individuals responsible for making Texas high school football what it is today.

Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Wednesday Jan 15, 2025
Blake Fuschak is in his 3rd season as the head coach for Antonian Prep. His dad helped establish Antonian as a TAPPS powerhouse and now his son is continuing the tradition. Coach Fuschak talks about the importance of humility and always learning and growing as a coach.

Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Jarrett Lambert was promoted from the DC of the Pearce Mustangs to the head coach 3 years ago and has progressed from 4-6 to 9-3 this year to make the Mustangs a strong contender in the biggest classification in the state. Retired Azle coach and friend, Joel Fuller, joined me for this episode in Richardson.

Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Sunday Dec 22, 2024
Post head football coach and AD, John Wright, talks about his movements from west Texas to north Texas and back as he made his way back to Post for a second time. Over the last two years he started over with a new system for the Antelopes that paid off this year with a 13-1 record.

Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Chris Freytag and I talk with Eric Soza, head football coach and AD for Rockport Fulton. He talks about coaching and playing for his dad and the turnaround season for the Pirates in his first year as the man at Rockport Fulton.

Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Sunday Dec 08, 2024
Coach Ricky Beaty takes the helm for the Salado Eagles for his first head coaching job and turns the program around, taking the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs.

Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Episode 13: Retired head football coach and AD, Randy Jackson talks about his stint in the German football league and the importance of the end-of-season autopsy and mental training for athletes.

Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Sunday Nov 17, 2024
Davenport head football coach and athletic coordinator, JD Zimmerhanzel, talks about the unity Friday nights can bring and how the inspiration for his offensive philosophy came from a game of washers!

Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Sunday Nov 10, 2024
Carl Abseck talks about the importance of learning from every place you go and program you are in. He emphasizes the need to be able to adjust to best fit the needs of each team. He also talks about how "mudita" has helped keep his teams on track and playing for each other.

Episode 19
Michael Hurd- author, historian and veteran
Michael Hurd (on left), author, sports writer, historian, veteran and occasional baker discusses his book Thursday Night Lights. This book documents the history of black high school football in Texas. Mr. Hurd spent years researching for this book to bring well-deserved recognition to many of the individuals responsible for making Texas high school football what it is today. Pictured with Mr. Hurd, to his right, is Robert Brown, director of the PVIL Coaches Association and retired head football coach for Houston ISD.

Episode 18
Antonian Prep head football coach Blake Fuschak
Blake Fuschak is in his 3rd season as the head coach for Antonian Prep. His dad helped establish Antonian as a TAPPS powerhouse and now his son is continuing the tradition. Coach Fuschak talks about the importance of humility and always learning and growing as a coach.

Episode 17
Jarrett Lambert of the Richardson Pearce Mustangs
Head football coach and boys coordinator, Jarrett Lambert talks about the move from small town Ganado to the big city of Richardson ,and from the Mustang DC to head coach. He has taken the Pearce Mustangs from 4-6 to 9-3 in his 3 years at the helm.

Episode 16
John Wright of the Post Antelopes
Post head football coach and AD, John Wright, talks about his movements from west Texas to north Texas and back as he made his way back to Post for a second time. Over the last two years he started over with a new system for the Antelopes that paid off this year with a 13-1 record.
Pictured here with wife Mechelle and son Mason.

Episode 15
Eric Soza of the Rockport Fulton Pirates
Chris Freytag and I talk with Eric Soza, head football coach and AD for Rockport Fulton. He talks about coaching and playing for his dad and the turnaround season for the Pirates in his first year as the man at Rockport Fulton.

Episode 14
Ricky Beaty of the Salado Eagles
Coach Ricky Beaty takes the helm for the Salado Eagles for his first head coaching job and turns the program around, taking the Eagles to the second round of the playoffs.

Episode 13
Retired head football coach and AD Randy Jackson
Retired head football coach and AD, Randy Jackson talks about his stint in the German football league and the importance of the end-of-season autopsy and mental training for athletes.

Episode 12
JD Zimmerhanzel of the Davenport Wolves
Davenport head football coach and athletic coordinator, JD Zimmerhanzel, talks about the unity Friday nights can bring and how the inspiration for his offensive philosophy came from a game of washers!

Episode 11
Carl Abseck of the Barbers Hill Eagles
Barbers Hill head football coach and AD, Carl Abseck talks about the importance of learning from every place you coach. He emphasizes the need to be able to adjust to best fit the needs of each team and have your "toolbox" ready for any situation.

Episode 10
Bo Robinson of the Yoakum Bulldogs