Tulane practiced at Kennedale High, the school where Larry Brooks played. Kennedale has an 8,500-seat stadium with a two-level press box and chairbacks that cover most of the home side. It also has an indoor practice facility with a 60-yard field. Texas football is a wee bit different from Louisiana football in terms of facilities.
I caught up with Brooks and Willie Fritz at the team hotel after practice and talked to Brooks' high school coach on the phone. Here is what they said. By the way, I read somewhere that Merek Glover was hurt, but that was incorrect. Fritz said Glover was fine and that Coby Neenan had an injury.
RICHARD BARRETT (Kennedale coach)
On having one of his former players practice at the school:
"We certainly enjoyed Larry being back. This is our 10th or 11th year to host a team and when we heard that Tulane was a team that would be coming, we hoped that we would get Tulane to come to our school and it worked out. We’re really excited that Larry has come back home and is getting to practice here and play in a bowl game. With the success Tulane has had, Larry being a part of that makes it even more exciting."
Assessing Brooks:
"As good a player as he is, he’s a much better person. Larry was always coachable. He would always listen. He always put the team first. Obviously his talents and abilities may have been moreso than his other teammates. We knew he could play at the next level and through all of hard work and time and energy he used, he is playing at the next level. It’s certainly something we anticipated and though could happen, but Larry back when he played was very quiet, very unassuming and very humble, and talking with coach Fritz and some of the coaches, they say he’s the same way. He hasn’t changed a bit. That tells you a little bit. He’s still the same person. He’s still going to be a work hard, do the right things and do the things he’s asked to do."
On high school career:
"He played safety, although there were some times because of his athleticism and versatility, he could play corner. We didn’t ever play him on offense much. We thought defense was the best place for him and he could excel in that regard. He was a safety, punt returner, did some kick returning and played a little bit of corner, but he was one of our best players no doubt."
On his ball skills:
"This is the tip of the iceberg. I think his final two years at Tulane that he will just excel and really take off. His ball skills may have not been what they wanted, but I know he’s going to work to make it better. Leading the team in interceptions as a sophomore and being on the field as much as he was, he’s going to continue to work hard and get better and do what the coaches ask him to do and they are going to have a heck of a player the next two years."
On what did best:
"He was a good tackler. He had good speed and a nose for the ball. He was a coachable kid, and when you’re coachable and have talent on top of that, that makes it even better. He was a quiet leader. He led by example. He wasn’t one of those rah rah guys. He was going to lead by example, and that’s certainly what he did playing on the varsity for three years. He was a dude."
Players in college from Kennedale
"Baron Browning has had a heck of a career there and is going to come back for his senior year next year. He’ll be one of those guys that will play on Sunday. We have a running back at San Diego State who will probably play on Sundays as well, Juwan Washington (very doubtful looking at his career stats). We have a kid playing DT at Tennessee State. We’ve had Brett Wade at Texas A&M (fullback), Fred Scott at UNT, so we’ve had some guys, Stanford, UTEP.."
LARRY BROOKS
What was it like practicing at your old high school?
"It was crazy. I was actually talking about that with one of my coaches. It’s crazy how this all got set up just perfectly for me to come back and practice at my high school. A lot of my old coaches came to watch me practice and were happy to see me. It felt good being back out there in my hometown."
What did your high school say when you got this bowl bid?
“When we found out we were going to the Armed Forces Bowl, he actually texted me that same day saying that we were going to practice at the high school and he would be happy to see me."
What is your biggest memory of playing at Kennedale?
“I have a lot of memories, but I would say my biggest one was when I ran back my first punt return.”
You have a team-high three interceptions. Ball skills were not considered your strength coming into the year, so how good do you feel about your progress?
“That’s one thing that we work on every single day in practice. That’s one thing playing safety I needed to get better at, and it’s shown."
Take me through your interception near the goal line against SMU because you made a heck of a break on the ball.
“Well, we actually had change personnel so we had to change the play. We didn’t really know what was going on, so we were just like run this play and rolled right into into. I saw it in front of me and I picked it off.”
You had two interceptions against Missouri State this year. How much fun was that?
“That was fun. Me coming and playing my first year on defense (he was primarily a special teams guy as a true freshman), it built my confidence up a lot.”
You weren’t a starter this year but you played a lot and with P.J. Hall leaving, you will be a starter next year. How good do you feel about what you did this year?
“I feel good. P.J. helped me out a lot this year learning all the things that he’s seen and things I’m going to see in the next couple of years. It’s something I don’t have to experience because I already know it, so when it does happen, I’ll be ready. P.J. helped me in the film room, on the field in games. When he’s out there and I’m waiting on the sideline to get in, he’s telling me what they are doing so I can just jump right in.
The second half of the season did not go the way you wanted it to. How big is it to come away with a bowl victory?
“Oh yeah. This game is big. It kind of determines if we had an OK season or if we had a bad season with a losing record. This is a big game for us.”
What does the defense need to do to come out with a win?
“We just have to communicate and have everybody be on the same page and tackle really well and we’ll be fine.”
What was it like playing for Kennedale?
“We were real structured. I liked that, and I learned a lot. My DC (Jody Littleton) actually played in the NFL, so I learned a lot from him. He structured practice how college would be, so I was able to adapt faster when I came here to Tulane.”
You played with Baron Browning (Ohio State junior linebacker who was five-star recruit and the No. 9 national prospect according to Rivals) for three years at Kennedale. What he was like?
“He was a beast. That’s my boy.”
The Kennedale football stadium has chairbacks for most of the home side, a two-level press box and an indoor practice field nearby. How nice was it to play there?
“I was blessed to go there. We packed the stands, especially in the playoffs (Kennedale lost in the 4A Division I semifinals in his junior year and lost in its first ever state championship game in his senior year).”
Did you grow up there?
“I grew up in Fort Worth and then I moved to Kennedale and played there all four years in high school.”
Your high school coach says you’re a quiet leader and not a big talker, and so does Fritz. Is that just your personality?
“Yeah, that’s my personality. I lead by example.”
FRITZ
How neat is to have Larry Brooks practicing at his high school stadium?
"His coach had a couple of the assistants out there today and they absolutely love Larry. He’s a fine young man. When I came and recruited Larry, we knew he was a good player watching him on tape and I just loved the way they practiced. They had great practice tempo. His defensive coordinator played in the NFL for seven or eight years, so they were running the same stuff we were running, which is somewhat unusual. It’s neat for him to come on over.
“I told the kids we are going to Larry’s high school to practice. When you guys walk in, we need to shine Larry’s statue. Some of the kids thought I was serious, but Larry had an unbelievable career.”
His high school coach says Larry is very quiet. Is that what you’ve seen, too?
“He’s very reserved. He gets fired up in games. He’s tough. He’s competitive, but he’s not a blabbermouth in any way, shape or form.”
Going into the year his ball skills were not his strength but he ended up making three interceptions, including an outstanding one against SMU. How much has he developed?
“He has a good feel for the game. He’s going to get better and better. If he keeps progressing, he can be all-conference for us, he really could.”
Brooks is going to start next year. Do you feel he is ready?
“Oh yes, without question. He plays like a starter now. We kind of roll those three guys in there. He’s a good player.”
How have the two practices at Kennedale gone?
“Good. Our guys are excited about the game and are pumped up to play. It’s always an unique situation when you don’t play for a long period of time after your final game. Our guys are excited about it.”
I caught up with Brooks and Willie Fritz at the team hotel after practice and talked to Brooks' high school coach on the phone. Here is what they said. By the way, I read somewhere that Merek Glover was hurt, but that was incorrect. Fritz said Glover was fine and that Coby Neenan had an injury.
RICHARD BARRETT (Kennedale coach)
On having one of his former players practice at the school:
"We certainly enjoyed Larry being back. This is our 10th or 11th year to host a team and when we heard that Tulane was a team that would be coming, we hoped that we would get Tulane to come to our school and it worked out. We’re really excited that Larry has come back home and is getting to practice here and play in a bowl game. With the success Tulane has had, Larry being a part of that makes it even more exciting."
Assessing Brooks:
"As good a player as he is, he’s a much better person. Larry was always coachable. He would always listen. He always put the team first. Obviously his talents and abilities may have been moreso than his other teammates. We knew he could play at the next level and through all of hard work and time and energy he used, he is playing at the next level. It’s certainly something we anticipated and though could happen, but Larry back when he played was very quiet, very unassuming and very humble, and talking with coach Fritz and some of the coaches, they say he’s the same way. He hasn’t changed a bit. That tells you a little bit. He’s still the same person. He’s still going to be a work hard, do the right things and do the things he’s asked to do."
On high school career:
"He played safety, although there were some times because of his athleticism and versatility, he could play corner. We didn’t ever play him on offense much. We thought defense was the best place for him and he could excel in that regard. He was a safety, punt returner, did some kick returning and played a little bit of corner, but he was one of our best players no doubt."
On his ball skills:
"This is the tip of the iceberg. I think his final two years at Tulane that he will just excel and really take off. His ball skills may have not been what they wanted, but I know he’s going to work to make it better. Leading the team in interceptions as a sophomore and being on the field as much as he was, he’s going to continue to work hard and get better and do what the coaches ask him to do and they are going to have a heck of a player the next two years."
On what did best:
"He was a good tackler. He had good speed and a nose for the ball. He was a coachable kid, and when you’re coachable and have talent on top of that, that makes it even better. He was a quiet leader. He led by example. He wasn’t one of those rah rah guys. He was going to lead by example, and that’s certainly what he did playing on the varsity for three years. He was a dude."
Players in college from Kennedale
"Baron Browning has had a heck of a career there and is going to come back for his senior year next year. He’ll be one of those guys that will play on Sunday. We have a running back at San Diego State who will probably play on Sundays as well, Juwan Washington (very doubtful looking at his career stats). We have a kid playing DT at Tennessee State. We’ve had Brett Wade at Texas A&M (fullback), Fred Scott at UNT, so we’ve had some guys, Stanford, UTEP.."
LARRY BROOKS
What was it like practicing at your old high school?
"It was crazy. I was actually talking about that with one of my coaches. It’s crazy how this all got set up just perfectly for me to come back and practice at my high school. A lot of my old coaches came to watch me practice and were happy to see me. It felt good being back out there in my hometown."
What did your high school say when you got this bowl bid?
“When we found out we were going to the Armed Forces Bowl, he actually texted me that same day saying that we were going to practice at the high school and he would be happy to see me."
What is your biggest memory of playing at Kennedale?
“I have a lot of memories, but I would say my biggest one was when I ran back my first punt return.”
You have a team-high three interceptions. Ball skills were not considered your strength coming into the year, so how good do you feel about your progress?
“That’s one thing that we work on every single day in practice. That’s one thing playing safety I needed to get better at, and it’s shown."
Take me through your interception near the goal line against SMU because you made a heck of a break on the ball.
“Well, we actually had change personnel so we had to change the play. We didn’t really know what was going on, so we were just like run this play and rolled right into into. I saw it in front of me and I picked it off.”
You had two interceptions against Missouri State this year. How much fun was that?
“That was fun. Me coming and playing my first year on defense (he was primarily a special teams guy as a true freshman), it built my confidence up a lot.”
You weren’t a starter this year but you played a lot and with P.J. Hall leaving, you will be a starter next year. How good do you feel about what you did this year?
“I feel good. P.J. helped me out a lot this year learning all the things that he’s seen and things I’m going to see in the next couple of years. It’s something I don’t have to experience because I already know it, so when it does happen, I’ll be ready. P.J. helped me in the film room, on the field in games. When he’s out there and I’m waiting on the sideline to get in, he’s telling me what they are doing so I can just jump right in.
The second half of the season did not go the way you wanted it to. How big is it to come away with a bowl victory?
“Oh yeah. This game is big. It kind of determines if we had an OK season or if we had a bad season with a losing record. This is a big game for us.”
What does the defense need to do to come out with a win?
“We just have to communicate and have everybody be on the same page and tackle really well and we’ll be fine.”
What was it like playing for Kennedale?
“We were real structured. I liked that, and I learned a lot. My DC (Jody Littleton) actually played in the NFL, so I learned a lot from him. He structured practice how college would be, so I was able to adapt faster when I came here to Tulane.”
You played with Baron Browning (Ohio State junior linebacker who was five-star recruit and the No. 9 national prospect according to Rivals) for three years at Kennedale. What he was like?
“He was a beast. That’s my boy.”
The Kennedale football stadium has chairbacks for most of the home side, a two-level press box and an indoor practice field nearby. How nice was it to play there?
“I was blessed to go there. We packed the stands, especially in the playoffs (Kennedale lost in the 4A Division I semifinals in his junior year and lost in its first ever state championship game in his senior year).”
Did you grow up there?
“I grew up in Fort Worth and then I moved to Kennedale and played there all four years in high school.”
Your high school coach says you’re a quiet leader and not a big talker, and so does Fritz. Is that just your personality?
“Yeah, that’s my personality. I lead by example.”
FRITZ
How neat is to have Larry Brooks practicing at his high school stadium?
"His coach had a couple of the assistants out there today and they absolutely love Larry. He’s a fine young man. When I came and recruited Larry, we knew he was a good player watching him on tape and I just loved the way they practiced. They had great practice tempo. His defensive coordinator played in the NFL for seven or eight years, so they were running the same stuff we were running, which is somewhat unusual. It’s neat for him to come on over.
“I told the kids we are going to Larry’s high school to practice. When you guys walk in, we need to shine Larry’s statue. Some of the kids thought I was serious, but Larry had an unbelievable career.”
His high school coach says Larry is very quiet. Is that what you’ve seen, too?
“He’s very reserved. He gets fired up in games. He’s tough. He’s competitive, but he’s not a blabbermouth in any way, shape or form.”
Going into the year his ball skills were not his strength but he ended up making three interceptions, including an outstanding one against SMU. How much has he developed?
“He has a good feel for the game. He’s going to get better and better. If he keeps progressing, he can be all-conference for us, he really could.”
Brooks is going to start next year. Do you feel he is ready?
“Oh yes, without question. He plays like a starter now. We kind of roll those three guys in there. He’s a good player.”
How have the two practices at Kennedale gone?
“Good. Our guys are excited about the game and are pumped up to play. It’s always an unique situation when you don’t play for a long period of time after your final game. Our guys are excited about it.”