A high school Burleson entrepreneur. A top-rated “Halo 2” professional team. What do they have in common? A scenario that seems to happen only in Hollywood.
Mac Daddy’s Games co-manager Matt Franks and his “Halo 2” semi-pro team MDG and pro squad Team SA, had the opportunity to challenge the nation’s highest-ranked team, Final Boss, over the weekend at Red Bull’s FINAL Exam collegiate video game tournament in Austin.
Like the plot of the 1976 film “Rocky,” the chance for a previously unknown team to step up and take on the champs is something that rarely happens, and it was an honor to be able to seize the opportunity, Franks said.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, and now its finally coming true,” he said prior to the event.
Franks’ father and Mac Daddy’s owner, Clyde McClain, agreed.
“It would be like me stepping into the ring with Muhammad Ali,” he said.
But while the former would likely result in an extremely one-sided beating, McClain was hopeful his boys will hold their own against the champs, he said Thursday.
“I think they’ll give them a game,” he predicted.
Led by David “Walshy” Walsh, Final Boss has captured more championships and prize money than any other “Halo 2” team before them.
They are also involved in a three-year, $1 million deal with Major League Gaming event coordinators, making them some of the wealthiest professional gamers in the world.
Team MDG and Team SA are comprised of high school players, and they won’t compete in the tournament, but playing against Final Boss was more than enough reason to attend the event, Franks said.
Philip Navarrette can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2337,
or reporter@trcle.com.
Local News
Local video gamers to challenge top team
- Cleburne
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. -
Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks. -
Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.
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Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.
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Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney
Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Johnson County
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
Johnson County Special Utility District will keep its Stage 2 drought plan in place despite this week’s rain.
- Tuesday marks property tax payment deadline
- Drought no more
- Number of sex offenders increases
- Council approves trash truck purchases
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Stage 2 drought plan still in place
- Alvarado
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - Dixon repeats as AJC coach of the year
- First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
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Indians on top of selections
- Burleson
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
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Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48
- Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win
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Indians on top of selections
- Godley
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Lady Cats win, Wildcats fall to Peaster
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Indians on top of selections
- Grandview
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Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).
-
Indians on top of selections
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
Four of Johnson County’s eight football teams qualified for the postseason in 2011 with Alvarado making it all the way to the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Cowboys Stadium against Tyler Chapel Hill. - First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
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Indians on top of selections
- Joshua
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Kicking into high gear
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Keene
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Upcoming sports schedule
A look at the sports schedule for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
- Grandview, Burleson, Cleburne lead first team selections
- Centennial places two on second team; Alvarado lands three players
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Upcoming sports schedule
- Rio Vista
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Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.
-
First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain. - Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense
- Upcoming sports schedule
- Tuesday basketball roundup
- Burleson leads AJC superlatives
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First team offense, defense features host of area standouts
- Venus
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Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.
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Never forgotten
The eyes of fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s family began to swell with tears during a dedication hosted by Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford and the sheriff’s office.
- Man defends himself against two suspects
- Venus registers minor quake
- USGS registers minor county quake
- Trained rescue dogs look to be adopted and loved
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Never forgotten
