Pine Tree Ex has Sights Set on Coaching

Pine Tree Ex has Sights Set on Coaching

From Longview News Journal

Monday, May 25, 2009

Editor's note: Where Are They Now? is a weekly feature catching up with former athletes from the Longview News-Journal's coverage area.

Age: 24

High school attended and graduating class: Pine Tree, 2003

College(s) attended: Sam Houston State University, Kilgore College

Current job/profession: Orderly at Good Shepherd Surgery

Family life: Married to Linda Womack for four years. Just had their first child May 11.

Why you remember him: Womack was a two-year starter at center for Pine Tree in the 2001-02 seasons. During his junior season, Pine Tree won the district title for the first time in 25 years. As a senior, Womack's PT squad finished 6-4. He was named honorable mention all-district as a senior.

TWO-MINUTE DRILL

Q: What one or two memories stand out about your football playing days at Pine Tree?

A: The first time I was put in the game with the starting varsity squad was the last scrimmage before the season started against Jacksonville. They had a nose tackle that had already committed to a D-1 school and outweighed me by an easy 100 pounds. I was so nervous. All I knew to do was scream at him and get in his path. It looked brutal on film but I got the job done. After that the team and coaches really made me feel like a part of the team. That is something I definitely miss.

Q: Was there any particular opponents you got the most fired up to play?

A: I was fired up for every opponent that we faced. In an area and district as talented as ours you had to stay fired up for every game.

Q: Was there ever a position you wanted to try out that you never got to play?

A: Probably free safety. Just the freedom to roam the field and destroy was always appealing. Should be for any football player, but I was not the fastest or biggest so our coaches did a good job at putting me in a position where I could slow the defense just enough to execute the play. Even if I was the one on the ground. You are welcome Tae Parker!

Q: Which did you like better: Home games or road trips?

A: Home games by far. People were really excited about Pine Tree football for the first time in a long time. Our coach actually pulled a few of us seniors into the office to show us that all of the season tickets had been sold. The crowd really got involved and the team could definitely feel it.

Q: How did you get into your current job field?

A: My father worked in the E.R. at the hospital for a long time, and helped me get my foot in the door. I have learned a lot and everyone there in surgery from surgeons, nurses, to scrub tech have really become great friends and mentors.

Q: Do you plan on staying in your current career path?

A: No. I am going to school right now to finish up a physical education degree so that I can start a coaching career.

Q: Do you plan on staying around East Texas?

A: No doubt. Not only because my family is here but also because the level of competition in East Texas football is so great that it would make the jobs here a lot more fun.