S3 E6--Ronnie Thompson and Todd Dodge

Down Trails of Victory

"Ooh...let's go...
boom...boom...boom...
Another one bites the dust!"--by Queen bassist John Deacon

Coach Ronnie Thompson and quarterback Todd Dodge were football legends at Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School. Under Thompson's coaching genius, and Dodge's quarterbacking excellence, the #1-ranked Yellow Jackets rode the "Another One Bites the Dust" steamroller to a showdown with Odessa Permian in the 1980 State Finals.

Thompson, known for his innovative offensive philosophy, is a 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson, and played on their 1960 district championship team along with college and NFL coaching great Jimmy Johnson. In addition to coaching at Thomas Jefferson, he had Southeast Texas coaching stints at Vidor, Lamar University, and Port Arthur Memorial. He also coached at the University of Texas and Texas A&M as offensive coordinator, as well as many years coaching high school in the Garland area.

Dodge, along with receiver Brent Duhon, went on the secure All American honors for the Yellow Jackets, while setting numerous state and national records. In 1980, he was named The Most Outstanding Football Player in Texas. He went on to quarterback the Texas Longhorns. Afterwards, Dodge became one of Texas' most decorated high school head football coaches, winning seven state titles--all in Texas' highest classification. He won four titles at Southlake Carroll, where the Dragons went 79-1 over a five-year span. He subsequently won three state titles at Austin Westlake, before retiring at the close of 2021.

Hear these respected football greats talk with Buck and Brad about:

• Coach Thompson's years as a student athlete at Port Arthur Jefferson;
• Coach Thompson's return to Southeast Texas in 1975 to lead Vidor out of its 43-game losing streak, and turn the Pirates into winners;
• Coach Thompson's return to TJ in 1978, and his relationship with then-sophomore quarterback phenom Todd Dodge;
• The Yellow Jackets' evolution from their 1-9 team of 1978, to the "Another One Bites the Dust" State Finalist powerhouse of 1980;
• Todd Dodge's consulting work with Port Neches-Groves ISD's head coaching search, that culminated in the hiring of Jeff Joseph;
• Todd Dodge's induction into the Museum of the Gulf Coast Hall of Honor;
• Remembrances of players, opponents, games, rivalries, and more!

The podcast brings up a wide range of names from Southeast Texas, including Brent Duhon, Jimmy Johnson, Clarence "Buckshot" Underwood, Don Holloway, Robert Smothers, Ken Watson, Lonnie Linscomb, Randy Brevell, (Todd's mom and dad), Richard Rice, Colleen Rice, Bobby Rice, Bruce Miller, Donnie Schexnider, Rick Wyble, Steve Durso, Mike Owens, Hank Clark, Steve DeRouen, Norman Gaspard, George Hawkins, Emerick Jagneaux, Bill Mehan, Ron Stump, Willie Williams, Charles Wilson, Frank Eidom, Larry Mayer, Gary Hammond, Kenny Harrison, Roman Leviege, Gary Jefferson, Anthony Dupuy, James Wallace, Shea Walker, Tug Lewis, Troy Terrell, Arnold Landry, Greg Brugman, Hayward Laurent, Clay Southerland, Jeff Joseph, Dr. Mike Gonzales, Lew Ford, Dr. Jesse Delee, William Seale...and more!

Other names included in the podcast are O. J. Simpson, Otis Wylie, Kenny Stabler, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Mark Rypien, Riley Dodge, Gary Joseph, Tony Salazar,...and more!!

Are you ready? Hey are your ready for this?
Are you standing on the edge of your seat?
Out on the gridiron, the Jackets fly,
Swarmin' to the sound of the beat, yeah!
boom...boom...boom...
Another one bites the dust!

Right here, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!