Last year, the sports editor of The Bowie News found himself on the street without a job after he was the victim of layoffs at the Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark.
It’s never fun for anyone to face an uncertain future.
So, there I was sending my resume around the Midwestern United States, but I primarily focused on Missouri and north Texas.
Last year at this time I was a free agent while scores of professional football players were looking to secure gainful employment as well.
However, there are only 32 National Football League teams. There are plenty more newspapers to work for.
In the end, it came down to two newspapers in the Texoma region – The Bowie News and the Graham Leader.
Back in early June, I wrote in my introductory column I decided to return to Texas because of the sport of football, and the allure of those “Friday Night Lights.”
Looking back at my decision to join the Bowie News, my decision was based more on a different sport – basketball.
Last fall, I looked forlornly while Graham advanced all the way to the Conference 4A Division I semifinals before falling to Argyle 23-20.
I wondered what it would have been like to enjoy the deep playoff run the Steers had.
Especially in light of the fact only one high school in Montague County qualified for the postseason, and that was 6-Man Division II Forestburg.
Chillicothe came back from a huge deficit to defeat the Longhorns on a woefully chilly November night by a count of 58-41 in Archer City. My football season evaporated in one two-hour stretch.
Basketball season was thrust upon me.
And, in the end, the sports editor’s decision to join The Bowie News has appeared more about 3-point field goals rather than kicked field goals; fouls more than penalties and painted lines over chalked lines. Read more in the weekend News.

Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.

The sports editor was astounded to see so many Bowie fans in attendance for this Conference 3A regional quarterfinal. The game started at 4 p.m., in order fans could get home to avoid Wednesday night’s wintry weather. Bowie lost to Ponder by 14 points. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)