Thursday, December 18, 1997

Coach gains chance at redemption

By Ted Dunnam / Abilene Reporter-News

Two years ago, former Abilenian Steve Lineweaver could have won a state championship and prevented a dynasty, all in one fell swoop.

Lineweaver, the head football coach at Commerce High School, was presented with that rare opportunity when Commerce had a chance to upend Sealy, the current kingpin of Class 3A football in Texas.

Commerce trailed Sealy 21-20 after scoring a touchdown with 40 seconds left in the 1995 state championship game. Instead of kicking an extra point, gaining a tie and probably earning a state co-championship, Lineweaver opted for the two-point conversion.

It failed, Commerce lost and Sealy won the second of its three consecutive state titles.

But in the world of what-goes-around-comes-around, Lineweaver has been given a chance at redemption. Lineweaver, a 1964 Abilene High graduate, will send his Commerce team against Sealy in a Friday rematch in the Astrodome.

This time, Lineweaver's crew will be attempting to prevent Sealy from collecting a record fourth consecutive state crown.

Does Lineweaver regret going for those two points?

"I regret missing it," he said from his office Wednesday. "We ran a play-action pass, and I wish we had run some kind of roll-out to give us a run-pass option. We got hit from behind and didn't come close to making it."

Commerce fans shouldn't question that decision. Lineweaver gambled and lost. Big deal. You don't get too many shots at state titles. Take them while you get them.

With what he's accomplished at Commerce in just five years, Lineweaver should be on a pedestal. A win Friday would certainly make him the city's mayoral favorite.

Like Rocky Balboa, Lineweaver is back off the canvas after that tough defeat and ready to snare what he barely missed two years ago.

"We have a better balance of run and pass than we did two years ago," Lineweaver said. "Offensively, we may not be as talented, but speed-wise, for sure we're better."

"We've only got one starter from the '95 team and two players that were very active as alternates."

Lineweaver believes the 1995 state-final experience will help his team Friday.

"I think it was very beneficial," he said. "The first time you're stepping on ice, you don't know if you will fall in or not. There are new unforeseen challenges. For all of those guys that were on the sidelines then that are playing for us now, that should help."

Before coming to Commerce, Lineweaver coached at Spring Branch Westchester (now closed), Grapevine, Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll. He has been a part of two state championship teams (both at Southlake Carroll) and is appearing in his fourth state final.

When he took over at Commerce, he fortunately didn't encounter a program in disarray.

"It was in pretty good shape, actually," Lineweaver said. "They had won district the previous year, but before that it was pretty sporadic. I put my own style of offense in, which is what anyone would do. When you take over a program, you put your own stamp on it."

Obviously, Commerce has been highly successful running Lineweaver's multi-bone offense. The Tigers have rushed for almost 4,000 yards while throwing for 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Commerce's 5-2 defense has come up big, too.

"Whichever unit needs to come forth for us, it has," Lineweaver said. "We weren't clicking offensively against Omaha Paul Pewitt, and our defense scored on an interception that sparked us. Throughout the season, we've been fortunate to have one unit pick up the other."

The task, though, increases greatly Friday.

"Sealy probably doesn't have the great offensive skill players they've had in the past, but they run the same schemes and have a great kicking game," Lineweaver said. "Their kicker, (Derek) Lechler, is the brother of the A&M kicker. He's got a tremendous leg and he keeps teams pinned deep in their territory.

"They've probably got a better defense than they've had. They do what they need to do -- create opportunities for their offense. And their offense usually cashes in."

After the state title game, Lineweaver said he needs to get back to Abilene to visit his parents.

"These long football seasons sort of prevent that," he said. "I don't get back as much as I need to. My mom and dad are still healthy, and it seems that I only get back there during holidays."

Maybe this time, he'll have a unique Christmas present to give them -- a state championship.

"I'd take that," Lineweaver said. "That would be nice."

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