Ron Thompson & Todd Dodge

Ronnie Thompson and Todd Dodge

"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!

Coach Ronnie Thompson

1962 TJ grad

Ronnie Thompson was a 1962 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Port Arthur. Hear about playing football for the Yellow Jackets on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

vidor turnaround--1975

In 1975, Coach Thompson returned to Southeast Texas to become head coach at Vidor--a team that had lost 43-straight games. He immediately turned them into winners. Hear Coach Ronnie Thompson talk football on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

return to tj--1978

Hank Clark, a 35-year coaching veteran at TJ, was on Thompson's staff when he returned to TJ in 1978. Hear Coach Thompson and Todd Dodge talk about that coaching staff on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Todd Dodge

Ronnie thompson and todd dodge

Todd Dodge was Ronnie Thompson's quarterback at TJ. During his three years as a starter, the Jackets went from 1-9 to the #1 team in the State! Hear that astounding story of success on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

richard rice and todd dodge

Hear Todd Dodge talk about the role Richard Rice (#61) and his parents played in Todd's TJ legacy. It's amazing. Right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

todd dodge and brent duhon

Receiver Brent Duhon and QB Todd Dodge set numerous receiving and passing records during their TJ careers. Hear about that incredible offensive combination on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

america's #1 passing duo

Todd Dodge and Brent Duhon were recognized nationally for their passing exploits as juniors. Hear the story of their years at TJ on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

national recognition

Todd Dodge and receiver Brent Duhon were labeled "America's No. 1 Schoolboy Passing Duo." Hear about that incredible passing combination on Down trails of Victory podcast!

quarterback of the jackets

Dodge set numerous state and national records as quarterback for the TJ Yellow Jackets. Hear him talk about playing football in Port Arthur on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

bi-district vs aldine

TJ beat Aldine 49-6 in their Bi-District tilt. Hear about that game, and the accolades that came from it, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Kenny stabler meets with D&D

Following TJ's outstanding performance vs Aldine, Dodge and Duhon were invited to appear on NFL Hall of Famer Kenny Stabler's Houston-based TV show. Hear about that gig on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

regional vs lamarque

The Jackets beat LaMarque 29-24 in the Regional Finals. Hear about that hard-fought win on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

quarterfinals vs Houston STratford

The Jackets beat Houston Stratford 34-0 in the State Quarterfinals. Hear about that tremendous offensive and defensive dominant win on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

semifinals vs san antonio holmes

TJ beat undefeated San Antonio Holmes 34-7 in the State Semifinals. Hear about the Jackets' run to the State Finals on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

state finals vs odessa permian

The Jackets met Odessa Permian in the State Finals at Texas Stadium. Hear about that exciting contest on Down Trails of Victory Podcast!

community support

Southeast Texas came together to support the Yellow Jackets on their pursuit of a state championship. Hear about that 1980 state title run on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

odessa permian 28, TJ 19

Odessa Permian came from behind to beat TJ 28-19 in the State Finals. Hear all about that contest on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Post Season...and Beyond...

most outstanding player in texas

Todd Dodge was honored as the Most Outstanding Player in Texas following the 1980 football season. Hear about Thompson's and Dodge's post season honors on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

all state

Todd Dodge, along with four teammates, was named All State following the 1980 football season. Hear about that historic year on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Parade all americans

Both Todd Dodge and Brent Duhon were named Parade All Americans. Hear about that famous Southeast Texas passing duo on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Record Setters

Todd Dodge and Brent Duhon brought national recognition to Southeast Texas' Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson. Hear about the Jackets' football exploits on Down Trails of Victory Podcast!

longhorn recruits

Brent Duhon, Todd Dodge, Robert Smothers, and Don Holloway all signed with the Texas Longhorns following the 1980 season. Hear about those players and more on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

texas high school coaching legend

Todd Dodge went on to become a Texas High School coaching legend, winning seven state titles in the state's highest classification--four at Southlake Carroll, and three and Austin Westlake. This included an amazing 79-1 five-year run at Southlake Carroll. Hear Todd Dodge talk football on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Texas high school coaches association hall of honor

Todd Dodge was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 2022. Hear Todd Dodge talk about his years with Coach Ronnie Thompson in Port Arthur on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

Museum of the gulf coast

In 2022, Todd Dodge was inducted into the Museum of the Gulf Coast along with PN-G baseball legend Lew Ford, and fellow TJ graduate and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jesse Delee. Also inducted was historian the late William Seale, also a TJ grad. Hear about this great honor on Down Trails of Victory podcast!

consultant in PN-G coaching search

In 2022, Todd Dodge was hired as a consultant by Port Neches-Groves ISD in its search for a new head football coach. Hear Coach Dodge talk about that search, and why he recommended Coach Jeff Joseph, on Down Trails of Victory podcast! Pictured is the hiring committee--(L to R) Kyle Segura, Kevin Schexnaider, Kyle Hooper, Todd Dodge, Julie Gauthier, Barbara Comeaux, and Scott Ryan.

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ronnie thompson and todd dodge

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