Pirates select Ray as AD, head coach

Buddy Ray
Buddy Ray

SIMMS, Texas-There is a new leader in town for the Pirates.

Buddy Ray, former defensive coordinator at New Boston, was hired as James Bowie High School's Athletic Director and head football coach at a school board meeting Thursday.

Ray had previously been Athletic Director and head football coach at DeKalb
and Queen City.

"I've known Coach Ray for a long time, and he has a lot of experience," Pirate superintendent Rex Burks said. "He is a good football coach, and I've always been impressed with his work. I thought he would be a good leader and role model for our
kids."

The newest staff member at James Bowie does not know a lot about the Pirate football team, but said that he saw some James Bowie linemen at a powerlifting meet and they looked good.

"The Pirates were successful in football this past year in making the playoffs, and we are going to try to build on that," Ray said. "I have always seen them as a group of hard-nosed, hard working kids that play hard. And if you can get a group of kids to do that consistently, then we'll have a
chance."

James Bowie finished second to Rivercrest in District 9-2A last season with a 3-2 record. The Pirates went 4-6 during the regular season before falling to Big Sandy in their first round playoff game.

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