Ishmael Johnson
@yeahlikethebook.bsky.social
Writer @sportsdayhs.bsky.social | Here for vibes, the Suns, Arsenal and wrestling |
Pinned
Almost forgot to mention this on the Skye Blue app.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
North Texas has made its first splash hire in state champion head coach Ray Gates. #txhsfb #GMG
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates joining staff at North Texas
Gates was widely seen as one of Texas high school football’s fastest rising stars.
www.dallasnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:11 PM
North Texas has made its first splash hire in state champion head coach Ray Gates. #txhsfb #GMG
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
“Nobody ever heard of that name in the history of the world.”
It turns out the coach that “nobody ever heard of” could be the one to bring Allen back to AT&T Stadium. Me on Lee Wiginton restoring Allen:
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
It turns out the coach that “nobody ever heard of” could be the one to bring Allen back to AT&T Stadium. Me on Lee Wiginton restoring Allen:
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
Coach Lee Wiginton led Allen back to the state semifinals. Can he take them all the way?
Allen’s state semifinal against Duncanville offers the program a chance to reclaim its place among the cream of the crop in Texas high school football.
www.dallasnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:13 PM
“Nobody ever heard of that name in the history of the world.”
It turns out the coach that “nobody ever heard of” could be the one to bring Allen back to AT&T Stadium. Me on Lee Wiginton restoring Allen:
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
It turns out the coach that “nobody ever heard of” could be the one to bring Allen back to AT&T Stadium. Me on Lee Wiginton restoring Allen:
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
My advice to Texas Tech is to campaign your Most Outstanding Player next time. Sayin over Smith stinks though.
December 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
My advice to Texas Tech is to campaign your Most Outstanding Player next time. Sayin over Smith stinks though.
Story on North Forney four-star Legend Bey trying to get his release from Tennessee after reportedly being pressured by family to not sign with Ohio State.
#GoBucks #GoVols #txhsfb
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
#GoBucks #GoVols #txhsfb
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
North Forney’s Legend Bey will reportedly seek Tennessee release, sign with Ohio State
Bey, who is still 17, was reportedly pressured by his family into signing with the Volunteers over the Buckeyes.
www.dallasnews.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Story on North Forney four-star Legend Bey trying to get his release from Tennessee after reportedly being pressured by family to not sign with Ohio State.
#GoBucks #GoVols #txhsfb
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
#GoBucks #GoVols #txhsfb
www.dallasnews.com/high-school-...
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
Today in Schism:
Robert Griffin III claims the committee is “persecuting Christians” by ranking Notre Dame ahead of BYU
Robert Griffin III claims the committee is “persecuting Christians” by ranking Notre Dame ahead of BYU
December 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Today in Schism:
Robert Griffin III claims the committee is “persecuting Christians” by ranking Notre Dame ahead of BYU
Robert Griffin III claims the committee is “persecuting Christians” by ranking Notre Dame ahead of BYU
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
There is a real chance that a number of people who follow me on Bluesky could score TDs from the 1-yard line behind Texas Tech's line against Big 12 defenses. Those of you who bench 225+ and squat 300+ would have a nonzero shot at it. Are Heisman voters this gullible? Maybe?
November 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
There is a real chance that a number of people who follow me on Bluesky could score TDs from the 1-yard line behind Texas Tech's line against Big 12 defenses. Those of you who bench 225+ and squat 300+ would have a nonzero shot at it. Are Heisman voters this gullible? Maybe?
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
This is the most shameless thing I've ever seen in Heisman campaigning. So bold that I respect it unironically. This guy is not even the best player on Texas Tech's defense and they are feeding him goal-line TDs in a ploy to distract Heisman voters
Bless @alexkirshner.com for calling the Tech/Rodriguez Heisman campaigning what it is on the new SZD.
November 30, 2025 at 9:13 PM
This is the most shameless thing I've ever seen in Heisman campaigning. So bold that I respect it unironically. This guy is not even the best player on Texas Tech's defense and they are feeding him goal-line TDs in a ploy to distract Heisman voters
Bless @alexkirshner.com for calling the Tech/Rodriguez Heisman campaigning what it is on the new SZD.
November 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Bless @alexkirshner.com for calling the Tech/Rodriguez Heisman campaigning what it is on the new SZD.
Almost forgot to mention this on the Skye Blue app.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
November 28, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Almost forgot to mention this on the Skye Blue app.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
I'm @dallasnews.com's new senior writer covering HS sports. I start Monday, in time for football state championships. Let's have fun.
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
Rockstar should cancel GTA 6 and just make a Red Dead game starring Hangman Adam Page instead
What if every video game had Hangman Adam Page as the protagonist? What then? The gaming industry would be saved, that's what
November 23, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Rockstar should cancel GTA 6 and just make a Red Dead game starring Hangman Adam Page instead
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
A jam-packed fifth episode of StrongSide: The Show from @mikelikessports.bsky.social and @machinesports.bsky.social joined by @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social.
Talking the Local College Football Golden Age With Ishmael Johnson
A jam-packed fifth episode of StrongSide: The Show.
www.dmagazine.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
A jam-packed fifth episode of StrongSide: The Show from @mikelikessports.bsky.social and @machinesports.bsky.social joined by @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
New pod! The dude @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social joined @machinesports.bsky.social and I to talk all things local college football, from UNT to SMU to TCU. 30 years from now, this episode will be Mike Marshall's origin story in becoming a UNT megabooster:
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
Talking the Local College Football Golden Age With Ishmael Johnson
A jam-packed fifth episode of StrongSide: The Show.
www.dmagazine.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:53 PM
New pod! The dude @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social joined @machinesports.bsky.social and I to talk all things local college football, from UNT to SMU to TCU. 30 years from now, this episode will be Mike Marshall's origin story in becoming a UNT megabooster:
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/...
People thinking that was a trans joke, and not a joke about parasocial losers, need to reexamine themselves and ask why the trans community is what came to their mind in that scene.
November 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM
People thinking that was a trans joke, and not a joke about parasocial losers, need to reexamine themselves and ask why the trans community is what came to their mind in that scene.
My latest for @dmagazine.bsky.social is over what SMU needs to happen to make it back to the ACC Championship, featuring a Lionel Hutz reference:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Here’s What Must Go Right for SMU to Return to the ACC Title Game
It won't be easy, but it is doable.
www.dmagazine.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:51 PM
My latest for @dmagazine.bsky.social is over what SMU needs to happen to make it back to the ACC Championship, featuring a Lionel Hutz reference:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
In which @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social makes an A++ Simpsons reference to convey the state of the ACC as SMU tries to get back to the conference title game.
Required reading for Mustangs and CFB sickos everywhere:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Required reading for Mustangs and CFB sickos everywhere:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Here’s What Must Go Right for SMU to Return to the ACC Title Game
It won't be easy, but it is doable.
www.dmagazine.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
In which @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social makes an A++ Simpsons reference to convey the state of the ACC as SMU tries to get back to the conference title game.
Required reading for Mustangs and CFB sickos everywhere:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Required reading for Mustangs and CFB sickos everywhere:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Rhett Lashlee mentioned that he doesn’t know if any team has done what SMU’s currently doing since joining the ACC.
My latest column looked into seeing if he was right, and why it matters:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
My latest column looked into seeing if he was right, and why it matters:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
SMU Is Off to a Historic Start in the ACC. Why the Streak Matters - D Magazine
The Mustangs have yet to lose a conference regular-season game since joining the ACC last year. That's a big deal for a number of reasons.
www.dmagazine.com
October 24, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Rhett Lashlee mentioned that he doesn’t know if any team has done what SMU’s currently doing since joining the ACC.
My latest column looked into seeing if he was right, and why it matters:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
My latest column looked into seeing if he was right, and why it matters:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
A lot of SMU milestones have gotten attention since 2024. Relative to those, its perfect record in ACC regular season games hasn’t.
@yeahlikethebook.bsky.social
dove in to see just how historic the streak is, the biggest challenges to it, and how much it matters
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
@yeahlikethebook.bsky.social
dove in to see just how historic the streak is, the biggest challenges to it, and how much it matters
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
SMU Is Off to a Historic Start in the ACC. Here’s Why Their Conference Win Streak Matters.
The Mustangs have yet to lose a conference regular-season game since joining the ACC last year. That's a big deal for a number of reasons.
www.dmagazine.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
A lot of SMU milestones have gotten attention since 2024. Relative to those, its perfect record in ACC regular season games hasn’t.
@yeahlikethebook.bsky.social
dove in to see just how historic the streak is, the biggest challenges to it, and how much it matters
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
@yeahlikethebook.bsky.social
dove in to see just how historic the streak is, the biggest challenges to it, and how much it matters
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
I think unfortunately college football is the one space where you can brand the most powerful man on a campus abusing his power over a subordinate as quirky and something a university holds as a point of pride.
The Ballad of Bobby Petrino: From infamy to interim, there's hope for a Razorback Redemption
A deep dive: www.cbssports.com/college-foot...
A deep dive: www.cbssports.com/college-foot...
Bobby Petrino's redemption: Arkansas coach's road from infamy to interim
Bobby Petrino rides again at Arkansas, 13 years after an infamous accident and scandal led to his ouster
www.cbssports.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I think unfortunately college football is the one space where you can brand the most powerful man on a campus abusing his power over a subordinate as quirky and something a university holds as a point of pride.
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
fuck ice airing commercials during dynamite, let em know:
help.hbomax.com/us/Feedback/
tbsnetwork.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/req...
help.hbomax.com/us/Feedback/
tbsnetwork.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/req...
HBO Max | Feedback
help.hbomax.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:46 AM
fuck ice airing commercials during dynamite, let em know:
help.hbomax.com/us/Feedback/
tbsnetwork.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/req...
help.hbomax.com/us/Feedback/
tbsnetwork.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/req...
New byline dropped 🤞🏿
After the Kevin Jennings story, we got requests for more SMU pieces on StrongSide. We are happy to oblige -- and we got a great one in @yeahlikethebook.bsky.social writing them.
Here's his first, on where the Mustangs stand heading into ACC play this weekend:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
Here's his first, on where the Mustangs stand heading into ACC play this weekend:
www.dmagazine.com/sports/2025/...
SMU Still Has Everything to Play for As ACC Play Begins
The Mustangs have their issues after an underwhelming performance in nonconference play. But all of them are surmountable, if they can tighten up on defense.
www.dmagazine.com
September 30, 2025 at 2:52 PM
New byline dropped 🤞🏿
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
nothing says ‘its fall yall’ like bees buzzin around on your goldenrod while the strawberry bushes you planted nearby just absolutely fuck off right back into the waterlogged clay into which you placed them
September 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
nothing says ‘its fall yall’ like bees buzzin around on your goldenrod while the strawberry bushes you planted nearby just absolutely fuck off right back into the waterlogged clay into which you placed them
Dropping in to say I made the dumbest edit for Texas State QB Brad Jackson.
🎧: Westside Gunn - Dr. Britt Baker
🎧: Westside Gunn - Dr. Britt Baker
September 7, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Dropping in to say I made the dumbest edit for Texas State QB Brad Jackson.
🎧: Westside Gunn - Dr. Britt Baker
🎧: Westside Gunn - Dr. Britt Baker
My bad. I forgot Notre Dame was playing vs Mario Cristobal. It's never over.
September 1, 2025 at 2:55 AM
My bad. I forgot Notre Dame was playing vs Mario Cristobal. It's never over.
Reposted by Ishmael Johnson
Lots of talk on this website about how Jeremiyah Love is nowhere to be found. But friend, can I tell you about a kind of love that will never abandon you during a big moment?
That's right. God's love.
That's right. God's love.
September 1, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Lots of talk on this website about how Jeremiyah Love is nowhere to be found. But friend, can I tell you about a kind of love that will never abandon you during a big moment?
That's right. God's love.
That's right. God's love.
Why the fuck is Mike Denbrock either not running a healthy Jeremiyah Love OR using a hurt Jeremiyah Love as a decoy and not running a healthy Jadarian Price?
September 1, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Why the fuck is Mike Denbrock either not running a healthy Jeremiyah Love OR using a hurt Jeremiyah Love as a decoy and not running a healthy Jadarian Price?