Episode 56 of the 4th & Ward Podcast is packed with real talk, coaching advice, and some all-time sideline stories you won’t believe.

We kick things off by diving into the text line and helping a listener at a career crossroads—should you chase a college football opportunity or stick with the high school route? We break down the realities of both paths, why timing matters, and when you’ve got to “risk it for the biscuit.”

From there, we answer questions about:

• Coaching both sides of the ball and why it still matters
• The pros and cons of freshman-only campuses
• And what young coaches should absolutely avoid if they want to last in the profession

Plus… we share some wild (and hilarious) stories about coaching hires that left us asking: how did this guy get the job?!

We also roll through:

• 🎮 4th & Wardle – the daily high school football trivia game
• 🔥 Drip or Drown – rating high school football uniforms from across the country
• 🏆 Team of the Week – presented by Gridiron Spice Company

📲 Hit the text line: 469-726-9875
Send us your questions, takes, or stories—we might feature you on the show.

🌐 Visit the website: https://www.4thandward.com/index.html

• Catch up on past episodes
• Submit Team of the Week nominees
• Play the daily 4th & Wardle trivia game
• Vote on high school uniforms with Drip or Drown
• Beta test our new arcade-style football game

🌶️ Team of the Week is brought to you by Gridiron Spice Company
Use code 4THANDWARD for 10% off at gridironspiceco.com

Adam and Jack kick off the episode chatting spring football equipment chaos — dishing out shoulder pads, helmets, and the eternal struggle of getting kids to wear the right size. They debate their all-time favorite football helmets (Speed Flex gets heavy love), share war stories from the equipment room, and discuss Rydell vs. Schutt.The guys then launch into the fan-favorite “Drip or Drown” segment, reviewing submitted uniform photos with plenty of laughs, strong opinions on jerseys, helmets, and sock game.Other highlights:

• Listener voicemail correcting the pronunciation and backstory of Calquitt County (Calkwit) Packers / Hog Packers
• Adam’s hilarious kindergarten field trip story and running into a Fourth & Ward listener at the zoo
• A deep dive into the controversial Texas 50 assistant coach list by the Taylor Collective and the conflict-of-interest conversation it sparked
• Fourth & Wardle game lands on Ridgeview High School (Blazers)
• Team of the Week: Hooker High School Bulldogs from the Oklahoma panhandle (with a surprise Horny Toads detour)

Plus, discussion on South Carolina’s new four-quarter rule, Texas Bob’s massive stadium book, and more.Text / Voicemail Line: 469-726-9875 – Shoot us a text or leave a voicemail! Full episode available now wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit the official site → https://www.4thandward.com/index.html
Nominate your Team of the Week, play daily Fourth & Wardle, and join the conversation!

Episode 54 of the 4th & Ward Podcast brings the usual mix of football talk, coaching insight, and off-the-rails stories that only Adam and Jack can deliver. The episode kicks off with some lighthearted banter about Texas high school culture, including the legendary “Skeeters” gear and a deep dive into some wild facilities—from small-town six-man programs with elite setups to the realities of rapidly growing 6A schools in Texas.

The guys get into spring break struggles, the importance of routine (especially when it comes to diet and productivity), and even showcase some next-level 3D printing projects coming out of Jack’s lab. From there, it’s all about interaction with the listeners as they hit the text line questions—debating the best three-day weekend setup, comparing school sizes from South Carolina to Texas, and breaking down what facilities really look like at different levels of high school football.

There’s also some great perspective on coaching resources, from weight room limitations to the number of coaches it actually takes to run a successful program, plus a hilarious look at recruiting athletes from other sports (and why soccer players might secretly be your best kickers).

The episode wraps with a chaotic and funny story about machine pitch baseball that perfectly captures the reality of youth sports—because sometimes it’s less about fundamentals and more about survival.

If you love real, unfiltered conversations about football, coaching life, and everything in between, this is one you don’t want to miss.

📲 Text/Call the show: 469-726-9875
🌐 Website: 4thandward.com

On this episode of Sideline Stories, we sit down with a true Texas high school football legend — Texas Bob, the creator of TexasBob.com.

What started in 1999 as a way to learn how to build a website has turned into one of the most trusted resources in all of Texas high school football. With over 5,000 stadiums documented across multiple states, Texas Bob shares the stories, history, and behind-the-scenes details that make Friday nights in Texas different.

We talk about:

• How TexasBob.com was built before social media even existed
• The evolution of Texas high school football stadiums
• Wild traditions like the “Burning J” at the Tomato Bowl
• The impact of communities, band programs, and families on the game
• How stadiums are funded, upgraded, and preserved
• And some of the most unique venues across the state

From Odessa roots to documenting stadiums nationwide, Texas Bob gives a perspective on the game that you won’t hear anywhere else.

If you love Texas high school football, stadium culture, and the stories that live beyond the scoreboard — this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

📲 Call/Text the Show: 469-726-9875
🌐 Website: https://www.4thandward.com/index.html
🏟️ Explore Stadiums: TexasBob.com

Episode 53 of the 4th & Ward Podcast is all over the place—in the best way possible. 😂

We’re talking real football recruiting advice, breaking down what college coaches ACTUALLY look for, and exposing the biggest mistakes high school players make with their highlight tapes. If you (or someone you know) wants to play college football, this is a must-listen.

But it wouldn’t be 4th & Ward without some chaos…

We also dive into:

• A wild powerlifting debate – can a handstand actually help you make weight?!
• Listener shoutouts and a follow-up on our Team of the Week
• Jack’s new 3D printer rabbit hole (and yes… he printed himself 😂)
• Spring break stories, food takes, and random football talk

💡 Key Topics:

• How to get recruited in today’s NIL/transfer portal era
• What makes a GREAT highlight tape (and what gets you ignored)
• Why most players never get recruited
• The importance of measurables, film, and exposure
• Weird sports tricks & superstitions

📲 Call/Text the Show:
469-726-9875
Drop questions, takes, or voicemails to be featured on the podcast!

🌐 Play 4th & Wardle (Daily Game):
https://www.4thandward.com/wardle.html

Subscribe for more:
🏈 Texas High School Football
🎙️ Coaching stories & locker room talk
😂 Real conversations with coaches

#FootballPodcast #HighSchoolFootball #Recruiting #FootballRecruiting #TexasFootball #CoachingLife #SportsPodcast #4thAndWard #NIL #HighlightTape

Check out https://www.4thandward.com/wardle.html for all things related to the Podcast!

Text the show at 469-726-9875 with all your questions, comments, suggestions!

Most powerlifting meets are intense, but the Texas Boys State Powerlifting Meet takes chaos—and comedy—to a level you won't believe. From handstand weigh-ins to gym tales involving turkey on a leash, this episode is a wild ride through the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre moments from the big stage.Adam and Jack share their behind-the-scenes stories from the meet, revealing how some lifters gamed the system with handstands to cheat the scale and how gut-busting food adventures—like fried burritos with mustard—become part of the scene. Beyond the laughs, they dive into the strategic madness of equipped vs. raw lifting, the spectrum of characters who show up, and the surprising realities of drug testing in high school powerlifting—plus, the fascinating evolution of the sport in Texas and Ohio.You'll discover: what it really takes to compete at the state level, how equipment transforms performance, and the funny anatomy of a typical powerlifting meet—complete with judges, costumes, and crazy stories. If you've ever wondered what drives these athletes or enjoyed the chaos of high school sports, this episode offers a blend of humor, insight, and pure adrenaline.Perfect for coaches, athletes, or anyone curious about the raw, wild world of high school powerlifting—delve into the stories that make this sport unforgettable. Whether it’s the epic feats of 700-pound squats or the hilarious bathroom tales, this episode will leave you inspired and laughing out loud.

Use code: "4thandWard" at GridironSpiceCo.com for 10% off your seasonings!

In Episode 51 of the 4th & Ward Podcast, Adam and Jack Wardlaw are back with another mix of football talk, coaching stories, and completely opposite life experiences.

This episode highlights the contrast between the grind and the getaway — with one side of the conversation centered around late nights, work, and behind-the-scenes effort, while the other leans into life on the road, South Texas stops, and enjoying some well-earned Mexican food along the way.

As always, the guys dive into real football moments, including sideline interactions, referee situations, and the unpredictable nature of game day. They also share stories from small-town environments and the unique characters and places that make high school football what it is.

From coding and work mode to tacos and travel stories, Episode 51 captures both sides of the coaching lifestyle — the grind behind the scenes and the moments that make it all worth it.

With plenty of humor, relatable experiences, and classic back-and-forth between the brothers, this episode is another strong entry in the 4th & Ward lineup.

Use Code "4thandWard" at GridironSpiceCo.com for 10% off your order of seasonings from the Gridiron Spice Company

Text/Call the show at (469) 726-9875‬

Check out our new website! https://www.4thandward.com/wardle.html

NEW CALL IN/TXT LINE! (469-726-9875)

Be sure to drop your questions, comments, team of the week nominees, and anything else!

Adam and Jack Wardlaw celebrate the 50th episode of the 4th & Ward Podcast with another round of hilarious stories from the worlds of football, powerlifting, and coaching life.

In this episode, the brothers talk about the chaos that comes with traveling to competitions and meets, including a legendary restaurant stop where a group of powerlifters managed to demolish an unbelievable amount of food. They also dive into a hotel breakfast situation that quickly got out of hand, featuring a waffle maker that definitely wasn’t built for the volume it was asked to handle.

As always, Adam and Jack mix in stories from their coaching experiences, life on the road, and the kind of behind-the-scenes moments that only happen when athletes and coaches travel together.

The guys also introduce the official 4th & Ward call-in line (469-726-9875) where listeners can submit questions, comments, and nominations for Team of the Week to be featured on future episodes.

From football talk to strength sports and plenty of off-the-rails humor, Episode 50 is another classic conversation from the Wardlaw brothers.