(10-11-07)

SIX OUTSTANDING STUDENT-ATHLETES HONORED AS
BUILT FORD TOUGH/ DALLAS COWBOYS TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

· Class 5A: Devin Thomas, RB, Madison High School, San Antonio

· Class 4A: Deonte McDade, CB/QB, Ennis High School, Ennis

· Class 3A: Nolan Nunez, RB, Port Isabel High School, Port Isabel

· Class 2A: Joseph Maldonado, RB, Hebbronville HS, Hebbronville

· Class 1A: Jacob Villanueva, QB/CB, Roscoe High School, Roscoe

· Private Schools: Kirk Hayes, QB, St. Mark’s School of Texas, Dallas

PLANO, Texas (October 11, 2007) – Six great young Texas high school football stars have been recognized today as the Built Ford Tough/Dallas Cowboys Texas High School Football Players of the Week for Week 5.

The Built Ford Tough/Dallas Cowboys Texas High School Football Player of the Week program honors one student-athlete in six of the state’s athletic classifications every week during the high school football regular season for his accomplishments on and off the field. The award was launched for the 2006 season to celebrate the strong ties between Texans and high school football, as well as Ford’s recognition as the “Truck Line of Texas” for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year. This year, the program was expanded to include America’s Team: The Dallas Cowboys.

Class 2A: Hebbronville RB Joseph Maldonado is a threat to score wherever the Longhorns are on the field. His five TD runs of 14, 47, 38, 62, and 96 yards accounted for most of his 282 yards on 11 carries in a 69-0 pasting of Riviera last week. A virtual one-man athletic department, Joseph also participates in basketball, baseball, track, and tennis, all while carrying a solid 3.7 GPA. Off the various playing surfaces, he’s also a member of the student council, the Future Farmers of America, coaches a Powder Puff bowl team that raises money for Toys for Tots, and participates in Megan’s Lighthouse, a special Hebbronville project that serves Thanksgiving Dinner to many members of the community. “He’s a wonderful kid with an amazing work ethic,” says Coach Robert Gomez. “On top of playing five varsity sports, he’s always in the weight room. And though no one ever told him to do it, he’s the first to congratulate his offensive line for making what he does possible.”

Students recognized by Ford and Scholastic Coach & Athletic Director magazine as the Built Ford Tough/Dallas Cowboys Texas High School Football Player of the Week have excelled in three categories:

Individual performance on the field, including significant game statistics
Contribution to the team’s success through individual leadership abilities
Performance off the field, including academic success and good community citizenship

Texas high school football coaches, athletic directors and fans are invited to nominate players each week. To nominate student-athletes for this award or for additional information on the nomination process, visit TexasFord.com or coachad.com.

Ongoing Support of the Texas Community
Ford and its dealers have strong ties to their local communities across the state. Some of the Texas organizations that have long-standing ties to Ford include the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Texans, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo, FFA Texas, American Quarter Horse Association, King Ranch, Salute to Education, Alameda Theatre, and the San Antonio River Walk.

In 2006, the Ford F-Series Super Duty truck was named the “Truck of Texas,” making it the third consecutive year that F-Series has received this recognition, a feat unmatched by any other manufacturer.

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company.

Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the Dallas Cowboys Football Club has won five Super Bowls, eight NFC crowns and 19 Division titles in 48 years of existence. Entering his 19th season as the club’s Owner and General Manager, Jerry Jones has helped direct the team to Super Bowl victories following the 1992, 1993, and 1995 seasons. In 1995, Dallas also became the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in four seasons, while tying the NFL record for the Most Super Bowl victories by an organization with five. For more information about the company, visit the Dallas Cowboys at www.dallascowboys.com.