SPORTS UPDATE #91

Game Day!

*** FRIDAY – NOVEMBER 9, 2007 ***

• Football: Friday night family  -  Eric Lokey has spent the last eight years coaching his sons at the high school level. Ryan’s linebacker coach was head coach at Princeton when his son Derek burst onto the scene as a freshman and now he’s watching his twins – Taylor and Tyler – enjoy successful senior years with the Raiders. But after eight years and with Derek now with the Texas Longhorns, all that will change when Ryan’s season is over and the twins graduate, leaving Eric and wife Debi with an empty household and no boys to cheer for on Friday nights.

• State H.S. football scores: Week 10   -   THURSDAY’S SCORES Allen 63, Plano East 35 Austin Crockett 42, Austin McCallum 28 Austin Regents 34, Flower Mound Coram Deo 8 Brenham 52, Conroe Caney Creek 17 Dallas Carter 41, Dallas Sunset 0 Dallas Lincoln 57, Dallas Jefferson 27 Dallas … Read

• Madison-Milby football game moved

• Mart moves to 10-0

• Pearce clinches berth with QB’s feet

• Figuring out playoff tiebreakers a nightmare

• Football playoff scenarios

• Tim MacMahon’s Hot Picks

• 2-minute drill with Frisco Centennial’s Ryan Mossakowski

• Lake Highlands volleyball team stands tall

• South Garland: Elation from frustration 

• Mustangs, Blackcats tangle for 19-3A title -  Madisonville football coach Greg Morgan would have preferred a relaxing Senior Night and a game in which all of the Mustangs could play.  Instead, Madisonville will be battling for a District 19-3A title in the regular-season finale tonight when the red-hot Mexia Blackcats come to town.

• Bragging Rights For A Year   -  In the final game of the season, the New Waverly Bulldogs meet the Hearne Eagles, teams with identical records playing for fourth place in District 26-2A tonight at 7:30.

• Special teams drop Spartans to 1-9
  Special teams proved to be the downfall for Seven Lakes in its 2007 football finale.

• Lufkin gunning for fifth straight district championship  

• Diboll, Carthage playing for district title  

• Marshall to battle Kilgore for possible district title

• District 12-4A MVP  

• Schattel, Suddeth and Jones leave Hallsville with hidden victories  

• Pigskin Preview   (East Texas)

• Wheeler wins Army Strong Team of Week

• Dons rally to down Harvesters, 24-14

• Timeout with: Hunter Buckles, Stratford quarterback

• Unraveling District 2-5A

• Playoff teams with losing marks

• New coaches find success  (Amarillo area)

• Lance Lahnert: Panthers give all for coach  -  Nope. Not tonight. Tonight when you look out on a high school football field as a fan, or pull on the pads as a player, or have coach next to your name, take a deep breath and know just how wonderful life can be. Hold it.

• Playoff puzzle pieces falling into place   -  Predicting which teams might make the playoffs is never easy. Most of the time, it doesn’t work. Now that the end of the regular season is finally here, it’s time to see what might happen once tonight’s games are over. …

• H.S. Football Capsules: Week 10  -  DISTRICT 27-5A VICTORIA MEMORIAL (1-4, 2-7) AT CARROLL (3-2, 7-2) At Cabaniss Multipurpose Last Year: Carroll, 28-21 Last Week: East Central 28, Victoria 7; S.A. Southwest 34, Carroll 13 Victoria: Mickey Finley’s first season as coach hasn’t been so enjoyable. …

• 2007 H.S. Football Super 11: Malcolm Whitmire  -  Refugio Nickname: Whit Position: QB Other position I’d like to play: LB My playing style is: Confident The best part of playing football is: Team camaraderie Before games I like to: Get by myself and listen to Creed My dream …

• Andress, Chapin square off in key 1-4A game
  Riding a three-game winning streak, Chapin High School hopes to keep the afterburners going in its regular season-finale tonight against Andress. 

• Austin wraps up perfect season
  Few people know for sure quite how long it’s been, other than it seems like forever. 

• Coronado battles back to knock off Franklin
  Coronado High School came up with a string of big plays in the fourth quarter and overcame four turnovers and a 13-point deficit to beat Franklin 21-20 on Thursday night at the Sun Bowl.

• Heads-up play on punt helps Chavez top Westside — Chavez used two ball-control drives and a score off a bizarre punt play to secure a 29-21 victory over Westside on Thursday at Barnett Stadium. READ STORY

• HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK: Clements hopes for perfect 10 heading into playoffs

• A look at football playoff races in classes 5A, 3A and 2A

• Jags win over Cowboys Clinches Playoff Berth  -  On this brisk November night, the big play Jaguars did just enough to beat the visitors from Coppell…..full story (Flower Mound – Coppell)

• Tigers slam Mats, claim second straight outright title
  For all the things the Estacado football team has accomplished in 2007, the Matadors saw Thursday night just how far they have to go to wrestle control of the district away from Frenship.

• Westerners fight for playoff life
  The Lubbock High football team is walking a fine line these days, and not just in terms of their playoff hopes.

• Lady Mustangs overcome tragedy to reach new heights on court
  What has become the most successful season in the history of the Andrews volleyball program couldn’t have started much worse.

• Frenship begins home tournament with victory
  WOLFFORTH – Audrey Sheffield, Krista Ford and Meagan Chambers each scored eight points on Thursday, and the Frenship girls basketball team opened its Outerwear USA Tip-Off Classic with a 47-35 victory over Roosevelt.

• Post, Idalou clash over district championship
  The Post football team has cleared several hurdles this season.

• Football: Reagan’s Wright by the numbers

• Football: Week 10 preview (San Antonio)

• Football: Hit of the Week: Bench (San Antonio)

• Football: Group of seniors helped start Permian’s revival

• Football: Week 10 Permian Basin Preview Capsules

• Football: Bronchos try to go out on winning note

• Lady Vikings not short on size, depth or confidence   -  Nolan is one win away from a shot at its first state championship since 1987.

• Arlington teams seeking rematch   -  The Arlington Martin and Arlington volleyball teams will fight for their playoff lives today at McMurry College in Abilene. The Class 5A Region I semifinals feature three teams ranked in the top 10 by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

• PLAYOFF SEED ON THE LINE FOR LEE (Tyler)

• Mart moves to 10-0 with 38-30 win over Marlin 

• Buffaloes in must-win situation vs. Merkel

• Lady Bulldogs Season Ends in Kaufman -  The Wortham Lady Bulldogs volleyball season came to an end in Kaufman this past Tuesday evening in the Regional Quarterfinals at the hands of the Dodd City Lady Hornets. Dodd City, the state’s number six ranked team in the state in class 1A, swept the Lady Bulldogs in three games as Wortham’s successful season came to a conclusion.

• Horn’s run-and-shoot offense presents challenge for Lobos  -  In football, the run-and-shoot offense could be considered the father of the spread offense. Longview will face the father today,

• Swaim’s punts keep opponents in a deep hole 

• Panthers’ air attack the key against Mineola   (Spring Hill)

• PT plans to run against ‘Cats   (Pine Tree)

• Teammates, friends to battle for 3A cross country crown  

• Graham has shown leadership for young offensive line  -  Sulphur Springs coaches knew the offensive skill positions would be in good hands this season. What they weren’t sure about was how a whole new, and previously untested, offensive line would perform.

• Putting it in Perspective: Wildcats could face any one of three teams in first round of playoffs (Sulphur Springs)

• Football: Group of seniors helped start Permian’s revival
  When Darren Allman was named head football coach at Permian High School in February 2005, Andrew…  (full story)

• Volleyball: Wink puts pieces together for another regional trip  Flashes were there most of the season for Wink High School’s volleyball team

• Lady Cards ready for big tangle with China Springs  -  The first initial shock of reaching the Class 3A Region III Regional Tournament has worn off for the Bridge City Lady Cardinals.

• ’Cats hope to close in style   -  The Orangefield Bobcats are a win away from accomplishing one of their major goals set by Coach Blake Morrison at the start of the season.

• Pirates aim to sink Kountze  -  Deweyville will not be involved in this year’s playoff picture out of District 24-2A but they can certainly put a damper on the Kountze Lions’ hopes as the Pirates welcome the surging Lions tonight to wrap up the 24-2A regular season.

• Memorial plans to reload around Brown, Buckner  (Port Arthur)

• EYES ON THE PRIZE  -  PHARR — There aren’t too many people or teams out there that can claim perfection…. (full story)

• Bobcats not taking Lions lightlyRIO HONDO — It’s the most-used cliché in sports, but for this week, it’s definitely the mantra of the…Full Story… 

• Chaps gear up the for long run  -  Make no doubt about it, Austin-Westlake is one of the best programs in the state of Texas. ….more>>

• Football: Pilot Point needs win to clinch playoff berth

• Temple runs the table   -  KILLEEN – After Temple beat South Garland 21-17 in its season opener, senior nose guard Cedric Mosley said, “This lets everyone know we’re back and we’re ready.”

• Tem-Cats plug Lady Brahmas
  Temple coach Don Layton had a simple halftime message for his squad: Be more aggressive.

• Jarrell in win-and-in mode
  Jarrell’s roller-coaster ride back to the playoffs is almost complete.
  With their backs against the wall after an 0-3 district start, the Cougars suddenly find themselves in control of their playoff destiny for the first time since late September.

• Belton gets first victory at Classic
  BELTON – There was never any serious doubt that Belton would defeat Schertz Clemens in the opening round of the Chisholm Trail Classic on Thursday night.

• Ganders beware spoilers in playoff bid
  All eight of District 21-5A’s football teams are out to be spoilers this weekend, spoiling someone’s playoff dreams.

• Playoffs, schmayoffs, Rangers want a win
  Sterling could care less about the playoff implications involved in its season ender against Kingwood.

• Lady Ganders cruise past Huffman
  If Terry Gray thought he was sitting in the wrong seat, no one could have blamed him.

• Coogs grab for piece of 21-4A title
  Having given up on a district title, the Cougars saw their prospects skyrocket when Smiley defeated Galena Park last week.

• Lumberton simply needs to win for first-ever playoff berth

• Tigers can make playoffs with victory over Lindale  -  Lindale head coach Mike Meador thinks he has found a way to stop Mount Pleasant’s powerful running attack that has logged 1,286 yards over the last four weeks. “We need about two more players,” Meador said, half-jokingly. “If we could have two more players (on defense), we can slow them down a little bit.”

• Smith going for gold
  The blueprint that Lauren Smith incorporated for the 2007 cross country season has worked wonders. It’s a plan that has her on a nine-meet win streak headed into Saturday’s Class 5A State Cross Country Meet in Round Rock.

• Exporters sink Gators
  DICKINSON — After all the near-misses during the District 23-4A season, the Brazosport Exporters finally won a close one.

• Playoffs start this week for Ball High
  GALVESTON — The Tors face a must-win situation against county rival Clear Creek if they want to make the playoffs.

• Gators fall to Exporters in playoff tune-up
  DICKINSON — The Gators lose to Brazosport 29-13 in the team’s regular season finale.

• Game Time for Friday, November 9, 2007
  Here’s a breakdown of tonight’s high school football match-ups.

• Navarro trio part of success
  GERONIMO — Coming into the 2007 season, the Navarro volleyball team was in search not only of playmakers, but also team leaders.

• It’s do-or-die for the Cougars
  Area football teams come down to their final regular-season games, with Canyon’s being the biggest

• Canyon Lake shuts door on season
  Hawks players and coaches pleased with first campaign, which concluded with a 24-14 victory over Hays.

• TONIGHT’S GAME CAPSULES
  A brief look at Friday’s football games (Central Texas)

• Sulphur Springs will be a handful for NL
  One team stands in North Lamar’s way to finish the season on a positive note.

• RRV Class 4A capsules
  News and notes about the final game for North Lamar and Paris.

• Stratford’s Luck among TD Club honorees

• After decade of decline, Odessa Permian getting its Mojo back under Allman ODESSA – Might the Mojo be rising again?  A return to the glory of bygone years appears within reach for the Odessa Permian Panthers of “Friday Night Lights” fame. They have a 9-0 record going into their regular-season finale, the latest in a season they’ve been unbeaten since 1993. 

• Tigers, Rabbits meet in U.S. 80 rivalry  -  For the second straight year, Forney and Terrell will meet in the season finale knowing this game will be the last for both teams.

• Ships look to break even
  Out of the postseason picture, the Brazosport Exporters want to break even for the season.

• Bucs face Falcons 1st, then playoffs
  The Buccaneers have their ticket to the postseason already punched but still have a little more work to do Friday night.

• Pearland aims at unbeaten 24-5A run
  The Pearland Oilers have already earned the top spot in the Class 5A, Division I playoffs and a share of the District 24-5A title, but still have plenty to play for in Friday’s regular season finale.

• Defense pushes Gorman to No. 5  -  It is a town better known for peanuts than football. Full story » 

• Cougars can guarantee playoff spot with win  (Abilene Cooper)

• ACHS’ streak on the line in regular season finale 

• Abilene High needs to avoid taking the week off 

• Magnolia beats Consol (VB)

• Centerville Lady Tigers hold off Salado 

• Consol’s Friday Football Standouts 

• Bryan’s Thursday Football Standouts 

• Brazos Valley’s Top Football Performers 

• Lady Vikings, Tigers ready to hoop it up

• Cub runners primed for state  -  Just making an appearance at the state cross country meet won’t be enough for the Brenham Cubs this year.

• Cubettes make playoff plans; Cubs must wait  -  The Brenham High School volleyball team has made its Class 4A Region III championship plans while the Brenham football team will wait to make its first-round playoff arrangements.

• Pattersons have Panthers seeing triple  -  BURTON — When Brady Conger became head coach of the Burton Panthers this season, the biggest thing he wanted to instill in his program was a family atmosphere. Taking that concept to heart is Conger’s trio of running backs, who literally are family.

• Panthers seeking second  -  LAKE AREA – The Mabank engine finally fired on all cylinders last week in an explosive mauling of Crandall, 52-7.….more>>

• State-Bound!  -  ARLINGTON — The Eustace girls cross country team finished first in regional competition last Saturday at Vandergriff Park, and the Eustace boys finished second at the same location.

• Coach Chuck Powers reflects on season, career   -  EUSTACE — Coach Chuck Powers jumped out of his beat up ’89 Chevy pickup and rushed into City Hall recently, then took his customary seat at the council table as an elected city official.

• State top 10 H.S. football schedule: Week 10  -  Schedule for the teams ranked in The Associated Press’ high school football poll (games Nov. 8-10). Games are on Friday night unless noted. CLASS 5A 1. Katy (9-0) vs. Katy Mayde Creek 2. Southlake Carroll (8-1) vs. N. Richland Hills … Read

• Win or stay home  -  There are several storylines surrounding this weeks District 20-2A matchup of Frankston and Kerens. ….more>>

• Tigers travel to Red Oak for finale  -  It would be wrong to think the Tigers final game doesn’t mean anything.  Though Friday’s game at Red Oak has no playoff implications for the Tigers sone of the biggest games of the year for Wylum Bivins.

• Queens start season with road win -  It was a perfect start for the Queens varsity basketball team. (Del Rio)

• Turnovers cost Lady Lions in opener
  LONGVIEW – Tuesday’s season opener between Henderson and Spring Hill featured many missed shots.

• Vista Ridge girls leave jitters behind (cross – country)

• Off the beaten path  (Central Texas)

• Friday’s finales hold a lot on the line for several key Central Texas district races

• Crockett upsets McCallum, 42-28  (Austin)

• In high school football, overtime doesn’t pay

• Central Texas state cross country meet qualifiers

• Brenham flows past Creek for 18-4A crown -  The Brenham Cubs didn’t have to travel very far to win their third undisputed District 18-4A title.Full Story

• Bay Area Christian remains unbeaten with 35-7 win  -  Bay Area Christian remained undefeated in TAPPS play with yet another convincing 35-7 non district triumph over Shiner St. Paul last Friday evening at Bay Area Christian, improving to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in districts with one district showdown remaining before the playoffs begin. Full Story

• Cinco Ranch volleyball team enjoys ride to Region III semis

• Exporter alumni return to hardwood
  For the second year in a row the Brazosport Exporters basketball team are hosting the Alumni Game at E.E. “Flash” Walker Gymnasium at Brazosport High School Saturday.

• High School Breakdown
  A look at Friday’s area high school football games. (Gulf Coast area)

• Coach’s decision to start youngsters pays off
  DICKINSON — The playoffs-bound Gator’s success this season shows coach Warren Trahan made the correct decision two years ago by going with a youth movement.

• Stings’ twins pose a double threat
  TEXAS CITY — Twins Dan and Daniel Hererra are filling key roles on the roster.

• Two county teams are eyeing regional finals
  Clear Creek and Friendswood both could be competing for a trip to state this weekend.

• Last call for West Campus   -  SAN ANTONIO — After Friday night, most football teams who don’t qualify for the postseason can play the infamous “wait ‘til next year” card.

• Bulldogs open season with 54-50 win
  GUADALUPE COUNTY — Mackenzie Langemeier was a rebound shy of a double-double on Tuesday.

• Navarro stands ground in victory
  FLORESVILLE — It wasn’t pretty, but it was good enough for the Navarro volleyball team on Tuesday.

• Coyotes to play Floresville in season finale
  The Uvalde Coyotes will close out their 2007 high school football season tomorrow night when they host the Floresville Tigers in the Honey Bowl.

• CHAPEL HILL’S TUCKER ONE OF TOP ET BACKS

• Light switches on for Lorena cross country 

• Centex football teams in frantic last dash to catch playoff bus

• Canyon, Dalhart battle for district crown   -  The last time Dalhart won an outright district title in football was 1979, whcn only the district champ advanced to the playoffs

• Judgement day at hand in 14-AAA  -  It all comes down to the final Friday of the regular season in District 14-AAA….more>>

• AHS to face Royse City in semis  -  The Athens Lady Hornets are scheduled to continue their playoff run Friday against Royse City at the Region II-AAA Tournament at Texas A&M-Commerce

• No. 3 Iola next for Cross Roads  -  The Cross Roads Lady ’Cats are scheduled to take on No. 3 Iola in Region III-A Tournament semifinal action Friday.

• Season at Stake — Lions will reach playoffs with win over Midway, could miss out with loss  Eighteen points aren’t needed this time, a victory by any margin will do.

• Horns not wanting to share crown
  EARLY — Bragging rights, pride and positive momentum are on the line for the Early Longhorns (6-3, 6-0) and the Ballinger Bearcats (7-2, 5-1) as they prepare for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. District 6-2A showdown at Bearcat Stadium.

• WEEK 10 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
  Six-Man Division I, District 13

• H.S. Football Notes: After Week 9  -  CLASS 5A CARROLL RB Anthony Davis posted his fifth straight 100-yard rushing effort in last week’s 34-13 loss to San Antonio Southwest. He has rushed for exactly 800 yards during that stretch. The junior finished with 19 carries for 179 …

• Austin puts undefeated season on line tonight
  Austin High School will have a chance to end its regular season with an unblemished 10-0 record if it can overtake El Paso High tonight in the Battle for the Claw — the city’s oldest rivalry game. 

• Coronado, Franklin to face off in annual rivalry
  The District 1-5A title may not be on the line in the 15th annual West Side Bowl, but there still is plenty at stake in this year’s Franklin-Coronado football game, set 

• Today’s Prep Football Capsules
  Franklin (3) vs. Coronado (4)When, where: 7 p.m. today at the Sun Bowl.Records: Franklin is 8-1, 6-1 in District 1-5A; Coronado is 6-3, 5-2 in District 1-5A. 

• Cinco Ranch volleyball enjoys ride to Region III semis — At the beginning of the season, Cinco Ranch seniors Ali Becker and Kate Choyce did not know what to expect from their volleyball team. The Cougars, although successful in the regular season the last two years, seemed to keep running into roadblocks during the playoffs. READ STORY

• Cinco Ranch cross country team gets timely addition 

• Volleyball playoff pairings

• Eagles prepare for state playoffs against Temple  (Ellison – Temple)

• Same ol’ tricks; Bulldogs to follow same recipe for success -  The Alexander Bulldogs are looking to recapture the magic of last season, when they not only won district for the second time in school history, but were only the second Laredo team to reach the Region IV-5A finals.  Full Story

• Unfinished business: Tigers eye district title
  The Frenship football team has received little resistance during District 4-4A play this season. Averaging more than 52 points per game and winning by an average margin of 40 points, the Tigers could’ve easily become disinterested while looking ahead to the playoffs.

• Today’s prep football
  CLASS 5A-4A District 2-5A Monterey at San Angelo Central 7:30 p.m., San Angelo Stadium

• Exciting times: Area teams battle for playoffs
  When I signed up for journalism in college, they told me there would be no math involved (Lubbock area)

• Areas girls take court to tip-off basketball season
  The first full weekend of girls high school basketball begins today as Frenship tips off the tournament season with the 2007 Outerwear Tip-Off Classic at the Tiger Pit.

• Commentary: Problems in OHS program must be addressed at ground level

• Football: Tough season reminds Bulldogs of progress

• Speed fills void in Panthers’ secondary (Weslaco)

• Cross Country: Running for state  -  The Argyle Cross Country Team has an opportunity to make Texas history at the state 3A meet in Round Rock on Saturday, as the Eagles have three of the best runners in the state — in any class. At the top of that list is Kristie Krueger, who has become one of the most accomplished high school runners in North Texas history.

• Notebook: Ryan focuses on Denton after loss to Rider

• HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL INSIDER   -  Regular-season finales often bring big-time games, and big-time finishes. (DFW)

• HIGH SCHOOLS RESULTS, SCHEDULES  GIRLS BASKETBALL (DFW)

• Bellaire downs Cinco Ranch in girls basketball opener