No local squads were picked in the any of the Associated Press preseason top-10 polls, but plenty of their opponents were.
Two of Palestine’s pre-district opponents earned honors, with Waco La Vega — who open the season at Wildcat Stadium Aug. 31 — coming in at No. 8 in the initial poll.
Chapel Hill, who visits Palestine Sept. 21, didn’t make the top-10 but did receive 32 votes, good enough for 12th.
Both Crockett (No. 14) and Franklin (No. 18) landed in the poll. Both of those squads share District 11-2A, Division I with Westwood and Elkhart.
Garrison, who moved up from Class 1A in the last realignment and is in District 10-2A, Division II with Frankston, was picked 19th in the poll, while Arp — the preseason favorite to win 10-2A, was just outside the top-10 at No. 11.
Coming in at No. 12 in Class 2A is Mildred, who will scrimmage Elkhart Thursday and host Frankston Sept. 14.
Another Indian opponent, Alto, came in at No. 17 in the Class 1A poll. The Yellowjackets will also play Grapeland Oct. 26 in Alto in a District 10-A, Division I game.
Joaquin came into the Class 1A poll at No. 20, and will face Elkhart for the Elks homecoming Sept. 28.
At No. 22 in the 1A poll was Mount Enterprise, who host Cayuga on Sept. 7.
Local Sports
H.S. Football: No local squads ranked by AP, but plenty of opponents are
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From the Sideline: Picking on the picks from Texas Football
2013 is the year that Lance Angel’s Palestine Wildcats make the leap.
It’s a year that will see perennial playoff teams Cayuga, Frankston and Oakwood back in the playoffs.
It’s a year that won’t see Westwood or Elkhart snap their playoff droughts, or see Grapeland return to the postseason.
At least, that’s what 2013 will be according to the “Bible of Texas football.” -
Palestine's Owens picks TCU
A whirlwind recruitment came to a resolution for Palestine star Jarrell Owens Tuesday.
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H.S. Baseball: Elkhart's Smith stellar at all-star weekend
By all accounts, former Elkhart baseball standout Levi Smith had a stellar weekend.
The former Elks’ catcher spent it in Round Rock, participating in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA) all-star weekend.
He played in the 1A-3A all-star Saturday, batting in the clean-up spot for his team. But, it was the show he put on Friday that probably turned the most heads. -
Tennis: Palestine-native Ybarra captures East Texas Open title
In terms of his tennis, the last year had been a rough one for Palestine-native Ryan Ybarra.
After transferring from Texas Tech to UT-Tyler, Ybarra had seen his season come to a rough end thanks to a foot injury, and led him to wonder about his future in the sport.
In his own words, Ybarra was “burnt out.” -
H.S. Football: 5 local players to play in Saturday's FCA bowl
The annual FCA “Heart of a Champion” Bowl in Tyler Saturday will have a decidedly local flavor to it.
Five local players were among the almost 100 chosen to play in the game, which honors the best high school seniors from a 25-county area in Northeast Texas. -
H.S. Football: Palestine OL Thlang commits to ULM
The first of the area’s Class of 2014 football recruits has made a commitment.
Palestine offensive lineman Brian Thlang committed to the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Wednesday, days after attending the Warhawks camp with teammate Ben Luckett.
Thlang said he was won over at the camp with the ULM coaching staff. -
H.S. Football: Area coaches react to UIL's new 90-minute rule
In an effort to combat injuries, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) approved a limit on how much full contact can be made weekly during high school and middle school football practices.
The UIL, which governs athletics in Texas, approved a measure limiting contact to 90 minutes per week at a meeting on Tuesday. But, full contact is deemed to be “game-speed tackling and blocking to the ground.” -
H.S. Football: TCU latest to offer Palestine's Jarrell Owens
Palestine star senior-to-be Jarrell Owens picked up his fourth college offer on Tuesday, his second from a BCS school.
TCU offered the Class of 2014 linebacker/defensive end, joining Texas Tech as the two Big 12 schools currently courting Owens. -
H.S. Baseball: Trio of locals named to THSBCA all-state teams
Three local players were named some the state’s best baseball players Monday by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association (THSBCA).
Elkhart teammates Levi Smith (catcher) and Jacob Cheatham (third base) were both named first team players on the Class 2A team, while Cayuga pitcher Chantz Holland was named a first teamer in Class 1A. -
Sports Briefs: Week of 6/3/13
Sports briefs for the week beginning June 3, 2013, including a Lady Elk garage sale and updated information on Adrian Peterson Day.
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