June and July have passed and August is officially upon us.
What does that mean? It’s time to get back to Texas high school football.
Area squads kick off two-a-days Monday as they gear up for another season under those famous Friday night lights.
From Palestine looking to make yet another playoff run all the way to Oakwood hoping to travel even deeper into the six-man playoffs this year, every teams quest begins now.
How will Westwood cope with the move to Class 2A? How will new coaches Sam Wells (Elkhart) and Matt Nally (Frankston) do in their first season in their new colors?
Can Cayuga return to the postseason after missing out last season? Can Grapeland make it two years of playoff football in a row despite the loss of team leader Cameron Boyd?
All those questions will begin to be answered Monday, and we’ll be there every step of the way.
Like last year, I’ll be embarking on my Dogwood Circle Two-A-Day Tour. We’ll visit every camp in this first week of practices and bring you the storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
That tour starts Monday at Wildcat Stadium, and we’ll move on from there. It’s football time in Texas once again.
Local Sports
2012 Dogwood Circle Two-A-Day Tour: Here we go again
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H.S. Football: Elkhart's Wilson picks up 2nd offer
Elkhart running back Jeffrey Wilson isn’t even into his senior year yet, and already there are some major decisions on his plate.
The Elks star picked up his second college offer Thursday, this one from the University of North Texas. The Mean Green joins the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) on the list of suitors for Wilson. -
H.S. Baseball: Holland named 19-A MVP
After edging Kerens for the District 19-A baseball title, the Cayuga baseball team was well-represented on the 19-A all-district team released this week.
Star pitcher Chantz Holland was named the district’s MVP after yet another standout season. The Vernon College-bound Holland was the team’s ace pitcher and also its most reliable hitter. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart relying on experience during playoff run
After being pushed to the brink of elimination in each of its first two playoff series, the Elkhart baseball team took care of business with ease in the regional quarterfinals.
The Elks defeated Warren in the best-of-three series, 2-0, by a combined score of 11-1.
But, ironically, EHS coach John Adair credited being pushed to the brink in the first round with the team’s ability to pull it all together as the Elks’ playoff run keeps going. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart's Cheatham sets national triples record
Earlier in the postseason, Elkhart star third baseman Jacob Cheatham legged out his 17th triple of the 2013 season.
It was an important one.
With the hit, Cheatham passed Steve Kopepasah and Alex Ortiz for the national record for triples in a season, according to the National Federation of High School associations. -
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
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H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. - More Local Sports Headlines
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H.S. Football: Elkhart's Wilson picks up 2nd offer




