The Palestine football team made a major jump last season, going from a two-win team in 2010 to a seven-win squad in 2011, complete with a playoff appearance.
The Wildcats will hope to make another jump in 2012 in the newly-formed District 19-3A. The goal for Palestine is a simple one: beat out Fairfield, Rusk, Groesbeck and Mexia for the district title.
The Wildcats have plenty of talent to go around, and return a large number of skill position players from last year’s team that could put points up on the board.
On of the weak areas for Palestine in 2011 was the defense, as the Wildcats had a tendency to be unable to get off the field on third downs. If they can fix that problem, great things could be in store for Palestine football in 2012.
3 THINGS TO WATCH
The battle at quarterback — Then-sophomore Brian Gummelt took over a 1-2 Wildcat team last year, and proceeded to lead it to a 5-2 finish. But, he’s got competition in this year’s camp. He’ll battle former JV standout Kenneth Weaver, last year’s backup Anthony Baker and former freshman star Fabian Clark.
A revamped offensive line — Palestine graduated three all-district performers off of its offensive line from a year ago, and how well the WIldcats can fill those spots will go a long way to determining success in 2012. Brian Thlang and Eric Gonzales return, and it’ll be on them to lead the new players.
Spreading the ball around — Plenty of teams boast depth, but Palestine seems to have even more than those teams. The Wildcats have six to seven legitimate stars that can carry the football, and they’ll have to find touches for all of them. On the same token, those players will have to take on a team-first mindset for them to turn the depth into a true weapon.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Walter Sheridan, Sr., DL/OL — After earning a starting spot on the offensive line as a sophomore, Sheridan had a breakout year on the defensive line in 2011. He’ll be asked to do it again in 2012 — his senior year — while also doing some work on the offensive line as well.
THEY SAID IT
“That’s fine. It doesn’t matter to me. We’re just trying to get to state, that’s our one goal. I don’t care if I play center or if I play quarterback, it doesn’t matter to me.”
— junior QB/LB Brian Gummelt, on the battle at quarterback
Local Sports
2012 Dogwood Circle Two-A-Day Tour: Palestine Wildcats
- Local Sports
-
-
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.
-
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. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Harleton shuts down Cayuga in regional quarterfinal
In an as-expected pitcher’s duel, it took only one off inning to cost Cayuga and ace Chantz Holland.
Holland gave up four hits and hit a batter in the top of the third inning, and Harleton turned that into four runs — the only runs of the game — as Harleton topped Cayuga, 4-0, here at the Lindale ISD Baseball and Softball Complex in regional quarterfinal action. -
H.S. Baseball: Patchwork lineup still working for Cayuga
The Cayuga baseball team that will take the field tonight against Harleton in the regional quarterfinals doesn’t look a lot like the Cayuga team that rolled through district play earlier this season.
Injuries have hampered the look of the Wildcat lineup, but Cayuga still finds itself into the playoffs’ third round for yet another season. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart relying on experience during playoff run
Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness
New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season
Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
