SPORTS

Hear the pads pop

Published

12 years ago

08/08/2014

By ERIC VICCARO
and BLAKE WOOD
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

An unrelenting, blistering heat was prevalent across Montague County during the summer of 2011, and that ultimately led to a change.
Brandon Owen, who is now Nocona’s offensive coordinator, advised head football coach Brad Keck move the first practice in pads to midnight.
The move has paid off for the Indians, who have made the playoffs every single year since.
“All week long, we put in plays,” Keck said. “I wanted to see how we would look in pads.”
Keck said the only way to tell if a player is performing aggressively or not is with pads on.
Friday at midnight marked the first time this season local teams could practice in pads, and Bowie and Nocona both participated in what’s termed “Midnight Madness” practice. Nocona’s session was inside Jack Crain Stadium and Bowie at Jackrabbit Stadium.
“It’s just a different an exciting for the kids,” Bowie head football coach Dylan Stark said. “If the kids like, then we like it, too.”
Both Stark and Keck said it was also a chance to see how the athletes would perform “under the lights” and with a crowd present.
Reportedly, the crowd was much larger in Nocona than Bowie.
“We’ve had a great response,” Keck said regarding the midnight training session.

During the first allowable practice of the season with pads on, Nocona High School worked on a drill called “Blood Alley” early Friday morning at Jack Crain Stadium in Nocona. Bowie also had a “Midnight Madness” practice. Click on the photo for the complete image. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Imotichey takes over as Forestburg VB coach

Published

5 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

A positive culture can be tough to install but will reap dividends if done correctly.

Trinadee Imotichey is trying to do just that with her Forestburg Lady Longhorns.

Imotichey, an assistant coach on the 2025 Forestburg volleyball team, was moved into the head coaching position. Last year’s coach, Cori Hayes, took over as football head coach.

Imotichey, in her 2^nd year in Forestburg, said she learned a lot from Hayes and is ready to take over.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Lady Rabbit SB beats Bridgeport

Published

5 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

Bowie’s summer softball league team overcame a 6-1 deficit with a six-run third inning for a 7-6 win over Bridgeport in its season opener July 6.

The league consists of teams from Bowie, Nocona, Lindsay, Bridgeport, and Alvord and will last three weeks. Bowie will host games each week.

Bowie pitcher Hazel Trahern gave up two singles and a groundout to put the Sissies on the board in the first. It would be the only hits she gave up in the game. Two groundouts and a strikeout got the Lady Rabbits out of the jam.

Bowie got the run back in the bottom of the first with Andee Jo Miller opening the frame with a walk and a stolen base. She then scored on Kynlee Baker’s groundout to tie the game at one.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Keck heads to National Junior Olympics

Published

5 days ago

07/16/2026

bowienews

Rest. Run. Repeat.

Sage Keck, an 8^th grader at Montague, lives by this mantra. No ifs, ands and buts about it.

She’s been running since fourth grade PE classes where she would run a mile every week. After discovering she could outrun the other students, she began to enjoy it and continued doing it.

Her success continued, as she finished 2^nd overall against more than 200 runners at the Old Saint Jo 5K July 4. In last weekend’s Texas Junior Olympics, she reached the pinnacle of her career so far by qualifying for the United States of America Track and Field (USATF) National Junior Olympics in Norwalk, Calif. in three events.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.