SPORTS

REGIONAL: Back selected as IFL’s top coach

Published

10 years ago

07/21/2016

The Indoor Football League has announced Billy Back of the Wichita Falls Nighthawks as the league’s coach of the year.
Back transformed the Nighthawks from a team with a 5-9 record during the 2015 season to 11-5 this year.
The Nighthawks were eliminated in the opening round of the postseason, a 66-36 loss to Cedar Rapids (Iowa) in the United Conference Wild Card Game.
Back is seen as an mastermind for offense, and that was certainly on full display this year.
The Nighthawks lead the league in points per game at 62.6 per contest. The team also paced the IFL in yards per game (298.6) and passing yards per game (226.3).
Wichita Falls ranked second in the league in rushing touchdowns with 53, and became only the second team in IFL history to score more than 1,000 points in a season.
Five players were named all-IFL in quarterback Charles McCullum, receiver Jordan Jolly, kicker Rockne Belmonte, running back Tyler Williams and defensive tackle Walter Thomas. Read more, including a report on the Nighthawks’ return in 2017, in the July 20 Bowie News.

Wichita Falls Nighthawks. (Logo provided by the Nighthawks, used with permission)

SPORTS

Jacksboro defeats Lady Rabbit VB, 3-1

Published

6 days ago

10/08/2026

bowienews

Bowie, playing on a short rest, held with host Jacksboro for most of the volleyball match Oct. 1, but the Tigerettes pulled away late and defeated the Lady Rabbits 3-1 (26-24, 12-25, 25-14, 22-25).

The match was scheduled for Oct. 2 but was moved. Both teams are now 2-2 in District 6-3A.

Jacksboro got out to a quick lead in game one before Olivia Stewart’s kill and a three-point Olivia Richey serving run put the visitors up 8-7. Junior Abby Reneau broke things open with a six-point string to give Bowie a 15-8 cushion and force Jacksboro into a timeout.

The Tigerettes came back and took an 18-16 lead. KP Rutherford’s kill broke the serve and allowed Molly Enlow to tie the game at 18.

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

SPORTS

Gold-Burg gives it a go, falls to Perrin 35-32

Published

6 days ago

10/08/2026

bowienews

Gold-Burg Football Coach Austin Norman called his Bears’ 35-32 loss to host Perrin a “barn burner”.

It most definitely was as Gold-Burg, now 1-5 for the year gave the 5-1 Pirates everything they wanted for four quarters. Gold-Burg scored on the last play of the first half on a Peyton Epperson run with the two point conversion cutting the deficit to 20-16.

The Bears were their own worst enemy to open the third quarter with face mask and offside penalties moving the Pirates downfield setting up a first-and-goal at the Bear three. Defense by Epperson, Keelyn Case and Barrett Allen and a pair of Perrin penalties helped stop the drive and force a turnover on downs.

Gold-Burg was slapped with an intentional grounding penalty on the first play, giving Perrin a safety and extending the Pirate lead to 22-16. Defense by Epperson and JoJuan Grace after a first down run closed out the third quarter.

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

SPORTS

XC teams compete in Prairie Valley, Lubbock

Published

6 days ago

10/08/2026

bowienews

Nocona and Prairie Valley cross country teams took part in the Prairie Valley Invitational Sept. 20 while Bowie varsity runners competed in the Lubbock Invitational.

Lubbock

Leading the Rabbits was Kellen Rater who finished 10^th among 162 runners with a time of 17:24.50. Finishing behind Rater was Shawn Willett with a time of 19:33.20. Hayden Sutton ran a 20:27.10 followed by Taven Melton in 20:39.20, Coleman Holloway in 20:53.80 and Jaxon Castro with a time of 21:31.60.

Laney Segura led the Lady Rabbits with a time of 14:41.30. She was followed by Kylee Waldrep in 15:56.80, Bella Lozano in 16:04.80, Angeles Alvarez with a time of 16:15.40, AnDee Miller in 16:23.70 and Isabella Caswell in 16:51 flat.

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