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

Norwood new Bowie boys hoop coach

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Landry Norwood has agreed to become the new Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bowie High.

Norwood grew up in Paradise, playing a number of sports for the Panthers during his high school career. With a number of family members still in the area and the position coming open, Norwood applied and was hired.

“I know the tradition up here,” Norwood said. “I was glad (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach Tyler Price felt he could put his trust in me.”

Bowie’s varsity went 2-10 last year, both wins coming against Vernon. Norwood spent five years as an assistant in Lipan before spending the next four years at Llano, three years as head coach. He said his last two years in Llano were rough after graduation of nine seniors his first year and a 26-7 squad.

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

SPORTS

Nocona softball falls to Archer City

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Nocona came into game two of its Class 2A Division I bi-district series with Archer City looking to rebound from a 17-0 loss in game one.

The Lady Indians took a quick lead but the Lady ‘Cats had too much in the tank and knocked Nocona out of the playoffs courtesy of a 13-3, five-inning victory winning the best of three series, 2-0.

Kylea Wallace reached base on a second baseman’s error. With one out, M’leigha Franklin took a pitch over the wall in left field for a home run, igniting the Lady Indian crowd with a 2-0 lead.

Archer City prevented further damage by retiring the next two hitters. The Lady ‘Cats struck in the bottom of the inning for seven runs.

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

SPORTS

Lady Rabbits win bi-district

Published

7 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

Culture. It’s a beautiful word.

Bowie Softball Coach Griffin Fields has been trying to install a positive, winning culture since taking over the job. For the first time since 2019, the Lady Rabbits qualified for the postseason, facing District 8 top seed Early in the bi-district round.

After beating the Lady ‘Horns 9-8 in game one of the best-of-three series April 23, Early came back and evened the series less than 24 hours later, 15-0. The Lady Rabbits used the aforementioned culture and got out to a quick lead in game three.

Bowie was then forced to come from behind for the second straight night. Kinley Baker, who had the game winning RBI in game one, came through again in game three and broke a 6-all tie with a single to lift the Lady Rabbits to a 9-6 victory in the finale.

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