SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Nocona opens with Alvord on the road
By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com
The Nocona High School football team has plenty of expectations coming into the 2017 season, but the district schedule certainly isn’t easy.
Nocona will open the district slate on the road at Holliday on Oct. 13, and both the Indians and Eagles are expected to vie for the District 3A-II-5 title.
“Everything’s in reverse this year,” said Nocona head football coach/athletic director Brad Keck. “We have to play Holliday, Jacksboro and Henrietta on the road. That’s how it worked out.”
Maybe Nocona will be a better road than home team this year.
The Indians also face a first-year head coach in Jacksboro’s Brannon Rodgers, who comes to Jack County from Crosbyton – where Rodgers compiled a record of 72-51.
Keck said he expects Jacksboro to feature a different offense this year, going from a spread to more of a power game with a wing-T formation.
“I think from top to bottom, the district is going to be competitive,” he said.
Henrietta ran the table in the district last year, going 5-0. Holliday was second at 4-1, with Nocona third at 3-2. Jacksboro also qualified for the postseason.
The Indians have made great strides since a winless 2014 season. Nocona finished with a 7-4 record in 2016, falling in the bi-district round to Leonard in Denton. Read more in the June 21 Bowie News.
Nocona quarterback Jeremy James (3) reacts after throwing a TD pass against Archer City last September. James recently attended a summer camp at Texas A&M University. (News file photo by Eric Viccaro)
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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