SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Numbers are up

Published

9 years ago

08/17/2017

By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

Plenty of area football coaches have reason to be happy after the first day of practice.
Especially when it comes to numbers as Bowie head coach Dylan Stark, Brad Keck at Nocona and first-year boss Derek Schlieve reported high turnouts.
“We had 71,” said Stark. “Our numbers are way up, it’s at least 15 kids more. Our big freshman class is a reason for that.”
Keck was certainly pleased with how many showed up for the first day of football practice in Nocona.
“We had 58 or 59, and that’s an increase,” the coach reported. “That’s the most kids we’ve had out for football since I’ve been here.”
Jack County Herald sports editor Brian Smith reported Jacksboro also had a turnout in the 70s for the Tigers under first-year head coach Brannon Rodgers. So, it’s not just happening here in Montague County.
Schlieve reported 24 boys are out for football in Saint Jo, one of the largest turnouts in years.
“It’s above what we expected, and I think that’s a positive,” said Schlieve, who moved to SJISD from Trent during the spring.
Forestburg head coach Tommy Tritz said 15 boys reported for the opening practice there; but, he expects that number to climb toward 20.
“We had a high-energy practice, and everyone had a good attitude,” Tritz said. “Everyone was ready to go. Everything went smoothly, as planned.”
Gordon Williams said there were eight boys out for opening day at Gold-Burg in Stoneburg. The players had to deal with a very wet Joe Corpening Field – stemming from overnight rains. Read more in the Aug. 9 Bowie News.

Bowie’s Matthew Wallace (right) prepares for the beginning of a play during the first practice of the season on Aug. 7 at Jackrabbit Stadium. Monday was the first allowable date for practice set by the University Interscholastic League. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)

SPORTS

Saint Jo volleyball opens with victory

Published

5 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.

SPORTS

Lady Indian VB falls in semis at Brock Tourney

Published

5 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.

SPORTS

Area teams hit gridiron for scrimmages

Published

5 days ago

08/20/2026

bowienews

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.