SPORTS
Nocona wins first district title in 11 years
The Nocona Indians got it done on senior night against Tom Bean to earn the program’s first district title since 2012.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Indians scored in the fourth quarter to ultimately put them ahead for good 27-22 against a tough Tomcats team.
Nocona was coming into the game on cloud nine, having played probably its best game of the season in its win against Tioga the previous week to take sole possession of first place in the district.
The Indians would need to win at least one of their two remaining games to wrap up the district title, but a let down was probably expected after such a high.
Tom Bean came in with two straight wins and a good defense that was hoping to play spoiler in spite of having a postseason ban.
Nocona got things going early as Johnny Stone scored on the team’s first offensive play on a 56-yard run.
Unfortunately, the Indian offense had a down week despite racking up the yards and having more than 400 yards of offense. Three turnovers held the unit back and the passing game, outside of some big plays, was not as efficient as it has been in recent weeks.
Defensively, Nocona’s defense shut down the Tomcats running game, but suffered some busts in the secondary that cost the Indians. Still, the unit forced two turnovers with Carson Peters and Brady McCasland intercepting passes and Oscar Salomon leading the team with 13 tackles.
The Indians found themselves in a unique position as they trailed for the first time heading into the fourth quarter, down 22-21.
Nocona went up as quarterback McCasland finished a drive with a short touchdown run. It was his second rushing touchdown of the game as he led the team with 164 yards on the ground while also completing eight passes for 105 yards and one touchdown to Charlie Fuller.
Up 27-22, the Indian defense had to hold. In the end, it was Caden Gaston who broke-up a potential touchdown pass on fourth down that sealed the win for Nocona. The offense ran the ball out and the Indians celebrated the 27-22 win and the district championship.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
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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