SPORTS

COACHING MOVES: Gravitts land in Nocona

Published

9 years ago

07/03/2017

By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

The past couple of weeks haven’t been easy for Byron Gravitt, and his wife, Emily.
In early June, Byron Gravitt was unexpectedly replaced as Petrolia head football coach by Jesse House, who in turn, also was named the Pirates’ athletic director.
The Gravitts were scrambling for work, and thankfully they landed here in Montague County as both Byron and Emily signed contracts with the Nocona Independent School District on Thursday.
Byron will be an assistant football coach – and may take the open offensive coordinator post. He also will coach powerlifting and assist with track and field. In the classroom, Gravitt will teach Texas history.
Emily is set to join Tiffany Clay’s staff as an assistant volleyball coach, and she will help with basketball. Her spring assignment hasn’t been determined. She will teach junior high school technology courses.
“God has a plan and a purpose,” said Gravitt about the manner of how the situation unfolded in Petrolia. “I’m not bitter. I’ve got to accept the plan, and this door was open.”

Byron Gravitt, and his wife, Emily, have joined the coaching family at Nocona High School. Byron will help out with football, and Emily volleyball. (Courtesy photo from Petrolia Independent School District)

SPORTS

Saint Jo qualifies for football postseason

Published

3 days ago

11/12/2026

bowienews

Saint Jo clinched a playoff spot in their home finale. Nocona and Gold-Burg both suffered regular season losses.

Brief summaries of the games follow:

Tioga 50, Nocona 0

After losing a Nocona High students a few days before the Nov. 5 game, the Indians never fully recovered and wound up on the short end of the stick to the Bulldogs.

Nocona had just 95 yards of offense. Quarterback Brody Langford was 6-11 passing for 21 yards. Logan Gaston had 53 yards on 10 carries. McCrae Crossen had 22 yards on eight carries with Jax Fuller adding 18 yards on four totes.

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

SPORTS

Lady Indians roll into State semifinals

Published

3 days ago

11/12/2026

bowienews

Looking to get back to the State championship, Nocona’s volleyball team got off to a quick start in its area round matchup with Coleman Nov. 3.

A bit of a letdown in the middle games was rectified in game four, allowing the Lady Indians to post a 3-1 (25-12, 26-24, 22-25,25-13) victory. Nocona Coach Sandy Langford said getting back to its style of game helped.

“We’ve had to overcome a lot this week,” Langford said in reference to the school losing a student in an accident two days prior. “We talked during a timeout about getting back to playing fast which is more our style. Coleman had us playing a slower style of play and they took advantage of it.

The fast style of play benefitted the Lady Indians, who got out to a 4-0 lead in game one courtesy of Paige Davis. Maddyn Bowles added a kill to keep things moving.

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

SPORTS

Rabbits qualify for F-Ball playoffs

Published

3 days ago

11/12/2026

bowienews

When you’re gunning for a playoff spot, playing error free football is paramount.

Or is it?

In a District 4-3A Division I battle for the fourth and final playoff spot, Bowie had made five turnovers in the first nearly three quarters but still managed to lead 21-17 late in the third quarter. The Jackrabbits received a pep talk from their coaches and did not turn the ball over again while receiving some clutch defense down the stretch in a much closer than it looked 42-17 win over the Boyd Yellowjackets.

With the victory, Bowie clinched its first playoff spot in football since 2017. The Jackrabbits, 1-3 in district and 5-5 overall, will travel to Cisco for a 6 p.m. Nov.13 game vs. defending state champion Wall, who is ranked No. 4.

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