In the final game of the season, the New Waverly Bulldogs meet the Hearne Eagles, teams with identical records playing for fourth place in District 26-2A tonight at 7:30.
While missing the playoffs did not factor into the Bulldogs’ preseason goals, they can still finish with a respectable 5-5 record.
“While I’m disappointed that we didn’t make the playoffs, I couldn’t be any prouder of these kids,” New Waverly head coach Ken Craig said. “We lost to the teams that made the playoffs. The kids knew from the close games they lost that they were good enough to be in the playoffs.”
Like the Bulldogs, the Eagles (4-5 overall, 2-3 in district) are playing for pride. After having their bye a before facing New Waverly, the Eagles had more time to prepare for the season finale.
“They are probably going to be the most athletic team we’ve faced all season,” Craig said of tonight’s opponent. “They have quality skill players. They are a really fast bunch. We really need to be on our game and match up right with their guys.”
For the 11 New Waverly seniors, it will be the last time they put on their maroon and white Bulldog uniform.
“There’s a bit of sadness because we’ll be losing the seniors, but they really have laid the groundwork for this program,” Craig said. “They have worked hard all season and that’s encouraging. They practiced hard and the fruits of their hard work have paid off.
“It is sad to see them go, but at the same time, it’s time now for our younger guys to step up.”
Trojans eyeing share of 22-3A title
Tonight’s clash between Coldspring and Splendora was supposed to be a battle of District 22-3A’s unbeatens. But last week, Cleveland spoiled the party with a 16-14 upset of the Trojans on homecoming night in Coldspring.
Regardless, the Trojans (5-4 overall, 3-1 in 22-3A) can claim a share of the district title with a win over the Wildcats (6-3, 4-0) tonight at 7:30 in Splendora.
Coldspring has turned things around in district after beginning the season with only two wins in its first five games.
Under new head coach Brian Barby, the Trojans jumped out to a 3-0 start in district with blowout victories over Shepherd and Tarkington.
Coldspring also used a little midseason magic to beat Liberty. Trailing 43-37 in the final seconds of the game, running back Zavius Johnson took a hook and lateral 54 yards for the game-tying touchdown.
Johnson also punched in the 2-point conversion for a thrilling 45-43 victory.
Coldspring is assured of its second straight playoff appearance, but would like to add a district title to the mix.
The Trojans will need a big game tonight from Johnson, who has erupted in district. He has rushed for 695 yards and 11 touchdowns over the last four games. Johnson’s best performance came in a 52-12 victory at Shepherd when he ran for 222 yards and four touchdowns.
Sports
Bragging Rights For A Year
New Waverly ready for Hearne
- Sports
-
- Kats beat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4-3
-
Alive and kicking: Bearkats still in hunt at SLC baseball tourney
With the possibility of going home early from the Southland Conference Tournament and a chance of their season coming to an abrupt end, the Bearkats needed some quality starting pitching and production from their bats in the worst way.
Like he has done all year long, Sam Houston senior Justin Jackson delivered a lights-out performance on the mound and the offense made the kind of impact the Bearkats have been looking for Thursday morning.
Both elements came together at the exact right time as the Kats stayed alive in the tourney with a 7-1 victory over McNeese State in an elimination game at Bobcat Ballpark. -
Bad day for Bearkats
The Bearkats’ road to the NCAA tournament just got a little bit tougher.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi broke out for four runs before top-seeded Sam Houston even stepped to the plate Wednesday afternoon, but the Kats couldn’t find a way to counter that first punch.
Sam Houston connected for eight hits, but could not get enough of those in a row to make a dent in the deficit and are now one loss away from being eliminated from the Southland Conference tournament following a 9-2 loss at the hands of the eighth-seeded Islanders on Wednesday afternoon at the Bobcat Baseball Ballpark. -
Schallenberg: Time is now for Bearkats in Southland tourney
The Bearkats look to take care of business this week in the Southland Conference baseball tournament.
-
Alpha Omega Academy trio shine at state track meet
Freshman brings home four medals, including two golds
-
Tough night for Kats against Rice
The Bearkats had a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression for a potential at-large bid in the NCAA tournament with fifth-ranked Rice coming to town. Sam Houston’s bats couldn’t get going early enough or be able to link enough hits together against the Owls pitching staff and succumbed to a 5-0 loss in the final game of the season at Don Sanders Stadium on Tuesday night.
-
BEARKAT BASEBALL — Plenty up for grabs against fifth-ranked Rice
For several reasons, today’s game against fifth-ranked Rice is going to be a biggie for the Bearkats.
-
SHSU MEN'S BASKETBALL — Kats sign ‘winner’ from Trinity Valley
Will Bond, a 6-3 guard from Trinity Valley Community College, has signed a letter-of-intent to attend Sam Houston State University and play men’s basketball for head coach Jason Hooten.
- RUNNING SHORTS: New study confirms the benefits of running
-
BEARKATS BASEBALL — Sam Houston wasn't going to be denied regular-season title
With four conference games left to play, all that kept Sam Houston from a Southland Conference regular season championship was just one win. Whether it was at Central Arkansas later in the week or in the Kats’ conference home finale on Sunday, just one victory would hand Sam Houston it’s first regular season conference title in 23 years. Relaxed and ready to pounce, Sam Houston jumped all over Southeastern Louisiana’s pitching staff early and relied on a strong starting pitching performance from senior Michael Oros. The Kats cruised to an 8-3 victory over the second-place Lions and the celebration was on.
- More Sports Headlines



