Sports

Coming into Friday evening’s contest with the Hooks Hornets, everything seemed to be going right for the Daingerfield Tigers. On this night, however, Daingerfield hurt themselves with a series of penalties and turnovers, leading to a 33-20 loss to the Hornets.

The Tigers have had a penchant for winning the toss, and they did so again against Hooks. As has become their norm, the Tigers deferred to the second half, and opened the game with a booming kickoff by kicker Jose Bello. The Hornets were held to a three and out series, and after an extremely poor punt, the Tigers began their first series on the Hornet side of midfield. That was the only positive of that drive, however, as the drive would end following an interception thrown by quarterback Reggie Jeter.

By Rick Colegrove

The Lady Mustangs went 1-1 last week, with a loss to Paul Pewitt before closing out the week with a win at Daingerfield.

Playing Tuesday in Omaha against the Lady Brahmas, the Hughes Springs squad dropped three sets after winning the first. The Lady Mustangs won the first, 25-21, before losing 20-25, 25-27, and 22-25. All four games were hard fought and tight throughout. Leading the way was Kennedi Northam with 14 digs, while Zoe Lanier had nine kills, with five big blocks.

Friday, the ladies traveled to Daingerfield and made quick work of the Lady Tigers, winning in straight sets; 25-13, 25-22, and 25- 11. Leading the way again was Lanier and Northam, with Kensley Echols getting into the mix as well, with six kills, seven assists, and three aces.

Lanier had six kills, and Northam had 10 dogs in the win that pushed the Lady Mustangs season record to 18-13, and are at .500 in district with a 5-5 mark.

The Daingerfield Tigers traveled to DeKalb on Oct. 7, to face a rather unfamiliar foe. Although the Bears have several staff members who are familiar with Daingerfield, the two teams have not faced off on the gridiron in several years.

The Tigers entered the game fresh off their homecoming win over the Pewitt Brahmas a week early. After winning the toss, the Tigers deferred, choosing instead to receive the ball beginning the second quarter. The Bears were unable to get any forward momentum, and punted the ball following a three-and out series. The Tigers, taking over in Bear territory for their first series, and quickly struck pay dirt. However, in an ominous sign of things to come, the touchdown was called back on a penalty, and the Tigers would punt away their first possession.

The Daingerfield Tigers celebrated their homecoming on Friday by welcoming the Paul H. Pewitt Brahmas to town. After crowning this year’s royalty, Daingerfield celebrated in dramatic fashion, defeating the Brahmas, 31-28.

The Tigers started the evening announcing their homecoming court, and revealing who the student body elected as this year’s king and queen. After seniors Warren Wu and Camryn Byrd were crowned, it was time for the main event to begin.

Daingerfield won the toss, and chose to defer to the second half. After kicking off to the Brahmas, the Tigers went to work. The Brahmas went 25 yards on their first play, but managed little after that. After the Tigers took over, it seemed the evening would be filled with back and forth, three-and –out series for both teams. On Daingerfield’s second series, senior wide receiver Kieston Rushing broke free on a 58- yard touchdown run, putting the Tigers ahead, 6-0, following a missed extra point.

The Daingerfield Tigers had two runners finish in the top ten of their categories at the McLeod Invitational Cross Country Meet on Thursday, Sept. 22. All six Tiger times showed improvement from their runners.

In the junior high girls division, the top three finishers for the Lady Tigers were Breana Williams placing 39th, Laura Carter placing 40th and Arabella Vasquez placing 60th. Also running were Saanaa Fields placing 61st, Sasha Neal placing 63rd, Jasmine Mendez placing 67th, Journei Ferguson placing 73rd, Karley Nix placing 74th, Kelbi Byrd placing 76th, Genesis Allen placing 81st, Haley Lewis placing 85th, Diamond Jeter 97th, Sydney Key 99th, Joi Akinsuroju placing 100th, Ashlyn Bruce placing 101st, Alayah Alexander placing 104th, Za’mya Wilbarger placing 106th, Jennifer Trevino placing 108th, Julissa Chavez placing 110th, Ariana Lewis placing 112th, Maryah Peters placing 113th, and Jaaliyah Wilson placing 114th. As a team these young ladies placed 8th.

Freshman Jamie Nix, Sophomore Jaidyn Thompson, and Junior Gekayla Alexander will represent their classes as Duchesses during homecoming festivities on Sept. 30.

 The Lady Tigers faced two district opponents last week. The Tigers traveled to Hooks on Tuesday, Sept. 20, and welcomed Queen City to Jesse Hanson Gymnasium on Friday, Sept. 23.

On Tuesday, all three teams traveled to Hooks to take on the Lady Hornets. The freshman team defeated the Lady Hornets 25-16, 25-14. Tanacia Williams had 10 aces; Kiara Robinson had 2 kills, 2 blocks, and 2 aces; Jahkayla Doddy had 5 assists and 3 aces.

In the junior varsity matchup, Daingerfield defeated the Hooks 25- 22, 25-23. Courtlan Peppers had 8 assists, 2 aces, and 2 kills; Lemerica Alexander had 2 aces, 3 kills, and 2 blocks; Claire Smith had 2 aces and 7 digs; Demarkia Palmer had 2 blocks and 2 kills; Ivy Banks had 4 digs and 3 aces.

The Varsity Lady Tigers lost to Hooks 25- 5, 25-18, 25-9. Dee Hall had 6 digs; Destiny Hurndon had 2 blocks and 4 kills.

The Lady Mustangs took to the hardwood for some volleyball last week, and were able to defeat the Queen City Lady Bulldogs and the Redwater Lady Dragons, to improve to 16- 10 on the year. They also improved to 3-2 in district.

Tuesday, the ladies were at home, and in a hard fought five set match came away victorious. After winning the first set against Queen City, they traded set wins until it was tied 2-2 going into the fifth and deciding set. With Cypress Wright and Peyton Blythe leading the way, the ladies withstood the lady Bulldogs and won the fifth set, 15-12, and completed the match win. Blythe and Wright each had seven kills on the night, while Blythe had 14 assist and 10 digs. Pearl Perry was big in the match as well with six kills, and Kensley Echols had nine assists and six kills in the win.

By Rick Colegrove

Unfamiliar foes are sometimes the worst foes. Hughes Springs squared off against the Garrison Bulldogs. In Hughes Springs football history, the Mustangs had only previously met the Bulldogs twice. Both times, the Mustangs were on the losing end of the equation. Back in 2004 and 2005, Garrison bested Hughes Springs 26-20 and 27-18. This year, Garrison came calling and met up with Hughes Springs in the Mustangs’ second home game of the year.

The fifth game of the year started quite mundane, with no fireworks to speak of. The Mustang defense was able to hold the Bulldogs rather well, stopping them on their first couple drives.

But alas, the Mustangs fell victim to the dreaded trick play. The Garrison punt unit pulled off a fake punt that they were able to execute to perfection, scoring a touchdown. With a good extra point, they were up 7-0.

Daingerfield will host their annual homecoming game on Sept. 30. The Tigers will host the Brahmas from Paul H. Pewitt High School, in a game that is set to kick-off at 7:30. Prior to the game, Daingerfield will announce their Homecoming Court in festivities that will begin at 7 p.m. The festivities will culminate in the crowning of the 2016 Homecoming Queen and King for Daingerfield High School.

Senior nominees for Queen are: Ashlyn Fomby, Asha Buford, and Camryn Byrd. King Nominees are: Warren Wu, Dalton Morgan, and Cedric Arthur. The king and queen will be determined by voting by the high school student body.