KFDM COOP

Lovelady boosts ‘Dogs defense By Tom Halliburton The Port Arthur News NEDERLAND -- Football can be a thinking man's game at some positions, but Grant Lovelady would do better to leave his thinking cap in Nederland's locker room. That must mean: Ignorance is bliss? Not necessarily... it's just that the mind can slow down the body from instinctively reacting. That's what used to limit Lovelady's inside linebacker performances for the Bulldogs. He was a very thoughtful kind of guy behind his tackle Marcus Louvier. A little thought, and a lot more action has Lovelady playing as well as any member of Nederland's defense in the past two weeks. The 17-year-old son of Victor and Maureen Lovelady sustained a neck strain in a pre-season practice. When the Bulldogs opened the regular season, as well as the 20-4A district season, Lovelady did not look as if he planned on being a major leader in coordinator Delbert Spell's defensive unit. Wait a minute, though ... when the Port Neches-Groves Indians visited Bulldog Stadium, a different type of Lovelady embarked upon a completely new approach. "It wasn't my injury, though," Lovelady said. "I was just too tentative. I stopped thinking as much and I let my instincts take over. I didn't do that very much at Ozen but it was at the Port Neches game that I started to get a whole lot better. I was still kinda thinking and using my head too much vs. Ozen." Matt Burnett and his Indians wished Lovelady had continued to think more for at least just one more night. Nothing at all against PN-G, it's just that repetition finally kicked in for Grant. That's the simple explanation for Lovelady's October improvement -- enough repetition removed Lovelady's tentative ways. Lovelady made those remarks several minutes after his head coach attempted to analyze his junior linebacker's recent progress chart. "You can see Grant getting better right now play after play," Nederland boss Larry Neumann said. "In the last couple of games, it's becoming instinctive. He's a team guy. He's much improved." Lovelady served as just one more reason why Nederland needed those non-district games against teams such as Waller and Friendswood. PN-G needed a tough trip to Texas City just like that.... Repetitions and mistakes enable players to identify and correct shortcomings and limitations, enabling a player to become the best he can be. Even if Nederland did not defeat Beaumont Central... even if Beaumont Central blindsided Nederland last Friday by bringing its full-house Wishbone backfield, Lovelady coped beautifully with a tough situation. Neumann and Spell noticed Nederland competed effectively with the Wishbone scheme under the circumstances. The Bulldogs primarily prepared last week for Central to line up with two wide receivers and two wings or slot backs, because that had been Central's most frequently utilitzed offense. They worked a bit on the full-house backfield but very little. Central's Wishbone roared to an early touchdown drive. Delbert and his defense immediately altered its ideas. Lovelady paid tribute to his outstanding defensive coordinator for adjusting the Dogs' defense. "Once they did that, we had to make a defensive adjustment," Lovelady recalled. "We went to a defense that we hadn't practiced with all week. And we did allright, but we didn't get the job done." That may be a tad harsh but the Nederland linebacker can assure everyone that his team must step up its performance on Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. Two of the four 20-4A co-leaders -- Nederland (3-2 and 3-1) and Livingston (3-2 and 3-1) -- collide on Nederland's homecoming night at 7:30 p.m. "Livingston is good," he said. "We have watched video and they run the football better than Central. If we can control the football offensively, we'll be allright. I think we made a good in-game adjustment last week but this definitely is a must-win in order for us to control our destiny. We need to win. "I think there's more of a sense of urgency than this past week." Lovelady knows there needs to be. Bulldog Bites: Lovelady also led the grade book at Central with an 83, followed by Brent Salenga (82), Asa Cardenas and Stefan Huber (80 each).... Head coach Larry Neumann informed The News early on Wednesday that Cardenas announced a verbal commitment to accept a football scholarship to attend Lamar University....The annual pots and pans parade in front of Central middle school and the homecoming bonfire in Bulldog Stadium's parking lot kicked off the homecoming week festivities on Tuesday night.... A pep rally opens Friday's agenda at 8:20 a.m. The homecoming parade rolls down Boston Avenue and Nederland Avenue on Friday at 4. A presentation of the homecoming court and the crowning of the queen will take place in pre-game ceremonies starting at 7 p.m. A homecoming dance will cap the schedule right after the game in the NHS cafeteria.... For more parade info, call 727-2741, ext. 2000.... A red ribbon parade is set for Thursday morning honoring Bulldogs players at 8:30 on the grounds of Helena Park elementary school.... Receiver Jude Vidrine was considered as probable for the Livingston game after he sustained bruised ribs, but DB Jimmy Swain has moved to offense to log minutes with Vidrine... Soph Trevon Sonnier will start at Swain's old right corner spot with Adrian Pina on the opposite side. Cardenas and Jake Kemp will start at the safety spots....

[Hidden Content]

Who Wins 21 5A?

Who Wins 19 4A?

Who Wins 20 4A?

Who Wins 18 3A?

Who Wins 21 3A?

Who Wins 22 3A?

Who Wins 22 2A?

Who Wins 23 2A?

Carthage beat Center 47-0.

[Hidden Content]

Suffocating Mustang 'D' awaits Cardinals Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — Could the 18th time be the charm? The third-ranked West Orange-Stark Mustangs hope not as they get ready to host the Bridge City Cardinals in District 21-3A action at Dan Hooks Stadium Friday night. The Mustangs (5-0, 2-0) have yet to drop a game in the Orange County series with the Cardinals (2-3, 0-2) coming to town. WO-S will try to extend its Class 3A district winning streak to 27 games. “Throw away the history and the records, Bridge City is going to want to come over here and get after us,†said Hooks. “Coach (Cris) Stump has done a great job with the Cardinals this year, considering everything those kids have went through with the storm (Hurricane Ike) and all. Their coaching staff has done a great job preparing their kids. So many have lost so much and it’s a credit to the kids and coaches for putting that thing together. I wish them all well, except for Friday night, of course.†The Mustangs are coming off a 66-0 beatdown of the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns. The Cardinals played the Silsbee Tigers tough last week before falling 21-0. Hooks has been impressed with what is still a very young group of Cardinals. “The future looks good there and Coach Stump is playing a ton of young kids,†said Hooks. “The biggest improvement I’ve seen out of them this year is their defense. They’re wrapping up well and flying to the football much better than last year.†When you talk about flying to the leather, no program in Southeast Texas has done in year-in and year-out like the Mustangs have for over 30 years. The Mustangs might not have their largest defense, but they have kids that are ball-hawkers. The Mustangs are allowing a mere 134.2 yards an outing, led by long-time defensive coordinator Cornel Thompson along with Ed Dyer and Mike Pierce. WO-S has allowed just 34 points the entire season and just six points in the second half. Kevin Robinson leads the way with 54 tackles, seven for losses including four sacks. Josh Lynch has 42 stops and Robert Jiles has 34. Terry Rubin has found his way to four sacks while defensive back Josh Gloston has two interceptions. “Cornel Thompson, what more can you say about him,†said Hooks. “Every year, he does an amazing job. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing Waco La Vega or Hamshire-Fannett, Cornel is going to have that same style and intensity. He brings it everyday in practice and the kids better have it too or they learn things the hard way. We have such a small defense, but they will get after it. This might be the best job Cornel has done here and that is saying a whole lot. Cornel, Eddie (Dyer), and Mike (Pierce), they do wonders on that side of the ball.†Smooth senior quarterback Ortavious Hypolite powers the WO-S offense, which has pumped out 340.6 yards per outing. Hypolite has 346 yards and six touchdowns rushing and has passed for 581 yards and six scores. Quintavious Garrett leads the ground game with 512 yards and nine TDs on 71 carries while Trey Franks is the leading receiver with 17 catches for 285 yards and three TDs. The Cardinals will check in averaging 296.2 yards a game while allowing 328.4. Quarterback Josh Lemoine has passed for 771 yards and six TDs. Freshman Matt Menard will lead the ground attack with his 209 yards and a TD on 32 carries after junior starter Joe Robertson (43-281-4) was lost for the season due to an injury. Lemoine has solid receivers to go to in Jerry Landry (10-275-2), Cory Moseley (10-211-3) and Luke Rhodes (10-86-0). “The Cardinals like to mix things up,†said Hooks. “They have so much young talent that they’re tying to mold together. The more experienced those kids get, the tougher they’ll be down the road. The future looks bright in Bridge City.†For the Mustangs, the old cliches are working well this time of the season. “For us, it’s all about that next game,†said Hooks. “The kids are looking two weeks ahead or four weeks ahead, they’re looking at Bridge City. We’re 2-0 in district right now and all the kids should be worrying about is getting to 3-0 after Friday night.â€

[Hidden Content]

I hear North Forrest is falling off! North Forest played the meat of their schedule already.

This game will also be broadcasted here on the site!

Not much wind. 59 at kickoff.

Anahuac and Kountze is on Saturday.

[Hidden Content]

Lady Bears rip Lumberton, will go for 20-4A title Van Wade The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — All that stands in the way of the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears and a District 20-4A volleyball title are the Beaumont Ozen Lady Panthers. The Lady Bears made sure of that by easily sweeping the Lumberton lady Raiders Tuesday night on Senior Night at the Bear Cave. LC-M (25-8, 12-1) had no problems taking a part the Lady Raiders (4-8 in 20-4A), winning 25-17, 25-14, 25-9. The Lady Bears will head to Ozen Friday for a 5 p.m. varsity start. Ozen (10-2 in 20-4A play) fell to second-place Port Neches-Groves (11-2 in district) in four games Tuesday night. The Lady Panthers also still have to play fourth-place Nederland next Tuesday. An LC-M win would give the Lady Bears the outright title. A PN-G win Friday at Beaumont Central and two wins by Ozen (over LC-M and Nederland) would force a tri-championship and the three teams would have to have a mini tournament to decide playoff seeding. The Lady Panthers have already defeated the Lady Bears twice this season, once in the YMBL Tournament title game and the other one coming in the first half of 20-4A play in four games. “The kids realize what a big moment Friday will be,†said Lady Bears head coach Vicki Castino. “They know they can win the district with a victory, which was such a big goal for them when the season started. They understand that they didn’t play well when we played them (Ozen) in district earlier. We had 62 errors, and we’re not a team that does that. Since then, the kids have been awesome and they’re ready for the challenge Friday.†It was Senior Night at LC-M but it was Lady Bear junior Christine Sicktich who made the Lady Raiders turn red in the face. The standout made Lumberton pay with a whopping 23 kills over the three games, scattering Lady Raiders all over the floor. Sicktich received plenty of assistance. Junior Ashton LaVergne motored her way to nine kills while senior Maci Wilcox added five. Brittany Wiegand, known more for her tough serving and defense, found her way to three kills. Senior Shayna Sheppard, one of the best defenders in Southeast Texas, had her service game working, putting together 16 points and two aces. Junior Shelby Sanchez collected 12 points and three aces while Alexa Humble tallied nine points and an ace and Carly Gauthier had five points. “The girls played so well all night,†said Castino. “We might have made three or four errors the whole match. If we can carry that over Friday, that would be great.†Alyssa Valastro paced the Lady Raiders with six kills while Courtney Howell and Victoria Jones added three apiece. Molly James had five points and an ace to lead the Lady Raiders in that category. LC-M led Game One by a tight 13-11 but Sheppard put together seven straight service points while Sicktich had four kills in the spurt as LC-M finished strong. Game Two was never in doubt with Sicktich notching six kills while LaVergne and Wilcox had four apiece. Already controlling Game Three with a 15-7 advantage, Sanchez came off the bench and scored nine straight points, including three aces as the lady Bears never looked back.

LU pledge Tatum is looking forward to spread offense By Tom Halliburton The Port Arthur News PORT NECHES -- Harrison Tatum decided to make a little history for Lamar University but still intended to make a little more first for Port Neches-Groves. Battling through the ups and downs of a rough, hurricane-filled senior season, the Indians' senior quarterback suffered a painful homecoming loss to Livingston on Friday night, Oct. 10. He watched Texas beat Oklahoma on television early Saturday and then buzzed over to the Montagne Center to make an historic announcement. The PN-G passer is hereby portrayed and regarded as the first LU commitment to commit to signing a letter of intent in February and accepting a full scholarship offer with Ray Woodard's resurrected Cardinals' football program. Tatum to Lamar is projected to begin in 2009 as a redshirt freshman. New offensive coordinator Tommy Mainord and new quarterbacks coach James Brown will install a spread offense under Woodard. Tatum will have the advantage of learning more about the spread attack under those coaches before his year of freshman eligibility in 2010 -- the first season in which Lamar returns to I-AA football competition. The groundwork for Harrison's decision involved gradual exposure between Tatum and Mainord, who formerly served as a running backs and receivers coach at Sam Houston State, as well as a Bearkats' recruiter in the west Houston area. The Indians' field general attended football camps last summer both at Sam Houston State and the University of Houston. Tatum has been told that Lamar's offense has planned to align from a spread formation. LU's Mainord has been impressed from his study of Tatum in game videos. The opportunity to re-open Lamar's football history and stay in the Golden Triangle appealed to Tatum, a three-year starter at quarterback. "I was excited about the chance and it looked as if they were interested," Tatum recalled. "They got to know about me as a student. They're going to run the spread. We don't run the spread but he (Mainord) would like to see me in the spread. I liked coach Woodard a lot. Everything's brand new. The benefits of being at LU were really more than someone might think." So Harrison and his mother Candace got out a pen and paper and jotted down the plusses and minuses of numerous potential choices in Harrison's future. Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin State and Mountain West Conference entry Air Force were among the interested football programs. SFA would be near home at Nacogdoches. Harrison's dad Marty went to the Air Force Academy's football program in the early 1980s. But LU football will be a special and novel item when Harrison will be here. The Golden Triangle undoubtedly will want to rally for the 2010 Cardinals' return to the gridiron, especially with Woodard and his fine new staff in place. It's an offer that Tatum could not refuse. It's also an offer that makes another Lamar football star happy. That would be former Indians' and Cardinals' defensive lineman and current PN-G head coach Matt Burnett. Uhh, but before Tatum leaves, it's time for the New Reservation to see a win and a run at the 4A state playoffs. PN-G would have to run the table in its last three games in order to have a chance for that post-season opportunity to stay very likely. Can Harrison guide the battered and ripped-up Tribe back into the playoff hunt.... Hey, that's life in the battered and ripped-up Golden Triangle after Hurricane Ike... you just have to clinch your fist, keep your head up, and fight through life's hurricanes. "Lamar has a very good engineering program and I want to be an engineer," the Indians' senior said. "I would prefer to be in the shotgun (offensive formation) most of the time. And as far as our season goes, I'm a very positive person. I never like to think it's too late. I wouldn't want to say that anyone's given up or that we are out of it by any means. "We have been putting up the yards. We're not getting into the red zone and scoring enough and we're having too many turnovers." Read more >> Tatum is right. PN-G is dead-last on the 20-4A turnover chart at minus 9 right now, yet it ranks in the league's top three numbers in total offense along with Nederland and Vidor. The 6-1, 190-pound senior probably is harder on himself than his parents or Burnett or quarterback coach David Wallace ever could be. Tatum ranks second among 20-4A passers with 727 yards. He has the highest completion percentage among the league's leading passers and six touchdowns with four interceptions. Knowing Harrison, he probably remembers the four interceptions better than the six touchdowns. "If I was to blame anybody, I would blame me," he said Tuesday. "I would much rather take the blame than blame anybody else. It's OK with me if I don't throw it once, if we can win." It's a team game. It's a team sport. The Indians (3-3 and 1-3) have little chance to upset Lumberton (5-1 and 3-1) at The New Reservation on Friday at 7:30 unless each and every purple uniform can follow Harrison's mindset and place the team way above anything else. None of the Indians can worry about becoming All-Americans or Super Team members. They have to make sure they leave their new carpet with more points than the Raiders. That's going to be hard to do. Lamar's first new football pledge obviously sounds as if he has a little unfinished business left at The New Reservation.

Leader welcomes new editor Pruett Tommy Mann, Jr. The Orange Leader Time and hard work pay off as Gabriel Pruett can attest after being announced as the new managing editor of the Orange Leader on Tuesday. Pruett, 28, has been in the newspaper industry for more than six years beginning with a two year stint as a general news reporter at the Port Arthur News. He had long expressed an interest in covering sports, and made the switch more than four years ago to the Orange Leader sports department as a rep-orter under Van Wade, sports editor. Pruett assu-med the interim editor position in late July and proved himself to be a valuable asset and true leader in the short time that followed. “Over recent weeks, Gabe Pruett has proven through the great turmoil of Hurricane Ike that he can lead our editorial team and produce a good product,†said Eric Bauer, publisher of the Orange Leader. “Working in Port Arthur under Editor Roger Cowles and with Van Wade, Orange Leader Sports Editor, he has earned their respect and that of the staff.†Through the glancing blow of Hurricane Gustav to the devastating punch of Hurricane Ike, Pruett led employees, gathered story information and provided multiple online updates to keep Orange County residents informed while evacuated from their homes. Pruett said the past three months as interim editor have been challenging, yet very fulfilling, and have prepared him for the role of editor. “I have enjoyed every moment working in the sports department and getting to know such great coaches and athletes,†Pruett said. “Orange Leader Sports Editor Van Wade is not only a great man to work for, but a true friend. I know if I ever need advice, he is the first person I will look to for it. “The Leader has a great opportunity to remain as the leading source of news for Orange County, and I intend to make sure we stay there,†Pruett added. “We have a small staff, but, together, we proved so much over the last month. Now, I hope to motivate and lead our team into the future and to not slow down one bit.â€

[Hidden Content] Hamshire-Fannett evens the score with Silsbee, beat the Tigers in five games By JOHNNIE WALTERS October, 21, 2008 HAMSHIRE - Not an easy win, but a win nonetheless. Hamshire-Fannett evened the score against Silsbee Tuesday night, beating the Tigers 3-2 in a District 21-3A game. Silsbee won the first two games 25-19, 25-14 before Hamshire-Fannett won the final three 26-24, 25-20, 15-12. Kindra Wright led the Horns with 26 kills, 21 digs, seven blocks, and six aces. Meagan LaDay had 12 kills and 21 digs. Danielle Johnson had 53 assists and 20 digs and teammate Macy Howerton had 22 digs. Silsbee's Kalynn Drake had 17 kills and 25 digs. Chastity Foster had 16 kills and Stacey Davis had 12 kills and 13 digs. Caitlin Calicut had 42 assists. With the win, Hamshire-Fannett is now tied with Silsbee for first place at 6-1. Orangefield is in third place at 5-3. Two games remain in district play. If both teams end the season as co-district champions, than the schools will play a district playoff game to determine the No. 1 and 2 playoff seeds.âââââ

Warren over Anahuac 3-0