Big Country

The 2022 football season went down as one of the greatest in Big Country history. Now, it will be fascinating to see what 2023 will bring.  Albany and Hawley won Class 2A Division II and Division I state championships, respectively, last season. And that was just part of the story. Albany’s Denney Faith is the … Read more

Will there be a changing of the guard this spring? The Stamford softball team has been the most dominant team in the Big Country over the last two years, winning a Class 2A state championship in 2021 and losing in a one-run heart-breaker in the semifinals of the state tournament last year. Gone, however, is … Read more

Many years, the Big Country produces only a few, if any, Division I baseball or softball players. Not this year, however. Five Big Country athletes have already signed letters-of-intent with Division I programs. With Stamford pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez having signed to play softball at the University of Texas next year, and pitchers Tate Yardley (Texas … Read more

The Abilene Wylie girls basketball team will count on its inside post game this season. The Lady Bulldogs return only one starter and five lettermen from last year’s team that finished 13-13 overall and 7-3 as the runner-up in District 4-5A. Amy Powell, beginning her fourth season as the girls coach at Wylie, admitted this … Read more

The Wylie boys basketball team returns only two starters from last year’s team, but one of those returnees is the Bulldogs’ leading scorer. Avery Brekke, a 6’7” senior post, shot 65 percent from the field and averaged a double-double – 18 points and 10 rebounds per game – last season. He earned all-region honors from … Read more

Thomas Robinson takes over as the new girls basketball coach at Sweetwater, and he is essentially starting over. The Lady Mustangs don’t have any returning starters and just three returning lettermen from a team that went 9-16 overall and 3-7 in District 3-4A a year ago. Sweetwater graduated eight seniors off last year’s squad, leaving … Read more

The Sweetwater boys basketball team will rely on Harrison Foster, the Mustangs’ only returning starter, this season. Foster, a 6’4” senior guard, averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game a year ago. “Harrison is tall guard that is a matchup nightmare for most everyone,” Sweetwater coach Evan Grantham said. “He is too … Read more

First-year Stamford girls basketball coach Joe Crabb inherits a Lady Bulldogs’ team that is capable of competing for a district title. Stamford returns four starters off a team that finished 17-7 overall and 9-3 as the third-place team from District 10-2A. The Lady Bulldogs won their first two playoff games last season before falling 52-39 … Read more

The Rotan boys basketball team is looking a return trip to the Class 1A playoffs, only this year they hope they can make at least one more step. The Yellowhammers return three starters and six letterman from last season’s squad that finished 15-7 overall and 10-2 as the runner-up to Knox City in District 15-1A. … Read more

A lack of size is the challenge facing a young Rotan girls basketball team this season. “Speed is our strength,” said Yellowhammers coach Patricia Clary, “but our weakness is our height. We have to play with short posts.” Zoe Flores, a 4’11” guard, is the only senior on the Rotan team. Clary is also counting … Read more

New Roby coach Douglas Hampton inherits an experienced team as he takes over the Lions’ program. Roby returns four starters and seven lettermen from last year’s team that finished 8-13 overall and 7-5 in District 15-1A. “We are a year older and return four starters,” said Hampton. “We also have decent height for a Class … Read more

First-year Roby girls basketball coach Michael Humphrey is bringing an extra weapon with him to his new job. His daughter 5’7” senior guard Callie Humphrey averaged 15.4 points per game last year and was the District 4-2A MVP at Ralls. She was also a Texas Girls Coaches Association all-state selection the last two years. Humphrey … Read more

Alyssa O’Malley, a 5’10” senior guard brings three years of varsity experience to the Merkel girls basketball team this year. She is one of two returning starters and six lettermen back for the Lady Badgers. “Alyssa has been named defensive player of the year for the past two seasons for our district,” said Merkel coach … Read more

B.C. Lee, in his eighth season as the boys basketball coach at Merkel, expects the Badgers to be much improved from last year’s team that finished 6-14 overall and 3-10 in District 5-3A. “We have a lot of experience coming back,” Lee emphasized, “but we will be looking for some young guys to step up … Read more

Jim Ned has been one of the most consistent winners in girls basketball in the Big Country, and veteran coach Hunter Cooley should have another outstanding team, although it will be younger. “We will be smaller but quicker,” Cooley said. The Lady Indians were 27-3 last year, winning the District 6-3A title with a 14-1 … Read more

New Jim Ned boys basketball coach Blake Allen will have the Indians playing an uptempo style this season. “We will rely on our quickness to be aggressive on defense and push the pace offensively,” Allen said Jim Ned returns just two starters and five lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 14-11 overall and was … Read more

Hawley girls basketball coach Michael Muscatell expects to play a lot of freshmen and sophomores on the varsity this year, but that hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm. “We will have to replace a lot from last year’s team,” he said, “but I feel like this group has the potential to step up and will find success. … Read more

Hamlin girls basketball coach Casey Botos returns all five starters and expects a turnaround for the Lady Pipers this year. “This team will be a great group to coach,” Botos said. “All are very, very quick, looking to press more defensively and drive more offensively. We have only two seniors, and this group has been … Read more

Hamlin will field a young basketball team this season after graduating six lettermen off last year’s squad. “We will be very young and inexperienced,” acknowledged Joe Thomasson, who is beginning his third season as the Pied Pipers’ coach. “We were senior heavy last year.” Thomasson said his team is not afraid to work, however. The … Read more

After 18 years coaching the Eula boys basketball team, including a state title in 2011 and a state tournament appearance last year, Josh Fostel switched gears and became the head girls basketball coach for the Lady Pirates this season. His Eula team returns only two starters and four lettermen from last year’s District 13-1A championship … Read more

The Eula boys basketball team returns two starters and four lettermen from last year’s squad that reached the Class 1A state tournament, but the Pirates graduated their top two scorers (Dakota Boles and Jayton Jones). Eula also has a new coach in Shae Sanford after Josh Fostel switched to become the Lady Pirates girls basketball … Read more

Eastland girls basketball coach Troy Doyle claimed the Lady Mavericks will be “younger but better” this season. They will certainly be younger with three freshmen and four sophomores expected to play significant roles, according to Doyle, who is in his third year as the head coach at Eastland. The Lady Mavs will count on the … Read more

The Eastland boys basketball team is looking to improve on last year’s disappointing 3-14 overall record and 2-12 mark in District 8-3A. But the Mavericks return their top two scorers among three returning starters and four returning lettermen for veteran coach Doug Galyean, who is beginning his 18th season as the Eastland boys basketball coach. … Read more

New Early girls basketball coach Kristy Sweatman is happy to welcome the return of Dana Lykes and Taylor Summers to her team. Lykes, a 5’8” senior forward was an all-district selection last season for the Lady Longhorns. “She is athletic and quick,” Sweatma said of Lykes. “Dana is an inside presence for us that can … Read more

The Early boys basketball started three sophomores and a junior last year, so coach Eric Davis, beginning his second year as the Longhorns’ head coach, believes that the experience gained a year ago will pay benefits this season. “Our toughness and knowledge of the game are our team’s strengths,” said Davis, “but we have to … Read more

Dade Cosby, in his eighth season as the boy’s basketball coach at Cross Plains, believes the experience his team gained last season will pay dividends this year. “We will be more skilled and experienced,” he said. “Sophomores and juniors now have a year of playoff basketball experience.” The Buffaloes return three starters and five lettermen … Read more

The Cross Plains girls basketball team expects to challenge Eula for the District 13-1A crown this year. The Lady Buffaloes return three starters and four lettermen from a team that finished 13-13 overall and 6-4 in district a year ago. “This year’s team will be more athletic and defensive-minded,” said Dustin Bates, who is in … Read more

After winning its first outright district championship in 25 years, the Abilene Cooper boys basketball team is poised for a repeat. The Cougars return three starters and six lettermen from a team that finished 16-6 overall and 7-2 as the District 4-5A champion. “We will be right up there in the running for district champs,” … Read more

Kyla Speights, a 5’3” junior guard, is a returning first-team all-district player for the Abilene Cooper girls basketball team. “She is a very hard worker and an extremely smart player,” Cooper coach Arsenio Geter said of Speights. “She will be a third-year letterman this year that will bring knowledge and experience to our team.” Speights, … Read more

The Coleman boys basketball team returns two starters and six lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 14-9 overall and took runner-up to Winters in District 8-2A. The Bluecats believe they can make a run at a district title and a deeper playoff run this season after losing 48-35 to Eldorado in the bi-district round … Read more

The Coleman girl’s basketball team returns three starters from last year’s lineup that made the Class 2A playoffs. The Bluekatts were 7-13 overall but 5-4 as the fourth-place team in District 8-2A. Christoval edged Coleman 48-39 in a bi-district playoff game. The Bluekatts must replace two-time district defensive MVP Abbi Allen, who signed to play … Read more

Jamie Masonheimer, the former Eula coach, moves across Callahan County to take over as the new girls basketball coach at Clyde this season. He inherits a team that struggled to a 5-18 overall record and a 5-9 mark in rugged District 6-3A a year ago. But he welcomes back three returning starters and five lettermen, … Read more

Clyde boys basketball coach Marc Case passed the 500-career-win total last year, and he plans to add to that total this season. Case has a 503-219 record in 30-plus seasons as a basketball coach. The Bulldogs failed to make the playoffs last year, going 15-12 overall and finishing 6-8 in the rugged eight-team District 6-3A, … Read more

Teams that play Cisco this season will have to contend with the Loboes’ size. Coach Kevin Hearne, in his 16th season at Cisco, welcomes the return of his son, 6’4” Dawson Hearne, to the lineup. The younger Hearne was the district offensive most valuable player as a sophomore but missed last season due to ACL … Read more

The Cisco girls basketball team posted a 20-9 record last year but was only 7-5 as the fourth-place team from tough District 10-2A. The Lady Loboes caught fire in the postseason, however, winning three straight games before falling to Muenster in the regional semifinals. “This year’s team is almost the same team as last year, … Read more

Will Parker is the new boys basketball coach at Brownwood High School after Nadir Dalleh left to become the head coach at Howard Payne University. Parker, who inherits four returning starters and six returning lettermen from a team that finished 13-10 overall last year and was 4-3 in District 6-4A, will bring a new style … Read more

The Brownwood girls basketball team returns its top seven players from last year’s squad. “This team will be more experienced and more motivated to compete on a high level,” said Heather Hohertz-Perez, who is in her 12th season as the head coach at Brownwood. With that experience, the Lady Lions expect improvement on last year’s … Read more

With three returning starters and seven returning lettermen, the Breckenridge girls basketball team is looking for a turnaround this season. The Lady Bucks were 7-20 overall and 2-10 in District 7-3A a year ago. “I think our balance on offense and added experience will benefit us,” said coach Bryan Goehring, who is beginning his second … Read more

The Breckenridge boys basketball team will be traveling north when it steps into District 7-3A play. The Buckaroos, who missed the playoffs last year, are competing in a district with Bowie, Henrietta, Holliday, Jacksboro, Nocona and Wichita Falls City View. Jonathan Trejo, a 6’4” junior will man things inside for the Bucks. Senior guards Nathan … Read more

The Ballinger girls basketball team is primed to take the next step this season. The Lady Bearcats were 17-7 a year ago and finished 10-4 as the third-place team from District 6-3A behind perennial powerhouses Jim Ned and Wall. But Ballinger lost in the bi-district round to Coahoma 51-47. “We will not be as deep … Read more

The Ballinger boys basketball team enjoyed an outstanding season in Jeff Holland’s first season as head coach. The Bearcats went 21-5 overall and finished 9-4 as the fourth-place team in District 6-3A behind Wall, San Angelo TLCA and Jim Ned. Ballinger won its bi-district playoff game before losing to eventual regional semifinalist Peaster in the … Read more

As Baird tries to rebuild its girl’s basketball program, the Lady Bears will be counting on several underclassmen. But there is optimism because the numbers participating in the program have grown this year, according to coach Samuel Hamrick. “We are very young in terms of upper-to-lower class ratio,” he said. “Compared to last year, this … Read more

Josh Smith takes over as the new boy’s basketball coach at Baird this year. The Bears struggled to a 3-19 record last season and a 2-10 mark in District 13-1A. But Smith expects a much improved team this year. “Much better,” he replied. “We have many more kids playing, which will make us more competitive.” … Read more

The Albany boys’ basketball team could be poised for another playoff run if a number of underclassmen can step up. “We are more experienced,” admitted Albany coach Ryder Peacock, who is entering his 10th season as the head coach of the Lions. He said the strength of this year’s team is its athleticism. Albany, which … Read more

The Anson girl’s basketball team had an outstanding season a year ago, and the Lady Tigers believe this year could be even better. Anson returns three starters and five lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 21-5 overall. The Lady Tigers were runner-up to Haskell in District 10-2A with a 9-3 record and lost 52-38 … Read more

After seven years as the basketball coach at Baird, Jeff Campbell now takes over the boys basketball program in Anson. He inherits a team that finished 13-12 overall and was 8-3 as the third-place team in always-competitive District 10-2A. Highlight of the season for the Tigers was an upset win over district champion Cisco. Anson … Read more

The Albany girls basketball team is a perennial playoff contender, but the Lady Lions missed the postseason last year, finishing with an 8-13 record overall and a 3-9 mark in the always competitive District 10-2A. Among the returning players that Albany coach Tate Thompson will be relying are 5’6” Alli Hill, 5’5” Tana Thompson, 5’0’’ … Read more

Abilene Christian School will field a young, inexperienced boys basketball team this season. “We will be a young team that will have to execute every possession,” admitted Kevin Brooks, who is beginning his seventh year at the Panthers’ head boys basketball coach. “Our strength is we have great basketball IQ, but we are inexperienced.” Even … Read more

Justin Reese has turned the Abilene High boys basketball team into a consistent winner in his three seasons as the head coach back at his alma mater. He returns two starters and six lettermen this season from last year’s team that finished 18-9 overall and 6-5 in rugged District 2-6A. He must find replacements, however, … Read more

Brenda Andress, a former standout basketball player at Abilene Christian University, takes over as the new girls basketball coach at Abilene High. She inherits a team that struggled to a 4-7 record overall and 2-10 mark in District 2-6A last yeare. But she is hoping to bring a new attitude to the Lady Eagles. “This … Read more

With nine letter winners and six starters returning from a team that went 12-7 and made the playoffs as the runner-up in District 4-5A, the Abilene Wylie volleyball team has high hopes for the upcoming season. Shay Cox, beginning her seventh season as the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach, says her team’s strength is its versatility. … Read more

Wylie  ended a two-year postseason drought by making the playoffs a year ago in their first season under long-time defensive coordinator Clay Martin, who was elevated to the head coaching position following the retirement of veteran coach Hugh Sandifer. The Bulldogs finished 4-4 overall in a start-and-stop season that was interrupted several times by COVID … Read more

Trent is starting a volleyball program for the first time this year, and Cheyenne Thompson has the challenge of serving as the first head coach of the new team. “This team hasn’t seen the court for many practices,” Thompson said, “but the few they have had you can tell they all have that determination to … Read more

Chris Ellison begins his second season as the head football coach at Trent with optimism that the Gorillas can turn things around this season. “We will have more depth,” Ellison said. “Our kids learned a lot, and now will be year two of our football system.” Trent, which returns four starters on offense and three … Read more

The Sweetwater volleyball team returns five starters from last year’s team that finished 17-8 overall and 8-2 as the runner-up in District 3-4A. The Lady Mustangs hope to improve on last year’s effort when they were swept in three straight by Dumas in their bi-district match. Coach Mitzi Bell, in her third season at Sweetwater, … Read more

New Sweetwater football coach Russell Lucas enjoyed tremendous success during a long career at Hamlin. He compiled a 127-43 record, won eight district titles, had a state runner-up finish in 2019 and made a trip to the state semifinals in 13 seasons with the Class 2A Pied Pipers. But now Lucas makes the jump to … Read more

Britt Hart takes over as the new head football coach at Stamford, making the move after one year as the head coach at Merkel. The Bulldogs returns four starters on both offense and defense from a team that finished 5-6 overall last year and made the playoffs as the fourth-place team from District 3-2A Division … Read more

Rotan coach Dale Means is hoping that the experience his young team gained last year will pay dividends this season. “We had 15 players last year and only three were seniors,” he explained. “We had 12 freshmen and sophomores.” The Yellowhammers went 6-2 last year but were 0-2 in District 7-1A Division I (six-man). “The … Read more

Matt Tarbutton takes over as the new head football coach at Roby. He formerly served as the head coach at San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo. Tarbutton inherits a squad that returns four starters on both offense and defense. The Lions were 5-5 overall and 1-2 in District 7-1A Division I (six-man) a year ago. … Read more

As Chelsi Arnold begins her second year as the head volleyball coach at Ranger High School, she expects the Lady Bulldogs to be much improved this season. “We will be stronger defensively,” Arnold said. “We will be a more mature and experienced team this year. We are a very scrappy team. Not many balls hit … Read more

Ranger High School is making the transition from 11-man football to six-man football this fall. The Bulldogs will play an independent outlaw schedule, meaning they won’t be playing in a University Interscholastic League district since this is the second year of the biennial UIL realignment and reclassification. First-year Ranger head coach Eric Sanchez said his … Read more

Will Kates was hired in April as the new head football coach at Merkel. He comes to Merkel from Fort Worth Paschal where he was the offensive coordinator. It is Kates’ first head coaching position. Interestingly, his hiring makes him the third Kates brother to be a head coach in Texas high school football. Matt … Read more

The Hawley volleyball team rolled to a 17-10 record a year ago and won the District 6-2A title with a 13-1 mark before being upset in the area around of the playoffs. The Lady Bearcats return three starters off last season’s squad. “We lost several players from last year’s team,” said head coach Amy Eckhoff, … Read more

Hawley went 10-3 last year and won the District 3-2A Division I title with a 5-0 mark, but coach Mitch Ables believes his Bearcats will be even stronger this fall. Hawley returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense. The Bearcats’ strength will be its skill positions, led by wide receiver/defensive back Kason O’Shields … Read more

Hamlin has been one of the area’s most successful football teams the last two years, winning 12 games in each of the last two seasons. The Pied Pipers went 12-3 in 2019, reaching the Class 2A Division II state title game where they lost to Mart at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Last year, Hamlin captured … Read more

The key to Eastland’s volleyball season will be finding help on the back line. “We lost a lot of our defensive specialists, including our libero,” Eastland coach Rachel Schuman stated, “but we are returning three strong hitters and our setter. They already have a chemistry built from last season. Our biggest weakness is inexperience at … Read more

For coach James Morton, beginning his sixth season as the head coach at his alma mater, the biggest challenge at Eastland this fall is replacing his son, quarterback Behren Morton, who is now at Texas Tech. With the younger Morton at quarterback, Eastland won the District 5-3A Division II title with a 5-0 mark a … Read more

Early returns nine starters on offense and seven on defense from a team that went 5-6 and made the playoffs as the fourth-place team from District 3-3A Division I. “We will have a lot of experience coming back from last year,” Early coach Daniel Price stated. “We should be competitive. We have 15 guys coming … Read more

Cason Allen is a four-year starter who does about everything for the Cross Plains football team. Allen is listed as quarterback/defensive back this year, but he has also played running back and wide receiver for the Buffaloes. Allen rushed for 1,003 yards and five touchdowns on 143 carries a year ago and also completed 20 … Read more

A year ago, Abilene Cooper head coach Aaron Roan was returning his starting quarterback and running back, but he was worried about inexperience on the offensive and defensive lines. Well, no problem: The Cougars breezed to the District 3-5A Division I title with a 6-0 mark last season. Cooper finished 7-2 overall after being upset … Read more

The Coleman football team is brimming with optimism as it enters the 2021 season. The Bluecats return seven starters on offense and eight on defense from a team that went 6-3 (2-2 I Districts 4-2A Division I) last year. “We have a lot of returners with experience and a very talented group mixing in,” Coleman … Read more

Cisco returns seven starters on both offense and defense from last year’s team that won the District 4-2A Division I title and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Kevin Stennett, who guided Cisco to a 10-4 record in his first season as head coach, said experience is his team’s biggest strength going into the 2021 season. … Read more

Albany’s volleyball team finished runner-up in District 6-2A a year ago, but the Lady Lions caught fire in the playoffs, advancing all the way to the state semifinals. Albany reeled off postseason wins over Miles, Plains and Wink before falling in three games to eventual state champion Crawford. Albany returns four starters and nine letter … Read more

The Albany Lions have been one of the Big Country’s most consistent winners under veteran coach Denney Faith, who has compiled a remarkable 318-107-4 record in 34 seasons, all at Albany. The Lions, who went 11-2 a year ago and won their 13th district title in the last 14 years, were 5-0 in capturing the … Read more

Caroline Cleveland, a former standout at Abilene High, takes over as the new head volleyball coach at her alma mater. She inherits a team with eight returning starters that went 4-13 overall and 2-10 in District 2-6A a year ago.  “Compared to last year, this team will be mentally tough,” Cleveland emphasized. “The culture will … Read more

Abilene High started last season 1-4 while battling the COVID-19 restrictions and also missing head coach Mike Fullen, who was in his own battle with colon cancer. But Fullen returned to the sideline at midseason and the Eagles caught fire to win five in a row before losing to powerhouse Denton Guyer in the third … Read more

With seven returning starters coming back from last year’s 12-9 team, Brownwood is brimming with optimism entering this year’s volleyball season. “This year’s team will be more seasoned and well-disciplined with a lot more confidence,” Lady Lions coach Allison Smith emphasized. Brownwood, which finished runner-up to Stephenville in District 6-4A with a 5-3 mark a … Read more

Led by middle blocker Liz Underwood, the Clyde volleyball team will try to build on the momentum from last year’s success. The Lady Bulldogs went 21-7 a year ago, breezed through the District 6 -3A race with a 10-0 mark and reached the area round of the Class 3A playoffs. Underwood, the district MVP, was … Read more

Former Abilene High and Howard Payne football player Danny Dudgeon, who spent the last six years as the offensive coordinator at Abilene Cooper, landed his first head coaching position when he was named the new head coach at Clyde. “It’s been a goal since I got into the profession,” Dudgeon said of becoming a head … Read more

Brownwood returns three starters on both offense and defense from a team that finished 4-6 a year ago and reached the playoffs as the fourth-place team (2-2) in rugged District 5-4A Division I. Sammy Burnett is beginning his fourth season as the head coach of the storied Lions’ football program. Brownwood is Burnett’s alma mater. … Read more

After struggling to a 1-8 record last year in his first season as the head coach at Breckenridge, Casey Pearce expects this year’s team “should respond to the expectations and show growth.” The Buckaroos return 19 lettermen and seven starters on both offense and defense. Pearce, a Breckenridge graduate who came back to his alma … Read more

Bangs will field a young volleyball team this fall, according to coach Cheyanne Lovelady, a former Howard Payne University player who is beginning her third season as the head coach at Bangs. The Lady Dragons return only two starters and four letter winners from last year’s team that finished 5-10 overall and 2-7 in sixth … Read more

Bangs posted an impressive 9-2 record last year, going 4-1 as the runner-up to Ballinger in District 2-3A Division II. Unfortunately, the Dragons ran into eventual state champion Canadian in the area round of the playoffs, dropping a 56-13 decision to the state champs. Coach Kyle Maxfield, who is in his fourth season at the … Read more

Anson returns seven offensive starters and six starters on defense from last year’s team that went 8-3 overall and made the playoffs. The Tigers, who were 4-1 as runner-up in District 3-2A Division I, beat Winters in bi-district before falling to state runner-up Post in the area round. “A strong interior offensive and defensive line … Read more

The Ballinger football team returns just three starters on both offense and defense from last year’s outstanding squad that won the District 2-3A Division II title with a 5-0 record, went 10-2 overall and advanced to the area round of the playoffs. One of the key returning starters for the Bearcats, however, is QB/DB Carter … Read more

Baird went 5-6 and made the Class 1A Division I playoffs last year in the Bears’ first season as a UIL six-man team and their first season under coach Derek Schlieve. Baird played an outlaw schedule (not in an UIL district) in its first six-man football season in 2019 after switching from 11-man football. Junior … Read more

Arnett McClure led the Panthers to a 12-9 record, including a 7-3 mark in its Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools District 1-2A, last year in his first season as the head volleyball coach at Abilene Christian Schools. The Panthers won their first two playoff matches a year ago before being swept in three … Read more

Jim Ned doesn’t have any returning starters this year after going 17-6 overall and finishing third in District 6-3A with a 6-4 mark in Miranda Garcia’s first year as head coach. Garcia, however, returns five letter winners and is optimistic about the upcoming season. “Last year we had size and a team that hit the … Read more

Daren Miller takes over as the new head football coach at Abilene Christian Schools this fall. The Panthers return seven lettermen, including three starters on both offense and defense, from a team that went 7-2 overall and 5-1 in its Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools’ six-man district last year. ACS reached the regional … Read more

Abilene Cooper enjoyed its finest volleyball season in nearly two decades a year ago. The Lady Cougars, who finished 18-11 overall and 8-4 as the runner-up in District 4-5A, won their first playoff game since 2002. In fact, Cooper won two playoff games and advanced to the regional quarterfinals in making its deep postseason run … Read more

The Jim Ned football team will begin the season with a bullseye on its back. The Indians are the defending Class 3A Division I state champions and enter the 2021 campaign as the preseason No. 1-ranked team in the state. Coach Matt Fanning’s club, which won the District 3-3A Division I title with a 5-0 … Read more