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 longest-tenured coach in Texas high school football. His 344 ... Read More
Big Country
Baseball & Softball First Look
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 Stamford’s ace pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez, who is now pitching for ... Read More
Baseball & Softball First Look
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 Tech) and Blain Palmer ... Read More
Wylie Girls Basketball
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 year’s team will be inexperienced compared to last ... Read More
Wylie Boys Basketball
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 the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches. The Bulldogs ... Read More