KFDM COOP

Good question.

Experienced Garrett ready to lead Mustangs Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — When the going gets tough for young football players, they usually turn to a hard-nosed group of seniors. Several young West Orange-Stark Mustangs will get a hard test from the Dayton Broncos Friday night in their season opener. Their eyeballs will be quite large when they hit the field at Dan R. Hooks Stadium but several seniors will be right there by their side, including returning All-District 21-3A tailback DePauldrick Garrett. All Garrett accomplished as a junior was 1,389 yards on the ground to go along with 17 touchdowns on 191 carries. He remembered what it was like when he got his first taste of varsity action as a sophomore as the Mustangs raced all the way to the Class 3A Division I Semifinals. “There is a lot of difference playing on Friday night compared to Thursday nights,†Garrett explained. “Everyone is so much faster and they play smarter. It takes a few plays and a game or two to adjust to it. I had some older guys that really helped me along the way and as a senior group, it’s up to us to do that this year. We’ve got some great young guys that are going to do just fine.†Doing just fine and then some. That’s what the Mustangs can count on in Garrett. Garrett is a bowling-ball type of running back that also contains plenty of power. What could make him even tougher this year is that he’s faster and stronger. “I committed myself to get stronger last offseason,†Garrett said. “I spent most of the summer in the weightroom and I can already tell how much my conditioning has improved.†Long-time Mustang coach Dan Hooks loves the type of game Garrett brings to the table. “DePauldrick had a tremendous season last year and he’s the type of kid that just wants to continue to get better and better,†Hooks said. “He kinda led the parade to the weightroom all summer long. He’s such a competitor and wants to win so bad. He’s so much stronger and faster this year. He’s going to be a load and without a doubt, is one of the finest backs in Southeast Texas.†Garrett is the only returner on what was a four-headed machine last season. Gone to graduation includes the likes of quarterback Andre Bevil (125-of-195, 2.069 yards 25 TDs) and receivers Earl Thomas (40-861-13) and Jacoby Franks (44-719-7). This year’s youth movement will consist of quarterback Ortavious Hypolite and receiver Josh Rhodes along with veteran senior receiver Ronnie Dennis (22-257-2). “It’s kinda new to me too, because I played with Earl (Thomas) and Jacoby (Franks) for so long and they made my life a lot easier,†Garrett said. “We also have a lot of confidence in Ortavious (Hypolite) Ronnie (Dennis) and Josh (Rhodes). We’ve got a lot of people that can make big plays and we’re still capable of that.†Garrett is very confident about his “game†going into this campaign. He’s worked a great deal at improving himself, especially his blocking and pass-catching skills. “I want to be a complete back and the coaching staff has really helped me as far as picking up certain blocks and getting down the field and making more blocks,†Garrett said. “Guys like Tim Matherne and Brandon Allensworth, who are great for us on the offensive line, are always there giving me tips. Pass-catching, I’ve grown to love that. I was able to work with Ortavious a lot fduring on 7-on-7 this summer and that helped me tremendously.†So how much does Coach Hooks want to get the ball in Garrett’s hands this year? “He’s the type of kid that you’d like to get the ball to at least 20 to 25 times a game,†Hooks said. “He’s one that can take it to the house on any given play and he can even run with tough power to get extra yards. I also see us using him more in the passing game this time. He can be pretty potent in our screen game.†Garrett and the Mustangs are preparing for a rugged non-district schedule that includes defending 22-4A champion Dayton Friday, Orange County rival Little Cypress-Mauriceville in the second week and former Class 4A power Bay City the third week. “There’s no question, we have a very tough non-district schedule,†said Garrett. “We’d love to win them all, but if we don’t, those three games will make us a better football team when district starts up.†District 21-3A, well, the Mustangs have owned it since dropping down to Class 3A in 2004. WO-S is a perfect 17-0, claiming the last three district titles with relative ease. “That’s something we take a whole lot of pride in,†Garrett said. “I don’t think I’ve lost a district game since seventh grade. It can be tough at times because you know everyone is wanting to take you down so bad. With it being our senior year and all, we’d love to do it again. That’s our goal.â€

There will low scoring games with rain and wet fields!!!!!

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I agree!

Not sure..At 2 PM your time it should play.

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8)

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Thanks Mike, great Articles.

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They were there.

Rumor is Tony Pena could be the new manager next year.

[Hidden Content] PN-G slips by Ozen in 22-4A volleyball But the Port Neches-Groves volleyball coach admits she didn't see it coming. After four highly contested games, the Rock-A-Noos were able to win Game 5 with ease. The Rock-A-Noos beat Ozen 15-6 to walk away with a 3-2 victory in their District 22-4A opener at the Panthers' gym. "I thought it was going to be a fight to the end," Comeaux said. "But we had a few good serves and we played well the final game. I just think Ozen broke under pressure. But I give the kids credit because they fought to the end. They came back after Ozen won two games and never let up." After PN-G won the first game 25-23, Ozen beat the Rock-A-Noos 25-18, 25-19. The Rock-A-Noos won the final two games 25-19, 15-6. "I thought it was a great game," said Ozen coach Shy Randle, whose team finished in sixth place in district last season. "But the team that usually maintains the momentum wins the game. PN-G kept the momentum going, and our kids let up." The Rock-A-Noos jumped out to a 5-0 run before the Panthers scored in Game 5. But the point didn't seem to throw off the team's momentum. PN-G scored the next five points before Ozen would score its second point of the game. Miscommunication on the floor, along with some hitting errors, led to the Panthers demise in Game 5. "Ozen is a very good, athletic team," said Comeaux, whose team finished second in district last year. "Ozen has come a long way from last season. I think they have improved enough to be a contender for a playoff spot this season." Ozen's Jasmine Wells had 11 kills, 24 assists and four blocks. Sheena Wyngate had 10 kills, six digs and two blocks. Tiara Robinson had 10 kills and eight blocks. Somalia Randle had six kills, five aces and 30 assists. Kayla Prasnicki was the kill leader for the Rock-A-Noos with 16. Teammate Sami Jo Williams had 16 service points, and Kourtney Benoit had five blocks. Brandi Guidry had 39 assists. Chelsea Horn had 14 kills and 11 digs. "I thought everyone did a good job tonight," Comeaux said. "Mallory Livingston did a great job defensively, and Stephanie Bowman did a great job offensively. Stephanie played aggressively at the net in the final two games."

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Post em here.

www.panews.com Titans defensive spots up for grabs By Tom Halliburton The Port Arthur News Plenty of important repetitions remained before Curtis Viola seemed quite ready to announce Memorial's complete set of starting defenders. The new Titans defensive coordinator Viola has wanted a quicker, more intense practice approach from some of his defensive players as Memorial fine-tuned this week before next week's season opener at Beaumont Ozen. Although he casually chats with visitors and onlookers, second-year head coach Ronnie Thompson figures to direct a keen eye onto the work of defenders during the next few days around the Titans' practice field. Plenty of position swapping may occur during the next 10 days. "Curtis (Viola) is making some moves and I can tell you that the competition really brings out your learning skills," the Titans coach said. Viola switched 6-1, 190-pound sophomore Earl Hines into a first-team left linebacker position. Hines had been backing up Terry Coleman at the middle linebacker job before this week. Thompson believes that Hines raised his performance level from practices to the actual scrimmage game situation. "Hines picked it up when they turned the lights on," the Titans coach said. "Our tempo was much quicker. Our people were running a lot better. Keep an eye on Hines." The open weekend in Memorial's schedule may not become completely open because Thompson is still toying with the possibility of a late-week intrasquad scrimmage. "That depends how well and how often we practice this week," Ronnie said. "The good part is we're open. The bad part is the weather. Thursday or Friday might be the best weather day. Memorial's defense engaged in two running quarters last Saturday morning in the big stadium, while outscoring Beaumont Central, 14-6. Running back Patterson Clay accepted two different screen tosses and converted each into a long-distance touchdown play of 75 and 80 yards. The Titans defense opened the scoring by converting a safety. No kicking plays were involved at all. "I thought our kids performed very well," Thompson said of the scrimmage. "I thought Central was better than last year. Both sides had a few busts but they're correctable."

www.panews.com Barnett's 2006 experience unique at Reliant Stadium By Tom Halliburton The Port Arthur News PORT NECHES -- Drew Barnett can explain the feeling of playing quarterback for the first time against a loaded Brenham team in Reliant Stadium's unique environment. Even a high school quarterback named Peyton Manning or Tom Brady might find it difficult, but the 5-9, 153-pound Barnett could call such an outing pretty overwhelming. The 18-year-old son of Lance and Alicia Barnett has developed quite a golf game in the past year while he has strolled around area courses. The biggest sand trap on his course this Friday likely will be the La Marque Cougars at 5 o'clock in, you guessed it, Reliant Stadium. But a few things about this Reliant experience obviously will feel a bit different for Barnett and his fellow Port Neches-Groves seniors. For one thing, Barnett will start at wide receiver and likely will alternate at left corner, rather than quarterback. A year later, Barnett recalls that exciting first opportunity to play at Reliant. "It was overwhelming," he said on Tuesday. "To tell you the truth, I wasn't that nervous. I know what we had in front of us. Once you started playing, you weren't really thinking any of Reliant but before the game, it was different." Barnett never been a starting varsity quarterback. Meanwhile Brenham stood on the opposite side of the ball with several major college defensive prospects. It was enough of a scary proposition, yet Barnett was up to delivering a solid performance in a losing cause. "I knew what I had to do," Drew recalled. "I couldn't get all that excited. It took me awhile to get going." Barnett has known what he has had to do as a student, too. His grade-average is 3.28 going into his senior year at PN-G. He's been a solid, dependable member of coach Jay Stone's baseball program, too. But Drew's real career just might start on the tee box and end on the putting green. They pay these golfers pretty good money these days. Drew may have withstood golf a year ago. Back when PN-G went to Reliant Stadium last year, Barnett was lucky to break 90 in an 18-hole round. That's back in his quarterback days. That's then. This is now. Not every aspiring Tiger Woods is holding a golf club while wearing diapers. Some happen to be late bloomers. That's what happened to Drew. He became real addicted to golf this year. He played four or five rounds a week during most of the summer. "I think 70 is the best I've ever shot but I just started playing and got addicted," he said. A member at Belle Oaks, Barnett says his long driving represents the strength of his game. Now if he can improve his putting. If Barnett survives Friday night's game against La Marque well enough, he figures to play in a Crystal Beach weekend tournament at Rancho Carribe C.C. Since this is supposed to be a football feature, let's delve further into Drew's special contribution to the 2006 Indians' season. When Harrison Tatum replaced Barnett as quarterback in the District 22-4A opener against Ozen, the grandson of Barnett Construction's Mike Barnett understandably seemed upset. That's when Drew's true character and unselfishness shined brightest. He rolled with the disappointment, adapted to the team's needs and helped PN-G to still win five games. When the change had to be made, the Indians' chief honestly consulted privately with Drew and the rest has worked for the best.

Lady Bears fend off feisty Central Van Wade The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — A lot of folks thought the District 22-4A volleyball race was going to be highly competitive from top to bottom this year. Well, it was evident Tuesday night at the Bear Cave, that it will be. The Beaumont Central Lady Jaguars, who usually are in the bottom half of the 22-4A staondings, fought the Little Cypress-Mauriceville Lady Bears tooth-and-nail for four grueling games. However, the Lady Bears and their overall team balance came through when it had too as LC-M escaped with a 25-17, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19 victory against the fesity Lady Jags. “Central put up a great fight,†said Lady Bear head coach Vicki Castino. “There is no such thing as an easy victory in our district. You have to be prepared each time you step out on the court.†Sophomore standout Christine Sicktich and senior Morgan Blohm powered the Lady Bear attack but they had plenty of help from their teammates. Sicktich crushed the Lady Jags (3-1, 0-1) by notching 18 kills and had seven service points. Blohm put together eight kills, 11 points, two aces and two blocks. The Lady Bears (8-8, 1-0) received nice production from their bench as well as Maci Wilcox posted six kills and Kinsey Staudt had five big blocks. Kristi Trahan posted six kills, three points and three aces. Carly Gauthier served up seven points. Shayna Sheppard collected six points and four crucial aces while Alexa Humble had 12 points and an ace and Olivia Hinds had six points and two aces. “The kids gave a great effort across the board except for that little rough patch in Game Three,†Castino said. “Christine (Sicktich) and Morgan (Blohm) both had good nights. I thought Wilcox and Staudt did a great job coming off the bench and we need that from them consistently with district starting, I thought all the kids played pretty well.†LC-M had a tough time dealing with the power surge that was presented by Lady Jags Katrina Harris and Clarissa Williams. Harris, an All-District basketball performer as well, notched 16 kills. Williams had 15 of her own and added eight service points. “Those two are pretty tough,†Castino said. “They have a lot of power behind their shots and they’re hard to block. We got some key plays though when we needed them the most.†The Lady Bears scored six of the final eight points in Game One to nab the win with Trahan claiming all three of her aces during a 5-0 Lady Bear run. Beaumont Central led Game Two 9-4 early. The Lady Bears retaliated with seven straight points with Humble serving up six of them. Central eventually snared a 22-20 cushion but the Lady Bears rallied with the game’s last five points with Blohm serving up the last four and Sicktich collected three kills in the run. The Lady Bears grabbed a 16-12 edge in Game Three, looking as if they would put the match away in three straight games but the Lady Jags tallied 13 out of the next 14 points. Both Harris and Williams found the hot hand at the net and Ursula Thomas, who finished with 19 service points, served up the game’s last eight points. LC-M streaked out to a 20-13 advantage in Game Four as Sicktich had six kills and Wilcox had three to spark the spurt. Central came up with five straight points to pull to within two. The Lady Bears closed out the match by tallying five out of the last six points. Brandi Buckley contributed eight kills and seven points for Central. Thomas added five kills while Nakiesha Washington added six points. The Lady Bears will play host to Beaumont West Brook in a non-district tilt Friday and will face a stern 22-4A road test next Tuesday when they pay Port Neches-Groves a visit.

No problem! 8)

Alot of Memorial's In Texas. Port Arthur Memorial HS Pasadena Memorial HS Victoria Memorial HS Houston Memorial HS McAllen Memorial HS San Antonio Memorial HS Mission Veterans Memorial HS

Lord. : Keep Jody west of the Trinity.