Welcome to The Baseline, the Palestine Herald-Press sports blog. Here, you'll find breaking news updates, live game updates, thoughts and musings on sports, both local and national, and more.
Showing posts with label Dogwood Circle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dogwood Circle. Show all posts

Friday, August 26, 2011

We're Back!

After a summer hiatus that — admittedly — started a little bit before summer, The Baseline is back in service. We'll bring you everything you need about game predictions on Friday nights, where your favorite teams rank in the numerous polls released each week and other little nuggets that we find interesting.

I'm happy to be back and happy that it's football season once again here in the Dogwood Circle, so check back here often, and follow the Herald-Press sports department on Twitter (@phpsports) for other updates, including in-game commentary from Palestine's game every week.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Final thoughts from Austin and moving forward

Well, the whirlwind past few weeks that have been the boys' and girls' state basketball playoffs are over, capping with another title for the Neches girls' basketball team and a stunning loss by Cayuga in the regional semifinals to upstart Tenaha.

My weekend in Austin was an eventful one, and one that will certainly live in my memory for a while. From talking Roddricka Patton with a handful of nationwide high school scouts to listening in on the press conference of Canyon head coach Joe Lombard after winning another state title, finishing a perfect season and winning his1,100 career game...all on his birthday, it was a great experience.

As I said in a column in the PHP today, I expect to go back next season as well, what with Neches returning all its players from this year's team.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

4 locals named to All-Smoaky teams

Smoaky.com released its All-Smoaky teams for the 2010 football season today, and four Dogwood Circle players made the cut.

Frankston linebacker and SFA-signee Jabralon Allen and Cayuga defensive back Chris Turner both earned second team defensive honors. Allen was named the Dogwood Circle defensive player of the year after tallying 152 tackles in 2010, 23 for losses, while Turner earned first team honors on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver. Both were recently named to the Texas Sports Writers Association's all-state teams.

Dogwood Circle first team wide receiver C.J. Wagner from Cayuga earned second team special team honors from the Web site as a kick returner after returning two kicks and a punt for touchdowns.

Earning a third team nod from Smoaky.com was Grapeland's Reshawd Shepherd. His district's co-offensive player of the year, Shepherd caught 46 passes for 811 yards and 10 TDs, while rushing for 355 yards and three more scores. Shepherd earned first team honors at WR on our Dogwood Circle squad.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

New Year's Resolutions and such

Everyone has their basic New Year's Resolutions. Get in shape, eat better, be better with money, etc. In fact, all three of those are my personal resolutions for 2011. Will I be able to do it? Who knows, but I'm going to try.

But, in addition to personal resolutions this year, I made a couple of professional ones as well. Namely, I'm going to be more out there. I'm going to get away from merely being on the sports page. So, my plan is to blog more as well as probably set up a dedicated Twitter account for the sports department here at the paper. We've also got a possible podcast in the works, where myself and others will get on and talk a little sports for people's listening pleasure. With the absence of any sports radio in the area outside of game broadcasts, I think that it'll be a good venture. At least I hope it will be.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Playoffs begin tonight in Fairfield, Groesbeck

While the actual postseason for Texas High School football is still almost a month away, it starts in all earnest tonight for both teams residing inside the Palestine city limits.

Needless to say, both the Palestine Wildcats and Westwood Panthers have had disappointing seasons in 2010 that once began with promise, but all that can be forgotten--at least for a week--with victories tonight.

The situation is a little complicated, but it boils down to this: Both teams have to win to keep hope alive. Now, winning out doesn't guarantee anything for either team, but losing even a single game from here forward officially ends the playoff dream.

Now, lets get to some predictions:

Friday, October 15, 2010

Do or die time in Palestine

With a couple of big games on the outskirts of the Dogwood Circe this week, things are a little more desperate inside the Palestine city limits, where both teams are looking to avoid 0-2 district holes. It won't get easier for either, as Palestine welcomes in preseason district favorite Mexia, while Westwood and new head coach Roger Mays host undefeated and unchallenged Fairfield.

Speaking of the outskirts, the Dogwood Circle Game of the Week has to be in Frankston, where the Indians (4-2, 1-0) welcome in the No. 7-ranked West Rusk Raiders (6-0, 1-0). Odds are, this ones for the district title.

In Elkhart, playoff positioning may very well be on the line when the Elks take on Teague. With a win, Elkhart will own wins over both the Lions and Trinity, the two other teams who seem to be able to fight for that third spot. Unfortunately for everyone in that district not Malakoff or Crockett, it seems third place is all that there is left to fight for.

Now, on to the predictions:

Friday, October 8, 2010

Time to push for the playoffs

After a week that saw only Oakwood hit the field for some Friday night action, all seven teams return to field tonight from the Dogwood Circle.

What makes tonight even more special is that for everyone except the Panthers of Oakwood, district play begins tonight. As I said in last Sunday's column, start winning now and no one will remember or care what happened in the first half of the season.

So, without further adieu, let's get to the games.

Palestine at Groesbeck
The Wildcats enter this game with a completely different look now that Caleb Cargill has taken over under center for Kenny Green. While Green did an admirable thing by offering to play quarterback for PHS when no one else stood out, his talent at both wide reciever and cornerback or better suited to help the Wildcats win. In Cargill, Palestine has a player who seems to be full of confidence and can throw the ball a mile. But, he's also a freshman. Luckily he got some solid reps in during the PHS loss to Athens before the bye week, meaning that his first snaps won't be on the road in a district game. Groesbeck comes in with a 3-2 mark and a high-powered passing game, but I think the QB move rejuvenates the Wildcats and kicks them into a new gear.
PHS 31, Groesbeck 24

Madisonville at Westwood
The Panthers desperately need a win to help instill some confidence in the team. While the players felt really good after the heartbreaking loss to Rusk, nothing feels quite like a win. Lucky for Westwood, the schedule makers did them a favor with Madisonville, a 1-4 team that can't seem to score very many points. If the Westwood defense, which has been shaky at times this year, can hold a time or two, the Panther's high-powered attack should be able to take over.
WHS 46, Madisonville 21

Elkhart at Trinity
While the Elks headed into the bye week with a loss AND face off against a 4-1 Trinity team this week, things aren't near as dire as they may seem for Elkhart fans. For instance, according to coach John Adair the Elks played well in the first half in the Mildred loss, only to see that play fade down the stretch. Second, Trinity doesn't really score, which plays into the Elkhart defense's hands. The strength of this EHS club, I look for them to make a difference tonight.
EHS 17, Trinity 10

Arp at Frankston
The tough road through a tough district begins tonight for Frankston, and expect a tired scoreboard operator when it's all said and done between the Indians and Arp. Both teams like to move the ball up and down the field, and I'm  not sure if either defense can consistently make stops. This one may come down to who gets the ball last, but I'll take my chances with the first of Allen, Allen and Coleman for the Indians.
FHS 45, Arp 38

Riesel at Cayuga
If you're reading this, not planning on attending a game yet for whatever reason, do two things for me. First, finish reading. Thanks. Then, get up, get ready and head on out to Cayuga to watch the Wildcats take on the Riesel Indians. Get there early and enjoy the Fox Sports Southwest Road Tour's interactive village, then watch an uber-important game for District 8-A. With four teams currently at 4-1 or better, and only three playoff spots, this could be the strongest district in the state.
Cayuga 28, Riesel 19

Grapeland at Shelbyville
The good news for the Sandies is that the bye week came at a perfect time, and let quarterback Cameron Boyd heal up in time for the district opener. Even without Boyd, the Sandies went the distance and then some against Buffalo, a 2A team with playoff aspirations. But, Shelbyville isn't an easy to place to go and play, and while Boyd has been great for the Sandies, it's the defense the last three or four weeks that worries me.
Shelbyville 27, Grapeland 14

Karnack at Oakwood
Last time Oakwood lost, they came out the next game and lambasted Bloomburg, 60-13. That spells trouble for the 0-4 Wildcats, who give up an average of 62 points per game this season. It's homecoming in Oakwood, and the crowd should see a good one, and perhaps go home early.
Oakwood 63, Karnack 12

Returning to the rivalry conversation between the two schools here in Palestine, blog reader D. Carter added his idea to reader C.X.'s "Holy City Rivalry." D. thinks we should go with the "Dogwood Circle Rivalry", or some form of that. I'm telling you, I could go for the "Dogwood Duel."

What do you guys think?

Remember, check out the scores at www.fridaynightcentral.com after the games, and check back here occasionally tonight to see how Palestine is fairing in Groesbeck.

Friday, September 24, 2010

One week until the abyss

That's right, the title says it all. This is the final week of non-district play which is great, because that means district play is up next. Unfortunately, we've got to sit through next weekend first.
The dreaded "Bye" week.
All six 11-man football teams are off next week, leaving only Oakwood to take center stage.
Will I travel to Trinidad to watch the Panthers? Absolutely
Will it be fun, entertaining and a good time to cover? With out a doubt
Should you come too? Why not.
I mean, I'm not taking a carpool or anything, but what else will you do with your Friday night? If you can make the time, I strongly suggest taking in some six-man football. It'll change the way you view the game.
But to get there, we've got to play this weekend first. With the bye weeks coming, tonight's games take on extra importance. After all, teams have an extra week to think about how they played tonight (good or bad).
Now, on to the predictions:

PALESTINE at Athens
An old district rivalry gets renewed tonight as the Wildcats make the half-hour or so drive up Hwy 19 to Athens to take on the 1-3 Hornets. Don't think those returners on the PHS squad have forgotten last season, when Athens welcomed in the Wildcats and earned a 24-19 win, propelling them into the postseason with a 4-6 record and giving the 'Cats their only district blemish.
This isn't that same Athens team, except to say that is mostly is. The Hornets return eight defensive starters and a handful of offensive stars, including 6-foot, 2-inch Courtney Whitehead, a monster of a receiver. Add in to the mix former Westwood signal caller Tevin Watson, and you've got 3-1.
But, Athens has given up some yards this year and some points (just over 27/game) and the Wildcats have that winning taste still in their mouth. Saddle up the Simon and Chivers wagon and lets run.
Palestine 27, Athens 21

WESTWOOD at Rusk
It's got to happen this week for Bryan Price's squad. A loss to an 0-4 Rusk team could possibly deflate the Panthers headed into the bye week. But, a win could be just what the doctor ordered, followed by a district opener against another winless squad, Madisonville.
To get a win, however, against any team will require the young Panthers to cut out the mistakes and play within themselves. If they can do that tonight, it'll mean a much needed W.
Westwood 32, Rusk 17

Mildred at ELKHART
With convincing wins the past two weeks, the Elkhart Elks have re-emerged as a threat in a district that keeps getting tougher. Tonight, the Elks find out how far they've come when they host 3-1 Mildred. Last week the Elks had three backs rush for more than 50 yards, led as always by Lane Grant. Couple that with another stout defensive showing, and it spelled victory. Call it a formula, of sorts.
Mildred isn't Grapeland and is coming off a win against Buffalo, a team expected to make the playoffs. But, the Elks confidence is sky high, and the streak keeps rolling.
Elkhart 34, Mildred 23

Crockett at FRANKSTON
The brutal schedule continues for the Frankston Indians, who welcome in Crockett a week after travelling to state-power Alto. It's the second time this season the 3-1 Indians will have to rebound from a loss (the White Oak game wasn't awarded to Frankston until last week), but coach Sam Wells said his team is adjusting well. Jamal Allen had a rebound game against Alto, racking up more than 350 yards of total offense, and he'll go head to head with Crockett QB Dominique Wheeler who, like Allen, is his team's top runner and passer. Expect the scoreboard operators to get tired in this one.
Frankston 53, Crockett 44

Colmesneil at CAYUGA
After tough road games in Buffalo and Dawson, the Wildcats appear to get a break from the schedule makers, but it still won't be easy with the 'Cats having to fall back to their third and fourth options at running back thanks to injury. Had these injuries occurred a week or two earlier, we wouldn't be talking about an 18-game winning streak. Fortunately, they didn't, and with a three-plus year home winning streak on the line as well, don't expect any let-up from Cayuga tonight, despite the injuries.
Cayuga 41, Colmesneil 13

Buffalo at GRAPELAND
A week after hosting a much-improved Elkhart team, the task doesn't get any easier for the suddenly-struggling Sandies of Grapeland. Losers of their last three (The last two by a combined 56-12), the Sandies have to find a way to take something positive in to the bye. Unfortunately, the Bisons have lost two straight as well to some really good teams, and are probably looking for that same type of momentum. If the Sandies can get out of their own way their offense has a chance.
Buffalo 31, Grapeland 17

Bloomburg at OAKWOOD
Oakwood is a team coming off of a bye and a loss before that. Bloomburg is a school in its first year of football play. This one is easy and a great tuneup for the Panthers before next week's trip to Trinidad.
Oakwood 66, Bloomburg 7

Check out the blog from time to time tonight for score updates from Athens and around the Dogwood Circle, then head over to fridaynightcentral.com for all the finals when the final horn blows.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Campbell, Black earn Waco Trib honors

The Waco Tribune-Herald released its annual football section with today's paper, and both Westwood's Dustin Campbell and Palestine's Jermaine Black earned nods as a top performer 20-AAA.
The Trib named Campbell the district's top  lineman, while Black was named top defensive player.
The paper also picked the district and has newcomer Mexia edging out the Wildcats for the district title. But, the writer admits a desire by the PHS-faithful for redemtion following last year's playoff loss to Mexia.
Westwood is slated to finish fourth, one spot out of the playoffs behind Madisonville.
In 11-AA, the Elks were picked to finish last, with Crockett, Malakoff and Teague slated to make the playoffs.
In 8-A, D-I--a district the Trib calls "arguably the best" in all of 1A--defending state champion Cayuga is picked to finish third behind Mart and Kerens. The Wildcats Coleman Shafer earned the title of best lineman for the district.

Check out all the high school picks for the Central Texas area here, as well as previews of Baylor and the Big XII

Welcome to The Baseline

Hello there Dogwood Circle sports fans, and welcome to The Baseline, the new sports blog from the Paletine Herald-Press.

I'm Justin Rains, sports editor and blogger, and I've made it my mission to give you as up-to-date coverage as is possible of all things sports in the Dogwood Circle, and helping me do that will be this blog.

So, check the blog often, as there may be things that post here that don't make it in to print.

Also, I'll be doing live-blogging from major events, such as Palestine High School football this season. Also, I'll post scores as I get them on the blog on Friday nights.

So, welcome to the blog, leave a comment below if you've got one, and let's play ball.