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.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Westwood, PHS trailing

Athens tacked on two third quarter touchdowns as Athens leads Palestine, 35-7.

In Rusk, the Panthers still trail by three after three quarters.

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Same score in Athens

The second quarter stayed mostly between the 30s with no team gsaining the upperhand. The score remained 21-7.

In Rusk, the Panthers are trailing 28-25 at the half.
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Shootout in Athens

After a quarter of play, Palestine trails 21-7.
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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, September 23, 2010

Idea for rivalry name

We here at The Baseline received our first submission in the "Name the Palestine/Westwood rivalry contest" early this week.

Reader C.X. thinks either "The Holy City Crosstown Rivalry" or "The Holy City Rivalry" would fit, given that Palestine's nickname back in the days when CBs ruled the world was indeed, "The Holy City."

I think it could work, or we could also go with "Battle for the Holy City" or "The Holy War"

What are your thoughts? Any more ideas?

Also, found another wacky rivalry name from college sports. Turns out, SMU and TCU play for the Iron Skillet. Nothing like beating a rival for the right to properly prepare your bacon and eggs in the morning.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Cats win, 34-10

Palestine has wrapped up its homecoming win over Mabank, 34-10. Terrance Simon capped off an impressive night with a 76-yard touchdown run early in the fourth, as well as setting up a one-yard Kenny Green touchdown with two big runs on the drive.

Look for a full story soon at palestineherald.com, and get all the final scores at fridaynightcentral.com

Cats lead but Mabank on the board

PHS still leads here at Wildcat Stadium but Mabank did kick a field goal to make it 21-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
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Halftime at Wildcat Stadium

The game has slowed down in the second quarter with neither team getting on the scoreboard. But, the Cats continue to look better than at any time this season so far. No word yet from any other games, but here it's 21-0 PHS at the half.
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Cats rolling

After one quarter of play, Palestine leads Mabanks,21-0, on the heels od two terrance simon TD runs
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Time to get underway

The Panthers of Mabank have won the toss and will receive, time to play some ball.
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