Rattlers still rollin’ — now 11-0 and in area playoff round

TOLAR FOOTBALL

The Tolar Rattlers (11-0) made short work of Whitewright (4-7) in their Class 2A Division I bi-district playoff game on Thursday, Nov. 10, in Springtown, winning 61-0. It was the fourth consecutive shutout for the Tolar defense.

Sophomore running back Peyton Brown picked up 254 yards and scored five touchdowns on just a dozen carries for the state-ranked Rattlers. For the season, Brown now has 2,141 yards with 39 touchdowns and leads all of Texas Class 2A rushers in both categories, as well as in scoring with 236 points. He ranks ninth in the state among all classifications in rushing yards, third in all classes in touchdowns and fourth in scoring.

Quarterback Jackson LeCluyse completed five of six passes for 103 yards to five different receivers for Tolar, led by Wyatt Jones with a 43-yard TD catch. Talan Culberson had a 25-yard touchdown reception, and Cade Moody had one catch for 21 yards.

Grant Sherley also rushed twice for 30 yards with a score.

Isaac Blessing (13), Brock Owens (12) and Keaton Morrison (7) combined for 32 tackles to lead the Tolar defense. Morrison also had a quarterback sack and Braylen Rice intercepted a pass.

The Tolar defense also registered a safety.

Tolar’s defense is topped by Owens with 95 tackles and Blessing with 78. Luke Willmon has four sacks and Rice and Cade Moody have two interceptions each.The Rattlers will meet Marlin (7-4) in the area round at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17 at Multi-Purpose Stadium in Crowley.

Marlin’s Bulldogs are coming off a 38-7 bi-district win over Rio Vista, and have won five straight in their rebound from an 0-3 start to the season.

“I was very pleased with the way that our guys came out and executed very early in the Whitewright game. The longer you go in this portion of the season the tougher the games usually get and this week will be no exception,” Tolar coach Jeremy Mullins said. “Marlin is a talented football team that returns some key pieces from the group they had last year. We will need to continue our mission of getting just a little bit better in all phases each week. I am excited for the opportunity our guys have this week, it will be a fun environment.”

The Bulldogs feature quarterback Desmond Woodson, who has passed for 2,104 yards with 20 TDs with five interceptions while rushing for 708 yards and nine scores. Running back Mario Hopwood has 770 yards rushing with eight TDs for Marlin Receiver Zha’Mauryon Lofton has 60 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 TDs. Tyraun Bell leads the defense with 113 tackles, while Lofton has four interceptions, including one returned for a TD.

GRANBURY GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Pirates dropped a 54-46 contest to North Crowley to fall to 1-1. Ella Hamlin led Granbury with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Ella Garner added 10 points with two steals.

The freshmen rolled to a 54-11 thumping, while the JV came up short, 38-31.

The Lady Pirates next are schedule to play in the Crandall Tournament Thursday through Saturday. They open the tournament versus Richland High School at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 17

Granbury coach Alan Thorpe enters the tournament with 597 career wins.

TOLAR GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Rattlers began the season with a 33-31 loss to Gorman as a fourth-quarter rally came up short. They entered trailing 28-19 and went on a 12-5 run. They followed that with a 69-22 loss to Huckabay, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class A.

Against Gorman, Senne Imel led Tolar with 14 points, two assists, six steals and 11 rebounds. Trinity Rousseau added seven points with four rebounds and two blocks. Shylar Nunley pulled down seven rebounds.

The JV won 25-18 over Gorman as Lily Pritchett led with eight points.

Next up for the Lady Rattlers (0-2) is a trip to Godley scheduled for Friday with a 6:15 p.m. varsity game tipoff.

LIPAN GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Indians, ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 2A, are off to a 2-0 start to the season, defeating Maypearl 70-18 and Fairfield 45-33.

Chelsea Lott led the Lady Indians against Maypearl with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. Teammate Trinity Benitez led in rebounds with six and scored 10 points with four steals. Lynsey Little dished out four assists, along with four steals and a dozen points, and Taylor Branson scored 10 points with four assists and three steals.

Hanna Gaylor’s 19 points was tops against Fairfield. Little added seven points, four rebounds, five assists and three steals. Benitez led in rebounds with six.

Lipan is slated to play in the Brock Tournament this weekend.

GRANBURY BOYS BASKETBALL

The Pirates opened the season with a 48-43 victory Nov. 12, at Cleburne. Kensington Colston led the Pirates in scoring with 13 points, along with grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out two assists.

Dylan Couto posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Trejo came close to doing the same, finishing with 11 points and eight steals.

The Pirates are scheduled to play at Kennedale Saturday, with a 4 p.m. varsity tipoff.

LIPAN BOYS BASKETBALL

In a battle of highly ranked teams, the Lipan Indians, No. 2 in Class 2A, made short work of Class 4A Wichita Falls Hirschi — which was ranked No. 4 in the state in its classification. The The Indians controlled throughout en route to a 54-24 victory.

Reese Cook led Lipan with 12 points, also grabbing three rebounds. Tate Branson added eight points with five assists.

Lipan will host Merkel Friday with a 6:15 p.m. varsity tipoff.

TOLAR BOYS BASKETBALL

The Rattlers, ranked No. 10 in the state in Class 2A, opened the season with a 44-33 loss to Huckabay, ranked No. 18 in class A. Tolar was undone in the second and third quarters when they were outscored by 13 points.

Reis Brown topped the Tolar scoring with 14 points, including three of his team’s four 3-point baskets. Merritt Imel added eight points for the Rattlers.

Huckabay did not attempt a free throw in the game, while Tolar was 5-of-8.

The Rattlers are scheduled to travel to Godley Friday with a 7:30 p.m. varsity tipoff.

GRANBURY VOLLEYBALL

Sara Welch signed a letter-of-intent to play for John Brown University starting next season. She ended her Lady Pirates career with 2.377 career assists, including 1,000 this season, which led District 5-5A. She also led the league in 65 aces served.

“She is going to do an amazing job and is going to bring a lot to their program,” Lady Pirates coach Desiree Sheehan said. “She is such a hard worker and a great leader.”

GRANBURY GOLF

Granbury’s Pirates and Lady Pirates junior varsity teams won the Chisholm Trail Invitational at Hawks Creek Golf Club.

The Pirates were led by Quinn Bradley’s 82, which was first place among all individuals. Rounding out the team’s individual scores were Judah Turner, 85; Parker Jones, 87; Landon Womack, 88; and Jaxson Vaughn, 101.

The Lady Pirates were paced by Kylee Upchurch’s 85, which placed her second among all medalists, while Lilley Prewitt was third with a 92. Also, Grace Jimenez shot 93, Reagan Neal a 94 and Ryli Lewis a 101.

The Lady Pirates junior varsity placed third in the Original Chick-fil-A Challenge at Southern Oaks Golf Club in Burleson recently. They were led by Lewis with a 101, followed by Jimenez (103), Ariel Jimenez (103), Emily McGuire (105) and Reagan Neil (114).