Thursday, May 2, 2024
Area sports report for Aug. 31
If you made a road trip to see the Granbury Pirates and Tolar Rattlers open the 2022 football season, it was worth the drive for either game. Both teams posted impressive wins away from their own friendly confines.
GRANBURY FOOTBALL
The Pirates were led offensively by running back Jaden Rogers, who rushed for 163 yards on 17 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown. He also caught five passes for 35 yards including a 14-yard TD from quarterback Walt Hartman.
Hunter Burns also had a TD catch of 13 yards as Hartman completed 15 of 24 passes for 120 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. Reserve quarterback Halston Main’s lone pass went for a 40-yard touchdown to Chad Flatt, who hauled in four passes for 48 yards.
The defense was highlighted by a pair of interceptions by James Byrd, one returned 30 yards for a TD. Braydon Olthoff had 11 tackles with a pair of quarterback sacks and four tackles for losses. Dakota Grim tallied six tackles and Creed Lynch picked off a pass.
Kicker Drew Henderson was 3-for-3 on extra points and kicked a 36-yard field goal.
Up next for the Pirates is their home opener against Lake Worth Friday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. The Bullfrogs are coming off a 36-30 overtime win over Ferris.
“Lake Worth is a solid football team and a good program. Very talented skill kids on offense behind a large offensive line,” Pirates head coach Chad Zschiesche said. “Overall, they are a very well-coached team who will present a good challenge for us on Friday night.”
TOLAR FOOTBALL
The Rattlers got 158 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns from Peyton Brown, while quarterback Jackson LeCluyse completed 10 of 16 passes for 107 yards, including a TD to Drake Owens. Matthew Behrens led all receivers with four catches for 61 yards.
Wyatt Jones also returned a kickoff 77 yards for a TD.
Keaton Morrison posted 10 tackles and a quarterback sack, Isaac Blessing had nine tackles, while Clayton Stembridge picked off a pass and posted eight tackles. Also, Brock Owens had seven tackles, Mason Berry six, Bryce Brown and Luke Willmon each had a sack and Cade Moody intercepted a pass.
“Peaster has a good football team, so going there and getting a win was a good start for our guys,” Tolar head coach Jeremy Mullins said. “Week One you're always worried about turnovers, penalties and special teams play. I thought we came out on top in all three of those areas.”
The Rattlers are on the road again this week as they travel to Early for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday. The Longhorns opened the season with a 34-20 victory at Bangs behind 180 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Griffin Cheslock.
GRANBURY VOLLEYBALL
The Granbury Lady Pirates are heading south — way south — to play in the KSA Events Fall Classic at Universal Studios in Orlando this Thursday through Saturday.
The Lady Pirates (9-12) will open the tournament against Union High School from Oklahoma, Thursday at 1:30 p.m. That is scheduled to be followed by a matchup against Broadlbin-Perth of New York at 3 p.m. and a final opening-day contest against Nevada’s Coral Academy at 4:30 p.m.
“This trip is such a great opportunity for the girls!” said an excited Lady Pirates coach Desiree Shahan. “We get to see teams from multiple states, allowing us to experience a wider range of competition. On top of a highly competitive tournament, this allows us to provide our girls with a really unique experience that they might not get otherwise.
“This also allows our girls to bond on a deeper level than just road tripping for a tournament. They get to experience a trip with their peers all while playing a sport that they love.”
Last week the Lady Pirates lost a 3-2 thriller to Euless Trinity as Carly Barton and Blakely Bleeker stood out. They rebounded with a 3-0 victory over Everman as Gracie Weaver was named as the GHS player of the match.
GRANBURY TEAM TENNIS
The Granbury Pirates began District 5-5A team tennis with a 19-0 home victory over Brewer on Aug. 23 behind standout play from Jaden Stover, Roland Krause, and Josh Quintero, each winning close matches.
“We came out fired up and played well from start to finish,” head coach Mason Connor said.
The Pirates (4-2 overall) were playing in Azle at press time.
