Thursday, December 5, 2024
With Peyton Brown reaching a milestone, the Rattlers (7-1, 3-0 in District 5-3A Division II at press time) won their 15th consecutive district game dating to 2021 when they won 41-0 at Clifton (5-3, 2-1) Oct. 25.
The senior running back scored the 100th touchdown of his high school. He ended the night with 112 yards on 13 carries with three scores.
For his career, Brown has 5.441 yards with 100 touchdowns despite missing about half of his junior season with an injury.
Tolar was hosting Brady (7-1, 3-0) at press time in a game that will likely decide the district champion.
Tolar ends the regular season at Eastland (3-5, 0-3) Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
Brady ends the regular season by hosting Clifton Nov. 8.
Other offensive leaders vs. Clifton: Briton Rice 9-of-11, 162 yards, TD; Kelvin Murry 36-yard TD run; Cash Clark 3-yard TD run; Brylen Feist 35-yard TD catch; Noah Yanish three catches, 64 yards; Dacen Watkins three catches, 41 yards.
Defensive leaders vs. Clifton: Drake Owens nine tackles, one for loss; Hunter Michels seven tackles, two for loss, fumble recovery; Yanish six tackles.
Eastland offensive player to watch: Cayden Alford 94 yards rushing per game.
Eastland defensive players to watch: Alford 7.4 tackles per game, Cameron Wilson three sacks.
The Mavericks have defeated the Rattlers in each of their previous two meetings.
GRANBURY VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Pirates (25-21, 8-4 in District 5-5A) dropped a thrilling 3-2 home contest to Azle on Oct. 25, leaving them, the Lady Hornets and Chisholm Trail in a battle for second place entering the final week of the regular season. The trio finished tied.
Aledo has won the league title.
After dropping the first game against Azle 25-19, Granbury won the next two 25-10 and 27-25, before the Lady Hornets won the final two 25-23 and 15-12.
Granbury ended the regular season with a 3-0 win at Brewer, securing third place in the league.
Leaders vs. Azle
Kills: Sienna Watts 25, Blakely Bleeker 16
Aces: Watts 3
Blocks: Watts 3
Digs: Lilyan McCall 42, Allyson McCabe 27, Watts 21, Audrey Greinert 20
Assists: McCabe 42
Receptions: Greinert 22, McCall 18, Watts 17, Mattie Weaver 16
Leaders vs. Brewer
Kills: Wells 12, Bleeker 10
Digs: Weaver 19, McCabe 19, Greinert 15, McCall 14
Assists: MaCabe 34
Receptions: McCall 18
The Lady Pirates will begin the playoffs Monday, Nov. 4 against Colleyville Heritage (32-6), ranked fourth in the state, at the Arlington Athletic Complex on Division Street at 6 p.m.
TOLAR VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Rattlers (29-9, 13-1 in District 8-3A) set a program record for victories in a season with wins of 3-1 at Early Oct. 26 and at home against Comanche Oct. 29. In the process, Abbie Soileau recorded her 1,000th career assist and Senne Imel registered her 1,000th career kill.
The 29 wins breaks the previous mark of 28 in 2014 and 2019. The Lady Rattlers have also won 22 of their past 23 matches entering the postseason.
“Pretty cool,” first-year Tolar head coach Amber Terrell said of the record. “Just a talented team with so much drive. They work hard every day. I’m just so honored to be a part of this special season.”
Standouts against Early were Kamryn Kolb and Emori Murphey for their defense and serving.
The Lady Rattlers and Peaster ended the regular season tied for first place in district and split their two matches. The Lady Greyhounds won 3-2 in Peaster and the Lady Rattlers won 3-2 in Tolar.
The coaches were flipping a coin for first and second in district at the league’s meeting at press time.
Tolar begins the postseason Monday or Tuesday against Jacksboro or Henrietta.
PIRATE LEGEND HONORED
Family members of Johnny Perkins, namesake of Granbury High School’s football field at Pirate Stadium and a Pirates legend, were on hand for an honoring ceremony during halftime of Granbury’s homecoming football game against Azle at Pirate Stadium Oct. 25.
Following graduation from Granbury High School in 1972, Perkins attended Ranger Junior College for one season after an all-state high school career. In 1974, Perkins transferred to Abilene Christian University, where he led the nation in receiving in 1975, catching 50 passes for 1,195 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 29 games for ACU, he had a school-record dozen 100-yard receiving games. At the time of his passing, Perkins was the highest draft choice (32nd overall) in ACU football history after his second-round selection by the New York Giants in the 1977.
Perkins spent his entire NFL career (1977-83) as wide receiver for the Giants. He played 71 games and had 2,611 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns on 163 catches.
After retiring, Perkins and his wife Debra lived in Granbury where they raised their two children, Jasmine and Jia, who went on to become a basketball legend herself, playing for Granbury, Texas Tech and in the WNBA. He became a radio broadcaster of Pirate football games.
A member of the Granbury ISD Athletic Hall of Fame, Perkins was also inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in November 1990. In August 2005 he was voted to the ACU Football All-Century Team.
GRANBURY FOOTBALL
The Pirates (1-7, 0-6 in District 3-5A Division I at press time) fell at home to Azle, 28-14, Oct. 25. At press time they were playing at Denton (1-7, 0-6) and host Brewer (3-5, 3-3 at press time) at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 to end the season.
Offensive leaders vs. Azle: Anthony DeBello eight carries, 111 yards, including 85-yard TD, four catches, 30 yards; Spencer Taylor 12 carries, 70 yards.
Defensive leaders vs. Azle: Chase Cantrell 12 tackles, two for loss, sack, blocked kick returned for TD; Eli Sisco seven tackles; Kaleb Johnston six tackles.
Brewer player to watch: Kameron Coleman 162.5 yards rushing per game.
Brewer leads the all-time series 10-3 with a tie.
GRACE CLASSICAL
CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL
The Gryphons (1-7, 1-2 in Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations) fell 66-6 at home to Bartonville Harvest Christian (4-4, 2-1) Oct. 25. They were ending the regular season at Temple Centex (2-6) at press time.
GRANBURY BOYS GOLF
The Pirates Purple team won the championship of the Buzzy Open in Azle at Cross Timbers Golf Course Oct. 22. The tourney was a preview of teams in District 5-5A.
The Purple team shot a 308. The Gold team shot 338 and finished third.
Granbury Purple’s Lincoln Sherrill posted a 2-over-par 74 to win the individual championship. Teammate Henry Ballew was second with a 76 and Parker Jones was fourth at 77. Rounding out the Purple individual scores were Carter Martin with an 81 and Jacob Reagan at 94.
The Gold team was led by Quinn Bradley, whose 77 placed him third (he won a playoff). Also, Caden Davis, Briar Rouse and Drew Haynes each shot 87 and Kamden Aparicio posted a 90.
The four lowest individual scores comprise the team score.
Playing as medalists, Braxton Pugh and Will Webb shot 84 and 85, respectively.
The tournament ended fall play for the Gold team, while the Purple team ends fall competition at the San Angelo Invitational Nov. 8.
GRANBURY GIRLS GOLF
The Lady Pirates got a look at other teams in District 5-5A while winning the Buzzy Open Oct. 22. The Purple team was first with a 345 and the Gold team shot 436 to finish fifth.
Rylee Rainosek led Purple with an 82 for second overall individually, while Claire Jordan shot 83 for third and Halle Carr’s 86 was fourth. Also, Ariel Jimenez shot 94 and Grace Jimenez finished with a 100.
Ava Redwine led Gold with a 101, followed by Drew Barrington at 109 and Autumn Merendon at 110. Kamden Thomas posted a 116 and Joyzlynn Johnson shot 118.
The Lady Pirates conclude fall play in the State Preview in Georgetown Nov. 8-9.
LIPAN BASKETBALL
The two-time defending state champion Indians will enter the season ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 2A in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches preseason poll. The Lady Indians, who last won state in 2023, enter the season fifth.
