Sports

By Sandy Anderberg

The Greyhounds never had a chance in the Broncos’ total domination of their game Friday night in Gruver. The Broncos outplayed the Hounds in every aspect of the game and came home with a 36-0 shutout. Clarendon has had a great start going 4-0 thus far and are on track for many more wins in their season.

Gruver was out of sync all night and only posted 77 total yards in the game. The Broncos racked up 392 in the lopsided game. The Broncos’ ground game was on fire as they had 296 yards rushing.

Offensively, Keandre Cortez scored three times on runs of seven and 22, and ran back one interception. Damarjae Cortez, at the quarterback position, was throwing right on the money according to head coach Gary Jack. He also had two passes dropped that were potential TD’s.

“It was a good game for us,” Jack said. “We really dominated from the beginning and things were going good for us.”

After Cortez scored the first touchdown, Bryce Grahn threw a strike to D. Cortez for the two-point bonus. On the other four touchdowns, Clay Koetting kicked the extra points. The Broncos’ other scores came when Andy Davis grabbed a pass from D. Cortez that was right on target and Daquawne Oliver earned the last six when he ran it in from five yards out. “We have four running backs plus our quarterbacks who all run the ball,” Jack said.

“Our rushing yards are spread out, so that other teams cannot concentrate on just one runner. Our O-line was great, also.”

Defensively, the Broncos were unstoppable. Oliver and Nick Shadle each had eight tackles and a sack. Oliver also caused a fumble and Shadle recovered one. Caton Grahn had seven tackles and a sack and Taylon Knorpp and Seth Greer each had a sack. Davis helped with five tackles in the game. The Cortez brothers and B. Grahn each had an interception for the Broncos.

Jack said they will begin to prepare for Homecoming next weekend.

“We will have Booker for homecoming,” Jack said. “We are pretty healthy right now and the kids are playing well. We are looking to go 5-0 after next week’s game.”

The Broncos will host Booker next Friday night, Sept. 23, for the Homecoming game, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in Bronco Stadium.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos are off to an amazing start and are sitting on a perfect season so far. They were able to hang on Friday night in Bronco Stadium to earn a big win over the Wheeler Mustangs.

With only two pre-district games left, the Broncos are looking forward to a good week of practice while preparing for their game on the road with Gruver next week.

The Broncos took the early lead Friday night when Clint Franks took in in from eight yards out, but Wheeler was able to answer back to tie the game. The Broncos retook the lead in the second quarter when Andy Davis pulled down a 23-yard pass from Bryce Grahn, and Clay Koetting nailed the kick. The defense was on fire as well as Bear Smith intercepted a Mustang pass and took it 20 yards for the score. Koetting added the bonus.

“It was a good game for us,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We played well.”

The Broncos earned one more score when Grahn ran it in from one yard out.

“We had a few mistakes on defense and let them score,” Jack said. “The score really doesn’t show what kind of a game we played. We played a really good first half, but let them get a couple scores on us in the fourth quarter. Our defense played well, but we just relaxed a little.”

Offensively, there were several players, according to Jack who did a good job for the Broncos. Keandre Cortez, Daquawne Oliver, and Clint Franks played well and were able to move the ball for the Broncos. Clay Koetting had a 73-yard touchdown called back on a penalty. Clarendon racked up 286 total yards in the game compared to 277 for the Mustangs. Defensively, Taylon Knorpp had six tackles and Koetting, Oliver, and Nick Shadle did a good job at linebacker.

“We are moving on pretty healthy,” Jack said. “I was pretty pleased with our effort; we just need to keep working. We have a road trip to Gruver on Friday. Away games are always a challenge, so we’ll see how we handle the traveling.”

The Broncos will face off against the Greyhounds at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 16, in Gruver.

By Sandy Anderberg

A solid defense was key in the Broncos’ 28-7 win over the Wolverines Friday night in Bronco Stadium.

The Wolverines’ only score came when their defense covered a Bronco fumble in the end zone.

The Bronco defense has been rock-solid in two games so far and have gone eight quarters without being scored on, according to head coach Gary Jack.

“Our defense played solid in both games,” Jack said. “To go eight quarters and not be scored on is a great thing.”

The Broncos struck first in the game when Damarjae Cortez ran it in from 39 yards out, but the conversion failed. Springlake-Earth scored next on a recovered fumble in the end zone to take a one-point lead. The Broncos used a huge second quarter to send a statement to the Wolverines and retake the lead. Daquawne Oliver scored on a 21-yard run (107 yards on 11 carries), and Clay Koetting added the two-point bonus. Then Cortez hit Preston Elam who made an outstanding catch in the end zone with Koetting adding the bonus to go up 16-7. Clint Franks added the final six on a 7-yard run.

“We dominated on both sides of the ball,” Jack said. “Our defense played great with Daquawne racking up 11 tackles, and Nick Shadle and Clay Koetting adding eight and nine tackles. They both had big games for us.”

Clint Franks also played well for the Broncos with five tackles and two sacks.

Clarendon’s offense also took control of the game and posted 319 total yards in the game with 284 yards coming on the ground.

“Our line did a great job blocking,” Jack said. “We did have a few turnovers that we need to eliminate, but overall it was a solid game.”

The Broncos will have a week to work out the kinks and prepare for Wheeler next Friday night.

“They are a pretty good team, and it will be a tough game,” Jack said. “But I’m pleased with how we’re playing, and having more older guys on the field helps a bunch.”

The Broncos will host Wheeler Friday at 7:30 p.m. The junior high Colts will kick off their season Thursday, September 8, in Wheeler beginning at 5:00 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

After preparing for almost a month, the Broncos’ 2016 season is well under way with an opening season win over the Irish last Friday night on the road. The Broncos dominated in every aspect of the game and claimed a 22-0 victory.

According to head coach Gary Jack, the Broncos played really well and fought hard every step of the way.

“It was a good win for us,” Jack said. “The guys played with passion and intensity, and I liked what I saw.”

Jack noted that the Broncos turned the ball over too many times, twice of which was inside the 20-yard line.

“We dominated on both sides of the ball,” Jack said. “But we need to clean up the turnovers. We were physical and aggressive, and I was very pleased with the way we played. We need to stay healthy and our season looks promising.”

The Broncos were able to score on their first play from scrimmage on a half back toss from Clay Koetting to Jacob Jeffers on a 72-yard touchdown. Koetting scored the next six for Clarendon and Bryce Grahn added the final score on a quarterback sneak.

Defensively, the Broncos racked up numerous tackles, caused fumbles and fumble recoveries. Koetting had 11 tackles one caused fumble and one sack and Nick Shadle had 12 tackles and on caused fumble. Taylon Knorpp, Justin Christopher, and Marshal Johnson each had seven tackles and several caused fumbles between them.

“Our defense did a really good job for us,” Jack said. “It helps to have the leadership and experience. We have nine seniors on the team and some juniors. We haven’t had older kids with that experience for 5-6 years. That helps us a lot.”

The Broncos will take on Springlake-Earth Friday night in Bronco Stadium for their first home game of the season. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

Hometown boys receive all state honors! Caleb Cobb and Kade Hunsaker both received all state honors from the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association last week. First Team Third Base was awarded to Caleb Cobb, and 2nd Team Pitcher was awarded to Kade Hunsaker. Hunsaker will be returning to CHS as a junior, while Cobb will attend ACU this fall. _{Enterprise Photo / Alice Cobb}

 

Clarendon High School athlete Seth Greer has been selected as an offensive lineman to attend the Blue-Grey National Super Combine at AT&T Stadium in Dallas next week, June 25 and 26.

Greer, who will be a senior in the fall, had a really good year with the Broncos, according to Clarendon Athletic Director Gary Jack.

“He has worked extremely hard,” Jack said. “He was injured and missed his entire sophomore year, but he worked out that following spring and was very strong and quick his junior year. He did a great job for us, and he did his blocking 85 to 90 percent of the time.” Jack said he expects great things from Greer when the Broncos take the field this year.

Greer was selected for the Super Combine because of his performance in 2015. Last year, 630 prospects competed at five Super Combines held across America, and organizers say 425 of those young men ended up signing a college football scholarship their senior year.

The two-day Super Combines will also serve as a pool from which players will be selected for four All American Bowls that will be nationally televised.

Greer is the son of Courtney Halsell, Josh Halsell, and Jimmy Greer.

 

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Bronco baseball team defeated team after team this season but was cut short in the Regional Semi-Finals in Lubbock last weekend. The Broncos lost the first two games of the best-of-three series to the Stamford Bulldogs. The Broncos finished a commendable 26-8 for the year.

On Thursday, the Broncos fell 14-4 against a tough Bulldog team. For the first four innings, the Broncos were solid and the game could have gone either way. They led the game at that time at 4-3. But too many errors and walks at the plate allowed Stamford to get their bats going and they were able to put up 11 runs to take a commanding lead.

The Bronco pitchers struggled on the mound and the Bulldogs took the advantage to get the win. Kade Hunsaker opened the game as the Clarendon pitcher before Caleb Cobb came in to relieve him.

On Saturday, the Broncos were determined to even-up the series to force a third game. But a big scoring frenzy in the first inning for the Bulldogs set the tone for the remainder of the game, and the Broncos were defeated, 14-1.

Errors plagued the Broncos as they tried all they could to stop Stamford from crossing the plate. Chance Lockhart, who has been a standout for the Broncos all year, was on the mound first before being replaced by Clay Koetting who finished the game.

“(We) had two really bad innings in the entire playoffs, but at this level, you can’t have any,” coach Brad Elam said. “I was proud of the way Clay Koetting came in and pitched in game two. The boys had a great season and a lot to be proud of. They set many team and individual records. We were also well represented on the All-District awards.”

Disappointment from the semi-final loss flooded the team, but the Broncos had a great season and they have much to be proud of. They will lose four seniors; Bryce Hatley, Caleb Cobb, Ray Jaramillo, and Cooper Bilbrey. The rest of the team will be back stronger than ever.

 

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos were able to run over the Abernathy Antelopes in two games in their three-game series at Randall High School last weekend for the Quarterfinal Championship.

The Broncos annihilated the Lopes in the first game Friday night defeating them 17-6 with Kade Hunsaker on the mound. He is 11-4 for the year. There were as many as six lead changes in the game, but the Broncos took the lead for good in the fourth inning. The Broncos trailed after three innings but used a rally in the fourth and fifth to jump start their big win. Josh Cobb was three for six with two doubles and four runs scored, while big brother Caleb had four runs batted in including a two run double to left field.

Senior Bryce Hatley was on fire at the plate as well. In his six times at bat, Hatley walked four times, was hit by a pitch, and hit a single. Head coach Brad Elam felt after his team settled down, they began to play ball like they were capable.

“We just settled down,” Elam said. “I thought our offense was good all game long, and then Kade settled down there after the third inning as was his old self.”

The Antelopes bounced back, however, in the second game of the series and the first on Saturday defeating the Broncos 4-2.

Abernathy took the early lead, but the Broncos came back when Damarjae Cortez stole home. The two teams traded runs from there until the sixth inning when the Lopes took the lead by two and held it. Chance Lockhart did a good job on the mound striking out eight batters, allowing one earned run on five hits, with one walk. The Broncos were not going to be denied and stormed back in the third game of the series winning it 8-2. Senior slugger Caleb Cobb got things going on the mound and on the plate, which spurred the Broncos on to the win.

Cobb racked up four RBIs on two hits and he hit a three-run homerun in the opening inning. He pitched seven innings and allowed only two earned runs, while giving up five hits and one walk and striking out two.

The third inning went to the Broncos as well as Preston Elam doubled, bringing home Nathan Shadle and Hunsaker. Lockhart then slammed a double, which brought home Elam.

Hatley also had a stellar series as he went to the plate 13 times and reached base 12 consecutive times. He racked up eight walks and three hits.

“Very proud of how this team battled on Saturday,” Elam said. “We cruised after the first three innings on Friday, but Saturday, we had to fight. Our pitchers and defense had a very good series and our hitters had some big at bats. At one point, Bryce Hatley had reached base 12 straight times; that is incredible. Caleb had two big hits in game three including his sixth homerun. Kade, Chance, and Caleb were fantastic on the mound.”

The Broncos will take on Stamford at Lubbock Cooper on Thursday, May 26, at 5:00 p.m. with games two on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Game three, if needed, will be 30 minutes after game two.

 

By Sandy Anderberg

Clarendon High School’s junior long-distance runner Bryce Grahn made a great showing at the State Track Meet held at Myers Stadium in Austin last weekend.

Grahn brought home the Bronze medal in the 3200m run with a personal best time of 9:57.25. All three places in that race were from our region.

He also ran his personal best in the 1600m with a time of 4:35.47 and finished fifth.

Grahn has been a powerhouse all season long and will be looking forward to running again next year as a senior.

“Bryce ran well,” coach Johnny Nino said. “Bryce has worked really hard to get to this point. I am very proud of how he competed at the meet. I am really looking forward to next year.”

 

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos claimed the baseball Area Championship last weekend in Plainview when they took down New Deal in a best two out of three game series.

The Broncos only needed the first two games to seal the victory and walk away one step closer to a state championship.

In the first game on Friday evening, the Broncos ousted the Lions, 7-2. Kade Hunsaker got it done on the mound and posted six strikeouts with only four walks in seven innings.

New Deal struck first when they put one run on the board in the first inning, but the Broncos answered back in the second when Caleb Cobb slammed a two-run double and Chance Lockhart singled.

The Broncos put up five runs in that innings to take a commanding lead. Clay Koetting went one for one in the game and helped the Broncos to the win.

The second game of the series proved to be the tougher test for the Broncos, but Caleb Cobb’s walk off home was huge and gave the Broncos the win at 9-8. Koetting was on the mound and pitched two-thirds shutout innings.

The Broncos took the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Nick Shadle got Clarendon’s offense going with a single, and Chance Lockhart followed suit with a single to advance Shadle. Andy Davis took his turn at the plate with another single that scored Shadle. There were a total of 10 lead changes in the game going down to the wire.

Preston Elam got in on the action with a two-run triple and Cobb racked up an RBI single to help the Broncos on the scoreboard. Late in the game, Davis had an RBI single that scored Damarjae Cortez.

“(I am) very proud of the way the boys battled today,” coach Brad Elam said. “It had been a while since we played seven innings plus having to come from behind. I thought the defense was fantastic today, and we hit the ball really well. We had two walk offs last year during the playoffs, add another one. This was on a homerun.”

The Broncos will take on Abernathy in the Regional Quarterfinals on Friday, May 20, at Randall High School beginning at 5:00 p.m. Game two will be on Saturday, May 21, at Randall at 1 p.m. If game three is needed it will follow game two immediately.