Sports

By Sandy Anderberg

The Sunray Bobcats showed their strength Friday night in Bronco Stadium and defeated Clarendon 49-13. The loss left the Broncos stunned as their hopes for a return playoff appearance were dashed.

Head coach Gary Jack acknowledged that the Bobcats are a strong team and things just got away from the Broncos.

“It was a tough game. They just got after us,” Jack said. “We caught a little break in the third quarter when we scored and got back into the game, but then it got away from us. They just didn’t go away.”

Once again the Broncos were plagued with injuries.

“We’ve got too many guys standing on the sidelines with injuries, and now we have a couple more,” Jack said.

“We’ve been up and down all season. We just hope we’re healthy enough to play a good game against Memphis on Friday.”

The Broncos were rolling early in the season and things looked favorable for another season to go deep into the playoffs, but the overtime loss to Panhandle was hard on the Broncos.

“That overtime loss really hit us hard,” Jack added. “If one or two plays had of gone the other way, it might have been a different season. That loss really took it out of us and that’s where most of our injuries came from. With more injuries from the Sunray game, we just hope we’re healthy enough to make the Memphis game competitive. It will be a pride game.”

While the hope of a playoff appearance is gone, the Broncos will still have something to prove on Friday at 7:00 p.m. when they meet up with the Cyclones on the road. Jack just wants to finish the season strong with a big win over an old rival.

By Fred Gray

Last Friday night, November 2, the Hedley Owls fell to Groom Tigers, 62-14. The loss in their last home game of the season knocked the Owls out of a playoff spot. Even though the Owls played hard, the Tigers steadily pulled away throughout the course of the game, and handed Hedley another frustrating loss.

Trailing 16 – 0, with 23 seconds left in the first quarter, Hedley got the ball on their own 35, and drove the ball to the Groom 10 yard line, the result of a long 4th down pass from Coltin Kingston to Bryan Evans. The Owls then punched the ball across the goal line when Brandon Evans bulled his way through the middle on a dive play. The PAT failed on a bad snap.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, Hedley scored again when they drove the ball from their own 23 to the Groom 35 in two plays. Colton Kingston then hit Tanner Chambliss (who made a sparkling finger-tip catch) with a 35 yard touchdown pass. This time the PAT was good and Hedley cut the Groom lead in half, trailing 28-14. That was as close as they got for the rest of the game.

Hedley closes the season with a road trip to Silverton this Friday, November 9. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos hosted Stratford in a District game Friday night and were stifled offensively in their attempt to overthrow the Elks. The Broncos fell to the number sixth ranked state team, 14-56.

Stratford scored the first five touchdowns of the game as the Broncos remained scoreless until the third quarter when Chance McAnear scampered 85 yards for six, and Ryan Isbell added the bonus. McAnear and Trevor Cobb then connected on a 67-yard pass that earned the Broncos six more with Isbell once again adding the extra point.

“Stratford is a pretty good team, and right now they are ranked sixth in the state,” head coach Gary Jack said. “They got on us and put a lot of pressure on us. Their good defense hindered our offense and limited us to only 190 total yards in the game. The Broncos’ passing game matched up with the Elks, but Stratford’s running game was unstoppable as they racked up 376 yards rushing.

Jack knows the Broncos had chances they did not capitalize on.

“We should have gotten a couple of touchdowns early,” Jack said. “We really didn’t play bad in the first half. Except for a handful of plays, we might have been right in there. And having four starters on the bench didn’t help.”

The Broncos will regroup and try to get healthy for another big game on Friday. “We will play Sunray on Friday, and it is a huge game for us,” Jack said. “A win will keep us in the thick of it, but we’ve got to get ready to go. We have to get our confidence going early against Sunray after the overtime loss against Panhandle and the loss to Stratford. We should have a couple of our starters back for the game, so we need to saddle up and play. We’ve got to get ready to go.”

The Broncos will play Sunray in Bronco Stadium on Friday, November 2, at 7:00 p.m.

“We would like to see the fans pack the house and yell loud for the Broncos,” Jack said.

By Sandy Anderberg

Both Lady Bronco squads began their 2012-2013-basketball season with a scrimmage at home against the Happy Cowgirls with favorable results.

The teams scrimmaged two 15-minute periods and the varsity defeated Happy on the scoreboard 28-15 and 29-8. The junior varsity Lady Broncos won 16-4 and 11-9. The coaches were able to see a lot of things in the game-type setting that will give them an indication of the next steps they need to take in their practices in preparation for the first game of the season on November 6 at Wheeler.

“We saw what we needed to work on,” head coach Molly Weatherred said. “The girls played hard against Happy. It is still early and we have a lot of things to work on.”

Junior varsity coach Kasey Bell felt the same way. “Our girls played hard in the scrimmage and did some good things. But we also have a lot of things that we will work on in practice to get ready for our season.”

Scoring: Varsity: McKayla Cartwright 17, Jentry Shadle 10, Camra Smith 9, Ryann Starnes 8, Anna Ceniceros 4, Taylor Gaines 4, Lydia Howard 3, and Maci White 2.

Junior Varsity: Phara Berry 10, Haley Ferguson 6, Gail Mata 3, Elizabeth O’Rear 2, Skylar White 2, Tessa Buckhaults 2, and Shelby Baxter 2.

By Fred Gray

The Hedley Owls hosted the Motley County Matadors last Friday, October 26, 2012. The game was a disappointment from the very beginning. Motley County, exhibiting a remarkable disdain for good manners and good sportsmanship, immediately commenced to crank-up their sound system to ear splitting decibels, potentially causing deafness to the people across the football field, where their speakers were aimed. There is no doubt in my mind that they used it as a weapon of intimidation against the Owl players. Even more disturbing, their choice of music was in poor taste.

I strongly suspect that their head coach missed the UIL Statement of Competition that is read before each game. Perhaps he is suffering from hearing damage that resulted from his high decibel speaker system.

Complicating this weird football experience, the Hedley head coach was thrown out of the game, after two unsportsmanship penalties for overzealously defending his players.

Assistant Coach Garret Bains was then cast into the center of the tempest, which was once supposed to be a football game. Coach Bains was able to keep his players focused, which was a minor miracle in itself, and they fought valiantly and hard for the rest of the first half, which ended with Hedley’s only score. With 35 seconds left in the first half, and ultimately the game, Brandon Evans sprinted 10 yards up the middle for the touchdown.

Motley County did finally lower the volume of their speakers with 2:33 left in the game, which was appreciated by all.

Even though Motley County led by large margin, their coach, Mike Bigham, continued to call upon his players to continue attempting onside kickoffs, rather than kicking the ball deep and playing defense, which would have been the sporting thing to do.

Final score: Motley County 62, Hedley 6.

By Tony Starns, CC Men’s Basketball Coach

 In a small remote location deep in the plains of West Texas lies the home of one of the most unique and special environments in all of junior college basketball.

 For forty-four years the Dawg House, a name locals have coined, has been the home of the Clarendon College Bulldogs.

 Over the years, the Dawg House has transformed into an incredible home court advantage due to the fact that it has many qualities most facilities lack.

 It possesses aura and character that are felt when opposing teams arrive in the confines. Each coach dreads the time of year they have to bring their team into the atmosphere that the many supporters create on game nights. Most importantly, the Dawg House instills a sense of fear and intimidation into opponents as they enter the place known as the toughest place to play in junior college.

 Clarendon College basketball programs have competed in the Dawg House since 1968 and there are many attributes and aspects that separate it from other facilities around the country.

 The size of the facility plays a major factor, and in a league where most of the facilities are considered too large to fill, the Dawg House fills easily.

 “Our fan base is great,” Clarendon College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tony Starnes said. “The local people really get involved in our College students’ lives and they really support our athletic teams. The student support is second to none. We are known for having the loudest and proudest fans.”

 The acoustics are a factor also.

 “It’s the loudest gym I have ever been in,” Rick Cooper, Head Coach at West Texas A&M University, said.

 Becoming the toughest place to play in junior college is a byproduct of having exceptional support from the faculty, administration, local community, and student body. And, each group is extremely important to the legacy of the Dawg House.

 “First and foremost, you have to mention the baseball, RFO, and judging programs,” Starnes said. “Over the years, these programs have played a big role in some of the biggest wins the Dawg House has ever seen. They are known as the most energetic cheering section in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.”

 Secondly, one must note the consistent support from the community.

 “There are numerous individuals and families who have not missed a game in years,” Starnes said.

 The Dawg House has an atmosphere that is unlike any other basketball facility in the country and some of the best coaches in junior college agree.

 “When I coached at Clarendon College back in the 80s, we were able to compete with anybody because of the sixth man otherwise known as the Dawg House,” Mark Adams, Howard College Head Coach and 2010 National Champion said. “The local people and the students make that facility the hardest place in the state at this level to play in.”

 The Dawg House has been feared by opposing teams and coaches for many decades.

 “When I was at Western Texas, we would bring our baseball team in to our practice to try to simulate the crowd, the noise, and the atmosphere that we were about to face at the Dawg House,” Jason Sauter, former Western Texas Head Coach, said.

 Steve Green, Head Coach for South Plains College and 2009 and 2012 National Champion echoed those sentiments.

 “The energy that is created within those four walls by the local fans and student body is as formidable as we will see all season long,” Green said.

 “In my 14 years of coaching at the junior college level, there is not a tougher place to play than at Clarendon College (Dawg House),” Chris Bauman, Trinity Valley Community Head Coach, said. “It is a 10 point advantage in my opinion.”

 Spud Webb, the former Midland College legend and NBA great, was quoted in The Amarillo Globe-News recently as saying “I remember in Clarendon the fans would pound those buckets. Your ears would be ringing all the way back to Midland.”

 The aura and perception of the Dawg House are known and feared by each opposing participant.

 “We have great fans, whether it is the local people or our student body,” Starnes said. “It is a great college basketball atmosphere and is a selling point in recruiting.”

 “It is a privilege to be a part of the Dawg House and I am very appreciative to all of the fans that have made the Dawg House a crazy, but special place to play,” Starnes said.

 The 2012-2013 Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball season has arrived and the excitement level is higher than ever.

 The Dawg House has always been a key component in the success of the men’s and women’s basketball program and this season is no different.

 Coach Starnes has always said the crazier the Dawg House gets the better chance the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs have at being successful.

 Each member involved with the CC basketball programs asks each of you to come out and support the Bulldogs this season. Let’s make sure that the Dawg House is rockin’ in traditional fashion during every home contest this upcoming season.

 For basketball schedules, click on “Athletics” at www.clarendoncollege.edu

By Sandy Anderberg

Two big plays made by the Panthers proved to be the line between winning and losing for the Broncos Friday night in Panhandle.

Finishing regulation at 28 all, the Broncos and Panthers headed for overtime in the District contest. According to head coach Gary Jack, the Broncos struck first and opted to kick the PAT to go up by seven. Down to third down with 15 yards to go, Panhandle neared the goal line in an attempt to get six. They got the score and chose to go for two on the conversion and earned the one-point win.

“It was a good game,” Jack said. “It was a heartbreaker. The loss hit the guys pretty hard. We fought back from 0-15 deficit and played well after the first quarter. But we let them have two big pass plays that were both for scores; one in the game and one in overtime. We should have made the play, but didn’t.”

Several players contributed in the game and played great on both sides of the ball according to Jack. Trevor Cobb made some great catches and was solid on defense racking up 16 tackles, one sack, and big hits all night. Tyler Burch and Ryan Isbell made some big interceptions for the Broncos as well.

Offensively, Jack cited Cobb, Burch, Jonah Sell, and Diego Santos with making great catches and quarterback Chance McAnear with making great throws. Charles Mason also had a big game for the Broncos.

The Broncos will take the week and regroup as they prepare for another tough game against Stratford at home next Friday night. “Stratford will be tough,” Jack said. “It is turning into an interesting district race. But we are right in the middle of it.”

The Broncos will face off against the Elks Friday, October 26, at home in Bronco Stadium beginning at 7:00 p.m.

By Sandy Anderberg

The Clarendon Broncos recovered nicely from a slow start in the first half of play in their 35-6 win over West Texas High at home Friday night. The Broncos only led WT by a touchdown at the break at 14-6 but were able to turn up the heat in the second half to get their first District win.

Trajen Johnson put the Broncos on the scoreboard first when he scampered in from 23 yards out, and Ryan Isbell added the bonus. Trevor Cobb added another before halftime on a nine-yard pass from Chance McAnear with Isbell adding another kick for the PAT. WT managed to get six points before the break on a one-yard run, but would fail to cross the goal line again.

“It was a good game for us,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We did what we had to do. Our first half was a little flat after not playing last week, but we tightened up in the second half.”

Defensively, the Broncos had a huge game and several players racked up good stats. Diego Santos and Trevor Cobb each had 12 tackles, and Cobb added one sack and one caused fumble. J.D. Baxter added 11 tackles while Jonah Sell and Tyler Burch helped with 10. Burch also got to the quarterback twice for two sacks. Isbell had eight tackles, and Johnson had seven with one sack. Adam Topper had four tackles and a sack, and John Pigg added four tackles. Tres Hommel had three tackles and a sack, and Charles Mason had two tackles and one fumble recovery.

“Our defense held them in check all night,” Jack said. “These guys played well against them. They were big inside, but we never let them in the end zone.”

Offensively, the Broncos were on the money. McAnear threw for 153 yards going 10-18 with no interceptions. The Broncos dominated on the ground as well and racked up 187 yards. Johnson scored again from 13 yards out, and McAnear punched one through from the nine-yard line. Mitchell Parry scored the Broncos’ last touchdown for the night on a 13-yard pass from McAnear.

“We were balanced in everything we did,” Jack said. “Our offensive line played well. The receivers caught the ball well and our running backs ran hard. It was a good solid game on offense.”

The Broncos will continue their district schedule with a tough game on the road against Panhandle.

“Panhandle is a big game for us,” Jack said. “We have three key games in a row with big opponents that are solid teams. Panhandle, Stratford, and Sunray are back to back. It is a big challenge for us, but we are looking forward to it.”

The Broncos will travel to Panhandle Friday, October 19, and play at 7:00 p.m.

By Fred Gray

It was an incredible win for Clarendon College volleyball last night when, for the first time in the history of the program, the Lady Bulldogs beat Midland College in a five set matchup.

Midland College was undefeated in conference play coming into last night’s game and started out with a two-set lead, but CC rallied to win three straight sets and take the conference match 22-25, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-8 on the Lady Bulldog’s home turf.

After the first two sets, in which the Lady Bulldogs seemed to be a bit out of sync, they settled down and began playing as a team. They were giving their bodies up, hurling themselves across the floor to make incredible plays on balls that appeared to be winners. There was no quit in them.

When their comeback began, the crowd slowly came alive, encouraging the amazing play. By the end of the match the crowd was roaring its approval, and the Lady Bulldogs seemed to feed off the energy emanating from the raucous fans. Conversely, the crowd was feeding off the hustle and effort of the Lady Bulldogs. A unique synergy seemed engulf both the crowd and the players, and by the end of the evening, the place was absolutely rocking.

“I am very proud of the way the girls played last night,” CC volleyball coach Holli Reyna said. “They proved that they can compete with any team in this conference when they set their minds to it.”

“The volleyball team showed such heart last night not to give up,” CC Athletic Director John Green said. “Coach Reyna did an amazing job making adjustments and coaching the girls to get the win.”

Clarendon will next take on Seward County on Friday in Liberal, Kan., at 6:30 p.m. and will return home to play Frank Phillips on Wednesday, October 10, at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Gym.

By Fred Gray

 Last Friday night the Plainview Christian Eagles traveled to Hedley and beat the Hedley Owls in a battle of the birds, 40 – 38. The game, played in a brisk north wind, offered everything that is good about six-man football. The only thing lacking was a Hedley victory.

The Owls jumped out to a 24 to 0 lead with 5:56 left in the first half, then allowed Plainview to score two late 2nd half touchdowns to get back into the game. At half-time Hedley led 24-16.

In the second half, Plainview scored another two touchdowns to take a 28 to 24 lead with 4:50 left in the 3rd quarter. After allowing the Eagles to score 28 unanswered points, the Owls closed out the scoring in the 3rd quarter with a touchdown, for a 30 – 28 lead at the end of three quarters.

In the final quarter, the Eagles scored two touchdowns to Hedley’s one, and won the game in a squeaker, 40 to 38. In the final minutes of the game, Hedley drove the ball to the Eagles 19 yard line, but an incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over to Plainview, who kneeled down to run out the clock.

The game was played by two evenly matched teams, both of whom exhibited good sportsmanship in a hard-fought, hard-hitting game.

Colton Kingston rushed for 185 yards on 22 carries, and added 69 passing yards, with three completions on seven attempts. Kingston scored two rushing touchdowns, one passing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown.

Brandon Evans rushed for 30 yards on six carries, and added nine receiving yards with one catch.

Bryan Evans ran for seven yards and caught three passes for 26 receiving yards. Bryan added a passing touchdown.

Klaiton Moore, the freshman phenom, rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, and added 15 receiving yards.

Center Austin Adams caught two long passes for 60 yards and a touchdown, and carried the ball once for 14 yards.

Seth Ruthardt added a catch for nine yards.

Defensively, Kingston had 15 tackles and one assist, Brandon Evans had six tackles and two assists, Austin Adams had three tackles and an assist, and Tanner Chambless added three tackles and two assists. Bryan Adams, Klaiton Moore, and Seth Ruthhardt each added a tackle, and Moore added two assists. Colton Kingston also caused and recovered a fumble, and Seth Ruthhardt blocked an extra point.

In kicking, Diego Vidal Souza kicked three extra points on three attempts adding six points, and Andy Munoz Aizaga was one for two, for two points.

This Friday, October 12, the Hedley Owls plays host to Kress. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.