Sports

No other words fit so well in describing the Broncos’ 7-14 loss to Seymour on Saturday in Lubbock than “heartbreaking.” No one would have guessed the “Boys of Fall” would not still be playing football this week.

The Broncos’ stellar season came to abrupt halt in the Area round of the playoffs ending a year that was one for the record books. It was the first time since 1981 that the Broncos were named District Champs and a win would have been the first time since 1972 that the Broncos made it past the second round. But it wasn’t their day.

The Panthers may have won on the scoreboard, but the Broncos reestablished their position in 1A football as a team to not be taken lightly. Game after game this season the Broncos proved they could play with the best of them after posting only two losses overall.

“Our expectations were high for this game,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We felt we were ready and had a great week of practice. We expected a tough game, and that’s exactly what it was. I’m still trying to figure it out.”

Jack felt the Broncos were not as sharp as they had been. Several things could have
played a part in the loss, but Jack is not making excuses. There was a lot of emotion running through the team and things just really did not click the way they had been, Jack said.

Defensively, the Broncos played outstanding, but offensively they could not get things going like they had in the past.

“It was a good defensive game,” Jack said. “But offensively, the things we had been doing that worked were not working for us. We could never get into a flow. The defense definitely dictated both sides of the ball. One or two plays either way could have changed the outcome of the game.”

Jack gave Seymour credit.

“They are a good team, and they played well,” Jack said. “We didn’t think anybody would slow us down and they did.”

The Broncos’ only score came on a four-yard run by senior Chris Crump with Johnny Gaines kicking the extra point. Clarendon racked up 249 total yards and was virtually even with Seymour in the stats book. With less than 30 seconds left in the game, the Broncos were moving the ball down the field and had a chance to tie the game at 14 all. But the Panthers intercepted a Gaines pass on the nine-yard line and ran the clock out.

Despite the loss, the Broncos had a great year and Coach Jack is extremely proud of them.

“I will miss the seniors,” Jack said. “They played hard and were great leaders. I’ll have good memories of the entire team and the seniors. What a run these kids had this season.”

Jack knows there is good talent coming up.

“We have a bunch of kids returning, and they have big shoes to fill.”

The Bronco underclassmen will be ready come fall; ready to rewrite the record books once again.

The senior Broncos are Johnny Gaines, Mike Crump, Chris Crump, David Roberts, Bradley Watson, Brayden Phillips, R.J. Nino, John Levario, Daniel West, Coby Braughton, Trent White, Clayton Shields, and Monty Holland.

She set her sights on something big early on, and for one Lady Bronco athlete those goals became reality.

Audrey Shelton has worked hard for the reward and the payback came this past weekend in Round Rock. Shelton went through every obstacle she could to get there and not surprisingly ran in the State Cross-Country Meet Saturday, November 13 against 103 other runners.

Her time of 12:46 for the two-mile course was good enough for 25th place. Not bad for the sophomore’s first trip to state.

Shelton was among really good runners and against a course she had never faced before. She ran hard and gave it all she had and even though the results were not what she had in mind, the participation was a first for Clarendon’s cross-country
runners.

Shelton did not begin her training when school started this fall. She was dedicated throughout the summer and made it her goal to not only make it to the Regional meet, but advance to the top meet in the state. She practiced alone, with friends, and with her coaches and every ounce of fortitude and drive came from within. A great testimony to what someone can accomplish with the right determination.

“Audrey is one of the best high school athletes I have ever coached when it comes to determination, attitude, and work ethic,” coach Molly Weatherred said. “She is a great leader. She has worked extremely hard. Not only did Shelton run all of the scheduled practices, but she also ran on her own. Even through the weekends. She never took a day off from running. I am very proud of her.”

Shelton led her team in the District and Regional meet this season. The Lady Bronco team competed at the Regional meet and placed 7th overall. But Shelton is not finished running yet. She will be a very experienced presence in the spring when track season rolls around and then gear up for another cross-country season next fall as a junior.

You can bet that if there is a race to be run, Audrey Shelton will be the first in line to practice whenever and wherever she can. It’s in her blood.

The last time the words Broncos and District Champions were associated was almost thirty years ago in 1981.  This year’s team proved to everyone it could happen again.

The 2010 regular season has ended, and Bronco fever is everywhere as the school and community are anticipating a stellar play-off run that will begin sometime the week before Thanksgiving.

It has been a season for the record books as the Bronco team demolished team after team to go 9-1 on the year.  The Broncos’ only loss came in their season opener to New Deal, and the spread was a mere two points. The Panhandle Panthers were the most recent team to bow to the Broncos, which resulted in a huge 48-7 win.

The Broncos ran through the Panthers as they have done all season long and gained a massive 560 total yards.  Quarterback Johnny Gaines went nine for ten through the air for 172 yards, and they racked up 388 yards rushing on 48 carries.  Chris Crump opened the Bronco scoring frenzy with only eight minutes left in the opening quarter when he took it in from a yard out, and Gaines found the end zone from 45 yards out right before that quarter ended.

Wes Williams put six points up with a huge 88-yard score, and Mike Crump caught a 42-yard pass from Gaines to give the Broncos a 28-0 halftime lead.

“This was a big win for us,” head coach Gary Jack said. “Clarendon has not won an outright District title since 1981.  It is a big deal for us.”

Mike Crump and Gaines both had big scores in the third quarter to put the game away, and Williams added another in the final period. 

“Our offense rolled tonight,” Jack said.  “We did what we needed to do and we dominated.”
Defensively, the Broncos brought their A-game as they turned Panhandle away at every opportunity.  Jack noted that several Broncos had big games.

“Charleston Harris, Chris Crump, Wes Williams, Bradley Watson, Johnny Gaines, and Mike Crump had great games with several tackles and sacks,” Jack said.  “Also, our new player, Austen McNelly did a great job for us defensively.”

Jack is very proud of his players and knows this group is special.

“We played a complete game,” Jack said.  “And it was fun.  I am so proud of the kids and our coaching staff. This is a good group of guys, and the District Championship has been a long time coming.  I think the community is enjoying it, too.”
Because of their District championship and the number one seed, the Broncos will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.  They will take on the winner of the New Deal and Seymour game that will be played Saturday night.

Clarendon’s ‘boys of fall’ are getting the job done in the District 2-1A race.

The 48-0 shutout of the Lockney Longhorns in Bronco Stadium Friday night set the scene for a goal not achieved in three decades. 

The win put the Broncos on top of their district race and in great contention to bring home a District championship outright next Friday night against Panhandle.  The 500 plus total yards racked up by the Broncos was impressive and overpowered the 67 yards that the Longhorns recorded.

All of the Bronco points were achieved in the first half of play with 34 points scored in the opening period.

“We came out and blew them away in the first quarter,” head coach Gary Jack said.

“Our defense played great.  We held them to three and out and turned around and scored touchdowns.” 

Quarterback Johnny Gaines and Bradley Watson teamed up for the first two Bronco scores early in the game that went 59 and 72 yards.  Mike Crump ran it in from 38 yards out for another touchdown, and brother Chris Crump got in on the action with a seven-yard run for six.

Charleston Harris, Wes Williams, and Gaines sealed the Bronco win with touchdowns before the break.

“We scored real quick on our first five possessions. Because of our lead, we were able to run the clock in the second half and all of our JV kids got in the game. Everyone played well.”
Jack noted that the defense did a great job holding Lockney under 100 yards on the night, and the offensive line was sharp once again. 

“We overwhelmed them,” Jack said.

“Chris Schultz had two sacks, Jacob Pigg had a fumble recovery, and Chris Crump had two sacks.  Johnny Gaines had an interception, and Bradley Watson made some great catches.” 
Jack also noted that R.J. Nino, Jayson Pigg, Jacob Pigg, Trent White, and David Roberts did a great job on the line and gave Gaines good pass protection throughout the night.
Jack is proud of the way the Broncos are playing and the success they have had this season. 

“We have a great group of seniors,” Jack said.  “They have great leadership – the best by far that I have seen in my time here.” 
Jack also credits the coaching staff for the great season. 

“Our coaching staff has been great. Clarendon has a lot of talent, but it takes great coaches, too.”

The Broncos will take on Panhandle Friday night and a out-right District title is on the line for the Broncos. 

“We haven’t won a District Championship since 1981,” Jack said. “We have been in the play offs for four years straight.  We want to win the Panhandle game and go in as the number one seed.  That will give us a bye in the first round of the play offs.” 

Jack knows the Panthers can be a tough opponent.

“They have struggled some this season, but they always play hard.”

The game will be played November 5 in Panhandle beginning at 7:30 pm and will be the last regular season game for the Broncos.