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Category: Baird Bears
GAME STORY: Ira, Valentine, hold on to top Baird, 3-2 in Game 1 (w/ two videos and box score; photo gallery to come late tonight)
Through an afternoon of double plays, pickoffs and outfield blunders, it all boiled down to the last out in Ira’s 3-2 Class 1A area-round win over Baird on Thursday at Abilene Christian University’s Crutcher Scott Field.
Karson Valentine scattered eight Baird hits through seven innings to pick up the win, striking out Nate Deel for the final out with the potential tying run — Kollin Davis — at third.
Fanning 10 and walking none, Valentine allowed no earned runs while outdueling Baird’s Jax Bellar, who allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits.
Valentine wriggled out of some late trouble with the game on the line, hitting Davis to start the seventh inning and allowing a two-out double by Ricardo Gonzalez to put two runners in scoring position.
BCP Podcast No. 45: Evan, Daniel talk baseball with Clyde coach Rowley
Clyde baseball coach Colby Rowley has consistently fielded a strong product during his nine years coaching for his alma mater, and things are no different this season. His Bulldogs are currently 24-6 and slated to take on Bowie this weekend in the area round of the Class 3A playoffs.
Earlier this week, Rowley took a few minutes to chat with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about this year’s team, his time at Clyde and more for this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.
Also on this week’s episode, Evan and Daniel recap last week’s baseball and softball playoff action and forecast this week’s slate of games.
BCP Podcast No. 38: Evan, Daniel discuss All-Big Country Preps basketball teams
In this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast, Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood discuss the inaugural All-Big Country Preps boys and girls basketball teams, giving insight into the selection process and sharing their opinions the superlative award winners and first-tema selections.
To read more on this year’s selections, click the links below:
All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: First-Team Roster
Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: Second-Team Roster
Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
All-Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Team: Third-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)
Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps boys basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Team: Third-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)
Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps girls basketball team. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.
Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Hermleigh’s Roemisch takes this week’s accolade
While the Hermleigh girls basketball team has garnered much of the media’s attention in recent years, there’s a subtle little secret leaking from the HHS campus: The guys aren’t so bad either.
As of this week, the Hermleigh boys are 20-7 overall following back-to-back wins over Loraine (80-53) and Anton (70-65) — helped in no small part by our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, junior guard Kobe Roemisch.
Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings, results (March 2)
Here are the updated Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings:
Continue reading “Big Country boys basketball playoff pairings, results (March 2)”
Big Country girls basketball playoff pairings, results (Feb. 23)
Here are the updated Big Country girls basketball playoff pairings:
Continue reading “Big Country girls basketball playoff pairings, results (Feb. 23)”
De Leon’s Yeager headlines Big Country signees (w/ complete list of Big Country signings)
For months, it had been speculated on where De Leon quarterback Kevin Yeager would spend his collegiate days playing football.
That became official on Wednesday, when he signed with Incarnate Word, as one of the top area athletes to commit to college programs on National Signing Day.
“It was a great day for the Yeagers and I’m super proud for Kevin earning this opportunity to play at the next level ,” De Leon coach David Yeager said of his son. “I’m really proud of the career he’s had at De Leon and I’m looking forward to the next chapter at Incarnate Word.”
Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Eastland senior Stacy snags accolade
In a week that saw multiple performances worthy of Big Country Preps Player of the Week honors, it was the magnitude of one win, in particular, that shifted the award to Eastland senior guard Hailee Stacy.
Stacy averaged 26 points and 9.5 rebounds for the week, including 19 points and eight boards in a 56-42 win over highly touted Cisco to force a first-place tie in the district race.
She followed that with a 33-point, 11-rebound performance in a 71-26 win over Comanche.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eula at Baird doubleheader (60 images) 1-22-19
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GAME STORY: Eula sweeps doubleheader at Baird (two videos, two box scores & photo gallery with 60 images included)
BAIRD — With two key back-court players — Mathew Ladesma and Kade Goble — out with injuries , Baird coach Jeff Campbell knew full well that the visiting Eula Pirates would do everything in their power to exploit that weakness in Tuesday’s district match-up.
The problem was, doing something to stop them.
Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Cisco senior Bird takes award
Sometimes it’s not the numbers you produce, but the number of minutes you played in which to produce them.
That was the case in choosing our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 19 — a seven-day stretch that was littered with top-flight performances from all over the area.
EVAN REN: This week in Big Country girls basketball (Jan. 20-26)
With the playoffs rapidly approaching, most girls districts have but five nights of league action remaining.
This will be quickly followed by a night or two of tie-breaking games and the always-interesting playoff warm-ups, after which the massive UIL playoff brackets will be unveiled.
This will all culminate in the state tournament on Feb. 28 through March 2 in the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Versatile Cooper forward Bailey nabs honor
At 6-foot-5, Cooper’s Deven Bailey is used to being one of the taller players on the court. But his value to the Cougars comes as much from his versatility as his height.
The standout senior used both assets to his advantage in wins over Graham (77-75) and Wichita Falls High (64-49) and has earned our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award as a result.
All-Big Country Preps Football Team: Second-Team Roster
Here are our second-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps football team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.
All-Big Country Preps Football Team: Third-Team Roster
Here are our third-team selections for the inaugural All-Big Country Preps football team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.
Evan Ren’s 2018 Big Country True Grit Team
Most high school football teams have that one player acknowledged by the coaching staff as the prime example of what a teammate should be.
He’s the guy who seldom misses any practice time and is a regular in the weight room. He’s early to arrive. He’s late to leave and takes pride in being coachable, though he seldom needs direction.
He always sets the right example for younger players. He doesn’t complain and, above all else, he’s tough enough to make all the aforementioned traits consistently possible.
Know someone like that? Here is where they are honored.
PHOTO GALLERY: Evan Ren’s Top 100 football photos for 2018
FEATURED SCHOOLS: Albany, Anson, Baird, Breckenridge, Brock, Brownwood, Clyde, Coahoma, Colorado City, Comanche, Cross Plains, Dublin, Eastland, Forsan, Hamlin, Haskell, Jim Ned, Merkel, Snyder, Stamford, Stephenville, Wall and Winters.
Photos may be purchased for $7 each by pushing the small shopping cart emblem below the lower right corner of the gallery.
Big Country puts several on Class 2A all-state team
The 2018 Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 2A all-state high school football team was announced on Sunday, with several Big Country Players receiving honors.
Topping that list was Stamford quarterback Peyton Bevel, who was named Offensive Player of the Year after completing 196 passes in 309 attempts for 3,849 yards and 50 touchdowns during the regular season.
Big Country Preps Player of the Week: Hamlin’s Sepeda snags the accolade
Big Country Preps Player of the Week isn’t strictly about numbers.
Sometimes, drama can be the deciding factor. And in that regard, Hamlin’s Jackson Sepeda takes home this week’s Oscar after helping Hamlin to an incredible 21-18 win over heavily favored Wellington — one of the biggest upsets the Big Country has seen in the last decade.
BCP Podcast No. 22: Evan, Daniel look ahead to football playoffs
The Regular season is over, and the high school football playoffs are here. In this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast, Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood take a look back at the most important games of Week 11 and ahead to the postseason, focusing on the Big Country’s biggest threats.
District 7-2A Division II: Week 11 Report
Albany 34, Hamlin 27 — Ben West threw for 248 yards and four scores and Cutter Edgar rushed for 112 yards to lift Albany (5-5, 5-0) to a stunning win over previously unbeaten Hamlin.
Albany, which limited Hamlin to an astounding 207 total yards, overcame three turnovers to win its 11th straight district championship.
It was the fifth consecutive win or the Lions, who had begun the season at 0-5 against a brutal nondistrict schedule.
Evan Ren’s 2018-19 Big Country Boys Hoops Preview
While several of the area’s best athletes are still tied up playing football, the boys basketball season technically gets underway Friday night.
Of course, as the football playoffs get rolling and more and more teams are eliminated, the basketball talent pool will grow on a weekly basis, and by mid December, we’ll be in full hoops mode.
Regardless, boys basketball season is officially here, so it’s time to take a peek at what this season will offer with our area teams, Class 1A through 4A.
Who has the best shot at getting to state? Who are the legitimate contenders and what are the teams that we should be careful not to ignore?
Let’s find out.
BCP GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned clashes with Eastland (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Thursday Night Drive-Time Podcast)
LAST WEEK: 28-3, .903
SEASON TOTAL: 351-79, .816
Our possible choices for Big Country Preps Game of the Week made our final selection difficult this time around, with two high-profile winner-take-all district title games on the menu.
Our final pick: Jim Ned (7-2, 3-1) at Eastland (7-2, 3-1) — a matchup with a bit less at stake (the No. 2 seed in District 3-3A Division I), but one we feel will be the area’s most competitive of our top six games.
EVAN REN: A quick look at the area playoff picture
With the final Friday night of high school football’s regular season upon us, it’s time to take a quick look at the playoff picture, before the proverbial second season begins.
We’ll go through them, district by district, in rapid succession.
Why waste time? Let’s jump into it.
District 7-2A Division II: Week 10 Report
Albany 20, Haskell 19 — Albany (4-5, 4-0) jumped out to a 20-6 lead and held off a fourth-quarter Haskell rally remain in a first-place tie with Hamlin.
Cutter Edgar rushed 26 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Lions, who finished with 381 yards in total offense.
Evan Ren’s 2018-19 Big Country Girls Hoops Preview
The quickest way to get basketball season to begin is to tee up a football.
It might as well set off a time warp.
If you don’t believe me, consider this while you’re watching a Week 10 football game around the area this evening: High school girls basketball officially begins tonight and the boys will tip off next week.
Excuse me, but weren’t two-a-days over like …. just last week? Unbelievable.
Regardless, the girls start Friday night and that means it’s time to take a look around the Big Country for some of the top teams the area will have to offer in 2018-19.
BCP Game of the Week: Dublin heads to Comanche (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Drive-Time Podcast)
LAST WEEK: 38-5, .833
SEASON TOTAL: 323-76, .810
Dublin (7-1, 2-1) at Comanche (5-3, 3-0) — This game has been circled on the calendar for weeks and had been viewed as a possible winner-take-all matchup in District 6-3A Division II.
That is, until Jacksboro threw everything into question with a 42-29 win at Dublin last week.
BCP Game of the Week: Stephenville heads to Brownwood (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks, Drive-Time Podcast)
LAST WEEK: 33-7, .825
SEASON TOTAL: 285-71, .801
In a week that features four or perhaps five games that could easily qualify for our Big Country Preps Game of the Week, there is alas, a safe choice.
When in doubt, one can seldom go wrong with the annual Stephenville-Brownwood clash — a storied feud now in its 80th chapter dating back to 1937.
This year, the Lions (4-2, 1-0) play host to the Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-1) in a game that will likely decide the No. 2 seed in District 5-4A Division I — perhaps the best overall 4A league in Texas.
BCP Podcast No. 19: Sammy Burnett talks Brownwood football with Evan, Daniel
Having spent his high school years playing for a pair of coaching legends at Brownwood, Sammy Burnett’s professional dream was always to return to his alma mater as the head football coach.
Burnett, who realized that dream when he was announced as the Lions coach in February, took some time to chat with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about “the Brownwood way,” how he was influenced by coaches Gordon Wood and Randy Allen and what he wants to build at his alma mater in this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.
Also on this episode, Evan and Daniel discuss the top developments from Week 8 and where it leaves the Big Country’s football teams with three weeks remaining in the regular season.
District 7-2A Division II: Week 8 Report
Hamlin 48, Haskell 7 — Hamlin used its duel-threat attack to rush for 255 yards and pass for 159 in a win over Haskell.
Braydin Warner was 10 of 15 for 100 yards and a score and rushed four times for 52 yards and two more touchdowns to help lead the Pipe Pipers (7-0, 2-0). Jackson Sepeda was a big contributor as well, with 12 carries for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
BCP Game of the Week: C-City hosts Idalou (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks, Drive-Time Podcast)
LAST WEEK: 37-5, .860
SEASON TOTAL: 252-64, .797
Before the season, many viewed Colorado City (6-0, 1-0) as the odds-on favorite to take District 2-3A Division II, and I agreed with them.
But as each new season evolves, surprises typically emerge and that’s certainly the case in this league where Idalou (5-1, 1-0) and Abernathy (5-1, 1-0) have shown themselves as too good to simply label as No. 2 or 3 seeds.