Category: Colorado City Wolves

by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Graham volleyballer takes Player of the Week with a Noble effort

Overwhelming. If there were a one-word description for last week’s performance by six-foot Graham senior Lillian Noble, that would be it. 

Noble, a four-year varsity player who has already committed to Oklahoma Baptist, was far and away the most dominant player in both a 3-1 win over Wichita Falls Memorial and a 3-1 loss to Glen Rose last week. 

Her combined totals: 54 kills, 23 digs and 12 blocks — making her the most effective two-way player the area saw on both sides of the net last week.

“Lillian has become a true utility player for us this season,” coach Marci Faulk said. “It’s exciting to see her embrace this new role and have so much success doing so!”

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 3-2A DIV. I WEEK 5 REPORT: Colorado City outlasts Bangs in thriller; Ropes routs Forsan

Colorado City 37, Bangs 36 — The Wolves pulled out a back-and-forth affair, outlasting the Dragons in a thriller that featured six lead changes.

Neither team led or trailed by more than seven points in the matchup, which saw C-City (2-3) rally from a 30-29 deficit to go up 37-30 in the fourth quarter. Bangs answered with a late score to make it 37-36 and went for two and couldn’t convert, but even then the excitement wasn’t over.

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 3-2A DIV. I WEEK 4 REPORT: Colorado City picks up first win; Wink too much for Forsan

Colorado City 34, San Angelo Grape Creek 28 — Jeremaih Green ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wolves to a thrilling win over the Eagles.

Colorado City (1-3), which led 21-16 at halftime and held off Grape Creek in the second half,  finished with 269 yards rushing, while Ryland Senter added 84 yards through the air.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Rattlers play host to Comanche

LAST WEEK: 47-11, .810
SEASON TOTAL: 141-59, .705

After nosediving in Week 2 with one of the worst pick records I’ve ever had, the column rebounded in Week 3 with an .810 percentage to push my overall tally over .700 again. 

As for this week’s Big Country Preps Game of the Week, Mr. Yale Youngblood will be on hand in Tolar to cover Comanche’s road game with the Rattlers in what should be a fun one.

I’ll be heading to Ballinger, where the Bearcats (3-0) will play host to Brady (2-1) in a battle of upstarts. 

Let’s dive into this week’s picks: 

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 3-2A DIV. I WEEK 3 REPORT: Forsan drops another heartbreaker; Tahoka runs away from C-City

Stanton 37, Forsan 36 — FHS suffered its third consecutive one-score loss to open the season, dropping a heartbreaker to its Buffalo counterparts.

Forsan led 24-22 at halftime thanks to a 24-point second quarter. But SHS outscored FHS 15-6 in the third quarter to go up 37-30, and Forsan was unable to complete the conversion after its fourth-quarter touchdown, leaving it with a gut-wrenching one-point loss.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Glen Rose visits Brownwood (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)

LAST WEEK: 46-28, .621
SEASON TOTAL: 94-48, .661

Abysmal. 

That’s about the only adjective that comes to mind when trying to describe my Big Country football picks, which are off to the single worst start through two weeks that I’ve ever experienced in 18 years of covering area football. 

A percentage of .621 after two weeks of play is beatable by throwing darts, flipping coins, or even consulting with your local horoscope page. Yet here I sit, trying to dig myself out of the hole I’ve created. But enough of that, Glen Rose at Brownwood is our Big Country Preps Game of the Week, in a week filled with interesting matchups. 

Let’s have a look at them:  

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 3-2A DIV. I WEEK 2 REPORT: Forsan drops thriller to Post; C-City can’t keep pace with McCamey

Post 32, Forsan 30 — The Buffaloes dropped a close one for the second straight week, following last week’s 34-28 loss to rival Coahoma with an even narrower defeat to the Antelopes.

Leading 10-6 after a quarter, Forsan was outscored 18-0 in the second period to go to halftime down 24-10. The teams then traded touchdowns in the third quarter, making it a 32-18 game heading into the fourth, when the Buffs scored twice but couldn’t complete the conversion on either TD.

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by Daniel Youngblood

DISTRICT 3-2A DIV. I WEEK 1 REPORT: Colorado City falls to Seymour in shootout

Seymour 58, Colorado City 35 — The Wolves couldn’t keep up with the Panthers, opening the season with a shootout loss.

C-City trailed 6-2 after scoring a defensive two-point conversion following Seymour’s first touchdown and remained competitive through halftime, trailing just 34-23 in the second quarter.  But Seymour extended its advantage to three scores in the second half to pull away for a comfortable win.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-3A DIV. II WEEK 1 REPORT: Wall impressive in Slaughter’s debut

Wall 28, Mason 6 — Landon York threw for 148 yards, and two scores and Hagyn Barbee rushed for 37 yards and a TD to lead Wall to a win in Craig Slaughter’s coaching debut at WHS. 

Briggs Jones was the top receiving target for the Hawks (1-0), hauling in three passes for 102 yards and two scores. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Albany travels to Stamford in Game of the Week

LAST WEEK: 0-0, .000
SEASON TOTAL: 00-00, .000

Week 1 is often loaded with difficult picks and 2024 is no exception. 

Our first slate of games this year has a number of contests that could have qualified for the Big Country Preps Game of the Week. But we finally settled on Albany at Stamford for the spotlight. 

The two-time defending state 2A DII state champions, minus several key players lost to graduation, facing a Stamford club bringing back most of its skill and a ton of speed. 

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by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

COLORADO CITY FEATURE: Monpere a big part of Wolves roster in more ways than one

It isn’t hard to find Liam Monpere on the football field during Colorado City Wolves games.

For one thing, he stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 250 pounds. For another, he runs REALLY fast for a guy that large. That’s “REALLY,” as in “4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash” fast. After a while, fans just stop asking, “Who IS that big guy running all over the field?”

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by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

2024 C-CITY FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Wolves seek to continue upward climb in Leaf’s third year

Colorado City coach Monty Leaf is convinced the Wolves have the athleticism this fall to compete for a playoff spot in District 3-2A Division I.

But, he says, that’s not likely to occur until his troops navigate the giant fork in the road facing Leaf and Co. as he begins his third year with the program.

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by Evan Ren

COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Colorado City Wolves … 36 days to two-a-days

Football is just around the corner, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Wednesday, Aug. 21. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Leading up to the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2024 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

We move to Class 2A Division I with the Colorado City Wolves. On Monday, we will take a look at the Forsan Buffaloes, followed by the Anson Tigers on Tuesday.

Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Colorado City Wolves … 36 days to two-a-days” →

by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2024 Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team (the hardest-working baseball and softball players in the area)

OTHER 2024 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS TEAMS

Our All-Big Country Preps Softball and Baseball Teams, released Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, are in place to honor those who achieved the most on-field success in 2024. It is off the field, however, where character, grit, and work ethic are often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team that we wish to honor those players, male and female, who were (simply put) the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring. 

This team isn’t about who the best baseball and softball players were.

The All-Hustle team honors effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches wish they had in every player and upon which championships are built.

It is for that reason that this team is largely selected by area coaches and described in their own words.

Big Country Preps is now honored to present these individuals to you — the best team players (boys and girls) that the the Big Country had to offer during the 2024 season.

The players below are listed in no particular order. 

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by Yale Youngblood, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Freshman Munoz, junior Goodney ready to power potent C-City squad into playoffs

There’s a test that probably everyone who has watched a baseball or softball game on television will ace. It has but one question, the answer to which will come without the need for research — or even much thought. It goes like this: 

A batter hits the ball in the air to the outfield. The announcer says, “Going … Going …” 

What is the next word he/she is most likely to utter?”

If you bellowed “GONE!,” pat yourself on the back. You just completed the phrase most often associated with a batter hitting a home run. And every time you hear those first two words — when your team is at the plate — you can’t wait to hear the third, because that means you’re about to be happy.

For those keeping score at home, Colorado City’s dynamic duo of Bryanna Munoz and AJ Goodney has made Wolves’ fans VERY happy this spring. VERY often.

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by Evan Ren

FINAL Big Country Regular Season Softball Statistical leaders for 2024 (through April 18)

Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 18.

With the end of the regular season, this will be our FINAL softball leaders posting for 2024. 

Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall’s Jones takes five district titles and our Player of the Week

While we normally try to share the love in our Big Country Preps Player of the Week column, five district titles in one week isn’t easy to sidestep. 

And while Wall’s Briggs Jones has already pulled down our award once this year, he earned a second with his showing at the District 6-3A meet in Clyde last week by sweeping the long jump (23-2), the triple jump (44-10.75), the 200 meters (21.92), the 100 meters (10.72) and assisting the 800 relay team to gold with a 1:29.68 split. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hermleigh senior takes this week’s accolade

Sometimes the mercy rule and cheat a player a bit, limiting their number of plate appearances or the number of innings they can pitch. 

But in District 15-1A, there is an added mercy rule, beyond the standard 10-run lead after five innings. There, a 15-run lead after three frames is enough to end a game early, which left our Big Country Preps Player of the Week (Hermleigh’s Summer Smith) short of what may have been a staggering set of numbers. 

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2024 Gym Rat Team: The hardest-working players in the Big Country!

Scoring and rebounding is only part of the story when it comes to basketball. Behind the scenes and beyond the view of the public, is where character is often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps Gym Rat Team that we salute the individuals who exude the most of it. 

This team isn’t about who the best players are, though some of the area’s top players are on this list. 

The Gym Rat team is about effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches love above all else and upon which championship foundations are built.

It is for that reason that our Gym Rat team is selected entirely by area coaches, described in their own words. And Big Country Preps is absolutely honored to present these individuals to you — the best “team players” (boys and girls) that the area had to offer during the 2023-24 season.

Players are listed in no particular order. 

Enjoy.

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by Evan Ren

2024 All-Big Country Preps Boys Basketball Rising Stars Team: The top freshmen and sophomores in the area!

Here is our 2024 All-Big Country Preps boys basketball Rising Stars team, comprised of the top freshmen and sophomores in the area. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2024 All-Big Country Preps Girls Basketball Rising Stars Team: The top freshmen and sophomores in the area!

Here is our 2024 All-Big Country Preps girls basketball Rising Stars team, comprised of the top freshmen and sophomores in the area. For the rest of this year’s boys and girls basketball selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 25): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country boys basketball through Jan. 25.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 25): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 25.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2023 True Grit Team: The toughest, hardest-working players in the Big Country!

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. 

Welcome to Big Country Preps’ “True Grit” team — a collection of area players nominated by their head coaches and Big Country Preps staff, who exemplify the character traits football mentors want throughout their roster. 

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 11): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country boys basketball through Jan. 11.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders (through Jan. 11): Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Jan. 11.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

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Buck Powell
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hico’s Powell takes this week’s accolade

Big numbers are always great to have when we decide the winner of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award. Solid numbers across multiple tasks are even better. 

That was the case with this week’s spotlight player, Buck Powell, of Hico, who helped the Tigers to a 47-14 rout of Maud in the Class 2A DII bi-district round on Friday. 

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by Evan Ren

2023 BIG COUNTRY PREPS BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW: The area’s top teams in each class throughout the BCP coverage area

With a new season of boys high school basketball poised to begin, it’s time to take a look at what the Big Country will produce on the court.

Below you will find our top teams in each classification in the Big Country Preps coverage area, from Big Spring in the West, to Brock in the east and from Brady in the south to Munday in the north. 

Our rankings of the top teams in each class are given, along with a season outlook, cataloguing our expectations for each club. 

Here’s our preview. We’ll see you on the road.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Wylie, Cooper clash in burgeoning rivalry game

LAST WEEK: 47-5, .903
SEASON TOTAL: 438-91, .827

With the column hitting at more than 90 percent accuracy last week, we now close the regular season on the upswing and with something uncommon: A local Big Country Preps Game of the Week. 

While our weekly picks column generally highlights the top area game outside of the Abilene city limits, this week seems to call for us to stay at home with rivals Wylie (6-3, 3-1) and Cooper (4-5, 3-1) fighting for sole possession of the No. 2 seed in District 2-5A Division II. 

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 31)

NOTE: This will be our final installment of Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders for the 2023 season 

Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m. roughout the regular season.

This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Hawley’s Ramon is this week’s award winner

With much of the reporting from Friday’s 34-30 win by Hawley over Stamford going to a stunning game-winning touchdown scored by Camden Ables, someone got lost in the shuffle. 

That would be our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, Diontay Ramon, a Hawley senior receiver-DB without whom, the Bearcats’ last-minute miracle never would have materialized. 

For starters, Ramon hauled in 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. He also had four carries for 23 yards and another score, but we’re just warming up. 

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