Category: Hico Tigers

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 Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Several district leads on the line in loaded area slate

As a fan of high school basketball, I generally have no trouble finding area matchups I find interesting. Browsing this week’s slate, I had more trouble finding games that weren’t.

As we continue to barrel toward the boys basketball playoffs, we’ll see a number of Big Country district races take shape this week as league leads will be on the line in a number of marquee matchups.

If, like me, you enjoy hoops action, there should be plenty to pique your interest on both Tuesday and Friday. Here’s a look at the week to come:

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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 Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Key games dot schedule as most district races reach midpoint

We’ve reached the midway point of the district schedule in most area boys basketball leagues, and district championship and playoff races are heating up.

As one might expect with February approaching, the Big Country slate is full of meaningful games. 

With that in mind, it’s time to renew our winter custom of taking a look at the most important games on the horizon and a peak back at last week’s most important results.

We hope you enjoy.

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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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by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: No. 5 Lovelady ends Hico’s season in second round

BELTON — Playing past the first round of the postseason for the first time since 2014, the Hico Tigers entered Friday night’s showdown at Crusader Stadium against No. 5 Lovelady full of confidence.

Unfortunately for Hico, a dream season came to an end on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a 42-7 loss against the Lions.

Despite the loss, the Tigers (8-4) took a major step forward in Todd Swearengin’s third year at the helm of the program after going 5-6 and 4-7 in his first two years. 2023 marked just the fourth time in the past decade that Hico finished the season with a winning record.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYOFF FORECAST: BCP carries 33 teams into Week 13, but how many will move on?

LAST WEEK: 36-5, .878
SEASON TOTAL: 513-103, .832

As we enter Week 13, the Big Country Preps coverage area still has 33 teams from 1A through 5A with a playoff pulse, including a handful with decent shot at a state championship.

However, as we all know, things begin to get much tougher when you get to the area round and unless I miss my guess, we’ll see around 15-17 of our area teams eliminated by Saturday. 

The good news is, we should have 16-18 clubs playing over the Thanksgiving holiday, which is a pretty solid number for what will be the 14th week of the season. 

So without further ado, let’s dive in. 

Here’s this week’s playoff forecast: 

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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

DISTRICT 10-2A DIV. II WEEK 10 REPORT: Hico tops Meridian, Mart clinches district title; Frost snaps four-game losing streak

Hico 27, Meridian 7 — The Tigers (7-3, 4-2) concluded their regular season with a win at home.  And will now enjoy an open date in Week 11, during which their playoff seeding will be determined by the outcome of the Wortham-Dawson game. 

Price Mullin rushed for 124 yards and Buck Powell rushed for 105 to lead Hico, which overcame four fumbles and an interception with 304 yards rushing as a team.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Bulldogs, Bearcats meet with district title in the balance

LAST WEEK: 44-7, .862
SEASON TOTAL: 391-86, .820

It really didn’t take long for people to start talking about the Hawley – Stamford matchup in 2023. In fact, this one was on our calendar as a possible Game of the Week before the season even started. 

Who will win? That depends on who you speak with. Our Twitter poll is split virtually down the middle and even the computers see this one as a near tossup.

Stamford (7-0, 4-0 District 4-2A DII) enters this game scarcely challenged, rolling over the opposition by an average tally of 45-8. Hawley (6-2, 4-0), on the other hand, comes in with some battle scars after a brutal schedule featuring Jim Ned, Lubbock Roosevelt and Albany. 

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by Evan Ren

Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (as submitted by area coaches through Oct. 24)

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: Big Spring’s Kavien Ford lands the top spot

Every now and then, the biggest performances come at precisely the right time. And in the case of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, that couldn’t be more true than it is now. 

With his team laboring through a five-game losing streak and in danger of losing a playoff spot, Big Spring’s Kavien Ford came up with one of the best performances we’ve seen this year when he rushed for 374 yards and seven scores on 39 carries in a 63-43 win over San Angelo Lake View. 

The win put Big Spring (2-6, 1-1) in a three-way tie for second place with one game remaining in the regular season. It also kept Lake View in sole possession of last place.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 10-2A DIV. II Week 9 Report: Hico moves one game closer to clinching No. 3 seed; Dawson, Mart both chalk up wins

Hico 49, Hubbard 0 — Hico (6-3, 3-2) maintained its hold on the No. 3 seed with a win over struggling Hubbard (0-8, 0-4).

Price Mullin led the Tigers with 127 yards and two scores on only eight carries.  Carson Keller got into the act as well, throwing for 128 yards and two more TDs. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Stephenville hosts China Spring (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)

LAST WEEK: 40-8, .833
SEASON TOTAL: 347-79, .814

As Week 9 of the 2023Texas High School football season gets underway, there are multiple high-profile games that would qualify as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.

But we’re settling for a rare Thursday night matchup at Tarleton State University where seventh-ranked 4A DI Stephenville (5-2, 1-0) will play host to fourth-ranked China Spring (6-2, 2-0) in a game will give the victor sole possession of first place in District 5.

Picking who wins it may come down to throwing darts, but I do believe China Spring has one key advantage. 

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by Evan Ren

BCP GAME OF THE WEEK: Hico blunders cost Tigers dearly in 14-7 loss to Dawson

HICO — Entering Friday’s Big Country Preps Game of the Week, the Hico Tigers wanted to run the ball, control tempo and contain Dawson’s big play threats in order to win a crucial matchup in Disctrict 10-2A DII. They achieved all three. 

Unfortunately for the Tigers, they hurt themselves with three drive-killing turnovers and further aided Dawson with three 15-yard penalties in a 14-7 loss to the Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium. 

Brant Boatright threw touchdown passes of 48 and six yards and Colby Springer rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries to lift Dawson (6-1, 3-0), which held on to its one-score lead throughout a scoreless second half. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Hico hosts Dawson with high playoff seeds in the balance (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)

LAST WEEK: 41-7, .854
SEASON TOTAL: 307-71, .812

 Big Country Preps makes a point of sharing the love and we look for opportunities to take our Game of the Week to as many different places that make sense each year. 
Yet since our inaugural season in 2018, a rebuilding Hico football team missed our spotlight game for five straight seasons. 

That drought ends this week when BCP visits Hico for the first time as the Tigers (5-2, 2-1 District 10-2A DII) host Dawson (5-1, 2-0) in a crucial matchup with high seed implications.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Clyde senior claims his second weekly accolade

One top-notch performance after another. 

That’s the 2023 résumé of Clyde senior quarterback Blake Carr, who has once again taken our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award after leading the Bulldogs to a 60-36 rout of Vernon on the road on Friday. 

It is the second time this season Carr has taken the top spot. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 10-2A DIV. II WEEK 6 REPORT: Hico gives a good account of itself vs. Mart; Dawson, Wortham win

Mart 23, Hico 0 — The Tigers fell short in their upset bid of Mart (6-0, 2-0), but burned up enough clock to keep things competitive. 

The Tigers (4-2, 1-1) were limited to only 145 yards in total offense, but were sound throughout, with no turnovers. 

JD Bell led Mart with 239 yards rushing and one score. Buck Powell led Hico with 29 yards rushing on six carries. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Yellow Jackets head to Brownwood to face archrival

LAST WEEK: 46-12, .793
SEASON TOTAL: 229-61, .789

More often than not, Big Country Preps makes an appearance at the annual Stephenville-Brownwood matchup. Because more often than not, it produces a game worthy of one of Texas’ top rivalries. 

This year is no exception as Stephenville travels to famous Gordon Wood Stadium for the Big Country Preps Game of the Week. 

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by Evan Ren

BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Abilene High QB Slack takes honor with six-TD performance

Photo by Chase Seabolt, HubCityPreps.com

Entering District 2-5A Division I play off back-to-back losses, the Abilene High football team needed a fast start and a strong performance on the road against Lubbock Monterey to get back on track and kick off its league schedule the right way.

Led by senior quarterback Dylan Slack, the Eagles got both, building a 49-7 halftime lead on their way to a 59-14 win over the Plainsmen.

Slack’s fingerprints were all over the win as he hit 15 of 20 passes for 217 yards and five touchdowns while adding another score on the ground — a performance worthy of this week’s Big Country Preps Player of the Week award.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Sweetwater plays host to Clyde in battle of unbeatens

LAST WEEK: 44-11, .800
SEASON TOTAL: 183-49, .788

Some weeks are just loaded with competitive area games and Week 5 of the 2023 season falls squarely into that category. 

This week’s menu features six or seven games that under normal circumstances, would qualify for our Big Country Preps Game of the Week. This forces us to push some great matchups aside to select our spotlight game. 

This week, we go with a battle of unbeatens — Class 3A Division I Clyde (4-0) at Class 4A Div. II Sweetwater (4-0) — at the famed Mustang Bowl at SHS. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cooper’s Bray takes this week’s top spot

When it comes to individual performances, there are big games and there are big games.

And then there’s what Cooper junior Daniel Bray did against San Angelo Central last week in leading the Cougars to their first win of the season.

The explosive tailback, who had been limited some in the first two weeks by a nagging ankle injury and the growing pains of a young offensive line, broke out in a historic way in that 53-45 victory over the Bobcats. By the time the game was over, he had rushed for a school-record 366 yards and seven touchdowns on just 21 carries, making a case for our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award that was too compelling to pass over — even in a week with a number of other monster performances.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS NOTEBOOK: Quick looks at Colorado City, Brownwood, Hico and Clyde

While their program is battling through a difficult rebuilding phase, the Colorado City Wolves and second-year coach Monty Leaf are learning to recognize key points along the way.

It hasn’t been easy. 

After pushing through last year’s 1-9 campaign, C-City opened at 0-2 with losses to good teams from Roscoe and New Home before breaking through with a 15-12 win at Christoval on Friday. And in many respects, it really was a breakthrough. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 10-2A DIV. II WEEK 3 REPORT: Hico routs Cross Plains to remain unbeaten

Hico 31, Cross Plains 7 — The Tigers (3-0) remained unbeaten behind a solid effort from Carson Keller, who rushed for 129 yards and one score and threw for 91.

Cross Plains fell to 1-2, hampered by three turnovers. The Buffaloes were led by Dusty Wyatt, who rushed for 101 yards and one score.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Snyder’s Stewart takes our first award of the school year

After a summer-long effort to produce our football preview, it is good to be back in our school year routine — a big part of which is our Big Country Preps Player of the Week. 

That said, we are proud to hand our first accolade for 2023-24 to Snyder senior quarterback Easton Stewart, who led the Tigers to a 42-0 season-opening win over Slaton last week. 

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by Evan Ren

BCP NOTEBOOK: This week’s entries — Comanche, Sweetwater, Santo, Hico

Comanche’s concession stand is currently without a roof after being hit by severe winds over the weekend. Friday’s home date with Bangs has been shifted to Dublin at 7:30 p.m. 

COMANCHE — Strong straight-line winds or a small tornado? 

Nothing is verified just yet, but one thing is for certain: Comanche High School has some work to do on both its concession stand and press box after being hit by high winds over the weekend.

The damage sustained was serious enough to force athletic director Jake Escobar to make contingency plans for home dates until further notice.

“The roof of the concession stand flew off about 100 yards,” Escobar said. “Part of the press box roof fell off and our ag building, which is a big tin building —its roof broke open and it was pretty bad.” 

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by Daniel Youngblood

HICO FEATURE: With growing pains behind them, Swearengin feels Tigers’ ‘time is now’

The 2022 season was a unique one for the Hico football team.

With just one senior in the program, the youthful Tigers were forced to tackle a challenging slate of opponents that were all more seasoned than they were. And, at times, that showed.

But around the Hico fieldhouse, the Tigers are optimistic that last year’s growing pains will pay off in a major way this year. And with 19 of 20 lettermen back, including all 11 starters on offense and 10 on defense, there’s strong support for that belief.

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by Daniel Youngblood

2023 HICO FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Experienced Tigers hoping to take sizeable step forward

In his first two years as Hico’s football coach, Todd Swearengin faced an uphill climb.

In 2021, he inherited the challenge of trying to install a new system and culture in a program that had won just six games combined over the previous three seasons. And last year, he had just one senior with which to tackle a tough new district schedule. 

After going 9-13 over those two campaigns and closing each in the playoffs, Swearengin will be blessed with his most talented and experienced team yet in 2023. And he’s hoping those factors — and another full year in his system — will be enough to fuel the Tigers to their first winning season since 2017.

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by Evan Ren

COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Hico Tigers … 34 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. 16. 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 July 31, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2023 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

We continue in Class 2A Division II with the Hico Tigers. On Wednesday we will take a look at the Forsan Buffaloes, followed by the Anson Tigers on Thursday.

Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Hico Tigers … 34 days to two-a-days” →

by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jernigan takes our final award for 2022-23

Our final Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the 2022-23 school year could have gone any number of directions. 

We finally settled on Goldthwaite junior Lainey Jernigan, who swept both the girls 2A hurdles titles at the state meet last week. 

Jernigan won the 100 hurdles in 14.62 and the 300 hurdles in 44.12. And the good news for GHS fans is, she’s coming back to defend both crowns next year. 

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