Category: Merkel Badgers

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:  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Abilene High’s Henry takes the top spot

Sometimes, the biggest stage creates the biggest performances. 

And in the Big Country, the stage doesn’t get any bigger than the annual Abilene – Abilene Cooper matchup — one of the biggest rivalries in the state of Texas and arguably the biggest in our area (though you may get an argument from Brownwood-Stephenville). 

Friday night with much of the city of Abilene paying attention, AHS quarterback Brayden Henry had a memorable night, hitting 15 of 19 throws for 216 yards passing and two TDs. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-3A DIV. II WEEK 2 REPORT: Coahoma wins, Wall, Merkel, Stanton fall

Coahoma 48, Roscoe 14 — For the second straight week Roscoe faced a larger school projected to be in the playoffs and for the second straight week, the Plowboys fell short. 

Jaidyn Vineyard rushed for 201 yards and four TDs and Boyd Cox threw for 269 yards and two more scores to lead Class 3A DII Coahoma (2-0), which led 41-0 at the end of three quarters.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

MERKEL FEATURE: Shorthanded Merkel hoping for shot in the arm from three key move-ins

Wes Wood

MERKEL — Sometimes football is all about luck. This can be particularly true during the offseason, when key players quit a team or join a team.  Or when important families move away to other schools, or if they move into your district. 

Entering the 2024 season, perhaps no area program was more in need of a little offseason luck than the Merkel Badgers, 

No area team is shorter on returning help than MHS, which has just four starters back on both sides of the ball among eight returning lettermen from last year’s 6-4 club. And many of the existing vacancies will be filled by players promoted from an 0-10 JV squad. 

As luck would have it, however, the Badgers have been on the receiving end of three move-ins who are currently showing the potential to be impact players — Abilene Cooper move-in CJ Guadarrama (RB-LB), Brownwood move-in Waylon Harrington (LB) and Winters move-in Brazos Grun (OL-DL).

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

2024 MERKEL FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Badgers starting from scratch under new coach

MERKEL — After a five-year tenure at Class 4A Snyder that saw him resign during the offseason with a 21-32 overall record, Wes Wood comes to Merkel with a challenging task ahead of him. 

MHS’ varsity numbers are down — way down, with only four starters back on both sides of the ball among eight returning lettermen from last year’s 6-4 team. In the meantime, call-ups from an 0-10 JV squad and a couple of transfers will be counted on to fill the vacancies. 

The Badgers are smallish, with at least three potential starters on the offensive line weighing less than 200 pounds. They are also in need of more speed, with only two sub-4.7 players listed on their preseason roster. To matters even more difficult, MHS graduated six varsity players who will be playing collegiately, leaving a sizeable talent void to fill. 

From these meager beginnings, Wood will set about installing his system, building confidence in his young team and strengthening his sub-varsity programs.  

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Merkel Badgers … 21 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.

Today, we remain in Class 3A Division II with the Merkel Badgers.

Continue reading “COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Merkel Badgers … 21 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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco hurler takes the top spot after remarkable turnaround

Coming off a subpar performance in Game 1 of last week’s 2A bi-district series with Hawley, Cisco pitcher Hannah Rogers did something few expected: a complete about-face. 

Rogers, who had been beaten up in an 11-4 loss on Friday afternoon that saw her allow 14 hits, quickly regained her form for Game 2 that evening. Limiting Hawley to seven hits, she led Cisco to a series-tying 5-2 win. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

REGION I-3A TRACK MEET: Brock boys claim fourth straight team title; area athletes show well

ABILENE — The Brock boys track team claimed its fourth consecutive region title Monday, headlining a strong showing by area athletes at the rain-altered Region I-3A meet at Abilene Christian University’s Elmer Gray Stadium. 

Led by Dylan Foster, who claimed gold medals in both hurdle events, earned bronze in the long jump and ran a leg on Brock’s gold medal-winning sprint relay team, the Eagles finished with 99 points, edging runner-up Holliday by 13 points and topping third-place Wall by 44 points.

The Brock boys scored in 10 events and claimed nine medals on their way to the team championship, capping a meet that saw athletes from the Big Country Preps coverage area combined to earn 32 medals and claim 23 automatic berths to the Class 3A state meet May 2 in Austin.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

BREAKING: Merkel names Snyder’s Wood as new head football coach, AD

It took a little over a month, but Merkel ISD has found its man to lead the Badgers football program and athletic department as a whole.

In a move announced Monday that causes dominoes to fall across the Big Country, MISD tabbed Snyder’s Wes Wood to the post, replacing Will Kates, who resigned in March to move closer to his family.

While it may come as a surprise that Wood would leave a Class 4A Division II program to move to a Class 3A Division II squad, Wood said it was his experiences and family that led to the decision.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Jeffers’ walk-off blast lifts Clyde to win over Merkel, earns coach Sewell his 400th career win

CLYDE — If the calendar says its March 22 and the Clyde softball team is facing Merkel, there’s a good chance that something big is on the horizon for Lady Bulldogs coach Reagan Sewell.

After getting the 300th win of his career on March 22, 2019 against the Lady Badgers, Sewell’s squad got him No. 400 on Friday in memorable fashion — with a walk-off home run.

Jaci Jeffers blasted the second pitch she saw from Merkel ace Josie Whitehead deep to center as the Lady Bulldogs rallied for a 7-6 win on their home field.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall junior has huge day in San Angelo to capture our award

Wall junior Briggs Jones may be on the verge of a major breakout season in area track and field. 

Our Big Country Player of the Week not only won five medals at the coveted Angelo State Spring Break meet, but he broke two solo school records and helped break a third. It seldom gets much better than that. 

Aside from setting school marks in the long jump at 23-9.5 (for gold) and the triple jump at 45-2 (for gold), Jones was part of the 800 relay team’s silver medal performance of 1:28.49 — another Wall school mark. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jayton’s Gentry takes this week’s award

Big moments attract big-time players and our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, certainly made the most of his opportunity over the weekend. 

After scoring nine points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing four assists in a state semifinal win over Fayetteville last Thursday, Jayton sophomore Colt Gentry, saved his best for last in a 60-53 win over Benjamin in the 1A boys state title game on Saturday.

Gentry charted a team-high 19 points to go with six boards, four assists, a steal and a block to help the Jaybirds to the state title and earn state tourney MVP honors in the process. 

It was his second straight week of huge performances under pressure, the first of which helped the Jaybirds win the regional tournament.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Brandon McAuliffe

BREAKING: After three years, Kates leaving Merkel to be closer to family

When he took over the program in 2021, Will Kates was the fourth head football coach that the Merkel Badgers program had seen in as many years — after a period in which the program had had just three coaches from 2000-2018.

Having spent three years providing stability to the team, Kates announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down from his post and would be the offensive coordinator at Saginaw Eagle Mountain.

It’s a decision that was difficult for the first time head coach.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Colorado City freshman takes this week’s award

As if the Big Country’s collection of softball catchers wasn’t already “scary-good,” the area can count a worrisome new addition to its ranks: Colorado City freshman Bryanna Munoz, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week for the week ending March 2.

How’s this for frightening? 

Munoz, who was in junior high only a year ago, was an absolute wrecking ball in last week’s Brownfield Tournament, hitting a combined .818 in the event with an 18 of 22 tally at the plate. But that’s not the half of it. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

GAME STORY: Comanche too much for Merkel, advances to regional quarterfinals

ABILENE — Already considered an underdog against high-flying Comanche, the Merkel Lady Badgers were facing even longer odds in Friday’s 3A area round game with the Maidens. 

With four girls coming off a stomach illness, the Lady Badgers had neither the depth nor the stamina to cope with Comanche, which pressed and ran its way to a 71-43 win in the second game of an area round doubleheader at Hardin-Simmons University.

Jim Ned topped Eastland 65-33 in the first of the two games on Friday.  Comanche (31-3) will now meet Jim Ned (33-2) in the Region I-3A quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined. 

Sophomore J’Lee Salinas scored 28 points and junior Kinsey Glasgow added 21 more to lead Comanche, which claims its first area title in the 10-year tenure of coach Diana Salinas and the first overall in more than 15 years. 

Merkel (23-13) was led by Amirah Navarrette with 12 points; Alexandria Farmer and Camryn Stone added eight each. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Stifling defense, extended runs fuel Merkel to bi-district win over Brady

WINTERS — During Brady’s 10-0 run through District 5-3A play, the Lady Bulldogs made a habit of dictating tempo, frequently overwhelming their opponents on the defensive end.

On Monday at the Winters High School gym, it was Merkel that did those things to BHS, limiting the Lady Bulldogs to just 12 total field goals in a 54-31 bi-district win.

Taking advantage of a strong start, the Lady Badgers raced out to a 15-6 lead after a quarter and never trailed from there, using an 11-0 run out of halftime to build a 20-point cushion they would have little trouble protecting the rest of the way.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco senior takes this week’s top spot

Doing a bit of everything is a specialty of Cisco senior guard Cole Thompson, who takes our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award after a pair of big nights in an 88-53 win over Hamlin and a 57-51 loss to Albany last week.

Thompson opened on Tuesday with 29 points, five assists, four steals and three boards in the Hamlin win. He followed that with a near triple-double that saw him tally 16 points, 10 boards, eight assists and two steals against Albany on Friday. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Rigdon has another huge week

Benjamin LogoBenjamin’s Grayson Rigdon has been posting such overwhelming numbers for so long, that people scarcely blink when upon hearing of his latest exploits. 

So here we go again: Rigdon is our Big Country Preps Player of the Week after posting monstrous numbers in wins over Munday (81-60) and Electra (99-74).

In the Munday win, the junior guard tallied 41 points, nine assists and eight steals. Three nights later, he charted 51 points, six assists and 10 steals to help the Mustangs improve to 15-0 overall and 10-0 in district. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Eula’s Clayton Gray claims this week’s top spot

The 15th-ranked Eula Pirates (22-3) needed sweep of Baird and Cross Plains to finish the first half of district play at 5-0 and they did just that with the help of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week. 

Senior forward Clayton Gray posted big numbers in both contests, beginning with a double-double of 32 points and 14 boards in the Baird win. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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.

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
by Zach Duncan, Special to Big Country Preps

FEATURE: Merkel’s Darby doubling as point guard who can score

Kooper Darby was already going to have a sizeable role in his final season at Merkel.  

But when the Badgers lost Maddox O’Malley to a broken fibula in the last football game, it put even more pressure on Darby’s shoulders.  

The 6-foot-3 senior has certainly rose to the occasion, averaging 27.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and four assists as Merkel fights for a playoff berth in District 6-3A.  

“He’s had to put the ball in the hoop for us a lot more,” Merkel coach B.C. Lee said. “Every time he puts the ball on the ground, he’ll have multiple guys trying to shut him down. Every night he gets the other team’s best defender, which makes what he’s doing even more impressive.” 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us
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. 

You need to be logged in to view the rest of the content. Please . Not a Member? Join Us