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Sports

ENNIS GRINDS ‘CATS

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BAM! BAM! JONES

A blue-collar, blue-grade steel, workmanlike effort got the job done for Ennis in a 42-14 road victory over an out-manned Sulphur Springs team. Cold and damp conditions may have cut short any ideas for fireworks, but none were needed on a night when Hall-of-Fame Head Coach Sam Harrell won his 200th career victory.

As expected he credited players down through the years, and also made mention of longtime coaching cohorts, Steve Marrow and Paul Willingham, who have worked together over two decades.

Ennis edges ‘Cana, 3-2, boosts mark to 17-10

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After taking the first of a best of five match against Corsicana on Tuesday, Ennis dropped two straight before storming back to win the fourth and the fifth set tie-breaker to claim a 3-2 volleyball victory. The Lady Lions won 25-17, then played badly during 25-11 and 25-16 setbacks. On the verge of a defeat, they fought tooth-and-nail to claim the equalizer, 25-20, setting up a fifth game to snap the 2-2 deadlock. A 15-4 triumph followed to earn the team a key sweep, elevating their league mark to 4-3 and their overall record to 17-10. Corsicana falls to 14-19 and 1-6.

How they stack up / Area football stats

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While it is not Fantasy Football, where fans care only about individual statistics, a number of individual high school football players have amassed impressive numbers after five or six games. Researching Sports Day, Max Preps and Hudl has revealed stats for players in the Big 5 of Eastern Ellis County, including some from District 8-5A.

Italy wins OT thriller on seventh lead change

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Looking to Jesus, usually for salvation at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting would not surprise anyone. Last Friday night, however, he kicked an extra-point in overtime that gave Italy a 44-43 road victory over defending District 8-2A champion Bosqueville.

A year after getting pummeled at home, 42-2, by a Bulldogs team that went four rounds deep in the playoffs, made the win extra sweet. The game had seven lead-changes, the last one decisive.

Howard outlines Ennis post-season path

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Keith Howard, from from a tenth consecutive district championship in fall team tennis, announced on Monday that Ennis (8-2) would not be playing a warm-up match this week. Rather, they will practice at the tennis center to tune-up for their first round opponent.

The veteran head coach revealed Ennis will play host to Mesquite Poteet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the EISD Tennis Center on W. Ennis Ave. The Lions are riding an 8-match winning streak.

Bulldogs (5-0) hammers Herd, 38-19

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Riding a punishing ground game and an ornery defense, unbeaten Palmer bit Buffalo, 38-19, last Friday.

“It was a huge win,” said HC Don Waddle. “I’m very pleased with our kids’ effort and execution. It was a very physical game. Our defense played great and the offense was very opportunistic and efficient.”

What a difference a year makes. Last October the Bulldogs were overran in 40-14 stampede. Buffalo went 12-0 before losing in the playoffs. Four interceptions doomed Palmer (7-3), who were out gained in yards by just a 299-286 count.

P-Willy cut the chains, set Lions loose

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Like an oak tree attracts lightning, the Ennis front seven on defense is drawn to the ball carrier. Previously unbeaten Royse City, who entered Friday’s game averaging 500.8 yards per game, was struck for losses 13 times during their 44 plays, and was able to account for a meager 158 yards of total offense in their 37-21 loss at Ennis.

When fans leave, they’re talking about the D

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Following the “How To Play Dominating Defense” instructional video displayed by Ennis in the win over Royse City, I recorded the answers of longtime DC Paul Willingham as he explained what just happened.

He said his defensive charges hit the Bulldogs in the mouth early on, and he was sure they hadn’t played anyone like Ennis this season.

Avalon moves to 6-0 with 52-42 win

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Scoring all of their points in the middle two quarters was enough to give Class 1A Avalon a 52-42 win over visiting Trinidad. The tougher-than-expected win lifted the Eagles record to 6-0 while Trinidad slipped to their third straight defeat at 2-3.

Avalon found themselves in arrears, 8-0, at the end of the first quarter. Three quick Orange Wing scores in the second erased the deficit, 22-8, though the Trojans hung around with a ground game that methodically chewed up time and over 300 yards. It allowed them to draw to within 35-28 in the third quarter.

Caddo Mills’ balance out-foxes Ferris, 36-15

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Five turnovers prevented Ferris from getting untracked while paving the way for a 36-15 win by Caddo Mills on Friday.

The visiting Foxes balanced attack steadily kept drives alive to the tune of 250 yards through the air and 229 on the ground. Defensively, Caddo Mills struggled to control Ferris on the ground, though turnovers did the job. Four interceptions, one returned 90 yards for a touchdown were critical.