Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Sports

Lion Nation elects Irishman, prez. of Lionbackers

Article Image Alt Text

One of Lion Nation’s most respected leaders, Gary Fincher, has seen it all in his stint as president of the Lionbackers, the club of supporters of Ennis football. In the past year he has handed the baton to his heir, Jeff Irish.

Ennis football schedule nears finishing

Article Image Alt Text

Football teams across the state continue to secure and finalize their schedules for the fall of 2020, though the University Interscholastic League will not allow the specifics to be published until Feb. 26. That provides time for any appeals made by teams unsatisfied with the recently announced district and regional realignments.

Lady Lions fade late, end season Tues.

Article Image Alt Text

Their best outing of the district season wasn’t enough when visiting Waco University H.S. rallied to pin a 50-37 defeat on Ennis last Tuesday.

Gladiators are winding up as sked winds down

Article Image Alt Text

Desmond Guy and Rolandrus Raindle have tagteamed as new coaches at Italy, each utilizing a spatula to turn over teams that had losing records just a year ago. In fact, the boys have reversed a 7-12 mark into what was 18-5 heading into last night’s away game at Malakoff Cross Roads.

Gladiators like new district digs

Article Image Alt Text

Not nearly as dramatic as the 1992 movie, The Last of the Mohicans, but Italy High School surely felt left alone when the University Interscholastic League separated them from Bruceville-Eddy, Bosqueville, Riesel, Moody and Itasca during this week’s announced district realignment.

Realignment impacts some, Ennis, Ferris, Palmer stay put

Article Image Alt Text

University Interscholastic League officials pulled the cover off of the redistricting plans for the next two years, releasing the division of schools based on new enrollment figures. Athletic Directors and coaches statewide gathered, some in large groups while others huddled among their own to learn of the information sent from the UIL headquarters in Austin.

Ferris adding components into baseball upgrade

Article Image Alt Text

Seeking an end to a five-year string of losing seasons, HC Joe West and Ferris begin a new season next week following a hard-working fall and winter by the Yellowjackets.

Healthy Lions replenishing bullpen

Article Image Alt Text

Kellen Monreal began his first season as skipper of the same team he once starred for, Ennis, with great energy and a 3-0-1 opening two weeks. The team’s lack of offense overcame a gutsy performance by a depleted pitching staff that suffered a season-ending injury to Texas A&M recruit, Kade Bragg.

During the Lions district season the Maroonclad locals scored just 30 runs in 11 games while surrendering 53. They hit .251, swiped 43 bases and had an even 3.00 ERA.

Diamond 'Dogs gearing up for another run

Article Image Alt Text

Baseball has long been a strength in Palmer, enough that reaching the playoffs is a foregone conclusion. A year ago HC Joe Robinson and the Bulldogs rode a 19-8-2 mark, into the area round before falling in three games to Gunter (27-9-1). Along with staffers Tim Hoff and Judge Wolfe, Robinson appears to have yet another contender on the make this year.

Palmer has long-established itself as a baseball town and a perennial contender. Plus, they have built a winning district record for at least 10 consecutive years.

Where will Big 5 coaches be on Monday?

Article Image Alt Text

Monday is a huge day for athletic directors and football head coaches as the UIL unveils the new district alignments, which prompts the need for the scheduling of non-district games.

For that reason there are numerous, large gatherings where AD’s and coaches meet to learn of their new directions, schedule-making as well as to socialize with their peers. The Ennis News coverage of Eastern Ellis County schools — Ennis and Palmer and Ferris to the north and Avalon and Italy to the south, will include results for each. But where will Big 5 coaches congregate?