Sports

Lions of 2026; Predators coming into focus

Ennis moves up to third; hosts Kaufman, Tues., Jan. 20

Ennis entertains Kaufman, Crandall this week

First-year varsity coach Chad Gandy has ignited a great start for the maroon-clad Lions team. They began the season with a 5-0 start.

Ennis improved their overall record to 3-0 with two victories to start the Chris Cooper Soccer Tournament in Ennis. HC Chad Gandy’s Lions fired out of the gate, pedal-to-metal, with a 9-2 demolition of Lancaster on Thursday and followed that with a 5-0 blanking of Cleburne.

Three players reached double-figures and Ennis toppled the Terrell Tigers, 61-32, on the road on Tuesday. Eli Harris had the hot hand, firing five triples, including a 30-footer to end the first half with a 30-16 upper hand.

Senior forward Andre Ibanez scored a hat trick (three goals) and added an assist to spark Ennis to a 9-3 rout of Lancaster on Thursday. The 5-foot-7, 155-pound multi-sport athlete, was both the Lions’ kicker and wide receiver last fall.

New Ennis girls soccer HC Victor Monsivais may have rekindled the ancient, Griffin-like Lions with wings, but Ennis flew to three straight wins to open the season at 3-0. In doing so, the Lady Lions equaled their 2025 win total of 3-14-3.

Class 1A Avalon had to enjoy seeing their top player, 6-foot-4 junior Brooklyn De La Garza deliver an MVP performance during the second annual Ellis County Volleyball All-Star match at the Historic Old Gym in Midlothian. It was built from salvaged lumber from post-World War II buildings, it opened in 1950.

Anderson, Roop, Harris, Mason shine; Host Red Oak, Friday