Sports

Tom Petty’s classic hit, Runnin’ Down a Dream, could well describe the passion of Ennis Cross Country Head Coach Lonnie Redning. Now in his 22nd year, he’s old enough to know about chasing and achieving goals.

Ennis flattened Midlothian in varsity tennis, 15-4, on Tuesday. The victory clinched the district championship and extended their consecutive wins to seven straight after an 0-2 start.

Eastern Ellis County has five teams, and both Avalon (5-0) and Palmer (3-0) are off to unbeaten starts. In fact, the orange-clad Eagles haven’t started this good in the past 15 years.

Death, taxes and a developing defense by Paul Willingham. Three certainties in life, or so it seems. The latter is usually a foregone conclusion.

Ennis fared well at Saturday’s 21st Annual Lions Den Invitational, which attracted 1,400 runners just for the high school part of the races. Altogether there were 68 teams competing.

When Ennis made their last trip to Terrell Memorial Stadium it had plenty of green and red. Today’s grass is no longer real, seating is at 7,000 and the press box and the scoreboard are new, the latter enhanced with video.

Linebacker Kevin Vidales scored on a pair as Avalon breezed past Walnut Springs, 54-0, to complete a successful homecoming on Sept. 20.

Ferris held their own for nearly a half at Bruce Field before the Athens pulled away to post a 52-29 victory over the Yellowjackets, who slipped to 1-3.

One team delivered when they needed it most. The difference, a single point, lifted Italy (2-2) to a 21-20 victory over Marlin (0-4).

While it may sound like old hat, Ennis varsity tennis is state ranked again, the recognition of HC Keith Howard and Wyatt Johnson’s prowess in recruiting and building new players and creating an environment where good players flourish, is always w