Sports

Nearly three months after the sudden resignation of Head Coach Tiffany Phillips, Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) announced on Aug. 23 the hiring of Michael Sons to lead the women’s basketball team.

Ennis News Managing Editor Mark Warde has been invited by Tater Beard to appear on Monday night’s Aug. 24 Sports Roundtable on the radio at 6 p.m. with Travis Smith.

All four of the local teams who have begun practicing for the Aug. 28 start to their seasons, saw action on Thursday in controlled scrimmages. Two squads, Ferris and Italy, were at home, while Palmer was at Venus and Avalon visited Morgan.

Four of the five teams in District 5-4A will play their way into the post-season, in fact, just one win in their four league games may be enough to extend their season. The race to get there, however, could be tougher than expected.

The NFL has announced that it is not allowing cheerleaders and mascots on the field during the 2020 football season. Due the coronavirus pandemic teams are being allowed to set their own policies when it comes to fan attendance.

Barring any last minute wrenches thrown into the engine, Texas High School football is on the verge of starting with pre-season scrimmages this Thursday, Aug. 20, when four area teams have scheduled action with other teams. Class 5A and 6A schools, including Ennis, don’t begin practicing until Labor Day, Sept. 7. Their scrimmages get underway a few weeks later.

Watching his nephew Laylon Spencer light up the gridiron last year invigorated Lee Spencer, or, as he put it, “He sparks me back.”