Sports

Rising from the ashes of an 0-28 senior season on the Ennis basketball court, Scott Muirhead made an unlikely climb that has seen him parlay the experience of that struggle to play college basketball and graduate in four years.

Palmer is entering its sixth year under the strong and steady influence of Don Waddle optimistic of an encore to last year’s 7-3 season. Finishing third behind Buffalo (12-1) and Edgewood (9-2), who are ranked No. 13 and No.

Dallas Gateway Charter, fresh from an 0-9 season a year ago, got little help in the form of a lighter schedule this year. The Gators, have the toughest district itinerary at 43-29 (.597) to go along with a 56-48 overall ledger (.538).

Waxahachie native Aeriel Horton, who graduated from NCAA Division I Houston Baptist University, signed on July 17 with Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) as their first-ever graduate transfer student-athlete.

Ennis begins the 2019 high school football season ranked No. 16 in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine. Considered the Bible of prep football, they know a thing or two about the sport. They preview over 1,400 teams in Texas alone.

Area high school volleyball teams return to the court this week to begin official practices for the upcoming season, and they don’t mess around. Italy jump starts the action next Tuesday, Aug. 6, when they host DeSoto Canterbury at 5:30 p.m.

Ferris is no stranger to winning or to playoff berths. Last year’s 6-4 team witnessed the Yellowjackets overcome an 0-2 start by winning 6-of-7 to reach the post-season.

Of the five teams in District 4-4A, both Ferris and Godley face a schedule against teams whose combined won-lost record is below .500, though neither is close to having a cakewalk towards an easy season.

All five teams in District 4-4A have 10 or more returning starters, though Ferris leads the lot with 14, seven on offense and defense.

Two recent favorites, Clemson and Alabama, are at the top of the just released (July 30) Associated Press football poll, the same position they finished last season.