Sports

Italy sophomore RB Gared Wood was the toast of the town on Homecoming, running for a pair of first half touchdowns and adding two more in the third quarter to lift the Gladiators to a 42-6 rout of previously unbeaten Malakoff Cross Roads on Sept. 23.

JV boys trio shine; Tabb leads Lady Lions

Palmer (4-0) at Blooming Grove (4-0) Rice (1-3) at Scurry-Rosser (3-1)

The Lady Lions moved to 4-1 in the district with another clutch victory, sweeping second place Crandall, 3-0, 26-24, 26-24 and 25-23 to take over sole possession of second. Now 19-12 overall, HC Kelly Henderson’s squad was led by the serving of Kiera Walker, who fired four aces among her 17 serves. Defense by junior Peyton Bruce was critical during the skin-tight, down-tothe-wire contest. Team Maroon is at Red Oak on Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.

The Good: Passing game improving weekly, moved ball well, made big chunk plays. Key stop by Malachi Perez on fake punt in 3rd qtr. Never gave up despite being down two scores late in the 4th qtr.

Gilkey, Harris, McGowan light it up; Lions fall to 1-4, have timely bye week

Starting 4-0 for the second time in three years, Palmer thumped No. 5 Rogers (3-1) by overcoming a 15-14 first quarter deficit to score 22 unanswered points enroute to a 36-23 homecoming win in front of the largest crowd in school history.

Four home matches remain

Veteran Ennis Cross Country HC Lonnie Redning has hosted the Lions Den over 20 years, with this year attracting 69 area teams. Athletes from junior high to junior varsity and varsity, both boys and girls, and in divisions from Class 1A through 6A. There were over 1,350 runners competing, with numerous area teams entered in the Sept. 17 event. Attendance surpassed 1,000 at the course, which had shorter lengths, all the way to 3.1K and 5K. Photographer Lezley Norris caught some local harriers hot-footing across grass and concrete.