Ennis Football Program 2021

THE

2021

OFFICIAL

ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL PROGRAM

WELCOME TO ENNIS MEMORIAL STADIUM “THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER”

Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming.

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh! say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

“MAROON AND WHITE”

Ennis, old Ennis, we’ll stand by thee; Faithful and loyal we will ever be.

True to our colors that stand for right, Loyal sons and daughters of maroon and white.

We will always face the conquest with spirits bold, Laurels for old Ennis High will be our goal.

2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 3

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2021 VARS ITY FO OTBALL Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

7:30 P.M. vs. Red Oak 7:30 P.M. vs. Keller Fossil Ridge 7:30 P.M. at Waxahachie 7:30 P.M. at Greenville 7:30 P.M. vs Sulphur Springs Bye 7:30 P.M. at North Forney 7:30 P.M. vs. Crandall 7:30 P.M. at Forney 7:30 P.M. at Royse City 7:30 P.M. vs. Corsicana

S C H E D ULE

*District Game

2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 5

2021 CHEERLEADERS VARSITY

Front Row - Sophia Sellers, Abby Vera, Bella Bishop (Captain), Ava Lawrence, Cinda McDaniel Middle Row - Kearstin Davis, Misty Dvorak, Jazmyn Robinson (Captain), Kelsey Drake Back Row - Olivia Rudd, Jordan Jenkins, RubyLaine Walker (Captain), Harley Smith, Caris Trojacek

Good Luck 6 - 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL

2021 CHEERLEADERS VARSITY JUNIOR

Front Row - Tandi Schlottman (Captain), Grace Gardner, Emma Horrell Back Row - Katelyn Zmolik, Andrea Davis, Za'Naria Anderson, Madelynn Munoz

Ennis Lions!

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2021 LION ETTES OFFICERS

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2021 EHS L I O N ETTEs

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2021 LION ETTES ESCORTS

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2021 LION ETTEs

Squad leaders

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2021 EH S l i o n e t t e s

Chloee Lee Captain

Brooklyn Eddins Jr. 1st Lt.

Emma Atchley Jr. Lt.

Delina Caldwell Sr. Lt.

Denise Aparicio Sr. Lt

JaLeah Harris Head SL

Tymya Jones SL

Kathryn Duarte SL

Morgan Feller SL

Lindsay McManus SL

Adeline Trojacek

Malia Smith

Lauren Carl

Kailyn Heng

Kaile Saavedra

Presley White

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Karrah Armstrong

Logan Ort

Good Luck

Mia Droll

Mia DeCapua

Makenna Feller

Juana Magdaleno

Katherine Aparicio

Jairaliz Hernandez

Na’Karia Anderson

Elida Rhodes

Mekenzie Kazee

Gavrianna Saucedo

Nellieyah Fortner

Madison Aguilar

Anahi Castillo

Lily Webb

Ava Glenn Manager

Zabian Zuniga Escort

Lee Carl Escort

Kyle Keiser Escort

Ennis Lions

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2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 15

TARGETING

THE TOP I

WARDE’S

WHEEL H USE

n the Chip and Joanna Gaines world of turning dilapidated but potetial-rich homes into showplaces, the Fixer Upper mindset is what Ennis Head Coach Sam Harrell has set out to do this fall with the Ennis Lions.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine listed the eight-teams in District 8-5A according to how many starters each team had returning this season; Crandall and Sulphur Springs have 13, Corsicana, Forney and Greenville all have 12, Royse City 10, North Forney seven and Ennis with six. Interestingly, the last four teams listed, in reverse order, are the foursome they pick to finished first through fourth. They will be the league’s four playoff qualifiers, just as they did in 2020.

That says all one needs to know about the confidence DCTF places in veteran head coaches to fill the openings with talent, develop those players and, rather than rebuilding, they’ll reload instead. The past success of Harrell, David Petroff (RC) and Darren Duke (GV) puts them on a higher level than the others.

Ennis is picked to win the district again, which would punch their playoff ticket for the tenth straight year. Since his comeback, Harrell has shown his prowess at getting the most from players. He is not satisfied with simply fixing and upping. This edition of Lions follows in the steps of the 2020 team that was ranked No. 1 in the state, and then rolled to nine straight one-sided wins, all of them by two touchdowns or more.

DCTF has installed Team Maroon as No. 7 in their 2021 preseason ranking.

No other team in the district is ranked in the Top 25 in what many see as a down year. The first round of the playoffs will pit the four D8 teams against the D7 quad, where No. 3 Lovejoy (13-1), No. 14 Denison (7-4), No. 18 Frisco (8-2) and Frisco Liberty (6-5) are the four likely foes in D8’s forecast.

The magazine, considered the Football Bible, predicts No. 1 Aledo will defeat Lovejoy for their fourth straight state championship and 10th-in-the-last-13 years. Past often dictates the future, which is why some observers see the Lions going further and deeper than its last two predecessors - teams who may have had more talent, but whose mojo came up short in the playoffs.

It is Harrell’s fourth season back, and even with a new Offensive Coordinator in Chase Willingham and a new quarterback in junior Jackson Gilkey, don’t be surprised if his sails have gotten a fresh wind at 65. This offense might open-it-up more than the last two, each who ran the ball 60 percent of the time. This edition will be younger on the O-Line (center Patlan Mendez and Cody Jurcik are returning first stringers), tight end and at wide receiver, though they might be quicker than a turpentined cat.

Gilkey has an excellent arm, reads defenses well and just could be a highly-tuned catalytic converter in distributing the ball to a host of receivers. Skylan Simmons and Ca’Terrin “T.T.” Cox are top-flight targets at WR, along with Jace Berry, while Dee Johnson and Devion Beasley are the primary ground assault RB’s. Other players will surface as opportunities arise.

The defense, led by the ageless sage, Paul Willingham, has to rebuild and retool the resistance. The Defensive Coordinator needs a couple of D-Linemen, a couple of LB’s and a few more in the secondary. While the offense will be young and may take a few weeks to get their legs and wings, the Lions may have to rely on P-Willy’s magic. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t assemble another carnivorously aggressive unit in time for the start of the season.

The Lions will operate a 4-2-5, four linemen, two linebackers and five in the secondary. Watch the ‘Backers, with Eric Gonzalez returning and Edgar Gabriola, who saw plenty of action, as well as Devion Beasley playing a hybrid safety / outside LB role. All three are undersized but who overdeliver.

The D-Line has a fresh look, including sophomore noisemaker Lonnie Collins at DT. Lazarus Becks, Octavius Johnson and TJ Johnson are seniors who will be counted on.

Ashton Ehly and Dre Lewis are likely ballhawks in the secondary, with Dee Johnson in support.

Making Tracks in Weekly Coverage Subscribe to The Ennis News for weekend reviews, top-of-the-line photos, statistics, District and Big 5 results, feature stories, and Pigskin Pickers, all for a dollar at newsstands, Walmart, HEB, Walgreens, CVS or subscribe for a digital copy online. Visit www.ennisdailynews.com for Ennis Based, objective journalism.

Lions Stat Leaders 10 Games, includes playoffs.

Passing

Player Collin Drake Jackson Gilkey

Att 210 25

Com 134 19

Rushing

Player Att Yds Dee Johnson 72 632 Devion Beasley 66 518 Collin Drake 77 478 Jacobie Collins 37 207 Karon Smith 15 185 Fabian Becks 20 81 Jace Berry 4 55 Jackson Gilkey 12 51 Ca’Terrin Cox 3 21 Att-Attempts (Carries). YPC-Yards per Carry.

Receiving

Player Laylon Spencer Karon Smith Skylan Simmons Jace Berry Nick Novy Devion Beasley Dee Johnson Clayton Jenkins Ashton Ehly Jacob Duke

Tackling

Player Payton Chapman Eric Gonzalez Caden Hubbard Devion Beasley Jarveon Williams Deryous Stokes Dacoby Sterling Michael Markgraf Ashton Ehly Edgar Gabriola Stephon Townsend Brayden Gardner Dee Johnson D’Aundre Lewis Christian Benevidez

Interceptions

Player Stephon Townsend Dee Johnson Payton Chapman Dacoby Sterling Devion Beasley Ashton Ehly Laylon Spencer PBU – Pass Break Ups

Int 4 1

Pct .640 .760

YPC 8.78 7.85 6.21 5.59 12.22 4.05 13.75 4.25 7.00

TDs 9 12 9 3 2 0 2 1 0

No. 55 32 25 12 8 6 5 5 1 1

Yds 921 403 321 180 114 103 64 52 19 12

YPC 16.75 12.59 12.84 15.00 14.25 17.17 12.80 10.40 19.00 12.00

TDs 11 5 7 2 2 1 2 0 1 0

Tkl 109 100 79 67 55 51 51 48 41 32 32 31 27 23 18

TFL 5 12 7 3 10 3 1 7 1 1 0 2 2 0 2

Sax 1 3 2 1 8 3 0 7 0 1 0 2 0 0 1

QBP 0 1 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

No. 3 2 2 1 1 1 1

PBU 3 3 0 8 1 1 0

Yds 1,916 238

TDs 27 3

Fumbles Rec.

Player Rec FC Jarveon Williams 2 0 Payton Chapman 1 0 TJ Johnson 1 0 Edgar Gabriola 1 0 Devion Beasley 1 0 Eric Gonzalez 0 1 Caden Hubbard 0 1 Lazarus Becks 0 1 Rec – Fumbles Recovered. FC – Fumbles Caused.

2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 17

2021 Schedule Overview

E

nnis begins a season with an easier schedule than a year ago, though five of their 10 opponents qualified for the playoffs in 2020. While the opponents are pretty much the same, several made changes at the top, including North Forney. Randy Jackson recently retired after doing very well the last four with the Falcons. Assistant Head Coach Eric Luster was elevated into Jackson’s cat-bird seat.

The opening game at home against Red Oak, whom the Lions have a 17-5 career mark, is a huge debut between a pair of state-ranked teams. A year ago, Ennis roared to a 31-0 halftime lead and coasted to a 52-21 route. Red Oak has both a new HC in Tony Holmes, the former DeSoto DC, and at QB. The Lions second game, also at home, is against Class 6A Fossil Ridge, a recent doormat who are 1-3 against Ennis.

That brings up the Battle of 287, where the Lions and rival Indians are 51-51-2 in a long series. New Tribe HC Shane Tolleson was the DC for state champion Denton Ryan, so look for Gang Green to try to put the brakes on Ennis in a game played at Lumpkins Stadium.

The District 8-5A race begins Sept. 17 at Greenville, who are tied with Ennis all-time at 14-14. Then Sulphur Springs tests their one-game lead in the series.

Forecasters view the game at North Forney, who has yet to beat Team Maroon, as the league showdown. The Crandall series just started a year ago with a cakewalk win for the Jungle Kings. Forney hosts Ennis in the first meeting with their new HC, Jeff Fleener, who was at Mesquite the past four years.

David Petroff has been the HC at Royse City since 2013, and the Bulldogs are expected to contend again. The finale is at home when Corsicana comes calling on Nov. 5. While the Tigers own a large advantage in the series, Ennis has won the last six meetings. HC Hal Wasson has not brought the same magic he had at Southlake Carroll and QB Solomon James transferred to 6A power Duncanville, so the Tigers could struggle.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts Ennis will win District 8-5A, followed by North Forney, Royse City and Greenville. The Lions, however, are on the road against all three. Picked to finish 5-thru-8 are Corsicana, Crandall, Sulphur Springs and Forney.

When the post-season begins, District 8’s top four teams will face District 7’s quad qualifiers. Ennis has reached the playoffs nine consecutive years, going 84-27 (.757) overall and 16-8 in playoff games.

ENNIS NEWS subscribers now have access to a midweek online only SPORTS EXTRA newsletter!

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Last Years’ Team Stats 10 Games (includes two playoff games)

OFFENSE 51.2 22.3 442.8 55.5 219.8 .652 230.0 7.2 57/43 5 2 7

DEFENSE Points Scored First Downs Total Yards Plays per Game Passing Yards Completion Pct. Rushing Yards Yards per Rush Pass/Rush Plays Pct. Total Interceptions Total Fumbles Lost Total Turnovers

14.3 15.1 262.6 56.8 134.1 .571 128.5 3.3 66/34 13 7 20

Stats provided by the Dallas Morning News.

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2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

1 - DEVION BEASLEY

2 - DEE JOHNSON

3 - ASHTON EHLEY

4 - JACE BERRY

5 - EDGAR GABRIOLA

6 - DRE LEWIS

7 - TJ JOHNSON

8 - ETHEN RODRIGUEZ

9 - LAZARUS BECKS

10 - DEANTRE ROWDEN

11- EMERICK SARGENT

12 - JACKSON GILKEY

13 - SKYLAN SIMMONS

14 - GRACEN HARRIS

15 - TJ MCDANIEL

16 - LAMARION MCGOWAN

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2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

17 - T.T. COX

18 - DEVIN PHAM

21 - ERIC GONZALEZ

22 - BRYMOND SPEAD

23 - HEATH EMMERT

24 - X’ZAVIAS EDWARDS

25 - HEATH VERNOR

30 - JAMIOREOUS MYERS

32 - CARLOS JIRON

35 - TIEJAUN MCLEOD

40- BRAYDEN GARDNER

41- JULIO DOMINGUEZ

42 - JACK SUTTON

44 - SAMUEL MEEKER

45 - AIDAN REJCEK

54 - XAVIER PEREZ 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 25

2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

55- JULIAN CASTILLO

64 - CODY JURCIK

65 - PATLAN MENDEZ

66 - DYLAN CORONADO

74 - REID WHITE

77 - ISAAC GRAY

78 - BLAKE PRESTIDGE

80 - LOGAN BROWN

88 - LAMONT GRIFFIN

90 - TYLER GREGG

92 - OCTAVIUS JOHNSON

94 - JOE GARCIA

NOT PICTURED: 19 - TRISTAN PERRY 26 - MIGUEL GONZALEZ 28 - ROMAN SCHROEDER 36 - ALLAN HERNANDEZ 70 - BRYCE THOMPSON 98 - LUCAS HAGLER 26 - 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL

99 - LONNIE COLLINS

2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

COACHES & FAMILIES

QUARTERBACKS

RUNNING BACKS

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2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

OFFENSIVE LINE

DEFENSIVE LINE 28 - 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL

2021 ENN I S L I O N S varsity

RECEIVERS

TIGHT ENDS

LINEBACKERS

DEFENSIVE BACKS 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 29

VAR S IT Y QUARTERBACKS

12 - Jackson Gilkey, 6’2, 195, Jr.

RUNNING BACKS

1 – Devion Beasley, 5’7, 165, Sr. 2 – Dee Johnson, 5’11, 180, Sr. 26 – Miguel Gonzalez, 5’10, 160, Sr.

WIDE RECEIVERS

4 – Jace Berry, 5’11, 165, Jr. 8 – Ethen Rodriguez, 5’8, 160, Sr. 11 – Emerick Sargent, 5’10, 135, Sr. 13 – Skylan Simmons, 6’4, 195, Sr. 14 – Gracen Harris, 5’10, 140, Fr. 16 – Lamarion McGowan, 5’10, 145, So. 17 – Ca’Terrin T.T. Cox, 5’10, 160, Sr. 25 – Heath Vernor, 6’4, 180, Jr. 88 – Lamont Griffin, 6’1, 160, Sr.

TIGHT ENDS

32 – Carlos Jiron, 5’11, 195, Sr. 41 – Julio Dominguez, 5’11, 200, Jr.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

1 – Devion Beasley, 5’7, 165, Sr. 2 – Dee Johnson, 5’11, 180, Sr. 3 – Ashton Ehly, 6’0, 170, Sr. 4 - Jace Berry, 5’11, 165, Jr. 6 – Dre Lewis, 6’0, 170, Sr. 10 – Deantre Rowden, 5’10, 165, Jr. 15 – TJ McDaniel, 5’11, 155, Jr. 18 – Devin Pham, 5’10, 140, Jr. 19 – Tristan Perry, 5’11, 135, Jr. 20 – Kisshawn Autry, 6’1, 165, Sr. 23 – Heath Emmert, 5’11, 185, Sr. 28 – Roman Schroeder, 5’11, 145, Sr.

LINEBACKERS

5 – Edgar Gabriola, 5’10, 160, Sr. 21 – Eric Gonzalez, 5’11, 185, Jr. 40 – Brayden Gardner, 5’7, 185, Sr. 42 – Jack Sutton, 5’11, 165, Jr.

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OFFENSIVE LINE

54 – Xavier Perez, 6’0, 300, Sr. 55 – Julian Castillo, 5’11, 250, So. 64 – Cody Jurcik, 6’0, 290, Sr. 65 – Patlan Mendez, 6’0, 210, Jr. 66 – Dylan Coronado, 6’3, 270, Jr. 70 – Bryce Tippen, 6’2, 250, Jr. 74 – Reid White, 6’0, 250, Sr. 77 – Isaac Gray, 6’0, 260, Jr. 78 – Blake Prestidge, 6’0, 220, So.

DEFENSIVE LINE

7 – TJ Johnson, 5’10, 220, Sr. 9 – Lazarus Becks, 6’0, 240, Sr. 22 – Brymond Spead, 6’0, 210, Sr. 24 – X’Zavias Edwards, 6’0, 180, Sr. 30 – Jamioreous Myers, 5’10, 180, Jr. 35 – Tiejuan McLeod, 6’0, 225, Jr. 44 – Samuel Meeker, 6’0, 200, Sr. 45 – Aidan Rejcek, 6’1, 185, Jr. 80 – Logan Brown, 5’10, 240, Sr. 90 – Tyler Gregg, 6’0, 240, Sr. 92 – Octavius Johnson, 5’10, 260, Sr. 94 – Joe Garcia, 5’10, 260, Sr. 98 – Lucas Hagler, 5’11, 230, Jr. 99 – Lonnie Collins, 6’0, 260, So.

KICKERS

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CHASE WILLINGHAM Offensive Assistant Coaches Brent Falls, Zach Clark, Jake Smith, Steven Moreno, Ron Horodnyckye, Micah Fletcher

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR PAUL WILLINGHAM Defensive Assistant Coaches Steve Marrow, Hank Hollywood, Jah’Shawn Johnson, Terrell Harris, Tyrone Roberts

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR STEVE MARROW & JAKE SMITH JUNIOR HIGH COORDINATOR JOE VOLENTINE Junior High Assistant Coaches Channing Taylor, Adam Garcia, Andrew Denova, Matt Guerra, Chad Gandy

ATHLETIC TRAINER: ERIC RIDER, CAITLIN FINDLEY

12 – Jackson Gilkey, 6’2, 195, Jr., P 36 – Allan Hernandez, 5’7, 145, Jr., K

LIONETTE DIRECTOR TIA HENSLEY

COACHES

CHEER TEAM DIRECTOR JAIME REGAS

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DON DRAKE

STATISTICIANS RICK NELSON, GILBERT SANTOS

HEAD COACH SAM HARRELL

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER JAKE WILLINGHAM

2021 FOOTBALL COACHES

Sam Harrell

Steve Marrow

Jake Smith

Steven Moreno

Hank Hollywood

Chase Willingham

va r s i t y

Paul Willingham

Brent Falls

Ron Horodnyckye

Jah’Shawn Johnson

Terrell Harris

Zach Clark

Micah Fletcher

Tyrone Roberts 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 31

2021 E H S B A N

ND

2021 EHS B A N D Flag

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2021 EHS B A N D DRUM MAJORS

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2021 EHS B A N D SENIORS

Giovani Aguinaga

Denise Aparicio

Elsa Barrientos

Ryan Beaty

Paige Brignon

Morelia Bucio

Grace Ellen Chase

Lucas Crouch

Joshua Cuellar

Jose DeLeon

Natalie Devora

Jose Fraga

Not Pictured: Yesenia Camberos Areli Cardona Daniel Muniz Tyler Sanderson Juventino Sandoval Santiago Fraga

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Garron Gilmore

Molly Hansen

2021 EHS B A N D SENIORS

Leslie Hernandez

Larry Howard

Audrianna Jiminez

Kenadie Kazee

Charles Keyte

Lorenzo Leija

Makenna Mahone

Mollee Parrott

Faith Perez

Skyler Phillips

Kylie Pitchford

Jessica Reyna

Dario Rodriguez

Juliet Sanchez

Maddison Sladecek

Autumn Young

2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 37

2021 EHS B A N D LEADERSHIP

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Head Coach Kelly Henderson is back in her fourth year as coach of the Class 5A Lady Lions. The 2020 season was more impacted by injuries than coronavirus, though the l Fina pandemic gave the entire year a surreal 52 feel. Ennis failed to qualify for 4 tures 3 ng Pic the is TERS 2 21 playoffs, but the good news was 7 n/Movi yards. Th QUAR 1 the progress made by a few players, tterso ron 14 ve Pa ns for 61 and Ka E BY 7 53 17 tio s by Ste including some JV call-ups.

SCOR Photo ree recep had 5 for 14 14 “We’ve got some pretty decent hit0 his th Simmons Lions e of n 0 ters up front,” said Henderson, “but take in on 21. Skyla s K ni ers the fie OA En gath nt for whatever success we have will be tied ld for RED Mark Oak cer (7) arter we 25. a one-s Wa Red directly to our setter’s ability to get qu 16 for n Spen ided S mark@ rde Laylo the third made 5 route. ennisd ENNI 87 them the ball.” ailynew 57-2 Photo one in m” Smith s.com oo

by Jim On S 31 Two players will vie to lead the 164 “Kab Klenk rank a cr STAT f2 09 e is -o ed 4attack, Emily Gilstrap and Makena -6 AM p, a go 61 Enni TE e 12 ld full 21-1 s plet s ro Byers Barry Byers photo mphoto Martinez. Gilstrap, an agile senior, 2) te od but Barry Down l Yards 174 -123 de ro oon t com t was heDe36 W rs am ou d ni Fi ta zone movement di s, bu t-m Dome. , 71 .

Italy sophomore libero Ella Hudson leads a youth well- hile th 4-0 improved a year ago, though an- Italy sophomore libero Ella Hudson leads a youth movement at the Dome. anneughsho ght No. -18 at the He s - To 6-55 17-1 e Bu runs ingexec tore game , in Play g Yards d Ro d th se yard ird.

13 1 9 th ill 35 m lldog other step-up would energize the enth bled uted W t e 0 in r 13 s on touc a pape for ea e first yse Ci rough 44-4 Pass nson Enni a turn drives s man in th sses fo g yard r Paul rn wha tire unit. Martinez is a sophomore.

-96 buildhdowns r-doll likch. En Distri ty (2, th aged re Joh wi es s up st 11 to ea in pa s om nd ss m ct 8-5 ile th ei nis, 14 e a Pa on / Do t fr Yard rush ordina e him d back n Should she demonstrate the skill of and returns plenty of talent from on Aug. 2, and have three scrim- starting camp afte Beasleyarched all ni r defe a few A -18 Aug.se2. de 0 fens now The 43 on Avalon es eo oe gh nse Warde news.com r debu every ad to 30 e Co 4-0, first halftim ven po e for Rush es-Yards It wa Drake powerin61 yard t. aily Jarv f eir reMark ball placement in front of hitters, she a team that posted a 14-10 overall mages out of the gate, Aug. 6 at went 12-7nulast iv m ed llyho ps m se fake and e le 7-4ssreennisd lti s 21 g in s in fens ’s troo The ba t DE’s arkgra impo ber year in th look ing of of pe ha lf had ad. ession ven -6 d mark@ Pena s Lost could force Henderson to keep both mark and a third place, 8-6 record Blooming Grove, Aug. 7 versus Hill- cord inal District ing Ennis mmer Start as nalti wplay.

Only s to procRoyce Ciwith 2:4 a pitch toon the rig11 plays le ham d get. ark, bu hael M and Ca igne ance 10-1A 1 inat oe ha es th chippy 8 ty of Fumb d setters on the floor or even win the in District 18 in Class 3A. They sboro at home at 10 a.m. and Aug. Blum (30-6) mis finished Dom et, No. a 52-21 Goodl racr eeded to , pieced still on Karon ht side he di ided sp d Mic apman d up. above them. e ga at sed two dist th expr with ts th uz lly in to nd an ca ge ou e ni ga Ch m ov job outright.

That would be a tall orm ge rict bloc esse En clo Smith. p s ha a ca ha e s m pr the e part ak at Bi Avalon were dispatched in the first round 9 at 4 p.m. at Ferris. Their season ked uscled a 68-ya ther 10 ck. yton him upper 150) d a eswith iam pted eir due adiscrimmage ing starts visi in the d the der considering the experience and by Lorena (23-4), 3-0. ke rd tri -play r ons, scri r to at on An his seco in the Will LB’s Pa kept th ne bit th Red O ay. y fo ei on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m.

Hubbard, opener is Aug. 10 at 4:30 a.m. at Co s w st 2 ck se unsp om th th RC rd ly by 9 arte id vidip (1 nd ex last ya p wh and ttled a defe d dedication of Gilstrap. an 19. Af anks r No. on Fr throwbathose fr pionsh a an Hubba tended hnson block s nsiv season into their thenbytip-off The Black & Gold get going on home against Blooming Grove. shor d a goortsman tra-po rd. W en Vee hi ejectedwith the tera to SCOR ill den nis ex Dee Jo a key 30 yard r Fans relish the power swings at Aug. 2, and will be powered by a pair t, Aug. dium orting akin to cham first er Lion a metho on fo to ro t field. od retu like pe int kick iams th ar home r vs.Enpairyeof 10 E BY En fte It Sp got from they s. tilts 38-0 hen ets state ll’s It w dical e secondtargetwh 37 ya ar agai took rn by nalty ag. the net by Taia Humphrey, Macken- of All-District First Team performQUAR lf. A de e and 28-0 -0 w had and to a d as Aug. arre play5 p.m.

Frostoat 13 at 4:30 on Sm helm TERS to 24 ed left to scor the hans insi lier rds ou n as Jo e play ith le ainst flatte the th exhibi half nis e-year Sam H rolled ter an Seni ed th zie Pierce, Trista Manuel and Ja’Mya ers in 5’10, senior Taylor Rhoades, ju in .

91 Enni ik ir to the ar e w s tio Veteran HC Tony Hernandez has p.m. necomes or Trinidad tim when cent ke to t, dupl hnson for th d to a s thre during Lion ird qu Hawks o dash Jurc 31 left on do bled a es fo QB first ha d the d straig n e ic expl sc 1 Williams. Humphrey and Williams the league’s blocker-of-the-year (50 a young and rebuilt Eagles team Coop e an and Dome. dy Colli lf fu r 10 ht Bu Smither nega ore. A ating oded Lions Roys run wn, th the th er the last tw e Co with 3: e Hawks assem less th 2 the unlike 2 yard n Draklly ener lldogs, make big plays, but have struggled kills, 70 blocks), and Morgan Zaboe City on on a ted the penaltySpence from ov the in t ra ke to 21 re th in y y n ee Ba 3 ra r’s ea in sla pl fr e ra gized. ive went rker a year s and - ou opping s 10, D er ctor st th earl ss 22 ter off tack nt to ay. So on the with hitting errors and consistency. jnik, a junior. She was the anchor 4 er dr busted el pa a sh st left, s up th ago wh a touc n eigh lead sed to vi 20-4 ov age ju total of ni le an the 23 Drak Lion rTE lv 6 W 14 w ov n si AM to ar En he we t , as s’ hdow ed e e d , wh Manuel surprises with timely, scor- of the defense with 321 digs, or four p 12 STAT crui d Oak uld man rds of itness , the quick- Johnso -yard sh aroon to 14 16 th n he pa nt righ middl en he er spotte pace appare cutbac scored goug n, e, th S First Re s, co k. It unto e Beas d 0 ing hits that fuel rallies, though per set, and in receiving serves. with nt th 72 ya that w nwhile yard conds. d a 19 Team M conds e scor rows ssed he t, and is ed le d le Do uche tim ast y fo an wns Enni e Bark was on an t 0 es se ea se th lf was went e he so Play Gilk es. His r 192 d 28 ENNI Pierce could be the best all-around at seas downs st ha wn. M 17 tim it 50 n of 46 ough four s - To ft in but Chloe Cisneros, a junior, was Thre me form s, not ers coul -12 an afback yard good all nigh ey br le S h fir atdo ga st ru ns y di w it d d ta of a sa Rush t. a on ai uch me d lik up, so s an the net. fir l Yard it fety e play of re ithou d not asle 13 34 w eppe WR’s, oonfourth in kills last year with 80. in d es e in e ch ROYS s be 21 when s late sistan t offe keep s forc The a row, ewise, phomor a pair -ofYard m fens Enni oved th rds, m ored onh to BeHawks then st three Pa Practices get underway on Aug. 2. ri ed a E r ce ss ng s in N an 46 De CI hi m -0 Barnes will seeking someone e Ja of . alty in an e atio g ke -500 t Ja at d TY at 3 ya ey sc roug ryou Enni into an Si a 31 ons m in Henderson’s staff is comprised of Le- to quarterback the offense. Likely Pass g Yards handwhen En nal An ce Be for a ckson . th ay. Dra oking spiral th up 37 . Th ball agains tentio s Stoks tacked Li 28-2 22 se es Skyl Nemo, pl the racked for 286) d blew r dolls 68 field just m nis bo them rry for cond d et lo high e t to anne Evans, who will coach the junior candidates will be Zabojnik and play back an t Vera nal gr es’ pr on a Fumb pe in w 75-3 pock fired a e righ He foun to snar 232 le and ing (23 sion an like pa tery own ed an inutes lted to as stilla TD. 69 foun s. John d bree cruz. Enoundin essure th . varsity, and Casey Waterman with junior Alexis Villasenor, who were on as .

Pena s Lost g pe 49-1 18-1 then ght to 4 tower fender e defeat r ni yard 47 to st side into th a 14-0 playdash rush y posses nders eir m winning and d Spen son ra zed to lties n56 ki 5-0 fe pay- s got ni -yard will assist with third and fourth in assists in 2020. the freshmen.a 12 Both -Yar a de ne. Th e afte e 6’ play s) dash art. De ck at e game. upperstri Drake cer for n left the dirt ever Oak de ued thd Oak, ngs. ds 213 te ped vi - lit s, th zo ke 8, fo 0 re on ti in prid the varsity. to scs before ed 37 ya on Be mpt at They light to th return John r 20, in six Red s cont er Re 22 mee Thanks g mon out-jumthe end ay for to sco A literal ace in the hole will be 26-1 8-39 on th e seve ed to son sc Drak ov still ore fr Drake rds on asley (9 their ght 4-1 ) block TE ei e Sp (64 Enni series time in ks like nothin i- who pass in d to pl did. oo om n. th e on bu junior Cambry Cortez. She led the k fo Clay in righ te e John ence out Jurci 0 rds 12-yard Ro the cloc 16-yar sted of first th r 95 r w d 11 the awks ha d they the e 17th e Haw lowing HC M of th ton Je t, pave son f ds team with 77 serving aces. Zaboa Cody Petty oster a 70 ya k. to th th d by foun ith a 9-86 e ba nkin out left ta ree hind Ja ed H ime, an omed illing slant Ennis varsity will scrimmage at jnik, with 47, was fifth. for uffing lers, al st year starting shor -Dozie Markg with ckle ld be onda ckson rn at s, and a bloc d dayay er St upfie 36 (6 ca k fr 10:50 halft Town zo rake dr h on a key pl y the gobb fore fir nched transf first t and Jar (10 foraf st Mesquite at 10 a.m. on Aug. 6, and thou ry on tches -12. ) runs Oct D cow om The Bulldogs first action is Aug. ng uffe Err a e (18 .

Smit 38-0. A ith cash of thre rveon r 29) d Ch givi punts be ero be vor of was clock gh the perfe , 129) then compete in a tournament at 6, at 4 p.m., at Malakoff Cross Drak Former Ennis safeon sw ce Be ks Enni 30 - Res fa . Plen Flea ct ae burned scor ed in e kick Williamon thir amp gold Collin play to Kar gin to to Ja e Haw but l Quintvin in rson. rial s.

To Fairfield on Aug. 12 and 14.

Dr ty ty and linebacker K.D. th ar g ss Nor s 71-18 ults ons th a bu ing in the sw The s bloc d and Roads. Palmer welcomes Ferris on Sim ake zi of tim ters lef by Ve e secRoys chae sh Er Chris Pa e Li as livin s dart the m ard pa th Fo Lion ked ll to atte llet one racr e n m pp The Lady Lions first two home Davis has been gaint ba th Jo to fla on sh hi G d ll’ ru 5:4 e w -y e e s qu rn outs to reen Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Keene comes to s , City s, ra ed tw hang nk pl do pu a 21 ed th re 5 on uz, QB omor rake, nter ville ey 56-2 used . He Laylon ay. Dr wn pu ickly Har ing pre-season recogmatches are slated against Hillcrest d TD the Beas to Spen n for o thro anothe Nov the ak 1 Su el was advanc E T S at town on Aug. 13, at 4:30 p.m. soph llin D hind ce of the -yar 49-2 . om past a stud uded Spence e trig nt by lphu ered ley ca cer fo six, se ws to r six.

C Kplays Enni 6 Sche nition as “the Shark” 8 Co on Friday, Aug. 13. Varsity a 12 in fr the LiCo rd be Oct ngle rge . r that rrie nt tw Nem r rsic lon the sa der-ste a corn r on th gered . ded d W JAFrosh follow Ange by a -cha d tw seven d da Forn s at Cr dule e Ju ted for at the University ofth fety o o at ana Spring p hi erba 5 p.m. and theLJV To e Forn 31 – G L Oand stan and in n attackmes th ew bloo 1 39. rake ad y blas oring wns an r s for l Agui mmor ice, th and ninequickGre ey at Roandall Roys e 9:26 and cr gh-kic ck, thleft e ey at ame D YE a North Texas. At 5’11, en at 6 p.m. asle the sc first do rds pe ashe snap k e Ci mar larg ad-optio two ti they dr for 13 h en nis 43-18 lar split rio Pa e latte , and Cran Don’t look now, but Class 2A Cors ville yse Ci d ov to wal R IS Ennis plays host to Lanhad mar d Be finish ce bl r po 229-lbs, the junior re-m ty dr k. at d 30 9.9 ya py play carr s, th ican ty dall er th caster 321 tz spre e first e ball ley (9 gs wit s. an to g F E R on Aug. 17, JV and Frosh at 5 Italy could be the area’s surprise tale y iers aking ove 73 a at North to 26 a sligh gin at e upri ock anwe py Th turns as the Jo starting Sulp d th Beas g thin yard t ed ghts inte the grea Forn nine They to eragin me slop o man 0 and e Ve 9, ya p.m. before the Varsity at 6 p.m. d N ha 2 th ge rds gr hur ov. to av team. HC Shauna Steinmetz enters gs first ra in ya rmissi again ion ppin and 28 s and ball ound ough crus a no-h t use 20 in Sprin ey middle linebacker for LED ons. rds, than so d a few ght.

Kin Forn 13 Sc G S her on a rd Dav ’s) ca 16 hit uddl of fo seven ya as 43 ya of two ni gs he play as NCEL sixth year at the helm, the most quar on a proved 177-73 s at th . EnKe ur e 609 Other ams an rfect the Mean Green. rw LDO Cran ey at En dule with s, 3 TD runs of s in 11 s. It w E CA ad e ha they ters ‘Dogs son rds. Hi TD pass tron Ja offens ballelle . pe ks m lf, ever in school history. The Gladiaon GAM co vant BUL Th te and the s da Sulp dall at nis es, th ckso e. QB play ecial te was a e at K o wee .

Davis gets yard hdowns 60 yard x snap Anthe son to rece e Lion their heam wh uld m age on hur The Class 4A rt St Ro n ct Sprin yse Ci M E R Yellow Jackets tors have five of six starters back in on sp lties, it k’s gam has tw on O ro sp ove th ored ephon split e first co for hi touc s went s in si ional ball carrier orscreceivbard ss, with s defe els. e n ent at e open quickly gs at stan Tow DB’s veri s rd ty P A L when they host Italy the fold. nse Er pena ext wee the teamahachi Timbe an rtai fo De Enni 58 ya the N ng ns di Gr er in a hurry and, like da 2 ic ur ce d Pa ng up end e m a eenv 020 Gonz tight N ax on eld , so for on a and John0 Aug. 7. Freshmen and JV are set en ille . to se age, th yton then before Super Spreader, senior setter al a bowling ball, sends 2for eled e for W Mansfi Jack e la Chap ez, Ca ed af 0 t pass settle al afF nc up -0 S 4 p.m., with the Varsity on tap 2 d E ter ca 14 hed. den a 14 tter R R IS m En pins flying. LB is the epar is at O R Brooklyn Steinmetz, is the leader oppe ons to ld go s.

Nov nis tr -yard interc an doin Hubat 5 p.m. According to veteran to pr d Oak . 2.

IA THC finis y a dr the Li play r fie . av sc YEL the court as well key distribudeepest and most taltwee 6. It w els to oring epting g the Onl rced guila in nine ’t have L A Dnot play on 9. Re on Oct Kyla Menefee, FerrisGwill L OW n th ill be Cran driv a pa ented area on the Eas tor for the Olde Gold attack. Senior s el A dn e fo ss e te e.

JA C scor d Ang 69 yard and di Sander ft view ams. the fir dall ne at home until A LY 3 when Athens Cadence Hopgood is an imposing gles defense.

ITSept. ar KET st m xt we 34-y eezing ok over l Zach 3:45 le 202 comes to town at 5 p.m. eetin ek, S Texas opens on to br ti g be with 2 0 will swarm for two Ddays, middle blocker, while sophomore 0 ter rsons s un Sept. 4 at home vs.

2 0Ferris Pa succes ort run libero, Ella Hudson, is set to shine.

LE P EL S sh Aug. 13-14, at Duncanville.

A h NC E Emily Janek and Morgan Brown Northwestern State.

LME photosbylezley.com muc ed on a E CA A G L are R E GAM back and insiders report a new scor B ULL LON of sophomores are pressing DOG A V Aof the Big 5 cast Perhaps the best EH S 20 S starters for playing time. Karley Si202 0 was Palmer’s LadyESSgler baug 20 Home TIMEand Taliyah, both seniors, have last autumn 0 h is es co 2 0 2 HC Melanie Barnes OF PR corte ming Qu Bulldogs. comIT A L ee d by laser swings as outside hitters.

AS Austi n Emily mences her fourth season BLEthis year Y G n Dohe Warts The Lady Glads start up at 9 a.m.

AILA LA rty. lony E AV

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Big 5 varsity volleyball teams will take to the court in a week on Monday, August 2. Practice schedules may very with many squads having two-adays that first week before they begin scrimmages, tournaments and nondistrict matches.

Bumps, passes and spikes will involve plenty of repetitious plays with setters assisting those thirsting for a fresh kill from the frontline. Digs and blocks will show the effort and heart of players while the service game, as always will set the pace.

Here is a preview of the five area teams, listed in order of their University Interscholastic League class size.

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ove he ’s. Ab ree TD 91. ing th added , includ Drake yards Collin o 131 rds and es int ya e carried for 150 nin rned on rush ns ley tu n Beas Dee Joh Davio bound. single

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Big 5 Volleyball teams start on Aug. 2

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2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL - 39

40 - 2021 ENNIS LIONS FOOTBALL