HORSESHOE BAY— Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby delivered a short speech to the Sports Club, May 9, but he answered more questions than Sean Spicer gets, so we’d better move along or this will be a twopart series.
Media sources
“We may be seeing the Super Bowl on our eyelids some day.” So many people are using their computers, phones, and iPads, “ESPN has lost 14-million subscribers.”
Championship Game
It returns to the Big 12 this football season.
Don’t worry about Pete Rhoades being concerned with the Thomas Wolfe warning, “You Can’t Go Home Again.” It appears he wants to go anywhere but home. I knew him in Llano, 2010-2014. Many of us thought the “old coach” was retiring when he left the Jackets, but his odyssey was just continuing.
This season started in Blanco a month before winter crossed its finish line, and the journey has included trips to Lampasas and Burnet, Waco and Huntsville. Next up—with the State Capitol looking on from Section C (Congress)—it’s the last stop in the pursuit of high school’s greatest prize: a state championship.
“Pretty excited,” said Ray Dixon.
BURNET—Progress. I know, 7-on-7 is unofficial with no tackling and no booth reviews, but it’s all we’ve got for offseason football, so the plan is to show some hope for later summer and autumn -- and the Jackets, May 8, did that.
“A lot better,” said Head Coach Craig Slaughter, contrasting the performance with opening night one week before.
HUNTSVILLE—A number of Llano High girls and boys, who did not win medals, competed very well at the Region III Track & Field Meet, April 28-29.
“I’m excited we did a great job getting here,” said Head Coach Craig Slaughter. “Three seniors—Jason Gann, Stephen Sanderson, and Shane Flint—have been a big part of our program for three years.” Not as long for Avery Tudyk, but, “We are proud of her contributions as well.”
Nic George, with the junior varsity when the season bega ...
No one in Texas can beat this man. Not yet. Not in the last year of competing in five bodybuilding events. Ed Thompson of Horseshoe Bay, a young 71 in the 70-79 age group, took the Fifth, April 29, in Arlington, in the Phil Heath Fitness and Bodybuilding Expo.
Don’t think he looks like the rest of us in our 70s.
BURNET—The Llano High starting-quarterback contest—battle is too strong a word—has commenced. What has concluded is the search for an offensive coordinator. The two developments became the lead stories, as the 7-on-7 season began on the first night in May on the Bulldog practice fields.
Tyler Parr is the new OC, and the 2016 Jacket QB, Ben Walling, will be challenged for his job by last year’s JV quarterback, Cade Fly.
“We’re evaluating all the time,” said Head Coach Craig Slaught ...
HUNTSVILLE—It was the greatest triumph of his life—up till now—but it may as well have been in Blanco, Wimberley, or even in Llano. Ray Dixon was so dominant at Sam Houston State that any one of his six shot put aerials—on an overcast morning, April 29—would have beaten the opposition, comprised of the best Class-4A throwers in Region III.
Ray’s toss for the official entry was 52 feet, seven inches, but his opening 49-7 would have won gold on this grand stage.
The Llano softball and baseball seasons are over. Better news for the Lady Jackets, who went 4-8 in district and 10-14 overall. Three of the 10 wins were against Burnet.
The finale
Llano finished at Taylor, April 21, and played a fine game before losing 4-3. “Maybe the best game of the year that Lauren Young pitched,” advised Head Coach Bobby Williams.
LIBERTY HILL — One throws. One runs long, and One runs some and soars some. Three Llano Lady Jackets will take their talents to Huntsville, April 28-29, for the Region III Meet. Track & Field’s postseason is gathering a few of the state’s finest athletes.
“The girls showed up ready to compete,” said Coach Amy Withrow, discussing the Area Meet at Panther Stadium, April 19.
