San Jacinto County Sports

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It was a brutal stiffarm from Preston Stephens that saved the first down.

By Charles Ballard
SJNT correspondent

SHEPHERD — The Pirates move into the postseason after a decisive 48-14 win over the Huntington Red Devils on Friday.

Preston Stephens led the attack of the offense which racked up 322 total yards and 6 touchdowns.

The Pirates received the opening kickoff and marched down the field; however, a fumble inside the 20-yard line led to the first score of the night, a TD by the Red Devils. The score gave Huntington their only lead of the night, one that lasted only minutes.

The Pirates regrouped and with Landon Dellinger, Stephens and Hunter Kyle pushing the ball, Shepherd’s first score of the night put the lead in the Pirates’ hands. From there, the Red Devils did not have a clue how to contain the rushing attack of Stephens and Kyle.

The Pirates’ second drive capitalized on a fumble by the Red Devils, which led to a 13-yard run by Dellinger, who also led a 74-yard rushing attack that led to the third TD.

The next score came from a 53-yard rushing drive, ending as Stephens stiff-armed his way to the goal, and with 3:46 left in the first half, Stephens pops a 54-yard run for another TD, leaving the score at the half 40-6.

Shepherd’s lone score in the second half came on a completed pass to Dillon Arnold sending the score 48-6. Huntington managed to get their second score on a quick pass, setting the final score at 48-14.

On offense, Stephens had 10 carries for 189 yards and 2 TDs; Kyle had 3 carries for 53 yards and 1 TD; Dellinger had 4 carries for 31 yards and 2 TDs; and Dillon Arnold had 1 reception for a TD.\

On defense, Colton Champion had 6.5 tackles; Eduardo Jaime had 5.5 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interceptions; and Brayden White and Jacob Davis had 5 tackles each.

The next step for the Pirates is a trip to Lufkin to face Kirbyville in the bi-district round.

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Callie Dean Sets the ball for another win for the Shepherd Lady Pirates.

By Charles Ballard
SJNT correspondent

SHEPHERD — The Lady Pirates managed a great 3-0 win over the Lady Bulldogs on Oct. 24, the first and only one for the season.

Scores were 25-10, 25-14 and 25-21.

Cacee Harper said it was a great win for our team, and on Senior Night it was a special treat.

“We all wanted a better season but it was still a great win for us all,” she said.

Sarah Downey said the team struggled all year to get a win, and to do it on Senior Night is special.

Head Volleyball Coach Sarah Evans said, “I am so glad we finally got a win and on Senior Night made it very special for us all. The Girls played their hearts out all year long.”

Coldspring — While the Lady Trojans lost to Tarkington 3-2, the team still will head to the playoffs.

Coach Dwain Anderson also said it was by far the best that Coldspring has played against Tarkington — an entire team effort.

“The team has locked in third place in district and secured a spot in the playoffs,” he said. “This is the first time Coldspring has made the volleyball playoffs in more than 20 years.”

Coldspring was to play Boling at Lee College on Tuesday.

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Hunter Kyle evades a near tackle during the district game against the Coldspring Trojans.

By Charles Ballard
SJNT correspondent

COLDSPRING — On a wet and rainy day, the Battle of San Jacinto County was decided as the Shepherd Pirates defeated the Coldspring Trojans 40-14 for a district win and a spot in the UIL playoffs.

The first two quarters were closely matched. The Pirates received the ball and marched 51 yards down field to light up the scoreboard for the first TD of the night with a Preston Stephens 5-yard scamper.

With 1:21 on the clock in the first quarter, the Trojans answered back with a TD, setting the score at 8-7.

The Pirates kept the ball on the ground and marched in for another TD and two-point conversion, and again, Coldspring answered back late on the second quarter with another TD and a halftime score of 16-14.

In the third, Shepherd quarterback Landon Dellinger found an opening in the Trojan defense and rushed for a short yardage TD, and the Pirates never looked back.

Shepherd again scored on a fumble recovery, and then Dellinger finds Braydon Mettlen open for another TD sending the final score for the night and the win to 40-14.

The win sends Shepherd to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

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Small but “Mity” Libero Tess Phillips sets the ball for another score for the Lady Trojans.By Charles Ballard

SJNT correspondent

COLDSPRING — Although it takes a complete team to get to the playoffs, Sophomore Tess Phillips and Junior Ella Phillips made it a lot easier for the Lady Trojans to punch through the UIL competition.

The sisters led Coldspring to a 3-0 win over New Waverly last week, with scores at 25-19, 25-11 and 25-20. With the win, the team moves to 10-3 in district and stays in third.

Also, for the first time in many years the Lady Trojans are going to the Texas UIL volleyball playoffs.

Ella Phillips said it was a great and needed win for Coldspring.

“The team stayed on track all week long to play our best, during practice last week and even extra hours to hone our skills,” Ella said.  “It has been years since Coldspring has been in the playoff in volleyball and we finally did it.”

Head Volleyball Coach Kimberly Harris called the game a good win sending the Lady Trojans to the playoffs.

On Friday, the Lady Trojans downed the Trinity Tigers 3-1.

Shepherd

The Lady Pirates lost two matches last week, falling to Anderson-Shiro on Oct. 17 and to Tarkington on Thursday.

Against Anderson, the scores were 10-25, 9-25 and 8-25.

Against Tarkington, the scores were 12-25, 10-25 and 20-25.