Sports

October 14, 2024 - Monday, October 14, the Area Champion Center Tennis Team travels to Madisonville to face the China Spring Cougars in Round 3 of the Team Tennis Championships. Tournament begins at 3pm. Chris Watlington will be there to provide play by play coverage while Stephen Shires will anchor the coverage and update the scoreboard live.

The pregame report begins right at 3pm with a report from Coach Leon Dykes and we'll hear from seniors Hollie Herndon and Wade Collard in the Player Talk segment. Stay with us through the postgame show where we'll visit with the players of the game.

Find the coverage on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone: https://www.youtube.com/live/PE9ixpvqFzM?si=g_D6TuggdQ9tb_Hc

October 14, 2024 - The Center Roughriders Junior High and Varsity football teams will travel to Bullard this week, October 17 and October 18. Bullard does not accept cash at the gate. Online tickets only!

Click the following link to purchase tickets: https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/5b6f33c6-17c6-4afe-81c8-c9f9e79657aa

October 13, 2024 - (Photo Album) (Schedule) - Shelby County Youth Soccer Association (SCYSA) held their opening day ceremony at the City of Center Soccer Complex on Saturday, October 12. Marcos Angel, SCYSA, and Hector Pineda, SCYSA Vice President, welcomed everyone present for the 2024 fall season of SCYSA. 

“We got a great group of kids out there. We already had a couple of games last week. We already had a couple of games this morning,” said Pineda. 

Pineda continued by thanking all of the coaches who have taken the time to help organize the kids, and coordinate with parents. Angel then led everyone in the program with an invocation and the Star Spangled Banner was played. 

“I’d like to take some time to thank all of our sponsors for helping us this season. We are working on our banners to put them out there in the entrance. If you have or are willing to sponsor us, we have that opportunity too. Like I tell everybody, this league is 100% run by volunteers. So we ask for everybody's help,” said Angel. 

Angel invited the community to reach out to himself, and Pineda should they have a desire to help.

Appreciation was extended to the City of Center and Jason Mitchell, Recreation Director director.

Pineda then introduced each of the teams participating for the fall 2024 season. 

U-6 Category: 
“The Big Dawgs,” in red
“The Little Roughriders,” in purple
“The Titans,” in blue and gold
“Venom,” in green

U-A Category: 
“Tiny Titans,” in white and navy blue
“Team Galaxy,” in teal and white
“Strikers,” in purple and gold
“The Hot Shots,” gold and orange

U-Teen Category: 
“OTE,” in teal and white
“Eagles,” in purple and gold
“Black Widows,” in red and black
“Gallitos FC,” in teal and gold

U-12 Category:
“Dallas Cowboys,” in navy blue and white
“Vikings,” in purple and gold
“Red Dragons,” in red and black
“Falcons,” in teal and white

U-15 Category:
“Shelby Red,” in red
“Shelby Purple,” in purple
“Blue Devils,” in blue

To open play, there was then an inauguration kick-off.

Angel stated they will keep building on the soccer community in Shelby County and their mission is to build a positive and fun environment.

“Our main goal is to build a place for our kids to grow and develop, and build a community where everybody gets treated with dignity and respect,” said Angel.

John H Eakin Field on Friday, October 11, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Timpson Bears varsity football team improved their season record to 3-2 when they beat the visiting Hemphill Hornets by a 35-22 point score on Friday. The game was the District 11 2A-1 opener for both teams. Before the game the Bears retired former Bears student Terry Bussey’s #10 Jersey and recognized his contributions to the school. Bussey led the team as quarterback last year to the 2023 Class 2A Championship Title and now plays at Texas A&M University.

The Bears were able to get on the scoreboard first Friday when junior Braylon Parker intercepted a Hornet’s pass and he returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore kicker Alexis Castillo added an extra point kick and Timpson held a 7-0 lead with 6:20 minutes left in the first quarter.

Hemphill gained their first lead when senior Josh Garrett scored on a 2-yard run and the Hornets added a 2-point conversion run by senior Trystan Thomas which gave HHS an 8-7 point advantage with 2:27 left in the opening period.

Junior Bear Sean Matts scored a on a 16-yard touchdown run with 6:37 left in the second quarter but Hemphill’s Jarrell Williams blocked the Bears extra point kick attempt. Timpson led 13-8.

Hornet senior Trevon McDaniel scored on a 6-yard touchdown run with just 44 seconds left in the first half. The Hornets 2 point conversion attempt failed and Hemphill held a 14-13 lead.

The Bears scored with 13 seconds left in the second frame when Parker hit senior receiver La’Jordan McCallister for a 30-yard scoring strike. Sophomore Alexis Castillo added an extra point kick and the Bears held a 20-14 advantage going into the halftime intermission.

Each team possessed the ball twice in the third period but neither team was able to score.

With 11:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, Hemphill suffered a bad snap over their punter’s head and Timpson took over at the Hornet’s 1-yardline. Parker was able to score on a keeper run on the next play and he also converted a 2-point conversion run which gave THS a 28-14 lead. The Bears later got a 36-yard touchdown run from sophomore Jeffrey Richardson. Another extra point conversion by Castillo gave the Bears a 35-14 lead with 7:59 minutes left in the game.

Hemphill wasted no time answering when Trevin McDaniel returned the ensuing kickoff 93-yards for a touchdown., a 2-point conversion cut Timpson’s lead to 35-22 with 7:44 left in the game. This proved to be the final score of the contest.

The Bears will next host the Shelbyville Dragons on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m., at Eakin Stadium. The Dragons are 5-1, 1-0 in District 11 2A-1, after beating visiting Garrison by a 43-42 score on Friday.

October 11, 2024 - Week 7 of Shelby County Varsity Football Scores.

Friday, October 11
Center 21 - Carthage 59, Final Score
Joaquin 47 - San Augustine 13, Final Score
Shelbyville 43 - Garrison 42, Final Score
Tenaha 26 - Alto 28, Final Score
Timpson 35 - Hemphill 22, Final Score

Center: https://www.youtube.com/live/uuR2zdhtRr4?si=AmiG9jRdLkCi4q9_
Joaquin: https://www.youtube.com/@joaquinisd2219
Shelbyville: https://www.youtube.com/live/YYPZyCkvABc?si=IjhPqmAVjVxkdK5t
Timpson: https://vcloud.hudl.com/broadcast/embed/1229595

***Scores will be updated on this page and SCT’s Facebook page. Refresh page to see updates. Last update time will be notated in headline.

October 7, 2024 - Tuesday, October 8th the Fall Team Tennis District Champion Center Tennis Team travels to Hudson to face the Madisonville Mustangs in the UIL Bi-District Round. Tournament begins at 1 pm. Chris Watlington will be there to provide play by play coverage while Larry Pierce and Stephen Shires will anchor the coverage and update the scoreboard live.

Pretournment begins at 12:40 (or 20 minutes before the tournament if there are delays).

Find the coverage on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone at the following link: HS Tennis: 4A Region 3 Bi District Team Tennis Madisonville vs Center (https://www.youtube.com/live/WEfSv_C_yUc?si=QOiMlgIkZeV0UKml)

Last week four of the county’s five varsity football teams enjoyed a bye week. Thursday the Tenaha Tigers took a tough 65-23 road loss to the Overton Mustangs which dropped their overall record to 1-5 and their District 11 2A-2 mark to 0-2. On Friday, October 11, 2024 the Tigers host the Alto Yellowjackets at 7 p.m. at Raymond Jackson Stadium. Alto is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the district. They suffered their first loss in a 20-6 game on Friday with Grapeland.

The Center Roughriders are 5-0 and will travel to Carthage Bulldogs Stadium on Friday, October 11 for a District 8 4A-2 game that kicks off at 7:30 p.m. This will be the first conference game for both teams. The Bulldogs are 5-1. They beat San Benito High School by a 56-0 score last week.

The Joaquin Rams are 3-2 this season and will kick off District 11 2A-1 conference play hosting the San Augustine Wolves on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Rams Stadium. The Wolves are 3-2 and were also enjoying a bye week last Friday.

The Shelbyville Dragons are 4-1 this season. They will host the Garrison Bulldogs on Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m. to begin District 11 2A-1 conference action. This will be both the Battle of the Attoyac and Youth Night at Dragons Stadium. Garrison beat visiting North Webster High last Friday by a 35-14 score to improve their record to 4-1.

The Timpson Bears are 2-2 this season. The Bears will host the Hemphill Hornets at Eakin Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 11 to begin District 11 2A-1 play. The Hornets are 1-4. They broke into the win column last Friday with a 44-12 home win over Merryville.

Overton Mustangs Stadium on Thursday, October 3, 2024 –

(Photo Album)

The Tenaha Tigers varsity football team travelled to Overton High School on Thursday to play the teams second District 11 2A-2 conference game of the season. When the smoke had cleared Tenaha’s overall record had fallen to 1-5 and their District 11 mark now stands at 0-2. Thursday’s 65-23 Overton win puts the Mustangs at 5-1 overall this season and they have a 2-0 conference mark. Before kickoff senior students Bri'Kelian Kenney from Tenaha, and Bryce Still from Overton, were presented college scholarship checks from FM 105.7 KYKX Radio and Pigskin Bob & Harlan in the amount of $1005 each to be used in furthering their educations.

The game was close throughout the opening period and Overton scored first when senior quarterback Bryce Still scored on a 5-yard run which gave OHS a 6-0 point advantage after a failed 2-point conversion attempt with 10:12 left in the first quarter.

Tenaha scored next on a 50-yard drive which was capped on a 5-yard quarterback keeper run around the right end by senior Bri’Kelian Kenney with 5:59 left in the opening period. A 2-point conversion reception from Kenney to Makias Morris gave Tenaha their only lead at 8-6.

Just one minute later Still hit sophomore receiver Justin Weir for a 13-yard touchdown reception which gave OHS a 12-8 advantage.

Tenaha cut Overton’s lead to 12-11 with 10:20 left in the second period when senior placekicker Jayden Beatriz nailed a 23-yard field goal.

Overton extended their lead to 18-11 when Weir scored a second time on a 5-yard touchdown run with 8:46 remaining in the second stanza.

It appeared the Tigers would go into the lockerroom at halftime down a couple of scores when Still scored on a 17-yard touchdown run with only 1:35 left in the second frame giving OHS a 25-11 lead. The Tigers fought back to pull to with 25-17 at the midway break after Kenney capped the next THS drive with a 5-yard touchdown keeper run with just a single second left on the clock.

Overton added three scores to their tally during the third quarter and ballooned their lead to 45-17 going into the final period of play.

Kenney scored on another keeper run for a Tigers touchdown early in the fourth quarter but Overton would ultimately outpace THS 20-6 points in the final quarter to take the 65-23 win.

The Tigers will host the Alto Yellowjackets at Raymond Jackson Tigers Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. on October 11. Alto is 4-0 this season and will host the Grapeland Sandies tonight, October 4.

 

October 3, 2024 - Week 6 of Shelby County Varsity Football Scores.

Thursday, October 3

Tenaha 23 - Overton 65, Final

All other Shelby County football teams have an open week.

***Scores will be updated on this page and SCT’s Facebook page. Refresh page to see updates. Last update time will be notated in headline.

October 3, 2024 - This is a new year; with new staff, new goals, and most of all a new team. The positive changes that have been made on and off the field are very evident, and only being a few weeks into the 2024 season, a changing culture is on the horizon, and a new era of Timpson Bear Football is beginning to form.

Under the leadership of new head football coach and athletic director, Patrick Gandy, the Timpson Bears are defying the odds, as they jump into their upcoming season. “I am not from Timpson, but I’ve been here 13 years, so I now claim it as home. I have embraced this community, and it is evident what they expect from our kids.,” Coach Gandy said when asked about the changes he has made to the program, “Our kids understand that they are representing something greater than themselves when they go out and compete. They represent this town, community, their families, and their team.” Besides the support from his family, coaching staff, and team, Coach Gandy has a deeper motivation for accepting his position. “My dad. He was an AD/head football coach for 20+ years,” Gandy says, “He was a great leader of men, and an even better father figure to every athlete he coached. He is the main reason my motivation in this business is to ‘build relationships and serve others.’ If I can make an impact on people at every stop, like he has, I know he will be proud.”

This past year, the Bears graduated a significant number of players on both sides of the ball. With the loss of those eighteen seniors, came the new found responsibilities of multiple athletes who have had to step up, not just as players on the field, but as teammates on the sidelines. Unable to see behind the scenes, many people overlook the efforts that these athletes have made trying to fill roles that have been left behind. “Our seniors, along with guys like Mayson Harbison have stepped up and embraced the leadership role,” Coach Gandy said, “Those guys know what it takes to get where we want to go, and are leading by example during practices, while lifting, and in the classroom.” No doubt, the pressure these kids feel is heavy, yet the culture that these athletes are working to establish is far more superior.

Labeled as underdogs, this year's team has taken a hard hit as they battle the feeling of overcoming their first loss. After a 16-0 season in 2023, the idea of losing is unfamiliar. Going into this year, there has been a lot of doubt on the public’s minds questioning the abilities and success of the 2024 Timpson Bears. Ignoring what people say, Coach Gandy and his staff have big plans for the guys, and fully intend to use this experience as positive reinforcement. “I told the kids after the game, ‘losing brings out your true character’,” stated Gandy, “We learned a lot about our kids, because they aren’t used to losing, and seeing how some responded was something we needed to see as a staff and team moving forward.”

With realignment making a few changes to district matchups, the Timpson Bears will be facing a pretty competitive schedule. “I believe we have a solid district with some really good coaches and players,” Coach Gandy said when asked about his outlook on what’s ahead, “Obviously, Timpson and Garrison will be at the front, because of last year's success, but keep your eyes on Shelbyville. They have a solid program along with Joaquin. Hemphill is dropping down from 3AD2, so they will be tough; and San Augustine has a lot of returning starters off of last year’s team. A good team will get left at home when the playoffs start.” The Bears will open district play on October 11th as they face Hemphill at John Herbert Eakin Stadium

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