Saturday, December 14, 2024
The Tolar Rattlers (10-1) won their 10th consecutive football game and advanced to the second round of the Class 3A Division II playoffs with their second victory against Millsap (4-7) this season. This one was a 49-14 bi-district victory at Brewer’s Bear Stadium Friday, Nov. 15.
Tolar had previously defeated the Bulldogs 36-20 at home Sept. 13.
The victory moved Tolar into the area (second) round against Bells (7-4), a 44-0 winner over Blooming Grove (5-6) in bi-district. That game was being played at press time at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth.
The winner between the Rattlers and Bells will advance to face Holliday (9-2) or Blue Ridge (9-2).
Offensive leaders vs. Millsap: Peyton Brown 21 carries, 191 yards, three TD; Briton Rice 6-of-10, 87 yards, TD; Dacen Watkins 1-of-1, 51 yards, TD, two catches, 48 yards, TD; Kelvin Murray 60-yard TD run; Brylen Feist 51-yard TD catch.
Brown has 1,268 yards and 19 TD rushing this season. Watkins also reached a milestone, surpassing 500 yards (503) in receiving yards on 24 catches with eight touchdowns.
Defensive leaders vs. Millsap: Caden Pate eight tackles; Hunter Michels seven tackles, two for loss; Ty McClure six tackles, sack; Murray six tackles, two for loss; Cash Clark sack; Cayden Abrego sack.
Offensive players to watch for Bells: Bryson Thompson 1,024 yards, 15 TD passing; Jaxson Brown 525 yards, seven TD rushing.
Defensive players to watch for Bells: Peyton Washburn 126 tackles, seven for loss, sack; Brown 115 tackles, six for loss; Thompson 100 tackles, six for loss.
This is Bells’ 10th straight season to reach the playoffs. For the Rattlers, it is their sixth straight and they have advanced to the third round in 2021, state quarterfinals in 2022 and state finals last season, all in 2A Division I.
In their previous four years in 3A Division II, the Rattlers reached the postseason three times, advancing to the second round in 2017.
GRACE CLASSICAL FOOTBALL
The Gryphons still have not lost a playoff game since they began playing football last season. They won all four postseason contests a year ago en route to the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations Division III state championship.
Friday, Nov. 15, the Gryphons (4-7) won their second postseason game of this season, defeating Mineral Wells Community Christian (7-6) at home, 41-31.
The victory moved Grace Classical Christian into the state semifinals against the Slaton West Texas Tornadoes (5-4) Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in Georgetown. The Tornadoes defeated Panhandle Christian Home Educators 72-32 in the second round after opening the postseason with a 58-13 win over Lazzbuddie.
The Gryphons began the postseason by defeating Round Rock Ignite 53-0 at home.
The winner between Grace and Slaton will face the winner between Georgetown Grace Academy (7-3) and San Antonio Jubilee (7-4).
Offensive leaders vs. Community Christian: Bryce Jones 7-of-10, 165 yards, three TD, 10 carries, 105 yards; Wyatt Keith 27 carries, 165 yards, three TD; Tyce Robshaw 50-yard carry, two TD receiving; Thomas Pierce receiving TD.
Defensive leaders vs. Community Christian: B. Jones 14 tackles, Keith five tackles, Wyatt Cross fumble recovery, Riley Jones fumble recovery.
GRANBURY GIRLS
BASKETBALL
The Lady Pirates (6-2) competed in the Crandall Tournament this past weekend. They began with a 48-36 loss to Hurst L.D. Bell, followed by a 58-14 win over Saginaw Eagle Mountain. They then bested Richland 66-38 and Kennedale 48-33.
Leaders vs. Bell: Kate Hamlin 16 points, Jolee Hayes 10 points.
Leaders vs. Eagle Mountain: Hayes 16 points, Baylee Goodman 13 points.
Leaders vs. Richland: Hannah Dafoe 19 points, Hayes 15 points, Hamlin 14 points.
Leaders vs. Kennedale: Hayes 23 points, Hamlin 9 points, Goodman 8 points.
The Lady Pirates followed the tournament by falling 53-18 at Glen Rose, No. 4 in Class 4A by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and Texas Girls Coaches Association Nov. 19. Hamlin led with 8 points.
Granbury, which broke into the top 25 in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches rankings this week at No. 25, was playing at Everman at press time. They are at Abilene Cooper Nov. 25 at 12:30 p.m. and return from the Thanksgiving break to host Godley, No. 14 in 4A by TABC, Dec. 3 at 6:15 p.m.
TOLAR GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Rattlers’ (1-2) hosted Grandview Nov. 18 and fell 62-39. Leaders were Jaycee Jones with 14 points and six rebounds, Callan Nix 8 points and Milly Taylor 7 points.
Tolar is in the Hamilton Tournament this weekend and hosts Stephenville Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m. They travel to Graford Nov. 26 at noon and host rival Lipan, No. 7 in 2A by TABC Dec. 3 at 6:15 p.m.
The Lady Rattlers’ roster will be increased now that several members of the state semifinalist volleyball team will be joining the team.
LIPAN GIRLS BASKETBALL
The Lady Indians (1-3) dropped a second straight close contest at home, falling to Godley in overtime, 57-55 Nov. 15. They then fell 51-41 to Wall, No. 10 in 3A by TABC, at Cisco Nov. 19.
Leaders vs. Godley: Hanna Gaylor 29 points, three steals; Finley Shockley 14 points; Jacy Bolton 5 points, six assists.
Leaders vs. Wall: Gaylor 13 points, 10 rebounds, five steals; Taryn Phillips 8 points; Ashlyn Tarpley 7 points, nine rebounds; Shockley 7 points.
Lipan is playing in the Marble Falls Tournament this weekend. They will play in the Turkey Tussle in Martins Mill Nov. 26, time TBA, before going to Tolar after the holiday break.
GRANBURY BOYS
BASKETBALL
The Pirates (2-2) fell 75-45 at Kennedale, No. 14 in Class 4A by TABC, Nov. 16 and rallied to win 47-45 at Cleburne Nov. 18, thanks to a buzzer-beater by Miller Schenewark. Kylan Loving had a key steal and Grant Young hit a pair of clutch 3-point baskets in the final quarter.
Leaders vs. Kennedale: Loving 12 points, Schenewark 7 points, Young 6 points, Murphy Page 6 points.
Leaders vs. Cleburne: Young 19 points, Schenewark 10 points, Bryndon Freeman 6 points.
The Pirates are seeing their first tournament action of the season this weekend in the Southwest Legacy Tournament. They host Burleson at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 26 before taking a holiday break, returning to host Everman Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
TOLAR BOYS BASKETBALL
Playing with a slim roster because the football team is still in the playoffs, the Rattlers (0-2) got their season underway Nov. 16 with a 51-47 loss at Clifton, followed by a 48-45 at home against Grandview.
Leaders vs. Clifton: Collier King 13 points, Madok Delgado 11 points, Lucas Mills 10 points.
Leaders vs. Grandview: Madok Delgado 16 points, Lucas Mills 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Rattlers host Stephenville Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. and travel to Graford, No. 6 in 2A by the TABC, Nov. 26 at 1:30 p.m. They return from Thanksgiving break to host Jacksboro Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.
LIPAN BOYS BASKETBALL
The Indians, ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 2A by the TABC, defeated Sam Rayburn, No. 15 in 2A, 54-42 at home Nov. 15. Leaders were Brayden Harrison 20 points, four assists, three steals; Court Gaylor 16 points, three assists; Darius Steed 10 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, three blocks; Evan Lott six rebounds; Payton Cornelius three assists.
Lipan is competing in the Port Aransas Tournament this weekend and travels to Martins Mill to play in the Turkey Tussle Nov. 26, time TBA. Following the break, they play at Waxahachie, No. 21 in 6A by TABC, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m.
