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Sports

Ennis netters, 16-9, now in second

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Picking up steam at the right time, Ennis volleyball has won six-of-seven to move into a tie with Joshua for second place in District 14-5A. Only front-running Red Oak, a team that went 27-16 a year ago before a complete make-over, leads the Lady Lions. The Lady Hawks administered a 3-0 sweep on Sept. 17 at Ennis. Outside Hitter Danielle Schmidt, who has enjoyed a stellar senior season, was injured in a collision that has kept her out of commission for two weeks. She was expected back for the Sept. 27 home clash with Midlothian. The pole is reportedly sidelined for three weeks.

Runnin’ Down a Dream

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Tom Petty’s classic hit, Runnin’ Down a Dream, could well describe the passion of Ennis Cross Country Head Coach Lonnie Redning. Now in his 22nd year, he’s old enough to know about chasing and achieving goals.

“It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down… trees went by, I was flying,” as well as a few lines from the next verse, “I put the pedal down to make some time. There’s something good waiting down this road, I’m picking up whatever’s mine.” Whether there are medals awarded for the time depends on how well the dream is run.

Lion kings of the court, crush Midlo, 15-4

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Ennis flattened Midlothian in varsity tennis, 15-4, on Tuesday. The victory clinched the district championship and extended their consecutive wins to seven straight after an 0-2 start. Team Maroon, whose overall record improved to 7-2, are 4-0 in district action. In the big picture, Ennis has now won 67 successive district matches without a loss. Ennis wraps up the regular season of fall co-ed team tennis at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when Joshua comes to town. It will be the last home outing of the regular season.

Three Big 5 teams off to very good starts

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Eastern Ellis County has five teams, and both Avalon (5-0) and Palmer (3-0) are off to unbeaten starts. In fact, the orange-clad Eagles haven’t started this good in the past 15 years. They went 3-0 in both 2012 and 2013 before falling at the hands of Milford. They routed Mount Calm, 56-6, on Thursday. As for the Bulldogs, they equaled this beginning in 2018 as well as 2013.

Ennis seeks upgrade against the run

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Death, taxes and a developing defense by Paul Willingham. Three certainties in life, or so it seems. The latter is usually a foregone conclusion. This year’s Ennis defense has young talent, but it has also been vulnerable inside to power linemen.

P-Willy is bound to find a solution, sometimes in tactical strategy or in discovering the most effective combination of players on the field. What Waxahachie couldn’t do against the Lions defense, Bishop Lynch did. Of course, having the offense stay on the field would have helped prevent the Ennis defenders from wearing down.

Ennis XC teams earn fifth place in Lions Den

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Ennis fared well at Saturday’s 21st Annual Lions Den Invitational, which attracted 1,400 runners just for the high school part of the races. Altogether there were 68 teams competing.

Olde City Lake and Jaycee Park, blessed with great weather this year, stood up to the test well compared to a muddy quagmire two years ago.

The Lady Lions finished fifth with 109 points, with the top three 5K harriers being sophomore Randi McAnally in 17th (23:17), Serena Griffin 19th (23:29), and Olivia Rodriguez 21st (23:49). Others were

Terrell’s Wing-T offense getting puzzling results

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When Ennis made their last trip to Terrell Memorial Stadium it had plenty of green and red. Today’s grass is no longer real, seating is at 7,000 and the press box and the scoreboard are new, the latter enhanced with video. Those renovations were done in 2014.

The Lions defeated Terrell a year ago, 14-0, and improved their all-time record against the Tigers to 20-14-1. They met for the first time in 1920, in fact, twice that season, splitting the two games.

Vidales lifts Avalon to 54-0

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Linebacker Kevin Vidales scored on a pair as Avalon breezed past Walnut Springs, 54-0, to complete a successful homecoming on Sept. 20. The game was called early due to the UIL mercy rule, either that or for an early start to the homecoming dance.

The Eagles opened the game a 33-yard punt return by Marcos Kinser, the first of four non -offensive scoring plays. Kinser, a senior, booted the point after, one of five he had in the rout.

Ferris defense loses grip, game, 52-29

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Ferris held their own for nearly a half at Bruce Field before the Athens pulled away to post a 52-29 victory over the Yellowjackets, who slipped to 1-3.

A see-saw first half witnessed Ferris take the lead, 14-13, when they converted a fourth-and-nine play, QB Nate Aguinaga connecting with Matthew Nunez from 35 yards out with 8:22 left before recess.

Athens went 75-yards in only three plays, a 16-yard aerial and runs of 27 and 32, the latter a TD by Nathan Sims (14 carries, 221 yards) to lead 19-14 with seven minutes on the clock.

Saxon scores in fourth, Italy wins 21-20

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One team delivered when they needed it most. The difference, a single point, lifted Italy (2-2) to a 21-20 victory over Marlin (0-4).

After several great plays by the hosts’ special teams got them into the game, a costly mistake on an extra-point proved to be huge. Then, with with a chance to win late, a false start penalty negated a touchdown by the Bulldogs.

Both teams exhibited aggressive play from their front seven and effectively bottled up offenses. Combined with 18 penalties, ten against Italy, had both squads nervous as a june bug in a hen house.