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Sports

How parents can build strong relationships with their children’s coaches

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Each year, millions of student-athletes across the globe participate in organized sports. Parents want these experiences to be as positive as possible for their children. One way to accomplish that goal is for moms and dads to build strong, supportive relationships with their children’s coaches. Strong parent-coach relationships can lay the foundation for an enjoyable experience for student-athletes, allowing them to reap the many rewards of being involved in organized sports.

Ennis pulls off remarkable tennis comeback

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Opening the district tennis season at Corsicana is often a litmus test for annual powerhouse Ennis, and this week was exception. The battle of big cats saw the Lions come out on top, 12-7, though the score hardly reveals how tough the matches were for both squads.

Ennis has now gone nine full years without suffering a district loss, a streak that will extend to 10 this fall should their prowess continue. An undefeated decade requires an extraordinary run of dominance.

RIVALS CLASH!

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As rivalries go, when you’re on top – ride strong as long as you can. The cyclical nature of a lasting competition, which has now surpassed 100 meetings according to Ennis historians, has its natural ebb-and-flow in the quest for dominating a dreaded foe, in this case Ennis versus Waxahachie in football.

The Indians are enjoying a current mastery over the Lions, having won four-in-a-row, none of them close, and 6-of-thepast-8 encounters. Friday at 7:30 p.m. at 9,500 seat Lumpkins Stadium the two will go at it again. Waxahachie records indicate they lead the series, 48-47-2.

New QB’s take center stage in rivalry

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When Waxahachie and Ennis meet for the coin toss, both will have a new quarterback lining up behind center. Whoever takes snaps for the host Indians figures to have several wide receivers who can catch and dash the distance from anywhere on the field.

Point-a-minute offenses play in a hurry

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Besides Ennis, the remaining four teams of the Big 5 will also see action, Ferris, Italy and Avalon at home. In fact, Class 2A Italy will host Class 3A Palmer for a second consecutive year.

The Yellow Jackets could be the best unit in HC Brandon Layne’s fouryear tenure, especially on offense. After falling at Waxahachie Life, 46-31, they look to exact a measure of revenge on the Mustangs.

New QB Nate Aguinaga (5’10,

The similarities and differences between rugby and football

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Fall and winter are prime seasons for scholastic athletes. Two of the more popular sports fans can enjoy this time of year include rugby and American football. These games share many similarities, but they also have some notable differences.

American football is played in many parts of the world, but it is most popular in the United States. Conversely, rugby is more internationally recognized and played in more countries than football. Rugby is perhaps most popular in areas of northwestern Europe and portions of the southern hemisphere with ties to Great Britain.

Ennis XC debut at Hillsboro

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Ennis cross country will take to the hills at the annual Eagle Invitational in Hillsboro on Friday morning. The 5K course for varsity boys and girls gets started at 8 a.m. at the 100-acre Wallace Park.

“We have a lot of new guys, and they have trained well,” said veteran XC coach Lonnie Redning. “As for our girls, they’re looking pretty solid, and the junior varsity girls have fresh talent.”

Three area teams kickoff on Saturday

Southwestern Assemblies of God University plays host to Tabor College (Ks) at 7 p.m. in Waxahachie at Lumpkins Stadium on Saturday. Tabor posted a 6-4 mark last season while SAGU was 5-5 under new HC Ryan Smith. The NAIA Division I game will be broadcast in HD on SAGUtv.

Former Ennis starting linebacker Torionte “Tori” Williams (6’1, 220) was announced the starter when Ryan visited Ennis this month.

Texas Wesleyan, 2-8 last year, travels to No. 4 ranked Kansas Wesleyan (13-1) for a 6 p.m. game, also on Aug. 31.

Lady Lions go 2-4 at Forney venue

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Ennis won two of six matches over the weekend at Forney, picking up a victory in three tries on both days. They took a 10-7 record into last night’s (Aug. 27) home match against Carrollton Creekview. Results were after press deadlines. For details, visit the official site for Ennis athletics at ennislions.org.

The Lady Lions dropped their opening match to Greenville, 2-1. After winning the first, 26-24, they fell 22-25 and 10-25. Both Crandall (21-25, 17-25) and Forney (11-25, 24-26) swept Ennis.

Opposing point men in Big 5 districts

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Managing Editor’s Note: Part Two in the series which began on Wednesday, Aug. 21, concludes today. The previous two page feature focused on Ennis, Ferris and Palmer.

Often the player who is the object of fans’ fascination, the focal point of every team’s offense, is the quarterback. The signal caller, who lines up behind the center, handles the ball more than anyone on the field. Those who are good runners are said to be dual-threats, for they can gain yardage by running or by throwing the ball downfield.