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Sports

SAGU football kicks off Sept. 4

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Waxahachie, Tx) opens the new football season on Sat., Sept. 4, with a 6 p.m. game at Louisiana College.

HC Ryan Smith and the Lions will have pre-season conference MVP QB Jason Barlow at the helm. The team is coming off another winning record and will welcome former Ennis standout, Dyllan Santos, at wide receiver. He will wear No. 31 and will see action in the slot as well as the backfield.

Makena Martinez

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Sophomore Makena Martinez earned this week’s Ennis AOW for her play in a 3-1 road win at Class 6A Mesquite. The defensive specialist often wears the opposite colored jersey to indicate her role as Libero.

Eighty-two percent of her serves were in the court-of-play. She also converted 92 percent of the Skeeter service game and graded high with 89 pct. passing accuracy.

SPORTS EXTRA

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The Ennis News is announcing that e-edition subscribers will receive additional coverage of Big 5 area sports on most Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 1. There is no need for you to do anything additional. You will receive a notification just as you currently receive for your Sunday edition of The Ennis News.

Lions host Red Oak, Aug. 27

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Friday night lights will be switched on this week on August 27, when No. 7 ranked Ennis opens the season at home against No. 12 Red Oak. Kickoff at Lion Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

Unlike last year, livestreaming is not allowed by the University Interscholastic League. The Ennis version of the game will be broadcast on radio 106.9 FM, The Ranch, with Tim Samuels supplying the play-by-play while Ronnie Greer brings the color.

Ennis hosts Hawks in big-time opener

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Ennis has enjoyed the thrill of back-to-back seasons in which the offense has clicked on all cylinders, rolling up 21 wins. Both campaigns renewed the promise of a sixth championship, yet each ended in disappointment.

Last year’s squad ran the table, starting the season ranked No. 1 and entered the second round of the playoffs with no reason to doubt their version of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep, “We could have had it all.” An upset defeat at the hands of Mansfield Timberview ended things in shallower waters.

Ennis (6-3), Italy (3-0) keep up good starts

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Ennis bounced back from a lackluster home debut against Lancaster by winning their first two matches at a tournament in Lancaster on Thursday. Improving their record to 6-3 through Aug. 19, the Lady Lions will continue to play on the road for the next two weeks.

MacKenzie Pierce

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Outside Hitter MacKenzie Pierce, No. 7, had an action packed week, highlighted by her effort against Lancaster. The 5’8 sophomore led the team in both kills and service aces, including six in Game Two.

Teammates along the net include senior Trista Manuel, junior Taia Humphrey, senior Ja’Mya Williams and Sidney Chaplin, a junior.

Lions 2021 Production Line

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They spend entire seasons without facial recognition or credit for protecting the quarterback while he stands in the pocket searching for targets downfield. They also pave the way for ball-carriers to gain yardage. Members of the offensive line are seldom mentioned unless an official flags them for holding, or moving too early. Often described as a thankless job, coaches and teammates know their offense would be slow as a mud turtle if not for the big guys up front.

Ralston, Harrison carry Ferris netters

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Ferris opened the new volleyball season with a three-game sweep at Palmer, 25-10, 25-16, 25-18, on Tuesday. The difference in execution between the teams was as evident as the contrast in their shoe colors. Both donned the same brand and style, one in white, the other in black.

An experienced band of Yellowjackets simply wore down a Palmer team that went 14-9 last year, but returns only a lone senior.

Frontline powers Italy in 5-set win

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In the season debut for both teams, Italy proved its mettle when they overcame a crushing second set pounding, to trim Blooming Grove, 3-2, in a high drama, five-match battle. Going toe-for-toe under the Coliseum Dome, the BG Lions won the second, 25-9, before the hosts eventually regrouped to claim the rubber-match, 15-11 fifth to begin the new season.