Royse City Football Coach David Petroff is in His Seventh Year as Bulldogs Head Coach
David Petroff is the Head Football Coach of the Royse City Bulldogs, who the Wildcats play Friday night (September 20) on Homecoming at Gerald Prim Stadium. Petroff is in the seventh year in Royse City. It’s his first head coaching job. Previously he was defensive coordinator at Waco Midway and was an assistant at Frisco High School. The Bulldogs are off to a 2-0 start this season with non-district wins over Frisco Centennial and Garland. Royse City had a bye last week. Coach Petroff said the Bulldogs have been much improved this season on offense. He said they have a lot of returners on the offensive side this year. The rock solid Bulldogs defense is led by senior nose guard Jamie Cortez, the district Defensive MVP last year. Coach Petroff said some inside and outside linebackers return along with two defensive ends that played a lot last year. He said one reason for Royse City’s improved offense this season is that the offensive line has been healthier. They did lose their center during a scrimmage but Coach Petroff said several other players stepped up. He said both his starting quarterback and top two running backs played all last year and are back. Royse City is much improved throwing the ball this year. Coach Petroff said he had good receivers on sub varsity teams last year plus the Bulldogs got a quality receiver who moved in from Lancaster. Coach Petroff’s son, Peyton, now plays the F back position for the Bulldogs and he is moved all over the field. Concerning Sulphur Springs, Coach Petroff said the first thing that jumps out at him are the two Wildcats running backs. He said he knows quarterback Kaden Wallace can run since he won a 200 meter dash race last year. Coach Petroff also noticed big offensive linemen Alfredo Olavide and Ryan Hammonds. He said looking at the Wildcats defensive formation was like looking in a mirror.
Operation Restore: A Good Step Has Been Made at Mel Haven Cemetery
Mel Haven Cemetery is an important part of local history in Hopkins County, and efforts launched on a recent clean-up day has sparked an encouraging start to restoration of the property. Located next to Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, Mel Haven has been the final resting place of scores of black Americans since before 1900. Records located at the Hopkins County Genealogical Library show that the land was donated to the ‘colored people of Sulphur Springs’ in 1889 by C. M. Houston, and that it was called ‘colored city cemetery’ until it’s name was changed in 1931. The Debord family had donated the road that goes to Mel Haven cemetery, and it is named DeBord Street. In 1985 the Pogue family donated more land to Mel Haven. Rhonda Bechhold, a local genealogical researcher who has done extensive personal research in the cemetery in 2019 has documented 1,140 grave sites with 550 of these having a grave marker with a burial date. Sadly, many of the burial sites are quite dim and even overgrown by encroaching brush, making it difficult to get to the graves. By contrast, there are many well-tended gravesites and family plots in Mel Haven Cemetery, with the upkeep done mostly on an individual basis by family members. The “Wreaths Across America” project carried out by Dena and Jimmy Loyd in December 2018 brought an overall cleanup of visible graves, with a laying of a wreath on each veteran’s grave which could be located.
Over past decades, members of the Mel Haven Cemetery Society have expended much effort and loving care to keep the cemetery clean and in repair. However today, much of the membership has aged and many are no longer able to undertake the physical work necessary for regular clean-up days. This was one of the reasons behind the formation of Operation Restore and the workday scheduled for Saturday September 14, 2019.
That morning, more than four dozen volunteers appeared with tools and equipment to clean and trim the grounds, re-position fallen stones and in general, to show respect and loving care for all the graves in the cemetery. Large sections of overgrown brush was trimmed back, revealing gravesites that had not been touched in years. Some trees were removed to halt further root damage on the grounds. Fallen limbs and debris were gathered to be hauled off. Family plots were cleaned and new flowers placed. According to Ms. Bechhold, two sections were completely cleaned and eight graves discovered and documented. This summer, City of Sulphur Springs workers placed signs on both ways of Seventh Street that say ‘Mel Haven Cemetery’ with arrows pointing to the turn onto DeBord Street. “There’s still a lot of work to do. And it’s time for a younger generation to step up and take responsibility for the condition of Mel Haven Cemetery, and to prepare for it’s future upkeep” stated one of the cleanup volunteers. Officers of the Mel Haven Cemetery Society are Chairman J.D. Franklin and Secretary Michelle Gasaway. Eddie Askew is a caretaker and Wilbert Roland is one of the remaining members. Jason Lindley and Ricky Godbolt are among community volunteers interested in the maintenance of the cemetery. According to Lindley, “we express a heartfelt thank you from the Mel Haven Cemetery Society and its volunteers for all the individuals that made this day possible. All those individuals that lifted prayers, made donations, whether it was tools, food, monetary donations, or even just your time. Thank you for the support from Hopkins County Commissioners, Hopkins County Genealogical Society, Hopkins County EMS, Sulphur Springs City Officials, Sulphur Springs Law Association, Masonic Columbia Lodge #81 and all of those who labored.
Tools for researching one’s ancestors are what the Hopkins County Genealogical Library offers free to the people of Hopkins County. Trained assistance is offered free by Genealogical Society members. In addition to library records on file and computer searches, the Genealogical Society also offers programs on the subject. Ms. Ari Wilkins, a researcher of black history, is the speaker on Thursday September 19, 2019 at 7pm at the Hopkins County Genealogical Library, located inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library at 611 North Davis Street. Guests are welcome to attend the meeting, and to make use of the library’s resources during it’s regular hours of operation. Find out more at hcgstx.org.
NETBIO Sale Results
NETBIO producers sell 4,634 head of cattle
Producers sold 4,634 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the September Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) sale held Wednesday in the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission auction market.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale and there was a lot of interest from the buyers — both those at the sale and some buying over the Internet,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission. He said a total of 1,181 head sold to buyers over the Internet.
“Producers continue to do a great job of pre-conditioning and getting their cattle ready for this sale,” Fowler said. He added that the market was good for these times and reflected the good quality of cattle and the pre-conditioning that producers offered for sale.
A total of 234 producers (NETBIO members) sold cattle at the sale. Nineteen buyers purchased all the cattle at an average of $786.73 per head. The demand was very good for all weights of cattle,
Fowler said one feed yard in Kansas purchased 1,439 head of the pre-conditioned calves and yearlings. Most of the cattle purchased over the Internet went to two feed yards in the Texas Panhandle. The light cattle, Fowler added, were purchased to go west for grazing and finishing. A buyer from California was on hand at the auction market to purchase 145 head of calves that went to a Kansas feed yard.
The NETBIO Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale is the marketing arm for members of the organization and gives producers a place to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings for sale in load lot quantities. NETBIO conducts eight of these pre-conditioned calf sales per year, all at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
Two more sales are scheduled this year. The next NETBIO sale will be held on Wednesday, October 16. It will be followed by the November Anniversary Sale that will take place on Nov. 20. All the sales begin at 1 p.m. Consignment books are open for both these remaining sales.
Producers can call the Livestock Market at 885-2455 or stop by the exchange office.
All NETBIO auctions are broadcast on the Internet via LMA Auctions.com. Internet buyers should register in advance in order to bid.
September 28 Pancake Fundraiser Will Benefit Childhood Cancer Victims
Brent Smith, a Hopkins County first responder with EMS, is inviting others to join him in raising awareness of Childhood Pediatric Cancer through a fundraiser planned by SSHS HOSA students. The project by these students, who are future health professionals, will be earmarked for their goal of donating needed items to the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas. Proceeds from the pancake fundraiser will also be used to assist local children and their families who have been affected by childhood cancer. The event is Saturday morning September 28, 2019 at Heritage Park, 416 North Jackson Street, from 7:30 am til 10:30 am. Cost is $5 adult and $2 child, for all you can eat pancakes and fixins.
Cumby City Council To Appoint New Member, Consider Budget and Tax Rate
The Cumby City Council has posted notification of a Special Meeting Agenda to be held Saturday, September 21st at 9:00am. The City Council must appoint a new member to fill a recent vacancy as the result of a resignation. The remaining members must consider an appointment of a resident of Cumby, and if so appointed, that person will immediately be sworn in to the Alderman Place 2 position on the Cumby City Council. The council must then consider and approve their budget as well as consider and approve their tax rate for the rapidly approaching fiscal year.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Dorner Said Wylie East Exposed Some of Her Teams Weak Spots Tuesday
After the Lady Cats Volleyball Team lost a competitive 3-0 match to visiting Wylie East Tuesday, Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said the Raiders were a good team that exposed some of her team’s weak spots. She said Wylie East showed that they have played a tough schedule so far this year. Coach Dorner said when the Lady Cats grabbed the momentum, the Raiders would grab it right back. She said she likes to schedule tougher teams right before the start of district play. Coach Dorner said it allows her to see where the Lady Cats are lacking so she can work on those things in practice. The Lady Cats, now 18-10 for the season, have Friday off for Homecoming. They travel to Nevada Community next Tuesday and then open district play at home against Royse City on Friday, September 27. Several Lady Cats are suffering from nagging injuries. Coach Dorner hopes a few days of not playing a match will get some of the players healthy.
Coach Owens is Hoping Improved Play Friday Results in Victory
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens continues to express frustration with last Friday night’s district opening 15-13 loss at Terrell. Coach Owens had his weekly media gathering Wednesday morning as the Wildcats are preparing to face Royse City this Friday night for Homecoming at Gerald Prim Stadium. Coach Owens reiterated areas that frustrated him Friday. Gaining nearly 400 yards but scoring only 13 points. The defense dominating but the Wildcats still coming up short. Special team breakdowns on extra point and field goal kicks. Penalties including eight for holding. Coach Owens said areas of concern have to be cleaned up and players need to stay focused. He said they can’t keep beating themselves. He repeated the team continues to get better. He added no one is panicking. Coach Owens said the Wildcats would really be challenged this week by Royse City. He called the Bulldogs perhaps the best overall team the Wildcats have played so far this year. He said they play physical football and they play hard. Coach Owens said what they do is not complicated. On offense, he said the Bulldogs have a pair of athletic quarterbacks. Coach Owens said they have a talented receiver to throw to. The Bulldog head coach’s son, Peyton Petroff, has moved from running back to slot receiver and Coach Owens said they try to get the ball in his hands. He said their offensive line is not overpowering but does a good job covering up defenders. Coach Owens said Royse City is a lot like Frisco Wakeland and Lovejoy. On defense, Coach Owens said the nose guard is the one who makes the defense go. He added the three Bulldogs defensive linemen are their best three defensive players. Coach Owens said their smallest linebacker, senior John Klump, may be the best of the backers. He said the Bulldogs use standard coverage in the secondary. He said any Sulphur Springs and Royse City game is a dogfight. Coach Owens said he expects Royse City to come in full of confidence. They had a bye last week to prepare for the Wildcats. The Bulldogs are 2-0 with wins over Frisco Centennial and Garland. Coach Owens said he considers Royse City to be one of the top three teams in the district.
Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Tony Martinez Says His Team Was More Competitive With Strong Texas High Team Tuesday
Despite an 18-1 loss at Texas High Tuesday, Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his players provided better competition this year than they did one year ago. Coach Martinez said he looked over results from last year. He saw a lot of 6-0, 6-0 scores. This year he said there were some 6-4 and 7-5 results. The Wildcats mixed doubles team of Jonah Kirkpatrick and Jeauxleigh Cantu won their match against the Tigers. Coach Martinez told his players to play their best and try to win some games. He said the Wildcats improved by leaps and bounds against the Tigers this year. Coach Martinez acknowledged Texas High is still a great team. Despite the Wildcats 1-2 district record, they will be heavily favored against Mount Pleasant next Tuesday at the Wildcat Tennis Center. Royse City is not fielding a team this season. The Wildcats should end district play as the district’s #3 seed in the playoffs. Coach Martinez said possible bi-district match ups are with teams they have already played this season, Hallsville or Jacksonville. The Wildcats bi-district match is expected to take place October 15.
