Coach Owens on District Win Over Royse City
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said the first quarter at Royse City last Thursday (September 20) couldn’t have gone any better for the Wildcats. The Wildcats scored three touchdowns and led, 21-0. Two touchdown drives followed fumble recoveries by the defense. Plus here was the 79-yard punt return for six points by Austin Dodd. Coach Owens said the offense was clicking in that first quarter while the defense stood tall and was flying around. He said the Wildcats played well in the first and fourth quarters.
Coach Owens said there was a shift in momentum after the lengthy lightning delay. Royse City picked up the pace in the second and third quarters. A Dodd interception slowed the Bulldogs down in the third quarter. Coach Owens said a goal line stand by the defense early in the fourth quarter was huge for the Wildcats. Royse City had to settle for a field goal to make it a 21-10 game. On the Wildcats second TD, on fourth down and two from the Royse City 20 yard line, Jermond Bryant-Amos came in with the bulls package, took a shotgun snap and went through a huge hole to score a touchdown. Coach Owens said the team had been working on the play but had not shown it yet this season.
He praised quarterback D’Corian Young for his composure and his decisions to look for receivers as he runs. Young also ran for a couple of first downs. Concerning Dodd’s big punt return, Coach Owens said Dodd is a talented young man who does a lot for the Wildcats. Some things that did not please Coach Owens were some personal foul calls the Wildcats picked up. He noted that the personal fouls hurt the team and he said players have to control their emotions. Coach Owens said the Wildcats used a great play to clinch the game in the fourth quarter. On fourth down and 25 from the 26 yard line in Bulldogs’ territory, quarterback Young rolled to his right, threw across his body and threw a perfect strike to an open Dodd for the score.
Coach Owens said inside linebacker Daniel Moreno had another strong game. He said the Wildcats tackling was better Thursday night. He said the team continues to improve. Coach Owens said Royse City is going to do some things in district games, especially if their passing game improves.
He said the Wildcats bye is coming at a good team. Coach Owens said the Wildcats are dinged up and need to get healthy during the off week. After the off week, the Wildcats will host Forney at The Prim on October 5.
Hopkins County Schools Invited to Apply for Gillis Foundation Grants
Although the deadline for applications for Grants to Schools is December 20, 2018, the application is online and ready to be completed by schools in Hopkins County that desire to apply for one of the 2019 grants from the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation. Information regarding application has been sent to each school district.
A total of $100,000 in grants over a three-year period will be awarded annually to qualifying schools to support instructional programs, staff development and other initiatives that align with the foundation’s mission.
The John and Deborah Gillis Foundation will also provide 10 annual Bright Stars Scholarships to seniors graduating from any of the seven high schools in Hopkins County, beginning in Spring 2019. The scholarships will be in the amount of $4,000 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters — making it the largest single scholarship program in the county. The 10 annual scholarships will be aimed at students who are economically disadvantaged and who may be first-generation college students.
School campuses and students from the seven districts in Hopkins County which are eligible for the Bright Star Scholarships and Grants to Schools program include Cumby, Como-Pickton, Miller Grove, North Hopkins, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff and Sulphur Springs. The first Grants to Schools will be issued in February 2019, while the deadline for the Bright Star Scholarships is March 30, 2019.
The foundation was developed and supported by the Sulphur Springs couple and will be managed by former teacher and educational consultant Robin Shrode. All three are Sulphur Springs High School graduates. Gillis, who is Chairman/CEO of Gillis Holdings, Inc., is a fifth-generation Hopkins County native.
Local Man Arrested for DWI 3rd or More After Narrowly Missing Police Officer
A Sulphur Springs Police Officer saw Curtis Lee Reynolds, 56, of Sulphur Springs, almost strike an officer with emergency lights activated. Reynolds was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or more, a Felony 3, and is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $15,000 bond.
When Reynolds narrowly missed the officer, the officer that observed the incident activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop Reynolds. Reynolds refused to stop but did finally stop at E-Z Mart on Main Street. When the officer questioned, Reynolds spoke with slurred speech, had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet when he exited the vehicle.
Peggy Rial of Mesquite Crowned Ms. Texas Senior Classic, Five Local Contestants Provided Strong Competition
The 2018 Ms Texas Senior is Peggy Purves Rial of Mesquite, Texas. She has competed in the Pageant for the last 12 years. She was crowned on Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Tyler by outgoing Ms. Texas Senior Classic Patsy Roan Crist of Cumby, Texas, former Ms. Hopkins County Sr. 2017.
The current Ms. Hopkins County Mary Ivey was in the top 10.
Local contestant Linda Pickle Hill received Most Talented and Best Platform award. She was in the top 5.
Local contestant Vendor Wright was recognized as Miss Congeniality and she also garnered the 2nd place Volunteering Award.
Among other local royalty who competed in the State pageant were Jan Gray and Valerie Ross. Former Ms. Texas Sr. Nancy Bolton also made an appearance.
Flash Flood Watch Continues Until Noon Sunday
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of north central Texas and northeast Texas, including the counties of Fannin, Hunt, Delta, Hopkins, Lamar, and Rains. Until noon CDT today (Sunday, September 23, 2018). Additional areas of moderate to heavy rainfall will be possible through the morning. Additional rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible.
Conditions are favorable for heavy rain which may lead to flash flooding. You should monitor the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued for your area.
State Candidate Forum Focuses on Public Education
Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel are sponsoring a candidate forum focused on Public Education at Sulphur Springs City Hall, October 9th. The event features candidates for Lieutenant Governor, Texas District 2 State Senator, and Texas District 2 Representative. A meet the candidates begins at 5:30 and candidates will speak in turn beginning at 6 p.m.
Each candidate will be given 10 minutes to present their views regarding public education. Order for speakers will be Representative, Senate, and Lt. Governor. Following the candidates presentations, a question and answer session will be conducted.
All Democrat candidates have committed to attend the forum–Mike Collier, challenger for Lieutenant Governor, Kendall Scudder, challenger for District 2 Senator, and Bill Brannon, challenger for District 2 Representative.
Only incumbent District 2 Representative Republican Dan Flynn has committed to attend. The other two incumbents, both Republicans, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and District 2 Senator Bob Hall had not committed as of Friday, September 21st.
The Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel organization is the local chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
Dinner Bell Menu For September 26, 2018
Dinner Bell September 26, 2018
The Dinner Bell Ministry remembers Herman and Ova Lee Goldsmith for their devotion to Hopkins County
Menu:
Shepherd’s Pie
Mediterranean Carrots
Hot Rolls and Butter
Garden Salad
Do Nothing Cake
Pineapple Cottage Dessert
Rain or shine the Dinner Bell volunteers are waiting for you! Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church). Hope to see you!
Houston Named 2018 PJC Distinguished Alumnus
W. Robert “Bob” Houston, Ed.D., has been selected as the 2018 Paris Junior College Distinguished Alumnus.
“Dr. Houston has been recognized as an innovator and pioneer in the field of education during a prestigious career at the University of Houston’s College of Education and we are honored to celebrate his accomplishments,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President. The award will be presented on Saturday, November 10, during the Homecoming Luncheon at Love Civic Center.
“I loved my time at PJC and I got a good education which prepared me for a wonderful life,” He credits his English instructor, Mrs. Myra Fuller, for his passion and love for writing.
Houston, along with the Academic Hall of Honor Class of 2018, who will be announced in the coming weeks, will be added to an elite group of PJC alumni recognized for professional distinction and achievement. Retiring in 2012 as Professor Emeritus from the UH College of Education, he has been lauded as one of the creators of Competency Based Education, a national model adopted by nearly 400 universities in the United States and still the basis for state standards for teacher education.
A member of PJC’s Class of 1947, Houston was involved with the Collegiate Players and Royal Order of the Green Dragon, and was on the Debate Team.
“At PJC I received a good, quality education with supportive instructors,” Houston said. “I developed my love for writing at PJC with Mrs. Fuller as my writing instructor.”
At the University of Houston, the honoree served as Associate Dean, Executive Director of the Texas Center for University School Partnerships, and Executive Director of the Institute for Urban Education. From 1996 until his retirement, he was recognized as a John and Rebecca Moores Professor.
Houston and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Houston, Texas and have three adult children, John (Minneapolis, Minn.), Ann (Boston, Mass.), and Alan, Durham, England, as well as six grandchildren.
Tickets for the Nov. 10 Homecoming Luncheon may be purchased from the Office of Institutional Advancement/Alumni Affairs at PJC in the Rheudasil Learning Resource Center. For more information, contact Derald Bulls, (903) 782-0276 or by email, [email protected].
Lady Cats Drop District Opener in Royse City
Not a good start to district play for the #24 ranked Lady Cats’ volleyball team as they dropped their district opener at Royse City Friday (September 21), 3-1.
The Lady Cats got off to a good start in set one and at one point led, 10-6. The Lady Bulldogs tied it at 12-12 and then dominated the rest of the set to take it 25-19. The second set, perhaps the key one, was one that got away from the Lady Cats. The Lady Cats played well through most of set two and had leads of 20-14 and 23-18. The Lady Bulldogs scored the last seven points in the set to come from behind and win, 25-23.
It looked like the Lady Bulldogs might swept the Lady Cats as they built a lead in set three. Trailing 22-15, the Lady Cats began to rally. Taylor McElfresh had 6 straight serves that led to Lady Cats points and they tied set three, 22-22. It was also tied at 23-23 but the Lady Cats scored the last two points of set three to take it, 25-23. The Lady Cats came close to forcing a fifth set. However they had to battle from behind again as they trailed in set four, 17-11. Eventually the Lady Cats forced a tie, 20-20. It was also tied at 21-21, 22-22 and 23-23. This time it was Royse City that scored the last two points of the set to take set four and the match, 25-23.
The Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play. Their season record is now 24-8. The Lady Cats face another challenge Tuesday night (September 25) on the road as they play Lindale, ranked #16 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association Poll.
