Wildcats vs Hallsville; What the Coaches Are Saying
The Wildcats face Hallsville in a game that will determine a playoff spot. The game is set for Prim Stadium Friday night at 7:30 p.m. It’s Senior Night and activities begin at 7 p.m. Here is what the head coaches and Wildcat coordinators are saying about the game. Hear more on the KSST Pregame Show, 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Owens on Hallsville
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens discussed what he called a play-in game for the playoffs as the Wildcats host Hallsville Friday night on Senior Night at Gerald Prim Stadium. The winner is in and the loser out. Coach Owens described the Bobcats as a good technical team that is well coached and one that knows where they need to be on each play. He said Hallsville, Mt. Pleasant and the Wildcats are all very similar and the scores indicated that. Hallsville defeated Mt. Pleasant by four in overtime and the Tigers topped the Wildcats by a field goal. Concerning keys to the game, Coach Owens said the offense must take care of the football and control the line of scrimmage. He added the defense must tackle well and carry out their assignments. Coach Owens said he was pleased with the team’s intensity against Greenville. He said the laid-back team had bothered him some this year as he wondered what button to push to get the team’s motor running. Coach Owens said Hallsville had a quality receiver, two good running backs and a good quarterback. He said both teams lack great speed. Coach Owens said the Bobcats defense does a good job tackling. He described them as scrappy. Coach Owens said a game between these two teams in the past has often determined a playoff spot.
Hallsville Coach Plunket
Coach David Plunk has found a home in Hallsville. He’s been there since 1998. He played his high school football at Kilgore under legendary coach James Cameron. Plunk graduated from Stephen F. Austin, also the alma mater of Wildcats Coach Greg Owens. Coach Plunk was hired by Sulphur Springs Coach James Cameron but he didn’t stay around here long. A varsity slot opened up on the Kilgore staff soon after his hiring here and Coach Cameron encouraged him to take it. Coach Plunk was also at Elkhart, Grand Saline and Cooper before getting the Hallsville job. The Bobcats have gone 2-7 his year. They are 2-3 in district play. The Wildcats are also 2-3 in district games and the winner of the game at Prim Stadium Friday will advance to the playoffs while the loser will be out. Coach Plunk says this has been a frustrating season for him. He’s had to battle injuries. He indicates a win Friday should brighten his outlook considerably. Coach Plunk says excluding district powers Marshall and Texas High, he feels the Wildcats and Bobcats are playing as good as anyone in the district. He says it’s fitting that the two teams will be determining a district playoff spot.
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the offense had a good night but not a great night against Greenville in the 28-7 win at Greenville last Friday. Coach Young said there are still some things to clean up. He said he liked the energy the team played with. He said he was excited for receiver Matt Reynolds, who caught a 51-yard pass along the sideline. Coach Young said Reynolds had been an unsung guy who did a lot of blocking while catching a few short routes. He said Reynolds made a play when he got the chance. Coach Young said he liked the physical way the offensive line played and the way they took control of the game as it progressed. Coach Young used lots of players. Among them running backs Colton Allen, Cason Goodson and Searn Rodgers and receivers Reynolds, Austin Dodd, Cor’Tavius Pruitt and D.J. Hall. Coach Young said he was pleased with the offensive execution and their high rate of converting third downs, especially the third down and short plays. Coach Young said the key to the Wildcats getting into the end zone is the mix of runs and passes. Concerning Hallsville’s defense the Wildcats will see Friday at The Prim, Coach Young said the Bobcats are very well coached, their scheme is sound and they will play very hard. He said although Alabama wasn’t recruiting any of them, he said they featured lots of really good high school players that take pride in their jobs. Coach Young said he sensed that the playoffs are new for the Wildcats because they haven’t been there but he said they are beginning to notice that the excitement is building around town. The Hallsville game boils down to the winner advancing to the playoffs and the loser staying home.
Wildcats Defense
Despite how well the Wildcats’ defense played against Greenville last Friday in a 28-7 Wildcats win, Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said he continues to hear about the big play that the Lions scored on. Greenville back Cadamion Hale went 98 yards for a touchdown. Coach Abron called it the big hiccup of the night. Other than that, Coach Abron said he was pleased by the defensive play. He said defensive linemen gave Greenville fits. He especially liked the defensive stand Wildcats backup defenders made late in the game. The Lions turned the ball over on downs. He praised defensive linemen D’Idrec Dugan, Cam Cooks, Jose Rodriguez, Haven Tennison, Tyreese Pryor, Isaiah Neale and Brenton Burnside. Also defensive backs Terrell Turman and Sebastian Adams and inside linebackers Easton Silman and Jaxon Reneau. When asked about the Hallsville offense, Coach Abron said they were a well-coached group that could find weaknesses to take advantage of. He said he is impressed with their top two running backs, their quarterback, their tight ends, receivers and the Bobcat offensive line.
One Day Delay in I-30/State Highway 19/11 Overpass Change
Rain Delays affect more than baseball. Although the change was scheduled to take affect Thursday, the overpass at the intersection of Interstate Highway 30 and State Highways 19 and 11 will be delayed until Friday at 8 a.m. The pavement must be dry for the painting of traffic stripes that will note the change.
The current two-lane overpass, with a center left-turn lane and traffic signals at each end, will be striped to allow four lanes of traffic, two in each direction. The existing traffic signals will be programmed to function as flashing yellow lights for about 90 days following the change and will be removed in the future.
Dedicated right-turn lanes will provide access to SH 19 or SH 11 and frontage roads. Vehicles on the I-30 east-bound or west-bound service roads will be guided to SH 19 or SH 11 by traffic signs. The new traffic flow configuration is designed to reduce congestion at this highway interchange, TxDOT officials said.
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Donation to Meal A Day Program
Burgers and Fries made another donation of $ 2,275.00 to the Meal A Day Program. Shown in Photo: Karen Logan, Irene Ramierez, Beth Garcia, Jacky Garcia, Karon Weatherman, Director of the Meal A Day Program, and Christina Thomas
Monday Jury Panel Cancelled
The jury panel summoned to appear Monday, November 7th at 8:30 a.m. for Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Eddie Northcutt has been cancelled.
texas flag courthouse
Chamber Connection November 3rd
November. How is that even possible? As you read this article today we are exactly three weeks from Thanksgiving, and only six weeks from Christmas. The time is officially here to buy that turkey and get him into the freezer, and to begin that gift buying process. Every year we vow to slow a bit through the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. I hope this year, we are able to do so. Hopkins County will be a busy place throughout the holiday seasons, and I just can’t start early enough asking you to shop locally for gifts. We have such wonderful local businesses, so please shop locally this Christmas season and support our local economy. We are so thankful to have such perfect and unique places to shop!!
Janeen’s Country Cottage celebrates 25 years on Tuesday, November 8th
Janeen’s Country Cottage will host a ribbon cutting and open house at 630 N. Davis Street in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday, November 8th from noon to 2 p.m. to celebrate 25 years of business! Please make plans to come by the open house to congratulate Janeen and her staff, to eat some refreshments, and to visit with friends. What an exciting time for Janeen’s Country Cottage!
Northeast Texas Rural Transportation Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, November 9th
To discuss our region’s transportation needs and how best to meet them, Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation along with the Ark-Tex Council of Governments is hosting a Transportation Summit on Wednesday, November 9th at the Hopkins county Civic Center. Tickets are $25 and include admission to the event and lunch. Local area officials and area TxDot representatives will meet to discuss our region’s long term transportation needs. For additional information, please contact the EDC at (903) 439-0101.
11th Semi-Annual History by Foot with John Sellers will be held on Saturday, November 12th at 9:30 a.m.
The Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance presents the 11th Semi-Annual History by Foot with John Sellers on Saturday, November 12th at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall in Sulphur Springs. This is a walking tour of downtown Sulphur Springs that will give the history of historical buildings, landmarks, and homes near downtown. The walk will start at City Hall and the cost is $10. Please make reservations by calling City National Bank at (903) 885-7523.
Hopkins County presents an Adopt-A Cop Celebration on Sunday, November 13th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Hopkins County proudly presents an Adopt-A-Cop event on Sunday, November 13th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. Hamburgers, hotdogs and special music by the Tyler Lenius Band will be provided. This event is the time to celebrate the arrival of our officer’s new tactical vests which were provided by the community. Please make plans to join this event and celebrate in backing the blue.
AgriLife Extension is hosting the 2016 Earthkind Living Conference on Friday, November 18th
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is sponsoring the 2016 Earthkind Living Conference on Friday, November 18th at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Registration is open from October 10th to November 10th with admission prices being $25. After November 10th, and on site, tickets will cost $35. This conference will introduce consumer, producers, and volunteers to Earth-Kind Living, a balanced system using university research proven techniques for quality living, environmental stewardship, and overall well-being. For more information and to register, visit https://agrilife.org/earthkindliving.
Divorce Care held weekly at First United Methodist Church at 6:00 p.m.
Divorce Care is a weekly seminar and support group that will help you heal from the hurt of divorce or separation. It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. You will learn practical information that will help you deal with the challenges of being divorced. Best of all, you will gain hope, healing, and help for your future. Divorce Care Meets every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 beginning on October 5th at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs in the Open Door Sunday School Classroom. This is found in the basement of the main building. There is childcare if needed. They will meet for 14 weeks with one week of a special session entitled “Surviving the Holidays”. This is scheduled for November 16th. Contact information is Tom Young at [email protected], (903) 413-1673 or Debbie Young at [email protected]; (903) 243-1235.
New Chamber of Commerce members:
The Chamber is excited to welcome our two newest members! Welcome to Robinson Bennett Construction on Church Street Sulphur Springs and Phinesse Farms Winery on Main Street in Sulphur Springs. We are thankful for you!
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
DPS Traffic Stop Results in Arrest
Justin Pendergraft, 33, of Sumner, Texas was speeding on South Loop 301 when DPS Trooper King made the traffic stop. King noted that Pendergraft was noticeably shaking even though the temperature was 68. Trooper King also noted a knife just above Pendergraft’s head in the auto. Pendergraft was invited to step out of the auto and asked if he had anything illegal in the vehicle. With his head down, he replied, “Yes.”
Trooper King found a black pistol between the driver’s seat and console, which he considered within easy grasp of Pendergraft, when in the vehicle, and in the passenger’s seat, he found methamphetamine. It was also found that Pendergraft had been previously convicted of more than one felony.
Pendergraft is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram and with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. He is being held on a total of $25,000 in bonds.
Alliance Director for 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative to Speak at 161st Annual Rehoboth Baptist Association
Sunday evening at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs, the churches of Rehoboth Baptist Association will gather to celebrate another year of service to the seven county area served by the 54 churches. This is the 161st annual meeting for the organization.
Guest speakers for the event include Bob Billups,Alliance Director for the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative and Dr. Jimmy Pritchard pastor of First Baptist Church, Forney.
Billups has nearly 40 years of experience as a pastor and minister in Texas which equipped him with the relationship-building skills needed in his position with the Wilberforce Alliance. The mission of 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative seeks to create a world where religious freedom is recognized by nations across the globe as a fundamental human right. The organization seeks to defend the vulnerable and victimized, and to champion religious freedom and respect for the equal human dignity of persons of every faith. They mobilize faith-groups for advocacy of religious freedom policy reforms and protections globally as they equip through training and other resources and employ technical solutions. The organization is named for the 19th century British Parliamentarian William Wilberforce who identified the slave trade as the single greatest violation of human rights.
Dr. Pritchard began his ministry at FBC Forney in April, 1994 following pastorates in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. He is a former Trustee and Chairman of the IMB and past President of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He served for 15 years with the Baptist World Alliance, and he is a former President of the Southwestern Seminary Alumni Association.
Rehoboth Baptist Association promotes cooperative efforts among churches and serves as a resource for education, referral, and support for local churches as they carry out their various ministry activities.
The evening activity will follow an afternoon business session at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend the evening worship that will be broadcast on KSST and Suddenlink Cable Channel 2 Sunday evening at 6 p.m.
Alliance Bank Southtown Branch Open Thursday Following Wednesday Robbery
Sulphur Springs Police, the FBI, Texas Rangers, and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office continue to seek a 6 feet tall, heavy, white male that robbed Alliance Bank Southtown Branch Wednesday. He left the area in a white, four-door sedan.
Alliance Bank President Tom Sellers said all law enforcement agencies responded quickly with expert help as the investigation and search began. Southtown Branch was closed Wednesday afternoon but all other bank locations remained open. All Alliance Bank locations were open Thursday and observing normal hours.
Alliance Southtown Branch parking area and drive thru is entered on South Broadway and exits to Mockingbird. The man sought committed his crime in the lobby at the location.
