Wildcats Football Defensive Coordinator Discusses Wakeland Loss and Upcoming Home Opener
On Wednesday KSST met up with Wildcats defensive coordinator Alex Guerra to discuss last week’s game against Frisco Wakeland.
While the outcome may not have gone as hoped for the varsity squad, each coach for the Wildcats football team thought there were positives and negatives to take away from Friday night’s 38-10 loss to the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines.
“We came out wide-eyed in the very beginning on the first drive,” Coach Guerra said, adding that the Wildcats defense blew a couple of assignments, which in turn let the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines drive 75-yards to score to start the game.
Not exactly the ideal situation for any defensive coordinator. However, there’s a silver lining behind every cloud, as the Wildcats coach pointed out.
“We had a slow start, then we came back, putting it together [later in the game],” Coach Guerra said, thanks in part to a couple of 3-and-outs, commenting that the effort to regroup was “pretty decent.”
All credit for Wakeland’s victory should go to them, Coach Guerra said, adding that Wakeland has some good receivers, a good quarterback, and that the loss was still “A good game [to a] good team.”
The game, Coach Guerra said, was a good challenge for the team as they look toward not only tonight’s game, but moving forward.
Coach Guerra said the defensive unit still has to work on the deep pass.
That they will have to if they have any hopes of defeating the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards as they come to town tonight to play the Wildcats at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:30 P.M.
Last Friday Lovejoy beat John Paul II as the turnover prone JPII offense allowed the Leopards to build a 24-0 lead, and never looked back. JPII tallied three interceptions in the first half between a pair of signal callers, and could not overcome early mistakes, losing to Lucas Lovejoy 52-22.
The game against Lucas Lovejoy (1-0) tonight will be the home opener for the Wildcats (0-1), as they hope to secure their first victory of the still-young season.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Oct. 2 COVID-19 Update: 3 New Cases, 6 Recoveries, 35 Positive Antigen Tests
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Oct. 2 COVID-19 update reported 3 new COVID-19 cases and 6 new recoveries among Hopkins County residents, just before 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2
That’s 14 fewer new cases on Friday than were reported on Thursday, Oct. 1. With twice as many new recoveries reported as new cases, the active case count dropped from 87 to 84 on Friday. That means 297 of the 381 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive have recovered from COVID-19.
One more patient was reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Friday, Oct. 2, than the 8 reported on Oct. 1, according to the HC/SSEM Oct. 2 COVID-19 update
Another 73 COVID-19 tests were conducted Thursday, Oct. 1, at the free testing center located at 128-A Jefferson St. (the small building behind the Tax Assessor/Collector and Justices of the Peace Offices). Overall, that’s 284 COVID-19 tests preformed at the location since Sept. 25. The free testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each Monday-Friday through Oct. 24 . To register, go online to GoGetTested.com. Walk ups are also accepted.
HC/SSEM also reported that 35 Hopkins County residents tested in facilities within the county tested positive for COVID-19 on antigen tests during the week beginning Sept. 25 and ending at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 2. That’s 16 fewer antigen positives than reported one week before and 6 fewer than the week of Sept. 12-18.
It should be noted that positive antigen results do not count toward the daily case counts reported by HC/SSEM and the state, as those cases reflect positive molecular-PCR test results only.
There were no changes in COVID-19 case counts for Sulphur Springs nursing homes; there continued to be 21 active employee cases and 15 active resident cases at Carriage House Manor on Sept. 18, according to the Oct. 2 Texas Health and Human Services nursing facilities report.
The Oct. 2 HHS assisted living facility report showed no active cases of COVID-19 at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities as of Sept. 18.
No active employee or students COVID-19 cases were reported at licensed child care centers in Hopkins County on Oct. 1, according to the HHS report.
The Texas Department of State Health Services COVID dashboard had not been updated as of 3:45 p.m. Oct. 2. The latest update was 6:15 p.m. Oct. 1 when 3 new COVID-19 fatalities were assigned to Hopkins County, for a total of 11 Hopkins County residents who have died from COVID-19 since July.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez Discusses Victory Over Pine Tree Tuesday
On Tuesday night the Wildcats Tennis Team traveled out to Longview for a district match against Pine Tree.
The Wildcats Tennis Team ended up running away with the victory, toppling the Pirates 14-5 on Pine Tree’s home turf.
Early in the match, though, it looked as though the victory could go either way.
“I was looking maybe for a 12-7 victory,” Coach Martinez said Thursday, adding that he thought the match was going to be real-close in the beginning.
The team fell behind in doubles in the very beginning, down 4-3 at one point.
Coach Martinez said in tennis you want to have the upper-hand after doubles, but unfortunately for the Wildcats they lost 2 or 3 matches in 10-point tiebreakers for the third set.
The Tennis team managed to win some strong matches in singles thanks to the heroics of the boys pulling through in some strong matches.
Coach Martinez said he was not expecting the team to win some matches Tuesday, but since they did, he responded with that efforts like that are “What it takes.”
Shane Henley, who was the last match on, finishing up at 9 P.M. on Tuesday, played a good match according to Coach Martinez, adding that his performance against the Pirates in that effort was “Some of the best Tennis I’ve seen him play.”
Coach Martinez has been working with Henley since middle school.
Tate Smith, Junior, was another Wildcat tennis player that had a stand-out night. There are no senior Wildcat tennis players on the team. Smith on Tuesday won what Coach Martinez calls the “10th point,” in that once you get 10, you win the match.
Tate also won in three sets, also. Wildcats Team Tennis had 7 matches Tuesday night go to 10-point tiebreakers, luckily ending up winning 4 of those nail-biting matches.
The victory over the Pirates Tuesday should insure the Wildcats of a playoff spot. The Wildcats are now 2-2 in district play and 3-2 for the season.
Next up the varsity squad will travel to Van High School on Saturday, Oct. 3 for a non-district match starting at 9 A.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Arkansas Man Caught Violating Protective Order
A 38-year-old Pine Bluff, Arkansas man was caught violating a protective order early Thursday morning, police alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs police stopped a Nissan Altima at 12:03 a.m. Oct. 1 on Interstate 30 east near mile marker 132 for a traffic violation. Upon identifying the passenger, officials learned a protective order had been issued prohibiting the 38-year-old Pine Bluff, Arkansas man from being around the driver and owner of the car.
Consequently, the Arkansas man was taken into custody and jailed on a violation of a protective order charge. He was released from jail Friday, Oct. 2 on a $2,000 bond on the Class A misdemeanor charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Disturbance Reported Outside Hopkins County Courthouse
A disturbance reported outside Hopkins County Courthouse Thursday morning resulted in one misdemeanor arrest, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
The disturbance, reported at 7:48 a.m. Oct. 1 to the sheriff’s office, allegedly involved a man who was yelling at people on the square, according to sheriff’s reports.
Upon arrival, deputies reported seeing the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs man on the east side sidewalk in front of the courthouse. He was allegedly yelling and screaming at citizens and county employees who were entering the courthouse, the arresting deputy noted in arrest reports.
Adding to the fracas was the sword case the man wore on his side. Although the case turned out to be empty, the sight of it reportedly caused some who saw it to believe the man had a weapon during his unruly behavior, according to arrest reports.
The 57-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody by a deputy for disorderly conduct. The man spent Thursday night in Hopkins County jail, then, was released Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Hopkins County United Way Recognized Lead Donors At Luncheon
Hopkins County United Way recognized lead donors to the 2019-2020 fundraising campaign at a special luncheon hosted Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Representatives from the top contributors were invited to the kickoff luncheon, sponsored by Alliance Bank and hosted at Sulphur Springs Country Club.
The top 15 contributors to the campaign include:
- Flowserve
- CHRISTUS Mother Frances
- Sulphur Springs ISD
- GSC Enterprises
- UPS
- City National Bank
- Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
- Alliance Bank
- Holt CAT
- Jay Hodge Chevrolet
- City of Sulphur Springs
- Hopkins County Hospital District EMS/Communications.
- Sulta Manufacturing, Inc.
- Clayton Homes and
- Oncor.
Officers also recognized the contribution of the Zahn Family Charitable Trust.
Thanks to the generosity of these and many other businesses, individuals and organizations, the 2019-2020 campaign exceeded the goal by more $24,410, with a little over $189,410 collected.
HCUW Co-Presidents Bill and Beverley Owens offered thanks to “anyone who has helped out,” no matter the size of their gift to HCUW, for making a difference to the individual served by the organizations that benefit from the campaign.
“Anyone that helps us out, helps our community out — especially in a year like this — is so appreciated. It doesn’t matter so much how much it is, it’s what it is. Your gift is appreciated so much,” Bill Owens said.
“Each of you were a hero. We appreciate each business, employees and individual donations that stood in the gap to help others. We know that this year has been a little different, but God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love. With each of us united together with your continued support we can meet and exceed this year’s Hopkins County United Way goal again,” Beverley Owens said.
Many in attendance at Wednesday’s luncheon, in addition to contributing to the annual campaign, taken on active roles in HCUW and have continued to faithfully serve for many years. Others are new to HCUW but are committed to continuing the organization’s tradition of service and fundraising to benefit county residents of all ages through nonprofit organizations allocated funding in the annual campaign.
Acknowledged as members of HCUW Board of Directors were Chuck Askins, Larry Crowson, Debra Evans, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Mike Jumper, Sherry McGRaw, Kristy Moseley, Beverley Owens, Bill Owens and Larry Willis.
Recognized for service on the 2020-21 HCUW Budget and Allocations Committee were Lezley Bown, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Beverley Owens and Bill Owens.
Due to the economic impact of the pandemic on many, HCUW this year decided to lower the campaign goal to $150,000. Seeing an even greater need among the nonprofit organization that benefit from the campaign the agency scaled back but this year has allocated funding to assist 19 community organizations.
HCUW 2020-21 Campaign Chair Mike Horne said in a time of social distancing and social injustices, the goal of HCUW is to all come together to help the community.
“This is a very loving and giving community. I am grateful to be the chair,” Horne said. “We live in a wonderful community. Most here are blessed to not need these agencies personally. I’m glad they are here to help, glad there is help for less fortunate in the community.”
“You are the bridge. Your donations and organizations help serve the people of Hopkins County. You can be assured your contributions will be used wisely. We hope you will continue to support United Way in some capacity. We appreciate your past support and appreciate everything you are able to give,” HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning said.
Horne will be available during the upcoming weeks of the campaign if any business or organization would like him to visit in person or via Zoom or other conferencing platform to talk about HCUW and this year’s campaign. He can be reached at Latson’s or contact Berning at 903-243-4066.
Donations may also be mailed to HCUW Campaign Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482-0735; or may also be made via the HCUW Facebook page, where information about the 19 agencies allocated funding this year will also be featured.
KSST Video Interns: Two Twins Variety Store
KSST is proud to support local students by offering intern opportunities throughout the school year. It’s a tradition that reaches back to the early days of KSST radio in Hopkins County. This semester we have a total of 5 interns working with our stations.
Interns are encouraged to work together to create projects that have a positive impact on our community. On the whole they are allowed to pursue topics they choose. We do give them a nudge every now and then.
They would love to hear feedback on all their work. Feel free to email feedback and/or story ideas to [email protected].
Wildcats Football Head Coach Discusses Wakeland Loss and Upcoming Home Opener
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens was not thrilled with the result of Friday night’s tough loss to the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines, as the Wildcats lost 38-10.
Coach Owens says there was a lot of growth in a lot of areas, as Coach Owens says he’s got some players that are still “wide-eyed” due to the glitz and glamour associated with Friday Night Lights.
Real-time game experience is pivotal, Coach Owens argues, because these players who for the first time on a Friday night, [are] learning the pace of the game, [people] learn how quick momentum can swing.”
“When you have your opportunities you need to take advantage of that,” Coach Owens said, and took a step further by admitting “that’s what [the Wildcats] didn’t do.”
Coach Owens praised the play of the Wildcat offensive-line, calling them physical, and thought the running backs did a great job of running.
Senior Kaden Wallace, QB for the Wildcats, with the exception of a few throws, “had a good night of throwing the football,” Coach Owens said.
Wildcats HC Greg Owens believes the team has to play tough, situational football. At one point during the third quarter, with the Wolverines leading 21-7, the Wildcats drove down the field in what looked to be a drive that would end with at least three points.
Instead, a Wallace throw was intercepted by the Wolverines, and shortly thereafter, the Wolverines scored a touchdown. The Wolverines led 28-7, with Wildcat hopes for a comeback all but thwarted.
“[Receivers] have to catch the catchable balls,” Coach Owens said, so the Wildcats can take the easy yards when they get them so the team doesn’t get bad put in bad situations.
Coach Owens said “It’s cliche, but we’re just trying to get better one day at a time, one play at a time, one game at a time,” adding that is what the team is attempting to do right now.
“That’s what we’re doing right now; pushing forward, trying to grow these guys up as quickly as we can.”
One thing is for sure; it will be a tough slog as the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards travel to Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs to play the Wildcats this Friday at 7:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Volleyball, Cross Country, and Football on Tap This Game Day Friday
On this game day Friday (October 2), there is Lady Cats Volleyball, Sulphur Springs Cross Country, and Wildcats Football on the schedule.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team, who are 4-5 this season, were to be playing in only their third home game of the still-young regular season Tuesday evening. Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, the Mount Pleasant varsity team has been quarantined due to COVID-19. They ended up forfeiting the game, making the Lady Cats Volleyball Team 4-5 on the season thus far.
Later this afternoon they will be traveling out to Texarkana to play Texas High, with the Varsity game scheduled to kick off at 4:30 P.M. JV Blue and JV gold will follow afterwards.
Next is the Cross Country team. Last Saturday at a meet held at LeTourneau University in Longview, the Lady Cats ended up 2nd in their competition, with the Wildcats placing 5th as well.
The team will have themselves a district preview at the Mt. Pleasant Titus County Fair Invitational, held in — you guessed it — Mt. Pleasant.
Last, but not least, the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Football team will be playing in their home opener tonight at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:30 P.M.
The Wildcats will be hoping to rebound from a tough loss last week to the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines, as they host the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. While last week’s season opening loss to Wakeland was held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, where Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas plays, tonight’s game will be played a tad bit closer to home.
If you can, come out to Gerald Prim stadium tonight to support the Wildcats as they host the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. If not, be sure to tune in to our livestream of the game on our website.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
3 More COVID-19 Deaths, 17 New Cases, 8 Recoveries Reported For Hopkins County On Oct. 1
October is off to a rocky start in Hopkins County. Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported 8 new recoveries and 17 new positive COVID-19 cases, while the state reported 3 more COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County on Oct. 1.
That’s the fourth day in a row that HC/SSEM officials have announced additional recoveries from COVID-19, for a total of 44 recoveries reported during that time. Since March, 291 of the 378 Hopkins County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. Unfortunately, the high number of cases reported Oct. 17 increased the the number of active cases among Hopkins County residents from 78 to 87.
The number of patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs was almost cut in half, decreasing from 15 patients on Sept. 30 to 8 patients on Oct. 1.
Another 45 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site on Sept. 30. That’s at least 843 free molecular swab testing conducted in Hopkins County in September, including 210 since free testing resumed in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 25.
The free COVID-19 testing continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays through late October in the County Annex Building, 128-A Jefferson St., located behind the Tax Assessor/Collector’s offices. Preregister online at GoGetTested.com.
Texas Department of State Health Services on Oct. 1 reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, increasing the total number of Hopkins County coronavirus deaths to 11. The Hopkins County residents are reported to have died on Sept. 22, Sept. 24 and Sept. 28, according to the DSHS report.
Six Hopkins County residents were reported to have died in August and 2 in July as a result of COVID-19: two on Aug. 17; one each on July 17, July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. Two Hopkins County residents also
COVID-19 deaths, since July, are assigned when COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death on death certificates sent to the state office of Vital Statistics. Because death certificates aren’t necessarily filed the day the person dies, the death may not be reflected in the DSHS reports for 1-2 weeks.
Texas Health and Human Services’s Oct. 1 nursing home report showed 1 more employee had recovered and one additional employee tested positive for COVID-19 at Carriage House Manor on Sept. 17. That brings the total number of CHM employees who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus 2019 to 27, with 21 employee cases still active on Sept. 17.
Two additional CMH residents had recovered from COVID-19 on Sept. 17, but 1 more resident also tested positive. That’s 18 total CHM residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 3 who have recovered, according to the HHS nursing home report.
The HHS Oct. 1 assisted living facilities report showed no active COVID-19 cases in either residents or employees of Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Sept. 17.
There also were no active COVID-19 cases among employees and students at Hopkins County child care facilities on Sept. 30, according to the HHS Oct. 1 report.
