Sports

The Bay City ISD Blackcat Hall of Fame inducted eight members at a football game halftime ceremony on November 6th.   
   The Hall of Fame was established in 2001 to recognize former Blackcat and Ladycat athletes or head coaches who have distinguished themselves beyond “the norm” and who have represented our community at a state or national level.  

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   The Bay City Blackcats ended their 2015 season by holding off the Needville Blue Jays and winning 35-32 last Friday at Memorial Stadium.
   But this is one win that felt like a loss.
   For a chance at one of their district’s remaining three spots in the state playoffs, the Blackcats had to win the game by at least 17 points. 
   And they were up by 18 – twice – in the fourth quarter.
   “I know we don’t have anything to hang our heads over,” said Blackcat coach Lupe Florez.
   “They fought their way back into that (game). They played like that (the entire game).”
   “They know what total efforts looks like now.
   “They did their job last night. I was excited.”
   The Blackcats got off to a rocky start in the game, allowing Needville a touchdown on the game’s opening kickoff return. 

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   Football fever is running high across Matagorda County this week as two local high school teams prepare for playoff runs.
   For Van Vleck High School the “must-win” nature of the playoffs began last week. 
   The Leopards needed a win over Brazos in their regular season finale to secure a bi-district match-up with perennial power Blanco. 
   And that’s what they got, a 42-14 blowout victory for what many local observers – and even head coach Robert Blackmon – have called “the best 3-7 team in Texas.”
   The 6-4 Tidehaven Tigers, meanwhile, knew they had a post-season spot secured before their 50-0 regular-season loss to District 13-3A (Division 2) champion East Bernard last week. 
   They now draw Stockdale for a bi-district game they hope will result in their first playoff win since 1998.
   Coaches and administrators at both schools said playoff excitement has been in full force this week.

   We have waited all year and deer season is finally underway. 
   What stories and memories will we experience this year? 
   Will it be your first hunt? Are you going to enjoy taking your son or daughter out for their first hunt? 
   Are you an experienced hunter who just wants to commute with nature and fill the freezer with venison? 
   For all of us, deer hunting brings us back to our ancient hunting roots, allows us to share time in the outdoors in private introspection or to enjoy the camaraderie with our close friends and family. 
   According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, abundant rainfall increased natural plant forage and we can expect an increased deer population with increased antler growth. 
   So, the deer are out their in abundance and we can’t wait to get out there and have some fun. 
   But wait! Don’t be that guy or gal who has to pay the $500 fine for not following the rules! Know before you go!! 

   This is the first part of a comprehensive series of articles on gun-dog training.  
   We will cover the full range of training from puppy to finished gun dog. Please follow us in learning important points of raising a successful hunting companion. 
   Puppies! Are you ready for a gun dog puppy?  
   Is a puppy your best option? Before we discuss how to raise a puppy, consider a few things… 
   If you are looking for a successful hunting dog, how can you stack the odds in your favor to achieve your goal? Look at the pedigree first! 
   Pedigree can be measured in the hunting titles of the dog’s ancestors as is shown with titles such as: Field Champion (FC) or Master Hunter (MH).  
   A pedigree can also be based on personal experience such as Mr. Jones, from down the road, has been raising the greatest hunting dogs for 15 years, his dogs are great. 
   Good hunting dogs usually come from good hunting dog stock and pedigree. 

   The Bay City Blackcats are not out of the playoffs – at least that’s what the players and coaches feel.
   The Blackcats (3-6, 1-3) will have to beat Needville (5-4, 2-2) by 17 when the two teams clash in their final regular season games at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium.
   The way playoff qualifications or eliminations are figured, a 17-point victory is a must, said Blackcat Head Coach Lupe Florez.
   If the Blackcats, who lost to Columbia last Friday 46-21, can top the Bluejays by that margin it would create a three-way among Bay City, Needville and Columbia (7-2, 2-2). 
   An initial coin toss probably will determine the “odd-man out, then we’ll flip for who is the third-place team,” the coach explained.
   Stafford (9-0, 4-0) is already the District 12-4A champion, followed by second-place El Campo (6-3, 3-1). 
    “We absolutely believe we can do that,” Florez declared.
   “We are going to do our part and win by 17.”

   VAN VLECK – The Tidehaven Tigers came into Van Vleck Friday night looking to extract revenge on last year’s come-from-behind Leopard win in the annual rivalry game. 
   The Tigers jumped out to a commanding lead, but then had to hold off a furious Van Vleck rally for a hard fought 28-21 win.
   The win gives the Tigers shot a guaranteed spot in the play-offs that begin Nov. 13, and the Tigers could even finish with a share of the district 13-3A(d2) title.
   Tidehaven is scheduled to take on state-ranked East Bernard in the regular season finale Friday, and a Tiger win would put both teams at 4-1 and in first place in district 13-3A (2). 
   A Boling win over last place Danbury on Fridaywould give the Bulldogs a 4-1 district record as well.
   “We have a huge battle next week vs East Bernard,” Tidehaven athletic director Brent Mascheck said in an email to media and supporters. 

   Bay City and West Columbia will try to upgrade their 1-2 records in District 12-4A when they meet Friday night in West Columbia.
   Both teams hope to rebound from similar losses last week, when Bay City (3-5) fell to El Campo 41-14 on homecoming and West Columbia (6-2) lost to Stafford 40-14. 
   Bay City certainly would like to redeem itself after the Roughnecks burned the Blackcats 57-7 here last year.
   West Columbia is paced by senior running back Dakarius Bell, who has 1,165 yards rushing – on 151 carries for an average of 7.7 yards – and 18 rushing touchdowns. 
   He has the attention of Blackcat Head Coach Lupe Florez, who said he was surprised the UTEP commit hasn’t attracted offers from larger school.
   “He has good balance,” Florez said, adding that he thinks Bell is one of the best high school backs he’s seen as a coach.

   The Tidehaven Tigers lost a tough game in double overtime to the Boling Bulldogs 41-34 on Friday Night. 
   The Tidehaven Tigers took the lead 34-28, with 3:07 left on Jeff Williams’ 34-yard touchdown run. 
   The two-point conversion pass from Bryce Galvan to Brandon Brune gave the Tigers a six-point lead, with three minutes left in the game. 
   The Bulldogs drove down the field and on a 4th and 12 from the 42 the Boling quarterback avoided a rush and threw a great pass that a diving Bulldog receiver caught in the endzone. 
   The extra point was no good. 

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