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Inaugural football Hafford Memorial Scholarship awarded

cedar hill isd special to the ctr

CEDAR HILL — Cena Hafford wanted to start something that would continue the legacy of her late husband, longtime Cedar Hill offensive coordinator Ste- phen Hafford. “We want to be able to help kids pursue their careers through college — that’s what he would want,” said Cena, who was married to Stephen for 25 years until his untimely passing at age 52 on May 10, 2019. On June 1, Cena and the cou- ple’s daughter, Bailey, announced t h a t t h e inaug ura l S t e p h e n H a f f o r d Memor ia l Scholarship wou ld be awarded to Cedar Hill High School David Beans | Special to the Times-Review senior Kyser Rio Vista’s Anthony Perez (2) was selected to play in the 84th Annual Oil Bowl Classic, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Wichita Kyser Cannon C a n n o n Falls. Perez had a standout senior season in helping lead the Eagles to their most successful season in recent memory. for $1,500. Cannon will attend the Univer- sity of Tulsa with plans to study Exercise and Sport Science. He also plans to walk on to the Tulsa football team. Rio Vista standout to The requirements for the scholarship are a 3.0 grade point average or higher, plans to attend a college or vocational school and a series of questions play in Oil Bowl Classic on the application. Some appli- cants submitted a reference letter. Approximately 10 schol- Eagles’ Anthony Perez to cap off memorable senior year with all-star game ars applied for the scholarship this year. by a.j. crisp touchdowns offensively with 26 tackles “He was all-district basketball, all- [email protected] “For the first few years, we and two interceptions defensively to go district football and all-district want to be able to give the along with stellar special teams play. and he anchored our relays that went to scholarship to a kid who was RIO VISTA — Whenever the 84th “Anthony can help out an all-start regionals,” Black said. “He was our male impacted by Stephen,” Cena Annual Oil Bowl Football Classic kicks team in multiple ways,” Black said. “He athlete of the year. I don’t think there’s a said. off Saturday in Wichita Falls, the Rio can excel on offense, defense and the kid who had a bigger turnaround from Cannon fits that category. He Vista Eagles will be represented by the kicking game. You can always use a guy last year to this year. I think all the met Coach Hafford when he multi-talented and versatile Anthony like that in that setting.” coaches saw the potential and the talent entered Cedar Hill High School Perez. Perez said he’s grateful for the he had, but for him to have this senior as a freshman in August 2017. Perez was selected to participate in opportunity to be selected to such a season it’s been remarkable for him.” “Winning the Coach Haf- the Maskat Shrine Oil Bowl Classic prestigious all-star game, which has Perez said his senior year — especially ford Scholarship Award means featuring all-star caliber football play- featured the likes of NFL legends such in helping Eagle football to new heights a lot to me,” Cannon said. “I ers from across the state in what is the as and Steve Largant, — will be something he cherishes for a met Coach Hafford going into longest-running among others. long time. my freshman year, and we had all-star game in the country. “It’s really big opportunity for me,” “This season was definitely some- a good connection as a coach Rio Vista Coach Kasey Black — who Perez said. “It kind of makes me ner- thing I will never forget,” Perez said. and player. He helped me a was recently selected as one of Dave vous but I’m really excited at the same “The senior class really helped bring lot during football season and Campbell’s Football’s “Top 40 time. I’m really looking forward to it. everyone together. I didn’t feel like it powerlifting. This scholarship under 40” head coaches — said Perez I’m looking forward to meeting new was a team, we were more like a broth- means a lot to me because it lets is an ideal type of player to be selected people and facing new competition but erhood. We were all really close. We me know that my hard work is for an all-star game like this because of also against guys who are on my team. always hung out after school and that paying off, and it will help me how many ways he can impact a foot- I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of helped us succeed on the field because pay for college as well.” ball game. those guys because there’s supposed to we always had each other’s back. Last “I will never forget Coach Haf- Perez was named the 2020 All-John- be some pretty good players out there.” year I had like 95 yards and this year ford. When he said something, son County utility player of the year Perez’s athletic accomplishments I had 700-plus. I owe a lot of it to the you knew it was him speaking. after he played a pivotal role in helping aren’t solely on the gridiron; he was quarterback because without him I He knew the Longhorn football Rio Vista to a winning record for the instrumental in helping Eagle basket- couldn’t have done any of it. But it was first time since 2003 as he hauled in ball, baseball and track to immense SEE hafford, Page 13 42 receptions for 723 yards and eight success in 2020-21. SEE perez, Page 13 TCU promotes former MLB as new head coach Kirk Saarloos replaces Texas A&M’s coach. Saarloos “It became very appar- for Tuesday morning to the shared the Big 12 regular-sea- had also been the recruiting ent from our meetings with afternoon. He and his wife, son title with Texas, won the as coordinator for the Horned numerous current and for- whose 19th wedding anniver- conference tournament and Horned Frogs head Frogs the past eight years. mer baseball student-athletes sary is Wednesday, attended were a No. 6 national seed in After pitching for the Oak- that this program is about the their daughter’s award cer- the NCAA Tournament before baseball coach land Athletics, Houston family-like atmosphere and emony at school hours before losing at home last weekend. Astros and amazing culture that exists his introduction. “We weren’t done yet, we associated press over seven big-league sea- among the players, coaches Saarloos made an immedi- haven’t reached what we want sons from 2002-08, Saarloos and staff,” Donati said. “In ate impact upon arriving at to reach,” Saarloos said. “It FORT WORTH — Former big returned to Cal State Fuller- coach Saarloos not only did TCU in 2013 as the Horned wasn’t done yet. This is where league pitcher Kirk Saarloos ton, where in four seasons as we find a great coach with a Frogs had their lowest team my heart is.” was named TCU’s new head a college pitcher he appeared tremendous plan, we found ERA (2.78) since 1968. Their Texas A&M hired Schlossna- baseball coach Tuesday after in the College World Series someone who is a perfect fit 2014 CWS team led the nation gle as its new baseball coach nine seasons as the team’s twice. He was pitching coach for this baseball program and with a 2.22 ERA while setting on June 9 after his 18 seasons pitching coach that included for the Titans for two seasons university.” a Big 12 record with 14 shut- at TCU that included five trips four consecutive trips to the (2011-12) before going to TCU. Donati said another indica- outs and a school-record 574 to the College World Series. College World Series. Athletic director Jeremiah tion of that was when Saarloos . The 2015 team set Schlossnagle replaces Rob Saarloos replaces Jim Donati said his search began asked TCU to move back his a new record with 653 strike- Childress, whose contract Schlossnagle, who left after 18 with an overall evaluation of introductory news conference outs. seasons last week to become the program. that had initially been planned The Horned Frogs this year SEE tcu, Page 13

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