In the News Week of September 7 2020

Thrall shows promise on and offfield By Rick Cantu rcantu@statesmao.com THRALL - Coach Rick Porter gathered bis players at midfield following a 35-6 loss to Lexington and told them they had a lot to beproud of. The Class 2A Tigers of Thrall High were simply beaten by a better team. Class 3A Lexington was too big and too strong and too skilled on a cool Friday night at Tiger Stadium. There were lessons learned that will benefit Thrall as the young football season continues. "We have to trust the pro cess," said Porter, beginnillg his first season as varsity ooachoftbeTigers. Theyjust bad no answer for Lexington running back Jarred Kerr, who rushed for 222 yards and four touchdowns on only 11 carries. While the players likely will reflect solely on the game, there was something about the small-town atmosphere that made the night special. Against the backdrop of a red sunset peeking behind the home bleachers, fans from both sides politely applauded for the teams, cheerleaders and both bands. After the game, both teams lined up in straight lines in Thrall quarterback Colter Hil looks to pass against Lexington on Friday. Later he said he would hold his head up after losing 35-6. the center of the field and [PHOTOS BY RICARDO B. BRAZZJELI/AMERICAN·STATESMANJ took a knee. Thrall's Bruce Poling, thelone player stand ing, led the Tigers and Eagles a face mask. Most of them player on the field, ripping in prayer. The players then practiced social distancing. off runs of85, 47 and35 yards. shook hands and wished During one break, public Among the top defenders for each other well therest of the address announcer Scooter the Tigers were Tyreke Irvin, season. Dubec reminded them to Brady Peterson and Keven "What I like most about adhereto the rules set forth by Blair. (small-town football) is the the University Interscholastic Thrall's Braden Howell was relationships you make here," League, adding the players particularly busy on Friday. Porter said. "You get thatwith deserve to play a fullseason. Not only did heplay the entire the big schools too. I know To make room for specta game, he played the marimba Hank (Carter) at Lake Travis tors, Thrall's band sat on the athalftime with the band. talks about it. In mycase I get track during the game. Some Thrall will be looking for to see these kids in the hall fans brought lawn chairs or its first victory of the season ways as an algebra teacher." lined the fences toget a better when the Tigers face Snook Quarterback Colter Hill view. next week. The schedule still said it's fun to play inThrall After the game, Dubec includes tough games against (population: 893). asked fans to give everyone on Hearne, Holland and longtime "It's a place where every the field a round ofapplause rival Thorndale. one knows everyone," said for a job well done. Despite Friday's loss, there Hill, who scored Thrall's "I can barely speak with will be better times ahead, lone touchdown, a two Thrall football fans set up on the track oval to watch tlhe Tigers play. a mask on, let alone play an said Hill, who has lived in yard plunge late in the third entire football game with Thorndale since he was in quarter. one," he said. kindergarten. It was a night ofreflection, in remembrance of Marilyn age 66. As for the game, Thrall's "I'm holding my head up too. At halftime, Thrall's Laffere, a beloved retired As for the topic ofthe year, Porter said his defense played high," Hill said. "It's going band played a splendid ren- member of the Thrall school COVID-19, almost everyone hard despite a few break to stay up high 100% of the dition of "Amazing Grace" district who died last week at in attendance was wearing downs. Kerr was the best time." Canyon Lake puts district on notice Hawks wallop LaGrange, sendmessageto district favorites Lampasas, LBJ ByTbomas Jones tjones@statesman.com FISCHER - Just as he had done to La Grange defend ers for most ofFriday night, Canyon Lake's Jesse Homer dodged the question after his team's impressive 61-23 win at Hawk Stadium. Were the Hawks being overlooked in a grueling District 13-4A Division I that includes Lampasas and LBJ, the top two teams in the American-Statesman's Class 4A and below poll? "Maybe," Horner said. "It could be possible. But I'm not sure. Hopefully, Canyon Lake running back Jesse Homer races downfield during the season goes along, and the first quarter at the nondistrict football game between Canyon we keep pulling out these Lake and La Grmge Fridayat canyon Lake High School. Homer wins." had 213 yardsa.nd five touchdowns on the ground. Homer pulled off the kind [JOHN GUTIERREZ FOR STATESMAN] of performance that may makehima late-round draft pickin the various fantasy playoffs wider Drum, feels give the Hawks a 42 -23 lead football drafts this week that it should be the fourth enteringthe final period. end. Toe6-foot, 185-pound teamin the district tostart "The second half couldn't senior rushed for 213 yards 2-0. The Hawks let a lead havestartedworse," Drum andfive touchdowns on 19 over defending Class 4A DII said. "Two plays, a fumble, carries while spearheading a state finalist Wimberley slip then one play and a touch dynamic and diverse slot-T away in a season-opening down for them, and they're offense that amassed 637 24-22 loss. That setback backin the game. Then we total yards. Those types of was the primary topic of dominated the game. That numbers against a proud conversationathalftime for was nice to see, especially La Grange program with the Hawks, who entered the since we blew that fourth playoff expectations will break with a 28-16 lead. quarter lead last week certainly draw the atten "We were talking in the against Wimberley." tion of upcoming district locker room about how we Canyon Lake ended the foes, even though Canyon choked up in theWimberley game with 510 yards rushing, Lake coach Charley Drum game and how they were the but it's the passing threat quickly pointed out that better team in the second provided by McMullen district games "are not for half," Horner said. "We that has Drum particu- awhile." basically used the motto larly excited. McMullen But it's never too early to 'Finish, finiish, finish.' threw for 127 yards and two look at district play, espe That's what we tried to do touchdowns on just three cially since most schools tonight." completions and has 282 schedule nondistrict games Toesecond half couldn't yards passing through the in order to prep for district have started worse for first two games. Those stats competition. Lampasas, Canyon Lake. On the Hawks' wouldn't raise aneyebrowat a state semifinalist last second play of the third a..quarterback factory like season, has the look of quarter, Ryan Rivali bobbled lr.ake Travis or Westlake, a state contender after a pitch from quarterback but they are almost revolu dismantling historic pro Peyton McMullen and La tionary for a ground-based grams in Brownwood and Grange (0-2) pounced on attack like Canyon Lake. Stephenville bya combined the loose ball. One play later, "Peyton being a th.reat is 96-23initsfirst two games. running back D.J. Taylor big," Drum said. "We have LBJ, which dropped down burst around right end for a weapons in the air, and that from Cass 5A DivisionI, is 43-yard touchdownrunthat opens up our running game. still waiting for its chance trimmed Canyon Lake's lead In years past, people could to start the season against to 28-23. Suddenly, some just commit to the run, and Cornerstone Christian Sept. anxiety began to build on we'd be in trouble. And 25 becauseofhealth limita the Hawks' sidelines and Peyton can use his legs, too, tions imposed by Travis into the borne stands. as he showed (withSo yards County. Fredericksburg But unlike the season- rushingonfourcarries). It's has scored 109 points while opener, Canyon Lake never tough to stop." opening 2-0, and a resur gaveupcontrolofthe game. Stopping the Hawks will gent Burnet squad isalso 2 -o McMullen, a6-foot-3, 185- be theconcernofLampasas, after a hard-fought 29-21 pound senior in his third LBJ and the other dis road win over Gonzalez on seasonas a starter, found a trict schools soon enough. Friday. wide-open Jeremy Greene Canyon Lake will open Canyon Lake (1-1), a for au 85-yard touchdown District 13-4A DI play Oct. Comal school district pro pass on the next series. 9 against visiting LBJ, which gram that has made seven Horner added two more gave up an area-low 8.5 consecutive trips to the scoring runs in the quarter to points pergame last season. Playing fall sports worth the riskfor high school athletes RickCaata or Westwood quar terback RJ Martinez, Fthe risk ofplay- ing football thisseason is worth the reward. The black clouds that surrounded Central Texas on Wednesday carried more thanmuch-neededrain. We are reminded daily about a global pandemic that has changed everyone's lifestyle. That includes young people whose passion is football or fall sports such as vol - leyball and cross-country. Yet for afew hours each day this week, football fields provided sanctu ary for about 1,500 pub- lieand private schools throughout the state. "With everything that has been going on these past few months and tohearthat weare able to get back on the field and pieparefor the season is truly exciting, n Martinez said.

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