LONGHORNS FOOTBALL Herman: Ohio State report false Facebook story says he told reporter about domestic violence case.

ByBrlan Da_vls n

Texas coach Tom Herman said Saturday that a report on Facebook that !le was the one who alened sports reponer Brett McMurphy about domestic violence allegations against frred Ohio State assis­ tant coach Zach Smith was "absolutely untrue." In a srory posted Saturday on the social medla site, Jeff Snook, a published author ALSOINSIDE ,vilh da,> Ohio State ties, claimed » Maryland that Herman was the one who told pulls head McMurphy about Smith's past. It coach Durkin was sparked by Herman's anger from sidelines over losing Lake Travis receiver during Inves­ Garrett Wilson to the Buckeyes, tigation, CZ Snook claimed. "It is absolutely untrue," Her­ man mid the American-Statesman via a spokesman Saturday artemoon. MNeilher I nor anybody in my family has ever communicated with Bren McMur­ phy about the situation at Ohio State." Michelle Hennan. Tom's wife, tweeted sarurday, "Nope, wasn't me either!"

Longhomscontinuedon CZ 'I have never revealed my Smith during a time of finan­ to comment about the situ· Longhorns sources in my nearly four cial need," Hen11an told the ation in COiumbus. continued from Cl decade journalistic career & Statesman. "We llave not "As you guys should know, I am not going to start now. provided any financial assis­ I left the program after the McMurphy tweeted lhat However, I wiU say unequiv­ tance since then." 2014 season, and the lhings Herman was not his source. ocally that Tom Hennan was Herman was the offen­ that occurred to my knowl­ McMurphy's initial report­ not my source,'" McMurphy sive coordinator al Ohio edge happened In late 2015," ing led co Smith being fired tweeted. State from 2012 to 2014, and Herman said at a UT press and Ohio State head coach In an email to the States­ the Buckeyes won the 2014 conference Aug. 2. aso I urban Meyer being placed man, McMurphy said, "Too national title. Since becomir~ really don't Lllink it would on administrative leave. The bad Snook didn't contact the UT head coach in 2017, be fair or appropriate, to school is investigating what me.- Herman has battled Meyer be honest ,vith you, to com­ Meyer knew about alleged Snook also claimed the and his staff tooth and nail ment about a situation at incidents involving Smith Hermans gave Courtney for several top-Oight recruits, another program that hap­ and llis ex-wife, courmey. Smith money for her legal including Wilson. pened while I wasn't there." •·ror those who have bills. After the Ohio State news asked for my response to "In March of2017, my wife broke and Meyer was placed Contact Brian Davisat512- Jeff Snook's claim saturday: assisted her friend Courtney on leave, Herman decllned 445-3957. FOOTBALL RECRUITING A&M takes lead on recruit scorecard 14 on Fabulous 55 are ALSO INS IDE » 2019 American-Statesman committed to Aggies; 16 FabUIOUS 55 updated Ost, C3 set for Big 12 schools. ing hope. Texas rode the san1e ByMi ke Craven fomiula in 2018, Tom Herman's [email protected] first full cycle at Texas, Lo the third-ranked recruiting class in lt'sJirnbo Fisher's time to con­ the country and dominance of ttol the recruiting grounds inside the 2018 Fab 55. the Lone Star State. Texas A&M Fisher holds commitments from holds 14 commitments on the seven ofthe top 20 players in the updated 2019 Fabulous 55, one state and four of the top 12. The more than Oklahoma and Texas class is headlined by five-star combined. offensive tackle Kenyon Green, This is Fisher's lirst full class an offensive tackle from Hum­ Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Asher has secured as head coach ofthe Aggies, and ble Atascocita who ranks No. 2 commitments from 14 players on the 2019 Fabulous he's receiving Lhe bump usu­ 55, well ahead of both Oklahoma and Texas.cu1ms ally afforded to programs sell· Fabulous 55 continued on C3 COMPTON/ ATLANTA JOUllNAl-CONSTITUTION / TNS Lake Travis wide receiver Garrett Wllson, No. 1on the Fabulous 5511st, Is committed to Ohio State. Here he scores a touchdown against t eammates at the spring game In May. JOHN GUTIERREZ /FOil Al,IEIIICAN-STATESMAN 1bilteeo of those are commit· Fabulousss ted to either Texas or Okla· continued from Cl homa. Baylor, Texas Tech and Kansas State have one on the new Fab 55. DeMar• commitment apiece on the vin Leal, a four-star defen· list. BY comparison, 14 orthe sive lineman from converse 18 Fab 55 players commit­ Judson, ranks No. 3. ted to the SEC are pledged The Aggies also hold com· to Texas A&M. mitments from the top-rared The only out-of-state pro­ comerback, Jeffery Garter grams nOl named Oklahoma (11), and safety, Brian Wil· to hold more than one com­ Iiams (12). mitment on the list are LSU Texas· class is anchored by and Norre Dame, each with two top-five talents. cuero two. wide receiver Jordan Whit· Ohio State, which feasted tington m~the entire off. on the top players on the season with a groin injury. 2017 Fabulous 55, holds just I le's missed the big camps one commicment on the list. and seven-on-seven tour· but it is the top player in the naments in the spring and Converse Judson's OeMarvln Leal, No. 3 on the Fabulous state. Garrett Wilson, a five­ summer, lowering his profile 55, carries a board to the locker room that reads •artngThe star wide receiver from Lake heading into his senior sea­ Wood,. the team motto. RALPH BARRERA/ AMEIIICAN-STATESMAN Travis High School, remains son. He is No. 4 on the list. the No. I player in the state. Tyler Johnson, a four-star Only 11 players on the list offensive tackle from Con· Seven members of the Stogner. remain uncommitted, led roe Oak Ridge, ranks No. 5. Fabulous 55 are commit· Oklahoma signed only four by defensive end Marcus Texas pledges Roscbon ted to Oklalloma. The soon­ players from the 2018 Fab 55. Stripling (13) and safecy Jalen Johnson (25),JavonneShep­ ers hold pledges from three That number should double Gatalon(l7). herd (26), T'Vondre sweat top-10 players, wide receiv­ this cycle. (36) and Marques Caldwell ers Trejan Bridges and Theo Sixtl'ell pra;pectsarecom· Contact Mike Craven at (50) also made the lisL Wease and light end Austim mined to Big l2 programs. ' HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2019 FABULOUS 55

TheAmerican-Statesman'supdatedFabulous5511stofthestate'stoprecruitsfor2019,compledbystaffwrtterMlke Craven. N1.mbers In parentheses reflect that recruit's ranking from June:

Rank Pos.Play,er School Ht./Wt.. College note 1 ( 1) WR Garrett Wdsoo Lake TraVis ( 6A) 6-0/185 CommittedtoOhio State 2 (6) OT Kenyon Green Humble Atascocita ( 6A) 6-5/315 Committed to TexasA&M 3(2) DL DeMarVinleal ConverseJudson (6A) 6-4/280 Committed to TexasA&M 4(3) WR Jordan Whittington Cuero{4A) 6-1/198 Committed to Texas 5(5) OT Tyter Jotvlson Conroe oak Ridge (6A) 6-5/308 Committed to Texas 6(9) WR TrejanBridges Lewi~ile Hebron ( 6A) 6-1/184 Committed to Oklahoma 7 (10) WR Theo WeaseJr. Alen(6A) 6-3/194 Committed to Oklahoma 8(8) TE Austin stogner Prestonwood Ctvistlan (Priv.) 6-6/230 Committed to Oklahoma 9 (7) OE NaNa Osafo-Mensah F.W. Nolan Catholic (Prtv.) 6-41227 Committed to Notre Dame 10 ( 13) CB Jeffery Carter Aledo(4A) 6-0/180 Committed to TexasA&M 1 1 (4) s Brian Williams Dallas Blshop Ollllle (Prtv.) 6-0/185 Committed to TexasA&M 12 ( 14) OlB Marcel Brooks FloWel'Mound (6A) 6-3/200 Committed to LSU 13 ( 15) DE Marcus Stripling Katy Mayde Creek ( 6A ) 6- 2/260 Several,incl. TexasA&M, Oklahoma, Florida, LSIJ 14(20) WR Dylan Wriaht West Mesquite (SA) 6-3/192 Committed to TexasA&M 15 (19) s Demani Rlchardsoo waxahacNe ( 6A) 6- 2/205 CommlttedtoTexasA&M 16(34) TE BaytorCupp Brock {3A) 6-6/235 Commltted to TexasA&M 17 (18) s Jalencatalon Mansfield Legacy ( 6A) 5-9/180 Several, incl. Texas.Oklahoma, Ohio State 18 ( 17) ATH Marquez8eason Dallas Bishop D~ (Priv.) 5-1111 73 Committed to Illinois 19 ( 12) CB Marcus Banks Spring Oekaney (6A) 6-0/170 Committed to LSU 20(11) QB GrantGunnen Houston St. Pius X (Prtv.) 6-6/212 Committed toArizooa 21 ( 16) WR Arjel Henderson Fort Bend Travis (6A) 6- 1/179 Committed to Oklahoma 22 (24) s LewlsClne Cedar HUI TrlnltyChr.(Prlv.) 6-2/180 Several, Incl. Penn State, Mlchlgan 23(23) WR BijahHiggins Austin Bowie {6A) 6-3/215 Several, incl. Stanford, Texas, UCLA, Ohio state 24 (22) CB Erick Young Fort Send Bush ( 6A) 6-1/195 Committed to TexasA&M 25(26) QB Roschon..lolYlson Port Neches-Groves {SA) 6- 1/192 Committed to Texas 26 (27) OT Javonne Shephard Houston North Forest ( 4A) 6-7/305 Committed to Texas 27 (25) OT EJ Ndoma-OSM Alen(6A) 6-11,()5 Committed to Oklahoma 28 (29) C Branson Brass Crandall (4A) 6-4/295 Committed to Stanford 29(31) WR Jaylen Elis Ro\mRockCedarRidge(6A) 6-0/180 Committed to Baytor 30(21) WR JalenCurry Houston St. Pius x ( Priv.) 6-3/195 Several, incl. Ote Miss. LSU, Tennessee, Auburn ------..,,.., \ ... , •••, ... ~'-'"••-1'U•.1 ...., ...... , .. _...... \ ....." _...... ,. ,,_ ...., ...... ,_..,, ...... ,,_...._"""'"'"'""'...... 31 (37) RB lsalah SpiUer Klein Collins ( 6A) 6-1/185 Committed to TexasA&M 32 (30) ATH TamauzlaBrown Newton(3A) 6- 1/175 Several, Incl BaylOr, Arkansas, Houston 33 (28) CB Bobb'/Wolfe Houston Madison ( 6A) 6-3/190 Committed to TexasA&M 34(32) ILB David Gbenda Katy Cinco Ranch ( 6A) 6-0/212 Several, incl Texas, TexasA&M, TCU 35 (35) RB DeondrickGlass Katy(6A) 5-l 1 /190 Several,incl.Arkansas,Alabama,Aubum 36(38) DE T'VondreSweat Huntsville(SA) 6-3/249 Committed to Texas 37 (33) WR KamBrown Colleyville Heritage (SA) 6-0/170 Committed to TexasA&M 38(45) DE Steven Parker SouthOakCOff(5A) 6-4/220 Committed to TexasTed1 39 (49) RB Darwin Barlow Newton(3A) 5-11 / 19 5 Several, Incl Baylor, Houston,Arkansas 40(40) DE Braedon Mowry KatyTaylor ( 6A) 6-4/235 Committed to TexasA&M 41 (53) OT AnclrewCoker KatyTaytor(6A) 6-6/310 Committed to TCU 42 (51) DE Kort Roberson Manvel(5A) 6-3/255 Committed to Oklahoma 43 (42) QB GrantTisdale Alen(6A) 6-004 Committed to Ole Miss 44(46) ATH VeltonGarooer Dallasearter(6A) 5-9/170 Committed to Kansas State 45 (47) s Jamal Morris FortBendBush(6A) 6-2/185 Committed to Oklahoma 46(43) s Jonathan McGII CoppeU(6A) 5-9/170 Several, incl Stanford, Texas Ted1 47(41) s Mytes Brooks PtlugervilleHendrickson (6A) 6-2/190 Committed to Arkansas 48(39) OT HunterSpears Garland Sachse ( 6A) 6-4/280 Committed to Notre Dame 49 (52) DE GIibert lbenerne Pearland ( 6A) 6-3/255 Committed to Texas Tech 50(54) CB MarquescaJdwel AMn(6A) 6-1/171 Committed to Texas 51 (NR) RB Daimarqua Foster Wichita Falls Hirschi ( 4A) 5-10/195 CommittedtoTCU 52 (44) OT Josh Elison A&M Consolidated (SA) 6-3/300 Committed to TexasA&M 53 (NR) C Layden Robinson Manvel (SA) 6- 4/310 Committed to Texas A&M 54(55) TE ThomasGordon Houston Strake Jesuit ( 6A) 6-4/230 Committed to Northwestern 55(49) DE David Ugwoebu Katy Seven Lakes ( 6A) 6-4/225 Several, Incl TexasA&M, Oklahoma,Alabama lake Travis' Garrett Wilson, committed to Ohio State, breaks up a pass Intended for Allen's Theo Wease, an OU pledge.JOHNGUTIBlREZ/ FOl!AMElllCAN STATESMAN20l7 l HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Lal{ Travis, Westlal{e near top in AP's preseason football poll

By Thomas Jones ASSOCIATED PRESS TEXAS [email protected] HIGH SCHOOLPRESEASON POLLS

separated by just 12 miles, Class6A ClassSA Class4A neighboring rivals Lake Tra- School Total points School Total points School Total points vis and Westlake are now just LAllen(21) 237 1.Aledo ( 13) 202 1.Carthage ( 10) 222 separaled by only LWO spots 2.lakeTrav1s(3) 194 2. Highland Park ( 3) 184 2.Argyle(ll) 215 in the Associated Press Clas.5 3.Katy 176 3.Lufl

As camp opens. Lake Lake Travis' Garrell Wilson. Teams Travis coaches think planning on making deep playoff runs must discover a way to slow about slowing WRs. players capable ofmakinggame­ The lake changing, highlight-reel catches Travis ByJay Plotkin at any given moment Cavaliers' Contributing Wnter Dealingwilh some ofthe slate's Ryan top receivers is on the cop ofmind Dumell Defensive coordinators across for Lake Travis head coach Hank (56) Texas might ha\'e been \Yt'll-served carter and defensive coordinator takesa to have Lheir own breakout ses· Ryan Luedecke as l..ake Travis breather sion al last month's high school opened fall camp Monday. For the during coaching convention. cavaliers to accomplish their lofty ateam The Austin American-Stales­ goals, Lhey know they'll have to break man·sannual Fab SSofthestate's getconsistent play from their sec­ atthe top players lists II receivers in ondary in order to slow dynamic Aug.13 its membership, including four practice. of the top IO players headed by Cavs continued on Alo FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Lake Travis Cavaliers wide receiver Garrett WIison (5) catches a pass during preseason football practice at Lake Travis High School on Aug. 13. PHOTOS BY JOHNGUTlERREZ/FORAMERICAN-STATESMAH backs have to target their key," Carter said. "Every­ prowess as a receiver, Wil· Wilson·s value to Lake contain dynamic receivers Cavs big-play threats, the more thing becomes easier if we son proved a lockdown cor­ Travis extends beyond his throughout the postsea­ continued fromA7 effective the cavaliers' sec­ can be ph)'sical and dynamic ner when called upon, usu­ ability to catch passes or son. Judson's Kenyon Mor­ ondary, which also under­ up front. It allows us at the ally against the opponent's even defend them. The cav­ gan and Los Fresnos' Nico receivers such as Bowie's goes a bit ofa mooling, can back end, if they ha,~ a really top receiver, many of whom aliers' defensive brain trusl Valenlca rank among Region Elijah Higgins, Westlake·s be. Lake Travis' tag-team special receiver, to devote a he's befiiended as they often understands that the defen­ IVs top receivers. Arjel Hen­ Mason Mangum and, poten­ approach aims to share the little more attention to them attend the same camps. sive backs aren't likely Lo see derson of Fort Bend Travis tially, Allen's Theo Wease. burden on a group of new wherever they line up and •rm not supposed to be better competition on Fri­ could be the top receiver in dAs far as playing Lop-notch starters who'll join junior adjust our plan accordingly.• out there, so I really enjoy days than they do Monday Region Ill. Cedar Rldge'sJay­ caliber receivers, some of Copeland Gothard in the Part of that adjustment making plays out there," through Thursday working len Ellis, DeSOto·s LaVomae i.hat ison i.heclefensive backs secondary. Senior Hunter will include revisiting a plan Wilson said of his time at against WIison, Eaves and Shenault and Wease could andsomeofitison the guys Henry returns to Lake Tra· that worked well in 2017. comerback. "I'm trying to Lake Travis' crop of receiv• all be potential state title up from who are harassing vis after 1wo years starting WIison and fellow receiver make sure they don't ca1ch ers. game foes. the quarterback,• Carter for cedar Park's "Black Rain" Kyle Eaves, who registered the ball at all. They can gel In addition to District "V,.'e. don't think I.hat we're said. defense, and Reese Ander­ two playoff intercepdons all the stats they want in 25-6A matchups against the going to see any better ath· If a revamped defensive son and Max Foit should play indudinga pkk-six in against their other games, but when likes of Higgins, Mangum letes as cornerbacks than front anchored by Kaleb pivotal roles as well. Allen in the title game, will they're going against me, I and Austin High's Sawyer wha1 we see all spring and Wenson can minimize the "The better we can be see their share of Lime on don't want them to catch Berry, Lake Travis' defense occasionally during prac­ time opposing quarter- up front, that really is the defense as well. For all his anything." could find itself trying to tice in the fall," Carter said. DISTRICT 25-6A COACH/INTANGIBLES RANKINGS Carter, Dodge top list

By Chris Dukes the Cavs won it all in 2016. ContributingWrtter 2. Westlake: In addition RANKING to his four state titles and six THE DISTRICT Now that we've had a look championship appearances, Howdotheteamsof at all of the teams in the new Westlake's Dodge has expe­ District 25-{;Astack DisOict 25-6A, it's time to f1l rience leading a Division I up In each phase of-the a little more in depth. Ln this program in North Texas. game? We open the three-pan series, we rank Dodge Is a coaching leg­ three-part sertesby three phases of the game - end in the state and a sure­ looking at the district's offense, defense and coach­ flre future hall of fa mer; his offenses. ing,'lntangJbles- and dole out ability co work with quar­ TEAM POINTS points based on ranldng5. We terbacks virtually guaran­ 1. Lake Travis 27 Lake Trav is head coach Hank Carter congratulates players after a w in against San ~ openedtheseriesbyranking tees any starter under his 2.Westlake 26 A ntonio O'Connor In the quarterfinals of the Class 6A, 0lvtslon I football playoffs on c the offenses. Last week, we tutelage a Division I schol­ 3.Bowie 22 IOec. 9. ALE PHOTO looked at lhe defenses. We arship. 4.Austln High 16 condude the series by rank­ 3. Bowi e: Bowie often 5.Hays 14 ing the coaches and intan­ rinds itself under in the 6. Del Valle 13 and one state semifinals the playoffs twice, including have enjoyed some success gibles: shadow of the two pow­ 7.Aklns 10 appearance. It will be inter­ a last year's team that tied during that time, including t. Lake Travis: Hank erhouse programs 10 the 8.Andefson 5 esting to see bow his slot-t for third in District 14-6A. a 2016 trip to the playoffs. Carter has three state cham­ west, but there's no doubt· a.Lehman s offense works in at the 6A 7. Le hman: The Lobos Burton's teams have partic· pionships as a head coach ing the head coaching job level particularly in a dis­ have struggled as a program ularly improved on offense, and two as a defensive coor­ Jeff Ables has done with trict loaded with athletes, since the school's opening where the season point total dinator and right-hand man the Bulldogs. Ables always lbut there's no doubt Goad more than 10 years ago, but has been on a steady incline to current Arkansas head fields mentally tough teams in 2012. Rosenthal's teams has the ability co make the there is reason to believe from 167 in his first year to coach Chad Morris. caner that won't beat themselves. have made the playoffs in most of the young men in that may be changing after 323 last year. actually has more victo­ He's made the playoffs II each of the last four years his charge. the hiring of Bruce Salmon 9. Anderson: The Tro­ ries and a higher winning straight years and has won and averaged at least 30 6. Akins: To truly appre­ in the offseason. Salmon jans promoted assistant percentage than his pre• at least seven games in each points per game in each of ciate the job Akins head comes from Marion after coach Daniel Hunter co lhe decessor and former boss. of those seasons. those seasons. coach Humberto Garza has leading the Bulldogs to the head job in the offseason in Although he has one less 4. Austin High: Aformer 5. Hays: Les Goad's done, you have to look at postseason in seven of the hopes of turning around a ring than the head coach All-American at Notre Dame arrival at Hays brings a ton rthe program he inherited. last eight seasons including program looking for its first from down the road (we'll and an eight-year NFL vet­ of excitement to the tradi­ When Garza took over for cwo district titles. winning season in six years. get to him in a minute), he eran offensive lineman, Mike tion-rich program. His old­ rthe Eagles in 2011, they had 8. Del Valle: Charles Hunter brings an impressive does own a 3-1 record in Rosenthal has developed a school offensive approach never been lo the playoffs Burton has been through pedigree, including some head-to-head battles with reputation as an offensive helped lead Navarro to 10 and hadn't won a game in 18 some ups and downs dur­ time as an assistant coach westlake's Todd Dodge and guru since being promoted consecutive playoff berths, months. Since then, he has ing his six-year tenure at under former Westlake head the more recent state title as to bead coach at Austin High including live district titles managed to get the Eagles to Del vaue, but the cardinals man Darren Allman. HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL La \e Tra, is star sticl(s with Ohio State

Byllm May bonds the prospects have with Columbus Dispatch the staffaren 't easy to break. "I believe these recruits are COLUMBUS, OHIO - It's week hoping for the best regarding 3ofUrban Meyer's im!admin­ coach Meyer and his future istrative leave from coaching with the program. They the Ohio Stale foo1ball team. believe in him and their future Butas far as the comrninnenrs playing for him and his staff to Lhe Buckeyes' next two so much they'll wait and see recruiting class are concerned, what happens." it is business as usual. WIison and his family Thus far, all IS pledges to Jived in Dublin into bis mid­ the 2019 class, headlined by dle-school years before mak· t..Ju:i I, .,, is receiver Garren ing the move co suburban Wilson and offensive lineman Austin, so he already leaned Harry Miller, have stood firm toward Ohio State. Then offen­ withOSU Lake Travis wide receiver and Ohio State reautt Garrett sive coordinator and quaner­ That doesn't mean that W Iison Is •confident coacll (Urban) M eyer Is going to be backs coach Ryan Day made other schools are sitting idly all right.• CONTRIBUTED BY JOHN GUTIERREZ him a priority in the recruit· by without trying to make ing process soon alter being new inroads while OSU otii• hired by OSU in,January 2016. cials complete their investi­ tial new interest. to be all right.• Day is now the acting head gation of what Meyer knew "l'm definitely solid in my Steve Wiltfong, director coach as the Meyer situation and how he responded to commitment,· Wilson said. or recruiting for 247sports. is sorted out. lllk$ltionsofdomesticabuse "But if they're just talking, com, said credit for project· "Coach Day is an NFL-level agains1 fonner assistant roach asking me how I'm doing, ing stability should go to the coach, he had NFL job offers 7-ach Smith. I'll tell them. It's not going osu assistant coaches and over this olfseason," Wilson Wilson , for example, any farther than that.... I'm the personnel staff, directed said. - 1definitely feel con· said some of the schools he solid to Ohio State and I plan by Mark Pantoni. fident he'll be a good head 2'l11Tled when he committed 10 stay solid." "This staff's ability LO build coach one day, and, I mean, ii> Ohio State on April 29 have Besides, he added, "l am relationships is second to if he was my head coach I'd been calling to gauge poten- confident coach Meyer is pig none," Wiltfong said. "Those still feel confident with that.· HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

Westwood players celebrate a hard-fought point In the Warriors• 25-19, 26-24, 25-22 win Monday over Lake Travis In a nondlstrlct showdown oftwo of the area's top teams. CONTRIBUTED BY JAMIE HARMS Westwood sweeps past Lal'" J'ravi Maddi Kriz totals got a lot of help from Lake Travis, which committed 16 kills as Wan-iors 22 errors. win in straight sets. The teams played even in the fi rst set, with the War· By Butch Hart riors leading 13-12 . West­ Amenc,m-Statesman wood, however, put together Correspondent a 6-2 run. Kriz and Maggie Stout had key kills in the run Maddi Kriz and lhe Wesl­ and Lake Travis committed wood Warriors picked up live errors in that spurt. a statemem victory Mon­ "The hardest part right day, defeating Lake Travis now is not having practice 25-19, 26-24, 25-22 in a non­ lime the way the season is," district showdown of two of said Lake Travis coach Bran· Lhe area's Lop teams. dace Boren, who is in her Kriz, a &foot-I outside hit­ fourth year with the Cava­ ter, totaled 16 kills with three liers. •we must learn from blocks, zoe Menendez added our losses and grow. I love live blocks, and Kenzie Beck­ the seniors; they are my first ham had 26 :1$ists for West­ d3$, and they are such great wood (IH). role models." Lake Travis (5-4), com­ Westwood raced to an ing off a strong showing al early lead in the second set the Pearland tournament, but Lake Travis rallied with a pushed V.'estwood ina match 6-t run lO knot chescore at 17. that had much more inten­ Kristen Kleymeyer,Jamison sity than most sweeps. Wheeler and 5asha Rudich "This was a great match, each had key kills as the cav­ it felt like a live-set battle," aliers sel up set point, but a said Westwood coach Tara kill and two blocks by Kriz Nelson. "The girls played helped Westwood take the great, and I saw a lot of second set. improvemem on our first Kriz and Kleymeyer led touch, which is something their respective teams in a we are really focusing on taut third set before Bede­ right now." ham set Kriz to give West· The veteran Warriors out­ wood a 24-22 edge. Menen­ played Lake Travis in each dez then slammed home the of the three sets. Wesnvood match point. VOLLEYBALL

The Lake Travis ,cavaliers' Carsyn Hempel (6) during the nonconference volleyball game between t he Lake Travis Cavaliers and Antonlan Prep Apaches at lake Travis High School on Aug. s. JOHN CUTIEl!REZ / FOIi AMEIIICAN· STATESMAN Rival Cavaliers, Chaps each post wins Westlake, Lake Travis get off to a good start as the season begins.

ByThomasJones [email protected] LAKEWAY - Separated by sev­ eral hours and almost 20 miles, neighborhood rivals Westlake and Lake Travis opened their volleyball seasons Aug. 7 in sim· ilar fashion_ Both teams faced some adver· sity, but both showed enough grit to secure a non-district win - Lake Travis beat visiting San Antonio Antonian while West· lake topped host Mccallum - and enter this weekend's John Turner Classic volleyball tour­ nament in Pearland with some immecllate momentum. And if the two favorites in Dis­ trict 2S-6A should meet in tourna­ ment play before cllstrict begins? \Veil, the cavs will cf05S that coun when Ibey come to it, accorcllng to head coach Brandace Boren. "Whether we face Westlake or not, we're not wonied about that,~she said after a hard-fought 22·25, 25·12, 25-19, 25-23 over parochial powe:rhouse san Anto­ nio Amonian Aug. 7 at Lake Tra· vis High School. "It's aboUL us and what we're doing on our side. That's what's most impor­ tant lOUS." Still, Westlake's shadow has long loomed over Lake Travis and the other eight tean1S in Dis­ rrict 25-GA. The Chaps have won at least a share of a district title in 14 consecutive seasons and in 18 of lhe past 19 seasons. They've beaten Lake Travis in seven of eight matches since Boren took over the Lake Travis program prior co the 2015 season, with their only I~coming in last sea­ son's Fraulein Volleyfest tourna• ment in New Braunfels. But based on lhe cavs' perfor• mance against Anton ian, West· lake's grip on the district title looks tenuous. Antonian, a defend· ing srate champion in the Texas Association of Private and Paro· chial Schools, used its relent· less defense to frusrrace Lake Travis and claim a 25·22 win In the first set. Behind new setter

Volleyball continued on A8 into the starter's role. "It Volleyball malces everything that much continued from A7 more fun. You never want Lo lose a teammate, and Rylee Abi wans and a balanced is our starting setter. It was a al rack that fired off shots loss, but we're a team that's from antenna to antenna, worked really hard in practice Lake Travis responded by and scrimmages. We had to winning the next three sets. come together, and we played "We knew they'd be good agreatgame.· competition," Lake Travis Gasey GampbeU led West­ senior middle blocker Ca$idy lake's attack with 13 kills, and Ehriesaid. "SLeppingbackon Jada Birkeladded 10 kills. More the court (alter the fir&sel), we irnponantly for Laracuente, were lil

ByButch Hart Contnbutlng Wnter Both Westlake and Lake Travis competed in the , pres1igious Pearland vol­ leyball tournament this past weekend, and both excelled against stitf com­ petition from across the slate. Lake Travis (5-3) advanced co the gold bracket elimination round where the Cavs lost to even­ cua I runner-up Flower Mound. Westlake (6-3) finished 11th while Dripping Springs (4-3) placed 24th. Second-ranked Pros­ per, the deriending Class SA champion who has moved up to Class 6A for this school year, defeated No. 5 Flower Mound in the championship match. Ridge Point defeated Den­ ton Guyer for third place while The Woodlands fin­ ished fifth. The addition of Vandegrift threatens Westwood's dominance in 13-6A ByButch Hart Round Rock schools still form any competition. Dalrym· American-Statesman the core of the district, but pie is counting on both Gra­ Correspondent l'flugerville dropped to Class ham and Singh to provide SA and joined with the other the leadership for his cur­ The recent University Pllugerville schools Weiss rent team. Interscholastic League and Connally in a district Dalrymple also wekomes realignment created an inter· that also features three Lean· back seniors Michelle Duan esling paring in District 13-6A der school district programs and Sofie Kardonik, who tennis. in Rouse, Cedar Park and made the state tournamem Eight-time champion West· Glenn, as well as Marble Falls. last year in girls doubles, In wood bas had little competi· Westwood lost four play• addition, last year's district don for the better part of a erstograduation, but returns newcomers of the year Dan· decade. That changed when arguably the best girls player iel Antov andJessica Lu are the UIL put state power Van· in the state - Kiana Graham, "playing better than ever degrlft in the revamped 13-6A the 2017 Class 6A girls sin­ and are ready to provide landscape. gles champion. our team with depth at the The Vipers will offer the "Last year, we had a very top of the lineup," accord­ sternest test yet for coach young team, " Dalrymple ing to Dalrymple. .. - . ,s Dalrymple and the said. "We hadl an incredible Dalrymple indicated warriors, who have reached year as the freshmen and that despite the dog days the regional finals in consec­ sophomores really stepped of August, his team is put­ utive years. up and improved through· ting in the time to be great. "We have Vandegrifl in out lhe year. · There are a lot of great our way," be said Dalrym• "The district champion­ teams in our district, and pie. "They are an incredibly ship will be very tough this we are hoping to play great strong team that only gradu• year, but I love my team and tennis with all of them," he ated two starters last year." the hard work they put in said. "The kids have been Vandegrift won arguably each and every day." having summer practices the toughest tennis district Gaurav Singh, a state semi· twice a week and they're in the state last year that finalist last season on the telling me everyone from included Westwood and boy's side, teams with Gra­ the top down is improving. _,_J,.e ... ,.ulJ _S. ham for a formidable com­ We are very excited about Hendrickson and the live bination on the top lines of this year." TENNIS PREVIEW

Kiana Graham, Westwood's state singles champion from 2017, puts away a volley during her m ixed doubles match with partner Leonard Wang at last season's District 13- 6A tennis tournament. Graham returns for the Warriors' tennis team. HENRY HUEY FOR ROU1'I> ROCK LEADER RRSTDAYOFSCHOOL

Central Texas school start School charter dates are staggered from ■ Aug.13: IDEAAustln July24 toAug.27,asthe charter majority of Austln-area ■ Aug. 15: Bastrop, traditional school districts Lago Vista, _...w - s, have become"distrlcts liberty HIii, Lockhart and oflnnovation,"astate Wlmberley districts and designation thata llows Harmony Austin charter flexlblllt,y In start dates. ■ Aug. 16: Georgetown, The label enables districts Leander, pflugerville and to sidestep a state­ Round Rock districts mandated start date no ■ Aug. 20: Austin, earner than the fourth Elgln, Manor and Taylor Monday ofAugust. Just a districts handful ofarea dlstrlcts ■ Aug. 21: Dripping have not sought the Springs, Hutto and designation and wll start Smithville districts Aug.27. ■ Aug. 22: Eanes district ■ July 24: NYOS charter ■ Aug. 27: Del Valle, ■ July 25: Wayside Granger, Hays and San Schools charter Marcos districts ■ Monday: KIPP Texas­ Flndtlpstohelpyou Austin and Austln get ready for school at Achieve charters statesman.com/back­ ■ Wednesday: Meridian school-2018. BACK TO SCHOOL Eight things to do the night before school starts

By Nlcole VIiiaipando sure you have the basics: pen· or ask a neighbor. ens, paper, house key (if kids 4. Make sure kids know come home before parents), where to go once they get to Excitement is building. Kids phone (for older kids) and school. Do they go to assembly are heading back to school, lunch. or their classroom that first clay? beginning Wednesday for kids 2. Figure out where tile bus For older kids, are they head­ in Bastrop, Lake Travis and a stops. Where it stops and when ing to homeroom (or whatever few other districts. over the can change each year. Co to newfangled name they have for course of the next two weeks, your district's bus stop finder. it) or their first class? school buses will be running If your district has an app to 5. Pack the hmch. Make again, and kids will be back to track the bus, download it. sure to have healthy things, learning. 3. 1f you get to school by not just junk food. Or load up Are you ready? car. make sure drivers k-now your school lunch account with The night before is a crucial how tl1e carpool lane works dollars. time. Cet all ofyou r ducks (and at that school. Don't be the 6. Pick out clothes for tl1e kids) in a row with these tips: car holding up craflic. Look at I. Pack tl1e backpack. Make the school's well>site for clues School continued on 06 Pack backpac.ks ttie n ight before so you are ready to roll In Heather and Wayne Dietz lead their 5-year-old son, the morning. LYNDA t.l, GONZALEZ/AMEIIJCAN-STAITSMAN Ian, to his first day of kindergarten at Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School last year. Figure out the route before you head out. JAY JANNEii / A-CAH· STI\ITSMAN prune. Make sure you know School where shoes are. Joe Lee Johnson Elementary School Prtnclpal Gabl Nli'lo, continued from DI 7. Set your alarm. Actu• start the year by being late. can do it. right, welcomes first-grader Zander Nelkln, 7, and his ally, set two alarms. We 8. Get to bed early. mother, Dora Nelkln, on the first day ofschool last year. n ext day. lt's a big decision. know you didn't practice Yep, we know it's tough, ContactNlcoleVillalpando Make sure you know where to go when you arrive that Co for comfort and make getting up earlier in the last and excitement is maldng at512-912-5900. first day. JAY JANNER/ AMEIIICAN- STATESMAN sure it's dress code appro• fewweelcs. Youdon'twantto everyone want to burst You WHEN IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?

Wednesday LeanderlSO Aug.22 statesman. Lod

•1¥iiii'½iiH@•i A pro- of the district interest and jected taxable property also build capacity for value increase was dis­ future bond programs," cussed by the Lake Travis said Johnny Hill, assistant ISD board of trustees at the superintendent for Business, July 17 meeting. Financial and Auxiliary Ser­ "By aggressively paying vices. The item was up for down the district's debt discussion only, and action service requirements, LTISD will be requested at the Aug. is able to save the citizens 22 board meeting.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

10.7% property value could increase

$4.2 million $53.4 million increase in value would allow district will have early retired, district to redeem in outstanding including the upcoming obligations from the 2018 bonds defeasance, since 2013

$192.1 million $60.3 million districtwill have taxpayers will save in interest over refinanced since 2013 the life of the outstanding bonds

SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS ISO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER Only clear bags allowed at Lake Travis High events

•'¥i3iMMH~i•# The Lake Travis Ath­ bag and will be asked to return items letics Department plans to implement to their vehicle. Phones, cameras or a clear bag requirement to enhance binoculars may be carried in by hand. security measures at all district-spon­ However, cases for those items are not sored athletic events at the Lake allowed. Blankets may be carried by Travis High School campus. Attendees hand. Signs \>vill be posted on the cam­ will not be allowed to enter the venue pus that indicate the new rule, which with a non-conforming or prohibited will go into effect Aug. 15. BAGS THAT WILL BAGS THAT WILL BE PERMITTED: NOT BE PERMITTED:

• Clear plastic, vinyl, • Backpacks or PVC bag that does • Printed or patterned not exceed 12x6x plastic bags 12 inches; may have a maximum ofone • Fanny packs ® logo imprint that does not limit the • Purses visibility ofthe bag's contents. • Reusable grocery bags • Clear 1-gallon resealable plastic storage bag • Mesh or straw bags • Small palm-sized clutch or purse • Duffie bags that does not exceed 4.5 x 6.5 inches • Totebags (after inspection and approval by a • Camera or binocular LTISD game administrator) cases • Medically necessary bags or diaper • Drawstring bags bags (after inspection and approval by a LTISD game administrator) • Coolers

SOURCE: LAKE TRAVIS ISO/ COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER LTISD code revision ensures all vaping is prohibited

LAKE TRAVIS ISD Trustees unani- i()araphernalia as a mously approved minor revisions to i()rohibited item to Lake Travis ISD's code of conduct at ensure clarity that the July 17 meeting. any type of vape or Each year the LTISD student vaping device falls 0 code of conduct is reviewed by within the defini- the administration and revised as tion of e-cigarettes, the report said. necessary, a staff report said. The The entire code of conduct is revisions this year were minimal disseminated to students and par­ and included minor edits to typos ents through the registration and and formatting. enrollment process and posted on It also included the terms vaping, the district website, and hard copies vape products, and vaping device or are available upon request. Acceleration changes revised for students

LAKE TRAVIS ISD In accordance with Texas state law, administration revised and refined kindergarten acceleration procedures in July they recommended trustees approve. "Lake Travis ISO believes that great care should be taken with student acceleration at this early grade," staff docUJments said. "It is, therefore, the philosophy of Lake Travis ISD to accelerate only students who cannot be effectively served through district programs at their current grade level. At this early grade level, the district will require the student to demonstrate performance well above average for first grade, so that a student's success in that grade level can be assured." If a student fails to meet criteria to move to a next step, the par­ ents of the child will be informed that the child will not be assessed further. This impacts one to five students each year, staff said. ■ f43iiit+i•iH\.i•j trustees unanimously approved the execution of a contract with Skyward Inc. onJuly 17 for a new student information system. The platform consists of the parent portal, gradebook, attendance, health, transcripts, behavior and discipline and more. NEW DETAILS SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY RANKINGS Multiple area schools fail in new system Letter grades upset OVERALL DISTRICT area leaders: Texas LETTER AND NUMERIC d1ief cites fairness. GRADES ■ Austln:8(89) By Melissa B. Taboada ■ Bastrop:C (72) and JulieChang ■ DelValle:0(69) mtaboada@statesman ■ Dripping Springs: A ( 9 2) [email protected] ■ Eanes:A(95) ■ Geor91!town: 8(80) Multiple campuses in a hand­ ■ Hays:C (77) ful of Austin-area school districts ■ Hutto:C (79) failed to meel Texas academic ■ LakeTravis:A(94) slaildards under lhe state's new ■ Leancler.8(89) lt'ttergrade ac:cownability system. ■ Lockhart: C ( 77) Under the new statewide sys­ ■ Manor.0(69) tem, districts Wednesday received ■ Pflugerville: B ( 8B) A-through-F letter grades and ■ Roo.mRock:A(90) campuses were labeled "met ■ SanMarcos:C(72) requirement" or "improvement required." Statewide, 121 school ■ Searchou-database districts earned an A, 334 got a B, tofindtheratlngofany R 232 got a c, 46 got a D, and nine Central Texas campus on a got an F. Of the more than 8,700 ~ .com. campuses statewide, 95.7 per­ cent met state standards under the new system. While schools won't get letter grades until next School, which educates students year, they did get numeric grades with severe special needs, an failed on a O-to-100 scale. to meet state standards. District The Austin district earned a B, officials will appeal the rating with an overaU score of 89, but for the Rosedale school, saying had five failing schools, one more they believe the campus should than last year. Widen Elemen­ not receive a rating because of tary, Sadler Means Young Wom­ the students It serves. The state en's Leadership Academy, Men• in previous years has either not dez Middle school and two alter­ rated the campus or the district native campuses, the Graduation won its appeal for a low ranking. Prep Academy housed at Travis High School and the Rosedale Schools continued on A6 Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, speaking Wednesday at James Garland Walsh Middle School In Round Rock, called Texas' new letter grade accountability system the fairest the state has offered. RICAllllO B. BRAZZJEl.l/ At.tERICAN-STA'ffiiMAN Schools continued from Al Austin district superinten­ dent Paul Cruz on Wednesday said that the new stale rating system relies heavily on stu· dents' perfonnance on the StateofTexas ~entsof Academic Readiness, adding that he believed Austin stu· dents should be evaluated on more than just the state standardized test ·we know I.bar our kids and what we do in Austin ISO is more than one test result," cruzsaid. ·weareaboutfine arts. We are about students demonstrating their genius around career opportuni­ ties, college opportunities, and there's much more than studem learning than any one indicator of performance. ff Echoing concerns that have arisen since the Repub­ lican-led Legislature estab­ lished the A-Fsystem in 2015, multiple education associ­ ations Wednesday said the ratings were too simplis­ tic, aimed at making public schools look bad. "It was designed by the governor and the legislative majority to pass the blame for their own failures LO chil­ dren and educators," said Noel Candelarria, president of the Texas State Teachers Association. "This governor and this legislative major­ ity have repeatedly refused Lo adequately fund public schools. Texas now spends $2,300 less per srudent per year than the national aver­ age, and money makes a dif­ ference in education." School performance mixed Mendez failed for the fifth consecutive year, but the campus was saved from do­ sure and received a two-year reprie~ from penalties under a new law that allowed the school to be run by a char• ter operator. It was the only mulliyear failed campus in the district. Govalle Elementary and Burnet and Martin middle schools, which failed stan­ dards last year, improved under the new rating system. In addition, of the approxi• mately 130 Austin schools, nearly two dozen campuses earned a numeric score equiv- CENTRALTEXAS one of the higher perform· ier to explain how you got an ratings are based solely on CAMPUSES THAT ing in lhe area, also saw one A than howyougotan F," said STAAR scores is false. He FAILED STATE campus fail - camacho Ele­ Debra Ready, Austin's execu­ added that the new ratings STANDARDS mentary. While other cam­ tive director of accountabil­ system should suppon con­ Austin ISO: Widen puses in lhe district ranked ity. "The complexity of it is tinuous improvement. 8ementary, MendezMiddle highly, giving Leander an going to be a huge challenge "It is a very rair system that Schoo~ Sadler Means overall grade of 95, because for everyone.• provides a focus and incen• 'rol.M18 Women's leadership tlle new accountability sys· But Texas Education Com· cive and reward for high lev· Academy, the Graduation tern does noL allow any dis­ missioner Mike Morath said els ofstudent achievement, Prep Academy atTravis High trict with a failing school to the new system is the fairest while also rewarding high Schoo~and the Rosedale earn an A, the district's score the state has offered, calling level of educator impact," School dropped to an 89. it a significant improvement Morath said. Bastrop ISO: Emie «we believe accountabil· over the prior one. Morath Morath has said lhesystem Bementary, Bastrop ity is essential to ensuring pointed to 260 schools state­ is fairer because the A-F' sys· Intermediate our community high-quality wide that failed accountabil­ tem compares districts and Del Vale ISO: Hillcrest schools,. Leander SUperint.en­ ity standards last year and are schools with similar student Bementary,John Ojeda denl Dan Troxell said, adding no longer rated almprove­ poverty rates to avoid unduly Middle School me district will boost coach­ ment required" under the penalizing high-povcny cam­ Georgetown ISO: Mitchell ing for teachers at camacho, new system. puses with lower grades. In Bementary, Forbes and and add rurricuhnn special· Education policy group coming years, the schools Wagner middle schools ists and certified teachers Texas Aspires agreed, say­ could be evaluated based on HaysCISD: Tom Green for before- and after-school ing tlle system gives the pub­ a locally-developed ratingsys­ Bementary tutorials. "However, the sim· lic more, and clearer, infor· tem which could boost the L.eanc1er1SD:camacho plification of a complex rat• macion than previous ones. overall score they receive from Bementary ing system to a single letter "People have some basic thestate. Austin is among the Manor ISO: Presidential grade does not represent the understanding what each of districts piloting that system. Meadows Elementary, Manor charge of public education." those letter grades mean and Charter school systems, Mlddle can get a pretty qulck idea of publicly funded but privately Dissatisfaction where their school's at,~ said managed schools, also were alenL to an A and more Lhan with A·F Molly Weiner, Texas Aspires' rated under the new system 50 earned a numeric score Central Texas school lead· director of policy. "But we - 32 received an A, 22 got a equivalent to a B, giving lhe ers said that while the Jeuer also encourage people to dig B, 15 got a C, 11 got a D and Austin district a "recognized" grade can seem understand· a little deeper and see exactly seven got an F'. rating. able, how it is calculated has where their school is perfonn­ SChools in tlle Bastrop, Del multiple components and is ing well and what areas need Contact Melissa Taboada at Valle, Georgetown, Hays and complicated. improvement." 512-445-3620. Manor school districts also "It is so complex chat we During a news conference Twltter.@melissataboada received failing grades. And wiD reaDysuuggletoexplain Wednesday at Round Rock's ContactJulie~at for the first time, the Leander to our stakeholders what the Walsh Middle School, Mor­ 512-912-2565. Twitter.@ school district, considered grade means. It's notany eas· ath said the notion that A·F juiechangl TEXAS' NEW STATE ACCOUNTABILITY GRADES A(90-100)exemplary B (80-89) recognized C (70-79) acceptable 0(60-69) In need of improvement. F(59andbelow) improvement required, failure to meet standards. Howthe A-F system works Otstrlctsare measured In three categories: ■ -Studentactlievement" meaSll'es howwell students performed on the State ofTexas Assessments of Academic Reacfness. For high sehools, It also measures how well students performed on eollege,career and mlutary readiness measures, as weu asgradllatlon rates. ■ "School progre:ss"consists oftwo slb::ategorles that meaSll'e how many students improved on the STAAR, as wen as school and district performance compared with other campuses and districts with similarpercentaaes oflow-lncorne students. Only the subcategory with the higher score wmcount toward the Ollerall school progress score. ■ "Closinathegap" meaSll'es howw ell students performed based on their race orethnicity, Incorne level, disability and other factors that miaht affect learning. Ontythe higher grade rn the school progress and student achievement categories Is counted. That hiaher grade counts for 70 percent ofthe overall campus or district grade. The closing the gap score counts for 30 percent ofthe overall grade. CENTRAL TEXAS SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVED AlJl. ELIGIBLE DISTINCTIONS Austin ISO: Graham Elementary; LASA High School Round Rock ISD: Waist\ MiddleSchool; Laia-el Mountain, Canyon Creek, cactus Ranch, Patsy Sommer and Linda Herrington elementary schOols P11ugervllle ISD: Parmer Lane Elementary ManorlSD:ManorNewTech High School Districts enhance safety, security

Parent notification systems in place for all occasions.

By Luz M oreno-ll.ozano [email protected]

Beyond lesson plans and stan­ dardized test preparations, teach­ ers and district staffha.-e also been prepared and trained should a potential emergency occur. In the wake of mass school shootings in Parkland, Fla., and Santa Fe, area school disl.Ticts are enhancing security and safety of students and staffby implement­ ing new safety measures at each campus and district facility. Eanes school district Since 2017, the Eanes school district has implemented 15 new safety strategies district­ wide. At least half of those were taken a step further this year to enhancesecurityoncampus,said

Safety continued on A6 EDUCATION

School marshal students demonstrate scenario exercises In a school settling with simulated ffrearms as part of a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement training media day at Windermere Elementary School on Aug. 10 In Pflugerville.. AMANDA VOISARD/ AMERICAN-­ STATESMAN ter fencing and staff identi· during their visit. Safety fication on site. Each campus principal is continued from A 1 The district's bus Secured also revisiting and updat· Mobility Authorized Rider· ing their campus procedure Jeff Amen, depu1ysuperln• ship Technology (SMART) for emergency Silllalions, 1endent. tag system will also continue Alvarado said. Each cam­ ~n~ ?f!,he ~isrricl's n1:w• this year, which requires stu· pus has an emergency plan I est mmanves 1s a protecave dents to scan an identifica­ in place should an incident intelligence system. Arnett tion badge before boarding occur. said lhe system scans social and exiting lhe bus. Arnett In 2016, Alvarado said the media websites and other said this helps ensure stu· district implemented the online forums as well as dents are boarding lhe right SMART tag bus system for Internal reporting systems bus to go 10 and from cam­ ils entire nee1. The system for po1enlial lhreats using pus. requires students to scan an key words or individuals of "We have been working idemilication badge before interes1. with our multiagency parl· boarding and exiling the Amen said teachers also ners on training our staff so bus. It also provides parents received more critical ind· that we are all approaching a notification of when their dent training. The district a potential situation in the student is dropped off and worked with the Travis same manner.• Arnett said. picked up and informs par· County sheriff's office on entsofany delays or mechan­ standard response proto­ Lake Travis: ical issues. col, where every single dis· school district A clear-bag policy will go trict employee was crained More 1han $485,000 into effect this year, which on how to approach a paten· will be dedicated 10 safety will require guests attending lial siruation and how to keep and security in the school an event to carry a clear bag. themselves and their Stu· district's 2018-2019 bud­ This will apply 10 an district· dents safe. get, which is a 35 percent sponsored alhletic events New buzzing systems have increase over the previous held on the Lake Travis High also been installed at each year. School campus. of the district ·s campuses, The year·s l>iggest change security and safety fund­ Arnett s.ild. Cucsts arriv­ wlll be1headdlllonoranew Ing also includes money for ing on campus mus1 Iden· dis1rlc1 safety coordinator. adding security fencing and tify themselves at the front Marco Alvarado, thedistlict'S installing more secure entry door before being allowed 10 public information officer, vestibules and security cam­ enter. Arnett said the district said the distriict is looking eras. piloted this system at one of to hire one person who will its elementary school cam­ be responsible for the safety Notification systems puses last year and believe and security of all district Each school district uti­ the system Is in good shape campuses and the imple­ lizes a districtY.1de nollfi· 10 be implemented distrlc· mentalion of district wide cation system tha1 not only lwide. and campus specilic safety informs parents of emer­ Classroom door magnefS protocol. gencies but is also used for were also installed on every Two Travis County school school newsleners and other campus. Arnett said the tool resources officers, who pro­ district news. locks the door on the out· mote campus safety and The Eanes school district side but can be unlocked crime prevention, are also uses lhe Skylert notification from the inside, if neces53J)'. part of the distrlcrs safely service to send parents infor­ Arnett said more campuses protocol. matlon via cexi, email, phone have started 10 implement Llm iling access 10 one or all three, dlstrlc1 ollicials this sys1cm. entry way Is one of the dis­ said. \Vmdow tinting ls also one trict's main priority when Alvarado said Lake Travis of the district's newest tools. keeping students safe. uses the Blackboard notifi· The tinting allows srudenlS Alvarado said using the cation system to send texts, and staff to lookout but pro­ Rap tor system, the pro­ emails, calls or push alerts vides a visual barrier on the gram scans the guesrs state to parents. outside, Arnett said. issued ID against a regis­ Parents can modify their The school district is also tered sex offender list, once notifications on the web· placing more focus on menial approved the visitor pro­ based portal. health training for staffers, ceeds to a secured \'t'Sllbule the sprinkler and alarm sys­ and is bl!l.Zed in by a district Contact Luz Moteno-Lozano tems on each campus, secu­ staffer. Theguestls~ed at512-445-3809. Twitter:@ rity audits, adding perime- a badge that must be worn LuzMorenolozano LAKE TRAVIS SCHOOL DISTRICT

~-l ,1. ' I,,,

Beckyl Thorp,t flfth-11tade teacher at Serene HIiis Elementary, welcomes students back duTlng Meet the Teacher Night on Aug. 13. Serene HIils Element ary has the highest st udent enrollment among the six elementary campuses, atJust under 900 students. St udents rewrned to campus full time Wednesday. COUIITESY OF LAKE TRAVIS SCHOOi. DISTRICT Welcoming 11,000 students

Principals highlight up 400 more students over last some changes this school year, changes on campus. year's enrollment number. including the new school hours, District officials are counting school bus seat belts, the dis­ enrollment to be about 10,740 trict's student drug testing pro· By Luz Moreno-Lozano students but are anticipating the gram and a new clear bag policy enrollment number to hit u,ooo at high school athletic events. by October, when the state takes While some changes will be The Lake Travis school district a snapshot ofstudent enrollment implemented dlstrictwide, eacl1 will welcome almost 11,000 stu· numbers. dents chis school year, jumping Parents and students can expect Scl'lools continued on A6 Schools continued from Al campus is also introducing some new prograrns and pro­ cedures. Here are what prin· cipals said are some thing, to look out for tthis year. Bee Cave Elementary School Bee Cave Elementary school's new theme - BCE· Inspires - and new assistant principal Kirn Kellner are just a few of the things the cam­ pus is welcoming this year along with its 20th anniver­ sary in the district Prtncipa)Jennifer Andjelic said tbe campus is focused on the Learner Centric Model, and llow to provide an authentic learning expe­ rience for studems that are empowering and inspiring. ~A n of our grade levels will also be participating in service field trips this year, where students will learn about what it means to give back to the community," Andjelic said. Kellner previously served as the assistant principal of the Lakeway Elementary School. Andjelic and Kellner will manage the 774-student campus along with approx­ imately 40 teachers. *As we celebrate our 20th year or teaclling and learn• ing, we look forward to an inspiring year with our Bob­ cat families,,. Andjelic said. Lake Travis Elementary School Destination Imagination will start soon at Lake Tra· vis elementary. The program is a bands-on approach to problem solving, fostering kids' creativity, courage, and aniosaythrough group chal­ lenges. Participants show­ case their work at a Desti• nation imagination Tour­ nament held each year in the spring. Ail teams meet after school once a week. Parent involvement is key in succeed as each team is required at least one adult coach to oversee tbe team challenges chosen each year. Student enrollment totals 843 students as of Aug. 13, district officia Is said. Lake Pointe Elementary School As students and par­ ents prepare for the start of school, Lake Pointe Ele­ mentary School Principal Kelly Freed said parents will find their first back-to-school communication was sent by the campus last week. This will be a "Top 10+ List" of items 10 know as everyone returns to school. Freed said the elemen­ tary, which houses 695 stu­ dents, is a school that val­ ues community, family, and the highest degree ofeduca­ tional excellence. New this year, the Lake Pointe com­ munity will implement the watch o.o.c_s_, or Dads of ere.at Studenrs program, 10 further involve the fathers of students in our school. In addition, Lake Pointe will be adopting a curricu­ lum that builds a commu­ nity of empathetic learn­ ers and a sense of safety and respect grounded in the social-emotional learn­ ing, or SEL, and well-being of the entire school commu­ nity, Freed said. Teachers and students wm engage in SEL activities during morn­ ing class meetings on Mon­ days and Wednesdays. "This school year will be focused on making prog- ress,'' Freed said. "We want toconlinueourfocusoneach individual student, knowing the strengths and the areas in which we can build upon to help all ch.ildren grow in their learning.~ Lakeway Elementary School Assistant Priincipal Steph­ anie Budai is the new face on the Lakeway Elementary School campus this year, replacing Kellner who will now serve as assistant princi· pal at Bee Cave Elementary. Budai and Principal sam Hicks will lead 695 students this year. Hicks said the campus' newest program is CHAMPS, a classroom positive behav­ ior support management system. CHAMPS stands for conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation and Success. All classrooms will utilize the 0-IAMPS program and use common \TOCabulary when supporting students. " We are very excited to serve our Mustangs," Hicks said. "We are going to have a wonderful year ... " Serene Hills Elementary School serene Hills Elementary school is launching its new theme this year - Dream Big: explore - create - believe. Principal Julie Nederveld said staff wants students to collaborate as learners, be creativeandal)lorein ways they haven't ever before. "We believe in them and want them taking risks,'' Nederveld said. " We are excited to see all students grow and thrive this school year:· As the campus approaches 900students, Nederveldsaid the campus is making the change to have alternating schedules for Friday morning assemblies. One week, kin· dergarten through second grade students will attend the 7:30 a.m. assembly. 11le following week. thlrd through fifth grade da5SCS will anend assembly. Assemblies are used for student recognition, school spirit building, coun• seling focus and announce· ments, Nederveldsald. Par· ents are welcome to sign in and join. New flashing school zone signs have been installed to ensure student safety. The Trophy Drive staff parking lot will also not be accessi­ ble for any after school park· ing. This zone is for walkers and bike riders, district offi­ cials said. West Cypress Hills Elementary School Prues will be awarded to West Cypress Hills elemen­ tary students who achieved their readinggoa)s this sum­ mer. The campus partici· pated in a summer reading challenge that was devel· oped by WCHE students. The reading log includes reading books in "fun" places or with friends or family. Reading logs are due Aug. 24. All 887 were eligible to participate. Hudson Bend Middle School Hudson Bend Middle school welcomes new assis­ tant principals Dessard Nor· ris, who formerly worked at Leander High school, and Michaele Pansza. who served as the assistant principal at Bee cave Elementary SChool. Thecampus, whichhouses more than 1,100 s111dents, plans to continue offering programs such as Bucs in service, a program designed to encourage students to vol· unteer in their community. Athletics, band, UIL, orches· tra and the National Junior I lonor SOCiecy programs will also still be available. Students can also engage in Co Time, a program that provides students an oppor­ tunity to utilize computer labs, visit the library, go LO teacher for tutorials or using as a study hall. Students participating in school-sponsored compet­ itive extracurricular activ­ ities will now be automati­ cally enrolled in lhe Leader for Life program, the dis­ trict drug-testing initiative. Students can also choose to voluntarily enroll. Lake Travis Middle School A brand-new slaff will takeover Lake Travis Midclle School Leading the leam will be Principal Sherry Baker, who formerly worked at the Tomball school district. The campus will also welcome two new assistant principals - Tres Ellis, formerly with Westlake High School and Melissa Mcwherter, formerty al Libeny Hill High School. Janet Payne will continue her role as assistant princi­ pal as well. All four wlll be responsi­ ble for the campus' 1,546 studenLS. The campuses clubs and organizations such as National Junior Honor Soci­ ety UIL, student council, TED Ed Club and athletics will still be available. Students participating in school-sponsored compet­ itive extracurricu.lar activ­ ities will now be automati­ cally enrolled in the Leader for Life program, the dis· tricl drug-testing initiative. Students can also choose to voluntarily enroll. Lake Travis High School Principal Gordon Butler said students can expect co see a few changes on campus this year inducting new assis­ tant principal Zach Freed, who served previous as the assistant principal at Lake Travis Midclle School. one ofthe biggest changes is lhe district's enrollment imo the UT OnRamps Dual Enrollment program, a pro­ gram that allows students to earn both high school and college credit in select courses. "What makes this program wlique on our campus are the renovated classrooms that will encourage more collaboration with furniture that is not the traditional classroom furniture," But­ ler said. Another exciting change includes the renovation of a lecture halm and turning it into a Teacher Learning Center, he said. "This space will be a ded­ icated place for teachers to collaborate and design engaging lessons in a com­ fortable environment,~ But­ ler said. The district also imple­ mented a clear-bag policy that applies to all athletic events that take place on the high school campus. A change to the drug testing_ policy will also tak ect this year, which ,vill uire all students who are involved in school-sponsored exrra­ curlicular activities or high school students who request a parking pemlit.

Contact Luz Moreno-Lozano at512-445-3809. Twitter:@ l.ulMorenolozaoo NONPROFIT LTlov wants all LT students prepared

The first day of school Is Pack, L11ov rontinues to reach local businesses: Champions last approaching. and Lllov's out to tbe Lake Travis commu­ TX, Hill counuy Indoor, Flip­ yearly goal is to provide all nity for donations of school nastics, Elite Wellness, Kuper economically disadvantaged supplies and backpacks for Sotheby's, the Lake Travis Lake Travis school district Lake Travis High School stu­ Community Library, Lake­ students with the supplies dents, elementary and mid­ way Veterinary Clinic, Nitro they need to succeed in the dle school students who did SWirnrning. Stranclz Salon and class room. not pan:lci(Xlle in the PSP pro­ the World ofTennis. 1banlcs to a $15,000 grant to cess, and to equip "Teacher With school supply dona· Lnov from the Schoen FoWl­ Closels~ at the campuses Yt1th lions, contributors enjoy 20 dation for~SUpply Paclc, the highest percentage ofstu­ percent off all products at campus-and grade-specific, dents coded ·Economically Strandz Salon and 60 per­ pre-packaged supply packs Disadvantaged.~ centoff all new patient exams, have been ordered and will be This year's LTlov School x;aysand the first adjustment delivered to 256 students on Supplies Drive runs through at Elite Wellness. their desks at campus ·Back Aug. 31. Requested items VISit ltlov.orglor more infor­ LO School"' event nights. include blue, black and red malion about LTlov's School Applications were required pens, #2andcolored pencils, Supplies program, the 2018 and made available through markers, index cards, note­ Collection Drive and ways school district, the Lake Tra­ book and graph paper, bind­ LTlov will do your shopping vis Crisis l\1inistry, the Lake ers, student scissors, crayons, for you, including a direct Travis Community Library pocket folders with brads, link to their Amazon Wish andPODER. O\w-the-ear headphones and List with direct delivery. Despite the opportunity backpacks. supplies can be provided by Project Supply dropped off at the following LTiov contnbuted this story. LTlov seeks to ensure all Lake Travisstudentsg etgift:of preparation. A3 Mayfield shows poise in NFL debut Browns QB strikes effective balance between staying in pocket, rmming.

ByNate Ulrk:h The Akron Beacon Journal

EASTRUTHERFOOD, N.J. - Rookie quanerback Baker Mayfield came away fro rn his NFL preseason debut with good vibes. "I'm happy with how it went," the No. I overall draft pick said after his Cleveland Browns defeated the New York Giants 20-10 in their exhibition opener Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. The fonner Lake Travis 1-ligh School and Okla• homa star should be happy. He said he believes his "command of the whole offense" has dramatically improved since training camp beganJuly 26, and bis performance against the Giants backed up the claim. "Being able to say the play in the huddle and just slow it down for me, not having to think about the whole thing as rm gert!ing lined up" is important, Mayfield said. "See it, see what the defense is giving me, so rm able to eliminate thin~ quicker. "That's what you really want to do when you're getting up to Lhe line. The great quarterbacks are

Mayfield continued on C2 Baker Mayfield completed 11 of 20 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns In his Browns debut Thursday. He took one sack and rushed three times for 13 yards. ELSA/GETTY IMAGES tlmes for 13 yards. a 21-yard pass to receiver CJ. ers,soacoupleofthosecon­ Mayfield "I thought he did some Board for a first down. During versionson theshon yardage contlnued from Cl good things." coach Hue.Jack­ the same drive, he ran for or medium that I was able to son said. "I'm not surprised 6 yards and a first down on pick up with my feet, that's able to have that elimination byanything Baker does 'call5e third-a~ from the Giants "Z7 due to the coverage they were process very quickly. They I see him do it on the practice andscramb led for s yards and running." know where they want to field. Obviously, the throws a first down on fourth-and-2 Mayfield completed the go with the ball, and then he makes, the poise he has, from the 13. J.leSIJUCkanetrec­ series on second-and-goal (Jf) something happens, they hedemoll.51Jatedallofthatin tive balance between staying when he deli\wed a perfectly can instantly go to that sec­ college, so I'm not surprised in the pocket Lo throw and placed, 10-yard pass to tight ond read or whatever it is. by iL This is his first oppor­ using his legs to gain yardage. end David Njoku in the back Thars something I'm work­ tunity (in the NFL), and he " I don't think I was oftheend7,0ne. That~vethe ing on, but I think that's the will grow from it. There are tempted" to flee the pocket Browns a 13·3 lead with 6:43 biggest progress I've made." things he ,vill leam m>m and too early, Mayfield said. "I left in the second quarter. Mayfield relieved starting continue to get bel1er al, but think a natural thing for me is Mayfield walked off the quarterback Tyrod Taylor I thought it was a good start to try to find throwing lanes. field for the night after with I minute, 31 seconds lefi for him." That's just the vision as well, another great play. Rookie in the first quarter and, with After the Browns went justtrying to make sure I have wide receiver Antonio Calla· few exceptions, appeared to three-and-out during May­ the windows to throw in. way left his defender behind be in control against Giants field's first series, he orches­ "The stuff(the Giants) were on a slant route, caught a backup defenders during his trated a 14-play, 72-yardscor­ running tonight, they had a short pass from Mayfield and seven series. He played into ing drive. lot of man coverage, which sprinted to the end zone for the fourth quarter and hit II On third-and-IS from the gives you throwing lanes but a s+yard touchdown, allow­ of20 passes for 212 yards and Browns 48-yard line, he calmly also gives you running lanes. ing the Browns to go ahead two touchdowns. He took stepped up in the pocket to Those guys have their backs 20-10 with l3:37 left in the one sack and rushed three avoid pressure and delivered rumed covering those receiv- fourth quarter. Gillman makes final 1 of Women's Amateur

Staffand Wire Reports ond straighl match Gillman TODAY'S ROUND needed 19 holes to win. She Alabama's Kristen Gillman, Coverage begins at topped Lucy Li, the tourna­ a graduate of J.. 1 .e Travis 1 p.m.onFSl. ment's top seed, in the quar­ High, defeated Kaylee Ben­ terfinal Friday. ton of Arkansas on the 19th Gillman is attempting to hole saturday to advance to win her second U.S. Ama­ the final ofthe U.S. Women·s hole. lt"s the first time col­ teur tiLle after winning in Amateur Championship in lege teammates will face off 2014 while at _,,Le 1, ..,, s. t

Lake Travis High School graduate Kristen GIiiman plays her University of Alabama teammate today In the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship final. ATSUSH TOMURAJ'CETTY

1 GOLF U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR I .al ·e Tra, is High grad wins 2nd U.S. Amateur title

Staffreports on top ofa summer that saw Gill· man win her first professional The summer of Kristen Gill· tournament (the LPGA Japan man got a little hotter on SUnday. Century 21), go undefeated in Gillman, a 2016 graduate of match play on the way of help· l • J ..s High, put on a golf ing the U.S. win the Cunis Cup clinic at the Golf Club ofTennes­ and going 3·1in the Palmer cup, see co win her second U.S. Worn· also helping the U.S. win . She en's Amateur championship by also made her first professional routing Alabama tearnmateJiwon cut and finished in a tie for 27th Joen 7 and 6 Lo join a shon list of al the U.S. Women's Open. players to win multiple amateur As for her dominant perfor• championsh ips. mance on Sunday, Gillman was The 20•year •old Gillman up s after the first nine ho1es of becomes just the fourth player match. She pretty much stayed in nearly four decades to win there for the remaining n boles, multiple U.S. Amateur titles. She's but did lead by as much as 7 up Kristen GIiiman kisses the Robert Cox Trophy the first since Danielle Kang won on the final nine holes. after winning the final round of the U.S. Women's back·to-back titles in 2010-11. Amateur at the GolfClub of Tennessee In Kingston Sunday's Jina! was the cherry GIiiman contlnued on C8 Springs, Tenn., on Sunday. STTVENGIBBONS/USGA Gillman continued from Cl

She made par on the 30th hole to close out Jeon. Gillman was only 16 the last time she won the U.S. Women's Amateur in 2014, where she UJ)Set Brooke Hen­ derson in lhe championship at Nassau Coun try Club in New York. She was much more dom­ inating this time around, making nine birdies. Kristen GIiiman plays her tee shot on the eighth hole With the win, Gillman duri ng the afternoon 18 of the final round at the U.S. earned entry into next year·s Women's Amateur on Sunday. STEVEN GIBBONS/ USCA U.S. Women's Open at the Country Club or Charles· ton in SOULh carolina and a isb Open. I'm going to do,• she said. spot In next month's Evlan Gillman, who will be a · 1 have a lot or thin king still Championshi~ - the LPGA's junior at Alabama, told the to do in the next year, but I fifth major tournament - in American-Statesman in June haven't quite made a deci­ France. that she wasn't sure she will sion." She will also get to play turn pro and join the LPCA One has to wonder if Sun­ In Lile 2019 ANA Inspiration tour. day's performance made and Ricoh Women's Brit· "I'm not e.xactlysure what that decision a little easier. GOLF U.S. WOMEN'S AMATEUR After second Amateur title, Gillman faces choice

ByMi chael Adams becoming the 19th golfer to win [email protected] multiple championships in the tournament's 123-year history. Laura Gillman wasn'Lgoing lo Afler a slew ofcongrat ulations, miss this one. Laura was finaUy able to embrace The mother of Kristen Gillman her daughter. flew into Nashville, Tenn., Sat­ ul'm so proud ofyou," she said urday night co grab a front-row with tears falling down her cheek_ seat to watch her daughter play When Gillman upset Calllada's in the finals of the U.S. Women's Brooke I lenderson to win her first Amateur at the Golf Club of Ten­ amateur at the age ofl6 in 2014, nessee, just a few miles west of her mother was unable to Dy to Nashville. New York as she was recovering With a~ ,._.JS High school from eye surgery. logo on her sleeve and an Ala­ urt was really cool to have my bama hat on her head, Gillman mom there this time, ~ Gillman sank a pull on No. 30 to defeat told the American-Statesman on Kristen GIiiman, on the third green during the final Alabama teammate Jiwon Joen Monday. " I know she wanted to be round at the U.S. Amateur, says she plans to play In 7 and 6 to claim her second U.S. the qualifying school this year to help determine If Women·s Amateur championship, GDlman contiooed on C3 she's ready to tum pro. STEVENGIBBONS/USGA Gillman cootinued from Cl

Lhere the first time, but she just had eye surgery so she couldn't Dy. So it was really nice to have her here to be able t.o experience this win.· Gilbnan earned her spot in Sunday's finals. She needed 19 holes to defeat Kaylee Ben· ton In the semifinals Samr­ day after a 19-hole thriller to defeat top-seeded Lucy Li in the quarterfinals the day before. But on Sunday, Gill­ man made it look easy and jumpedouttoacomman~ Kristen GIiiman won her first professional tournament two weeks ago In Japan and 5-up lead aner the first nine made the cut at the U.S. Women's Open, finishing 27th. She also w ent S-0 In mat ch play holes ofthe 36-hole match. en route to helping Team USA to a victory In the Curtis Cup. STEVEN cIBBONS1 USCA She was up 7 after No. 16, but Joen won the final two holes ofthe morning session. USA to a victory in the Cur­ apart from the five majors. play at the World Amateur Over the final 12 holes, tis Cup, joining Stacy Lewis She Is the No. 6-ranked Team Championships in Gillman displayed the dom­ (2008)and Brome Lawao16) amateur in the world, Ireland beginning Sept. 5. inance she's shown all sum­ as the only players to go 5-0 according to the last rank­ She also received an exemp­ mer. since the format was chang,d ings released on Aug. 8. The tion to play in next month's "1111s time, I felt more like LO three days In 2008. She AmatcurGolfRanldngsys1.cm Evian Championships 1he I deserved to be there," she then went 3·1 in match play ranks golfers based on their LPGA's fifth major. She will said. "The last lime (2014), I at the Arnold Palmer cup, perfoml311C'eoverthelastt08 get exemptions into the ANA was more shocked than any­ also helping Team USA to weeks; Gillman could jump Inspiration in March, the thing. This lime, I fought victory. into the top three when the U.S. Women's Open and the hard to get there and every­ Where does she go from new rankings are released Rk:oh Women's Brillsh Open thing just clicked for me.• here? on Wednesday. next summer, too. Gillman has put together Gillman said she plans to "There's a lot to think Gillman, however, said she anOlherexceplional summer, play In the qualifying school about." she said. ·winning may skip the Evlan Cham­ slightly more outstanding this year to help determine (a second Amateur) kind of pionships. " I'm not sure than her summer of 2014. Ifshe's ready to rum pro and made my decision 10 turn because I'm going to miss She WOO her first professional join the LPGA Tour. pro a tialeeasier, butlfldid, a lot of school and I'm not tournament two weeks ago The LPCA has IWO stages I'd give up a lot ofperksthal sure ifI could pass my da$eS in Japan. She made her first of its qualifying school - sec­ come from winning the ama­ if I play in both," she said. professional cm at the U.S. tional and final qualifying teur. I also have two more Regardless, Gillman is Women's Open - a tourna­ tournaments. Should she fin­ years left at Alabama. So, ready to knock on the LPGA's ment she will return to in ish in the top 20, she would yeah, a lot to consider.· door. 2019 - and finished 27th. receive a Category l2 mem­ What she won't need Krisren went 5-0 in match bership that would give her 10 consider is what's next Contact Michael Adams at play en route to belpingTeam entry into most LPGA events on her schedule. She will 512-445-3682. FANTASY FOOTBALL Rool

MOREONUNE D.J. Moore impresses: Cat Gettingreadyforyourdraft? Another rookie flashed Vasquez FmdAmerkan-Statesman in the first week, Moore Commentary staff writer cat Vasquez's caught four passes for updated player an.d position 75 yards to lead the Pan• It was an exciting first rankings as well as other thers. With Kelvin Ben· week of preseason NFL fantasy football anaJysls on jamin in Buffalo now, I action. We saw some our Fantasy Island blog at think Moore has a great impressive debuts and statesman.com. opporrunity to lead caro­ some not-so-impressive lina in receptions. Devin perfonnances. Here were struggles, there could be Funchess is still there, my main fantasy take· an opening for the No. 2 but a late-round flier on aways after [his first eye receiver in Green Bay. Moore could pay off. test. McKinnon already a Ravens dear on No. t Barkley good to go: If bust? Jerick McKinnon RB: Alex comns rushed you had any reservations didn't look good as the just twice but gained 26 about Saquon Barkley get­ Brow nsQBBakerMayfleld,aformer . a, e ·,,. is High 49ers' starting running yards. He should be the ting draf[ed too high, usu­ standout, completed 11 of 20 passes for 212 yards an.d two Packers rookie receiver back. He rushed three workhorse for the Ravens ally around seventh in TOs In his NFL preseason debut last w eek. ElSA/CETTY IMAGES Marquez Valdes-Scantling times for minus-4 yards. this season. The only the first round, those con­ had a strong first game. He did catch his only tar· thing to be aware of is cerns were put to rest STACY IIEVERE/ CETTYIM.lGES get for 7 yards. Keep an Javorius Allen may be in after the rookie's fU'Sl he's dealing with, but a brief appearance: ll eye on him the rest of the the game on third down. carry. Nobody will blame suspension may not come took just one drive for preseason as he sustained Collins can catch, though, you for taking the Giants down for a while. As for the Cowboys 10 regain yards. Tight end Jordan a minor knee injury Sun­ so don't be surprised if his running back in the first Mayfield, despite his great some hype. Dak Prescott Akins caught two passes day, and the team signed couches hit the 250 mark. round. It's expected. His performance, expected went 3 of 3 with a touch­ for 20 yards, both touch­ Alfred Morris on Tuesday. Quick ltits: Sam Dar­ play last Thursday night starter Tyrod Taylor was down pass to rookie wide­ down receptions. Don't Andrew Luck returns: nold could be named the should have you resting 5 of 5 for 99 yards and a out Michael Gallup on the expect too much of that, Luck went 6 for 9 for Jets' starter soon after a easier if you end up with touchdown. first possession. It was but he could serve as a 64 yards in his first live more than competent per· a mid-first-round pick, Mixon topping post· Gallup's only catch, but ii red 1.0ne target when action in over a year. It ·s fom1ance .... The Vikings' though he did tweak his hype list: Joe Mixon was has fans at least hopeful your usual starter is on a a good sign he's on the offense is already clicking hamstring. expected to be an early there will be some type bye. right track 10 returning with Kirk Cousins look· Browns rookies look contributor last season of passing attack without Packers wideout to the player he was. Also ing sharp.... David John­ solid: Baker Mayfield but didn't get going until Dez Bryant. throws steps up: Mar· of note in the game was son looks good after miss· looked as good as Browns late, mostJy due to coach• Texans impress: quez Valdes-Scantling Marlon Mack going down ing nearly all of last sea• fans could have expected. ing decisions. He' ll start Deshaun Watson returned put up IOI yards on five with a hamstring injury. son . ... Marshawn Lynch He completed II passes out of the gate this time to action after his ACL receptions and a touch• Monitor the play ofJor­ impressed on a long for 212 yards and two around. He looked good, injury. It was brief, but down for the Packers. dan Wilkins and Robert touchdown run that was touchdowns. Another rushing three times for 9 you're glad he's back You'll have to wait to see Turbin over the next few called back because of a rookie, Antonio Gallaway, yards but also catching in the swing ofthings. how he plays with Aaron weeks. Turbin is going to penalty. caught three passes for one pass for an electrify­ Lamar MiDer was pro­ Rodgers before you think miss the lirsl four games, 87 yards and a score. cal· ing 24-yard touchdown. ductive in brief action, about taking a flier on so Wilkins could make up Contact cat Vasquez !away has off-field issues Prescott sharp In rushing four times for 29 him. If Randall Cobb some ground. at512-445-36n. NFL Can Gilbert earn Panthers' QB2 spot Thursday vs. Buffalo? Former Cavs star has tsn•L chance to be 'guy But now, the fonner Lake Tra· vis star has a chance 10 be •me behind Cam Newton.' guybehindcam Newton,· which, in preseason language, means By Jordan Rodrigue ~The Guy.~ Charlotte Observer The Panthers did not re-sign Anderson, the longtime backup, Carolina Panthers backup quar­ lhls spring, instead bringing In terback Garrett Gilben hasn't former HousLoo backup Taylor acrually sweated In his game day Heinicke and undrafted free ¥flt jersey in almosL a year. rookie Kyle Allen. In a 20 17 preseason game Head coach Ron Rivera said againsL Pittsburgh in late August, Newton will likely play a series Gilbert, then the third-string against Bulfalo on Thursday night, quanerback behind cam New­ buL Lhat Gilbert will then come ton and Derek Anderson, had 17 in for some snaps with the first­ pass attempts (he completed 12) Learn offense. and 99 yards. "I'm excited, 0 said Gilbert after Garrett Gilbert of the Carolina Panthers attempts a pass during a II wasn'L extraordinarily mem­ preseasongame against theJacksonvllle Jaguars at EverBank Field orable. Most third-string action GIibert continued on AS on Aug. 24 In Jacksonville, Fla. PHOTOBYSAM GREENWOOOICETTYIMAGES tern for a little over a year, worry about that quite yet. caro11na Gilbert and that has been a helpful • You know, that's not Panthers continued from A7 advantage. something that I try and quarterback "You can see the confi- concern myself with,~ Gil· Garrett Tuesday's practice, the last dence in which he just gets bert said. "My job, I feel GIibert (4) before the team flies to New up thereand handles things," like, hasn't changed. It's passes Yor1c. "It's been almost a year Rivera said. ~He'sgotasrrong still to come out here every downfleld now since I've put that game arm, we know that. so thars day, in1prove, be the best against the jersey on. So it'll be excit· solid. But now it's really jusL quarterback I can be. And Tennessee ing. I'm really looking for· knowing the offense, the then we'll go into meetings Titans during ward to it." intricacies or what we're and I'll learn from it, take the second Rivera also said that he trying to do and then tak· my coaching and come out halfat Nissan wants to get Heinicke, with ing it and translating it. So tomorrow and improve upon Stadium In whom Gilbert is competing far it's been pretty solid. I'm that. Nashville, for the backup spot, rela- excited to watch him and " If I just focus on my Tenn., on lively equal time to create Heinicke and seeing how daily process, I'll continue Aug. 19. The a fair competition. they both do." to improve. That's what I Titans won, Yet Heinicke's time will It wm take multiple pre- can control That's what I've 34-27. DAVID likely be largely with the sec- season games for Rivera to concerned myself with on T. FOSTEROI/ ond and third team. Gilben decide who the backup wil l a daily basis, is what I can 0-IARt.OTTE has been in the Panthers' sys- be. Gilben doesn't want to control." OBSEl!VEIVTNS