Contributors:
Matt Oakley
Midlothian High School
matt_oakley@midlothian-isd.net

Zac Oldham
Track/Football/Social Studies
Midlothian High School

Frank Griffin
_________________________________________________________________________

VARSITY

Our varsity boys had a disappointing performance this Saturday vs Boerne Champion, 35-7. What can we say but “heart breaking”! They started out with too many mistakes at very pivotal moments. The Chargers jumped on it and took a 28-0 lead at half time. The second half the Panthers started to pull things together but a little too late. Hopefully they can build momentum for Friday nights home game vs Keller.

______________________________

JV ACTION

JV Blue 10
Ennis 18

JV White 12
Hurst 19

The hard hitting action was highlighted by good defensive play and an offensive touchdown from Cameron Hardin. Robert Garza also had a 60 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Their next contest will be versus Keller, next
Thursday at 5:30.

______________________________

FRESHMAN

The Midlothian Freshman Blue team started out the year with a bang winning 27-8 over the Ennis Lions. Strong offensive performances were turned in by the offensive line, Michael Glen, and Bryce Murphy. Defensively, the
Panthers were led by Alec Humphrey and Jarmon Jackson.

The freshman white team was defeated by Hurst 14-12 Thursday in a hard fought battle.

Tags: Football, MidlothianFootball.com // Add Comment »

Due to the amount of photos and events shot over the past school year, I have been forced to remove images off the website soon after one athletic season ends to make room for the next part of the school year. Most photographers put a 30 day window on event orders… I want to give you ample time to view pictures throughout the season so you can get the exact images you’re looking for.

Anyway, we’re good to go.

Tags: Uncategorized // Add Comment »

I ran into a glitch last night and have to rebuild the events posted online. You will see current events (volleyball and football) disappear then come back online a little later. My apologies for the inconvenience. I will be working like crazy to get things up and going as quickly as possible.

If you were planning to make any online orders, please hold off until I can get everything straightened out. I will make another post when everything is back to normal.

Thanks!

Tags: Uncategorized // Add Comment »

Article from VYPE.com

Corsicana Tigers
Coach: Dave Henigan
2007 Record: 5-5
Returning Lettermen: 20
Returning Starters: 0 Off./4 Def.
Players to watch: LB/RB Cody Evans, OLB Tremaigne Dickson, RB/WR JaVonti Hines, DT Kevin Harris, DE Troy McAdams
Outlook: With no offensive starters returning from last year’s squad, the Tigers’ strength will have to be defense. Evans (5-8, 175, 4.7) returns as the team’s leading tackler and may play some offense. Other experienced defenders include McAdams, Dickson (5-8, 170, 4.6) and Harris.

Ennis Lions
Coach: Sam Harrell
2007 Record: 7-5, DI area finalists
Returning Lettermen: 20
Returning Starters: 5 Off./4 Def.
Players to watch: QB/RB Deonte McDade, WR Kyle Guinyard, QB D.J Betik, OL Micah Kemp, DB Jason Vavra, WR/OLB Jayson King, DL Rob Rose, LB Chonston Williams
Outlook: The Lions are not expecting a drop off from last season’s playoff team. McDade is a playmaker, producing more than 2,100 yards and 24 TDs in 2007. He’ll be on the field running the ball either as a quarterback or running back. Betik will also see some snaps at quarterback.

Midlothian Panthers
Coach: Robby Clark
2007 Record: 5-5
Returning Lettermen: 29
Returning Starters: 5 Off./5 Def.
Players to watch: QB Bryce Petty, WR Dylan Fowler, WR Eddie Johnson, RB Rob Gray, LB Landon Freeman, DB Dante Floyd, DE Alonzo Newton
Outlook: The Panthers believe this is the year to challenge for a district title. They’ll be led by Petty (6-3, 205, 4.8), a recruiting target who passed for 2,100 yards and 16 TDs in 2007. Fowler (5-11, 180, 4.6) and Johnson (6-2, 185, 4.6) should be Petty’s favorite targets. The Panthers defense could be the difference with veterans Freeman (5-11, 210, 4.6) and Floyd (5-8, 160, 4.6).

Waxahachie Indians
Coach: David Ream
2007 Record: 9-2, DI bi-district qualifier
Returning Lettermen: 15
Returning Starters: 4 Off./2 Def.
Players to watch: TE Drew Harrison, WR Sam Gagliano, QB Venique Benton, LB LaJordan Easley, OLB Alexander Simmons, OLB Dexter Chandler, DE Relus Chance, OT Taylor McCulloch, DE Ryan White
Outlook: The Indians are more than capable of making a run for the district title despite looking for young players to step up at the offensive skill positions. Benton (5-8, 158, 4.5) takes over at QB with little game experience. He’ll look to Harrison (6-4, 255) and Gagliano (5-9, 160, 4.5) at receiver. The Indians return an experienced linebacking corps in Easley (6-1, 205, 4.5), Chandler and Simmons.

VYPE Predicts 16-4A

1. Waxahachie
2. Waco
3. Ennis
4. Waco Midway
5. Midlothian
6. Corsicana
7. Cleburne
8. Waco University

Tags: Football, MidlothianFootball.com // 1 Comment »

8/25/08
by Dena Petty

Boerne Champion Chargers

School district: Boerne

Named after: Samuel V. Champion, a 1972 Boerne graduate who served as principal at his alma mater from 1987 until 2002.

Enrollment: 2,026

Head coach: Danny Threadgill

Athletic district: 27-4A (with Alamo Heights, Clemens, Kerrville Tivy, New Braunfels Canyon, San Marcos, Seguin and Steele)

Predicted district finish: Sixth

Outlook: Boerne Champion is a new school this year, except it’s facing a different set of circumstances than Johnson, Brandeis and Canyon Lake. All of Boerne’s students and coaches are moving to Champion while Boerne undergoes renovations. The Champion Chargers will have a new school and new name, but not much else will change. Boerne ISD athletic director Stan Leech said Boerne High School will reopen in 2009-10 in Class 3A. The Greyhounds will hire a new staff and will be placed in a district for every sport except football. It will play an independent football schedule for a season before the next realignment. Every current student will have a choice of whether to stay at Champion or return to Boerne, and there will be set attendance zones for incoming students.

“I still haven’t gotten used to saying Boerne Champion yet,” Champion football coach Danny Threadgill said. “One thing about Boerne is that a lot of parents here graduated from Boerne and are Greyhounds. Some traditions come with us, but most will change, and that’s where the adjustment comes in for us.”

Record over the past five seasons: 35-21

Best season: 2004 — 12-2, reached Class 4A Division I state semifinals.

Tags: Football, MidlothianFootball.com // Add Comment »

8/18/08
by Dena Petty

One of the many things we love about our Panthers is their hard work and dedication to the sport of football. This was evident after watching our boys during the pre-season inter squad scrimmage this Saturday morning. Coach Clark said, “ We have a disciplined, dedicated team coming into our 3rd year with them. These boys have bought into a program of coaches, schemes and direction that has made them stronger, faster and smarter.”

On the defensive side of the ball, we now have two senior captains, linebacker Landon Freeman and safety Dante Floyd. These two have been a strong presence to the team since starting as sophomores bringing consistent strong character on and off the field.

Coach Clark, “Starting with the secondary led by Dante Floyd, in one word, fast! Their speed helps to cover an offense in the spread. High school football these days is all about speed, and we have it in our backfield. Our linebackers, led by Landon Freeman, are some of the most talented in the group with Josh Moreland and Alonzo Newton. Alonzo is new to the Panther’s program, but a heavy presence and a definite Div. 1 player. Everyone has watched sadly as we have graduated all 3 of our defensive line starters. We will miss the talent of players like Michael Autwell, but Poole made the transition from starting linebacker last year and is doing a great job as a lineman. Fillip Lockwood is a prototypical program guy, works hard, confident and stayed with the program. His hard work has produced a 4.6 40yd time which is awesome. Hunter Moore is our starting nose guard. Moore is a very strong aggressive player, perfect for this position and fun to watch.”

On the offensive side of the ball we now have two senior captains, quarterback Bryce Petty and offensive line RJ Hunt. These guys will be an anchor bringing 3 years experience starting QB and 2 years starting on the line. These guys are solid, true leaders in our community and on the field.

“We look for this to be a break out year led by our QB Bryce Petty, one of the best in the state. He is a guy that you can count on. We are strong in all of our skilled positions, but we do have a void in our running back position led last year by our graduating senior Caleb McEachern. Our wide receivers Eddie Johnson and Dylan Fowler are true athletes that can make things happen. Offensive lineman RJ Hunt is an absolute anchor to the line in this very important position to create a solid offence. It is so great to have kids stepping up like Derrick Burch, an unknown, strong as an ox, pushed to win a spot as a starter.”

“Over all, this team has chemistry, a strong work ethic and a great attitude. We ARE stronger, faster and better than a year ago.”

Every year the question comes up “How do we rank in the polls?” Dave Campbell’s Texas Football ranks us 5th in the 16-4A district. But as coach Clark explains “polls are necessary, but polls are poor tales of what the season is going to look like. All they can basically do is go by what happened the previous year. The bottom line is that everyone is anxiously anticipating Midlothian Panther’s to have a break out year.”

“We have progressed! Last year is summed up in 22 seconds, 22 seconds that didn’t go our way. If they had, we would have finished 8-2 and been in the playoffs. I expect to be in the hunt for district championship. For some, this may be a bold statement. I acknowledge the strong programs that we will be playing. Waxahachie should have beat Coppers Cove the last 2 years in the playoffs. Ennis beat Waco High last year in the 1st round of playoffs. Red Oak beat Waco Midway in the 1st round. In my opinion, we are in a tough district. But we were in a tough district last year. We were gaining…we should have had it.”

“Another year of maturity, I have no doubt that we are able to compete….that’s a given. We expect to go on the field to WIN, not just compete. Our boys are ready, they KNOW they can win.”

Tags: MidlothianFootball.com // Add Comment »

It’s hard to believe a new volleyball season is about to begin…

Photo Day is Monday, August 18 beginning at 3:30pm. Players will be receiving a pre-paid envelope this week with a la carte and package prices. I look forward to seeing everyone again!

Tags: Volleyball // Add Comment »

The first Volleyball Booster Meeting for the 2008 Season will be Monday, August 11, at 7:00 pm in the Midlothian High School cafeteria. I am encouraging as many parents as possible to attend as we will be enrolling members, ordering yard signs, t-shirts, etc., as well as discussing the Program Ads, Raffle, Tournaments and Banquet. Parent involvement will enable us to play a part in a fun and successful season. I look forward to seeing you Monday night!

Go Panthers!

Kathy Roberts
469-323-1755

Tags: Volleyball // Add Comment »

News Release: 7/29/08 from MHS Athletic News

On July 29 the Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees approved Steve Keasler as the new Athletic Director. Keasler will oversee all athletic programs for the district. He is replacing Randy Bullock who served as AD since January 2006. Bullock accepted a position with FieldTurf Tarkett as the North Texas Sales Director.

Keasler stated, “Serving as the Athletic Director for the Midlothian ISD is a tremendous opportunity to be part of an upcoming athletic program in a fast growing community. I can sense that parents support their kids in a big way, which is truly a team effort. I look forward to leading an extracurricular program that will enhance the overall learning experience in the District.”

Since 2003, Keasler has been the assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Texas at Austin. Throughout his professional career he has successfully coached in various capacities in Callisburg ISD, Grand Prairie ISD, and Southlake Carroll ISD, where his teams earned numerous district and state titles. He received a BS in Physical Education and Health at East Texas State University and a Master of Science Administration degree at Texas Christian University.

He will assume his role as the new AD starting the week of August 4. He and his wife, Wendye, have two children Hogan, age 9, and Kaylee, age 7.

Tags: Uncategorized // Add Comment »

The football booster website has a fantastic calendar of all upcoming football games Freshman through Varsity that will give you a quick reference point of who plays where in one convenient location. Nice go-to spot! I will also bookmark on the blog.

Football Calendar

Tags: Football, MidlothianFootball.com // Add Comment »