West Hardin Football
The West Hardin Oilers return 11 starters from last year's 4-7 team that reached the first round of the playoffs in 2019.
So, what does 2020 bring for coach George Taylor's bunch?
RB Randon Kelly is the leading rusher and flips do defense as the leading tackler at LB for West Hardin. That makes for a long night for the two-way player.
He will run behind Bradley Thompson, Josiah Berry, Matt Ashwell, Kaiden Robinson and Rodie Ruffino, who make up the OL. Austin Collier will be the signal-caller.
The bigs will flip to the defensive line when called upon to join Braxton Poland and Bradley Brown.
The Oilers are in a tough district and will need to get some wins over Timpson, Shelbyville and Joaquin to slip into the postseason.
SHENANDOAH - When Eric Peevey took over Little Cypress-Mauriceville it was assumed that the success he had fostered at Beaumont West Brook - a program he guided to AT&T Stadium in 2018 - could transfer over to LC-M.
It has in just year one.
Defeating Columbia last week 42-21 was already a huge victory for the program as it was its first Area Round win since 1997. Now, the Battlin' Bears have continued their best playoff run since the late 90s by upsetting El Campo.
LC-M walked into Woodforest Bank Stadium on Friday night and downed superstar running back Rueben Owens II and El Campo with a thrilling 24-21 victory.
"I'm extremely proud of these boys," Peevey said. "They did an unbelievable job. All year, I laugh because we don't even hand out scouting reports anymore. Everybody talks about Rueben Owens and the guys they have but we don't even focus on what they have it's what we need to do. The kids take our gameplan and execute it."
Ashton Landry led LC-M offensively going 6 for 11 for 59 yards and then rushing 19 times for 146 yards and two scores. Da'Marion Morris also played a big role as he rushed 14 times for 137 yards and a score.
TOUCHDOWN
LCM scores off a great run by the RB, extending the lead to 10. #txhsfb
5:39 left in the 4th@LCMBearFootball 24@Ricky_Ricebird 14 pic.twitter.com/uABUZjxsjb
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 27, 2021
The Battlin' Bears move on to face Chapel Hill - which is on to the fourth round for the fifth time and first since 2011 - next week in the State Quarterfinals. It is just the second-ever trip to the fourth round in program history for LC-M.
"Brick-by-brick, eyes up and keep climbing, that's how we work," Peevey said. "We were picked fifth in the district. They were 1-7 last year. So, we don't even talk about the end game. All we're worried about is play by play and executing what we need to do play-by-play."
TOUCHDOWN
On 4th and 1 LCM goes for it and QB Ashton Landry takes it all the way for the Score! #txhsfb
4:06 left in the 2nd@LCMBearFootball -14@Ricky_Ricebird -7 pic.twitter.com/VElpTt9Ih8
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 27, 2021
El Campo's Rueben Owens II rushed 29 times for 204 yards and three scores in the loss. Jontre Davis had 103 yards on 17 carries. Owens finishes his junior season with 246 carries for 2,991 yards and 46 rushing scores and 49 overall.
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Anthony Boutte Sr., could be the most decorated first-year high school basketball head coach in the history of the state of Texas for what he has literally learned at the dinner table.
He leads Aldine High this fall as his budding career begins.
"I'm here to change the mindset and create a safe environment to learn the game of basketball," he said. "I will be introducing a winning way that I have learned from so many mentors that I have coached with and learned from."
That list is insane. His father Andre Boutte Jr., is a living legend in the state of Texas and is a Hall of Famer. He won state titles at Port Arthur-Lincoln and Beaumont Ozen. He now coaches at West Brook.
"My dad led one of the greatest dynasties in the history of high school basketball at 3443 Fannett Road," Anthony said. "You can change the name of the school, the mascot or the colors but that is the address of a dynasty. He's the only coach to put two players into the NBA right out of high school, not to mention the state titles he's won."
His grandfather is the legendary Walter Yates, who led Jefferson Davis, Madison and Kashmere during his career. Yates is a Hall of Famer as well with just under 1,000 wins.
"I was born to coach," the 33-year-old Boutte laughed. "I've thought of myself as a head coach since I was 10-years old. I've been told I was too young or not ready yet. I've coached for the best, I've gotten my Masters, I've been patient and just waited for my time. I appreciate Dre Thompson (Aldine ISD AD) for giving me the opportunity and I'm ready to go."
Boutte also coached with Texas High School basketball coaching pillars Terrell Henderson (Port Arthur-Lincoln), David Peavy (Dekaney, Duncanville), Chris Dyer (Desoto) and David Green and Sam Benitez (North Shore) just to name a few.
"You really just can't put on a resume all the great players and coaches I've learned from over the years," he said. "I applied for 80 jobs in the past 11 years, but God obviously has something to do with me being here at Aldine. I just needed the opportunity, and we will be something to be reckoned with in years to come."
He played for his dad at Ozen, and while starting on varsity for two years he was 58-3. He basically grew up with NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins literally living in his home. After high school, Boutte became the starting quarterback at Stephen F. Austin. Yes, football.
"We are going to be well-coached and prepared," he said. "We are going to go out there and compete and who knows what happens in year one? One thing is for sure, we will be well-dressed."
His father and grandfather were also legendary dressers as they paced the sideline.
Boutte has hired two young assistants in Melvin Johnson III, who is right off his international professional basketball career, and Brandon Etienne, who starred at North Shore and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
"We are young and know what winning in Texas high school basketball looks like," he said.
The Timberwolves of Beaumont United don't have a win to show yet this season, but they are in every game.
United fell to West Brook by 14, then to PN-G by four and last weekend to Montgomery 23-19.
The 'Wolves get a week off before going into district play with Baytown Sterling.
VYPE U intern Kennedi Cooper was on the scene to capture the images.
For all the ways you love to play, Academy Sports and Outdoors makes it easier than ever to gear up and have fun out there! Get free shipping on your favorite brands at academy.com or get free curbside or in-store pick-up at your Academy store. Gear up this Spring at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
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