Abilene Wylie Bulldogs vs. Lubbock Cooper
6:45 p.m. Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff, Shotwell Stadium
Wylie Crew:Trace Daniel, Bill Whitaker
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Photo by Tiger Media--Provided by Coach Brett Sniffin
It’s been some time since the Tigers have seen such success, and part of that could be attributed to the influence of coach Brett Sniffin, who came over from Ridge Point a few years ago.
Sniffin opened Ridge Point in 2010. However, something about Belton appealed to him.
“When I was at Ridge Point, it initially had that small-town feel before it grew to the point it is now,” he said. “I missed that aspect, since I’m not much of a big-city-type-of-guy, so that’s what kind of drew me to Belton. I’m sure other coaches share that same mindset and are drawn to that feeling, because it is definitely an event on Friday nights when we’re playing at home.”
That sentiment runs even deeper.
Photo by Tiger Media--Provided by Coach Brett Sniffin
“Belton is its own unique area and our school pretty much is Belton,” Sniffin said. “It’s unique to have that small-town feel. There aren’t too many chain restaurants, it’s mostly mom-and-pop type stuff. There’s a nice home-town feel, and the more you win, the more the season ticket holders come in and fill up the stands. That support has been overwhelming.”
Since Sniffin and his staff took over the reins of the program four years ago, Belton has gradually re-established itself as a true contender in the Class 5A-II race.
“We like to say we’re doing things here that haven’t been done in a long time,” said Sniffin. “Last year, we had the first outright district title since 1998. Now, we want to win 10 games for the first time since 2009. They’ve never won three playoff games so that’s something we want to do. Those are our long-term goals, but obviously the first one is to win tonight, and we want to start off district on the right foot.”
Photo by Tiger Media--Provided by Coach Brett Sniffin
Senior QB Reese Rumfield has been the star of the show, while Belton’s RB Shaun Snapp, Wyatt Butler (Sr. LB) and Dante Martinez (Sr. LB) have been among the key contributors to the program’s fast start.
They’ll be essential to coach Sniffin’s keys to their district opener against Pflugerville this evening.
“We want to be able to drive the ball and consume some clock against their (Pflugerville’s) big defensive front,” he said. “Defensively, we want to shore up the pass-defense and put some pressure on the quarterback. Lastly, special teams has been a strong point for us, and that’s what’s helped us get over the hump.”
Don’t sleep on the Tigers. They might have a small-town feel, but they have big-time aspirations.
Friendswood's Andi Vaught
By Bradley Collier
Earlier this season, she led movie night where the Friendswood Mustangs huddled to watch “When the Game Stands Tall”. The movie chronicles De La Salle High School, one of the nation’s best high school football teams.
The message – no one is bigger than the team. It’s about leadership, love and the brotherhood of a team.
The movie hit.
“It was the perfect movie at the perfect time for the perfect team,” coach Sarah Paulk said. “We have had adversity this year and the girls keep stepping up. We played a tournament in Florida and it was a great team-building experience for us. It was then when I could see this team really coming together.”
The team suffered a set-back in the preseason, however, losing Meghan Donoughue to an Achilles injury. She will be lost for the season. Sophomore outside Sydney Gibson has been out all season but will return in the next week, and junior DS Anna Melgren should be back in a few weeks with another injury.
The Mustangs reached the State Tournament as recent as 2019 and have had continued success in the postseason since, but they have been tripped up by Fulshear of late.
“We haven’t won district in two years (Manvel) and we’ve hit some road blocks late in the season,” she said. “But this team really works hard and has great chemistry.”
The ‘Stangs are currently 16-9 overall and 3-0 in district play with a young and talented team.
Vaught keeps the youngsters on track… and they are really talented.
Sophomore Nadi’Ya Shelby is hammering balls at a violent pace and she is set up by sophomore setter Caroline Adams.
“Nadi’Ya does some things athletically that I’ve never seen before. She is special,” Paulk said. “Caroline has stepped up huge running the offense. She has allowed us to run a 5-1 instead of a 6-2.”
Other sophomores Haley Patton (DS) and Tallah Benson (OH) have played expanded roles, along with juniors Jordyn Sims (right side) and Preslee Alaniz (MB).
“It has been true team effort,” she said. “Everyone plays a role.”
Next Tuesday will be very telling. The Manvel Mavs are looming, who have been a thorn in the hooves of the Mustangs the past two seasons.
Will the “Stand Tall”?
Vaught will see to it.
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