Sports

The Hamilton Bulldogs will start their title defense on August 28th at 7:30 p.m. on the road in a non-district squabble against the Bremond Tigers. This season opener marks a new era for the Bulldogs as they start their season on the road again, with returners having some championship bling on their fingers and Hamilton being moved up to 3A D2 District 5. The last time these Tigers and Bulldogs wrestled was in 2018 and 2019; the current players were in elementary school.

The Hamilton Lady Bulldog varsity volleyball team claimed seven victories last week, improving to 15-2 on the year. On Tuesday in Hamilton, the Lady Dogs followed up a pair of junior varsity victories by completing a clean sweep, straight-set victory over Llano (25-17, 25-19, 25-18). The Lady Bulldogs camped out in Gatesville for the latter half of the week and opened the tournament on Thursday with a three-set victory over Lexington. After claiming the first 25-17, Hamilton conceded their first set of the season to the Lady Eagles in game two by a score of 13-25. The Lady Dogs bounced back to claim the third and deciding set 25-18. After earning a victory by forfeit over Mexia, the Lady Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season to Hillsboro (20-25, 20-25). Hillsboro would go on to win the silver bracket with a win over Gatesville in the title match on Saturday. Returning on Friday, the Lady Bulldogs fell to Cameron Yoe in two before roaring back to claim straight set victories over Harker Heights and Blum. Blum has claimed three consecutive 1A state titles and played the Lady Dogs to a competitive 30-29 late night decision in the first. Hamilton cruised in the second 25-20 to tap a two-set victory over the three-time defending champs. On Saturday, Hamilton toppled Rogers by scores of 25-20 and 25-16 and buried the hatchet with a bronze bracket title win over LaVega (25-22, 22-25, 25-17). After playing in Moody on Tuesday, Hamilton’s varsity and two junior varsity squads will all compete in the Bruceville-Eddy Tournament Thursday and Saturday. Next Tuesday, Hamilton will travel to Killeen with JV matchplay scheduled for 5:30 p.m., directly followed by varsity action at 6:30. Pictured, l-r, the 2026 varsity Lady Bulldogs, including team manager and senior Emery McElroy, sophomores Aleena Ramirez (3), Tayte Haile (4) and Emma Johnson (20), seniors Anna Claire Cooper (10), Harper Lengefeld (22), Aubrey Rowe (6) and Alivia Eanes (7), juniors Berkley Lengefeld (18) and Kinsey Schroeder (5), and sophomore Landry Gardner (1). Photo by Tracy Cox

PRESEASON RECAP: The Hamilton Bulldogs battered the host Bulldogs during a final preseason scrimmage held in Bosqueville last Thursday. After claiming a one score to none advantage in the controlled portion of the scrimmage, Hamilton proceeded to outpace Bosqueville 16-7 during a 15-minute live quarter. The Dogs opened with an impressive nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive that included a 15-yard reception by Colton DeLaGarza, a five-yard rush by Ricky Shank, carries for 13 and three yards respectively by Cooper Turner, a 10-yard burst by Easton Marwitz and a nineyard touchdown plunge from the wildcat formation by Cade Branquinho. Defensively, Hamilton’s first team allowed no first downs during the controlled portion and created one turnover on an interception by Bryan Ibarra. Entering the live quarter, Hamilton took an early seven point lead. Sophomore gunslinger Oliver Summers bought time by rolling to his right before stringing a 46-yard scoring strike to classmate Madden Weaver. Ethan Kalbas proceeded to tag the extra point. Hamilton’s defense quickly forced a turnover on downs after just four offensive plays by Bosqueville, and two plays thereafter, Summers connected with DeLaGarza on a 29-yard fly route for a 13-0 lead with 8:11 still remaining. On the ensuing play, DeLaGarza intercepted a Bosqueville pass at midfield and reversed course 25 yards down to the Bosqueville 20. Six plays later with 4:32 on the clock, Kalbas booted an impressive 30-yard field goal for a 16-0 advantage. With Hamilton’s first team defense on the sideline, Bosqueville finally found the scoring box at the 1:32 mark on a screen pass that went for 51 yards and a score. After graduating 16 seniors, Hamilton’s defending 2A-D1 State Champion Hamilton Bulldogs have reloaded and look to kick off this season as 3A-D2 contenders in Bremond this Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Right before the Friday night lights of Texas turn on and the footballs kick off, Big Country Preps started releasing their Preseason football position rankings. The Defensive Linemen are the first of eight positions they are ranking in the area.

JV BLACK: Hamilton’s junior varsity Black volleyball team is off to a hot 4-1 start after trouncing Llano at home on Tuesday of last week in two sets by scores of 25-10 and 25-14. After playing in Moody on Tuesday, the JV Black will be back in action Thursday and Saturday in Bruceville-Eddy for tournament competition.

.