Sports

WRECKING CREW: A host of Bulldog defenders are pictured stuffing a Valley Mills ball carrier. The Bulldog defense forced three turnovers last Friday including an interception by Luis Najera and two forced fumbles by freshman Leonel Cardenas. Taylor Long and CJ DeLeon each came up with a fumble recovery in the Bulldog’s decisive 53-22 win over district foe Valley Mills. Staff photo by Chad Collett

SECOND ROUND: After defeating Evant on the road last Friday in four competitive sets by scores of 25-13, 25-14, 27-29 and 25-14, the varsity Lady Bulldogs returned home to open the second round of district competition last Saturday. Hamilton defeated the visiting Meridian Lady Jackets in three decisive sets, 25-13, 25-5 and 25-10, improving to 6-1 in district. The Lady Bulldogs trail only Tolar in the District 11-2A standings and were scheduled to host Evant on Tuesday of this week. The Lady Dogs will play Three Way in Hico’s elementary gym this Saturday at 10 am followed by a home match versus Hico next Tuesday. The JV Black squad is set to host Hico next Tuesday at 5 pm, directly preceding the varsity match at 6. Hamilton’s JV Black improved to 13-3 on the year and a perfect 5-0 in district with a 25-7, 25-0 two-set victory over Meridian on Saturday. Hamilton’s JV Red team dropped just their third match of the year on Saturday to Hico and are now 9-3 on the season and 1-2 in district. Pictured, Emiley Hale rises to spike the ball, and Trinity Craig makes a pass in a recent home match. Staff photos

STRONG KICK: Freshman Campbell Lengefeld is pictured passing a runner from Rogers down the final stretch in Jarrell to lead the Lady Dogs to team gold with a fourth overall individual finish. Staff photo

Hamilton’s seventh and eighth grade junior high football teams improved to 2-0 on the season with wins over DeLeon and Valley Mills respectively at Kooken Field last Thursday night. In junior varsity action, the Valley Mills Eagles flew the coop with a 28-16 victory over the now 3-1 JV Bulldogs.

Scenes from Hamilton High School’s Homecoming Pep Rally.

HOMECOMING COURT: Above, Sophomore Averi Poe, senior Sawyer Wright, senior Kady Weatherford and freshman Helena Knutson pose with Sparky (Skylar Carr) for a pre-game photo. Weatherford was crowned queen during the half-time show. (Top to bottom on left) Sawyer Wright was escorted by her dad, David Wright. Macie Parrish was escorted by her dad, Bill Parrish. Jenna Hinton was escorted by Tyner Haile. Averi Poe was escorted by C.J. DeLeon. Helena Knutson was escorted by Joseph Polster.

The Seuss-like Itasca Wampus Cats were no match for the mighty Hamilton Bulldogs last Friday night at Kooken Field. In battering and bamboozling their district opponent 70-14 in a Hamilton Homecoming showdown, the 2020 Dogs became just the third Bulldog football team to post 70 points in a ballgame. The previous two teams to accomplish the fete were the 1976 and the 2006 Bulldogs who each tagged 74 points to the board in claiming gridiron victory.

By Grant Lengefeld

TRENCHES: Hamilton’s offensive line dominated along the line of scrimmage as the Dogs pounded the ground for six rushing touchdowns. Pictured (l-r), right tackle Wesley Griffin (67), right guard Jose Najera (60) and center Xander Ceresini (53).