SMOOTH STROKES - Decatur's Casie Morgan makes her way down the lane in the 100 meter individual Friday at the Keller ISD meet. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
With only five swimmers, the Decatur Eagles brought home 14th from the Keller ISD meet Friday afternoon.
FINAL RUN - Decatur's Cris Ortiz runs down a hill on the Mae Simmons Park course Saturday. Ortiz finished 23rd in his final cross country race. Messenger photo by Daniel Jordan
The season came to a close Saturday for the Decatur Eagles cross country team at the Region I meet at Lubbock’s Mae Simmons Park.
Video footage and editing by Andrew May
RAGING BULL - Bridgeport's Luis Gaytan celebrates the first of the Bulls' two second-half touchdowns in their 24-21 come-from-behind victory over Decatur Friday night. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
CROSSING THE LINE - Bridgeport's Blake Waldrep runs into the end zone on a 1-yard run in the third quarter of the Bulls' 24-21 win over Decatur. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
STEP AHEAD - Decatur's Tyler Hodges eludes Bridgeport defenders. Decatur and Hodges led Bridgport 21-0 Friday, but could not hold on for the victory. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
SWATTED AWAY - Decatur's Kaleb Montes reaches out to knock the ball away during the Eagles' 24-21 loss to Bridgeport. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
After throwing his third interception with his team trailing by four late in the fourth quarter, Bridgeport quarterback Cody Henson wanted one more chance against the Decatur Eagles’ defense.
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE - Coach Kyle Story's team had a 21-0 lead turn into a loss on Friday night against rival Bridgeport. As the Eagles stumbled to their second losing season in a row, the Bulls put together their second undefeated season of district play. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
A waning harvest moon hung low in the sky and gazed upon a packed Eagle Stadium in the 90th meeting between Decatur and the Bridgeport Bulls on Friday night.
Decatur sophomore Hayley Raasch brought home the Eagles swim team’s lone victory Thursday at the Fort Worth ISD Double Dual meet at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center.
Bridgeport (6-4, 5-0): 24
at Decatur (2-6, 2-2): 21
FINAL
Alvord (6-4, 3-2): 34
at Paradise (1-9, 1-4): 0
FINAL
Boyd (6-4, 6-0): 42
at Millsap (8-2, 3-2): 28
FINAL
Chico (0-10, 0-5): 22
at Jacksboro (5-5, 3-3): 46
FINAL
Northwest (0-10, 0-5): 14
at Keller Central (3-7, 2-5): 34
FINAL (played Thursday, November 5)
BIG SANDY BATTLE - Decatur Mayor Joe Lambert and Bridgeport Majka meet at the midpoint between the rival communities, Big Sandy Creek. The two rivals will meet Friday at Eagle Stadium. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
For the 90th time, the two schools separated by Big Sandy Creek will renew their rivalry Friday night.
At stake for Bridgeport is a chance to complete an undefeated run through District 5-3A and keep building momentum heading to the playoffs. For Decatur, a win coupled with a Vernon victory over Iowa Park will send it to the postseason. For both teams, something even more valuable is on the line – bragging rights.
PLAYOFF PLAN - Decatur coach Kyle Story sends in a play during a district game. His Eagles will try to pin down a playoff spot Friday night. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
Boyd and Bridgeport enter week 10 of the season with playoff reservations already in tow, while a majority of Wise County football teams will have their seasons end this week.
The Decatur boys and girls cross country teams have to clear one last hurdle to earn a trip to Round Rock and the University Interscholastic League Championships Nov. 14.
After suffering a separated shoulder against Wichita Falls Hirschi, Decatur’s Tyler Hodges was forced to watch his team from the sidelines for a game and a half.
WINDING TOWARD FINISH - Decatur's Alex Forbis makes a turn on the course at Joe Wheeler Park during the District 5-3A meet Wednesday. The Eagles finished second at the meet. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
Last year, the Decatur Eagles cross country team edged out a one-point victory over Burkburnett to claim the District 5-3A title.
Jacksboro (4-5, 2-2): 38
at Alvord (5-4, 2-2): 7
FINAL
WF Hirschi (1-8, 0-4): 6
at Bridgeport (5-4, 4-0): 48
FINAL
Paradise (1-8, 1-3): 7
at Boyd (5-4, 4-0): 38
FINAL
Millsap (8-1, 3-1): 27
at Chico (0-9, 0-4): 0
FINAL
Decatur (2-6, 2-2): 31
at Vernon (1-8, 1-3): 24
FINAL
Euless Trinity (7-2, 6-0): 42
at Northwest (0-9, 0-6): 0
FINAL
OUT OF REACH - Decatur's Cole McCurdy reaches for a Burkburnett back during the Eagles' 55-26 loss Friday night. Decatur will try to rebound Friday against Vernon. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
The Decatur Eagles can no longer solely determine if they will make the football playoffs after last Friday’s loss to Burkburnett.
Video footage and editing by Andrew May
LOSING GRIP - Decatur's Ross Madden tries to pull down Burkburnett's Malachi Naef during the Eagles' 55-26 loss Friday night. Messenger photo by Joe Duty
The Decatur Eagles had no answer for the Burkburnett Bulldogs’ running attack Friday night.
Burkburnett rolled up 448 yards on the ground in a 55-26 victory over the Decatur Eagles at Eagle Stadium.
Chico (0-8, 0-3): 0
at Alvord (5-3, 2-1): 38
Bridgeport (4-4, 3-0): 49
at Vernon (1-7, 1-2): 7
Boyd (4-4, 3-0): 33
at Jacksboro (3-5, 1-2): 22
Burkburnett (5-3, 2-1): 55
at Decatur (1-6, 1-2): 26
Northwest (0-8, 0-5): 14
at Keller Fossil Ridge (1-6, 1-4): 31
Paradise (1-7, 1-2): 18
at Millsap (7-1, 2-1): 34
Chico (0-7, 0-2) at Alvord (4-3, 1-1)
7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium
About Chico: The Dragons are still searching for their first win. In two District 9-2A games, Chico has been outscored 90-0.
About Alvord: The Bulldogs took it on the chin last week from District 9-2A leader Boyd, 42-0. Alvord allowed 448 yards.
Harris Ratings:
Chico 135
Alvord 168
Alvord by 37
LAST YEAR: Alvord won 48-6
Bridgeport (3-4, 2-0) at Vernon (1-6, 1-1)
7:30 p.m. at Lion Stadium
About Bridgeport: The Bulls held off Iowa Park for a 28-21 win last week. Bridgeport quarterback Cody Henson threw four touchdowns in the victory. The final score was a 92-yard connection with freshman Gabe Huerta.
About Vernon: After beating Hirschi to start District 5-3A play, the Lions were drilled last week in a 48-14 loss to Burkburnett. Vernon gave up 487 yards in the loss.
Harris Ratings:
Bridgeport 207
Vernon 186
Bridgeport by 21
LAST YEAR: Bridgeport won 55-14
Boyd (3-4, 2-0) at Jacksboro (3-4, 1-1)
7:30 p.m. at Tiger Stadium
About Boyd: The Yellowjackets have hit their stride in District 9-2A. Boyd has piled up 100 points and 807 yards in two district games. Quarterback Tim Fleming has rushed for 264 yards.
About Jacksboro: The Tigers fell to Millsap last week 20-14. Jacksboro quarterback Kole Weldon threw for 145 yards and rushed for 61 in the loss.
Harris Ratings:
Boyd 200
Jacksboro 181
Boyd by 17
LAST YEAR: Jacksboro won 21-14
Burkburnett (4-3, 1-1) at Decatur (1-5, 1-1)
7:30 p.m. at Eagle Stadium
About Burkburnett: The Bulldogs roughed up Vernon last week to even its District 5-3A record at 1-1. Burkburnett quarterback Cannon Cornelious ran for three scores and 129 yards in the win.
About Decatur: The Eagles picked up its first win last week over Hirschi 17-6. Decatur rolled up 325 yards in the win. The defense held Hirschi scoreless in the second half.
Harris Ratings:
Burkburnett 198
Decatur 191
Burkburnett by 9
LAST YEAR: Burkburnett won 61-47
Northwest (0-7, 0-4) at Keller Fossil Ridge (0-6, 0-4)
7:30 p.m. at Keller ISD Athletic Complex
About Northwest: The Texans scored a season-high 41 points last week, but it didn’t change the outcome. The Texans gave up 375 yards to Keller in a 56-41 loss. Tristan Caesar ran for 225 yards in the loss.
About Fossil Ridge: Like the Texans, the Panthers are looking for their first win. Fossil Ridge fell to Grapevine 38-33 last week. The Panthers’ last two losses have been by a combined eight points.
Harris Ratings:
Northwest 190
Fossil Ridge 198
Fossil Ridge by 8
LAST YEAR: Northwest won 28-17
Paradise (1-6, 1-0) at Millsap (6-1, 1-1)
7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium
About Paradise: The Panthers picked up their first win of the year last week, beating Chico 32-0. Caleb Read found the end zone three times in the victory.
About Millsap: The Bulldogs started the season 5-0 before beginning district play with a narrow 20-12 loss to Alvord. Millsap stunned Jacksboro last week 20-14.
Harris Ratings:
Paradise 167
Millsap 172
Millsap by 4
LAST YEAR: Paradise won 48-13
FAMILIAR PLACE - Jerry Mara was part of the first team to play at Eagle Stadium. The school will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the field Friday.
After 50 years of attending games, Decatur’s Jerry Mara still gets a special feeling walking into Eagle Stadium.
“I still get butterflies before kickoff,” he said.
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