Resident News Network

Flag Football Chooses A Better Playing Field

Sports

-

9:46 am

Flag Football Chooses A Better Playing Field

Before yesterday, both Hackett and Mansfield Flag Football programs had only one option to play Flag Football. Either they played an away game every week or not at all. They tried to get other teams to rotate venues last season but were turned down. It didn’t seem fair to the Tigers and the Hornets to have to constantly travel to play games and for only one program to gain all of the financial pie. The programs knew the importance of Flag Football and didn’t want to shut it down. Something had to be done.

So how do you win a game where everything is set for only the other program to succeed? Simple, you start a new game with new players. The Mansfield and Hackett Little League programs have done just that………again. Just like they did by helping create the West Central Football League for Little League Football, Mansfield and Hackett joined forces to create a Flag Football League. After a few months of talking, the Mansfield and Hackett Flag Football programs have teamed up with the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club for their Flag Football games.

Hackett Little League President Dave Slavens said “Flag Football has become a crucial first step in building a successful football program. It helps kids learn a lot of basics of football and give them their first taste of the game. So we knew that we needed to keep Flag Football at high importance and keep it going. This move to team up with Mansfield and the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club not only helps us overall as a program, but it also helps the parents and players by playing close to home.”

Mansfield Little League President Josh Strozier said “It’s hard to sell the idea of Flag Football to players and parents when they have to travel 45 minutes every Saturday to the exact same place. I’m glad to see this move to work with Hackett and the Greenwood Boys and Girls Club. All of the games will be closer and the kids will get to play on their own home field. Flag Football helps give our players a great head start in the fundamentals of football and also gives them an early passion for the game.”

The teams have agreed to play six games where each program will get to host two games this season. They’ll play a split field allowing two games at once. They’re also in talks about letting these youngsters play “Under The Lights” for a game. There are many more things in the works to make the kids’ Flag Football experience AWESOME !!!

Lady Tigers Allow Zero Runs Against Pirates

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

5:43 am

0

Lady Tigers Allow Zero Runs Against Pirates

Pictured #21 Abby Morgan

The Mansfield Lady Tigers delivered utter domination against the Cedarville Lady Pirates on Tuesday, April 2. After taking the game to the top of the fifth inning, the final on the scoreboard read 11-0 Mansfield. With this victory, the Lady Tigers upgraded their total season record to 6-10 and conference play to 1-3.

Throwing for Mansfield with skillful ease in the circle was Caroline Nicodemus. Caroline threw out 45 pitches to 16 batters striking out eight allowing zero hits, zero runs, and zero walks.

The Lady Tigers were quick with their offense securing seven runs in the first inning alone. Abby Morgan led Mansfield in runs with three. Shyann McDowell had two. And with one apiece was Kylie Eveld, Caroline Nicodemus, Hailey Walker, Kiara Thomas, Rylea Weaver, and Amber Elmore.

Abby Morgan was out of this world with her home run in the fourth inning also batting in one runner. Racking up two hits each were Kylie and Kiara with Kiara also stealing a base. Caroline, Rylea, Shyann, and Maggie Strunk all had one hit each. Maggie and Rylea batted in two runners while Shyann and Kyli Davidson batted in one.

Leading the Lady Tigers with four steals was Shyann McDowell. Amber Elmore made two steals. And with one each was Caroline, Maggie, and Rylea. The Lady Tigers will stay home again tonight to face the Greenland Pirates in a conference game at 4:30 p.m.

Lady Arrows “Mercy Rule” Magazine 15-0

Sports

Resident News Network

-

9:41 pm

0

Photos Courtesy of Johnna Morgan

The Lavaca Lady Arrows shut down Magazine, in a ‘mercy rule” shutout 15-0 victory on Wednesday. The Lady Arrows fired up the offense in the first inning, scoring 6. They tacked on another 5 in the 3rd inning and capped it off by scoring 4 in the 4th. Lavaca had 4 players that were perfect at the plate. Kinzee Jo Brown, Jessica Flanagan, Morgan Taylor, and Tessa Leonard all batting 1000. In all Lavaca had 13 hits on the night. Leonard was also 1 of 4 Lady Arrows to have multiple RBI’s. BethAnn May, Brianna Winchester, and Morgan Taylor joined her with 2 RBI’s each.

May earned the victory on the rubber for Lavaca Lady Arrows Varsity. She surrendered no runs on one hit over four innings, she stuck out nine of the 13 batters faced. The Lady Arrows will travel to Hackett tomorrow to take on the Lady Hornets. The game is scheduled for 4:30 and should prove to be a great match-up with a lot riding on the out come. There is some bad weather in the forecast and if it renders the fields too wet to play, the game will be made up on Friday at the same time. Hope to see y’all there.

Arrows Defang the Rattlers 16-1

Sports

Resident News Network

-

8:29 pm

0

Photos by Amanda Hall

The Lavaca Golden Arrows completely defanged the Magazine Rattlers tonight by a score of 16-1. The Arrows cut loose in the second inning scoring 13. Magazine used 4 pitchers and gave up 16 runs on 9 hits. Offensively, Dylan Ellison and Jimmy Hall batted 1000, while Ellison and Colby Clunn lead the team in scoring with 3 runs a piece. Tyler Armistead was the RBI leader tonight with 3 on a triple hit to left field. All 9 of the Arrow starters found their way on the base path and all but one crossed the plate at least once.

On the mound for the Arrows was senior Trey Castor. Castor was strong giving up 1 run on 2 hits. Castor only faced 12 batters, due to the “mercy rule”. Of the 12 he faced, Castor retired 5 of them at the plate. Castor was backed up by solid defense by Jimmy Hall, Kaw-Liga Brewer and Jager Wagner, who all made good plays in the field.

Next up the Golden Arrows will be heading to Hackett where they will look to sting the Hornets. The game is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday the 4th at 4:30. There is a chance of wet weather in the forecast. In the event that the fields are not playable, this game will be played on Friday the 5th. Hope to see you there.

Elmores Featured in Hometown Highlight

Networks

Tammy Teague

-

6:13 pm

0

Westside Pentecostal Church Pastor Kennith Elmore and his wife Josie are some of the most well-known individuals throughout the Huntington/Mansfield community. And, with good reason. They have lived a lifetime of service to the Lord, their church, family, friends and even strangers.

The Elmores have a lasting legacy of love that spans their four children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The pastor’s heart for ministry reaches out beyond his precious family. He continues to visit the sick at home and in the hospital, and she remains faithful in supporting his ministry.

Although both are aging, their spirit remains renewed as they continue to trust in the Lord for their needs, and that of others. It’s an admirable strength that is such an amazing testimony of their faith.

“I remember him (Pastor Elmore), he’s the one that preaches all the funerals,” said Mansfield First Baptist Pastor Phillip Slaughter. Brother Elmore admits he wishes he’d kept a record of those services, including marriages. He couldn’t rightly guess, but acknowledged the numbers would be great.

Both are such rare devout Christians who live their faith, and give selflessly. Their service to the Lord and to others will long be remembered even after they’re gone.

“You know what the word Christian means, right?” he reminded his congregation. “It’s to be Christ-like.”

Congratulations to the Elmores on being nominated for our Hometown Highlight. If you know of an ordinary citizen who is doing extraordinary things, we want to honor them! Contact us -HERE

Judge Hudson Announces Sebastian County Cleanup

Headlines

Tammy Teague

-

5:53 pm

0

Judge Hudson Announces Sebastian County Cleanup

Sebastian County Judge David Hudson has announced plans for the spring cleanup campaign. According to Hudson, these cleanup campaigns are an opportunity to encourage community participation in cleanup activities.

County staff will be onsite with a backhoe to help fully utilize each county cleanup site dumpster. Additionally, they will provide a trailer to load and dispose of any white goods (large electrical goods such as refrigerators and washing machines) and scrap metal brought to the site during the cleanup site hours of 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Lady Bulldogs Get Scratched By Tigers

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

12:09 pm

0

By tomorrow, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs are sure to be sick and tired of facing tigers. Last Friday they faced the Mansfield Tigers. Last night they faced the Charleston Tigers. And tomorrow night they will face the Acorn Tigers. In Tuesday evenings softball game, the Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Tigers kept things at a steady pace for the first four innings staying tied 1-1. But in the fifth inning, Charleston brought home four runners to Waldron’s two in the fifth and sixth innings, ending the game 5-3 Charleston.

Sophomore Saige Mahar came in strong with two runs and one hit. Senior Mackinzie Callahan lobbed off two hits, one run, and one steal. Freshman Molly Richmond fired off one hit. Senior Whitney Richmond hurled one hit, made one steal, and had one runner batted in. Sophomore Ashton Young produced one hit. And junior Bayleigh Lipham brought one runner in.

Sophomore Rheagan Sanford profited three putouts and two assists. Freshman Ashtyn Moore picked up three putouts. Freshman Jayden Manning cleaned up with three putouts and two assists. Bayleigh reaped four putouts. Whitney yielded two putouts. And with one putout each was Mackinzie, Saige, and junior Taylor Stacy.

Not only did pitcher Ashton Young draw one assist but she also threw out 76 pitches to 29 batters striking out one. For their last kitty war of the week, the 9-5 Waldron Lady Bulldogs will stay home and take on the 1-9 Acorn Lady Tigers on Thursday, April 4 at 5:00 p.m.

Tigers Force Pirates To Swim With The Fishes

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

10:54 am

0

Tigers Force Pirates To Swim With The Fishes

The Mansfiueld Tigers blew the Cedarville Pirates out of the water in last nights baseball game. With the Tigers playing at home, they were dead set on not giving the Pirates any leeway to conquer home field. And Mansfield succeeded nicely. With complete and total domination, the Tigers took an 11-0 win. Mansfield now finds themselves 3-6 in total season play.

Faster than a plastic bag on a windy day was senior Tyler Watkins with three runs. Freshman Aaron Brewer with two. And with one apiece, seniors Seth Fudge and Hunter Willsey, junior Isaac Cothran, sophomores Codi Chick and Hayden Henson, and freshman Nathan Brewer.

With more hits than a Guns N’ Roses drumset was Aaron and Hunter with two and Seth, Hayden, Codi, Isaac, Nathan, and sophomore Cody Fudge with one each. Hayden, Cody, and Isaac also each had two runners batted. Along with Seth, Tyler, Hunter, and Codi who had one runner batted in a piece.

Coming in big in the steals department was Tyler Watkins with three. Aaron, Seth, Hayden, Hunter, Codi, and Nathan individually had one steal. There are no picking flowers while out in the field for these Tigers. With eight putouts was Cody Fudge. Isaac Cothran had six. Hayden earned two. Seth snagged two putouts and three assists. Junior Layton Howard made one assist. Codi scored one assist. And Hunter Willsey made two assists. Also pitching for the Tigers, Hunter threw 69 pitches to 22 batters striking out eight.

The Mansfield Tigers will be home again for their conference game Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. against the Charleston Tigers.

Time to purchase your spot in the 2019 Golden Arrow Football Program.

Sports

Resident News Network

-

9:28 am

0

Time to purchase your spot in the 2019 Golden Arrow Football Program.

The 2019-2020 Lavaca Cheerleaders are selling advertisements for the 2019 Lavaca football programs. You can purchase business card, ¼ page, ½ page, ¾ page, or full page ads. They will be providing both business ads and personal ads. Each cheerleader is required to sell a minimum of $500 in ads to cover camp and stunt clinic costs, shoes, replacement uniforms/Pom-Poms, and other equipment that they need. The first deadline is May 22nd (for the first $250). The second deadline is July 10th (When the remaining balance is due). Listed below is a list of the 2019-2020 cheerleaders. Please reach out to any of them to make your purchase. This is a great way to support the defending State Champion cheer squad, as well as wish your student-athlete or band member a great season, or promote your business.

Junior Arrow Cheer Squad:
Kaileigh Whitson. Captain. (Senior High Competition team)
Shaylee Wingfield. Captain
Julia Owen
Snyder Williams
Alana Mendez
Cailyn Smith
Piper Brown
Taelor Kendrick
Emileigh Vaughn
Sophie Harrison
Shaylee Leech

High School squad:
Allie Colclasure. Captain
Payton McMahan. Captain
John Stoll. Captain
Taylor Lile
Hannah Hutchins
Reshia Sparkman
Ali Simpson
Ashley Sawyer
Loralai Kremers
Kamrem Cross
Andrew White
Kaile Burnett
Lindsey Morgan
Selena Shelly
Brice Hobbs
Rylie Green
Mark Miller
Aaron White

Hackett’s Hester: A Mentor For The Books

Sports

Megan Hecox

-

9:25 am

0

Hackett’s Hester: A Mentor For The Books

The first thing I noticed when meeting Coach Lonnie Hester almost a year ago, was his light up a room smile. I had just started sports writing and Lonnie was one of the first coaches I started working with. Although I knew about football and other sports, this new career I had chosen was still kind of scary to me. No matter the time or day, anytime I had a question or needed a quote for an article, he was always there front and center with that big ole’ smile on his face, ready to help.

When news broke that Lonnie Hester would be stepping down as Head Football Coach for the Hackett Hornets, my heart broke a little. Not only because he was moving from the field to the stands but because I was going to be losing one of my favorite football co-workers.

I knew when I started writing this article, I didn’t want to do some ho-hum story loaded with Hester stats and zero personality. You could find that information anywhere. I wanted to zoom in on the real Lonnie Hester. Not only the coach but the father, son, friend, and confidant. Most people just see what’s on the football field. But what happens when the games over? What happens the other six days of the week?

When it comes to his players, Coach Hester, on one hand, would be stern and direct when trying to get his point across but then turn around, wrap his arm around you and tell you good job. For many of his players, he was that extra father figure that they looked up to and respected. “Coach Hester and I used to clash a little bit but he was a great coach,” says Hornet player Layne Dennis. “He knew how to lead a team and take charge. I liked his passion for coaching and how he pushed all of us to be our very best. He was tough on us but that’s why he always had great seasons. I won’t forget the last game we played and he told us how proud he was of us and told us if we ever needed anything that we could call him and he’d be there to help us.”

One thing is for sure. Whoever follows in Coach Hesters footsteps is going to have some big shoes to fill. Blayde Chappell, another Hester Hornet player, said this about his coach, “Coach was only hard on us about 98% of the time. But he made us who we are and is always there for us if we need him.” The only thing keeping many of us from having a complete sobbing like a baby meltdown is the fact that we are not losing Hester forever. He is just moving on up in the world, taking a position as Assistant Principal and Athletics Director.

So Coach Hester, from your entire fan club, Thank You!!! Thank you for always taking the time to be there. Thank you for your constant and consistent support. Thank you for your gentle soul and being able to pick us up when we’ve fallen down. Thank you for never judging and always encouraging. Thank you for the blood, sweat, and tears that you selflessly put into the game. Thank you for never doubting. And thank you for being a fearless leader, even when you wanted to break down yourself.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK