What's Happening in Henderson County

( Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy ) This week, Coach Poteete shares insights from the early practices, highlighting the team's preparation and key position battles as they head into the season. Michael and the Coach discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by the transfer portal and how it has impacted the team's roster compos...

( Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy ) Hornet Podcast with Michael V. Hannigan and Athens Football Coach Zac Harrell. -- This week, Michael sits down with Coach Harrell to talk about the recent maroon and white scrimmage and the upcoming scrimmage against Fairfield. Coach Harrell shares his insights on what he saw from the team during the...

( Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy ) By Michael V. Hannigan Summer's over and now the real work begins. The Athens Hornets are set to launch their 2024 football season on Monday, building off a summer of sweat. "We're ready to go on Monday," said Coach Zac Harrell, "and we're fired up about the group we have." The Hornets saw a strong tu...

( Podcast sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy ) By Michael V. Hannigan Imagine a football program where kids not only learn to pass and catch, but also grow in character and faith. Well, there's no need to imagine. Athens Upward Flag Football is now accepting registration through July 31. "Athletics is an area that gives us a great conduit to te...

By Michael V. Hannigan | Photos by Codi Smiley ARLINGTON -- The Malakoff Tigers are undefeated State Champions after beating the Franklin Lions Thursday afternoon, 14-7. "It wasn't the prettiest game, but it turned out to be beautiful," said Malakoff Head Coach Jamie Driskell. "Our kids are unreal as far as their grit, their toughness. We all know they are good players, but they dig deep." ( Post...

(This interview was recorded on Tuesday, Dec. 12, with Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The Tigers have been working for this moment since last season ended. The Malakoff Tigers (15-0) will face the Franklin Lions (14-1) at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at AT&T Stadium in the Class 3A D1 Championship Game. "We feel a great sense of accomplishment," said Malakoff Coach Jamie Drisk...

( Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy , GILBERT ELECTRIC ) By Michael V. Hannigan FRISCO -- Big plays by the defense and special teams powered Malakoff past Brock Thursday night, 38-31, earning the Tigers a chance to play for the state title next week against Franklin. The biggest play came with the score tied 31-31 and under two minutes le...

(This interview was recorded on Tuesday, Dec. 5, with Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan It's down to the Final Four in Class 3A, Division 1. There's only Malakoff, Brock, Franklin, and Edna left. Thursday night, Malakoff will face Brock for the opportunity to play in the State Championship. As you would expect, it isn't going to be easy. "Brock kind of set the standard," said...

( Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title , Holt Wrecker , R&R lawn specialists , Gibson Pharmacy , GILBERT ELECTRIC ) By Michael V. Hannigan FORNEY -- The Malakoff Tigers got off to a fast start on their way to knocking off Winnsboro, 58-20, in the Class 3A, Division 1, Region 2 Championship Friday night. "We were really tough tonight," said Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell. "Our toughness was kind of...

(This interview was recorded via phone with Coach Jamie Driskell on Wednesday, Nov. 29.) By Michael V. Hannigan The next step is the hardest so far for the Malakoff Tigers. Malakoff will take on the Winnsboro Red Raiders in Forney Friday night in the Class 3A, Division 1, Region 2 Championship game. Both teams are 13-0. "They'll be the best team that we've seen by far," said Malakoff Coach Jamie D...

(This interview was recorded by phone with Coach Jamie Driskell on Tuesday, Nov. 21.) By Michael V. Hannigan Fans have been waiting for this one. Malakoff will take on Grandview at 2 p.m. Friday at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite in a Class 3A DI Regional playoff game. Malakoff comes into the game with a 12-0 record, while Grandview is 11-1. The Zebra's only loss this year came against Malakoff in...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Malakoff High School with Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan It'll be Tiger vs Tiger Friday night in Tyler. The undefeated Malakoff Tigers (11-0) will face the Mount Vernon Tigers (8-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tyler-Rose Stadium in the Area Round of the playoffs. Malakoff beat Maypearl 49-0 in bi-district action last week while Mount Vern...

(This interview was recorded Wednesday, Nov. 8, by phone with Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The Malakoff Tigers (10-0) rolled through the regular season, winning their district and earning a spot in the playoffs. But now it starts all over again. "It's been fun, and it is always good to go undefeated, but anything can happen on any given night, and we've got to be ready to play," s...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan It's deja vu all over again. The TVCC Cardinals will welcome the Navarro Bulldogs to Bruce Field at 1 p.m. in a SWJCFC Semifinal game this Saturday. One month ago, the two teams squared off at Bruce Field, with the Cardinals winning 41-24. But the game was close for three quart...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Athens ISD Field House with Coach Zac Harrell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The Athens Hornets (6-4) will travel to Nacogdoches to play the Lumberton Raiders (7-3) 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Stephen F. Austin State University in the bi-district round of the playoffs. In other words -- "Hello, postseason!" "I'm not sure I've ever been more proud of a g...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan It's Homecoming for the Cardinals! The TVCC Cardinals will host NEO for homecoming this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 12 p.m. at Bruce Field. This will be the final regular season game for the Cardinals, who have a 4-2 record in the conference. A win Saturday against th...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Athens ISD Field House with Coach Zac Harrell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The playoffs have arrived a week early for the Athens Hornets. The Hornets will travel to Palestine Friday night to face the Wildcats. Both teams have identical 2-3 district records, and the winner will advance to the bi-district round of the playoffs. For the loser, the sea...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan This weekend, the TVCC Cardinals will travel to Roswell, New Mexico, to take on the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos. After a tough loss to Kilgore last week, No. 8-ranked TVCC has a 3-2 conference record. New Mexico has a 4-2 record. "They're coached well, they're discip...

(This interview was recorded Wednesday, Oct. 26, with Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The No. 2-ranked Malakoff Tigers return to work Friday when they travel to Mexia to take on the Black Cats. Malakoff is 8-0, 4-0, and Mexia is 3-6, 3-2 and coming off two consecutive wins. "They're really athletic," said Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell. "They've got some speed and some kids that can r...

(This interview was recorded with Coach Zac Harrell on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Athens ISD Field House.) By Michael V. Hannigan It doesn't get any easier for the Athens Hornets. Athens faced then No. 5-ranked Kilgore last week, and the Hornets gave the Bulldogs a run for their money before coming up short at the end, 28-21. "We've shown that we can play with the top teams in the state," said Athen...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan This one promises to be a doozy. The No. 4-ranked TVCC Cardinals will travel to Kilgore on Saturday afternoon to take on the No. 3 Rangers in a SWJCFC game filled with playoff implications. While Kilgore is ranked higher, and the teams have identical 3-1 conference records, TV...

(The following interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Athens ISD Field House with Coach Zac Harrell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The Athens Hornets are rolling out of their week off with a 5-2 record overall and a 2-1 record in district. They are primed for a run at the playoffs as they face the final three games of the regular season. "Last year at this point, we were 2-5 and 0-3," said Coac...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan After a big road win last week against Blinn, the TVCC Cardinals have a chance to make a move up in the standings this week when they host the Navarro Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Bruce Field. Five teams in the Southwest Junior College Footba...

(This interview was recorded Wednesday, Oct. 11, with Coach Jamie Driskell.) By Michael V. Hannigan The Malakoff Tigers are undefeated at 7-0 and haven't allowed an opponent to score in their past three games. The Eustace Bulldogs are 0-6 and haven't broken double-digit scoring in their past three games. The two teams will meet on Friday in Malakoff. Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell said that Eustace...

(This interview was recorded Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the TVCC Field House with Coach Sherard Poteete.) By Michael V. Hannigan The No. 8-ranked TVCC Cardinals are ready to get back to work. The Cardinals are coming off an open week after beating Cisco College at Bruce Field, 37-3. This week, they go on the road to face Blinn on Saturday night in Brenham. The Blinn Buccaneers are 2-3 on the year, with a...