The Henderson News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 78, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 16, 2018 Page: 5 of 12
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SPORTS
HENDERSON NEWS
Sunday, December 16, 2018 PAGE 5
Castles celebrates another successful season
Lions fall behind
Lufkin-Hudson
“If you go deep into the playoffs, almost
It’s a simple truth, but that doesn’t Kourtland Jackson who may not have
at any time. But then they come in and we different roles in different
These weren’t the only seniors, of
the Bulldogs in a bitterly cold regional over the Crandall Pirates in the first
k.
411
f
—
1
a
I
we’ve won 49 games which is the most in quiet. He never says a word unless he’s
that have been built from player to player opportunity to play on some Saturdays
FROM STAFF REPORTS
occasionally split duties at the quarterback
<1
their second game as a unit
62-44 to the Hudson Hornets.
a three-point lead and held it
into the second quarter with
13-10 on the boards.
The Hornets extended their
As competitive as the first
half was, though, the Lions just
BY ANDREW BURNES
THE HENDERSON NEWS
BY ANDREW BURNES
THE HENDERSON NEWS
L '
J
gram.”
Eckert has served as head
coach at KC since 2007, com-
piling a record of 67-49 with
4
I
of criticism. But Castles counters that
criticism with some interesting statistics.
“They won three
this year,” Castles said.
on/
—
I
KC head coach takes job
at Northeastern State
whether they won or lost. That chemistry threw a deep ball,
shined through in several aspects of
Henderson’s offense throughout the year.
“Every game is experience and the
more experience the better,” Castles said.
“I tell the kids all the time if you want
leadership. A lot of those running backs
split time, but they were unselfish and had said. “The doctor looked at his knee and
great attitudes.” came back shaking his head saying he’s
Castles spent time reflecting on through for the year.”
every team ends it in a loss,” Henderson several of the key seniors that has formed
and losing kiddos, can you keep your he tore both his ACL and MCL in his knee door is never closed. You’re never not a
team together? I was most proud of the early in the season. Henderson Lion.”
Ur
accomplishment. Championships don’t thought was their best. He always stepped
come cheap. It’s not an individual trophy, up and did a good job.”
It’s a team trophy. And those are the best
ones.
L1NS
00
” Hernan Hernandez, Trey Polk, Datavius
Another key player for the Lions was Hamilton, Salvador Bazaldua, Christian
kicker Axel Romero, who Castles called on Kind, Chris Hubbard, CJ Conrad, Bruce
It doesn’t make it any easier that for the majority of the Lions’extra point Mack, Cameron Castles, Mekhi Whitehead
the team’s postseason loss to Carthage attempts and all of the team’s field goals, and Jay Barnett all suited up with the
mirrored last year’s outcome where the Throughout the season, Romero rarely Lions each game and filled a number of
Lions were shut out at the same point by missed and was a key part of their success roles.
the Lions also heard no small amount conversions as a receiver in the post. got to experience 14 games this year when
“He had a fantastic year,” Castles said, there’s only 10 that are guaranteed. In the
‘He played a really good defensive back last few years, we’ve played a lot of extra
championships and probably turned into our best cover playoff games and gotten a lot of valuable
‘That’s a huge guy. We usually put him on whoever we experience for those kids.”
“He was told he was through,” Castles
E'
He likes playing with his partners.”
“They don’t realize, there are men that All season, Castles has been and getting better for the next season.’
couldn’t tell you what they ate for lunch complimentary toward DeLeon who
yesterday,” Castles said. “]
NPr'l 4
[ Many of the team’s younger players
.” got more playtime this year than they
Keive Rose was another big defensive normally would have due to the number of
force for the Lions regularly making injuries the older players combatted. Some
‘Coming into this year, they were a key tackles, but according to Castles his filled positions they normally wouldn’t
part of a four-year period where they won biggest contribution may have been the or played at a high level that wouldn’t
more games than any other team in school leadership he brought to the whole locker normally be expected of them until their
history. Forty games won in four years.
Well at the end of this year, after five
room. junior or even senior year. Castles expects
“Keive is probably the inspirational the strengths that developed from that
years, they did it again. After five years, leader of our team,” Castles said. “He’s unpredictability to pay off down the line.
He was wrong. Alexander came back
head coach Phil Castles says matter-of- the backbone of his team over the last with a vengeance in the late regular
factly from across his desk just a few several years, many of whom he hopes season and was a major offensive force
days removed from the Lions’ 28-7 state will continue to play throughout their for the Lions averaging over 20 yards per
quarterfinal loss to the Carthage Bulldogs, collegiate years. One of these players was carry in multiple games.
Staff photo by Greg Gooding
Caleb Medford takes an early shot in his second
basketball game of the season. He finished the night
with nine points and four rebounds.
Staff Photo by Greg Gooding
Seniors Keive Rose and Ke’untaye Dunham lead the pack into Lions
part of something for that long, Stadium for the last time as the Lions take the field on senior night.
t “Not all of these kids played a bunch,”
championship game. But even though playoff game with three 40-plus yard field Castles said. “Some played very little. And
things didn’t end how the Lions had hoped,
Castles has no shortage of compliments
for a team that far outworked their initial
prospects.
“We want to focus on the things that I’m
proud of them for,” Castles said. “There
are so many kids that start off playing
football, but the demands of the game
mean most can’t stay with it. It takes a
special type of kid to be able to play here.”
Throughout the season, Castles has
been particularly complimentary of this
year’s crop of seniors. Not only did they
go deep in the playoffs despite losing four
of their ten regular season games, Castles
has a particular connection with them
since his son Cameron counts himself
among their numbers.
“I know those kids really well because
I followed them,” Castles said. “What a
pleasure it has been to watch those kids
be little, tiny seventh graders and play
football and then go all the way up to
seniors now. It’s been unbelievable.”
Many of the team’s seniors did play
together from middle school onward.
Some even played together longer than
that as a part of Henderson’s peewee
program. Castles notes that when you
are a 1
especially as young men, the end of the
It’s a simple truth, but that doesn’t Kourtland Jackson who may not have “It was like he was on fire,” Castles
make it any less disappointing for Castles been Henderson’s flashiest player, but was said. “He was so glad to have a second
and his team that found so much success <
over the course of the 2018 season.
“It puts a bad taste in your mouth,’
_ > “The bar continues to raise,
and even from staff member to player are next year. But he doesn’t like the limelight. Expectations are always high. Our kids
his teams most important achievements.
‘They don’t realize, there are men that
da Kays said. “The KC Board
of Trustees and administration
Kilgore College head foot- thank J.J. Eckert for his lead-
ball coach J.J. Eckert has ership and commitment to KC
accepted an offer to become and the Rangers football pro-
the next head football coach at
Northeastern State University
in Tahlequah, Okla.
The NSU RiverHawks com-
pete at the NCAA Division II five bowl appearances (2007,
level as a member of the Mid- 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2018) and
America Intercollegiate Athlet- SWJCFC championships in
ics Association (MIAA). 2015 and 2018.
NSU is expected to officially He was also the offensive
announce Eckert’s hiring later coordinator for the Rangers
this week. from 2001-04 where he was
“In order to ensure support a part of KC’s 2001 and 2004
for KC’s student athletes and in SWJCFC Championship teams,
light of the end of the semester Prior to serving as head
that occurs this week, assis- coach at KC, Eckert was head
tant coach Willie Gooden has coach at Garden City Commu-
agreed to serve as interim head nity College (Kansas) for the
coach,” KC president Dr. Bren- 2005 and 2006 seasons.
know that and they don’t mind working
Even as he says goodbye to a strong
Tut they can played as the backup quarterback for group of seniors and prepares to buckle
describe" every play of the last bailgame Caleb Medford in the team’s opening game down in the months ahead in preparation
they played in and tell you all of their against Whitehouse before taking over the for yet another season of football in East
teammates. And as they get older, they’ll position from the second game onward. Texas, Castles thinks it’s important to
realize how special it was to be a part of Like many members of the team, he remember the contributions that the
this team.” battled injuries all year, but only allowed players that have played under him and
According to Castles, his team couldn’t himself to miss a single game, despite graduated, and even the players that
have been more supportive of each other the regular pain he endured each time he played for the team in the years prior to
> “They learned that they’re just one play
school history?And those kids were a part breaking the team out. He gets them all away from playing,” Castles said. “We had
of that.” together before and after the games and a lot of kids that had to step into roles all
But despite their many accolades, the kids all love him. He’s got some offers of a sudden. So I think it was good for our
Castles contends that the relationships from some colleges and will have the young kids.
But despite all of the time Castles
and the Lions are spending celebrating
not just last year, but for four years, seven “What a great year he had,” Castles the efforts of the seniors and the year’s
years counting junior high, and summers, said. “We had some issues on all those accomplishments, they are also already
seven-on-seven workouts, and all of a things that factor into a kick. There’s looking ahead toward the horizon. Many
sudden they’re seniors, it’s the end of a snapping issues, there’s protection issues, key players including Kevin Fields, Caleb
way of life,” Castles said. “The reality of there’s holding issues. You’ve got to have Medford, Pedro Garza, Jy Fuller and Eli
that hasn’t hit them yet. So because of all three of those things before you even Jones will be returning to the fold next
that, it’s important to have that closure get to kick. The neat thing about him is year and Castles is confident that with
time.” he never turned on anybody. He never the experience they gained this year, the
One of the biggest factors working blamed others or came off with an excuse, future is bright.
senior season isn’t just the end of a year of goals in a game that was decided by just yet, they played a huge part of our team,
football. It’s the end of a particular way of seven points. But even when he did have They had a role. And for those kids, the
life they have come to know and used to trouble like in Henderson’s postseason character that they formed over the last
define themselves. game against Van that saw him miss two four years is huge.”
“When you couple the work that these extra points, Castles had nothing but
kids have had to put in, not just this year, praise for his demeanor.
notjustlastyear, but for four years, seven “T‘”
a consistent go-to guy for DeLeon with chance. He wanted to make the most of
multiple catches in most games. it and he played so hard. But he’s super
“Kourtland is one of those unselfish quiet. Super humble. Just a likable kid.
Castles said. “You’re not happy about a loss kids,” Castles said. “He ended up playing What a great senior year he had.”
at any time. But then they come in and we different roles in different games. r"’ \ ’
talk to them about the positive parts of the Sometimes starting, sometimes not. But course. Will Gonzalez, Bryce McMurtray,
season. It’s really the last meeting you’ll he always had a good attitude.” Hernan Hernandez, Trey Polk, Datavius
have as the 2018 Lions football team. It’s
kind of bittersweet for us.”
“The neat thing is, our kids come back,”
role in a number of close" victories for the Alexander scored the Lions’ first Castles said. “If you graduate from here
Lions, particularly in the postseason. touchdown of the season when he fielded as a football player, then I’m willing to
“Everybody’s got great team chemistry a kickoff and ran the ball 90-plus yards give you a sideline pass. I want them to
when you’re winning,” Castles said. “But into the Whitehouse end zone. But his know all the generations that came before
as soon as you start losing some ballgames senior season hit a major roadblock when them and got us to where we are. The
and losing kiddos, can you keep your
The new Henderson Lion
basketball varsity lineup was lead gradually over the course of
still going through some grow- the second quarter with Rhodes
ing pains Friday as they lost regularly knocking 2-point-
ers early. The Lions answered
with an early bucket from Kind
The Hornets lack a football and a 3-pointer from Washing-
program and have been working ton. The Lions cut Hudson’s
with their team since August. 14-point lead down to seven in
Meanwhile, the Henderson var- the second half of the quarter
sity team was just changed dras- with Washington’s three, anoth-
tically this week with the influx er 2-pointer from Washington,
of a number of players from the and a buzzer-beater from Kevin
football team. That difference Fields heading into the second
in cohesion and polish showed half 28-21.
in the Lions’ clash with the Hor-
nets, particularly on defense.
Despite this, the Lions did couldn’t keep up with the Hor-
a good job of sharing the rock nets in the third quarter. Hud-
on offense with five players son outscored the Lions 19-8 in
netting more than five points the third relying on a fast pace
each. Caleb Medford and Jy and good passing. Caleb Med-
Fuller were the Lions’ leading ford, Kind, Fuller and Wash-
scorers with nine points each, ington all scored a single bucket
They were closely followed by in the quarter to give the Lions
Kamden Medford and Christian their eight points, but they were
Kind who each had eight points behind 47-29 by the fourth
and Markell Washington who quarter.
had seven. The Lions finished strong
The game was competi- on offense in the fourth, add-
tive from the start with both ing 15 points to their total, but
teams trading shots and playing were unable to prevent the Hor-
strong defense. Hudson got off nets from doing the same. They
to the early lead with a duo of added 15 points as well, hold-
buckets, but the Lions tied it ing onto their 18-point lead and
up with a 2-pointer from Caleb taking the win 62-44.
Medford and two more points Kamden Medford had a
added from Medford from free strong showing in the fourth,
throws. The Lions took a slight scoring six of his eight points,
lead following this when Kind and was joined by Kevin Fields
connected with a shot, but the who scored all of his four points
Hornets tied it up again with during the same period.
two free throws from Teraven The Lions will look to
Rhodes. rebound next week as they take
The teams continued to trade on Longview on Tuesday and
a one-point lead until late in the begin district play against Gilm-
quarter when the Hornets took er on Friday.
against the Lions all year was the Not one time in any of his misses. He’s
unprecedented number of injuries they super unselfish. And I would say that
racked up, particularly in the early part would typify the whole senior bunch.”
of the season, as they took on a tough Ke’untaye Dunham, who regularly to get faster, you run. If you want to get
group of pre-district opponents. And with played on both sides of the ball, had a great stronger, you’ve got to lift weights. If you
the losses against Whitehouse, Pleasant year as well. He filled in for Alexander want to get better at a video game, you’ve
Grove, and particularly Carthage and fielding kicks in special teams during the got to play it all the time. There’s no
Van in the regular season, Castles and mid-season and made some first down substitute for experience. And those guys
Castles’ involvement, have made. Castles
“He was unbelievable,” Castles said, says the invitation is always open for them
“His shoulder kept popping out when he to return to the fold and celebrate what he
When injuries forced different players into threw the ball. If he threw the ball hard hopes will be the continued success of the
different roles, suddenly the team found and straight, it sublexed inside. Then he Henderson Lion football program. Many
themselves with multiple running backs had an AC sprain on top of that, all on his previous players took Castles up on that
and a slew of weathered receivers. Even throwing arm. Normal kids probably don’t offer during the 2018 season, cheering on
Sevastian DeLeon and Caleb Medford play with that. But he’s an abnormal kid.” the current team from the sidelines and
occasionally split duties at the quarterback But nobody bounced back from even attending practices,
position. This cohesion played a notable injuries this year like Keshoyn Alexander.
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Moore, Dan & Griffin, Ashton. The Henderson News (Henderson, Tex.), Vol. 89, No. 78, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 16, 2018, newspaper, December 16, 2018; Henderson, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1236977/m1/5/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rusk County Library.