Sports

BRECKENRIDGE – A solid start by Jacksboro was more than countered by Breckenridge’s volleyball team Friday afternoon as the Lady Bucks posted a 15-25, 25-15, 25-12, 25-20 win here.

The young Tigerettes, who had a very rough non-district campaign, looked to turn it around quickly. A four-point Brailyn Tullous string, with help from a pair of Rylee Mathis kills, put the visitors up 7-2 in the opener and forced a Breckenridge timeout. Zena Ragle rolled off three straight to get within 8-9.

The Buckaroos saved their best for last and it was not enough. After a fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime, the Buckaroos fell 28-27 in overtime to the Cisco Loboes.

Breckenridge was held without a score in the first quarter as they trailed 6-0. Cisco scored on a 3-yard run in the opening quarter by Hunter Long, his first of three in the game.

The Breckenridge Buckaroos’ Homecoming took a sudden turn last week when just under 36 hours from kickoff, the Ballinger Bearcats, their scheduled homecoming opponent, canceled due to COVID-19. The athletic department scrambled and found the Bells Panthers was looking for an opponent after their week two opponent had canceled and Homecoming 2021 was back on.

Festivities resumed as normal with the pep rally Friday morning and the annual pre-game Homecoming Court announcement. Defensive back Julian Eutimio and Samantha Smalley were named Homecoming King and Queen before the game.

From the kickoff in the season-opening game last Friday, the Breckenridge Buckaroos led and never looked back against the Jacksboro Tigers for a 49-28 win at home.

The Bucks won the toss and Anson Rodgers took the opening kickoff for a 79-yard jaunt in for a Buckaroo touchdown. Then, first-year starting quarterback, Chase Lehr, passed the successful two-point conversion to Zeke Castillo, putting the Bucks ahead, 8-0, with 11:47 remaining in the first quarter.

The Breckenridge Buckaroos went up against the 4A Vernon Lions at Buckaroo Stadium for the first scrimmage of the 2021 season. If the doubters were at the scrimmage Friday afternoon, their qualms were answered.

Varsity quickly quieted all skeptics as the Bucks scored easily against the Lions, including a broken field run by the new quarterback, Chase Lehr. The defensive and offensive lines appeared to be much better equipped and more eager to tackle. They hustled against the Lions and quickly shut them down, never allowing them near the end zone.

Coach Paula Taylor, a native from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who has over 20 years of volleyball experience, is entering her first year at Breckenridge High School.

In the US, Taylor attended the University of Texas at Brownsville where she was part of the 2011 National Championship team and earned a degree in Spanish Translation and Interpreting. She started her professional coaching career at Langston University, where she acquired a master’s degree in Bilingual and Multicultural Education.

The Bucks 7on7 team had a flawless record Saturday, June 5 in the Brownwood qualifier.

Starting with a close game against Lake Belton, the Bucks were able to pull out a win, 22-20. They beat Harper next, 26-12. The team then took on Brownwood and won, 33-13.

On Monday, June 7, the Bucks beat Haskell, 42-7, and then won against Clyde, 31-7.

The Bucks also played Saturday, June 12, in the Jim Ned qualifier. They started with a win against Ponder, 42-12. They beat San Angelo next, 42-13. Then, the Bucks took on Jim Ned and beat them, 30-12.

District 7-3A honors were released for both the 2021 Breckenridge Buckaroo baseball and Lady Buckaroo softball teams.

For the first time since 1999, the Buckaroo 7on7 team has advanced to the state tournament.

On Saturday, May 15, the team went 3-0 in Pool A by defeating Bridgeport (39-25), Graham (28-13) and Peaster (33-20).

The Bucks went on to beat Dumas, who was the Pool B winner, (26-0) setting their record at 4-0 for the day.

The 7on7 team is coached by Head Coach, Shaun Lehr, and Assistant Coaches, Andy Rodgers and Jimmy Cantrell.

The Breckenridge Athletic and Fine Arts Center was full of athletes from 7th grade to seniors and many of their parents, as well. The main floor had all the coaches and their families, along with Breckenridge ISD board members.

Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Casey Pearce introduced his coaching staff and the wives and family members present. A new tradition was set by Coach Pearce, who handed out flowers to all the coaches’ wives, recognizing them for the many hours spent at home while their coaching spouse is doing his job with the athletes.