By Allen Hamrick
The Mustang football team had a tough, tough time Thursday night against the visiting Braxton Knights. It looked as though the Mustangs and the Knights were pretty evenly matched except for the Knights running back that was big, fast and could run with the Mustang line on his back. A bewildered bunch of fans watched as the Mustang defense allowed 26 points for the Knights in the first half. The first half had everything from nail biting drama to jaw dropping let down. The only score the Mustang offense could muster was a great run by Collin Elliot and eventual TD in the opening kickoff. After that, it was all Knights as they seemed to have a picnic at the end zone on every set of downs. Mustang offense just had a difficult time on the field as the line seemed to cave under Knight pressure, forcing QB John Paxton to scramble much of the first half. Then half time came and went and something happened in the Mustang defense. They either ate a big can of Whip Butt and Beans or just decided they were tired of getting run over by the Knight offense.
The Knights got the ball in the 2nd half and never saw the end zone again as the Mustang defense put the man pants on and stopped any offense the Knights mustered. Unfortunately, the offense was still having their problems with the Knight defense but was able to score another TD on a Caleb Robinson run. However, it was too late as the game ran out of time and the Knights won 26-14 giving the Mustangs their first loss of the season. Chances are the Mustangs will see them again before the season is over. With just two games left in the season against Richwood at home on Thursday and at Calhoun next Thursday, there is a chance these two teams will see each other in the CWVAC Championship game, just a chance but only time will tell. Come out and support the Mustangs in their last of the season games.
Half time was also the time to announce the 2024 Football Homecoming Queen of CCMS. The cheerleaders lined up in formation to welcome the new queen to the field. Nobody knew who it would be as the announcement is hush-hush affair. The 6th, 7th and 8th grade princesses, along with their escorts, strolled onto the field as each was announced. Once they were all lined up on the field, it was time to announce the new 2024 CCMS Homecoming Football queen.
As the field went silent, the announcer called out Miss Roxie Schoolcraft as the new 2024 CCMS Homecoming Football Queen. Queen Schoolcraft graciously accepted the crown as CCMS principal Leslie Goe placed it on her head. She was escorted Jackson Stricker. The newly crowned queen of CCMS will no doubt wear their crown well and represent the school with pride. Congratulations to the new Queen and her court. The homecoming court included 6th grade princess Brooklyn Johnston, escorted by Peyton Rogers, and princess Sydney Cadle escorted by Bricen Nichols. Seventh grade princess Kourtney Murphy was escorted by Trenton Parker, princess Layla Stewart was escorted by Nathan Hall, and princess Kinley Ramsey was escorted by Ryder McMillion. Eighth grade princess Hannah Gandee was escorted by Jacob Vance, princess Madalynn Schoonover was escorted by Briar Dorsey and princess Gracie Cottrell was escorted by Logan Adkins. They all represented the school and families very well. Once again, congratulations to the queen and her court.
CUTLINES:
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Pic2- Briar Dorsey drags the runner down in open field.
Pic3- Collin Elliot gets the first TD.
Lady Panthers hold senior night
By Allen Hamrick
It was senior night for the Lady Panthers as they hosted a tri match between Capitol High and Buffalo this past week. The team said farewell to three of the best that has hit the floor behind the net. Rylee Burkhamer, Madison Morton and McKenzie Edwards will be some tough shoes to fill – Rylee, with her mind blowing kill shots, Madison with her pin point setting and McKenzie with her saves. This team will definitely miss their skills. It will be a sad farewell but the three will have a great future ahead of them in whatever they choose to do. Not only the team, but CCHS will take the hit as well. I have followed these ladies since middle school and they are the cream of the crop in attitude and skill as volleyball greats. On senior night, however, the Ladies, full of emotion, did not fair too well against Capitol High and Buffalo. The first game of the set was one of those games a player has nightmares about.
The Lady Panthers couldn’t seem to get a good offense going and was pounded by Buffalo as they went 0 and 2 against the Lady Bison. Up next was Capitol, and the Lady Panthers played a better game, but in the end it was too much of an emotional evening to get the team’s focus on the games. The Lady Panthers lost the set and match. The Lady Panthers will be on the road the rest of the season; their next matchup will be at Greenbrier West on Tuesday and Hoover on the 12th. The season is winding down with just six games left in regular season. Once again, thumbs up to the seniors for giving the fans their money’s worth every time you took the floor. You will be missed, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. Come out and support them as they try and get back on the winning track to the state competition.
In other volleyball news, the CCMS Lady Mustangs have been on the warpath winning their last matches and 10 out of 11 games. Braxton was the latest to run into the Lady Mustang juggernaut. Anytime the Lady Mustangs play Braxton, it will always be a wild and tough game. Varsity came out pumped up, fans seemed to come alive and the decibel levels went into eardrum bursting excitement. Varsity did not disappoint the fans at all; they played as a team bent on taking on anybody and taking them down. They defeated Braxton in two straight games. They then travelled to Valley and proceeded to stomp tem into the maple. If they continue to play like this then the championship trophy is as good as theirs. The Lady Mustangs have nine more regular season games before the CWVAC tournament. Go Lady Mustangs!