10 Observations from Malakoff’s 22-20 loss to Kemp

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By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

MALAKOFF — The Kemp Yellowjackets kept their district record perfect Friday night, beating the Malakoff Tigers 22-20 to end the regular season.

The key play came with less than two minutes left when, with the score tied 20-20 and Malakoff lining up for an extra point to take its first lead of the game, a Kemp player leaped over the Malakoff line to block the kick. The ball was tracked down by Yellowjacket Jaise Bowie and returned 78 yards for a Kemp 2-point conversion.

It was a game of big plays, big penalties, injuries, shifting momentum and an unmistakable undertone of animosity.

As always, here are my 10 Observations and Game Balls.

File photo

— Let’s deal with the blocked extra point right up front. The Malakoff sideline and stands were upset a flag wasn’t thrown for a Kemp player leaping over the Tiger center. I spoke briefly with the referee after the game and he said the Kemp player jumped through a gap in the line and that is legal, so that is why there was no flag. Either way, you have to give credit to Yellowjacket Jaise Bowie for making a big play when it looked like Malakoff was going to complete a most improbable comeback.

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We’re gearing up for the McDonald’s Toy Drive

It is time for the annual Kevin and Jeaneane Lilly’s McDonald’s Toy Drive and the Weinstein Team is on board again. We will be helping out with big events in Athens on Dec. 4 and Gun Barrel City on Dec. 5. In today’s podcast, I chat with Berta Winn and Cori Warren about what’s on the schedule.

Berta Winn and Kevin Lilly are pictured with ladies from Central Elementary School at the 2017 Toy Drive.

AISD says follow our read

Central Athens Elementary Principal Shannon Pursley reads to students as part of a new book club initiative across all three elementary campuses called Athens Reads Together. All pre-k through fifth-grade students were given the same book, which was read aloud at school for the first few chapters. Parents were provided with a schedule to finish the book at home with their child during the first half of November. (Deidre Pool/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

Athens ISD has been hard at work getting all its elementary students on the same page — literally.

In late October, pre-K students at all three elementary campuses — Bel Air, Central Athens and South Athens — participated in the 13th annual Read for the Record event, which included each child receiving their very own copy of the illustrated storybook, “Maybe Something Beautiful.”

“It was a great opportunity for us to be able to share the value of literacy in our community,” said South Athens Elementary Principal Claudia Stiles.

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Lady Cards headed to nationals

A season that appeared over has become a historic one for the Lady Cardinals.

They are headed to the national tournament for the first time in school history. The tournament is scheduled Nov. 15-17 in Hutchinson, KS.

Coach Tosha Spain’s squad, which is 25-6 on the year, drew a No. 9 seed and will play No. 8 Mineral Area (27-3) at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15. The winner advances to face the winner between No. 1 Miami Dade and No. 16 Monroe at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Athens receives Texas Downtown Association Award for The Texan

Press release

On Wednesday, November 7, at the annual Texas Downtown Association Conference in Corpus Christi, the City of Athens received the award for “Best Renovation/Rehabilitation/Restoration” for The Texan: A Landmark Venue in the competitive Texas Downtown Association’s President’s Award program for its impact to downtown revitalization and development efforts for the City of Athens.

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