Malakoff rides defense to 21-10 win over Spring Hill

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By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

MALAKOFF — The Malakoff Tigers have shown that they can win by lighting up the scoreboard, but Friday night they showed they can also win on grit.

The Tigers (3-1) toughed out a 21-10 homecoming win over Spring Hill (2-3) by leaning on its defense and getting just enough plays from its short-handed offense.

Except for a single breakdown in the fourth quarter when Spring Hill connected on a 63-yard touchdown pass, the Tigers defense shut down the Panthers. Malakoff held Spring Hill to just three first downs in the first half and just eight overall.

According to my unofficial stats, the Tigers held Spring Hill to under 200 yards of total offense. Half the Panthers’ yards came on three pass plays of 63, 23, and 15 in the fourth quarter.

The Malakoff defensive front seven has been stout all year and it was no different in this game. The Tigers came up with three sacks on the night, including a huge one by Caleb Adams late in the fourth quarter with Malakoff nursing a four-point lead.

Offensively, young players stepped up for the Tigers. Malakoff was led by sophomore quarterback Darion Peace, who rushed 22 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns of 7 and 30 yards, plus added a 43-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Nathan Jones.

Jones had five catches for 59 yards on the night. Peace could have had better stats throwing, but the Tiger receivers struggled with drops Friday.

The other workhorse for the Tigers Friday was junior running back Keevie Rose, who carried 16 times for 121 yards.

Freshman Duce Hart pitched in with 24 yards on seven carries.

Malakoff will have next Friday night off before getting back to work Friday, Oct. 12, on the road at Dallas Life Oak Cliff.

Obituary: Billie Turner

Funeral Services for Billie Turner of Athens are scheduled for 3:00 P.M. Sunday, September 30, 2018 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens with Bro. Charles Parker officiating. Interment will follow at Blackjack Cemetery.

Billie passed away on September 24, 2018 in Athens at the age of 43.

Billie Darlene Turner was born May 20, 1975 in Dallas to Frankie Lee Turner and Gail Darlene Barnes Turner. She was a member of the Central Baptist Church. On her free time, she enjoyed playing games and spending time with her family. She was a diehard football fan who loved her Cowboys. She truly did love everyone and took on all she knew as family. She will be missed by all who got to know her.

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City of Athens to increase citizen collection station fees

Press release

On Monday, September 10, the City Council of the City of Athens voted to change the Citizen Collection Station fees charged by the City, effective October 1, 2018.

“While the costs to operate the collection station have increased annually, the fees for residents to dispose of their waste at the station have not changed in over 20 years,” said Interim Director of Development Services Ryan Adams. “Our goal in adjusting the fees is to have a greater cost recovery for the station by those who use it so that less of the cost burden of its operation is put on the taxpayers.”

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Chainsaws, illusions and magic; Oh, my: AMS brings national talent to benefit show

Shel Higgens

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

Shel Higgens likes apples. He likes them sliced. With a chainsaw. While holding the apple. In. His. Mouth.

Not surprisingly, this is a real showstopper for folks who attend the stuntman’s self-billed “dangerously entertaining” show. And if watching entertainment through your fingers isn’t enough to entice you, how about magic? Dallas Magic Club’s “Magician of the Year” Brent Fisher and three-time Texas Association of Magicians Champion Oscar Munoz are teaming with Higgens for a night of comedy, stunts, magic and illusions benefiting Athens Middle School.

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Obituary: Isaac Nelson Miller, Jr.

Isaac Nelson Miller Jr. “Ike” passed away on September 24, 2018 in Kaufman, Texas at the age of 93.

He was born April 21, 1925 in Henderson County, Texas to the late Isaac Nelson Miller and the late Jessie Pearl Montgomery. He was the youngest of 9 siblings. He was married to Vema Ray Miller of Henderson County for 76 years until her death in 2017. Together they made their home in Seagoville, Texas where they raised 3 sons.

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