Category Archives: Sports

Eagles Soccer Team Breaking School Records

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Andy Verke

From the opening whistle, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Eagles soccer team applied the pressure against Dallas Christian College, scoring four goals in the first 12 minutes. The Eagles scoring fest would not stop there. They went on to score 5 more goals in the first half and 2 more in the second half, making the final score 11-0.

Emilee Bybee (FR) opened the floodgates in the 8th minute by finding the back of the net off a cross by Samantha Sharpnack-Isom (SO). Bybee would do the same one minute later for her second goal of the game. Sharpnack-Isom also scored in the 10th minute off a cross by Bybee. Michelle Lee (FR) joined in on the scoring spree in the 12th minute.

Jena Arreola (SR) striked the ball by goalkeeper Aliyah Revely (JR) on an assist by Sharpnack-Isom giving them a 6-0 lead.

Arika Elliot (SO) would find the back of the net twice within 5 minutes, making the score 8-0 in the 23rd minute.

In the 39th minute, Sharpnack-Isom beat the goalkeeper on a one-on-one situation for her 3rd goal of the game, giving her an unprecedented hat trick.

In the second half, Alyssa Ybarra (FR) took the corner kick and curved it in the goal without it being touched, pushing the score to 10-0.

Alyssa Ybarra (FR) takes the corner kick.

Alyssa Ybarra (FR) takes the corner kick.

In the 86th minute, Maria Gonzalez (FR) dribbled past the keeper after she fell down and tapped into the goal, ending the scoring fest at 11-0.

Maria Gonzalez (FR) goes up for a header.

Maria Gonzalez (FR) goes up for a header.

Alyssa Ybarra and Maria Gonzalez each recorded their first goal as an Eagle.

The TAMUT Eagles broke a school record for most goals scored in a half (9). The Eagles tied a school record for most goals scored in a game (11).

The Eagles soccer team will be back in action on Tuesday, Oct. 13th at 5 p.m. as they host Paul Quinn College.

Bittersweet Moments for Cowboys

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Dez Bryant and Tony Romo out for a couple weeks due to injuries.

Dez Bryant and Tony Romo out for a couple weeks due to injuries. 

Percy K. Davis

“And the cowboys win the game!” The Cowboys started the year off 2-0 and won their first two division games. These wins came with a devastating cost.

In the first regular season game the Cowboys hosted the Giants in Arlington, Texas. The first quarter was a defensive stand seeing how both teams only put up 3 points. The second quarter the Giants started rolling, scoring 10 points to the Cowboys 3 points.

In the second half the Cowboys came out rolling, scoring 21 points to the Giants 13. The Cowboys won in a nail biter 27-26. Although the Cowboys won the game they lost their star receiver Dez Bryant to a broken foot injury in the 4th quarter. Bryant is said to be out for 4-6 weeks.

The following week the Cowboys were set to play another division game against their rivals the Eagles. Not only are the Eagles the Cowboys’ rivals but during the off-season the Eagles picked up the Cowboys’ starting running back Demarco Murray. Murray led the NFL in rushing yards in the 2014-2015 NFL season.

The Eagles hosted the Cowboys Sunday, September 20, 2015. The first half was a defensive game with the Cowboys only scoring 3 points in each quarter and the Eagles not scoring at all. In the beginning of the 3rd quarter the Cowboys returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, making the score 13-0.

Not too long after that, Tony Romo goes down on a pass play with broken left collarbone. The Cowboys go on to win the game 20-10 without Dez Bryant or Tony Romo.

Although the Cowboys are 2-0, it’s hard to imagine them winning any more games without their star quarterback or their star receiver, and they no longer have the NFL’s 2014-2015 leading rusher, Demarco Murray.

TAMUT Eagles Soccer Fall Short Against Bethel U

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Andy Verke

There is no greater way to thank the faculty staff at Texas A&M University-Texarkana than to give them a few hours off work to watch their soccer team host Bethel University (BU) on Faculty Appreciation Day.

The Eagles took control of the ball during the first half, setting the tempo of the game. Although controlling the ball for most of the first half, BU got on the board first in the 12th minute. BU scored from 40 feet out, just out of the reach of GK (Junior) #1 Gabriella Flores. Bethel University GK Danielle Krzyzaniak recorded a shut out in the first half.

During the second half, the Eagles controlled the tempo of the game, but in the 67th minute BU found the back of the net again, giving them a 2-0 lead.

Again, GK Krzyzaniak shut out the Eagles in the second half and the TAMUT Eagles would fall just short to BU, bringing their record to 4-5.

Come cheer on your Eagles soccer team at their next match on Saturday, October 3 at 4 p.m. against Louisiana College for their Homecoming game.

Little Kickers

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Leslie Arietta

Dribble! Pass! Shoot! Little kickers are on the move towards goal and no one can stop them. Saturday morning, September 26th the women’s soccer team of Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) volunteered to coach at the Grady T. Wallace Soccer Complex.

There were two groups of Little Kickers, U3 group at 10am and U4 group at 11am. The TAMUT soccer team arrived early to set up the different drills the Little Kickers would be doing. Three drills consisted of dribbling, passing, and shooting. The U3 group started to sign in and put on their new Little Kickers shirt before they were split up into groups, boys on one side and girls on the other.

It was time to get started and the TAMUT soccer team had its hands full with the little ones running around and having fun. Some of the kids were energetic and others were shy and took a while to participate. Each kid had the chance to develop skills with the ball. The kids got thirsty and worked up a sweat so in between drills they got water breaks. The most successful station was shooting on goal. Most of the kids were engaged and ready to make a goal.

The U3 session came to an end and the U4 group were slowly arriving. The TAMUT soccer team had just enough time to reorganize, get some water, and modify the drills. Since shooting on goal was the most successful point for the U3 group they decided to incorporate passing and dribbling towards goal for the U4 group. These techniques kept the U4 group more involved and organized. This group had a little more experience than the U3 and got through the drills a lot more smoothly. The Little Kickers session was a success. TAMUT women’s soccer team gave back their knowledge and skills to the community and will continue to coach the Little Kickers.

Writing Friday Night Lights

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Anthony Hamilton

After spending a long day on one job, I have another job to go to, but this one, for me, is a whole lot of fun, at the Texarkana Gazette.

While most high school football fans are packed into the stadium, cheering on their favorite High School team I get the opportunity to report on these games after completion.

I’m an entry-level sportswriter at the Gazette. This past Friday was my second week on the job, and as expected, my learning curve, as well as what was expected of me, increased drastically.

I enjoyed every minute of it. There is a good bit of slow time early where we just follow the games on the internet and share a little bit of football talk. This time would be equivalent to the quiet before the storm, because when the games end, the phones begin to ring off the hook, and the game reports are coming really fast and furiously.

Two games I wrote about on Friday night really stood out for me. I actually wished I could have attended either one, because looking at the stat lines they both appeared to be extremely entertaining.

Hooks defeated DeKalb by virtue of a 4th quarter touchdown. DeKalb turned the ball over once, and I believe that did them in.

The other game was Nashville (Arkansas) at Watson Chapel in Pine Bluff. I’m sure both defensive coordinators were disgusted, as there was over a thousand yards of offense, and 117 total points scored in the game. I believe Watson Chapel’s coordinator should have been more upset, as they were torched by 1 player, I believe the quarterback who rushed for 362-yards, passed for 209 and had 7 touchdowns. The final score was 69-48.

I happened to receive this game right as deadline was approaching like a runaway freight train. I love the pressure though, and I got it done with a couple of minutes to spare. I got to see firsthand why deadlines are harped on in the classroom setting.

I’m happy to be able to work in my major, doing something I enjoy, and hope this is just the beginning of great things to come.

The Year of the Dragon

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Garrett Griffin

The muggy air was somewhat suffocating as bugs flew aimlessly around the towering stadium lights, falling to their demise into a tray of cold nachos. The Linden-Kildare band had just completed their performance, and the Redwater Dragon band was making its way onto the field. They proceeded to play music for the Redwater Dazzler drill team to perform their choreographed dance. The award-winning Redwater band was ready to usher in a new year of musical enjoyment.

A Redwater color guard member smiles while she performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

A Redwater color guard member smiles while she performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

The band moved to their first position of the show by way of a theatrical act in reference to the subject of their show: The Rise and Fall of Rome. The Friday night lights glistened off the scintillating bells of the sousaphones. The press box announcer asked the drum major, “Is your band ready?” She responded with a salute and the band awaits her signal of initiation. The half-time show at Redwater High School homecoming football game was about to begin its second section.

The band stepped off at the count into a movement across the field while playing an energetic introduction to the first of three movements. Tonight they were showcasing the new uniforms, a combination of modern styling and traditional marching attire.

A saxophonist plays her solo during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

A saxophonist plays her solo during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

This year’s show is in many ways similar to the show the band played in 2011, the year during which the students’ determination allowed them to advance all the way to state to claim the 2nd place prize for best marching band in the 2A category. I was part of that team and can say that it was a life-changing event for me.

During the second movement, a slower, softer chorale, a saxophonist played a solo. A solo is a great way to impress the judges at any competition because a single player has no way to cover up mistakes; they are vulnerable, prepared for sacrifice.

The Redwater Drumlines performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

The Redwater Drumlines performs during the Redwater High School Homecoming Game on September 18th, 2015.

The show continued on, but the third movement was not played, because the band was still learning their movements. It will have to be as flawless as possible for the first contest that the band traditionally attends: The Four States Marching Competition at Grim Stadium in Texarkana.

This experience from the first event will help students prepare for the subsequent contests leading up to their ultimate goal of playing at the State Finals Competition at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This year will likely be a year of the dragon for Redwater High School’s Marching Band.

The Eagles on the Road

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Leslie Arietta

When the storm is coming the Eagle will soar higher. Friday morning the Eagles women’s soccer team of Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT) packed their bags, and headed towards Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Their game was scheduled for 7 pm vs. John Brown University Golden Eagles. The Eagles knew they had a long bus ride ahead so they took their pregame naps while others were doing homework and getting focused.

Eagles were ready to step on the field and face the Golden Eagles. From the start TAMUT knew this would be a challenging team to beat. (Junior) Sara Lachance finished a cross from Robinson and started the Golden Eagles with a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute of the first half. The Eagles were still in the game fighting back and then in the 26th minute (freshmen) Anna Brown received a deflection off the post and was able to find the back of the net giving the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead before halftime.

The second half started and the Golden Eagles kept the momentum going while the Eagles could not find their momentum before the 3rd goal of the game was scored in the 52nd minute by (freshmen) Melody Hagen. Just three minutes after Samantha Weber gave the Golden Eagles a 4-0 lead. The Eagles were still trying to find the back of the net. (Sophomore) Samantha Sharpnack-Isom from the Eagles found the rebound off (freshmen) Emily Bybee’s free kick and was able to put it in the back of the net in the 72nd minute. The Eagles (2-4-0) had multiple attempts and fell short against the Golden Eagles (3-4-0).

Despite TAMUT’s loss against John Brown University they got back on the bus and headed towards Tulsa, Oklahoma to recover and get mentally focused for their game on Sunday, September 20th against Rogers State University at 3 pm.

The Eagles were looking to change their luck on the road against the Hillcats. They were high pressuring from the start and continued to have multiple shots on goal from (sophomore) Samantha Sharpnack-Isom, but unfortunately could not get them behind the net. Sharpnack-Isom was able to draw the focus on her in the 23rd minute and eventually slid a pass through to (senior) Leslie Arietta and was able to slide it pass the keepers hands and found the back of the net to get the Eagles on the scoreboard (1-0). The Hillcats were fighting back, but the score remained the same as the first half came to an end.

Second half was on its way and the Eagles were looking to put the game away, but the Hillcats were fighting to remain in the game. In the 57th minute the Hillcats received a penalty kick and Taylor Geissler stepped up to take the kick. (Junior) Gabriella Flores was able to stop the penalty kick for the Eagles, but Geissler found the rebound of the ball and deflected it off an Eagle defender to tie the game (1-1). The battle to take the lead began. The Eagles re organized their selves after and found (sophomore) Sharpnack-Isom up top as she slid the ball through the defense on the left flank to (freshmen) Emily Bybee and put the game leading goal away with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Hillcats battled back to tie up the game, but fell short multiple times. In the 88th minute (freshmen) Michelle Lee sent a cross to the right side of the field and (senior) Arietta took a shot near post over the keeper to seal the game for the Eagles (3-1). The Eagles are still soaring and are on the rise to raise their record. Come out and support the next game on Monday the 28th where the Eagles (3- 4-0) will be hosting Bethel University Wildcats (2-3-1).

Pre-Midnight Madness: Baseball Style

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Andy Verke

A crowd of 150 people came out to George Dobson Field at Spring Lake Park Sunday night to watch the first official practice for the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Eagles. Sunday nights practice was the first ever official baseball practice in school’s history. Before the baseball team took the field, the athletic department and campus life hosted a cookout in which students and the community could come and enjoy a bite to eat and meet the players of the team.

Texarkana, TX is one of the biggest baseball communities in all of Texas and everyone in the community is ecstatic about having baseball back in their community after Texarkana College discontinued their program a few years ago. There was a great mixture of support from the TAMUT student body and the Texarkana community.

The grills started firing up at 7:30 p.m. and the student body/community started arriving at George Dobson field. As the smell of burgers lingered throughout the field, players and coaches of the TAMUT Baseball team greeted and mingled with the community. The TAMUT Baseball team started their practice at 8:15 with a short inter squad scrimmage that followed.

The TAMUT Eagles baseball team played well during their scrimmage and everyone in the stands was pleased at the quality of baseball that was played. There were a lot of great plays made and everyone was hitting the ball well. During the scrimmage, volunteers from the crowd participated in games in between each inning.

The TAMUT Eagles baseball team will play their first game on January 29 at 3p.m. at George Dobson Field right here in Texarkana, TX.

Leopards Take Down the Hogs

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Alyssa Bertrand

Nothing is better than enjoying Friday night lights with family and friends. The excitement everyone encounters makes staying late in the stadium worthwhile. Sitting in the bleachers physically watching brings someone a completely new feeling rather than watching it on the television.

Rivalries are a part of every sport and sometimes even among people. The biggest in Texarkana is the Texas versus Arkansas football game. To some, the rivalry between Liberty- Eylau and Arkansas is even bigger and Friday night showed that it was.

There was not an empty seat in sight. The overflow of people in the stadium to watch the game was out of control. Most rival schools try to keep the schools separated at events. The abundance of Arkansas fans made the way to the LE side was not good. Crowds were rolling in around 6:30 for a 7:30 game. Even though these two districts do not have too much history in the public eye, behind the doors the history is unbelievable. LE and Arkansas only recently started playing each other in football. Before 2012, the two schools had not played each other for a while.

I attended the game as LE alumni. I was in the concession stand for a long of time, or I was in the stand by the LE band, which played part of the “fight song” every time LE scored a touchdown. The band played the song twice and I was not by them long. Amanda Baker, LE alumni since 2008, explains, “We have seen this team battle for a few years now and honestly if you watch them actually play, LE is the better team. I hope tonight proves that too. We deserve recognition for the hard work these boys do every day.” Many expressed about the same feelings. I asked people how they felt about the two teams and they said that it is LE’s time this year.

While I was helping, the other workers could feel the tension between the two schools as well. The customer’s attitude was completely different. We gave the same respect to everyone but it was difficult at times. We did not just assume the customers with horrible attitudes were from Arkansas, but they were wearing the team’s shirt. I realized no matter how nice one is to another, if one is unhappy from the beginning, and then someone most likely could not change a mood in five minutes waiting for an order of fries. The lines never ended. The concession stands were still helping people when it was over. The game lasted from 7:30 to around 10:20. We did not think the game was ever going to end because we felt we were there for longer than little more than three hours.

After the game, I asked one of the customers, Ariana Hines, the final score and she said, “66 to 21, we fried some bacon tonight.” That made us all laugh. I was happy that LE won. All week Arkansas was talking down to the LE school district and it was a good feeling when LE was able to prove them wrong.

Football is a family game. Fridays is a time when many teenagers think they can go party, but being at a football game prevents them from doing dangerous activities. I saw many families out there that night, whether there for someone on the football team, in the band, a cheerleader, a member of the dazzlers, or just there for a good family event. There is nothing like a good night Friday nights light.

N’gotiators With Attitude

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Andy Verke

“F*** the police” said N.W.A. All of the N.W.A. members grew up on Crenshaw Blvd. in Compton, South Central L.A., where blacks were heavily discriminated against and the police made life even more difficult.

The members of the N.W.A. consisted of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and DJ Yella. This group started out with Dr. Dre and Ice Cube making beats and lyrics in Dr. Dre’s aunt’s house. After some time, they all came together and produced their first hit “Straight Outta Compton” in 1988. They rapped about their struggles as African-Americans with the police in South Central L.A.

Their success did not come easily, because during the late 80s, no one ever thought about this new style of music called ‘gangsta rap’ except for a guy by the name of Jerry Heller, who worked for Ruthless Production.

Unfortunately two years after N.W.A.’s first album, the group spilt up. Ice Cube was the first to go because he thought Heller had cheated him financially. But it wasn’t long after that Dr. Dre split from N.W.A as well and joined Suge Knight with Death Row Records. In 1994 Eazy-E ended up splitting ties with Jerry Heller because of communication issues. It was at that time that Eazy-E called Ice Cube and Dr. Dre to get N.W.A. back together.

As the group was waiting to reunite, Eazy-E passed away from AIDS in 1995. N.W.A. still reunited with Snoop Dogg performing in Eazy-E’s place. Although they had solo careers, they produced a lot of songs together with Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Eminem. To this day, rappers idolize N.W.A. because without them gangsta rap would not be where it is today.