Liberty Eylau’s Ke’mon Freeman rushes past Arkansas’s defenders. Photo Credited to Evan Lewis, ETSN.fm

Percy Davis

There’s no better way to spend your Fridays than sitting under the flashing lights watching Texas football. The Liberty Eylau Leopards hosted the Arkansas Razorbacks September 11, 2015. This game was proclaimed the game of the week. The fans surely came out and supported the two teams because the game was sold out.

With the lights shining bright and the crowd at a standstill the kickoff begun. The Leopards got off to a fast start, scoring on their very first drive. The Razorbacks’ offense didn’t seem to click well, turning the ball over on downs quickly. The Leopards’ offense took advantage of this opportunity and scored another touchdown on the drive.

At halftime the Leopards were leading the razorbacks 45-7. They played well together as a team, and as the game progressed, continued to add to their lead. No wonder they are ranked in state as number 16 and ranked nationally as number 130.

The ending score was 66-21 with the Leopards taking the win. The Leopards’ offense had a total of 835 yards. Their quarterback, Freeman, passed for a total of 317 yards with 5 touchdowns and rushed for 177 yards with one rushing touchdown.

Laney Davis

Cowboys and cowgirls were cutting it up this weekend in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The National Cutting Horse Association is a sport created from America’s Western heritage. August 28 and 29, cowboys and cowgirls from all over the Four States region came to compete at a weekend horse show. The competitors range from non-professionals, amateurs, and professionals.

The competing rider guides a horse to a herd of cattle. Horse and rider have two minutes and 30 seconds to show off their athletic ability and knowledge. The judge will then evaluate how well the horse can separate a cow from the herd and keep the cow away from the herd. The competitor is allowed to use two to three cows to display the talent of their horse.

Cowboys and cowgirls compete all over the world in cutting. The horses begin their training at two years old and begin to show off their skills in front of judges at the age of three.

This two day event is action packed with numerous classes of competition. Brett Davis, a National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Famer, rode down to the herd of cattle both days. Davis has been training horses and competing in Cutting since he was 18 years old. Having 34 years of experience under his belt as a professional, he says everyday he is living the dream. This weekend Davis won 7 different classes and placed in many more.

Amongst the professionals competing in the sport of cutting are Non-professionals. Ashley Davis, a non-professional, has been competing in Cutting throughout middle school, high school, and college. She competed in three classes this weekend doing better each time she rode down to the herd. Davis came home with one title, placing twice in her classes.

Western Sports, the organization that put on the horse show, had many contestants file the entry fees. After two long days of judging horses, Western Sports handed out numerous titles and prizes. Brett Davis and Ashley Davis are already looking forward to the next horse show.

Alyssa Bertrand

“I just like to go fast!” driver Mike Wells says when asked about winning points. There is always an adventure at the dirt track. Dirt track racing is a sport to many people in the South. It is much like NASCAR, but on dirt instead of pavement. Huge tires around the track keep one from going into the grassy part of the track, the infield.

The adventure does not start when the light goes green; it begins when your feet step onto the gates. Many people think that the dirt track is a stress reliever. No one ever leaves the track with the same stress or anger they came with.

Saturday night racing is something that everyone can be involved with and enjoy. It is something that people take back home and tell everyone about. It a family event as well. You can go there once and be hooked. Many visitors think that it will not be as much fun as they would like but those are the same ones that go back every weekend. There have been times someone attended a race and was convinced to build a car himself or herself. People that attend the races are for there for support to everyone and being with each other. No matter what happens, they come together as one to help.

With the good times, there are also some bad. In every competitive sport, some people do not like the others, or some talk down about someone, but in the end, no one wants people hurt. There is danger in it as well. Sometimes crashes cause cars to flip and hit the wall but the drivers are supposed to be wearing fire suits and helmets. The guidelines are very strict. The drivers are disqualified if any rule is broken. The rules are detailed since this is a dangerous activity. Safety of not only the drivers but also the staff and the fans is the number one priority at the track.

If one is planning to race every weekend, then one should know about the point system. Every entry and every win earns points. Every thing one can do at the track earns points. Of course, the higher up when one finishes the more points one receives. At the end of the season, the top five drivers get a prize and the top one person receives a trophy with their name and car category on it. Receiving the number one spot is a big honor. It may not mean much too many people but for the returning champion, it means the world. This award shows commitment and skill level. It shows commitment because you earn points every time you enter at that one track. It shows skill level because the higher in rank when you finish a race, the more points you earn.

Early this month, I went to one of the best dirt tracks around here and it was great. Everyone was welcoming and it was a good night for racing. The only thing that took me by surprise was that they started so late in the evening. I asked why they started so late and officials explained they were worried it was too hot to start at the normal time. Saturday night was ‘fan appreciation night’ when the track is open for the public to view the cars and talk to the drivers. Everyone was able to learn about the drivers and be able to take pictures with their favorite cars.

If you do not have a place to go to have fun on the weekends, attend one of the most exciting sports out there. The dirt tracks drivers would love to see more faces in the crowd. They are motivated by people there to support them. “Nothing feels better than going around the track on your last lap and looking up to see the big checkered flag above me!” driver Kelly Knighten says with a big smile on his face.