Refusing to be frustrated by a disappointing loss to 18th-ranked Grandview, the Clifton Lady Cubs responded by posting backto- back dominating wins to clinch their third straight trip to the Class 3A volleyball state playoffs. But this season will be different.

Bouncing back from a disappointing loss to Covington last Tuesday, the Meridian Lady Jackets closed out the first round of District 18-1A competition with a hard-fought, five-set victory on the road against the upstart Morgan Lady Eagles, 25-21,24-26,22-25,25-23, 15-11, last Friday evening. The Lady Jackets knew going into the match that they needed a victory to keep their postseason hopes realistically alive.

It all begins with finding a way to post the elusive first District 10-2A, Division II victory. But even after losing three straight games opening district play against the top dogs, the Meridian Yellowjacket head into the final four weeks of the 2023 Texas high school football season with their postseason hopes still alive.

Although finally playing at home again didn’t turn out like they planned, the Clifton Cubs will go right back on the road again this week. And despite playing on foreign ground, the Cubs will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak to surge into the middle of the District 13-3A, Division II chase for playoff berths.

With the Battle for the Bosque continuing last week before Bosque County six-man district races begin, the resurgent Walnut Springs Hornets once again found themselves in the middle of a thrilling Bosque County rivalry showdown. But unfortunately for the Hornets, this one did not go their way.

After finishing the first round of District 17-3A competition in sole possession of third place and in position to claim their third straight trip to the postseason, the Clifton Lady Cubs went into the second round wanting more. It started exactly the way the Lady Cubs hoped last week as Clifton hit the road to complete the season sweep of the Keene Lady Chargers with a hardfought, four-set victory, 2325, 25-22, 25-19, 25-17, last Tuesday.

After building momentum meet after meet, the Clifton boys and girls cross country teams brought it all together at just the right time to blaze their own trail at the District 17-3A Cross Country Championship Meet Monday morning at Rex Callicort Park in Keene. Led by individual gold medalist Ray Ochoa and bronze medalist Clay Kennedy, the Clifton boys finished with a low score of 27 points to edge host Keene with 28 points for the boys team championship.

With three games remaining in the 2023 Texas high school football regular season, the Meridian Yellowjackets find themselves fighting an uphill battle in their quest to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Despite a valiant effort by the Jacket defense, the Wortham Bulldogs wore down Meridian, powering their way to a convincing 48-10 victory last Friday night at Jacket Stadium.

Despite riding a three-match winning streak, the Meridian Lady Jacket volleyball found out the hard way what it will take to challenge for the Class 1A volleyball state championship. Coming off a convincing straight set victory in their District 18-1A opener last week, the Lady Jackets could not find an answer for the top-ranked and defending district champion Blum Lady Bobcats last Friday night.

The five Bosque County six-man squads may no longer have a district all their own, but that doesn’t keep the rivalries from carrying on through non-district games. And certainly, the favored Morgan Eagles visiting the Walnut Springs Hornets on Homecoming Night produced a wild and exciting showdown with a postseason atmosphere.