Sports

ETHAN ADAMS news@vanzandtnews.com First year head coach Heath Ragle’s statement at the end of his preseason interview resonated deep with those who listened: ‘I’m here to win games.’ He started his stint out on the right foot Friday night, as his Eagles overcame a halftime deficit to beat Mineola for the second year in a row, 34-27. The Eagles came into Mineola as the underdog according to most experts.

The Canton Running Eagles competed in their second event of the fall season Aug. 27, traveling to August for the annual Run with the Lions Cross Country Meet.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Canton Eaglette volleyball program made the short trek to Edgewood last week, squaring off against some of the top teams from across the area at the Lady Dogs Varsity Volleyball Tournament. Canton first hit the court Aug.

ETHAN ADAMS news@vanzandtnews.com Change appears to be the name of the game for the Canton Eagles in 2022, as the graduation of a strong senior class, and a first-year coaching staff leaves new faces sprinkled throughout the program. The 2021 season proved to be a rollercoaster for the Eagles under second-year head coach, Casey Hubble.

The Canton Running Eagles opened their 2022 season at the Greenville Invitational on Aug. 20. Lana Stapleton and Graycee Wilson helped to pace Canton’s varsity girls team, placing first and second respectively. Stapleton clocked a meet-best time of 12:30, while Wilson finished in a time of 12:34.

DAVID KAPITAN sports@vanzandtnews.com The Canton Eaglette volleyball program got its first taste of tournament action last week, making their way to Eustace for the Chuck Powers Invitational in Honor of Maggie Groom. Canton more than held its own in the loaded field, going 5-1 overall while claiming the Gold bracket title.

Never worry about forgetting a paper Super Combo license at home again with the new digital tag option from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Beginning with the 2022-‘23 license year, Texas residents can purchase a digital Super Combo license (Items 111, 117 and 990) that will authorize digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey and oversized red drum. The digital license option is available through online purchase only when licenses go on sale Aug. 15.

I’ve took a cue from the wild animals this week and moved early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Wild things have the innate ability to know how to make the best of the seasons and this time of year, they seldom venture forth during the heat of the day. The same with this old outdoors writer but I did get out on the water a couple times and caught a nice mess of fish both times. I also learned or ‘relearned’ a few basics of summer fishing.

The 2022 high school football season in Van Zandt County means the return of ‘The Huddle Show’ on Canton radio station KWJB (95.1 FM, ‘The Bee’) beginning Tuesday, Aug. 23.

DAVID KAPITAN The Canton Eagles took a massive step towards the kickoff of the 2022 season last week, competing in their first scrimmage against an opponent not dressed in green and white Aug. 12 against White Oak.