SPORTSSATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2013 SECTION B

Tough outing for Eagles

in final tune-upBY CLAY CORBETTccorbett@wcmessenger.com

The eighth-ranked Gra-ham Steers proved why they deserve the state rec-ognition Thursday at Eagle Stadium.

In the fi rst phase of the scrimmage with the fi rst and second teams, Graham blanked Decatur 5-0.

Decatur didn’t fare much better in the live quarter, losing 14-0.

“They played faster, more physical, and aggres-sive than we did,” Decatur head coach Kyle Story said. “They executed offensively and were crisp and sharp.

“We didn’t slow them down much, and we didn’t move it much. We’ve got a lot of room for improve-ment.”

The Steers took only two plays to put up their fi rst touchdown of the night on a 60-yard run.

Their next possession went six plays, capped off by a six-yard run.

Graham added one more score in their fi rst series, on a 31-yard touchdown pass.

A lot of missed tackles cost the Eagles throughout the scrimmage.

“The tackling is key,” Story said. “We didn’t tackle phys-

ically and get them to the ground. We left some holes for them to throw the ball, and we didn’t get any pres-sure on the quarterback.”

Decatur’s fi rst team of-fense picked up a couple of fi rst downs, but was un-able to sustain any drives against the Graham de-fense.

Starting quarterback Grayson Muehlstein fi n-ished the night 10-for-19 for 60 yards.

Decatur’s second-team defense made a couple of nice stops. Cole Vaughn had an interception and a fumble recovery.

The fi rst teams fi nished off the scrimmage with one live quarter.

Decatur’s initial drive ended on downs and the Steers took advantage, go-ing 56 yards in seven plays before scoring on a three-yard run.

After a Decatur punt, Graham struck again. The Steers went 65 yards in 11 plays, capping the drive again with a three-yard dive into paydirt.

With 1:36 remaining, the Eagles got the ball back again, but time ran out on the offense.

“This test shows us the level we’ve got to get to, and we’re not there yet,” Story said. “We’ve got to step it up a notch for sure.”

Decatur opens the regu-lar season Aug. 30 at Trin-ity Christian in Addison.

FOOTBALL

Graham knocks out

Decatur

JOE DUTY/WCMESSENGER

ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES — Decatur’s Matt Cedrone loses his helmet while staying with the block Thursday against Graham. The Eagles open the regular season next week at Trinity Christian.

Lady Eagles flex their muscles against Aledo

BY CLAY CORBETTccorbett@wcmessenger.com

The No. 3 Decatur Lady Eagles showed how good they can be in 2013.

In their home opener Tuesday, Decatur (6-2) knocked off the No. 3 team in Class 4A, Aledo, 16-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-23.

“After the way we started I was proud of the girls for recovering,” Decatur coach Claire Benedict said. “They [Aledo] are a really good team that is well coached they have a strong middle, a strong defensive line, and they serve the ball well.”

After falling in game one, the Lady Eagles rallied to turn the momentum in game two. Decatur trailed early but came back to tie the game 8-8. They wouldn’t trail again until Ale-do took a 21-20 advantage. A kill by Makayla Mayfi eld put Decatur back on top 22-21. She ended the game with another kill for a 27-25 win.

Mayfi eld fi nished with a tremen-dous line of 21 kills, 31 digs and fi ve aces.

“Game two was a momentum-

changer for sure, especially after game one,” Benedict said. “We had some people that came off the bench that performed well for us, and that was the difference in the game.”

Decatur rode the high of game two to a large early lead in game three. They took a 13-4 advantage before Aledo started chipping away.

A 16-7 Lady Bearkat run tied the game 20-20. The Lady Eagles held tough down the stretch and ended it with a Cooper Martin kill.

“We did not pass great, but we were smart and did a good job of getting the ball to people who were terminating it,” Benedict said. “Our setter [Stormi Leonard] did a good job getting the ball to girls that were getting kills.”

Aledo jumped on top in game four 19-15, before a Decatur timeout. The Lady Eagles responded with a 7-3 run to tie the game at 22 and eventu-ally clinched the match.

Benedict said they made a few ad-

justments in those fi nal three games.“We changed the lineup a little bit

and talked strategy of trying to con-tain some of their hitters,” she said. “This group hates to lose more than they like to win.”

Martin fi nished with nine kills and 17 digs. Darci Billmire and Dylana Hutchins each had six blocks. Caro-line Lowery added 10 digs and Ser-ena Estrada had 15.

Leonard handed out 36 assists and had 17 digs.

VOLLEYBALL

Steppin’ up

Decatur ranks in

top 5BY CLAY CORBETTccorbett@wcmessenger.com

The Decatur Eagles and Lady Eagles will both be-gin the season ranked in the top 5.

The Lady Eagles were picked as the No. 2 team behind top-ranked La Ver-nia in the Class 3A Cross Country Coaches Associa-tion of Texas’ preseason poll. College Station came in at No. 3.

The Decatur girls return all their runners from a third-place fi nish at state a year ago. They have reached the winners circle fi ve consecutive years.

“Getting ranked in the top 10 of the preseason polls is a show of respect from the previous year,” Decatur coach David Park said. “Nobody really knows. We are tickled to be there and we feel we can race with anybody be-tween here and the end of the season. This is just the

CROSS COUNTRY

See Decatur on page 2B

JOE DUTY/WCMESSENGER • Buy reprints at wcmessenger.com/reprintsHIGH FLYING START — Decatur’s Cooper Martin slams down one of her nine kills during the Lady Eagles’ win over Aledo Tuesday.

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The Bridgeport Sissies (2-8) fell to the Peaster Lady Hounds Tuesday, 23-25, 12-25, 16-25.

“We made some young mistakes and unforced er-rors against a smart and solid team,” Bridgeport coach Rebekah Cummings said. “We will need to re-main consistent on both defense and offense in or-der to be competitive.”

Tylar Chapa led the way with 13 digs and four kills. Leah Guinn had 12 digs and three assists.

Elaina Peyton handed out 10 assists.

Bridgeport returns home Tuesday to take on Wichi-ta Falls Hirschi.

Boyd takes care of Eastland

The Boyd Lady Jackets (7-6) swept Eastland Tues-day, 25-9, 25-15, 25-12.

“The kids are work-ing hard, and doing all I’m asking of them,” Boyd coach Dusty Crafton said.

Brooklyn Scarborough led with eight kills. Bai-ley Harris handed out 13 assists and Brittney How-ard had 10 digs. Stephanie Jordan nailed down six aces.

The Lady Jackets took two of three at the first day of the Chico Tourna-ment Thursday.

Boyd defeated Saint Jo 25-16, 25-8 and Bryson 25-13, 25-16.

They fell to Chico, 19-25,25-17, 22-25.

The Chico Tournamentresumes Saturday.

Bryson slides by ChicoBryson edged the Lady

Dragons Tuesday in fourgames, 17-25, 19-25, 25-17,22-25.

Alli York had 30 attacksand three blocks. BreannHall added 23 attacks andfour blocks.

Raven Leal was a perfect18-of-18 from the serveline and had nine attacks.

Charlye Biggerstaff fin-ished with 14 attacks andthree blocks. Britton Pettyhad 13 attacks.

Chico hosts PoolvilleTuesday.

starting line.”Haley Dennard is also off

to a good start after joining the Lady Eagles for her se-nior season.

“She is running really well,” Park said. “She’s running up there with Ni-cole [Neighbors]. Overall

as a team we are faster at this point than we were last year.”

The defending state champion Decatur boys begin their season ranked third in the state. Alvarado captured the top spot with District 9-3A rival Sanger coming in at No. 2.

The Eagles lost three se-

niors off last year’s squad.Park is still trying to fi llthose fi nal three roles forhis top seven runners.

“I’m excited about theones we’ve got coming up,”Park said.

Decatur began the 2013season Friday night com-peting in the Class 5A raceat Lewisville Hebron.

Continued from page 1B

Decatur: Starting strong

MACK THWEATT/WCMESSENGER • Buy reprints at wcmessenger.com/reprints

OPEN MAN — Bridgeport’s Trey Cook attempts a pass to Hunter Gantt during the Bulls’ scrimmage against Celina Thursday. Bridgeport opens the season at home next Friday against Alvarado.

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