Opening district competition against a preseason favorite to advance to the playoffs never ranks as a desirable challenge for any team. For the Meridian Lady Jacket volleyball program beginning only its second district race in more than four decades, it proved to be quite daunting.

CLIFTON -- Some times, it’s over almost before it begins. Unfortunately, that fact befell the Class 3A Division II Clifton Cubs at home last Friday night. Facing the Class 3A, DI Maypearl Panthers, the Cubs were stunned by two quick touchdowns to open the non-district contest and never recovered as Maypearl coasted to a 21-0 victory.

Scheduled to play two of the perennially toughest three teams in District 17-3A to open league play, the Clifton Lady Cubs began the battle for playoff berths knowing they had a stout job lying ahead.

By getting back on the winning track last week, the Meridian Lady Jacket volleyball team used its final two non-district dress rehearsals to get ready for the “real” season. After opening District 11-2A competition on the road against Hamilton (9-12) Tuesday, the Lady Jackets (3-9) will visit the North Central Texas Academy in Granbury for a non-district matchup at 6 p.m.

FROST – In a wild, highscoring shootout, the winner remained in question until the final seconds ticked off the clock. And as it turned out, time simply ran out on the Class 2A, Division II Meridian Yellowjackets as the Frost Polar Bears clawed their way to a hard-fought 50-42 non-district victory last Friday night at Joe Parum Stadium.

With all five Bosque County six-man football teams finally in action, gridiron battles under the Friday night lights last week produced a mixed bag of good news, bad news for area fans. Looking like the team that won the 2019 district championship, the Cranfills Gap Lions posted an impressive win, while the perennial powerhouse Iredell Dragons took the first step in rebuilding their program through a youth movement.

After losing two of their last three preseason matches due to COVID protocol cancellations last week, the Clifton Lady Cubs return to action for one last tune-up Tuesday before opening play in the tough District 17-3A Friday.

ACADEMY – Progress does not always show up in the win column. For the second straight week to open the 2021 Texas high school football season, the Class 3A, Division II Clifton Cubs took on a playoff-caliber team in the Class 3A, DI Little-River Academy Bumblebees. And for the second consecutive time, the Cubs walked away in the loss column.

Scoring quickly and often in the first quarter, the Kerens Bobcats put Meridian in a hole early before burying the Yellowjackets, 32-7, last Friday night in the Texas high school football season opener at Jacket Stadium.

Competing in their first bracket tournament in over 40 years, the Meridian Lady Jacket volleyball team found out they are not yet playing on a level court. Facing programs primarily from larger schools with vastly more experience, the Lady Jackets knew playing in the Valley Mills Tournament last Thursday and Saturday would be a challenge.