Houston Dynamo Opening Day presented by BBVA Sold Out

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON (February 28, 2020) Saturday’s Houston Dynamo Opening Day presented by BBVA is sold out, the Club announced today. The Dynamo host the LA Galaxy at BBVA Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CST.

The 22,000-seat stadium will be at full capacity when new head coach Tab Ramos leads his squad against their longtime rivals from Los Angeles. Fans still looking for Opening Day tickets can purchase resale tickets from the Club’s official secondary marketplace at HoustonDynamo.com/tickets.

“We can’t think of a more fitting way to start the 15^th season of Houston Dynamo soccer than with a packed BBVA Stadium, the forecast for a gorgeous day and what shapes up to be a really exciting match against the Galaxy tomorrow afternoon,” said Dynamo President John Walker. “I know that Tab and the team are fired up to get started – and we appreciate the support from soccer fans here in Houston for making this a sold-out event.”

Fans who could not make the Opening Day match are encouraged to get their tickets now to secure a seat for Houston’s second home match, when the Dynamo host defending MLS Cup Champions Seattle Sounders FC on March 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST.

There promises to be plenty of action before the match as well, including a free pre-match concert, presented by Patria Energy Drink, that will take place on Orange Avenue and feature Houston Music Hall of Fame honorees Los Skarnales. Also, the new Hustle Town Supporters’ march-in along St. Emanuel Street will start at 1:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the Texas Street Fest as well. Parking can be purchased in advance through ParkMobile at BBVAStadium.parkmobile.io, or fans can ride METRO to the stadium for free with their match ticket.

This Opening Day matchup is also a rematch of last season’s Decision Day, when the Dynamo defeated the Galaxy 4-2 with a brace from Christian Ramirez, and goals from Memo Rodriguez and Alberth Elis.

During the club’s 14-year history, the Dynamo have gone 8-2-4 in home openers and are 6-1-1 in home openers at BBVA Stadium. Last year, the Dynamo opened the 2019 MLS season with a 1-1 draw against Real Salt Lake thanks to a second-half equalizer from striker Mauro Manotas at BBVA Stadium.

West Hardin Oilers oust Sabine from UIL Basketball Playoff

Story and photos by Aaron Justin
Special for TexSport Publications
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

SARATOGA, TEXAS (February 26, 2020) The West Hardin Oilers came into the 2020 Boys UIL Basketball playoffs with a lot to prove. All season long the Oilers piled up the wins. Coming into the playoffs, the Oilers were undefeated class 24-2A champions. This was a huge accomplishment for the Oilers as it was their first time to ever accomplish this great feat. 

All season long the Oilers continued to prove that they were forces on the court but like the late Rodney Dangerfield would always say “I get no respect!” The Oilers seemed to never get a glance as being one of the top programs in the area but that did not bother them. Kenny Hoffpauir doesn’t usually put much stock in rankings, but West Hardin’s head boys basketball coach did mention that it would be nice to see his boys talked about like others in the area. 

Coming into this match-up with the Tigers of West Sabine, the Oilers took Hull-Daisetta to overtime and won. The Oilers finished out as the number one seed while West Sabine had to battle Zavalla for the number four seed. This match-up proved to be to much for the Tigers of West Sabine. 

From the opening tipoff, the Oilers proved to be the more dominate team. Led by a entire senior starting five the Oilers opened up the scoring early. Russell Payne found the bucket numerous times during the first quarter. Lance Mosley and Keaton Castilaw dished the ball to Payne as he dominated the boards. Justin Cook and Jake Strahan also added on with scores of their own. Cook is a three point sniper and gets his points from behind the line. The only time the Tigers threatened the Oilers was in the second quarter. Going into halftime the Oilers lead was five, 27 to 22. 

During his halftime speech Coach Hoffpauir stressed the importance of sticking to their schedule and executing their game plan. The halftime message was heard clear as the Oilers went on to blast the Tigers off the court. As the final buzzer rang the scoreboard showed 61-40 in favor of the Oilers. The Oilers were now Bi-District Champions and focused on the next round, Regionals. 

The Oilers will battle the Wolves of San Augustine High School on Friday, February 28, 2020. The time will be announced at a later date. The game will be played at Woodville High School.

Houston SaberCats drop hard-fought contest to Old Glory DC

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 22, 2020) Flyhalf Sam Windsor scored two penalty goals and one conversion goal, but it was not enough as the Houston SaberCats dropped a hard-fought match, by the score of 22-13 to Old Glory DC at Aveva Stadium on Saturday evening. All of Houston's points came in the first half, with the Old Glory adding nine unanswered insurance points in the second half. The lost drops Houston to a 1-0-2 (W-T-L) record and third place in the Western Conference of Major League Rugby. Outside center Thomas Morani scored the lone try for Houston, in the 12th minute.

Flyhalf Jason Robertson led the scoring for Old Glory, scoring on five penalty goals and one conversion goal. The win for Old Glory raises their season record to 2-0-1 (W-T-L) and a fourth place standing in the Eastern Conference. Earlier in the season, DC downed Atlanta 35-17 and lost to New Orleans 46-13. In their previous 2020 season games, the Sabercats beat Colorado 21-12 and fell to Toronto by the score of 27-22.

Earlier in the day, No. 23 Texas A&M downed The University of Texas at Austin 91-12 in Red River Rugby Conference action.

Houston Roughnecks QB P.J. Walker press conference on 2-22-20

By Chris Price

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

TAMPA, FLORIDA (February 22, 2020) Quarterback P.J. Walker threw for a total of 304 yards and three touchdowns  as the Houston Roughnecks downed the Tampa Bay Vipers by the score of 34-17 in Week 3 action of the XFL. The game, which was played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, was the first road trip for Houston, and pushed their season record to 3-0.

Walker, who was the first-ever XFL Star of the Week, talked to the press after the game. Below is video, via the XFL, on YouTube.com, of the press conference.

P.J. Walker leads Houston into Week 3 game against Tampa Bay in XFL action

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 21, 2020) Going into Week 3 of the 2020 XFL season, Houston  quarterback P.J. Walker (shown left) in making a name for himself and positioning the Roughnecks into the team to beat in the upstart league. 

After leading Houston to a 37-17 win over the Los Angeles Wildcats, Walker was named the XFL's first-ever Star of the Week. He passed for 272 yards and four touchdowns against the Wildcats, with both achievements leading the league after Week 1. In addition, he posted a career-high and game-high 111.0 rating in Houston's Week 2 win over St. Louis. He was rated 106.5 in Week 1 versus Los Angeles and a 108.5 rating for the season.

Walker and his Houston teammates will face off against the Tampa Bay Vipers in Week 3, who have posted an 0-2 record through their first two games. In their first game of the season, the Vipers dropped a 23-3 decision to the New York Guardians; followed by a 17-6 loss to the Seattle Dragons. The Roughnecks-Vipers game, scheduled for 2 p.m. CST kickoff on Saturday, January 22 in Tampa Bay. The game will be the first road trip for Houston and the first home game for Tampa Bay.

Houston is leading the XFL in scoring, averaging 32.5 points per game with Walker's completion of a 50-yard TD pass to Cam Phillips, in Week 1, was the longest touchdown of the season for Houston. The Roughnecks rank No. 1 in the XFL in total touchdown with nine. In addition, Houston is second in the XFL in turnover margin at +4.  Phillips leads the XFL with four touchdown while the Roughnecks are 2-2 in scoring on its opening drive. 

Saturday's game will be broadcast on live on ABC.

Walker leads Houston Roughnecks to first XFL win

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 8, 2020) The Houston Roughnecks kicked off the 2020 XFL football season by downing the Los Angeles Wildcats by the score of 37-17 n Houston on Saturday night. The 17,815 fans in attendance at TDECU Stadium saw the Roughnecks come back from a 17-12 deficit late in the second quarter in route to their 20-point win. 

Quarterback Phillip (P.J.) Walker (shown right) completed 23-of-39 passes for 272 yards, and threw for four touchdowns. His longest of the day was a 50-yard completion to wide receiver Cam Phillips at the 13:44 mark of the first quarter. His other TD passes were to James Butler (16 yards), Sam Mobley (39 yards), and Kahlil Lewis (No. 1 shown below) for four yards. 

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

Walker was allocated to to the Roughnecks prior to the XFL Draft, and signed with Houston on October 16, 2019. On May 3, 2017, Walker was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on September 2, 2017 and was signed to the Colts' practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on January 1, 2018.

On September 1, 2018, Walker was waived by the Colts and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He spent time on and off the Colts practice squad before being released on December 26, 2018, but was re-signed three days later. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 13, 2019.

On August 31, 2019, Walker was waived by the Colts and signed to the practice squad the next day, only to be released two days later.

In college, he played for the Temple Owls from 2013 to 2016.

Three Top 10 finishes for Pasadena First Baptist Warriors in the Water

Story and photo by Tracy Brown
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (February 9, 2020) For the fourth time in the four years of the program the Warriors from Pasadena First Baptist Christian Academy (FBCA) qualified to attend the 2020 TAPPS Division 3 State Swimming Championship. This year’s meet was held in San Antonio at the Josh Davis Natatorium.

The Warriors took the water in the 200-yard medley comprised of Timothy Henry, Christopher Brown, Stephen Lawson, and Owen Lambert, swimming to a sixteenth place finish with a time of 2:26.62. 

When sophomore Harrison Brown (shown above) stepped up to the blocks for the 200-yard freestyle a mere two events later, his preparedness shined.  He finished in seventh place with a new personal best time almost a full four seconds faster than his entry time with a new FBCA record of 2:02.70. 

In event six, the 200-yard individual medley, Lawson returned to the blocks dropping an additional three seconds from his entry time and finished in fourteenth place with a new personal best, 2:55.16. 

The Warriors saw their best finish of the meet in the 100-yard freestyle when Harrison Brown returned to the lanes to battle for fifth place with a new school record time of :54.84 with sixth place finished a mere 12-hundredths of a second behind him. 

In the longest distance of the day, senior and team captain Christopher Brown (shown left) led the Warriors to second place in his heat, placing tenth overall with a time nine seconds faster than his entry time.  Lawson finished in thirteenth place in the same event for the Warriors with his own personal best time. 

The Warriors’ last event of the day saw Harrison Brown lead off and set a new school record with his split in the 200-yard freestyle relay.  Freshman Ayden Moore joined in on the action and swam a new personal best as did sophomore John Harding.  The Warrior relay was anchored by Christopher Brown, senior, in his last swim of his high school career where he tore the water up and set a new personal best for his split as well.  The Warriors finished thirteenth in the event

In the final team standing, FBCA finished fourteenth out of 34 teams.

Haiti dominates Panama 6-0 in CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (February 3, 2020) Forward Mikerline Saint-Felix (shown right) tallied two goals in the first half to lead No. 63 Haiti to a 6-0 victory over No. 69 Panama in the final game of the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

Nerilia Mondesir (shown left), who place for Montpellier HSC, scored the first goal of the game with a penalty kick in the fifth minute to give Haiti the early 1-0 lead. Saint-Felix (Montauban FC) scored her first-half goals in the 11th and 29th minutes. They added an insurance goal two minutes into the second half off a shot by midfielder Melchie Dumonay (AS Tigresses), stretching their lead to 4-0. Forward Batcheba Louis (FF Issy Les Moulineaux) scored Haiti's fifth goal of the match in the 59th minute. Mondesir added to the Haitian scoring assault with a second goal in the 84th minute.

Haiti finishes the tournament with a 1-2 record while Panama returns home without a win and a single goal (vs. Costa Rica).