By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers closed out their fall league schedule on a high note, finishing with a 7–1 record over a four-week stretch. The strong showing gives Belton plenty of momentum as it turns its attention to the upcoming basketball season, which tips off in November. The Tigers used the fall league to refine their lineup, develop young players, and build chemistry ahead of another highly anticipated campaign. Belton looked sharp on both ends of the court. The 7–1 finish marks a positive step forward as the team prepares to carry that rhythm into the regular season. Belton will open the 2025–26 season with a tough test against the Georgetown Eagles, a well-coached and disciplined team that consistently ranks among the area’s best. The matchup will serve as an early measuring stick for a Tigers program that continues to build on recent success. Last season, Belton delivered one of its most complete campaigns in recent years, finishing 28–8 overall and 7–3 in district play. The Tigers secured a third-place district finish and advanced in the playoffs with a first-round victory over Midlothian before narrowly falling to West Mesquite by a single point in the next round. That close loss has remained a motivating factor throughout the offseason and fall workouts. This year’s roster features a blend of returning contributors and new talent looking to make an impact. The Tigers’ experience, combined with their athleticism, gives them the tools to once again compete near the top of the district standings. Their fall league performance reflected a team that plays with purpose and confidence, showing improved spacing, shooting, and defensive communication. As the start of the new season approaches, Belton’s focus will be on maintaining that same energy and execution against regular-season competition. The opener against Georgetown offers an opportunity to set the tone early and to show that the Tigers are a competitive and well-rounded program in Central Texas basketball. The season opener is scheduled for November 15 at Georgetown’s home court, where Belton will look to begin its quest for another postseason appearance and continue building on the success of last year’s campaign.

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers went into Friday night’s game with confidence that they had gotten past a late loss to University on Oct. 17. They took the confidence, dominated Rudder in all three facets of the game, and posted a 35-0 shutout. It was the first shutout since the Tigers blanked Austin Northeast College in the Class 5A-II Bi-District Playoff in 2022, 56-0, and the first regular-season shutout in nine years: a 56-0 rout of Shoemaker on Oct. 20, 2016.

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal  Coming out of the bye week, the Belton Tigers are looking to make a District 10-5A-2 statement. Belton quarterback Will Shepard ensured the message was clear: the Tigers are in for the long haul. Shepard had one of the most efficient games for a quarterback in recent Tiger history, having connected on 15-of-17 passing for 274 yards and three touchdown passes to go with 123 rushing yards and four rushing scores. That’s right, Tiger fans. Shepard accounted for nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal After spending her first few seasons taking steps, Anne Marie Stark is ready to make a leap. For the past two years, the Lady Tigers head coach has been transforming the program she inherited into the team she desired, and the process has been a struggle at times. In her debut, Belton finished with just two district victories, and it followed with a 3-7 league record last year, missing the playoffs each season. With the upcoming schedule rapidly approaching, however, Stark believes this could be her team could experience a growth spurt. “When you have to coach effort,” she said, “you don’t get to coach basketball. We are definitely in a transition time where effort is the expectation, and the girls are holding each other accountable. “I’m starting to hand the reins over to the athletes and allowing them to lead, because that is what makes a great program. It doesn’t happen because I’m at the helm. It happens when they lead each other.” The University Interscholastic League allowed teams across the state to begin practicing on Wednesday with scrimmages set to start Nov. 1. The Lady Tigers open their regular-season schedule Nov. 8 against visiting Elgin. Belton will take part in three tournaments before starting District 16-5A competition against Lake Belton on Jan. 9, and if all goes according to plan during league play, the Lady Tigers will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Reaching the postseason will not be easy, but Belton has the talent to complete the task. The Lady Tigers lost key contributor Avelle Bonfoh, a shooting guard who was an all-district selection to the second team last year, to graduation, but a trio of teammates return with accolades. Among others, sophomore guard Isabella Warner is coming off an impressive debut, being named all-district newcomer of the year, while sophomore forward Emma Harvey and senior Emma Flory, a guard, were each honorable mentions. “The chemistry of the team is what really stands out to me this year,” Stark said. “The girls just really love to be around each other. They giggle and laugh so much, but they also know when to turn it on in practice. “I think that is a really important balance to have, so I’m interested to see how things play out, because I think we have all the potential in the world.” In time, the Lady Tigers’ collective concentration will be focused on excelling during district, when their playoff fate will be determined. For not, though, Stark has other interests. “When it comes to the younger girls,” she said, “I’m just trying to find the ones who really want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This is their opportunity to be a real teammate. “We focus on challenging them and helping them grow both on and off the floor.”

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal No matter how the remainder of the season unfolds, Haleigh Johnson feels accomplished. In 2023, the Lady Tigers’ first-year head coach inherited a program coming off a 10-win season, but in each of the seasons since, Johnson has improved upon the prior record. This year is no different. With a straight-set victory at Killeen Ellison on Tuesday, Belton secured second place in the District 16-5A standings while winning its 29th match of the season. After the outcome, Johnson admitted the feeling was special. “I owe it all to the girls,” she said. “They are the ones who are putting in the work and following my vision. They have gotten behind me and trusted me, and that is a great feeling as a coach. “They trust me enough to get me where they need to be.” In a contest that went back and forth, the Lady Tigers were in control throughout, winning 25-18, 26-24, 25-21 to sweep the series, Early on, it appeared Belton would cruise as it responded to a kill from Jada Hood by posting seven unanswered points, but the Lady Eagles pulled within three points at 12-9 before being prevented from getting any closer. The Lady Tigers extended their advantage to 17-11 and maintained at least a four-point cushion for the duration of the set, closing with a 5-1 outburst. The second set saw the squads play to 10 ties before a hit from Landry Duggan accounted for the first of two consecutive points for Belton, giving the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead. It was more of the same in the third set with the teams exchanging rallies en route to an 18-18 deadlock after Aaliyah Lee’s hit tied the score for Ellison, but a 6-1 surge sent Belton into a commanding position. The Lady Eagles prevented a pair of match points before succumbing to the Lady Tigers on sophomore Brylee Renegar’s kill. “I thought we played really well considering how Ellison was really putting the ball back on us,” she said. “We were responding well, and that was a good thing to see as we are approaching the playoffs, because that was an intense situation. “It is scary to play someone who is fighting to get in, but it was reassuring to see my girls were not scared to compete.” Now, Belton (29-12, 6-2) turns its attention toward closing the regular season with a victory versus winless Waco (0-9) before embarking on another playoff appearance. Last year, the Lady Tigers celebrated a bi-district championship, and they intend to do at least the same this season, but no matter how the remainder of the season unfolds, Johnson feels accomplished. “This really feels great,” she said. “Every year, we are making the playoffs, and now, we’ve moved up to second place, so it feels really good. This proves we are making the right steps and moving in the right direction.  “I owe all the credit to the girls. They are following all the steps I’m laying out for them.”

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal Coming out of the bye week, the Belton Tigers are looking to make a District 10-5A-2 statement. Belton quarterback Will Shepard ensured the message was clear: the Tigers are in for the long haul. Shepard had one of the most efficient games for a quarterback in recent Tiger history, having connected on 15-of-17 passing for 274 yards and three touchdown passes to go with 123 rushing yards and four rushing scores. That’s right, Tiger fans. Shepard accounted for nearly 400 yards and seven touchdowns. Tailback screens accounted for the majority of the passing yards, with Cason Morton, Gavin Ross, and Gino Zecca the benefactors. It also demonstrated excellent ball control by the Tigers. Shepard’s efficiency was similar to the 2018 version of the Belton-Ellison matchup, which was the legendary 86-55 Tigers’ win at Leo Buckley Stadium. If the 274-yard mark sounds familiar, it is what Connor Carothers threw for in that 2018 battle. Carothers’ line: 20-of-29, 274 yards, and three touchdowns. In that game, Carothers did not play the second half due to injury. Ruben Jimenez took over at quarterback and promptly went 9-of-10 for 250 yards in four touchdowns. The Tigers collected 726 yards on 69 plays, and the two Belton quarterbacks accounted for seven touchdowns. Shepard (79-of-110, 1,073 passing yards, 239 rushing yards, accounted for 16 touchdowns this season) was not the only standout in the game. Graham Chambley’s two major plays on special teams: a smothered extra-point kick in the first quarter and blocked punt recovery in the end zone in third quarter. Ellison pushed the issue, with 518 yards and made life difficult throughout the contest for Belton. Corin Ramesar’s late field goal provided breathing room in the Tigers’ 53-42 win on Thursday at Tiger Field. “We’re 1-0 in district, we have a lot to clean up, but I’m proud on how hard they fought,” Belton head coach Brett Sniffin said in his postgame comments. “I’m extremely happy we’re 1-0.” Getting one extra day of rest, the Tigers will face the University Trojans at Waco ISD Stadium on Friday. Game time is 7 pm. The Trojans are coming off their own statement game with a 58-3 win over the Rudder Rangers. Savoy Nichols went 12-of-18 for 404 yards passing and six scores. London Smith had three catches for 134 yards and two scores, Jeremiah Green caught three passes for 116 yards and a score, and Jimare Thomas added a 66-yard reception. University averaged 29.9 yards per reception and 7.7 yards per carry en route to a 564-yard total. Nichols (101-of-158, 1,490 passing yards, 15 TDs, three INT) and Smith (44 receptions, 703 yards, nine TDs) will be the connection with the biggest focus, not unlike Belton’s Shepard-to-Gavin Ross (50 receptions, 727 yards, seven TDs) connected. Both teams run the ball with power, with the Tigers average four per carry, 777 total rushing yards and a 129.5 yards per game average, and University having averaged 5.3 yards per rush, 787 total rushing yards and 131.2 per game average.  The Trojans’ defense has 51 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, six interceptions, and three fumble recoveries this season. Belton has 18 tackles for loss, seven fumble recoveries, five sacks, and four interceptions.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal Killeen Chaparral won 13 consecutive district matches stretching back to 2023. Tuesday evening, the Lady Tigers ended the streak. The defending District 16-5A champions traveled to Belton with an unblemished record through two contests this season, but the hopes of earning another unde- feated title were dashed as the Lady Tigers swept the Lady Bobcats.

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers football team enjoyed the bye, taking advantage of time to rest, take advantage of community service situations, and the installation of Thursday night’s game plan. The Tigers last non-district game featured a combined 65 second-half points between Belton and Cuero. The Gobblers held on for a 50-43 win. Belton collected 538 yards total. Sawyer Harbin, in his first week as the starting quarterback, went 18-of-32 for 273 yards, tossed three touchdowns and two interceptions. Gavin Ross had 138 receiving yards and a score, and Achilles Palomares added 59 receiving yards and a touchdown. Gino Zecca had 24 carries for 203 rushing yards and two scores, along with 38 yards in receptions. The defense was tested, having allowed 498 yards, which in- cluded 328 passing yards and five touchdown passes by Jaxxon Marie, 164 receiving yards and two touchdown catches by Walker Dietze, and 116 rushing yards by Camelo Peres. The Ellison Eagles await the Tigers, as the District 10-5A-2 gauntlet begins. The Eagles average 263 yards per game passing and 171.6 yards per game rushing. Quarterback Marlyn Smith (73-of-116, 62.9%, 1,205 passing yards. 10 TD, INT, 268 rushing yards, six TDs) controls the Ellison offense, with Evan Dowling (279 rushing yards, 92 receiving yards, two TDs), Laboris Creagh (212 rushing yards), Juan Ramirez (404 receiving yards, four TDs), Prince Hall (358 receiving yards, three TDs), and Keandre Sayles (293 receiving yards, six TDs) all options in the Ellison attack. The Ellison line is aggressive, and helps the Eagles offense move. Belton has four sacks, 19 tackles for loss, six fumble recoveries, and four sacks. Oakley Torres (36 tackles, three tackles for loss), Lyric McGinnis (33 tackles), Jacob Lewis (32 tackles), Azian Wilkinson (31 tackles), and Rowdy Watson (23 tackles) has kept offenses on their toes. Belton’s offense averaged 265.8 yards per game passing and 123.4 yards per game rushing, which averages out to a total offense of 389.2 yards per contest. Since coming in to replace Will Shepard following an injury a game-and-a-half ago, Harbin is 33-of 54 (61.1%) for 422 yards, averaging 12.8 yards per completion, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Zecca’s performance against Cuero has vaulted him up to being the team’s leading rusher with 285 yards. Morton and Javid Nua Planz (44-167) are two solid options in the run game for the Tigers. Ross’ 700 receiving yards on 50 catches and 140 yards per game average has him amongst the state’s highs in both categories. Ellison’s defense has 20 1⁄2 sacks, 43 tackles for loss, eight fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions through their first five games. Demetrius Perry has 55 tackles which includes 40 solos, and had eight tackles for loss. Renaldo Johnson and Jakiree Teal are amongst the team leaders in tackles and tackles for loss. Perry and Julius Simon have combined for nine sacks this season. Tyler Reed has two of Ellison’s seven interceptions. Thursday night’s contest represents the start of a five-game gauntlet for Belton over a 29-day stretch, which features two Thursday night games and Homecoming 2025 on Oct. 24.

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers Volleyball team looked to build upon their District 16-5A win total last Tuesday, as they hosted the Chaparral Lady Cats at Tiger Gym. Belton played hard from first serve to last, as they swept the Cats in three games. Scores of the match were 25-14, 25- 21, and 25-14. The momentum of Tuesday’s match carried the Tigers into Friday’s home matchup against the Ellison Lady Eagles. Belton stormed the Eagles from the outset and executed their third district sweep in a row as they handily swept Ellison. Scores of the contest were 25-13, 25-11, and 25-21. On Tuesday, Belton traveled to Waco to take on the Waco High Lions. The Tigers were on point again in Waco, as they swept the Lions. Belton improved their record to 26- 11 overall and 4-1 in District 16-5A play, which concluded the first pass through on Tuesday night. The Tigers surpassed their 25 wins from 2024 and are the most wins by Belton in at least the past 15 seasons. For the year overall, the Tigers have won 64 of 94 sets played. In district, the Tigers won 12-of-15 sets.  On Friday, the Tigers will begin their second leg of district play, as they travel to Bronco Gymnasium to take on Lake Belton. The Broncos (23-12 overall, 5-0 District 16-5A) defeated the Tigers on Sept. 23, 3-0. The scores of that match were 25-13, 25-18, and 25-19.