By Tony Adams The Belton Journal The fans in attendance during the Belton Tigers’ volleyball contest against the China Spring Cougars had an opportunity to witness a significant program milestone on Friday afternoon. In her second year as the libero for the Tigers, Miley Davila hit the 500th dig milestone during the match as Belton defeated the Cougars, 3-1. Scores of the match were 25-23, 25- 16, 17-25, and 25-23. Emma Harvey used two kills, and Ella Tucek drilled an ace to reverse an early 8-4 deficit and spurred 9-1 run in game one. With the score at 23-23, a Cougar hit a big drive toward outside line. Davila dug the ball just an inch above the deck. Her teammates took care of the score as the play gave Belton game point. The Tigers gained the next point to take a 1-0 lead in the match.  Belton led throughout game two, as they closed the game on a 14-6 run. Kaitlyn McCracken, CJ Stites, Brylee Renegar, and Landry Duggan picked up kills to aid the Tigers to a 2-0 lead.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal After two weeks and two wins, the Tigers are finally coming home. Belton opened its schedule with a pair of victories, punctuating the performance by defeating host Georgetown 34-26 last week, and now, the Tigers will attempt to put on another successful show on a familiar field. Georgetown East View comes to town Friday for a 7 p.m. start, and if all goes according to plan, Belton will celebrate its first home win in more than a year by evening’s end. The Tigers lost all five of their home games in 2024. Their last victory at Belton came in the opening round of the 2023 playoffs, when they beat Austin Travis 61-6 on Nov. 8. Last year, the Patriots defeated the Tigers 48-14, but things have changed for Belton. Injuries to key players sent the Tigers’ season into a tailspin a year ago, and they lost seven games before recovering to return to the playoffs. This season, the struggles are diminished, and Belton is thriving. Following a 21-17 win at Pflugerville Hendrickson in the season-opener, the Tigers cruised past the Eagles in Week 2 thanks in part to an almost flawless showing from quarterback Will Shepard. The junior completed 17 of 18 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns to go along 53 yards rushing and a touchdown on 13 carries. Shepard was complemented by a number of teammates, though. Gavin Ross, a junior receiver, was responsible for 159 yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches, junior running back Javid Planz carried the ball 15 times for a team-high 61 yards and sophomore halfback Cason Morton had three carries for 16 yards and a score to go with a trio of catches for 81 yards. Defensively, senior Jacob Lewis led the team with 10 total tackles, including five solo, while junior Azian Wilkinson had eight total tackles and a fumble recovery. East View enters the contest with a 1-1 record after defeating Burnet 42-28 last week, and like the Tigers, the Patriots received a strong showing from their signalcaller. Cormyc Guerrero, a senior, completed 18 of 25 passes for 226 yards and rushed for another 66 yards, but East View’s running back generated most of the team’s points. Jayvion Clater, a junior, had four touchdowns and 53 yards on 10 carries, while senior teammate Blake Honeycutt carried the ball 16 times for 73 yards and a score. The Patriots also produced three interceptions in the dominating win that saw them leading 35-14 following the first three quarters. Belton did not have as easy an encounter versus Georgetown. Leading by just a single point, 27-26, late in the game, Shepard secured the outcome with a three-yard run into the end zone with nine seconds remaining in regulation. The play capped off a 98-yard drive that began after a potential go-ahead touchdown pass for Georgetown was intercepted near the goal line. While everything worked out in the Tigers’ favor, they struggled offensively in the second half after reaching the end zone on all three of their possessions in the first and second quarters. Outside of the opening half’s first and last drives, the squads alternated scores throughout the first two quarters thanks in part to Shepard’s connection with Ross.  The pair hooked up six times in the half for 113 yards and a pair of touchdowns with the first coming approximately four minutes after the Tigers forced Georgetown to punt away its initial possession.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal The Tigers’ revenge tour is set to make its second stop. One year ago, Belton suffered through seven consecutive defeats before finally celebrating its first victory, which helped propel the Tigers into the playoffs for a fourth straight season. While the campaign concluded in the postseason, there was plenty of disappointment along the way, and Belton has not forgotten the experience. Last week, the Tigers avenged one of their losses, traveling to The Pfield, where they defeated Pflugerville Hendrickson 21-17 thanks in part to a pair of late touchdowns. In 2024, the Hawks earned a 14-0 win in the encounter. Friday, Belton attempts to do it again. The Tigers kickoff their contest at Georgetown at 7 p.m. with the hopes of altering the result from last year, when they fell to the Eagles by 29 points, 39-10. Georgetown is coming off a one-sided 27-0 victory at Victoria East, but Belton has momentum as well. After entering the fourth quarter against Hendrickson trailing 10-7, the Tigers both captured and lost the lead in the final minutes with junior quarterback Will Shepard finding senior running back Gino Zecca for a game-winning 16-yard touchdown with 76 seconds remaining in regulation. Shepard delivered a go-ahead touchdown on a two-yard run, giving Belton a 14-10 cushion with 4:53 left in the fourth quarter, but Hendrickson immediately responded with a 70-yard scoring drive to reclaim a 17-14 lead just 51 seconds later, setting the stage for the Tigers’ dramatic drive. Shepard completed 20 of 32 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns with junior receiver Gavin Ross accounting for a dozen catches for 146 yards and a score. On the ground, junior running back Jarvis Planz led the attack with 21 carries for 76 yards. While everything ended in Belton’s favor, things did not look promising early in the contest, which took some time to begin. Lightning delays began affecting the game about an hour before its scheduled kickoff, and after a pair of suspensions, players made their way to the field for warmups. Then, with just five minutes until the game was set to start, another lightning delay literally sent teams from inside their inflatable tunnels back inside their respective locker rooms. Approximately 40 minutes later, the contest began, and immediately, the Tigers were in trouble. Hawks senior Trevor Morgan returned the opening kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, giving his team a 7-0 advantage with only 12 seconds elapsed from the clock. Belton responded by forcing a turnover on downs and recovering a fumble, but the Tigers were unable to generate enough offense to reach the end zone and went into the second period trailing by seven points. Hendrickson added to its advantage on its first drive of the quarter as senior kicker Brennan Mercado sent a 35-yard field goal attempt through the uprights. Moments later, however, Belton ended its drought. After a Hawks’ penalty on fourth down kept the Tigers’ drive alive, Shepard found Ross for a 41-yard touchdown with 5:08 seconds remaining in the half.  Maintaining the momentum will be difficult, though, as Belton has only defeated Georgetown twice since 2004 with the last time occurring in 2021, when then-sophomore quarterback Ty Brown completed 18 of 22 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-31 win.

By Tony Adams The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers volleyball team had the opportunity to play a pre-district tournament close to home this past weekend against solid competition. The Tigers took part in the 2025 Little River Academy Tournament, located at Academy High School and Academy Middle School. Belton played six matches, and won all six while just dropping one game, to capture the tournament championship. On Thursday, the Tigers played in Pool B of the tournament at Academy Middle School. 

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers wrapped up their preseason action last week with a scrimmage against the Shoemaker Grey Wolves. The scrimmage was briefly interrupted by a lightning delay, forcing players to wait things out before any action took place. Once the skies cleared, both the JV and Freshman squads took the field at the same time to make up for lost time. Shoemaker’s staff reflected positively on the scrimmage, noting that their team saw “moments of greatness on the field” while also identifying areas that needed improvement. Belton’s coaches and players came away with similar takeaways. While the scoreboard wasn’t the focus, the Tigers had opportunities to test out new combinations, evaluate talent, and make adjustments before the games started to count. Now, Belton turns its attention to the regular season, which kicks off on Thursday, August 29, at 7 p.m. against the Hendrickson Hawks. The Tigers will be eager to put their preparation to work when they hit the road. Last year’s contest against Hendrickson was a defensive battle from start to finish, ending in a 14-0 win for the Hawks. Belton’s defense kept the game close, with then sophomore linebacker Azian Wilkinson racking up six solo tackles and showing flashes of the physical play the Tigers hope to build on this fall. On the offensive side, quarterback Will Shepard, also a sophomore at the time, managed to complete five of nine passes for 37 yards in what was one of his earliest varsity starts. This year, Shepard and Wilkinson both return with another year of experience under their belts. The Tigers’ offense will look to find more consistency and rhythm, while the defense aims to remain stout and create momentum plays. With more maturity and depth on the roster, Belton is hoping to avoid another low-scoring grind and instead spark early confidence with a strong opening performance. As the countdown to kickoff continues, one thing is clear: the Tigers are ready to compete. With a core of returning playmakers and fresh energy from underclassmen, Belton is determined to open 2025 with a performance that reflects the growth of the program and signals a promising start to the season.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal The Lady Tigers’ chemistry on the court is evident, but it began long before the season started. A little more than two weeks ago, Belton opened its schedule with a straight-set victory against visiting Round Rock McNeil, and in the weeks since, it has experienced a lot of success, including placing third at last weekend’s Huntsville tournament. Tuesday, the Lady Tigers followed the showing by traveling to Killeen Harker Heights and earning a four-set victory. While the program is playing well early in the season, Belton head coach Haleigh Johnson admits the players’ tight bonds are nothing new. “We are starting off the season working well together,” she said. “It’s so nice to see them having each others’ backs and leaning on each other in games this early on in the season. These girls spent a lot of time in our offseason together, and I really think all the character building we did has a lot to do with it.” Regardless of reasoning, it is working. In their second tournament of the young season, the Lady Tigers emerged from Huntsville with a 7-2 record, reaching the Gold bracket before defeating Madisonville to capture the bronze medals. Along the way, Belton produced a perfect second day, defeating the host Lady Hornets, Temple and Caldwell. Additionally, senior outside hitter C.J. Stites was named to the all-tournament team. The momentum carried over to Tuesday’s road match, where Belton bounced back from an early deficit in a close affair that displayed the Lady Tigers’ resiliency. On the heels of back-to-back kills from Stites, Belton held a 10-5 lead against the Lady Knights and inflated the cushion to seven points, 18-11, after sophomore middle blocker Emma Harvey delivered a scoring block. Harker Heights refused to concede, though. The Lady Knights responded with a 13-3 outburst to propel them a one-set advantage in the match, but it would not hold as the Lady Tigers withstood every ensuing charge from the opposition en route to a 23-25, 25-21,25-22, 25-22 win.  In the second set, Belton opened a 20-14 lead before Harker Heights rallied by scoring seven of the next 10 points, but a kill from Stites ended the run, allowing the Lady Tigers enough space to even the set. Then, in the third set, Belton withstood another 7-3 run after leading 21- 15. Finally, a 16-12 advantage was erased in the fourth set when an ace gave the Lady Knighs a 19-18 lead, and after the Lady Tigers scored five of the next six points, Harker Heights battled back again. The Lady Knights threatened to extend the match, creeping within a point at 23-22 before Malu Pula, a sophomore, had a scoring block and sophomore Brylee Renegar followed with a hit to earn the win. “I’m very proud of my girls for their teamwork,” Johnson said. “The stayed calm in situations that were intense, so I’m very proud of them for holding their composure.” Belton (13-8) will look to continue its winning ways starting today, when it travels for the three-day Little River Academy tournament. Upon returing from its final tournament, the Lady Tigers will travel to Killeen on Tuesday, and they host China Sping on Sept. 5.

By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The Belton Tigers officially kicked off practice on August 11, and there’s plenty of buzz surrounding the program as they gear up for their first scrimmage of the season. On the 21st at 7 p.m., Belton will take the field against Killeen Shoemaker for the first look at a team this season. One of the most notable additions to practice this year is the Tigers’ use of advanced speed tracking technology. The program has begun charting top speeds during drills, and the early numbers reveal speed and depth across the roster. Defensive back Graham Chambley and wide receiver Gavin Ross each clocked in at an impressive 20.3 mph, setting the standard for the team. Close behind were Azian Wilkinson, Jacob Lewis, and Adam Gonzales, all breaking into the 19 mph range. Just a few days later, on August 16, Ross again showcased his elite burst, topping the charts with another 20.3 mph sprint. The data doesn’t just make for interesting leaderboards; it provides Belton’s coaching staff with valuable insights into player performance. Wideouts like Ross, Achilles Palomares, and Khy Griffin have flashed the kind of speed that can stretch defenses, while defensive backs Wilkinson and Chambley are proving they have the recovery speed needed to lock down opposing receivers. Meanwhile, linebackers like Lewis and Gonzales bring a rare blend of size and quickness to the heart of the defense. Of course, no preview would be complete without highlighting the most important position on the field, quarterback. Will Shepard is set to lead the Tigers’ offense this season, and his development will be key to Belton’s success. With a talented group of receivers and playmakers surrounding him, Shepard has the tools to engineer an exciting and balanced attack. The Tigers’ scrimmage against Shoemaker will be the first test to see how practice speed translates into game situations. With speed on the outside, the Belton offense is p[poised to make some big plays. The scrimmage is set to kick off at 7 pm on the 21st, and it has the entire Belton community on the edge of their seats.

By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal For most teams in Texas, including Lake Belton, the cross country season began last week. Now, the Tigers and Lady Tigers are set to kickoff their campaigns on their home course. After choosing to remain idle for the opening events, Belton opens its schedule Friday at the annual Belton Invitational, where New Tech will also be in attendance. The event will be held at Belton Lake & Outdoor Recreation Area, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the Class 5A-6A girls race. The Class 5A-6A boys, Class 1A-4A girls and Class 1A-4A boys races will follow. In case of extreme heat on race day, however, the two boys races and two girls races could be combined but still scored separately. All races will be three miles in length except for the Class 1A-4A girls, which is two miles long. The Lady Broncos are not participating but will be entering their next event with momentum after delivering an impressive outing in their debut. Temple’s Lions Park played host to last week’s Temple Invitational, and the Lady Broncos immediately captured a glimpse of their future as freshman Keira Dzenowski collected the bronze medal, completing the threemile trek in 20 minutes, 0.9 seconds. Pflugerville Hendrickson’s junior Morgan Nelsen emerged with the individual championship, posting a time of 18:06.5, while Round Rock Stony Point junior Sophia Lopez was second (19:39.4). Dzenowski’s outing was complemented by sophomore teammate Lucy Loa and junior Sarah Gray, who placed 14th (21:26.1) and 18th (21:29.9), respectively. Rounding out the Lady Broncos’ top five were juniors Madelyn Rivas (26th, 21:49.5) and Jenna Benedick (28th, 21:58.5). Additionally, the sophomore trio of Alayna Fulton (33rd, 22:34.5), Claire Henn (34th, 22:35.5) and Elizabeth Sandlin (35th, 22:38.9) and seniors Clara Hill (37th, 22:44.4) and Isabela Romero (45th, 23:09.8) competed for Lake Belton, but their times did not count toward the team total. Final team scores were not available due to technical difficulties. In the boys division, Wyatt Potts, a junior, led the Broncos with a 20th-place time of 17:57.5. Teammates following Potts across the finish line included junior Josiah Briggs (30th, 18:28.1), junior Joshua Clark (32nd, 18:29.2), junior Jack McCullagh (34th, 18:30.5), sophomore Cooper Schels (38th, 18:36.3), junior Austin Adams (52nd, 19:03.4), freshman Drew Houston (68th, 19:38.3), sophomore Efren Romero-Meza (73rd, 19:45.0) and senior Robert Thomas (94th, 20:42.0). Temple senior Xavier Tools (1st, 16:02.2) and Killeen Harker Heights teammates Blake Zimmerman (2nd, 16:18.0) and Christion Meiners (3rd, 16:28.5) occupied the top three spots in the final standings. Lake Belton returns to action Friday at the Cedar Park Vista Ridge Invitational. The event will be held at the high school, starting at 7 a.m. Next week, all three Belton ISD programs will converge on the same course at the Temple Pro-Fit Invitational on Aug. 29.For most teams in Texas, including Lake Belton, the cross country season began last week. Now, the Tigers and Lady Tigers are set to kickoff their campaigns on their home course. After choosing to remain idle for the opening events, Belton opens its schedule Friday at the annual Belton Invitational, where New Tech will also be in attendance. The event will be held at Belton Lake & Outdoor Recreation Area, beginning at 7:30 a.m. with the Class 5A-6A girls race. The Class 5A-6A boys, Class 1A-4A girls and Class 1A-4A boys races will follow. In case of extreme heat on race day, however, the two boys races and two girls races could be combined but still scored separately. All races will be three miles in length except for the Class 1A-4A girls, which is two miles long. The Lady Broncos are not participating but will be entering their next event with momentum after delivering an impressive outing in their debut. Temple’s Lions Park played host to last week’s Temple Invitational, and the Lady Broncos immediately captured a glimpse of their future as freshman Keira Dzenowski collected the bronze medal, completing the threemile trek in 20 minutes, 0.9 seconds

By Aries Ramos Belton Journal With anticipation building and the 2025 football season just around the corner, the Belton Tigers are gearing up for their first action of the year, a preseason scrimmage against Killeen Shoemaker on August 21. The matchup marks the Tigers’ first opportunity to hit the field with game conditions, offering players and coaches a chance to evaluate their progress after a summer of preparation. Coming off an offseason filled with hard work, the Tigers are looking to build momentum and establish their identity early. While the scrimmage won’t count in the standings, it will serve as a checkpoint for head coach and staff to gauge where the team stands in terms of execution, discipline, and depth. Junior quarterback Will Shepard (6’1”, 175 lbs) is among the names to watch on offense as the Tigers begin their live reps for the season. Shepard has shown promising command during offseason workouts, and the upcoming scrimmage will offer a valuable opportunity to see how he performs in game-like conditions. In the trenches, look for returning junior lineman Angel Zarate (6’0”, 209 lbs) at center to anchor an offensive line that includes rising talent like Beckett Butler (6’5”) and Benjamin Gutierrez (6’2”). Defensively, the Tigers will rely on a mix of upperclassmen and hungry underclassmen. Junior Graham Chambley (6’1”, 160 lbs) and Azian Wilkinson (5’10”, 170 lbs) form a promising duo in the secondary, while juniors William Young and James Barrera bring intensity at the outside linebacker spots. Expect to see Javid Nua Planz (5’10”, 181 lbs), a versatile junior who lines up at both middle linebacker and running back, play a key two-way role during the scrimmage. With plenty of returning experience and some new faces eager to prove themselves, the Tigers will use this scrimmage to iron out the kinks, establish communication on both sides of the ball, and set the tone for a season filled with high expectations. Shoemaker brings physicality and speed to the field, and while no official score will be kept, the competition and experience is what both teams are looking forward to the most. For Belton, this is the first chance to show what kind of team they can be in 2025. Kickoff for the scrimmage is set for the evening of August 21st.