Cherokeean Herald

Start your Christmas shopping now!! Buy 1 Subscription, get Subscription 1/2 OFF.* We’ll give you One Subscription 1/2 OFF when you buy a 1-year Subscription at regular price. Give it as a Gift or get an extra year for yourself, 1/2 OFF! Cherokeean H E R A L D Texas’ Oldest Weekly Newspaper CELEBRATING 158 YEARS Call (903) 683-2257 Credit/Debit Cards Accepted • $20/Year - In County • $23/Year - Out of County • $27/Year - Out of State *Must purchase a One Year Subscription. Offer expires Dec. 31, 2008 St sh B 1 W S K CMYK WEDNESDAY November 12, 2008 Rusk, Texas n 50 cents Cherokeean CELEBRATING 158 YEARS thecherokeean.comcom HERALD BY ROBERT GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER The economic chaos that has roiled the financial markets in other parts of the country has now directly affected East Texas with the closing of all Franklin Banks. On Friday the Federal De-posit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) closed all Franklin Bank branches and allowed deposits to be assumed by Prosperity Bancshares of Houston. In addition to the deposits, Prosperity Bank will purchase $850 million of Franklin Bank’s $5.1 billion in assets. Locally, Franklin Bank has branches in Rusk, Jackson-ville, Palestine, Tyler and Longview. Closing of the banks was necessitated by bad real es-tate loans in other parts of the country. Franklin Bank was negotiating for an infusion of capital to allow it to stay open, but was unable to secure the additional cash. Depositors have been told their money is safe and all Oldest Texas’ Weekly Newspaper Vol. 159 n No. 38 n 20 pgs. INSIDE Annual Thanksgiving service is slated Tuesday, Nov. 25 Rusk citizens will gather at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the high school auditorium for the annual community Thanksgiving service. The event is sponsored by the Rusk Ministerial Alliance. Various ministers from the community will participate in this special service of thanks. Coats will be distributed Saturday in Rusk Women of the Rusk Church of Christ are collecting coats and funds to purchase coats for area needy youngsters. Coats will be distributed at the church from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 15. Those seeking coats are asked to bring children to try them on. Persons who would like to contribute toward the purchase of coats or who want to donate new or clean used coats can do so. Contributions can be taken to the church office on Main Street. 5 gas regulator stations targeted for repair at $57,000 projected cost BY QUINTEN BOYD STAFF WRITER The city of Alto has decided to fix their gas problem. At Monday night’s monthly city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to repair five gas regulator stations in Wells and put aside money in next year’s budget to repair gas lines in the Preston Street subdivision in Wells. The regulators that are slated to be repaired have been in place since 1964. “There are five stations and all five are leaking gas, so the stations are in need of repair,” said City Secretary Hattie Hamilton. City officials said that Texas Railroad Commission Safety In-spector Bob Reed will visit the site on Dec. 29 to make sure that repairs are progressing on the gas lines. If they are not progressing, Mr. Reed has the option of shutting the gas lines down. The city will use $57,000 to fix the five regulators and put aside $78,000 in next year’s budget to fix the Preston Street subdivision lines. Fire Chief Terry Black discussed a plan to create an emergency service district. The plan was pro-posed by smaller fire departments and volunteer fire departments to share the money generated by taxes among the 14 fire departments in Cherokee County. “Basically, there’ll be a big pot and a board of directors who decide where the money needs to go,” Chief Black said. The fire departments in Jackson-ville and Rusk had already heard and declined the plan. “It seems like a ‘Robin Hood’ type situation,” said Councilmember Randy Selman. Chief Black said that he and the Alto Fire Department were not for the plan, which would have in-creased taxes by seven cents within the Alto school district. The city council unanimously voted against the proposal. Council members said that they may support the plan if an equal amount is given to each fire department instead of giving the resources on a first come, first serve basis. Chief Black gave an example of one such district in Smith County which divides the money equally to each department. “I could see supporting it if it was done that way or in another way, but the way it’s described, I can’t see it,” said Councilmember Bob Pearman. The council also heard from Carey Palmer, who suggested starting an Economic Development Council in the city of Alto at September’s meeting. Mr. Palmer said that they had already completed the first step, which was creating a board of directors. Regulators close Franklin Bank Rep. Hopson is apparent victor Provisional, military votes give incumbent 104-vote victory BY TERRIE GONZALEZ MANAGING EDITOR After adding provisional and military votes to the tight District 11 house race, incumbent state Rep. Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville) is the apparent victor over challenger Brian K. Walker (R-Tatum) by a 104-vote margin. Late provisional and mili-tary were counted Monday in Cherokee, Houston and Rusk counties which resulted in an apparent net gain to Mr. Hopson of two votes. Panola County did not have additional votes. County government of-fices were closed Tuesday at press deadline in observance of Veterans Day, and the Cherokeean Herald used See FRANKLIN, pg. 6A County buys 4 patrol cars Commissioners breeze through light agenda BY GLORIA JENNINGS STAFF WRITER Cherokee County Commissioners approved a bid from Bill McRae Ford of Jacksonville for the county’s purchase of four police cars for the sheriff’s department. The bid price was $20,797 for each vehicle. County Judge Chris Davis was authorized to sign documents to finance the new vehicles at Citizens 1st Bank in Rusk. Also, Judge Davis was authorized to sign necessary documents to finance two new Mac dump trucks approved for purchase earlier by the commissioners court. Commissioners approved an agreement with Dr. Mark Race to provide primary health care service at the county health department. The renewal of an ingress and egress permit for five years was approved for RidgeAire Inc. THURSDAY mostly sunny 10% chance of rain High: 72 Low: 55 Weather Outlook CLASSIC HITS RADIO KWRW - FM and KTLU - AM CHEROKEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS See STATE REP, pg. 6A GET A ROUND TODAY’S CLASSIFIEDS CHEROKEE COUNTY SALUTES VETERANS Step 1: Two parts wood waste is blended with one part waste water sludge and saw dust and left sit for 15 days. Step 3: The blend is then sent through a deck screen, which sifts out 3 yards per load. Particles less than one inch in diameter used. Step 4: The finished product is piled up, tested and allowed to sit for 30 days before being sold as topsoil to the public. BY QUINTEN BOYD STAFF WRITER It’s a job that Mike Rowe and the crew at “Dirty Jobs” would love. The Neches Compost-ing Facility of the Ange-lina Neches River Authority, located eight miles outside of Jacksonville on U.S. Highway 79, routinely gets dirty, creat-ing topsoil that can be used for crops, yards and anything else a green-thumbed individual could want to grow. Workers at the authority use their product, called Soil Therapy, to maintain several test gardens on the premises. In the midst of dirt, machinery and not far from the highway, mustard greens, cabbage, broc-coli, collard greens, peppers and tomatoes grow to prove the merits of Soil Therapy. Well, except the tomatoes, but those were lost through no fault of Soil Therapy. “The cold snap that came through a few weeks ago got our tomatoes,” said James Henry, who is over sales and promotions for ANRA. “We only had one left and it’s not very DIRTY WORK Compost facility turns unwanted debris, waste into fertile soil ste to 1 Step 2: This device, known as a windrow turner, drives each row of the blend, aerating mixture. s over ng the 2 r are 3 See COUNTY, pg. 6A Alto hoses ‘Robin Hood’ plan to assist volunteer fire departments See CITY OF ALTO, pg. 6A CITY OF ALTO FRIDAY: @ TYLER’S ROSE STADIUM, 7:30 p.m. INDIAN | week n Wednesday, November 12, 2008 1B n Cherokeean Herald n thecherokeean.com Listen play-play action on KWRW – Classic Hits – 97.7 FM RUSK • JACKSONVILLE • T Gold Eye Clinic 1400 W. 6TH ST - RUSK 903-683-4973 hk #66HT: 5-9 WT: 175 GRADE: Junior 40-YD-Dash: 4.8 sec. POSITION: offensive lineman YEARS ON VARSITY: 1 OTHER SPORTS: powerlifting FUTURE PLANS: lawyer MUNOZ ADRIAN GRADE: Senior FUTURE PLANS: broadcasting GLASSBLAKE LARRY KRANTZ LINDALE – Tempting as it might be to savor last week’s 22-19 win against Lindale and Jacksonville’s first playoff berth since 2004, the Indians will need to muster all the lessons of the 2008 regu-lar season on Friday as they take on the No. 5 Longview Lo-bos at Trinity Mother Fran-ces Rose Sta-dium in Tyler in the bi-district round. Longview was idle on Friday after defeating Longview Pine Tree 41-14 to win the District 13-4A title. But even as the Indians prepare for Longview, look-ing back at last week’s win in this column won’t count as “savoring.” Jacksonville, which in spite of its record has been competi-tive in every game this year, picked up speed as last Friday wore on. Jacksonville stopped a pair of Lindale drives inside its own 10 and forced a pair of field goals before halftime, then forced a turnover of sorts on every Lindale drive in the second half. Let’s not forget that Lindale could have won an outright district championship had the Eagles won. Though three second-half interceptions helped pave the way for Jacksonville’s win, none was bigger than James Allen’s interception late in the fourth quarter that set up Kendrick Hatton’s go-ahead touchdown. On the play, Allen stepped in front of Lindale’s Vinson Brown near the Lindale 15 and broke down the home sideline before being tackled at the 5. Hatton scored his third touchdown of the night two plays later. Terrance Canady’s intercep-tion sealed the victory after he wrestled the ball away from Lindale’s Logan Lawrence, halting a 12-play, 48-yard Eagles drive that was ap-proaching field-goal range. A field goal would have sent the game into overtime. A touchdown would have sent the Indians home for the winter. Hatton, who in spite of a gimpy ankle, rushed for a team-high 120 yards on 21 carries, broke a 37-yard touchdown run – his longest of the season – with 2:26 re-maining in the first half and closing the deficit to one point at halftime. The Indians’ use of a two-quarterback rotation where senior Kyle Stacy and sopho-more Ryan Black alternated snaps during Friday’s game, while unique and, one could argue, successful, creates a question as to which will start Friday’s game. Stacy, who was injured in Week 8 against Kilgore, was the team’s starter to that point, completing 14 of 44 passes for 181 yards, includ-ing two interceptions and a touchdown. Black, who started the season with a broken arm, completed 15 of 32 passes 175 yards, including an inter-ception with no touchdowns during district play. While Jacksonville’s pass-ing attack has taken a back seat to Hatton’s running, the Indians will need it against Longview, which only a year ago was a traditional Class 5A powerhouse. About Longview In spite of dropping down to Class 4A this season, the Lobos continued traditional rivalries with former district mates Tyler Lee and Lufkin – winning both games, in-cluding a shutout against Lee – and went undefeated against district opponents Texas High (won 41-7), Sul-phur Springs (32-13), Mount Pleasant (51-7), Marshall (50-21), Hallsville (21-7) and Pine Tree. Longview’s losses were to Allen (21-7) and Shreveport Evangel on a forfeit after using an ineligible player. The Lobos won that game 52-22 on the field. Running back Tyler McCray leads the Lobos with 1,056 yards and 15 touchdowns on 127 carries this season, fol-lowed by Aaron Johnson with 647 yards and eight touch-downs on 72 carries. Johnson, also the team’s quarterback, has completed 50 of 118 pass attempts for 907 yards, including seven touchdowns and seven inter-ceptions. Receiver Carey Forston leads Longview with 16 re- 103 yards on nine receptions Defensively, Lamarcus Howard leads the team with 67 tackles, four interceptions Tribe grounds Eagles 22-19 to earn playoff berth Jacksonville takes on Longview in bi-district round Friday night at Tyler’s Trinity Mother Frances Rose StadiumGame Stats SCORING BY QUARTER Jacksonville 0 14 0 8 --22 Lindale 7 12 0 0 --19 SCORING SUMMARY First Quarter LINDALE -- Vinson Brown 3 run (James Crew kick), 5:08 Second Quarter JACKSONVILLE -- Kendrick Hatton 2 run (Blake Glass kick), 10:33 LINDALE -- FG: Crew, 21, 7:26 LINDALE -- FG: Crew, 26, 4:07 JACKSONVILLE -- Hatton 37 run (Glass kick), 2:26 LINDALE -- Trevon Ray 23 run (pass failed), :59 Fourth Quarter JACKSONVILLE -- Hatton 4 run (Ryan Black run), 3:00 JHS LHS First Downs 12 18 Rushes-Yds. 38-150 33-163 Passing Yds. 40 226 Comp.-Att.-Int 2-8-2 23-38-3 Punts-Yds. 2-28.0 1-25.0 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 1-1 Penalties-Yds. 5-45 7-60 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING -- Jacksonville: Kendrick Hatton 21-120, Zaver Jones 6-16, Kyle Stacy 3-7, Corey Hamlett 2-5, Virgil Clark 2-3, Ryan Black 4-(minus-1); Lindale: Trevon Ray 22-136, Nathan Simmons 7-24, Davonte Jones 1-8, Vinson Brown 1-3, Keanrre Ross 1-0, D.J. Foster 1-(minus-8). PASSING -- Jacksonville: Black 2-3-1 40, Stacy 0-5-1 0; Lindale: Simmons 23-38-3 226. RECEIVING -- Jacksonville 2-40; Lindale: Brown 9-64, Logan Lawrence 7-121, Ray 3-31, Foster 2-7, James Crew 1-5, Andrew Le 1-(minus-2). INTERCEPTIONS -- Jacksonville: James Allen, Duke Hamilson, Canady; Lindale: Lawrence 2. graphic: Cherokeean Herald PHOTOS: MIKE CUMMINS, SPORTS PHOTOS USA Jacksonville’s Kendrick Hatton follows the blocks of Dakota Friday’s game against Lin-dale. 120 yards rushing and two touchdowns made the playoffs with a 22- 19 victory over the Eagles. Below, Jacksonville players IT’S NEW YOU! COME EAIT’S FOR • SEE • 2023 EAST KING ARTHUKING ARTHUR’ VS. LONGVIEW nCherokeean Heraldnthecherokeean to by-ac m, for r-ns - k 2-ear Fr MS: MIK cksonville’s Ha kota Ivey on a run during e. Hatton ended up with hdowns as the Indians ctory n Cherokeean Herald n thecherokeean.comcocom FRIDAY: VS. JOAQUIN @ GLADEWATER, m.‘JACKET | week 2B n Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Chapman Pharmacy ON THE SQUARE IN RUSK 903-683-2422 903-683-2277 • Member FDIC RUSK • JACKSONVILLE •TYLER • NACOGDOCHES • FRED W • RANDY LOW - M #28HT: 5-10 WT: 170 GRADE: Senior 40-YD-Dash: 4.48 sec. POSITION: running back, defensive back YEARS ON VARSITY: 1 OTHER SPORTS: track FUTURE PLANS: college THACKER KIRKLAND HT: 5-10 WT: 180 GRADE: Senior 40-YD-Dash: 5.0 sec. defensive tackle CRISP DEREK ROBIN D. BEST Pack of Picks PHOTO: LEANN JONES Alto’s Jordan Shaw cradles the ball after a The Yellowjackets will represent District 20-Divi-sion I (big school) playoffs against Joaquin p.m. at Jack V. Murphy Bear Stadium in ALTO – It is not unusual for the Alto Yellowjackets to be alive and well come playoff time. After last week’s bye, play-ers and coaches are putting in overtime. The Jackets want to carry on a winning tradition that has sent every playoff team they have faced in the last two years to the showers with a season-ending heartbreak. “We are happy to be in the play-offs,” said Alto head football Coach Keith Gardner. “We are look-ing forward to extending our playoff streak. The kids are excited about district play and the kids are happy about being 5 and 1 and getting to move on.” Following two consecutive state championships, Alto began their season this year anticlimactically in an away game against the San Augus-tine Wolf Pack. In an eye opening game for the new Yellowjacket players, Alto suffered its first loss in more than two years, losing to the Wolves 7-26. “The season has gone pretty good,” said Alto offensive line Coach Paul Gould. “We’ve had some ups and downs. It is what we expected. Alto has won 6 of 10 and 5 of 6 in district. In week 2, a highly anticipated contest between Alto and the Arp Tigers was cancelled when Hurricane Ike moved through East Texas. With winds rush-ing close to 100 mph in some areas, Ike claimed victory over both teams. In week that followed, the Frankston Indians caught the Jackets off guard, winning the game 13-34. “We are getting better,” Coach Gould added. “Which is exactly what you want to do running into the playoffs.” Two weeks ago, Alto lost a tough district away game in Cayuga. Finding it difficult to find the rhythm early, Alto battled back by the end of the game to bring the score to a final of 24-35, losing by 11. “We played a tough ball game against Cayuga,” Coach Gould said. “They are a re-ally good football team. We didn’t think our kids need to hold their heads down. Our kids fought real hard against that bunch, and I think that Mean Sting puts in overtime prepare was a real good game for us to prepare us for being in the playoffs.” The Yellowjackets have worked all season to bring the team to the level of intensity the team is now displaying. When the team is going on all cylinders, it is hard to believe any team could them. With veteran players hav-ing the experience two undefeated seasons and two state championships, older players taught the younger players how to win games. “You know, Coach said. veteran players have showing some that is vitally for the outscoring now think the Coach said. I I think to help aware that they have come a long way this year. They are ready to some well-earned gridiron muscle. “we are focusing on the little things,” Coach hard, staying your are going back to the basics we need in order to that playoff push. is BI-DISTRICT Alto Yellowjackets will The Alto Yellowjackets, 6-3 the season, will 5-4 Rams the bi-district is 7:Stadium, and the the home team. last 13. They are led by linebacker Tyler McSwain, tackles two Rams are and also serves as kicker, going 1-2 on extra points. Last season, the Rams Murphy Bear High-way Turn left at N. Rodeo St. and right on W. Gay stadium will be on the left. 103.3 will game J.D. Pearman and Ran-dall ROBERT GONZALEZ Score: .719 QUINTEN BOYD Score: .766 Cowboys Indy Tennessee Texas Baylor UCALARRY KRANTZ Score: .688 Washington Tennessee Texas GUIDRY Score: .813 Washington Tennessee Texas Baylor UCATARA CROSBY Score: .828 Washington Indy Tennessee Texas M UCAROBIN BEST Score: .672 Cowboys Indy Tennessee Texas Tex. A&M Cowboys Indy J’ville Texas Baylor UCA Cowboys @ Washington Texans @ Indianapolis Tennessee @ Jacksonville Texas @ Kansas A&M @ Baylor SFA vs. Central Arkansas U.S. HWY. TEXAS - 936-69 - ALTO, HICKS CREOSOTI N CREOSOTING COMPANY hecherokeean.comcocococococom 7:30 p.er making catch. t20-1A in the Divi-uin Friday at 7:30 Gladewater. me to for playoffs uld defeat an hav-erience of two asons ionships, the have layers how to they really have,” Coach Gardner said. “The veteran players been showing some really good leadership important your season. In the weeks since losing at Frankston, Jackets won five straight district games, dominating in offense, defense and special teams, opponents 233-52. “Right I we are throwing ball good,” Gould said. “Defensively, I think we are playing pretty good. We are covering the ball a little bit better and we are starting to get more physical too, defensively, and that is going us in the playoffs.” The players are have come a long way and poised to win. Traveling play the winner of the West Sabine-Joaquin game, Alto is looking forward to flexing some Right now the little things,” Coach Gould said. “Running hard, offensively staying on your blocks, knowing your assign-ment. We make “This the one that counts now,” he added. be the home team in Gladewater Friday on face the 5-4 Joaquin Rams in the bi-district round. Kickoff 30 p.m. at Jack V. Murphy and Jack-ets will be The Rams defeated West Sa-bine week, 57-who notched 10 with for loss . On offense, the led by running back Reyes Rico, who ran for 243 yards and three touchdowns finished 10-3, advancing all the way to the regional finals, where they were eliminated by Alto, 47-6. To get to Jack V. Stadium, drive north on U.S. 69 to Tyler. In Tyler, turn right on E. 5th St (State Highway 155) and then turn left at S. Beckham Ave. Continue on U.S. Highway 271 to Gladewater. Turn left at W. Upshur Ave. (U.S. Highway 80), then turn right Rodeo Ave. The KJCS broadcast the with Birdsong commentating. TZ 8 nWashington Indy Tennesseeennesseennessee TexasTexasxaxa Baylor UCABRAD onWashingtgton Indy eTennesseeTenennesse TexasTexasTex onWashingto eTennessee TexasTexas Tex. A&UCAROBINBEST eTennessee SFA COMPANYNY OMPAPAPA Season ends at 4-6 (2-3 in District) EAGLE | week n Wednesday, November 12, 2008 3B n Cherokeean Herald n thecherokeean.com Chapman Pharmacy ON THE SQUARE IN RUSK 903-683-2422 First Baptist Church 372 E. FOURTH ST. • RUSK 903-683-5494 903-683-2277 • Member FDIC RUSK • JACKSONVILLE •TYLER • NACOGDOCHES Lexington Place NURSING & REHAB 330 Bagley Rd. • Rusk 90368354 Member FDIC ib Cherokee Animal Clinic ANTHONY HOLCOMB, DVM • 903-683-5315 Hwy. 84 E • Rusk Allen’s Tires & CUSTOM WHEELS 101 E. 7TH • RUSK 903-683-5599 1617 S. JACKSON • J’VILLE 903-586-1144 Hwy 69 S • Rusk 903-683-9555 Rusk - Jacksonville - Troup Nacogdoches - Palestine Main Street Cleaners 596 N. MAIN Rusk - 903-683-4327 O.T. Allen Funeral Home HWY 21, E. • ALTO 936-858-4111 Iron Horse Cafe EAST SIDE OF SQUARE 903-683-1366 - Rusk #75 HT: 6-2 WT: 270 GRADE: Senior 40-YD-Dash: 5.0 sec. POSITION: defensive end, tight end YEARS ON VARSITY: 3 OTHER SPORTS: track FUTURE PLANS: college football, then pro ANTHONY QUINN HT: 5-9 WT: 195 GRADE: Senior 40-YD-Dash: 4.8 sec. POSITION: linebacker, tight end YEARS ON VARSITY: 4 OTHER SPORTS: baseball FUTURE PLANS: playing college ball PATE DALTON#44HT: 5-11 WT: 236 GRADE: Senior 40-YD-Dash: 5.4 sec. POSITION: offensive lineman, defensive lineman YEARS ON VARSITY: 2 OTHER SPORTS: basketball, track FUTURE PLANS: attend SFA to become a lawyer ANDERSON CHASE#79 QUINTEN BOYD RUSK - Friends, Ruskites, countrymen (and women), lend me your ears! I'm here to say that, despite missing a playoff berth this year, the Rusk Eagles look like they will be just fine. It has to be said that the game against Diboll wasn't particularly pretty. The Lum-berjacks used a balanced passing and rushing at-tack to defeat the Eagles, 66-19, in a game where Diboll ran for four touch-downs and threw for four touchdowns and Rusk had 7 penalties, all in the first half. It happened and there's no way to change that. "We made mistakes in the first half and we also didn't convert fourth downs we normally convert," said Rusk head coach Ted Patton. "This was not what we wanted, but we never stopped fighting and that's something that we can be proud of." In truth, despite the loss to Diboll and falling short of the playoffs, there is a lot to be proud of from the Rusk Eagles. Remember that this was a team who, last year, finished at 2-8. This year, with a new coach and a brand new offense, Rusk finished 4-6 (2-3 in district play). "It's an improvement," Coach Patton said. "Although we didn't make the playoffs, the wheels are in motion to go in the right direction." Coach Patton credits his 19 seniors for the ease with which the new system worked. "Each one of those guys bought into our system and worked hard," he said. In truth, you could see just how much those seniors and the entire team bought into the system. Even when the score was not in doubt, the Rusk Eagles played as if it was 0-0. Maybe they didn't always make the stop, but they were just like a club fighter: when they got hit in the mouth, they kept charging and got some punches off themselves. Make no mistake that the Eagles will miss their senior class: Tarrance Turner, John Carroll, Tim Harris, Alex Morin, Nicky D. Cleveland, Trent Vaught, Blake Reid, Lonnie Gipson, Cody Conner, Bo Lawson, Michael Daniels, Andrew Tucker, Dalton Pate, Cody Thompson, Nick Brad-shaw, Matt Friederich, Aaron Fernandez, Quinn Anthony and Chase Anderson. These were 19 players who'd seen the ups and downs of Rusk football. "This was the one of the few times since junior high that they'd gotten a chance to play together," Coach Patton said. "They worked hard every day and really bought into our sys-tem. It would have been easy for them not to because they were seniors, but the fact that they did showed what kind of players they were." Make no mistake, as well, that the cupboard is not bare in Rusk. Returning are such players as John David Beard, who has the ability to make plays with his arms and his legs and Marcell Johnson, with his 831 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on the year. Rusk also has four members of its offensive line returning in juniors John Trotter, Colton Campbell, Taj PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN Rusk’s Derrick Sanders (with ball) follows the blocks of several Eagles, including Marcell Johnson (#1), John Carroll (#3) and Lonnie Gipson (#20) during Friday night’s game against the Diboll Lumberjacks. The 66-19 loss to Diboll ended Rusk’s season at 4-6 (2-3 in district). Cleaver and Reggie Dickson. On the defensive side of the ball, Trotter will return at his linebacker position along with defensive backs Derrick Sand-ers, DeMario Richards, Kyle Tullis and Trey Thrash, who was moved up from the JV team going into the Carthage game and remained for the rest of the season. "We're going to be even bet-ter next year just for the fact that it'll be our second year under the system and we'll have a full offseason," Coach Patton said. Optimism abounds in Rusk, and nowhere is that more evident than in the subvarsity teams. Take last week against Diboll, when the Eagle JV, 8th and 7th grade teams defeated the Lumberjacks by a com-bined score of 146-24. The JV team finished the season on a strong note, win-ning their final game, 34-0. See EAGLES, pg. 4B Diboll ends Rusk’s season; Eagle optimism continues Finishing year at 4-6 (2-3), Eagles look toward the future and season two under Coach Ted Patton 435 N. RUSK 6363 HAMBURGER NIGHT-TUES . PM-- BURGERS-$5 DICKINSON, • 903-683-• TUES. 5 CLOSE 5 SONIC DRIVE-RUSKSONIC IN – RUSK 9A RUSK DROPS OUT OF THE PLAYOFF RACE; ALTO & JACKSONVILLE ADVANCE TO BI-DISTRICT 1-3B Former Rusk teammates help rewrite record books at Missouri S&T Rusk’s Brad Guidry and Jordan Beard had a big day during Senior Day at Missouri S&T this past Saturday. Guidry, a senior, set a school single-game record with seven touchdown passes as the Miners defeated Southwest Baptist, 63- 23. He threw for 437 yards while completing 31 passes. He also ran for 45 yards on five carries. Out of those numbers, 201 yards and three touchdowns went to Beard, a graduate student. The two former Rusk High School teammates connected from nine, 40 and 86 yards. In all, Beard would catch eight passes for the game. Guidry and Beard’s efforts helped the Miners notch their second-highest offensive total in school history with 666 yards. Missouri S&T, 6-4 on the season, became the champions of the Great Lakes Football Conference with the win. They finish their season this Saturday at Truman State. Brad Guidry (front) and Jordan Beard See DIRTY WORK, pg. 9A <WEBSITE>WWW.THECHEROKEEAN.COM</WEBSITE>