Mark Miller
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Articles by Mark Miller
Ellison throws pre-Halloween scare into No. 4 Brenham before falling 24-13
Brenham’s CJ Glover rushed for 255 yards and the fourth-ranked Cubs scored on offense, defense and special teams to hold off Ellison 24-13 on Friday at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium. The Cubs (9-0, 4-0 District 8-5A-D2) host Belton next Friday for the league championship.
WEEK 9 ALL-STARS: Belton's Shepard sets school mark with 7 TD passes
The Belton Tigers have been playing football for more than a century and no quarterback had ever thrown seven TD passes. Until now. Will Shepard set the school record in a 57-48 win over visiting Ellison on Friday. Shepard completed 22 of 32 passes and also ran for a score. David Ash held the previous mark of six before eventually becoming the starter at the University of Texas. Shepard's performance earned him a statewide honor as the Panini America Week 9 Class 5A QB of the Week.
Knights rout Bobcats 65-6 for 21st consecutive district win, playoff spot
Naythan Smith stole the spotlight from his more famous Harker Heights wide receiver mates, catching three touchdown passes to help the Knights rout Chaparral 65-6 and clinch another trip to the playoffs. The win Friday at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium was Heights’ 21st consecutive in district play. Smith entered the night with one of Heights’ 27 touchdown grabs, well behind Ryan Taylor (17) and Arshawn Spann (7), but he scored on catches of 12, 15 and 26 yards as the Knights built a 42-0 lead.
WEEK 8 ALL-STARS: Knights' Taylor ties school mark with 6 TDs
Harker Heights wide receiver Ryan Taylor has a two-year resume dotted with brilliant performances. With the sun beginning to set on the senior's Knight career, the Oct. 15 effort vs. Bryan will be hard to top. Taylor tied a school record with six touchdowns in a 73-7 win against the Vikings, catching five scoring passes and returning a punt for a 75-yard touchdown. He finished with 229 yards receiving and earned a statewide honor as the Built Ford Tough Player of the Week in Class 6A.
PLAYOFFS ON HOLD: Temple denies Cove a spot in postseason — for now — with sweep
COPPERAS COVE — Knowing it would likely clinch a playoff spot with a win over Temple — a team it swept on the road 3½ weeks earlier — the Copperas Cove volleyball team came out surprisingly flat. Maybe that’s not giving the Tem-Cats enough credit. Temple has been on a tear in the second half of District 12-6A play. And that continued Tuesday in a surprisingly easy 25-15, 25-17, 25-15 sweep of the Lady Dawgs.
Ellison shuts out University 28-0 for 2-0 start in 8-5A-D2
Ellison threw five interceptions, fumbled, and botched a punt. It never felt like the Eagles weren’t in control, however, in a 28-0 win over Waco University on Friday at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium. It was all thanks to a defense that scored two touchdowns and never let the Trojans advance past the Eagles 29-yard line. Ellison (4-3, 2-0 District 8-5A-D2) held the Trojans to 71 total yards, 8 in the second half.
PLAYOFFS??? Where area teams stand in their respective district races
Area high school football teams in larger districts are well into the meat of their schedules, while the smallest leagues only started a week ago. But we can still glean plenty of information from that one week as 66% percent of those teams will wind up playing in mid-November while just 44% of teams in 12-5A-D1 are headed to the postseason. No area teams have clinched a playoff berth at the moment, nor have any teams been mathematically eliminated. Here's a look at the road ahead ...
WEEK 7 ALL-STARS: Gatesville's Keeton shines in district opener
After an impressive sophomore season as Gatesville's No. 2 receiver behind star senior Amos Phllips, it was expected that Grady Keeton would be a suitable replacement to take over the top role. What an understatement. Keeton is having a season rivaling his honorable mention all-state predecessor. His latest act was a 286-yard performance against Waco Connally in a 62-20 District 13-4A-D2 opener on Friday.
Smith, Ellison dominate Waco early, win 8-5A-D2 opener 34-16
Marlyn Smith passed for 287 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 117 and one score to lead Ellison to a 34-16 win over Waco in the teams’ District 8-5A-D2 opener on Friday at Leo Buckley Stadium. Smith’s yardage totals were game-highs in both categories. Ellison (3-3) didn’t score in the second half but the Eagles were firmly in command the entire night after rolling to a 34-9 halftime lead.
Georgetown clips Shoemaker 13-12 on FG with 3 seconds left
Georgetown's Dan Lopez kicked an 18-yard field goal with three seconds remaining and the Eagles escaped with a 13-12 win over Shoemaker on Thursday at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium. The Eagles trailed most of the night but got a big boost from quarterback Kaleb McDougle, who missed nearly 12 minutes of the second half with an injury but returned for the final drive.
WEEK 6 ALL-STARS: Cove trio shines in 56-14 win
With more than half of the area teams idle during Week 6, the number of all-star performances took a corresponding drop. But the quality remained as good as ever. Over in Copperas Cove, the Bulldawgs piled up 56 points in a 42-point rout of Bryan on Friday. Victor Tepezano, Craig Davis III and KJ Zeigler each had massive performances. Davis completed 15 of 19 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns.
WEEK 5 ALL-STARS: Paige leads way as Roos run past Connally
Killeen High's resurgence on the gridiron continued on Friday with a 63-51 road win over Pflugerville Connally that featured stellar contributions on both sides of the ball. The Kangaroos (3-1, 2-0 12-5A-D1) dominated on the ground with three 100-yard rushers, led by Amari Paige's 222 yards and four scores on just 20 carries. Elijah Sandiego added 169 yards and a score, and Jateveion Harris tallied 109 and a score. CJ Robertson caught two passes for 109 yards and two scores.
Multiple players shine in Lake Belton's shootout win over Ellison
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Lake Belton's 54-52 win over Ellison on Friday featured five lead changes and some amazing performances. Jessiah James (14-for-24 passing) threw for 357 yards and two scores. The Broncos had three receivers top 100 yards: Zion Harness (4-102, TD), Brock Von Racjs (4-128, TD) and Luke Phillips (4-100). Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Belton's Ross makes bid for play and player of year
Belton wide receiver Gavin Ross provided an early candidate for play of the year on Friday - one that figures to be hard to top - in the Tigers' 41-0 win at Bastrop. From the Bastrop 19, Ross hauls in a pass in the flat at the 15, hurdles an oncoming defender at the 10, spins away from another defender near the sideline at the 8 and powers through a final tackle attempt inside the 5 to reach the end zone. You can see the play . Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
QB Marlyn Smith leads Ellison to 26-14 win at Chaparral
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Ellison quarterback Marlyn Smith bounced back from a rough start, running and passing for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lead the Eagles to a 26-14 win over Chaparral on Friday night at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium. Laboris Creagh ran for 139 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries for the Eagles, who picked up their first win after an 0-2 start. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Roos rising behind strong ground game
The Killeen Kangaroos turned heads with their season-opening loss at Liberty Hill. The Roos - whose only win over the last two seasons came against winless Bryan in the 2025 finale - led much of the way against the 5A-D2 seventh-ranked Panthers before Liberty Hill rallied with back-to-back touchdowns for a 34-30 lead just before the game was called during a lightning delay midway through the third quarter. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
New Shoemaker coach locks up first win in 67-0 rout of Del Valle
Tano Wooten and Syntel Fielder each scored a pair of early touchdowns and Shoemaker routed Del Valle 67-0 on Thursday at Joseph L. Searles III Stadium to help Roy Locks earn his first win as the Grey Wolves head coach. Just six days after a humbling 28-13 home loss against Mexico's Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in which Shoemaker was outplayed in every phase, the Wolves dominated from the opening kick. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Broncos harness a big night from standout receiver to win opener
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer If opening night is any indication, Lake Belton is going to experience a seamless transition to Class 6A under new coach Kirk Rogers. The Broncos got not one, not two, but THREE astonishing offensive performances in their 6A debut, a 58-27 pummeling of fellow 6A program Cedar Park Vista Ridge last Thursday. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Feisty Tigres of Mexico spoil Locks' Shoemaker debut, 28-13
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon backup quarterback Jose Eduardo Gonzalez Casales ran and threw for big-play touchdowns in the second half and the Autenticos Tigres shut out Shoemaker for the final three-plus quarters in a 28-13 season-opening win at Leo Buckley Stadium on Friday. Shoemaker's Roy Locks, the fifth head coach in Grey Wolves history, was looking to become the first to win in his debut.
Shoemaker boys nab elusive win in state 800 relay
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer AUSTIN - Following a disappointing end to the track season a year ago, the Shoemaker boys 800-meter relay team returned to Mike A. Myers Stadium on Saturday laser-focused on capturing a win at the Class 6A state meet. The Grey Wolves cruised to the gold medal this time. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Liberty downs Salado 7-1 to force Game 3
By Mark Miller | Herald staff writer With her team facing elimination, Liberty starter Bayleigh Taylor scattered six hits and shut out Salado through six innings in a 7-1 victory on Friday that evened the teams' best-of-three regional championship series at 1-1. The teams will return to College Station High School on Saturday at 1 p.m. to decide a spot in the Class 4A-Division II state tournament. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Knights fall 10-2 to Tyler Legacy in Game 3 of area series
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Tyler Legacy's Owen Harrison broke a 2-2 tie with a third-inning sacrifice fly and pitcher Calvin Rippy dominated on the mound for the second straight day to send the Red Raiders to a 10-2 area series-clinching victory over Harker Heights on Saturday in Alvarado. Legacy (26-7-2) scored the final eight runs of the game and advanced to the Class 6A regional semifinals for the second straight year. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Knights sweep Cedar Hill for first bi-district title in 9 years
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer COPPERAS COVE - A big start and powerful finish finally got the Harker Heights baseball team over the playoff hump. The Knights scored six runs in the bottom of the first, led the rest of the way and went on to sweep Cedar Hill with a 10-3 win Thursday in Game 2 of their Class 6A-Division II bi-district series. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Lady Dawgs win 12-2 in dominant first-round sweep of Mesquite Horn
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer COPPERAS COVE - Winning a bi-district championship proved to be easy for the Copperas Cove softball team, the third-place finisher in District 12-6A. Getting off of work early was the challenging part for the Lady Dawgs, who finished off a dominant sweep of their best-of-three series with Mesquite Horn with a 12-2 run-rule win in six innings on Friday. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Stellar offense, pitching and defense lift Heights to 9-2 win over Temple
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - Knights right-hander Seth Martin had three hits at the plate and limited Temple to just four hits on the mound in Harker Heights' 9-2 win on Friday. Martin (7-2) was aided by an offense that produced five runs before he faced his sixth batter. The Knights also made a handful of stellar defensive plays in the field and did not commit an error. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Broncos' five-run 8th ruins Bobcat rally from 7 down
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer The Chaparral Bobcats worked so hard to overcome a dreadful start and erase a 7-0 deficit. It all went for naught with a dreadful finish in extra innings. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Nash Jordan drives in go-ahead run in 7th inning of Belton's 4-3 win
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Belton's Nash Jordan doubled to drive in the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning and the Tigers edged Chaparral 4-3 on Friday to split their District 16-5A series. Jordan also hit a two-run homer in the fifth to break a 1-1 tie, but the Bobcats scored two in the bottom of the inning to tie the game again. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
A'Nasia Williams sparks Heights to 9-7 playoff-clinching win at Cove
COPPERAS COVE - Harker Heights' A'Nasia Williams shined in the field, on the bases and at the plate, helping the Lady Knights clinch a playoff spot with a 9-7 victory on Tuesday at Copperas Cove. Janelly Rios, Heights' third hurler, tossed five innings of relief to earn the win. She also had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run. Kai Leon-Guerrero had three hits and drove in a pair of runs. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Martin's 2-hitter helps Heights split series with Cove, 5-1
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer COPPERAS COVE - Harker Heights' Nate Brown and Cannon Culp each drove in a pair of runs, and Seth Martin tossed a complete-game two-hitter as the Knights downed Copperas Cove 5-1 on Tuesday for a split of their District 12-6A series. Second-place Heights (15-6-2, 5-2 12-6A) remained a half-game in front of third-place Bryan, an 11-2 winner over Shoemaker. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Chaparral rallies with five-run fifth to split series with Trojans
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Chaparral's Michael Schubert went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, drove in a big insurance run with a sixth-inning grounder and pitched an inning of relief to earn a save in the Bobcats' 7-4 win over Waco University on Friday. The win gave Chaparral (9-12-1, 1-1 District 16-5A) a split of its two-game series with the Trojans (11-6, 1-1.) Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
WHAT A COMEBACK! Lady Knights score twice with 2 out in 7th to stun Temple 7-6
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - Kai Leon-Guerrero and Je'Neiya Russell-Dukes scored on two-out wild pitches in the bottom of the seventh inning and the Harker Heights Lady Knights rallied to stun Temple 7-6 on Tuesday. The Tem-Cats out-hit Heights 14-9 and led from the top of the first inning until Leon-Guerrero, who walked to open Heights seventh, scored on an errant pitch. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Cannon Culp goes 3-for-4 and earns win on mound in Heights' 8-4 victory over Bryan
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - Harker Heights' Cannon Culp went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, triple and three runs scored and earned the win on the mound as the Knights doubled up Bryan 8-4 on Friday. It was Heights' fourth straight win and third consecutive in District 12-6A play. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Nate Brown's bases-loaded single gives Heights a 17-16 walk-off win over Chaparral
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - Harker Heights' Nate Brown singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the Knights to a 17-16 walk-off win over Chaparral on Saturday. Brown's single with nobody out ended a wild, three-hour nondistrict slugfest. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Harker Heights leapfrogs Cove into 2nd place with 10-6 win
HARKER HEIGHTS - Ashlynn Warriner, Harker Heights' No. 9 hitter, fouled off the first eight pitches she saw in the fourth inning before lining a single into right field to break a 3-3 tie and send the Lady Knights on their way to a 10-6 home win over Copperas Cove on Friday. Heights added two more runs in the frame on a single by Kamryn Records and an outfield throwing error and led the rest of the way. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Dawgs rout Roos in 12-6A opener behind 11-run first, Barrera's 1-hit shutout
COPPERAS COVE - Austin Barrera tossed a one-hit shutout, the Bulldawgs' first eight batters reached base and scored and Copperas Cove routed Killeen 16-0 in five innings on Tuesday in a District 12-6A opener. Barrera allowed just a catchable bloop double off the bat of Osmanny Nunez that dropped to the turf after shortstop Kyle Eberhard and center fielder Jason Riley collided in shallow center field trying to track it down in the wind with two out in the top of the second inning.
Lovejoy ends Ellison's regional reign with 57-43 victory
HILLSBORO - Lucas Lovejoy's Alex Cheatham scored a game-high 20 points and the Leopards ended Ellison's three-year run as regional champion with a 57-43 win on Tuesday at Hillsboro High School. Cheatham also had five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Luke Modersohn added 13 points for the Leopards (28-8), who advanced to the Class 5A-Division II Region II championship game against ninth-ranked Frisco Memorial later this week. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Parks scores 32 points to help send Ellison back to 3rd round
WEST - Ellison's Sean Parks delivered one of the greatest playoff performances in Killeen ISD basketball history and the Eagles needed it all to escape with a 42-40 win over Mesquite Poteet on Friday in the second round of the Class 5A-Division II playoffs. Parks scored 32 of Ellison's points on a night when the Eagles (24-12) struggled early offensively and big men Chandler Miles and Elijah Bass battled foul trouble. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Heights drops another close one to Jaguars in first round
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer WEST - Harker Heights didn't shoot well, didn't defend well, trailed from the opening minute and by as much as 13 in the fourth quarter. They still had a chance to win in the final minute. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Red Oak uses 15-0 2nd-half run to stun No.22 Chaparral 43-33
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer BRUCEVILLE-EDDY - Just when it appeared No. 22 Chaparral was about to wrest control from Red Oak in a hard-fought Class 5A-D1 first-round playoff matchup, it all fell apart in a disastrous third quarter. The Lady Bobcats went more than 7½ minutes without scoring, allowing Red Oak to go on a 15-0 run on the way to a stunning 43-33 upset on Tuesday. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Shoemaker wins 74-60 at Cove in battle for 2nd place in 12-6A
COPPERAS COVE - Shoemaker's D.J. Moore scored a game-high 27 points and Beres Henry scored nine of his 11 points down the stretch as the Grey Wolves downed Copperas Cove 74-60 on Friday in a battle of District 12-6A teams tied for second place. With the win, Shoemaker (19-12, 8-3 12-6A) pulled within a game of idle 12-6A leader Harker Heights heading into Tuesday's season finale. The Wolves travel to Waco Midway while the Knights visit Killeen.
Temple upends Shoemaker 66-60 in overtime
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Ramauhn Brown scored 20 points and the Temple Wildcats earned an extra out in their quest to clinch the final District 12-6A playoff spot by upsetting the host Shoemaker Grey Wolves 66-60 in overtime on Tuesday. DJ Nelson (16) and Terrell House (12) also scored in double figures for Temple. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Henry's 23 points help Shoemaker return to postseason in 70-50 win vs. Bryan
Shoemaker's Beres Henry dominated in the paint, tossed in a 3-pointer for good measure and scored a game-high 23 points to help send the Grey Wolves back to the playoffs with a 70-50 win over visiting Bryan on Friday. Shoemaker (18-11, 7-2 District 12-6A) snapped a two-game skid that saw its two-game league lead slip to a half-game deficit.
Parks scores 20 points to lead Ellison past University, 42-30
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Ellison's Sean Parks scored 20 points and the Eagles avenged a district-opening loss to Waco University by beating the visiting Trojans 42-30 on Tuesday. Parks, the only scorer in double figures, made four 3-pointers and was instrumental in helping the Eagles recover from an offensive swoon in the middle of the game. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Knights stymie Wolves 51-41 to stay in 12-6A title picture
HARKER HEIGHTS - With their District 12-6A title aspirations in jeopardy, the Harker Heights Knights turned in perhaps their best defensive performance of the season to beat visiting league leader Shoemaker 51-41 on Thursday. With the victory, the Knights (23-6, 5-2 12-6A) moved within a game of the Grey Wolves (17-10, 6-1) and held on to a share of second place with Copperas Cove, a 61-58 winner over Temple. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Belton cruises to 82-67 win at reeling Ellison
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Jaydn Loggins and Ty Johnson led five Tigers in double figures with 16 points apiece and Belton avenged the most embarrassing moment of what was an otherwise outstanding 2024-25 season by winning 82-67 at Ellison on Tuesday. Noah Childers added 15 points for Belton (21-5, 1-1 District 16-5A). Daniel Briscoe and Luke Munden each had 13. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Moore leads Lady Bobcats in school-record rout of Waco High, 102-29
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer Chaparral's Amierah Moore scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Lady Bobcats in a school-record 102-29 rout of Waco on Tuesday in their District 16-5A home opener. Chaparral, in its fourth season, smashed its previous scoring mark of 81 set against Belton on Jan. 16, 2024. The 73-point margin of victory also was a record, eclipsing a 63-10 win over Austin LBJ on Nov. 19, 2024. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Cove boys hold on to beat Waco Midway 61-57
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer COPPERAS COVE - Marcus Rivera led three Bulldawgs in double figures with 16 points and Copperas Cove held on to beat Waco Midway 61-57 on Friday. With the win, Cove (14-7) pulled into a first-place tie with idle Shoemaker at 2-0 in District 12-6A play. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Moore scores 37 as Wolves get 11th straight win vs. Killeen
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer D.J. Moore nearly recorded his sixth 40-point game of the season and the Shoemaker Grey Wolves led from start to finish in a 75-64 victory over the Killeen Kangaroos on Tuesday. It was the Wolves' 11th straight win over Killeen and moved them to 2-0 in District 12-6A. It was the league opener for Killeen. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Shoemaker girls hold off Heights 53-51 for 3-0 start in 12-6A
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - Just days after the Shoemaker and Harker Heights girls basketball teams' intense overtime battle in the top bracket of the Killeen ISD Classic, the two squads were at it again on Saturday. This time the stakes were even higher, as both teams have their eyes on a District 12-6A championship. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
Heights trails start to finish as 13-game win streak ends against Hendrickson before holiday break
By Mark W. Miller | Herald staff writer HARKER HEIGHTS - The Harker Heights Knights were beaten at their own game on Monday afternoon by Pflugerville Hendrickson. The visiting Hawks made 13 treys, took better care of the basketball than their opponent, had four players score in doubles figures and led wire to wire in a 52-47 win. Contact Mark Miller at markm@kdhnews.com or ​(254) 501-7563
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