By Timothy La Vergne II, Dodd City High School Reporter

It is a typical end of the year for one Dodd City athlete. Summer is just around the corner, school is winding down and DC’s Justin Weeks is back in Austin for his third trip to the Class A State Golf Tournament.

Last year Justin and his teammates traveled to state after being selected as regional co-champs in the playoffs. Weeks, a senior now for Dodd City High School, has done a lot to promote the game of golf in his school and community. Justin has been playing golf his entire high school career and has advanced to regionals and then on to state his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Weeks placed third at state in 2004.

Justin has received many awards over the last couple of years and also was named the 2005 Dodd City Homecoming King. Justin will attend University of Arkansas at Monticello on a golf and academic scholarship.

With the help of Milton Page, DC golf coach, Justin dedicated his time and effort to raise the level of his game. Weeks would like to give a big "thank you" to Coach Page for unwavering support during his high school career.

Wade Hayes of Bonham proudly displays his state-championship medal this week at Bonham High School. Hayes, a senior, won the Class 3A title on May 13 with a 15 feet, nine and one-half inch effort in the pole vault.

The Bonham Renegades traveled to DeSoto, Texas the last weekend in April, bringing home third place in the Super Series National Qualifier tournament in the 12U Minor Division.

With a determination and a fire-to-win, the Renegade team, along with family and friends, entered the ball park at DeSoto Saturday morning, with hopes for a tournament win. The first battle of the bats was against the Sliders. Daine Dunlap throws first pitch, and throws three innings, leaving score 7-1. Up to bat, Dalton Cagle hits a double in the third and fourth innings. Hunter Herriage hits a triple in the third inning. The final run was scored by Justin Nelms in the fourth inning. Shelby "Scooby" Williams enters as pitcher in the fourth inning, striking out three batters to end game. The boys from Bonham stole victory 11-1.

Heading into the evening game against the Cobras, the Renegades appeared anxious and prepared to tackle the field. Herriage began the first inning as pitcher. Williams scores for the Renegades, the only run in the first inning. Dunlap on defense, playing centerfield, catches three fly-balls during the first inning. After three innings, Williams comes in to pitch the finally inning. The Bonham Renegades fell short at bat, with an 8-1 loss.

After a long day of baseball on Saturday, the Renegades point standings were placed second-seed, giving them a bye for an automatic advancement to the Pre-Championship games in bracket-play. The team gathered at the fields at 6:19 pm, awaiting their chance to finally take home a victory.

The Sting was next in line to face the Renegades on the field. Williams takes the mound and pitches a total six innings. Williams slams a home run, inside the park, in the first inning. Dunlap line drives one to left field making it a triple. Going into the sixth inning, the Renegades were holding the Sting to 3-0. As the opposing team came up at bat, the Sliders found their groove, and the Renegades fell short on defense, allowing six runs. As Home team, the Renegades had last bat, scoring only one run, and after a time-expired game, the Renegades lost 6-4. The team took home third place.

After a team-meeting and some reaffirming why the Bonham Renegades was formed, the boys from Bonham have more determination than ever to battle back offensively and defensively at their next

tournament. Their determination was tested when they traveled to McKinney the weekend of May 14th for tournament play against fifteen other teams, in a Minors National Qualifier. In their first morning game, the Renegades bring Herriage to the mound on defense. Offensively the Renegades struggled until the second inning, when Dunlap hit a line drive to centerfield for a base hit. Lane Fox took over the mound pitching two innings. The boys from Bonham struggled, and lost to the Wild Mustangs 12-0.

Their second game, against the Plainview Angry Reds, brought hope back to these young men who had been struggling. Defensively, Dunlap takes the mound for three innings, leaving the Renegades in a 5-2 lead. On offense, Cagle gets a single. Fox slams a home run, inside the park, scoring two runs. Austin Ashlock gets on by way of fielder’s choice and later scores in the inning. In the third inning, Fox and Dunlap get walked, both stealing and base-advancing with a hit from Justin Nelms, which scores two runs. Woodruff takes the mound in the fourth inning, and the Renegades defense fell short, allowing the Reds to score and win 7-5.

The final game on Sunday was against The Colony Yankees, and with an early 6:30 am drive, the team was shockingly pumped and ready to play ball. The Renegades came out hitting. Cagle, Fox and John Nelms all had base hits; Dunlap with a double. Scoring three runs in the first inning. Defensively, Herriage was on the mound, and was a proven threat. Clay Parsons, Ashlock and Dunlap, all outfielders, caught several pop-ups. Herriage’s defensive team-mates were not allowing the opposing team to score, until the third inning, when the score was tied 5-5. Top of the third, Dunlap gets a base hit, and Justin Nelms gets walked; both players scoring. Woodruff takes the mound in the fourth. The Renegades defense seemed to be weakening, allowing the Yankees to score 5 more runs. Parsons gets a fly-out to centerfield and Woodruff rips one for a base hit. At last bat, Dunlap slams one in the hole for a triple, but the boys from Bonham fell short, ending the game 10-5.

The Renegades roster includes: Austin Ashlock, Dalton Cagle, Daine Dunlap, Lane Fox, Hunter Herriage, John Nelms, Justin Nelms, Clay Parsons, Shelby Williams, Ryan Woodroof and bat boy, Tanner Herriage. Renegades coaches are: Killy Nelms, Saul Dunlap Jr., Bubba Herriage and team spirit leader, Tyson Henson.

The support given to the Bonham renegades is immeasurable; and we wnat tot make sure that our sponsors, family and fans know the importance of their dedications to the Bonham Renegades. Without all the "open-arms" of love and support, these young men would not be able to have this life-changing experience. So, we thank yo ALL; and we will keep playing baseball! We encourage all family friends and fans to come support the Bonham Renegades 12U Minor Select Travel Baseball team, if traveling time is open in your upcoming weekend schedule. We look forward to another great weekend of playing baseball. Keep checking our website, wwwbonhamrenegades.com for upcoming tournament, results, the season’s scrapbook, and our wonderful sponsors.