Posts published in December 2021
HIGHLANDS – A warm, balmy evening was the start of the Holiday season in Highlands last Tuesday night, Dec. 7th.
Several hundred children and parents turned out at the park on San Jacinto Street, to see Santa Claus arrive on a Highlands Fire Truck. The truck also made a tour of residential neighborhoods first, as Santa waved to the children along the streets.
Liberty Hill 42 – Crosby 14
By Allan Jamail
Bryan, TX — On Friday, December 10, 2021, the Crosby Cougars lost to Liberty Hill 42-14 in a Class 5A Division II semi-final rematch at the Merrill Green Stadium, snapping their 12-game winning streak and ending with a 12-3 record.
The game’s Team Captains were Braden Womack, Cyrin Myles, Kameren Kirkwood, and McCoy Casey.
Last season it was the Cougars who won against the Panthers. In the semifinals last year, Crosby won with a 62-61 overtime victory after the Panthers fumbled the ball inside the 1-yard-line on the 2-point conversation to try to win it. Crosby lost the state title game to Aledo the following week in Arlington.
Crosby won the coin flip and deferred, wanting to kickoff to the Panthers so they could open the second half receiving the kickoff. Crosby’s defense held the Panthers, forcing them to punt. Things looked good for the Cougars as they marched down the field near the goal, when quarterback (QB) Cyrin Myles run came up inches short of the goal (see photo in print edition). On the next play when the ball was centered, Myles couldn’t control it and a Panther pounced on it, stopping what would have put the Cougars ahead for the game’s first score.
HIGHLANDS – The Rotary Club is preparing to hold their 47th Annual Chili Feast, on Saturday, February 5. A chili lunch will be served from 11 am to 3 pm or until the chili runs out, according to Chili Feast chairman Andy Scott. A live auction will take place starting at 12:30 pm.
The event is being held at the St. Jude’s Catholic Church social hall. The club president, Jerry Fallin, said that the raffle and chili feast will be held with COVID-19 protocol followed.
The club members are continuing to sell raffle tickets. There are 700 tickets available for a $100 donation. A ticket entitles you to two bowls of “Chester’s Famous Recipe” chili, and a chance to win one of 17 raffle prizes, all worth more that the $100 ticket price.
Club members are also selling Chili lunches only, for $10. Great for extra hungry folks, or to take home for later.
This annual event is a high point for many in the community, who see their friends at least this one time each year, and catch up with stories. It also has great good, and quality auction items.
CROSBY – The community celebrated the 22nd Annual Crosby-Huffman Chamber of Commerce Christmas Festival and parade with lots of joy and bright smiles.
The festivities began Saturday at the Crosby Church on Highway 90. The church’s music hall was filled with booths from local business owners selling arts, crafts, treats, and homemade items. Crosby Music Academy provided entertainment at the festival.
CROSBY – Cougar fans were on the edge of their seats most of the game last week against Texas High, due to the low scoring game where only a few points would make the difference.
Played at Lufkin’s Abe Martin stadium on Friday night, a large contingent of Crosby fans were on hand for the game, cheering their team for the final winning score near the end of the fourth quarter. With only 10 minutes left in the game, Cougar QB #10 Cyrin Myles rushed 4 yards to take the lead 12- 7, and then #4 Braden Womak ran a 2 point conversion for a final score of 14-7.
Baytown, TX – High school graduates and GED recipients who live in the Lee College service area and have never attended Lee College before can attend for free during the Spring 2022 semester as part of the First Time Free at Lee program. Under this program, first-time Lee College students have the opportunity to earn up to 12 semester credit hours with no out-of-pocket cost for tuition, fees or e-books.
“We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to first-time Lee College students,” said Dr. Lynda Villanueva, president of Lee College. “We are optimistic that this program will offer a ray of hope for people who thought college wasn’t possible because of finances. If you want to achieve a better future, we want to help you accomplish that dream.”
To be eligible, students must have a high school diploma or GED, reside within the Lee College service area, and apply for financial aid at www.studentaid.gov.
By Gilbert Hoffman
CROSBY – The community was thrilled with the Cougar victory over the A&M Consolidated team from College Station, played last Friday night at the Cy Fair ISD stadium in Houston. Crosby won by a score of 53-50, holding on to a lead that was challenged by the Tigers in the last few minutes of the game.
The Cougars, with a record now of 11-2 overall, and 7-0 in District play, will move on to the Quarterfinals this Friday, and play Texarkana’s Texas Tigers at 7:30pm at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin. The Texas record is 12-0 overall, and 7-0 in District play.
Crosby had to stop a late drive by A&MC in the fourth quarter, to hold the lead and win the game. Senior Kameren Kirkwood intercepted two passes, and scored a touchdown in the last quarter to help bring victory to the Cougars. Crosby played a strong offensive game, with a total of 500 yards gained, 316 passing and 184 rushing.
Four players were named for their outstanding play: Players of the Game were Special Teams, Trevor Helburg; Overall performance, Kameren Kirkwood; Defensive Player, McCoy Casey; and Offensive Player, Cyrin Miles. QB Cyrin Miles had a total of 351 yards advanced. He was 13 for 21 passing with 239 yards, and also rushed 24 times for 112 yards.
Also notable was a halfback pass by Luke Smith for a gain of 69 yards.
Coach Jerry Prieto said, “I am proud of our guys for staying in the fight,” when A&MC challenged late in the game, but the Cougars held them off.
In the first half, the Cougar offense performed well, with a number of runs along the perimeter. Kicker Trevor Helburg completed a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter. At halftime Crosby led by 39-29.
But in the second half the Tiger defense stiffened against these plays.
Although penalties hurt the Cougars in the second half, they managed two interceptions to slow the Tigers and maintain the lead.
Another outstanding play was a fumble recovery by #40 McCoy Casey, with an 80 yard return.
In the 4th quarter, Crosby scored on an 11-yard pass from Miles, and then he followed up later with a 5-yard run after Camari Parker intercepted a Tiger pass.
In the next playoff game Friday night, the Cougs will face a team that they beat last year in the Region III area round playoffs. The Crosby community looks forward to a repeat of that victory and advancing to the Semifinals.
in Highlands last year.
CROSBY/HIGHLANDS – This Saturday Santa comes to Crosby, heralding the beginning of the Christmas season and the approach of many other thrilling seasonal events.
CROSBY
The season begins at Crosby Church, with a Christmas Festival sponsored by the Crosby-Huffman Chamber of Commerce. It will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at 5725 Hwy 90 in Crosby. Planned events include a Christmas Market, Entertainment, an appearance by Holly the Elf, a Petting Zoo starting at 2:00 pm, a Hayride (remember them), a balloon artist and more.
You will be able to have your picture taken with SANTA and get a goody bag from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. There will also be free Hot Dogs, Popcorn, and Cotton Candy for attendees small and large.