Panther tracks IX-1

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Photos by Camille Cox

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CheerleaderS

Recap and preview

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Majorette Of The Week

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Trainer Of The Week

Stu-Co Member Of The Week

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Drill Team Member Of The Week

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Band Member Of The Week

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Ignite Member Of The Week

Panther Tracks is the product of the LHS Newspaper Staff and students in the LHS Graphic Communications/ Printing Department. Student Council members hand out Panther Tracks to Panther fans at home and away games. Advertising space is still available. Contact Mike Zimmerman, Newspaper adviser, at 630-4305.

Troy Allen Sasha Bratchett Aaliyah Christian

NEWSPAPER STAFF Sadarria Christian Rebecca Navarro Kelly Garcia Juan Ortiz Matt Molina Alycia Padilla

Madie Stewart Jasmine Vasquez Nino Velaquez

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Sadarria Christian Staff Writer Maverick Murray is one of the two senior captain student trainers.

Murray said he always expected that he would be captain and is glad to become captain his senior year.

Murray believes that to be a good trainer, certain skills are required such as listening, communicating, teamwork and nice taping.

“I have twice the responsibility than usual,” Murray said. “I am taking care of every one, but I do feel honored.”

Murray, who has been a trainer since his freshman

Murray serving as trainer co-captain

year, said he first decided that he would like to become a sports trainer when he was introduced to Doc Waters who was then head trainer for LHS. “It was not really a dream, but more of an impulse,” he said.

The senior said he wanted to have some connection with sports, but he no longer had the desire to play sports.

Murray hopes to one day fulfill an occupation in the medical field after he graduates.

“My dream of one day becoming a sports medicine doctor is for the simple reason of being able to do one of the things that I love,” he said.

Murray said that he would love to be a trainer for “any NFL team that passes great.”

Murray believes that one of the things that would help

him accomplish this dream would be to attending LSU. “They have the best athlete training program,” Murray said.

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Panthers looked to even record against Longview

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Continued from page 4

The junior quarterback rolled left with 5:52 remaining in the at 2-2 before returning home to open district play hosting game, attempting to widen the Pack’s lead, threw a pick six to A&M Consolidated for Homecoming. the Dragon’s senior linebacker Brandon Jones and a 90-yard return.

The Panthers on their last drive drove the ball Date Opponent W/L Score into Dragons’ territory but an incompletion on Aug. 30 John Tyler W 52-28 4th-down completed the 28-24 upset that leaves Lufkin 1-2 headed to Longview.

Sept. 6 @Tyler Lee L 30-42 The Panthers are seeking revenge from last Sept. 13 @Nacogdoches L 24-28 year’s 45-7 blowout defeat at the hands of the Longview Lobos at Abe Martin, as they face Sept. 20 @Longview many of returning members of the Lobo’s 2012 team.

Sept. 27 A&M Consolidated* Junior 5’9” running-back Jamycal Hasty, who Oct. 4 OPEN is entertaining Division I offers, returns this season sure to try and top last year’s performance Oct. 12 The Woodlands* –338 yards and five touchdowns.

Lufkin’s defense will have its hands full Oct. 18 Bryan** attempting to stop not only Hasty, but returning Oct. 25 College Park* starting quarterback Dezmond Chumley, and 6’4” wide receiver Dorian Leonard, if they plans Nov. 1 Oak Ridge* to contain Longview’s high octane offense.

The Panther hope to receive help from key Nov. 8 Conroe* returning injured players Deangelo Hightower * District Games ** Homecoming and De’Andre Hooper. A win will even the Pack

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tt e r o j a M

Brown enjoying last year as majorette

Jasmine Vasquez Staff Writer Senior Olivia Brown, daughter of Veronica Jones and Aaron James Brown, is the first of her family to be a majorette.

“They were in band, but I am the first majorette.”

Olivia has been a majorette in from grade through twelfth grade because it seemed fun.

“I just wanted to do something great and fun,” she said.

Since becoming a twirler, she has learned how to manage time with her family, friends and schoolwork.

“Twirling can be stressful and hard to balance with school and work,” Olivia said. “But it taught me not

to give up and work harder.”

Some of the things Olivia will miss are her close friends and memories she shares with her fellow twirlers.

“Twirling with my good friends Katelynn Standley and Katherine VaNess and the memories and friendships I’ve made are what I will miss most after graduation,” Olivia said.

Throughout all of her the marching and twirling, band has taught Olivia one thing.

“Do better, that’s my motto,” Olivia said. “You have the patience and drive to do better.”

One of Olivia’s greatest experience as a twirler is twirling and marching in front of an exciting crowd.

“I couldn’t have been in

OLIVIA BROWN

Junior makes key stops in loss to Nacogdoches Defensive Player of the Game

Troy Allen Sports Editor

Following a six-tackle, two deflection game, highlighted by a 4th down stop late in the game that gave the Panthers the chance to seal a win, junior linebacker Jadarius Carroll played a key role in keeping last week’s 28-24 loss to the Nacogdoches Dragons from being worse.

Carroll said the final score doesn’t show how the defense performed.

“The defense made many mistakes and poor penalties giving the Dragons free yards,” he said.

Realizing he didn’t have a stellar performance against a rival the Pack has dominated for 21 years, Carroll said he has a desire to improve – something he said all Panthers need to do in preparation for this week’s match up against the Longview

Lobos.

“Our team is better prepared for our next challenge,” Carroll said.

“After watching film, I worked on making better reads and better footwork before Longview.”

The junior said the taste of a loss has him and the rest of the Panthers confident they will even up the win-loss column at two a piece after this Friday night.

“We are better prepared,” he said. “I have a feeling we’re going to get a win this week.”

Carroll plans contribute to a wins the rest of the season by viewing every team as a challenge Gearing up for district play, Carroll said they have to let the loss to Nacogdoches not distract the team.

We know we lost,” he said,

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“but we have to focus on next week and the rest of the season.”

JADARIUS CARROLL

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All-American Cates cheers 1 more year Sadarria Christian Staff Writer

This year will mark the last year that Varsity Cheerleader Jacie Cates, 17, will be cheering for LHS. Proud parents Rhonda and Michael Cates have been eagerly supporting their daughter since day one. Cates has enjoyed cheering for the fan-yelling football games for the past five years as an All-American two years, All-American nominee five years.

“The best part about being on varsity cheer is being able to cheer for the football games and pumping up the crowd,” Jacie said.

The senior has been cheering since her 8th grade year and has been preparing for dance her entire life.

“I wanted to do something different, since I have good qualities – tumbling – that make me succeed in cheer,” Jacie said. “It made me want to try for cheer.”

Jacie has been involved in other cheer organizations since middle school as a member of the Lufkin Middle School Cheer Team and is now on her last year

of cheering for Lufkin High School.

“I have cheered for the middle school, all my years of high school, and also tumbled at Extreme Cheer,” Jacie said.

While continuing cheering, Jacie has made some exciting memories while cheering for the school.

“Last year, our bus’s air condition broke on our way to College Station,” Jacie stated. “We had to sit with our sports bra and ‘spankies’ on.”

Jacie will continue to make memories, but she will miss it and has enjoyed cheering, but is also “ready to start the next chapter.”

After high school, Jacie plans on attending Nova Southeastern University in Fort Larderdale, Florida to major in the medical field for CRNA. Even though life seems to be like a rough tidal wave distorying everything in its path, Jacie has a the quote- Joshua 1:9- “The lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” to get her through the day.

“When I am feeling down, scared, or

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D rill tea Martin serving as Pride Lt. m Jasmine Vasquez Staff Writer

Senior Candyce Martin, daughter of Cyndi and Larry Martin, likes being in Panther Pride because they are like her second family.

“We are all a family. Everyone looks out for each other and I like that they have become some of my good friends.”

After two years being in Panther Pride, Martin was named one of the Lieutenant’s for Panther Pride.

“Being a lieutenant is a lot more work than you would think. Always staying late, making sure you’re on top of everything,” Martin said. “But it feels amazing on Friday nights when you go out on that field and all eyes are on you.”

One of her greatest memories being in Pride is when she went to Officer Camp.

“Officer Camp would have to be one of the best memories. I became close with people I never thought I would be friends with,” Martin said. “Us five girls worked so hard together.”

To be in Panther Pride takes practice and time according to Martin.

“We practice everyday to make what we do happen,” Martin said.

“It takes time. If you aren’t willing to put in the hours, you can’t be apart of this organization.”

What influenced Martin to join Pride was how the girls performed on stage at the Middle School in their production of Christmas Spectacular.

“Panther Pride would come to my school for Christmas Spectacular,” Martin said. “Their show was always so entertaining and the dancers were so pretty!”

What Martin will miss from Pride are her girls and the friendship she has formed.

“I’ll miss all the girls and the craziness.” Martin said. “The bonds you make with each other are always there and it’ll be hard to never see some of them again.”

Martin is unsure if she will continue Panther Pride after high school.

“I am undecided. I love dancing and performing in front of the crowd,” Martin said. “But I’m not sure if I can keep up with all my classes in college. We will see.”

CANDYCE MARTIN

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Sowell puts up 165 yars in tough loss to Dragons Offensive Player of the Game

Troy Allen Sports Editor

Junior running back Steven Sowell is coming off one of his highest production games in a losing effort to the Nacodgoches Dragons.

Accounting for 165-yards last week, Sowell is a major contributor to the Panthers offense rushing for two touchdowns in the 28-24 upset.

Sowell said he feels “bittersweet” to posting the most yards of his career.

“We as a team played poorly, and could’ve played better as a team,” he said.

Despite his own personal performance, Sowell was quick to give credit to the Panthers in the trenches.

“The linemen blocked well,” he said. “This was the best game of blocking all season.”

Sowell showed excitement for this week’s competition against Longview and running back dual between Sowell and Longview’s Jamycal Hasty.

“Hasty’s is a good player,” Sowell said. “But we will only know on Friday.

Looking Forward to more success in the future, Sowell hopes to continue posting big stats for the rest of the

season, already averaging close to 150-yards per games.

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Band

Martinez drumming up band support

Jasmine Vasquez Staff Writer

Senior Kaylin Martinez, daughter of Andy and Theresa Martinez, joined band after her mom influenced her to play the drums in the fifth grade.

“I guess that fueled my desire to continue improving my skills by being in band.”

One thing Kaylin has learned from band is how to be the best leader.

“In order for people to respect you as a leader, you must first show respect for them, and I have learned how to be the best leader I can be.”

Balancing band, schoolwork and time with her friends and family is hard to manage according to Kaylin.

“Band is very time consuming, so it takes a lot of discipline to get schoolwork done,” Kaylin said. “It also means that you don’t have as much time to spend with your friends and family.”

Kaylin’s most memorable moment in band was during a halftime performance her sophomore year.

“After we marched at the playoff game of my sophomore year, my friend Sean and I ran to the middle of the football field and did “The Bernie” in front of the whole crowd,” Kaylin said.

“It was awesome.”

Kaylin’s future still involves band because it is what makes her happy.

“It’s because I am happiest when I play music,” Kaylin said. “And I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life.”

Some of the things Kaylin will miss from band are the directors and the away games.

“I’m definitely going to miss my wonderful band directors,” Kaylin said.

“And I’m going to miss going to out of town football games and seeing my friends everyday.”

Being in band for the past seven years has given Kaylin many memories and friendships.

“I feel so incredibly blessed to have been apart of this family known as the Lufkin High School Band,” Kaylin said. “I have made so many friends and have so many memories in band, and I’m just thankful to God for allowing me to experience these things.”

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21-year winning streak ends on Friday the 13th;

Troy Allen Sports Editor

Stunned in the wake of the second loss of a three-game road trip, the Panthers enter week 4 with a disappointing 1-2

record, after a surprising upset last week to teh neighboring rival Nacogdoches Dragons.

The Dragons, seeking revenge for last years 45-7 defeat at the hands of the Pack, defeated the Panthers 28-24 in last week’s closely fought match. Led by junior quarterback Hunter McClellan, the Dragons performed in a balanced fashion, logging 178-yards through the air and 180-yards on the ground during Friday night’s see-saw battle.

After the Dragons’ missed field goal attempt, the Panthers took the first lead scoring a field goal that was quickly answered by a Nac touchdown connection from McClellan to wide receiver L.J. Barnes. Both McClellan and Barnes names were announced

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throughout the night making plays against the Panther defense. Lufkin’s defense allowed McClellan to throw for 178-yards and rush for 102-yards.

The Lufkin offensive was spotlight by a few key players, but was not able to produce as a collective unit against the Nacogdoches defense.

Trey Cumbie worked both sides of the field getting the ball to his star wide receivers, Texas A&M commit Jamal Jeffrey and University of Texas commit Keke Coutee – both accounting for 80 plus yards in the second half.

The Panthers offensive line showed its strength moving the Dragon defensive line back giving running running-back Steven Sowell 165 rushing yards. Despite Lufkin’s success on the ground, it was Lufkin’s inability to complete passes throughout the course of the second half that marked Friday night’s game for the Panthers.

Lufkin’s last hope at a win ended with a Cumbie interception late in the fourth quarter.

Continued on page 5

il c n u o C Student Sasha Bratchett Staff Writer Morgan Anderson, Student Council 2nd vice president, has been a part of Student Council since her freshman year because she wanted to help and be a leader of her class .

“I love to be involved with my class,” Morgan stated.

Morgan is now entering her fourth year of Student Council and has been dedicated to the enjoyment and involvement of her class.

“We work as a team,” Morgan said.

“I work well with others.”

Morgan also is involved in other activities such as varsity volleyball and softball.

“Volleyball is going great for me right now,” Morgan said. “I love being out there on the court with my teammates.”

One thing she will miss about high school is her teams.

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“I will definitely miss the members of Student Council office and my teachers,” Morgan said.

“It’s going to be very hard to leave them when I go off to college.”

When she is not in school, Morgan is at home hanging out with family and friends. Although she dedicates plenty of her time to her team, she also dedicates it to spending time with her family.

“I love to go out and do things with my friends,” Morgan said.

“Spending time with them is great.”

Morgan also said she spends her time cheering for Pack or working as a team at her own varsity volleyball games.

Morgan does not plan to fulfill her sports dreams when she goes to college.

“My plans are to go to the University of Arlington,” Morgan said. “I really want to become an occupational therapist.”

Aaliyah Christian Staff Writer

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Anderson serving as 2nd Vice-Pres.

Montes leads as mentor executive

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Steelers

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HILARI MONTES

Ignite’s Lead Exec. Mentor Hilari Montes, who fell in love with the Ignite program, began the mentoring three years ago. Hilari’s decision to get in Ignite was based on the fact that she really likes to help people.

“There are some awesome mentor’s this year,” she said.

“What Ignite does is allows the upperclassmen to take the freshman under their wing and help them through the year.”

Hilari says she loves the Ignite program because she understands how it feels to be a freshman – trying to figure out how the high school works – and that the Ignite program helps with that.

Hilari said she likes meeting and working with the freshmen, but it is the relationships she will miss most.

“I will probably miss my friends

MORGAN ANDERSON

IGNITE

t h e most,” she said. “I’ve been at LHS for four years now and that’s been plenty of time to make amazing friends.”

The majorette, Anchor Club, and KYSSED Club member said she spends time with family outside of school.

“I have a really big family so we enjoy getting together,” Hilari said.

And the volunteer won’t be far from family since she wants to attend college at Stephen F. Austin to earn a degree in speech pathology. And her main goal in life is to be a “good person and a friend to all.”

Hilari enjoys listening to all kinds of music and her favorite subject is social studies.

“I love to know facts and I also love that it tells a story,” she said.