Coach ‘Spoon’s death rocks Jasper athletics
By JIMMY GALVAN

EMOTIONS RAN HIGH the week that long-time Jasper track coach Lloyd Weatherspoon died. Pictured above, cross country athlete Gary Smith hugs Lillian Weatherspoon at the Lloyd Weatherspoon Jr. Memorial Cross Country Meet. Pictured below, the football and cross country team wore remembrances of Spoon on their helmets and uniforms.

August

“You wish you had some time in district where you could relax but there really isn’t any in this district,” said Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve of the new District 21-3A.

Jasper began preparation for what is being called the best Class 3A district in Texas. The Bulldogs opened two-a-day practices.

Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve got his first look at his Bulldogs in game action — and he liked what he saw.

While the team showed that it still had room for improvement, the Bulldogs held their own against a tough 4A Port Neches- Groves football squad at the Boneyard.

“We thought it went well,” Lauve said. “There were some pieces of the puzzle that started to fall together. It was our first chance to go hard against a good opponent.”

September

Jasper’s football season gets off to a slow start when Livingston breaks a 54-year losing streak by defeating Jasper 27-14.

“We definitely had our chances against Livingston — we just made too many mistakes,” said Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve. “You can’t make mistakes and win football games. We had way too many mistakes to come away with a victory.”

Jasper fell to 0-2 as the Bulldogs suffered a 26-7 defeat at the hands of Barbers Hill at the season opener at the Bone Yard.

At times, Jasper showed glimpses of a talented 3A football squad primed for a playoff run Friday night against Barbers Hill.

“Anytime you have mistakes in a game, you are capable of losing and that is exactly what we did,” Lauve said. “Not to take anything away from Barbers Hill, but we had some chances and just couldn’t get anything to happen for us.”

Playing on a very emotional week for both the players and the coaches, Jasper dropped its third straight decision 21-7 to Newton.

“As coaches, we were completely wore out after this past week,” Lauve said. “Everything that went on this past week was tough on everybody and it was extremely tough on the kids. The desire and inspiration to win was there and that was probably why this game hurt so much after it was over.

“I have experienced a couple of losses like that but that was one that really hurt,” Lauve said.

October

Jasper opened up District 21-3A play with a 28-21 defeat at the hands of the Kirbyville Wildcats.

“It really was a game of missed opportunities for us,” Lauve said. “You put your back up against the wall in district play when you lose that first one.”

Jasper High School cross country teams picked up three first place team wins at the Hemphill meet.

“The boys and I concluded that this was not a true three-mile course as indicated by their times,” coach Terry Young said. “We’re very proud our kids, however.”

Jasper fell to 0-2 in district play when the Bulldogs dropped a 33-7 decision to Orangefield.

“It was disappointing,” Lauve said. “You don’t want to be 0-2 in district because now your back is definitely against the wall.”

JASPER FIRST season in District 21-3A was hard as the Bulldogs had to deal with growing pains in a tough district. Sophomore quarterback Cameron Stubblefield fumbles the ball during a loss to Bridge City as the Dawgs only posted two wins on the season. But Jasper will return a number of key players for next year’s battle in the district.

Jasper’s football squad failed to crack into the win column as Bridge City scored nine fourth-quarter points to rally for a 22-14 victory over the Bulldogs

“We had our chances,” Lauve said. “We could have done some things right and come away with the victory. If we score on our first drive (which was stopped by a fumble), then you would think we might come away with a reasonably easy victory.”

The Jasper Lady Bulldog volleyball team pulled off a big win over West Orange- Stark, their first district victory of the season.

“Even before the game started, JV Coach Nancy Walker said, ‘I think they’re going to win,’” varsity coach Sheri Ivey said. “The girls were relaxed. The warm-up was good. I told them to play hard but have a good time. There was just a sense that they really wanted this win.”

It wasn’t pretty but Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve will take it.

“A win is a win and we’ll take it anyway we can get it,” Lauve said.

Led by a sterling defensive effort, Jasper rallied to a 12-7 district victory over Hamshire-Fannett at the Bone Yard.

November

West Orange-Stark showed Jasper why they are the class of District 21-3A with a 40-0 thumping of the Bulldogs.

Jasper’s varsity boys cross country team won the district championship, advancing them to the Region III contest at North Harris County College in Aldine. Bridge City was second, Hardin-Jefferson, third; and Kirbyville, fourth.

Sophomore quarterback Cameron Stubblefield hit freshman Dominque Bailey with a 22-yard scoring strike with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Bulldogs to their second victory of the year 26-25 over Hardin-Jefferson.

The Burkeville Lady Mustangs advance to the Class A playoffs after finishing third in their district.

“Our fundamentals are finally coming out,” said Burkeville head volleyball coach Rhonda Williams. “The seniors that I have now on the team I started with them in the eighth grade and I have been able to mold them the way I wanted to.”

Jasper’s football season ended more quickly than expected but perhaps Mother Nature was kind in doing so. With Silsbee leading 35-0 in the third quarter, a lightning storm called a halt to the game and the Bulldog season.

The Dawgs’ campaign ended 2-8 for the season and 2-5 in District 21-3A play.

The Jasper Bulldogs opened basketball season to a good crowd and a 62-39 win over.