PHOTO GALLERY: Weekend of Champions and College Advance (February 2022)

ABILENE, Texas – The South squad swept past the North 25-21 and 25-16 in the Big Country FCA All-Star Festival volleyball match at Wylie’s Bulldog Dog gym Saturday.

ABILENE, Texas -- Team Blue overcame a double-digit second half deficit to defeat Team Red 24-14 in the 24th annual Myrle Greathouse Big Country All-Star Classic Saturday evening at Hugh Sandifer Stadium.

Enjoy images from the 2022 Big Country FCA All-Star Festival *family pictures and professional game pictures from both games can be seen at wyliesports.com

by Cody Coil, Big Country Blitz magazine ABILENE, Texas – The South dropped the first set of the FCA All-Star Festival volleyball match but rallied to take the next two and claim the championship, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-17. The North, wearing blue, trailed 13-3 in the first set but rallied to tie it at 17 and went on claim the set 25-23. The North got off to a 4-0 lead in the second set but saw the South, sporting red in the match, score the next nine points to gain an advantage they would not give up to tie the match at a set a piece. The South held 11-3 and 14-6 leads to start the third and saw the North get as close as 15-12 before pulling away down the stretch to take set and the match. Lilly Kate Doby (Wylie) did the honors with the final kill to seal the match for the South. South coach Miranda Garcia (Jim Ned) said, “It’s fun to win, very exciting. It’s fun to have a group of girls that everyone wants to win and everyone wants to compete.” The North lost outside hitter Ryen Terrazas (Big Spring) to an injury in the pregame, a setback that hurt their chances of picking up a victory. North coach Mitzi Bell (Sweetwater) said, “I think we just persevered over that. We faced it and said it is what it is and changed the lineup we’d been working on all week. They adapted and we did well. I think overall it affected us mentally, it’s hard to see a teammate on the bench even if you’ve just known them for three or four days. They bonded so quickly within the first hour. Once they knew each other’s names it was over. They just bonded and clicked and it was precious to watch.” The South has now won the last three FCA volleyball matches and holds a 5-4 lead in the all-time series. The South’s Lexi Miller, playing at her home gym at Wylie High School one last time, was named the Bev Ball Most Valuable Player. Miller had four kills, a match high 16 assists and five digs to earn the honor.

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Big Country FCA is honored to announce the Goldthwaite Eagle football program has been selected as the recipient of 2022 Impact Team of the Year The Eagles were a team made up of guys that had to grow up in a hurry. They were asked to do things as freshmen and sophomores that most upperclassmen would have struggled with. They faced multiple years of adversity, injury, and a lack of success. Never did these young men lose faith or waiver from their desire to be successful and to carry themselves in a manner that glorified God. This in addition to exceptional leadership amongst themselves helped them to rebound and begin to have success again as upperclassmen. This group of young men have been determined to turn things around here in Goldthwaite, and they are a huge part in the process that has begun. For the past two seasons, Goldthwaite has made the playoffs and seen improved overall records. This year’s team did it with players of extreme character and work ethic. “I believe this team to have had an extreme impact on not only one another as teammates, but on our school and community,” said GHS principal Colt Carmichael. “They gave us something to be excited about and to look forward to. They showed us what hard work and perseverance can help you to achieve. I've always believed that you ‘get what you deserve’, and this group of young men deserve the best because of how they carry themselves.” These young men not only have working hard to see success on the field, but many offer their hand to help those in need within our community. Many members of the team also serve as leaders of our FCA Huddle both on our high school and middle school campuses. They too played a large role in coordinating and executing Goldthwaite's Fields of Faith host for the students of Goldthwaite as well as those in surrounding communities.

The Big Country FCA Rex Fleming Male Athlete of the Year Award is sponsored by Mark Miller, Edward Jones Investments. We are grateful to Mr. Miller for his continued support of the FCA ministry. Big Country FCA congratulates Jackson Patrick, a senior at Goldthwaite High School, as the recipient of the 2022 Rex Fleming Memorial Male Athlete of the Year award. Jackson is a leader of Goldthwaite High School's FCA huddle, and he has spearheaded bringing FCA to our middle school campus as well. Goldthwaite also hosts a local Fields of Faith for students of local communities, and Jackson has played and active role in the coordination and execution of this event. Jackson always put his team and teammates before himself. He carries himself in a manner that has earned the respect of not only his teammates but the respect of his competitors and opposing coaches. Jackson has always been known as a great athlete, but more importantly, an extremely fine young man. Jackson is involved in virtually everything offered at Goldthwaite ranging from UIL Academics to FFA, NHS, FCA and a wide multitude of sports. This vast involvement keeps him extremely busy and many times away from school and practices. Jackson always finds the time to get to the work in when most would relish in the fact that they missed a class or a workout. His busy schedule has never kept him from having extreme success as an athlete and student. Jackson is an example of not just one of the most self-disciplined students but also one of the most self-disciplined people Jackson is described as the perfect teammate always putting others above himself and providing an excellent example of what is expected. Jackson serves as NHS President, FCA Huddle Leader, Student Council Representative and Senior Class President. He received recognition for having Perfect Attendance and has always been a member of the A Honor Roll. Jackson is the 2022 GHS Valedictorian and has chosen to join our Nation's Air Force Academy. Athletically, Jackson has received multiple All-District Honors in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the Eagles varsity football team who he helped to rebuild and lead into the playoffs as a junior and senior. In basketball, Jackson helped to lead multiple teams, deemed as guys with no chance of winning, to playoff victories. Jackson has been a member of two state qualifying golf teams, where as a freshman the team claimed the state championship. Jackson also qualified for the State Track Meet as a junior where he finish in sixth place in Pole Vault Goldthwaite's Keith Virdell added, "Jackson exemplifies what it means to be "Outstanding". I've never seen anyone work harder than Jackson at anything and rarely does anyone beat Jackson. He is one of the most self-disciplined people I have ever met in my life and is wise and mature well beyond his age. With zero hesitation or doubt, I can say that Jackson will be successful in all that he chooses to do in life. Because of his drive, hard work and faith in the Lord he will undoubtable be an amazing man, husband, father and most importantly, Man of Faith and example to all those he comes into contact." The Rex Fleming Memorial Male Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Rex Fleming, a vibrant young man who in 2012 took his final breath at 10 years old after a two-year battle with cancer. Some might say that Rex lost his battle with cancer, but that’s not the case. Cancer may have taken his earthly body, but it never touched his heart nor his soul. Those always belonged to God, just as Rex does.

The Big Country FCA Rex Fleming Female Athlete of the Year Award is sponsored by Mr. Brandon Mascorro and wife Dr. Whitney Mascorro. We are grateful for their continued support of the FCA ministry. Big Country FCA congratulates Aspermont High School senior and FCA leader Payton Potts as the recipient of the 2022 Rex Fleming Memorial Female Athlete of the Year award. Payton has been a key leader in the resurgence of the FCA program at Aspermont High School through the Christians in Action lunch huddle meetings. She led a charge to get more students to attend these huddles sponsored by local churches, and this year the meetings have seen a 50 percent increase in participation. Many of the guest speakers and local preachers have commended her for inspiring this change by always being willing to speak up and answer questions, lead a prayer, and offer her own testimony of how her faith has been tested through sports and how sports held her faith in really hard times. Payton is a team player through and through. As a new student to Aspermont this year, she has initiated spirit days and theme nights for every sport throughout the year. She has modeled yelling for your team in moments of victory and struggle. Multiple Aspermont alumni commented it was the most energetic and positive they had seen a student body in years. On the court, Payton plays with passion. She is truly the first to celebrate the actions of a teammate and to help up an opponent when they get knocked down. She values the assist more than the score and is not afraid to do anything to help her team. Payton tore her ACL for the third time in June of 2021 but made a personal choice to not have it surgically repaired until after her senior sports season. She was disciplined to take care of herself before and after games, never complain, and never ask for shortcuts or ways out of work because of the injury. She is in the gym working to improve and does not mind spending that time on her own to get better. She played volleyball for the first time ever as a senior and made the all-district team because of this commitment to improve. Coaches, teachers, and administrators do not have any issues with Payton in the classroom or the playing field. She is quick to volunteer to help, is respectful of authority, and a great teammate. She makes the freshman feel valued to the team and builds the confidence of the upper classman. Referees and opposing coaches often compliment her on court demeanor and her friendliness and respect in interactions before and after the game. Payton is an exceptional student who will complete an associates of science degree with 67 college hours from South Plains College two weeks prior to graduating high school. She has above a 100 GPA and strives to make the best grades possible in school. Payton is the president of the AHS Hornet Council and has led in weekly volunteering at the local food bank, a community clean-up, and other student led morale events. Payton is a two-time all-district basketball player, the district MVP for basketball, and all-district in volleyball. Payton has advanced to the regional track meet the past two seasons, and she is also a three-time NCA All American Cheerleader and captain of her basketball and cheerleading squad. Payton is the kind of kid coaches want on their team. She understands what it takes to be successful in competition but also understands the importance of handling herself with dignity, compassion, sportsmanship, and in a Christ-like manner. She is a resilient young lady who has overcome the death of a close family member, a devastating injury, and a change of schools in the last 18 months of her life. She knows that all opportunities she has been given are because of her faith in Christ and the things she has learned from being a competitive athlete. She carries herself with class on and off the court and challenges those around her to do the same. She makes a positive impact in all of those around her while silently pushing them to be better in all ways. She has been a successful athlete on the basketball and volleyball court, on the track, and on the softball field. Most importantly, she has been a successful ambassador for Christ and handle adversity and struggles with a resounding faith in the path that has been laid before her. The Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes is honored to recognized Payton Potts as the 2022 Rex Fleming Memorial Female Athlete of the Year. FCA serves communities spread across a 37-county area including Abilene, the Concho Valley, the Brownwood area and Cross Timbers/Stephenville area. The Rex Fleming Memorial Female Athlete of the Year Award is named in honor of Rex Fleming, a vibrant young man who in 2012 took his final breath at 10 years old after a two-year battle with cancer. Some might say that Rex lost his battle with cancer, but that’s not the case. Cancer may have taken his earthly body, but it never touched his heart nor his soul. Those always belonged to God, just as Rex does.

Pictures from FCA's Weekend of Champions (girls: January 29-30)(boys: February 18-20) and College Advance (February 11-13)