When asked one word to describe Holliday’s Skylar Rivers, head coach Wendy Parker had no hesitation.

“She’s versatile. She can play anywhere on the floor. She sees the floor really well and she’s a threat from anywhere on the court.”

Last season, Rivers was forced into the libero role out of necessity. She excelled at the position, helping Holliday to the regional finals with 392 digs and 32 aces to earn first team all-district honors. This year, she’s making a move back to the front row and has surpassed expectations thus far.

The Archer City Lady Cats are loaded with senior leadership and talent entering the 2021 season, bringing back all but one player from last season’s district championship team that advanced to the regional quarterfinals.

Lady Cats Head Coach Krissa England knows the pressure is there but emphasizes to the team to execute their role and the big things will take care of themselves.

Holliday senior Hannah Spears may have already entered into G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) status for the Eagles, but don’t tell her that.

With a trio of gold medals and numerous school records to boot, Spears still has the drive needed to go for gold this fall in cross country.

Windthorst senior Camryn Latham knew when she was young that she wanted to grow up and be a Trojanette when she got to high school.

“I have two older sisters so I remember watching them. It’s been six or seven years but I remember wanting to be like them when I was younger because they were so good, going to the state tournament every year. I told myself ‘one day that’s going to be me and I’m going to make it there.’”

Athletic. That’s the word Windthorst Head Coach Allison Bussey used to describe her 2021 team.

“We are very scrappy; we can jump; we have a lot of big hitters. Defensively we are all over the place. We have a lot of heart and a lot of fight in us.”

After last season came to a disappointing end in the bi-district round against Chico, the Trojanettes have hopes of making the regional tournament in 2021.

Windthorst senior Haven Vieth is a model for perseverance.

The running back/linebacker suffered an elbow injury during Windthorst’s 21-20 win over Archer City on Sept. 11 last season. Four weeks later, he was back in the defensive rotation where he made significant contributions during the Trojans’ state title run.

Archer City senior Mallory Maxwell was born into an athletic family. With parents that both played highend collegiate athletics, Mallory was quickly destined for athletic greatness.

“We’re very competitive, whether it’s playing games at home or something else,” Maxwell said. “I’m very thankful for my mom and dad. Not only did they give me athletic genes, they taught me how to work hard and how to be determined, how to be a leader on the team. I love coming from a family with my mom and dad both being really good athletes and good people.”

After 2020 saw Archer City win its first playoff game in over a decade, the Wildcats and coach Shad Hanna hope big things are in store for this season.

Holliday senior linebacker and center Cason Foster lives and breathes football. When he’s not in school or at practice, he’s studying up on the playbook or going over film for that week’s opponent.

Foster knows what it’s like being a little kid looking up to the varsity players on Friday nights. He wants to leave a positive impact on them to continue the tradition and success of the Eagles.

Holliday has long been known to churn out quality running backs. From Collin Leggett in the early 2000s to Brayden Little in the late 2000s to Tyler Cole in the early 2010s to Justin Jones in the late 2010s, the Eagles have long had strong options to give the ball to in the running game.