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Archer County was no stranger to new head coaches making their debut this past sports season. Archer City welcomed three new head coaches to their ranks, while Windthorst saw a familiar face take the helm for the softball team. Holliday was no different as along the with the hire of a new athletic director and head football coach, the Red and White brought in a new head boys’ track coach, new volleyball coach, and several assistant coaches spread across all the sports. One assistant coach even got the opportunity to show off their head coaching ability, assistant- turned-head coach Jason Kress.

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On Tuesday, June 11, the University Interscholastic League Legislative Council passed a proposal to add an amendment for “split divisions in the postseason for volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, and baseball.” This new setup follows the format used for the current 6A football playoff structure, where the four teams that make the playoffs are then separated into the two biggest and two smallest schools by their student enrollment numbers. After the regular season, of the four teams who make the playoffs, the two larger schools will move to the Division I playoff bracket and face other Division I opponents, while the two smaller schools will move to the Division II playoff bracket and face other Division II opponents.

In its sports history, Archer County has produced some of the best athletes in the area. Whether it be in football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, or softball, Archer City, Windthorst, and Holliday have a knack for developing athletes that lead their teams to victory and even find success at the next level. One former Windthorst Trojanette fits that mold perfectly, basketball phenom Tatum Veitenheimer.

Several high school softball and baseball players from Archer County were named to their respective all-state teams following the 23-24 season. For softball, Holliday’s Kinley Marek and Jordan Peters earned the Texas Girls Coaches Association 3A honors, while Holliday’s Cooper Turner and Isaac Villa (3A), and Windthorst’s Conner Schreiber (2A) took home honors from the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association.

There were a lot of ups and downs for the three high school baseball teams in the county, but they managed to come together and have another successful year on the baseball diamond. From Coaching changes to first-year coaches making their debuts, to perennial powerhouses playing fresh talent, Archer City, Holliday, and Windthorst all were able overcome adversity and find a bright spot in their seasons.

Four Windthorst Trojanettes and four Holliday Lady Eagles made the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Track team following another successful year in the field and on the track. For Windthorst, Senior runners Cameron Belcher, Saige Anderson, Annikah Frank, and junior thrower Gabby Hoegger all received the All-State honors. For Holliday, sophomore Kenli Atwood, junior Breagan Blowers, freshman Sammi Kirkland, and senior Simone Mouras all received the honors.

The 2023-2024 softball season was the year of the youth movement for the three high schools in the county, as neither of the three varsity teams featured more than two seniors in their starting lineup. Despite the lack of experience for a lot of the players, Archer City, Holliday, and Windthorst all made the playoffs, with the former even making it all the way to the Regional Semifinals round. With Archer City graduating two (Brynlee Skelton and Nicole Crouse), Holliday graduating two (Kinley Marek and Kelby Jones), and Windthorst graduating one (Bri Hoff), all three teams will look to fill the holes left by the seniors with more young, hungry players.