The Madisonville CISD board held their monthly meeting for September Monday and welcomed seven new staff members who began teaching in the district to start the semester. The staff members in attendance were Kelsey Byrd, Gia Harrison, Annette Bingham, Katie Hooks, Brittney Smith Skuria, Whitlee Burke and Sarah King.

Madisonville’s defense struggled to contain Liberty’s vicious and consistent rushing attack and spent much of the game on the field despite coming away with an early score in Friday’s loss to the Panthers. “(Liberty) simplified

The Madisonville offense struggled to find room in their ground attack against a strong defensive front in Friday’s 42-14 loss to Liberty at home to even their record at 1-1 on the young season. “(Liberty) plays a different defensive front,” said head coach Russell Urbantke Monday.

The Madisonville volleyball team dropped a pair of non-district home matchups to Splendora Aug. 31 and Liberty Friday after getting off to slow starts in each contests. The Lady Mustangs traveled to Huntington Tuesday and will host Rudder at MHS Friday.

The Madisonville Elementary students of the month (back row, from left) Tyce Langley, Jewel Lovell (first grade), Mason White, Peyton Pope (second grade), (front row, from left) Nate Kidder, Noah Black (pre-K), Jayde Allen and Shivin Patel (kindergarten). COURTESY PHOTO

The North Zulch volleyball team split a pair of non-district matchups with a loss to Allen Academy in Bryan Aug. 31 and a road win over Buffalo Friday. The Lady Bulldogs battled Grapeland at home Tuesday and will open district in Normangee Friday.

Madisonville High School Cheerleaders of the Week (from left) Gabby Bracewell, Caymen Forrest and Asia Jordan pose together following the Mustangs’ varsity football matchup against Liberty at MHS Friday. COURTESY PHOTO

Madisonville defenders Jermal Holland and Conner Swonke fight to shed blockers and take down a Liberty ball carrier during the team’s 42-14 loss to the Panthers at MHS Friday. The Mustangs are 1-1 to open their regular season and will travel to Teague in week three. CAMPBELL ATKINs

Madisonville’s diverse backfield kept the Diboll Lumberjacks’ defense on their heels throughout the duration of Friday’s 51-20 victory at Mustang Stadium to open the season. All told, Mustang backs totaled 421 yards, 176 of which came courtesy of quarterback Jeramiah Burns, and five rushing touchdowns.

Jeramiah Burns (left) and Lorenzo Johnson celebrate after a Burns touchdown run during the team’s 51-20 win over Diboll to open the season Friday at MHS. PHOTO BY CAMPBELL ATKINS.