A new approach on the pitching mound worked this summer for James O’Neal. The North Zulch High School graduate excelled for Woodstock in the summer Valley Baseball League.

The new-look Madisonville and North Zulch volleyball teams took the court for their first action of the season last week. Both teams competed in two standalone contests and traveled to Franklin for a tournament Thursday and Saturday. (Left: Madisonville’s Grayson Bennett delivers a serve at MHS in 2020; Right: Members of the North Zulch volleyball team celebrate a successful point during their season opener Aug. 10 at NZHS) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS

The Madisonville football team competed in their first scrimmage of the season with Palestine and Hallsville in Palestine last week. The Mustangs will travel to Cameron Thursday for their final scrimmage before their Aug. 27 opener against Diboll at MHS.

The Madisonville Mustangs football team began official practice last week and will compete in a scrimmage in Palestine at 6:30 p.m. Friday (junior varsity and freshman scrimmages begin at 5 p.m.). The Mustangs will also travel to Cameron for a scrimmage Aug. 19 before hosting Diboll to open the regular season in Madisonville Aug. 27. (Left: Head Coach Russell Urbantke and quarterback Cody Borgfeld run through drills during practice Monday; Right: Linemen Keyvunt Simpson (left) and Tyler George take a load off and pose for the camera during a water break Monday) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS

Both the Madisonville and North Zulch volleyball teams took the court to begin their regular seasons Tuesday with the Lady Mustangs battling Snook on the road and the Lady Bulldogs hosting Franklin. Madisonville will compete in a tournament in Franklin Thursday and Saturday and travel to Bremond Friday for a 6:30 p.m. varsity start. North Zulch competes in the same tournament Thursday and Saturday and will host Latexo Friday at 5 p.m. (Left: Madisonville volleyball players celebrate a successful point during a home scrimmage Saturday; Right: North Zulch volleyball players pose with Coach Melissa Padgett’s truck earlier this month after pushing the vehicle one mile together as part of their traditional preseason workout regiment) PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL ATKINS

Midway’s Faith Farris has had a summer of successes unparalleled to most of the 17-year-olds you will encounter. In fact, it was so successful that she and her loved ones could hardly fathom the journey when it was all said and done.

Football season is just around the corner with the Madisonville Mustangs’ varsity squad slated to open their season Aug. 27 against Diboll at MHS. The Mustangs will again compete in the extremely competitive District 10-4A (DII) with defending state champion Carthage, Jasper, Center, Rusk and Shepherd.