Katie Vernon, a 2011 graduate from Bangs High School, was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Texas Teenage Baseball-Softball Association during their 2011 State Meeting on August 13th.

There were eight $1000 scholarships awarded to teenage softball and baseball players from across the state through TTBSA.  Brown County had two recipients, Vernon and Dustin Michael Worthen from Early.

Katie Vernon is the daughter of Bennie and Brenda Vernon of Bangs.

The Brownwood Lions hit the field on Friday for their first scrimmage of the 2011 season as they tested their skills against the Class 2A Eastland Mavericks. Despite the ongoing drought in the area, a thunderstorm delayed the scrimmage for more than an hour, but did offer some relief from the heat.  The offense and defense were tested against Eastland who were very physical.

Lions Head Coach Bob Shipley characterized this scrimmage as a “wake-up call” for the players.

Calling all Parents, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins of our Early Longhorns...come join the Early Longhorn Booster Club and make a difference in the lives of EISD athletes. The booster club supports all Early Longhorn Athletics 7th through 12th grade.

For as little as $35.00 a year, you could play a major part in helping the program be the best that it can be.   Signups will start August 6th at the inner squad scrimmage at Longhorn Stadium.

Come make your membership count and support the Early Longhorns so they will have a Great Year! Contact Mark Fisher @ 325-642-7398 for more information on memberships.

Memberships are as follows

• Longhorn Backer   $35.00
• Purple Backer       $100.00
• Gold Backer          $200.00

Reserved seating season tickets will be on sale starting next week at the Early ISD Administration Building located at 101 Turtle Creek (the former Kindergarten building).  The 2011 season ticket price is $25.00.  For more information, contact the district at 325-646-7934 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Reserved seating for CURRENT Longhorn season tickets holders (those who had reserved seats for the 2010 season) will be available for sale from Monday, August 8 - Friday, August 12. from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Practice for the Brownwood Lions football team is in full swing with fans and coaches who are looking for another great season.  Lions head coach Bob Shipley said that although many starters from last year’s team graduated, several are returning.  Many other players will be looking to make the starting squad this year as well.

“We have a lot of different guys at every position and a few starters that will be back this year,” stated Shipley.  “There are about 7-8 offensive spots and 7-8 defensive spots; they all know they have to apply for these positions and starters will be announced the week of the first game.”

As the first day of school approaches, so does the long awaited 2011 Brownwood Lions football season.  Players and coaches officially began practice on Monday, August 1st at the Brownwood High School practice field.

As this new team of Lions work to take the field this season, the coaching staff had a few changes this year bringing in Andy Howard as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach, Bryce Monsen will be defensive line coach, Bryan Clark is over running backs, and Jim Taylor will take tight ends and inside receivers.

The Brownwood White Sox won their fourth consecutive TTAB Junior baseball state championship with 11-3 win over the Athens Rangers in Athens Thursday night.

Brownwood went undefeated though five rounds of tournament play to take the state title.  The White Sox posted wins this week over the Ennis American Legion 20-1, Rusk Reds 12-4, Merkel Purple 15-3, Cisco Lobos 14-8, and the Athens Rangers 11-3.

The Early Football Mothers’ Club invites all Football Moms, wives of coaches, or any mom interested in promoting and encouraging Early Longhorn Football to join the Early Football Mothers’ Club (EFMC).

Meetings are held an hour before the Booster Club meetings on Monday evenings at the Early High School in the Student Activities Center.  The next meeting of EFMC will be held Aug. 1st, 2011 at 6:00 pm.

The Early Football Mothers’ Club mission statement is:  To foster community pride in our athletes at all age levels from seniors to seventh graders, to work together to encourage our children to be their best and to bring mothers and coaches’ wives together in our common interest of supporting the EARLY LONGHORNS!

Soccer For Fun is currently registering 4-12 year olds for the fall season.  Registration ends September 7th, 2011.

Click here to print a registration form or stop by Weakley Watson Sporting Goods where you may pick up and return forms.

Organizers are looking for coaches and referees for this season.

The Early Slammers softball team finished 3rd place in the TTAS Junior Girls State Softball tournament. The tournament was held the week of July 18-22 in Belton, Texas.

The Slammers went 3-2 in the tournament beating Van Lady Vandals, Rogers Xplosion, and Dawson Lady Bulldogs while losing games to Bosqueville NYB and Troy.  Thirteen teams participated in the tournament.