Yoemen Sports Network

For the Yoemen, it had to seem like deja vu after competing in pool play in Saturday’s state qualifying tournament in Copperas Cove. Just a week ago, Cameron had fallen just short of advancing out of pool play in the Robinson SQT, finishing with a 2-1 record and a stinging last-second loss to China Spring.

In Cove, Cameron was in pool C with Academy, Brownwood and Moody. Both the Yoemen and Brownwood have a rich tradition in 7 on 7, and there was a good chance that matchup would decide who advanced on to the semifinals.

Yoemen scramble for another 7 on 7 SQT

After falling short of qualifying for the second consecutive week, Cameron is now having to scramble to find another spot in a state qualifying tournament. The Yoemen missed out on semifinal play in Gatesville this past week. Gatesville was the very tournament that Cameron qualified in during the 2016 season.

The Yoemen are now on the waitlist for Giddings and Brownwood, but are not currently guaranteed a spot in either tournament. Cameron has qualified for state in every year but one (2014) since 2009.

Franklin, Thorndale move on to regional semifinals

One of the state’s most improbable runs will continue for another week, as the Franklin Lions won their best of three game series over Grandview, two games to one. The series, which was played at The Yards of Cameron, went down to the wire.

The remarkable run for Yoe High's Brittney Moorer in the shot put ended on Friday at the final event of the season - the state track meet.  

Moorer, which had district, area and regional titles under her belt, finished in sixth place at state with a throw of 37-3.75.  

"I preformed to the best of my abilities," said Moorer.  "I was nervous, being as it was my first year at state but I didn't let that stop me. I pushed hard and never gave up."

Shot put coach Wanda White felt things went well for the junior.  

"She handled the "big stage" like a pro," said White.  "Having said that, state throwers get six throws providing they get one in sector to get the rest.  She was a bit tight and I feel like by the time we started finals she was in a better frame of mind to go after the 5th-4th spots."

It was just a year ago when Nikolas Keratsopoulos jumped onto the high school golf scene. As a freshmen, the Yoe High golfer had a significant amount of pressure on his shoulders as the lone player from Cameron at the event. Keratsopoulos handled the moment like a seasoned senior, finishing in third overall with a bronze medal.

Following play, Keratsopoulos noted how he desired to return to state next season - with the rest of Yoe teammates. Fast forward a year later, and mission accomplished as Keratsopoulos and his fellow Yoemen are now set to play for all the marbles at the state golf tournament in Austin.

“Being the first team on the boys side to go to state is big,” said Keratsopoulos Going to state as a team is going to add a lot of motivation and relaxation to myself, because I am around them and enjoying the time together.”

Despite not qualifying for the state 7-on-7 tournament this past weekend in Robinson, Cameron had plenty to leave happy about after stepping off the field. The Yoemen finished pool play with a 2-1 record, with wins over Palestine (39-6) and New Diana (49-19), before suffering a tight loss to China Spring (46-40).

"It was tough competition and I felt like this was a benefit for us today," said Yoe head football coach Tommy Brashear. "If we came up here and did this well again and did not qualify, we would do it. We would love to qualify for state. If we do, we do, but if we don't, we're still going to get out here and get better. I was really proud of the way they competed. They competed like Yoemen."

Cameron's offense was firing on all cylinders most of the day with an average of over six touchdowns per contest. The production was welcomed despite the challenges of new players stepping into big roles.

Baseball Playoffs

The regional quarterfinal round of the baseball playoffs will take place this week. The Yoemen were bounced in the bi-district round by Troy in two games. The Trojans were eliminated by Grandview this past week in two games, 2-0 and 4-3.

The Yards of Cameron also hosted multiple playoff contest this past weekend. Liberty Hill and Madisonville played a best two ouf of three game series in the 4A area round. Liberty Hill won game one (2-1) on Friday night. Madisonville rebounded with a 5-2 win in game two before the Panthers responded with an 8-0 shutout the capture the series win.

For the first time since December, members of the fighting Cameron Yoemen took place in organized activity with the start of the 7 on 7 season.

It’s always an exciting time for members of the community, the players, and even the coaching staff, which has been itching to get back on the gridiron since December.

“It feels good,” said head coach football Tommy Brashear. “The excitement is starting, at least for me. I think the kids feel the same way. It is fun to come out here and work out the kinks and get back your rhythm and timing with your quarterbacks and receivers.”

The Yoemen started league action last Thursday in Cameron and played once again on Monday from Yoe Field. Competing teams include Cameron, Caldwell, Hearne, Marlin and Thrall. So far, Cameron is a perfect 7-0 through two weeks of play.

In addition to 7 on 7, Yoe athletes have been busy this offseason with boot camp and weight lifting.

At last year’s regional meet, Cameron’s Brittney Moorer capped off her sophomore campaign with a 15th place and a throw of 32’2”. For most 15 to 16 year olds, getting to that point of a season is a major accomplishment. The experience was undoubtedly beneficial to the Yoe track star, but like most great athletes, the desire for more was there.

Fast forward a year, and Moorer is now in a position to compete for a state championship after winning the regional meet - this time with a long throw of 37’22.15”.

“I definitely was more motivated this year,” said Mooroer. “I think I grew as a person and a athlete. I just knew I wanted to get further than last year.”

Before capturing gold at regionals, Moorer had taken care of business at both the district and area meets with first place finishes.

In 2009, Emily Fuchs, Emily Dohnalik, Kelsey Hornung, Lauren Eichinger and Haley Vrazel made history for Cameron by advancing to the state tournament for the first time in school history. At that moment, those five girls may not have known it, but they set the precedent and built on a tradition that has become of the state’s finest.

Since that year, Cameron has competed in the state tournament all but once, and was not far off from getting in that year (2010). The 2017 set of golfers is carrying on that tradition by competing in next week’s state tournament from Grey Rock Golf Course in Austin. It is now the seventh straight trip to the final tournament of the year.

It was the Yoemen that stole momentum in game one of last week’s bi-districts series with Troy. A Keaton Hundle single in the second had brought in base runner Caden Harris, giving Cameron the early 1-0 advantage.

From that point through the next 12 innings of play, Cameron could only muster up two more hits and no further runs as the Trojans completed the two-game sweep, 2-1 and 4-0.

“We had a few self-inflicted things happen to us, and we just couldn't recover,” said Yoe head baseball coach John Broussard. “Our guys fought hard and Troy is a good ball club. I felt like going into this that we were both evenly matched teams. We just made a few too many mistakes in game one and game two and they capitalized.”