Henderson outlasts KHS in rainstorm

Photo by Kathy Bowden SMASH IT! — Kilgore High School’s Brett Green (above) gets ready to send the ball downfield. The Bulldogs lost a 2-0 contest to Henderson Friday night at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium. Kilgore travels to Hallsville on Tuesday, then hosts Lufkin Hudson Friday. The Lady Bulldogs will be at home Tuesday against Hallsville. A heavy downpour added some intrigue to a boys soccer game at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium Friday night.

But the rain wasn’t needed in what turned out to be a very close, entertaining game between rivals Kilgore and Henderson.

Henderson came away with a 2-0 win, getting a rare season sweep over the Bulldogs, who are very young this season after lengthy playoff runs three of the last four years.

The rain was so heavy at first that the game was played in front of few — as the rain slacked near halftime, more fans were in the stands.

Henderson got an early advantage when Martin Morales scored for the Lions not even three minutes in, getting the game’s first goal with 37:11 remaining in the half. A Henderson player took a shot on goal, and Kilgore goalie Everaldo Delmas dove for the ball. Delmas stopped the shot, and just as he was about to grab the ball, Morales was there, and booted it into the goal.

For most of the game, the score remained 1-0 Henderson. Kilgore had its chances, though — Kaleb Nix had a near miss just two minutes after Morales’ goal, and Will Estel missed on a free kick with 29 minutes left. Kilgore took five shots on goal in the first half, and Henderson three.

In spite of the loss, Delmas again played well in front of the goal, recording seven saves on the night. He also got good defense from his teammates, like Travis Hull. Hull made a nice play to derail a Henderson scoring threat, getting between a Lion and the ball and forcing the ball out of bounds without touching it. Samuel Arellana scored the only other goal in the contest with 10:26 remaining.

The junior varsity won their game over Henderson, 3-0. Michael Camacho, Jose Rodriguez and Jose Castanon each scored for the Bulldogs — Castanon’s goal came off a nice cross kick from Tommy Howard.

Kilgore’s varsity is coached by Kris Duplissey; the JV is coached by Kyle Ferro.

There was no word from the Lady Bulldogs’ games in Henderson.

Also, the KHS soccer booster club will meet Monday night at 7:30 at the East Texas Treatment Center board room. Members are encouraged to attend, if at all possible.

The Lady Bulldogs will host Hallsville Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., beginning with JV; the Bulldogs will play at Hallsville at the same time.