Louise residents celebrate as LHS Hornets play on
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Chris Barbee High Five For The Hornets Supporters cheered the Louise High School Hornets Friday night as they raced out on the field to face Burni in the first playoff round. Winning 14-0, the team will face D'Hanis this Friday in Seguin. The Louise community will have an official "Tailgate Send Off Rally" at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Louise Fire Station.

The Louise community couldn't be more proud to find their football team still in the race to state, facing a second playoff game this weekend.

Louise earned a 14-0 win over the Bruni Badgers Friday in their first playoff appearance since 2000. The Hornets finished second in District 31-A with a 7-3 record, including a 4-2 district record. They face the D'Hanis Cowboys Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Seguin for their second post-season challenge and the Hornets will hold a pre-game rally Friday in Louise.

"Isn't it wonderful?" said Eula Mae Crowell, unofficial mayor of the unincorporated town. "It's wonderful and I just hope we keep going."

Jimmy Woods, who was shopping at Sablatura's Grocery, said being in the playoffs is "really great."

L-N Photo by Brenda Sommer Excitement Building Posters, like this one spotted on the window of Sablatura's Grocery in Louise, are going up throughout the community as the Hornet's first playoff victory is celebrated and the focus turns to round two. Friday, the Hornets will face the D'Hanis Cowboys in Seguin. A "Tailgate Send-Off Rally" will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Louise Fire Station.

"We haven't been in that situation in a while," he said. "I'm real proud of the whole bunch."

Sablatura's cashier Emily Ochoa said she "feels good" about the team's performance this year.

"I'm proud of those boys," she said.

Cindy Sablatura took a moment from working at the justice of the peace's office in Louise to share her pride.

"Oh my goodness, it's wonderful," she said. "It's exciting."

Ricky Meek, working at the B&B Chevron station in Louise, said he thinks it's great the Hornets made it to the playoffs.

"From what I see down at the coffee shop in the mornings, most everybody's excited about it," he said.

Louise ISD Superintendent Andy Peters was very excited about having both boys and girls athletic teams in playoffs this fall, since the Lady Hornets volleyball made their playoffs after winning district with a 10-0 record, and falling in the third round.

"For both the girls and the boys to be in playoffs together is really exciting," he said. "We are very proud of the way our kids have reached up to the challenge. I feel blessed to have coaches that are strong academically, too. Just last week, Coach (Rodney) Dowell and (LHS Principal Diana) Blumrick got to speak to two of our boys who hadn't passed their TAKS test yet and they passed it this time. It was quite a feeling to see the excitement on their face as they realize they have accomplished something so important in their lives - football provides them with the icing on the cake.

The Hornets' next opponent, D'Hanis, which is located west of Hondo, finished the year 10-0 as the District 29-A champion. Friday's winner will advance to play either Bremond or Milano the following week.

Prior to the big game, there will be a "Tailgate Send-Off Rally" at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Louise Fire Station. Hamburgers will be available first-come, first-served for a $1 donation, and the community is encouraged to come by and support the team.

"I'm sure few lights will be left on Friday when we all head to Seguin to play," Peters said.