2022 RECORD OVERALL RECORD : 2-8 DISTRICT RECORD : 1-5
Grapeland SANDIES
JUWAN LEE Sports Editor sports @ palestineherald . com
In his second year at the helm of the Grapeland Sandies football program , Head Coach Jordan Wood had a young team and endured a tough schedule . The combination spelled a rebuilding year for Grapeland , but progress was made despite the step back in the win column . Grapeland finished 2-8 on the season , which was their worst season since 2013 . However , it was a team equipped with only four seniors . Therefore , many of their core will return for the 2023 season . Players like Trey Gilmore who was a firstteam All-District linebacker as just a sophomore for the Sandies . Casey Morris was also a first-team offensive lineman for Grapeland , helping block for first-team All-District running back Maleek Johnson . Johnson was a dynamic playmaker for Grapeland in his freshman year . In his first game against Frankston , he had four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown . Two weeks later against Bremond , he took his only reception of the game 74 yards for a touchdown . And in their 44-26 win over Groveton , he ahd 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown , along with fiv receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns . Second-team All-District utility player Jax Vickers caught three balls that game – two of those going for touchdowns . Trinity Miller was second-team defense . Along with defensive lineman Jesse Ellington .
20 WINTER EDITION 2023
PHOTO BY PENNYLYNN WEBB Justin Ellington lifts Grapeland Coach Dedrick Dixon up during their 44-26 pre-district finale win over the Groveton Indians Thursday .
Rickie Gilmore , Keavy Bruins and Jeremy Pierce were all honorable mentions . Though they flashed potential , they were placed in a rough district with the Timpson Bears , Joaquin Rams and Garrison