July 8, 2026
FIGHTIN' BACK- Menard's Tate Wagner defies gravity to block a Rochelle PAT in last Friday's 34-83 loss to Rochelle. Nora Davis, photo.
Yellowjacket Jayden Payton, #3, breaks through the Blanket defense for a touchdown during Friday's first -and rainy- football game of the season. After a couple of lightning delays the game was eventually called with 3:38 remaining in the second quarter, the score tied 14-14. Be sure to view this photo in color at menardnews.com. Nora Davis, photo.
ABOVE- A couple of Yellowjackets team up to take down a Gorman HS ball carrier during the teams' scrimmage last week. The Jackets have their first game of the season this Friday in Blanket.
STARTING THE SEASON ON TOP- Freshman Taytum Chambless, left, and sophomore Danni Ruiz both medaled at the first cross country meet in Eldorado last week. Danni, who placed eighth in last year's state meet, won the Eldorado contest. Chambless battled until the end to claim third. Saller photo.
Varsity Jackets celebrate a good play during last week's scrimmage against Gorman. Pictured left to right: Zeke Hernandez, Tate Wagner, Colby Powell, Logan Powell, Jayden Payton. Menard travels to Blanket Friday night. JV will host Blanket here at home on Thursday at 6:00. Nora Davis photo.
ON THE MOVE- Juniors Zeke Hernandez and Cado Bannowsky work through some barrel drills during a summertime Jacket football practice. The team will brave hot temperatures Thursday afternoon to host Panther Creek and Gorman beginning at 6. Nora Davis, photo.
Paige Wright
Basketball camps were fun for all
WELL, THAT STINGS. Head football/track coach and athletic director Bryson Oliver addresses a swarm of Yellowjackets in a bygone practice. Oliver unexpectedly accepted an offer to coach the Hornets at Highland ISD (Roscoe), leaving Menard ISD in somewhat of a bind looking toward football season. Oliver went 13-8 in Menard's first two years of six-man football. Laressa Brown, photo.