THE HISTORY OF female American football players is a fairly short one. If you research the topic, you’ll discover a list of remarkable women athletes, like American Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm or Brazil’s Marta Vieira da Silva—but they play soccer, not football.

It was supposed to be a battle between two district champions. It was supposed to be a battle of two of the best in the region.

Wellington Skyrocket senior Mason Folk (2, in photo at right) scored three TDs on 18 carries, picking up 77 yards in the Class 2A Division II regional semifinal Friday at Borger’s Bulldog Stadium. No. 3-ranked, undefeated Wellington put away Vega 40-20, despite the Skyrockets’ starting QB Creighton Killian suffering an injury in the second quarter that took him out of the game. His cousin, sophomore Barret Phillips (10), had a crucially-timed interception and near pick-six, setting up the next TD. Freshman Nixon Folk (13, holding the trophy) also had a hand in the victory. The contest was close, 26-20, entering the third quarter when Folk turned on the afterburners and put the game out of reach—scoring twice on short runs. Marc Ramirez carried the ball 44 times, compiling 221 yards and two touchdowns. The Folk brothers are the sons of Canadian High School alumni Kristi and Jason Folk. Phillips is the son of Kim and Cody Phillips and the grandson of George and Dixie Cook. Wellington is back in tomorrow’s state quarterfinals at Lubbock Cooper, kickoff at 7 pm, as they take on the McCamey Badgers (11-1) who bested the Stratford Elks 41-18 in the semifinal matchup.

The entire board of the Canadian/Hemphill County Economic Development Council was present for Monday’s commissioners court meeting. It was an impressive show of support for a request to fund a $12,000 jobcreation grant, which marks the start of a new initiative by the EDC to attract remote workers to the community.