From the hardwood to the gridiron and beyond, taking a look back and ahead at the San Antonio-area high school sports landscape:

By the numbers
1989: The last time that Fox Tech qualified for the UIL volleyball playoffs before snapping the drought this year.

The Buffaloes defeated Brooks Academy on Tuesday in a tiebreaker match to lock up District 29-4A’s final postseason berth. They played Hondo in bidistrict on Thursday.

Thirty-one years ago, Fox Tech finished as district runner-up to Sam Houston and stunned district champion Judson 15-11, 15-12 in bidistrict. The team, led by the likes of LaTanya Brown, Windy Hights, Blanca Regalado, Nicole Moore and Tiffany Zacharie, pushed eventual regional finalist and state power Austin Westlake to the limit in the second round before falling 15-8, 13-15, 15-11.

Back then, only the top two teams from each district advanced to the playoffs, matches were best-of-three format, sets were played to 15 points, and a team could score only when it served. Four teams now advance to the playoffs, matches are best-of-five, sets are played to 25, and a team can score on every play, regardless who serves.

Fox Tech’s turnaround came under the guidance of first-year coach Mikail Russell, who played at Texas-Arlington and had a standout career at San Angelo Central High School. She was all-state and a district MVP and amassed 1,177 kills, 1,310 digs and 115 aces, including 416 kills, 337 digs, 49 aces and 31 blocks in her senior season.

1,748: Rushing yards for Poteet junior running back Ernest Davila. He has rushed for at least 200 yards in five straight games, including 338 yards on 41 carries two week ago vs. Marion.

Davila has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight of nine games this season. The lone exception came when he totaled 74 yards in a loss vs. Sinton.
The Aggies (7-2) defeated Cotula 41-19 on Tuesday to clinch a playoff berth. They host Randolph on Nov. 6 to conclude the regular season.

57: Straight district volleyball wins for Poth. The streak is the area’s longest active mark and seventh-longest overall. The Pirettes have secured five straight unbeaten league titles under the leadership of coach Patti Zenner and haven’t lost a district contest since falling to Goliad on Oct. 20, 2015.

5: Consecutive district volleyball championships won by Devine. Led by coach Leigh Anne McIver, the Arabians have gone undefeated in capturing three of the league titles, including going 8-0 this season in claiming the District 29-4A crown.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1